Hi everyone. After a lot of discussion we've decided to switch to this cruise from CHEERS. The transportation works better and it's during our anniversary. We look forward to sailing again with all of you.
Got an email from Clay that the itinerary has changed. The Splendor now leaves from San Diego instead of Los Angeles. It probably doesn't matter to some but it's not good for us....grrrr.
Did any other part of the itinerary change? We have not received an official notice yet. This would mean that we would sail north out of San Diego to Catalina before heading south to Cabo. Not a game changer for us, but not as convenient.
The Regent web site used to say $350, but now says up to $1000 savings - which could still mean $350. But booking your own air into SAN is generally more expensive than LAX.
There are also many fewer direct flights here - you don't want to book nonstop because eventually, you'll run out of fuel - but east coasters out of New York, Boston, and Southern Florida should be able to find one. If not, it's about $200 for a car service from LAX, and about $150 from SNA (Orange County).
The departure time changed from 11pm in Los Angeles to midnight in San DIego. It's a pity that the sail-away is not at sunset because it's very pretty sailing past Point Loma and Cabrillo National Monument. On the other hand, maybe I can have family on board for dinner.
I cannot check this from the ship and it is Saturday so no one is in the office. However I do not think the change from LAX to San Diego will change the air credit.
Yikes! I just discovered that we had not yet joined this roll call, even though we booked the cruise before it was even finalized. Clearly, too much other stuff on the mind of someone who is barely dealing with stuff on the mind. In any event, Pat & I will be joining all of you and are so emphatically looking forward to cruising again with so many of our cruising buddies. We so wish that it wasn't more than a year away. Arlene, please add us to the roll call list. Cheers, Fred
Have added you and Pat. Unfortunately I removed Marc and I as we had canceled this some time ago, but I had forgotten I was the topic starter. Now I am really bummed knowing you and Pat will be aboard, we have been wanting to cruise again with you both for so long!
Arlene & Marc, you're about to give us a complex (haha)....we are on POP2IT together (you cancel); we are on PUFFIN together (you cancel); we are on LOCKS together (you cancel). Maybe you just need to come visit us in SoCa.
Then again, signing up and ultimately cancelling is nothing new to us...we likely hold the record, with Kathy & Al close behind Stuff happens.
Hi everyone! So much has happened since our last cruise in 2016! We have moved from Delaware to St Louis and Love it here. Keith and I will also be joining LOCKS in Suite 717. (The cruise will be an appropriate reward for weathering our mid-life upheaval LOL) We will miss you, Arlene and Marc! Cheers, 🥂 Ash
I did mine also. I love all the animal and nature offerings. Amazing how time moves so quickly cruises just creep up and it is time to book excursionsz1
Sadly we canceled this cruise awhile ago and forgot to ask to be taken off the roll call. Our biggest regret is not being able to spend time with such a great group!
I noticed that a tour to Tikal, in Guatemala, is available now, whereas it was not when tours first became available for booking. I don't know if there are any others that came online late, but y'all who booked early, may want to go online again and see if everything is still to your liking.
petlover, my point was that there may be new tours since some folks first booked. But I'll write more about Tikal later.
I have a program that compares files, which I've never used for PDF files before, but it turns out that it's great for that. On the left is the shore excursion PDF from July 8, and on the right is a file I downloaded today.
All the Catalina tours are new, of course, and there is one false difference because QUZ-010 is on a different page. But you can clearly see that QUZ-011 (Tikal) and QUZ-012 (Antigua Hop-on Hop Off) are both new. And also interesting, you can see that some prices have changed on the premium tours - some lower, some higher. Some now have a price added, but I suspect that they were always premium but the price wasn't available on that earlier PDF.
That file won't be there forever.
Now, Tikal is expensive, in most part because you have to fly there ... and it has to be a charter because the regularly scheduled flights won't align with Splendor's schedule. But in Guatemala, that's the Big Kahuna! (Would you travel to Peru and not spend extra for Machu Picchu? Would you travel to Queensland and not spend extra to see the Great Barrier Reef?) Well, this is cheaper because you're going to be in Guatemala anyway. Elevation for Tikal is about the same as Denver - and about half that of Machu Picchu. Tikal is historical, it's vast, and watching this video, it looks pretty great!
