Who's booked?

Ngaire and Ken
Sheila and Ken
Pat and Jim
Pam and Jim
Carolyn and Don (Pt. 1)
Pat and Al (Pt. 1)

Some wonderful people on this one Olivia, there are about 28 booked so I am sure they will post under here soon.

Well let's hope so, or I will be eating with you and Ken every night! We have so many lct group cruises coming up. Not sure whether there is a roll call for all of them?

I get confused too - not for me but for all the LCT trips - I hope my PVB group will book a 2010 trip to Asia after experiencing the B2B - little steps

Hi Olivia...........we're on this too. Such a treat to have a short flight home after a cruise.It's a wonderful itinerary, I think we'll have a great time.

So glad to hear this, Sheila, I just told all my friends about the ghd hair thing! You're right Joanna, SO many LCT cruises to choose from! Let's hope your PVB group "may" want to go to Viet Nam in 2009 rather than wait for another 2 years for a cruise!

Well??? we will see after B2B - I will so miss sea days on B2B but Venice so OK!!!!

Put us on the list. I'm trying to find some way to sail back to the U.S. also-- hate thinking about that flight!!!!

Add Pat & me to the list. We're thinking of spending a week at a time share in Vina del Mar before getting on the ship.
Jim

Although we are not booked thru B&K, we will be on this segment of Ring of Fire on the Mariner. We just did the Sydney to Auckland (where we met a few of you getting on LAMB)trip on the Mariner and have done the PG in FP, but looking forward to seeing all these places again, along with some great sea days. Hope to meet more LCTers on this trip. Linda & Larry

We are really looking forward to this. My husband has always wanted to go to Easter Island and I was not keen on just going there from Chile without another reason. We will probably fly into Chile a few days early and than add Tasmania on at the end. We have done alot of Australia but not there. Trying to figure out flights on ff miles is a nightmare. May have to suck it up and actually pay for part of the fights. I hate that ff miles charge the same whether it is one way or round trip. Trying to find airlines that service both Santiago and sydney is not proving easy with the miles we have. Mainly AMX. Though a goodly amount on USAir. Looking forward to meeting many of you who I have read your remarks for years. We will also be on Roar 2. Pam and Jim

WhoooooHooo! Can't wait! Add us to the list please....Pat and Al.
Pat

We're going to be on this one too. Really excited -- looking forward to meeting all the LCT'ers . . . .

Welcome aboard, everyone!

Right now we're booked from Buenos Aires to Sydney -- two segments. We're hoping to spend some time in Buenos Aires before the trip. And we'll certainly spend time in Australia after -- would never pass up a chance for time in Australia!

Betty

Some good POOCH players along for those afternoons at sea. We will spread the addiction to those who are interested. I am out of POOCH pins so just ordered some more - magnets this time.

Oh goody, two of my favorite lct travelers have signed on! Tomato juice at noon in OL, here we come! Lots of sea days for that!

I WISH I could love cards and want to be good at POOCH!

Olivia I hate cards - pooch is very card friendly

Al, Jerry, Olivia -- and sometimes Peggy -- are BIG on tomato juice!!

For the rest of you, appreciate that this is 'well doctored' tomato juice (sometimes known as a Bloody Mary). By all accounts, Observation Lounge on Mariner had the BEST!!

I just hope it is SO good in Explorer II in about a week, Betty! I can't wait for you and Al to meet my sister and her husband! Nooner's would be great after a trek on the ice for the a.m.!

Tom and I are also booked on this (# 735)....but not certain we'll keep it.

I'm with you Peggy!! Us too....

Thanks Olivia for the welcome! Didn't you and Todd both stay at the Ritz-Santiago on the Chilean Fjords cruise? I'm already looking into pre-cruise stays and would love to hear your opinion of the Ritz. Was it in a central location to everything etc. and did you guys encounter any language problems?
I'd love to learn Pooch if anyone is willing to teach me. We'll certainly have enough time on board to play during the 24 days.
Pat

Olivia, please add us to the list. We are looking forward to all these sea days, as close to heaven as you can get on earth.

