Does anyone know if we are able to make a spa reservation now and if so how do we go about making one? Thanks for the help.

I think Marcie said 75 days prior and she called 1-877-329-1924 maybe she'll chime in if I am giving you wrong info -

Just went to make reservations for a table of 4, and you can't book unless you know the other couple's booking number. Thought to myself, how many guests would know someone elses booking number?

I think you only need their cabin # for dinner reservations ??

Cheron, yes Joanna is right. This is the number I used to call Canyon Ranch for our spa appts. They have a website (never been on it) too www.canyonranchspaclub.com

Cheron - I used that phone number to make sy spa reservations and got a confirmation within a few days.

Dixiechick - I needed the other couples booking numbers to make Signature and Prime 7 reservations. Just ask the couples you are making reservations for. Cabin number did not work.

Thanks Joanna and Marcie for your help.

Good to know JoAnn..thanks for the information. They certainly aren't giving away the spa treatments!!! I guess it has been a long time since I booked one on a ship.

Anyone willing to take on a single gal for dinner at Prime 7? I promise to behave ;)

JoAnn-yes I have the booking number for my guests. Cabin no's. don't work, just thought it was odd to think Regent would think booking numbers were so readily accessable. Not a problem for me though.

The spa website allows you to email a request in before boarding. The spa guide is downloadable too...minus any prices. That's never a good sign :eek:

Lauri google canyon ranch spa prices and it will show a list with prices - HIGH Prices I think :rolleyes: :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Lauri - I tried emailing, and got a response back asking me to call the above mentioned number, which I did but if I had known the email would generate that response would have just called in the first place. :)

Well, that's not very helpful
I'm not surprised that the prices are high. I've got a big onboard credit to use but I'd rather get something a little more lasting than a massage. Maybe they'll have some nice opals in the jewelry shop.

There was just a 7.0 Earthquake at South Island Christchurch affected Wellington, Dunedin and more. It was within the last two hours.

I received this from my friend in New Zealand.

"This morning’s 7.2 earthquake was on the South Island and although there are reports of it being felt as far north as New Plymouth (40 miles north of us), we didn’t feel anything. We haven’t heard from Anthony yet (it’s now 5:40am – it happened about an hour ago) – Terry’s brother who lives in Christchurch – but he should be ok – single story strucutre. Victoria might be a bit shaken in Wellington, though and it was widely felt in Dunedin"

CNN has details. It looks like it's been downgraded to 7.0 (still bad) and thankfully no deaths have been reported. It hit near Christchurch.

Here's a map from the USGS:
http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/shakemap/global/shake/2010atbj/

The sun is jsut coming out and they;'re having aftershocks. A hospital has been greatly affected

The Christchurch newspaper is still reporting it as 7.4. It's just a little after 7 am there. Luckily most people were at home in their well constructed homes when it struck. Lots of damage I'm sure but hopefully any injuries will remain minor. I'm sure more details will be coming out now that it's daytime there.

Hi folks,
We were woken at 5.30am with a call from friends who have gone to Christchurch for the weekend.They are huddled in blankets in the foyer of their Hotel. Reports are coming in of extensive damage , but mainly to old brick buildings. People are reporting it as a very extensive and frightening experience.
The Port has reported extensive damage and containers were moved around.
No power or water and roads have been closed until bridges are checked. No fatalities reported so far.

David, it's good to hear from you.

Our very best thoughts and wishes go out to those impacted in New Zealand. Living in "earthquake country" I feel for those in the South Island who bore the brunt of the earthquake. A quake of that magnitude is terribly frightening and so destructive. I hope the report of no fatalities continues.

David, I do hope your friends remain safe.

One reporter spoke to folk who had been in the big SF quake in 89 and they said this mornings one was more terrifying.
Our friends said the buildings swayed so much that bells of the Cathedral were set ringing.
Reports have been coming through OK up until now , but the batteries in the cell towers are about to run out so that will cut out all mobile phones.