There are also critters there.
http://www.tikalpark.com/#!/residents2
Mostly importantly, Tikal is free (included) because Ngaire is going to pay for it! Approximately three weeks before we leave San Diego, she's going to send me a check for about the exact cost. (Note, this cost analysis is just for one person, but there's no way my wife would go on a nine hour tour anyway!)
The issue for me, about Tikal, is will Regent cancel it if there are not enough passengers going? I really don't want to give up my other tour until I know that.
We went to Tikal on FUN2 and it was definitely worth it; of course we all had lots of shipboard credit. It is a long day but large parts of it due to transportation. It wasn't too difficult to climb.
We too have been to Tikal as a regent ship excursion. For us, it was worth every penny, but it is not for the faint of heart. We flew in a small plane, a Cessna I think. Just us, another couple, a crew member from the excursion staff, and the pilot. Landed on a dirt runway, then we were transported to the site by Jeep. You do need to be reasonably fit.
I hate to change the subject, but just ask, where’s everyone staying the night before the cruise? Would love to meet up with some of you for dinner if you’re coming in a day early! So many favorite old cruise friends on this one.
Hi everyone. Mona and I have decided to fly in the night before the cruise. We'll be staying at the SpringHill Suites Downtown/Bayfront which is right across the street from the cruise terminal. Looking forward to seeing everyone.
Is anyone else planning to ship luggage to San Diego (luggage free.com) ?? I We're considering shipping 1 large bag since we're going to take Amtrak from our Orange County home to the port so we don't have to lug it on and off. We've used Luggage Free several times and they were excellent.
On a previous cruise Tom & I shipped a bag from CA and Kathy & Al shipped a bag from Ohio. Since they all end up with the same port agent, we were able to link both reservations together and we both saved $$.
Marcie, Alan and I recently road the train from San Diego to LA, after a cruise. We had one big bag and rolled it the three blocks (along with rolling carryon and personal bag for each of us) and it wasn't hard at all. But to check the bag on Amtrak, it can't weigh more than 50 lbs (must be locked) or they make you schlepp it on the train yourself (not advised). We shipped the bag to San Diego for the beginning of the cruise using Luggage Forward.
Hi Hi 👋 Keith and I are arriving the afternoon of the 13th and are staying at the Airport Hilton on Harbor Island. Got a great deal with full brekkie and shuttle to the pier. We are so ready for this holiday, and to see so many friends again (Hi Marcie and Tom! ðŸ˜) Cheers! Ash
Just so those on the LCT board to know the embarkation night will be the KLT cocktail party. After the life boat drill. You will get an email about this once the venue and time is set. Jason Montague will be at the KLT party as he has been on the ship and will stay over for our cocktail party. Clay, Brooke and Connor, Nancy Golden, Julie Harris from our staff will all be there as well. They are all debarking that day. Thought it was nice to have the party when they are still on the ship. Unusual but it will work just fine.
Woo Hoo...just got approved for a guest day pass for Saturday, March 14 embarkation day when the Splendor is in San Diego. We'll take Amtrak there and back. We look forward to seeing friends on this cruise and the gorgeous new ship.
Marcie: I have not heard anything from Regent on my request to smuggle guest aboard. Called and was told that they are a little behind schedule. How did they notify you that you passed inspection?
We were originally on this cruise but took the "Bump" offer Regent offered us and switched to the Vancouver to Los Angeles cruise. I emailed Jennifer at KLT requesting a guest pass so we could come and visit on the day of embarkation (help our friends onboard unpack... haha).
I received an email with confirmation from Jennifer 3 days later.
I'm not sure just how it works. We've had friends and family come on board many times when we were the passengers. It always worked for us. Maybe you need to contact Jennifer. Email her : jennifer@ keenetravel.com If approved, make sure your guests have photo ID etc.
Thanks for the info. I just got my email from Regent approving my guests.