Before KOALA we will see you on CAMEL.

Carolyn and Don

Carolyn: You are so right about sea days - we did Auckland to LA, 19 nights, and I loved every second of the many sea days - doing B2B port intensive in May/June and so excited about Venice but to be honest, at our age, sea days the way to go!!!

Carolyn,

Lots of great days for spa hanging and afternoon tea.....where we can get our dessert fix, while the guys do their reading.
Pat

We are looking at pre-cruise options. Should we stay in Santiago (Ritz?) or in Valparaiso or Vin de Mar (sp?) before KOALA? Any suggestions would be appreciated. Also, what exactly is pooch? Thanks in advance, Linda & Larry

Linda & Larry,
I recommend Vina del Mar over Valparaiso for a stay. It's a suburb and Valparaiso & the port are a short taxi ride. More to see & do in Vina. If you haven't spent time in Santiago, it might be worth a couple of days there and then time in Vina if you have free time to spare. We'll be in Vina del mar for a few days before Koala.
Jim & Pat

Pat, yes, Todd and I stayed at the Ritz-Carlton in Santiago when it first opened. It's a lovely hotel, but we were only there for a night, as I remember. I can't recall how central it was, but it was not right in the middle of the commercial part of the city. Todd arranged for a guide to pick each of us up at the airport (he came in after me), who returned to pick us up for a half-day tour of the city. The next morning, he took us to a winery on the way to the ship, and we stopped in Vina del Mar for lunch before getting on the ship. Todd took tons of pictures of the hotel that you can check on his ofoto site.

Ritz is in the northeast quadrant of Santiago, as are most of the name brand hotels. Hyatt and Marriott are closer together. The website says Ritz is 1/2 an hour from the airport; Hyatt/Marriott 15 minutes.

Cheers, Anne

We stayed at the Ritz a little over a year ago. It is in a nice neighborhood (El Golf)with lots of restaurants nearby, probably 20 -30 minutes from the airport. It is a short walk from the hotel to the metro which is very easy to take and felt totally safe to us.

The rooms were terrific - we stayed on the club floor and they always had some food presentation going on along with complementary wine, soft drinks etc. Wi-fi was free in the club if you brought a lap top (we didn't); the business center was on the floor below the lobby and only had one or two computers. The service was fantastic as well. highly recommended.

Does anyone have hotel recommendations for Lima, Peru ?
If we fly to Santiago, we may stop in Lima for a couple of days as we have spent hardly any time there.

Miraflores. Great views, service, in a safe part of Lima. Near good resturants. they will arrange tours, and cars to transport to dinner. Shopping nearby, Rooftop pool and spa. Nice breakfast on rooftop. Rooms are large.

Lots of great info about pre-cruise hotels.....thank-you! I'll have to check out Vina del Mar too and search for Todds pics. I love the Ritz Club floor also but have found certain Club Levels better then others depending on where it is but it's nice to know that you liked the one in Santiago Leslie.
Pat

Marcie - we stayed at the Country Club, Lima which was very nice, although I thought the spa was a bit weird. Our room was huge and as I recall the breakfast was very good. The other recommended hotel in Lima is the Miraflores Park. Either the San Isidro or Miraflores neighborhoods are where you want to stay.

We were pleasantly surprised by Lima - there are fantastic restaurants and terrific museums there. We never felt unsafe, although we did have private tours and didn't walk around by ourselves. You get so much more out of a trip to Cusco, Sacred Valley & Machu Picchu if you tour the museums in Lima.

Thanks for the recommendations! We were only in Lima after visiting Machu Picchu and Cusco so that's why we're considering a stop over there.

We did alot of walking around the Miraflores area during the day and felt comfortable. Night time they recommended not walking around by yourself. Lots of security around the hotel. Small but nice spa treatment rooms on top floor.

Miraflores and San Isidro are both lovely neighborhoods. One of my clearer memories of Lima is the taxi support system. There are tire changing stations seemingly on every other corner. When you get a flat, the taxi pulls in, and --whoosh!-- five minutes late, the replacement tire is on the car and your journey continues. A very efficient system for their needs.