David: Denise did such a great job of expressing how I feel, too.

Our friend wrote the same things as David. She said that power is now coming back, but water and sewer systems are a mess. She has spoken to family and friends on the south island and all are okay. Thank goodness!

A quake of that magnitude and the aftershocks are terrifying. Even when you think you're prepared, who is really completely prepared when it comes, literally, from out of nowhere with no real warning?

We've had our share of quakes - Northridge and several others - and one is never, ever, prepared, emotionally, for a quake that huge.

My heartfelt prayers for all.

David, Your updates are so welcome to all who are concerned and care. Please continue to keep us aprised of the situation. Thank you.

A friend's brother and SIL from ChristChurch are visiting, and their neighbors tell them that all is well in their neighborhood, other than the occasional broken glassware or fallen picture. Hope that is true for all, though from what you're saying it sounds like there's some port damage. But, from all reports, no human victims.

Sounds like the main damage is to infrastructure, water mains, pipes etc, and to the older buildings.
Heard from our friends who have now left the centre of the City and are lunching at a country restaurant on their way to Hanmer Springs. Very tired after their ordeal.

Thank you, David, for the update!

I lived at the epicenter (two miles away) of the Northridge Quake and our home was uninhabitable. It took two years to be restored. The feeling of being awakened by something that powerful is terrifying. You cannot move to get out of harms way. The noise is deafening. The neighbors all poured into the streets - many barefoot and in night clothes. The emotional toll lasted for several years between aftershocks and dealing with insurance companies, contractors (we had a condominium), and all kinds of red tape. We had no electricity or water for over a week and it took months to even find some of the damage. Our gas lines broke and we were very lucky we did not have fires. The aftershocks were terrifying. We went to Orange County to stay with family for a week to avoid them.

I really feel for the people and hope they recover quickly.

We are booked on a Tauck land tour of New Zealand in November, with the last stop in the tour in Christchurch. We'll contact Tauck to see if there are any changes to the itinerary, in light of current events. In the interim, keeping a watchful eye on Christchurch - and of course - wishing those impacted well. Hopefully, the aftershocks weaken and cease in the coming minutes, hours and days ahead.

For those on DINGO - I found this site to be most helpful in keeping up with current events:

NZ Herald

Hope your trip is perfect Denise

I'm sure it will all work Denise, Tauck is a top notch tour company as you well know. And you and Alan are so good at going with the flow, can't wait to hear about all about it. Know you have had this one on the burner for a long time now. Have a great trip.

Thanks, Joanna and JoAnn. I spoke with Tauck this morning and they are currently assessing the situation to see if the itinerary will need to be tweaked. Regardless, we're thrilled to be taking this trip and wherever we go, it will be great. So many touring ops in NZ, that I don't think any changes are "bad" ones. Tauck is, indeed, a top-notch tour company and they will assist, financially, if our return air needs to be altered.

I am looking at day trips for our pre-cruise in Sydney. I know there is the Blue Mountains and Hunters Valley, but has anyone done the Grand Pacific Drive, south of Sydney? Looks beautiful from the pictures and would be an easy day trip. Just checking to see if anyone is familiar with it and think it is worth it.

Sally, Lee, our resident Aussie from the Sydney area is off to Europe for a Voyager cruise. She might have some info on this. The pictures do look great. If you have a few extra days, this looks like a nice drive.

Super - thanks Beth.

I chatted with a Kiwi photographer from Christchurch this morning and got this info:

another 6.1 this morning.
buildings that were deemed repairable are now set to be demolished
News i've been hearing is that entire suburbs will likely not be rebuilt.

Oh, those poor people. I have to imagine everyones nerves are about shot. Even though the aftershocks today were less strong, they were closer to the city and really shook things around.
I hope it settles down soon.

Finally got around to getting my AU visa. It's starting to feel real!

Yet another really cute pin!