I'm not a KLT customer, just someone who has been watching and using the board here for many many years. I started back when Regent had the Paul Gauguin. That was our first Regent cruise. I got great info both from the board and from the KLT web site. I am looking forward to this cruise as it it is the first time I will get to meet many of the people who have given me great advice over the years as well as the opportunity to meet and thank Ngaire.
I saw that you had jumped ship. Glad to see you will be on board for the embarkation. I will look for you and introduce myself. Hope to see you on board.
Just got an email this morning that tears the guest invitation out of my hands and rips it up in front of me. Just a little disappointing after just getting the approval yesterday.
Yep, I just received this letter. We had already bought our train tickets. We haven't been anywhere near Asia in years or even Europe. BUMMER !!
Dear Travel Partner and Valued Guests,
Recently we sent a Visitor Request approval for your upcoming cruise. In an abundance of caution due to the current situation with Coronavirus, the decision has been made to stop all scheduled and pending ship visits for the foreseeable future.
We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience of canceling this ship visit. Please note, the visitor confirmation letter you previously received is no longer valid and will not be honored at the pier.
Thank you for your patience and understanding as we manage through this evolving situation.
Regent Seven Seas Cruises,
Special Services Regent Seven Seas Cruises 1401 NW 136th Avenue, Suite 101 | Sunrise, FL 33323 www.RSSC.com
I just received a notice about the visit cancellation. Disappointing but not surprising. I guess Joan and I can come down to the pier and wave to everyone.
I'm not seeing the difference between humans coming on board for hours or humans coming on for 2 weeks. Seems like they can take temperatures or look at passports to ensure you haven't visited certain countries within the last several months?
Conveniently just after all of the guests came on board for the big party in Miami. Looking for streamers that they used to throw in the old days. My daughter and future SIL will be standing on the dock as we sail.
We were originally on this cruise but took the "Bump" offer Regent offered us and switched to the Vancouver to Los Angeles cruise. I emailed Jennifer at KLT requesting a guest pass so we could come and visit on the day of embarkation (help our friends onboard unpack... haha).
I received an email with confirmation from Jennifer 3 days later.
I'm not sure just how it works. We've had friends and family come on board many times when we were the passengers. It always worked for us. Maybe you need to contact Jennifer. Email her : jennifer@ keenetravel.com If approved, make sure your guests have photo ID etc.
Marcie, you taking the bump offer was the smartest financial decision you have ever made - BRAVO!
Thanks Marc, I agree.... Yesterday we got a very nice bonus when Tom looked at his Chase Visa statement and saw a credit of $8,359 (or something like that.) I'm so thankful I was a lucky one to get through to Regent and jump on the bump offer. Now I just hope things will be good for TOTEM, the cruise we exchanged for, Vancouver to LA cruise on the Mariner in September.
BTW, I'm curious....Once passengers are off the Regent, or any ships...where do the ships go? Guessing they must dock somewhere.
I heard that Disney is taking the 3 ships that are in the Atlantic (the 4th is already on the way to San Diego) to their private island, Castaway Cay. They will let one dock every third day for the crew to get off and enjoy the island. The other days they will be anchored offshore and cleaning. Nice way to treat the employees.
Susan Hall
Re: LOCKS Splendor Panama Canal
[Re: SusanH]
#25276903/15/2004:20 PM
I heard that Disney is taking the 3 ships that are in the Atlantic (the 4th is already on the way to San Diego) to their private island, Castaway Cay. They will let one dock every third day for the crew to get off and enjoy the island. The other days they will be anchored offshore and cleaning. Nice way to treat the employees.
And don't forget all the fresh and frozen provisions that need to be consumed by the remaining crew onboard; They deserve them.
Way to go Disney! I guess they can put the crew heading for San Diego up at the Grand California hotel since the Parks are closed. Friends who live in Miami tell me there are an enormous number of ships docked in the port and many crew are without compensation and have no where to go. We are so disappointed to have our trips cancelled but can’t imagine how devastating this situation is for all those people who work aboard these ships. —————— Helen
Helen you are so right - our travel may be cancelled but the crew will really be hit hard. I have been thinking about them today. They depend on these jobs not just for themselves but their families at home.
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Stuff happens.
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