The Inca market in/near Miraflores is worth a visit if you haven't had a chance to stop at the Pisac market in the Sacred Valley or spend much time in Cuzco looking at the handicrafts. Some of the best sweater selections are actually at the airport. If you're looking solely for good buys, there's a co-op that does handmade sweaters in a couple of shops in Cuzco. I didn't specifically look for them in Lima at the Inca market. The label is Artesanias Illary from Cusco. If you are buying the handmade sweaters, look at them very carefully and don't buy unless you try it on. Make sure the sleeves are equal length, the pattern is regular, the size holds true throughout the garment, etc. We had to fish through about 4 sweaters before we found one without obvious sizing problems. I love it and still wear it many years later.

The Gold Museum is a bit controversial locally (don't remember why anymore) and, of course, the sex museum is a must-see. We also came across the changing of the guard at the President's Palace. It was mobbed by local school children all wearing uniforms - in this case, track suits. The uniforms are quite ornate. The design dates back to the early 1800s.

Lima gets about 4 inches of rain per year, so it's often hazy from the dust in the air.

My 'ah hah' shopping moment was finding Carlos Chaquiras silver works in Cusco. I learned later he's considered one of the best, if not the best, silversmith in Peru. I don't know if his work is available in Lima, but ask the concierge. I find it remarkable and enjoy wearing it. My only regret was not buying one of his icon statues when I visited several years ago. Here's the link: http://www.carloschaquiras.com/

Enjoy! Anne

Pat and I are also booked on the Valparaiso - Sydney leg of the Ring of Fire – in Suite #821 again, just like on Panda, and are really looking forward to it. We also plan to do some before and aftering in Santiago and Sydney, plus perhaps coming home heading west, stopping off in SE Asia (Singapore or Bangkok), India and Europe! We too really hate those long trans-Pacific flights - 14-15 hours. Ugg! And we'd both like to see more of India. Depends a lot on the air deals we can get, most likely. We used up most of our stash of Reward points and Skymiles getting to and from PANDA, so we're kind of low on semi-freebies, and will likely have to lay out cold hard cash! Horrors!

Editing to add:
NEW DEVELOPMENT ON US-AUSTRALIA AIR ROUTES

There is GOOD NEWS, however: according to CNN as of four days ago, the US and Australia have signed an "Open Skies" agreement allowing US and Australian owned airlines to fly between the two countries without the limitations currently in place. [http://edition.cnn.com/2008/BUSINESS/02/14/australia.us.opensky.ap/index.html?iref=24hours] Qantas and United now fly the route, as does Air New Zealand and Air Tahiti Nui, but as far as I know, that's it. Continental did fly to Carnes from Guam, and from there to Hawaii, connecting into the main USA Continental system, but that seems to be a thing of the past, and in any case, the Carnes-Guam-Hawaii legs were flown in Boeing 737s! Not my choice of airplane for long Pacific legs!

The Open Skies agreement should open Australian destinations to American, Delta & Northwest and US Air, plus perhaps one of the Hawaiian airlines or Alaska Air. Moreover, it may lead to direct non-stop service from more American cities (e.g., Dallas or Atlanta.) More competition usually results in lower costs, which doesn't solve the long flight times, but does tend to make the tariff less painful. I think (not sure) that more than one of the airlines currently flying this route offers premium economy seating, so new carriers are more likely to offer this amenity, which does make life somewhat better for not too much more money.

With the fuel prices raising daily (perhaps by the minute), does anyone know how soon we can book those flights,. Was thinking of doing it on our own -- but, it sounds like the airport is fairly far from the ship.

Flights open up approximately 330 days before the date of departure. I just checked and American Airlines is up to the 15th of February right now.

If u fly delta, flights open up 331 days in advance, already snagged outbound to Buenos Aires on 10 Feb, waiting for 3 April to book
return leg 28 Feb

Been working on ff mile tickets. The kicker is that they must be two seperate tickets because the distance between Val and sydny is longer than one of the segments. Of course if you do that almost all airlines charge round trip miles for a one way ticket. THis is what I got from an agent at US Airways trying to use Air Canada. We can do a little better paying than Regent air by using LAN through Dallas which is really an AA flight and costs alot less if booked as LAN as compared to AA. Any great ideas from anyone.

Pammy, We're not doing that cruise anymore but I remember calling AA when we were looking into using AA miles from LAX and it was doable. Unfortunately I can't remember now (and threw my notes away) but I remember being pleased with the options. Call AA and see if this is better for you.

Usually it is the award level from the most expensive leg so with AA it would be the normal mileage cost from Australia.

On our CPT to RIO it was the cost of the CPT award but we could come back from RIO no problem.

All airlines are different on these types of rules.

When will Regent post air for this cruise?

Carolyn

Already posted on the Regent web. From Texas $6300 business and $1959 coach.

Received flight confirmation for Koala today! Extremely exciteed :banana: :banana:

Now -- just have to sit, back and wait for our next cruise (this Friday)

Thanks for the early morning laugh! What a picture, love it!!

You booked your flights already, good for you Jackie! I'm starting to book up hotels but it's kind of haphazard at this point as I'm only guessing as to when we are going in and I'm also waiting to see what Regent is offering and if they are offering transfers to the ship...but better to have some rooms booked then be left with nothing. I'm kicking myself that I didn't book the Ritz-Carlton last fall when it was in the $300's for a club level room....now it's climbed to over $500.00 but I booked it anyhow before it goes even higher. Also, booked the Sheraton Miramar Hotel in Vina Del Mar as it might be nice to just be at the port and get all of the traveling out of the way. I'm looking for a website in English for the Del Mar Hotel in Vina Del Mar as it gets #1 on tripadvisor but I can't find an english version link and I'm the pits at Spanish. Great picture by the way.
Pat

Pat,
I found the hotel. I'll paste the link below (I'm not good at links so I'll also briefly explain. It was under southamericahotels.net. Then I searched for the city and found the hotel. The rates on the website was $222-224/night. Okay -- I'm hopeless at linking this. Here it is anyway.

http://www.southamericahotels.net/chile/Vina_hoteldelmar_hotel.aspx?Bookme=3108

Jackie

Unfortunately, we've just cancelled. We just have too many trips planned right now. This was the first to go, since objectively it only had Easter Island as someplace we hadn't been. We'd really looked forward to extra days in Buenos Aires and Australia, though.

I keep telling myself that we can't do EVERYTHING ... but then I come back with WHY NOT????

Of course there are several reasons 'why not'.

I'm sorry we'll miss all of you on this trip, but there will certainly be others.

Betty

Graywolf, I'm sure you won't be the last that has to cancel. Some of us are still waffling on this for all kinds of reasons and nothing is a done deal until final payment but I'm thinking positive on this one.
Jackie, thanks for the link but I really want to find the english version of the actual DelMar website. The one you posted is through a travel broker/booking engine. Thanks for trying though....I appreciate it. The Spanish link for the Del Mar is below. Maybe someone who reads Spanish can find a translation link on it somewhere. http://www.hoteldelmar.cl/
Pat

Betty, so sorry to hear this! But I know full well what you mean about too many trips planned, as I'm in the same dilemma.

Betty, so sorry to hear you cancelled KOALA. We were looking forward to meeting you. We are booked at the Ritz Carlton in Santiago for two nights, then two nights at Vina del Mar before embarking. Looking forward to it. Haven't booked air quite yet. Business Class is very expensive going to SCL and returning from SYD. Probably won't get any cheaper either. Linda & Larry

Hi Pat,

I speak spanish. I went to the website but can't find any link to English. The only place where you can click on "English" is the screen for making a reservation.

Is there any specific info that you are looking for? I could see if they give it in Spanish and let you know what it says.

Hi Maria, thanks for checking the website and letting me know that there is no translation link for English. Could you translate what's below for me please? I found a picture link and I assume they are describing a "standard" room.

Habitaciones (does this mean "rooms"?)
Estándar (does this mean "standard"?)
Cómodas y sofisticadas habitaciones de un ambiente, ubicadas entre los pisos 3º y 5º, con una espectacular vista a los hermosos cerros de Valparaíso o a las playas de Reñaca.
Pat

Hi,

Yes, it means rooms and estándar is standard.

"Comfortable rooms with a sophisticated atmosphere, located in the 3rd to 5th floors, with a spectacular view of the beautiful hills of Valparaíso or of the Reñaca's beaches"

Thanks Maria, very much appreciated. Now I can figure out the other descriptions for superior etc and what floors they are on.
Pat

Pat, I do have pictures of the "shower" in the Mariner shower suites. Will take a few days to sort through things. The Mariner will look picture perfect in time for KOALA (although she looks great now!)

Jackie, take your time and settle back in at home. No hurrry. Thanks so much for your live postings on board the Mariner the past 11 days. I thoroughly enjoyed every tidbit.
Pat

Maybe (or maybe not) this link goes to a slideshow (5 photo's) of the Mariner shower. I'm just learning how to do this, so, apologies in advance if it's messed up!

http://s273.photobucket.com/albums/...ka/?action=view&current=48da230a.pbw

Jackie, it worked fine! I love those showers and Mark really likes the sunflower shower heads.

Thanks Jackie! Bravo...for a first try as it worked perfectly. I don't know if I could have mastered the pics myself and probably would have had to rely on our Karen to post them. The sunflower shower head looks neat but I'm not quite sure why there are 2 shower heads in different postions. Love the seat though as it's a great place for us gals that need to use a razor to clean up our legs.
Pat

Unfortunately, due to many, many reasons we have cancelled KOALA and will instead be doing an 11 night cruise in February and will book another cruise in the fall of 2009. Leaving for 24 nights was really too long for us (plus the kitties, etc.)

It is not the cruise that we are disappointed about -- we were looking forward to meeting the LCT group. We may have to wait until 2010 for that to happen . . . but, good things are worth the wait.

Jackie

Oh shoot!

Why didn't they get rid of the dreaded mirror in the shower? :mad:

Hi folks,
Back home again. We had a pre cruise stay in Vina.
Here is a slideshow I put together which may be of interest to those heading that way.

Pre cruise stay at Vina del Mar
http://good-times.webshots.com/slideshow/563518543CKZqdH

Beautiful pictures, Dave. Thanks for posting the link.

Chile is such an interesting country. Lots of natural beauty. It brings back great memories of our pre-cruise trip in January.

Cheers, Anne

Thanks Dave, it's always pleasant to log on and find photo's of beautiful and interesting places.

Great photos, Dave. Your pictures captured the feel of the area north of Vina del Mar, especially the ones fo the horses pulling the boats. Thanks for sharing.

Jackie, sorry, to hear that you decided to cancel this one but I do understand. I still have my doubts and worries about my 4 legged child too.
Pat

Kiwi Kruzer, Wow, such great pictures! Thank-you for posting them.. Vina del Mar is really gorgeous and now I'm glad that I already booked the Sheraton Hotel as it looks very nice.
Pat

I just checked out that new cruise calendar site that Fred posted and discovered that the Mariner with be in port with the PG and Star Flyer on Wednesday March 13/09....Moorea. That's so cool!
Pat

Unfortunately we will be cancelling. Decided to do a similar itinerary this year on SS that wasn't quite as long. I'll have to meet some of you on another one of B&K's group cruises in the future I guess.
Pat

We are flying into Santiago on 25th Feb and plan to stay at the Ritz Carlton for 1 night, followed by 2 nights at the Sheraton Vina Del Mar. Can anyone help me with recommendations on the best way to get from the airport to the hotel in Santiago and also to get from Santiago to Valparaiso. We prefer private transfers to taxis. Perhaps there are others who might like to share the transfer to Valparaiso.

Hi Sheila! The hotel is only about 10-15 minutes from the airport. I understand you prefer private transfers. However, the taxi services are excellent and the cars in very good condition.

If you choose that route, put your luggage on a trolley and head for the door. Just before you exit, there are three desks for the official taxis. You prepay the taxi fare at the desk. Once you exit, a porter will take your trolley, lead you to the car, load up the bags and you're off. IF you have a lot of luggage, this will not work well. Otherwise, inquire with the Ritz about their fee for sending a private car. My recollection was the Hyatt's price was about double the taxi cost.

As for Valparaiso - see this post by CruiserPK following our Antarctica trip. http://www.luxurycruisetalk.com/cgi-bin/ubbcgi/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=000263 You can probably get a private transfer and a half or whole private tour if you like. If they won't do the transfers, perhaps they can recommend a sister company to you.

Nice, as always, to see you and Ken on CAMEL. We're just gearing up for our annual pilgrimage to Wimbledon. Fingers crossed for no rain!

Cheers, Anne

Check out http://www.shoretrips.com/. They do private transfers from the airport or hotel. I got the tip from B&K. We'll probably use them in Santiago to Valparaiso this October so I can let you know how they were.
Pat

Thankyou very much, Anne and Pat for your very helpful replies. I'll follow up on them. The cruise seems a long way off but it comes around very quickly. Hope you enjoy the strawberries and cream in the sunshine, Anne. We tasted them a couple of weeks ago and they were a treat. Nothing quite like it while watching Wimbledon. Unfortunately we will have to be content with the replays this year as we are back in OZ earlier than usual because of CAMEL.

Shelia, we will be flying into Santiago on the 24th of February, staying two nights at the Ritz Carlton. Our TA has arranged with the hotel a private transfer from the airport to the hotel and a day trip on the 26th to drive to Vina del Mar (stopping for a winery visit and lunch) before heading to the Hotel del Mar for two nights before the cruise. You may want to check out the Ritz.

We look forward meeting you on KOALA. How nice that you don't have that far to go at the end of the cruise (whereby we have about 30 hrs to get home. Any excuse to visit Sydney. Linda & Larry

Sorry, Shelia, it wasn't arranged thru the Ritz Carlton, it was arranged by our TA with A&K. I'm sure that if you are booked thru B&K (we are not) that they could help arrange something also. Linda & Larry

We've had to cancel this cruise - getting to Valparaiso and back from Sydney just adds too much to the overall cost, altogether too much at least for us. We really wanted to go too, it's a great itinerary and group - especially great group - but it just got to be too much, we couldn't find business air under $10 grand for the two of us, and Regent doesn't offer Premium Economy except the Scandinavia special.

I wasn't convinced premium economy was a good idea on such a long flight anyway, but was willing to give it a try. Instead we'll try it coming back from VIKINGS next year, if we can find the right deal. Thats much shorter, and west-bound to boot, which we personally find easier to adjust to.

Pat and I really regret having to make this change, but in addition to the cost, we've found we're less and less tolerent of those long trans-Pacific flights, as we learned coming back from PANDA last year. Even double-doses of sleeping pills (Ambien) didn't work on that one. Too bad, but cruising and related costs have skyrocketed, particularly on Regent, while the bottom seems to have fallen out of the market, our main source of fun money.

We cancelled Koala a while back also, for basically the same reasons. We couldn't get business class seats for the return with our miles and it just cost way to much to buy them. Besides, we have several other longer trips in the works and as with Mike and Pat, those long flights just do us in. We're on Dragon from Hong Kong to Singapore and on to Sydney on the Mariner next fall. Rather than fly home, we've decided to just sort of stay on the ship and sail home. We'll get off the ship in Sydney and spend a couple weeks in Australia and then get back on in Auckland and sail back to LA. Interstingly enough, sailing back cost only slightly more than buying the air would have, so it was a no brainer for us. Besides, we really like Australia and wanted to spend some time there.

I think we are going to see a lot more of that.

Due to an unexpected death in the family we cancelled our October/08 SS cruise doing the same itinerary and I'm so pleased to see that B&K has arranged a shorter version of the Ring of Fire ending in Papeete. My husband and I are now booked again, but on the shorter version of the Ring of Fire and I can't thank B&K enough for arranging this shorter group cruise. It really helped to uplift our mood. My heartfelt thanks to Susan whom I have peppered with questions and emails over the past month regarding the last minute cancellation of our SS cruise and all of her help and wisdom with submitting the insurance claim not to mention her changing our booking to this new cruise and searching out insurance for us. I'm sure at times I drove her crazy with all of my questions. Susan you are wonderful and give the best service. I can't wait till we embark and get to meet you all.
Pat

Welcome back onboard Pat. Finally we will get to meet!

We have also switched over to the shorter version of Ring of Fire. It just felt like the right thing to do. Than a big bonus for doing this when we foumd out Canadagal would be on the cruise with us. Still want to do an Ausy and NZ cruise but for some reason we just can't seen to be able to get down under.
Carolyn

Thanks Ngaire! Yes, it will be nice to finally meet you too. Carolyn, both Al and I are really excited to be sharing this adventure with you and Don again. I'm hoping Regent comes up with a port intensive cruise of Auzzie and NZ in the future as none of us are getting any younger and those long, long, flights are brutal.
Pat

Re: Information about Pre-cruise hotels and transfers in Santiago. We arranged our own air so we needed to find some way of getting to the port of Valparaiso as well as pre-cruise hotels. We just booked with Santiago Adventures http://www.santiagoadventures.com/ and they were very responsive to all my emails and questions. I found them recommended on the ports of call board on CC and they are recommended as well by Frommers and Lonely Planet. A private car transfer from the airport with bilingual driver for 2 people ($52.00 US total price) to the Ritz-Carlton. A 6 hour private tour and car transfer to the port for 2 people with bilingual driver and guide is $165.00 US each person. This tour includes Vina Del Mar and the city of Valparaiso. If you only wanted a bilingual driver and not the guide the cost drops to $110.00 per person. If you don't want a tour on the way to the ship then just transfers are $164.00 total for 2 people. Victor Pino is who we booked with and he also was able to get us the Ritz-Carlton Club level for 3 nights at $200.00 less per night then what the Ritz's online rates are. I thought it was all payable upfront but I just checked my invoice and 50% is due upon booking with the remainder due 60 days prior. I hope this helps some of you as I know earlier there was a discussion about how to get to the port on your own.
Pat

Good information Pat thanks. I am going to have to do this also just not had time to work on this yet. I will file this away until I focus on taking care of this detail.

I was going to use http://www.shoretrips.com as I have had good success with them. Always good to have alternate options.

I would love a Regent port intensive cruise of Australia and New Zealand - it would be absolutely fantastic not to have a long flight before and after. I too am not getting any younger!! (Read about my 'drama' under 'QE2 and QM2')

Lee, I just read your trials of air travel and I do commiserate. Your flight out of New York was terrible but, big sigh here, it happens all too often these days. That's what I hate about travel now. It's getting there and getting home again that wears me out and makes us think twice at whether or not we are up for it.
Pat

Pat - if memory services, I think Pam and Tom also used santiago adventures pre-ICE and had a very good experience. Another large travel agency down there is Cocha Travel. We used them for booking intra-Chile air, but they also offer tours and hotel bookings.

It's well worth checking the hotel price through the local agents. Same thing in Istanbul. We used the Fine Hotel & Resorts Amex program for a better rate than offered online.

Enjoy your trip! It sounds marvelous.

Cheers, Anne

Thanks Anne! It's always good to hear that someone else thought Santiago Adventures was a good experience. It's been a while since I checked this thread and was surprised to see that the roll call has been reduced to 14 people. Is the roll call accurate at this point in time?
Pat

We are still in for Part 1. After a wonderful 27 days on the Navigator we are really looking forward to 1/2 KOALA. I can hardly wait, but it will be here very soon.

Carolyn and Don

Carolyn, you are going to turn into a cruise junky if you aren't careful. You have barely set foot in your home and already you are pining to go again. Gotta love it! Can't wait to see you and Don again.
Hugs, P

Cruising does get addictive. We were on DC for 71 days and in 6 weeks we go to the Mariner for 4 segments of ROF. It never seems to get dull.
Jim

We, unfortunately, canceled KOALA. The air (business class) was outrageous and with the stock market the way it is...well just don't want to open the 401K statements. Linda & Larry

Tickets have arrived!!! Start the countdown. Looking forward to relaxing days at sea with pooch though just a novice. Can wait to see the big heads on Easter Island. Made my excursion reservation before the computer changeover. Hope they still have it.

Pammy,
I am a little worried about that too. We made our reservations before the computer switch and wonder if the tickets will be waiting for us when we board.
Carolyn

We noticed that the excursion prices are considerably higher than for the same ones 12 to 18 months ago, more than double in some cases.

Pammy and Carolyn, Take a copy of the email receipt of booked excursions if you feel insecure about a glitch in the computer reservations.

Carolyn, are you and Don on KOALA? Have a ball and looking forward to hearing the Pooch scores.

Hi Beth, yes we are on until Tahiti. Don is really looking forward to Pooch in the afternoon. Will keep you posted.

Carolyn

Can we have a final list of BK people on the crusie? With so many changes it's been hard to keep up with who is still going.

Pam I cannot post a list because this is a public board so if people want to post that is fine but it would inappropriate of me to post their names without their permission.

I get asked this on all escorted cruises but I just cannot do that it would invade people's privacy.

It is up to everyone to post individually.

Ngaire, I understand the privacy issue but can you give us just a number total in the group? Also, is the roll call list as it stands now on Page 1 in the first post by JHP still correct for those that are listed in the post?
I too am glad that I have a printed copy of the shore excursions that we booked just before Regent's website went down.
Pat

Ngaire and Ken
Sheila and Ken
Pat and Jim
Pam and Jim
Carolyn and Don (Pt. 1)
Pat and Al (Pt. 1

Yes these people are all on board plus four more. It is a small group. At one time it was much larger but the FF mileage awards were impossible as South America and the South Pacific are in different zones. ALmost impossible to get. We managed with a complex award requiring three different airlines all part of the one world program. Wasnt easy.

We are a small group. But you know what they say good things come in small groups. Can't wait to see everyone on 2/28.

Carolyn

I have had a group this small before and we had a great time. Enough POOCH players here to make it fun on the sea days.

Thanks Ngaire. 16 people is a nice size. Less then 4 weeks away. Yippee!
Pat

Doing the doc dance. They just arrived on a Saturday. Yea!!

:banana: :banana: :banana: :lct:

Our docs just arrived today. I was beginning to worry but now it feels like we are really going. Just something about getting that string pouch that makes it all so real. Can't wait!
Pat.

Pat, congratulations! You must be feeling great right now!

Now our documents have arrived we can really feel like we are going.....it seems such an age ago we booked. And we are starting to get very excited about this amazing voyage. Has anyone had a detailed look as to the temperatures on this cruise. I had a look at Valparaiso today and it was 24C and of course it will be hot and humid in FP. When we arrive in NZ it could be warm or cold but what about the islands we visit in between. I'm thinking that it will be warm but maybe the wind is cool.I tend to feel the cold but don't want to take heaps of different clothes, so trying to keep it simple if I can.

Have a great time! It's a terrific itinerary. Wish we were able to join you. Sea mail, please!

Safe journey,

Anne

Makes me sad we had to cancel....it is a GREAT itinerary ! You'll have such a super time.

Guess you guys are packing up and leaving soon! Have a wonderful trip, and send us some seamail!

Heading to the airport today. We may see some of you in Santiago before boarding. If not then on the ship for sure. I read it's scattered showers on and off all week but it's hot. Yippee! Anything is better then the cold here. I'm not one for blogging while on vacation but on sea days when there is lots of time I'll check in if we get a connection.
See you all on the Mariner!
Pat

Bon Voyage! :bv:

Have a great time Pat, and everybody else!

Pat, have a safe trip to Santiago, I know you are so happy to be getting away from the cold weather and snow for a few weeks. See you on Saturday.

Carolyn

<img border="0" alt="[beer]" title="" src="graemlins/beer.gif" />

:bv:

Have a wonderful trip, KOALAns! Hope to hear from you along the way.

Have a wonderful trip!!!!

:bv:

Have a great time. I would have loved to been on this cruise. Looking forward to seamail.