Thanks for answering my question regarding Diamond Princess and Silversea Silver Moon. Both cruises go “all the way around” Japan and cost wise they are pretty close (for suites). I agree with your assessment that Silversea has far more interesting and immersive excursions than Princess and that is probably due to the size of the ship. Princess is about 2600 passengers and Silversea around 600 passengers. Don’t want to be doing excursions sitting on a crowded bus with 60 other people and doing drive-bys and herded like cattle through “highlights”. Thanks again, and loving the Japan videos.
To help get through very long haul flights between Australia and Europe, I try to schedule a stopover on the way. I find that it helps me to arrive feeling well and lively. I pay extra for day flights whenever I can which also helps significantly. Thank you for the video!
We won a Hurtigruten norway 12 Day Coastal postal cruise last august and it was pure magic and luxury. Due to my food allergy we had all of our lunches and dinner in the bistro and Al a carte restaurant with a menu designed just for me
I'm here with an unrelated thank you comment. You've suggested that travel agents can get a better deal than booking directly but I had always booked directly and doubted you. I was wrong, you were right and thanks for the advice. I gave up on booking directly with NCL because my regular guy was gone and they assigned one incompetent after another. The travel agent got me access to the agency website which is remarkably better than NCLs. About 2 months ago he got me a slightly better deal on an inside Cabin for an NCL Sky for a December 1 cruise out of Miami. No big deal, but a bit better. Then 2 weeks ago my wife got a promo email from NCL advertising the same cabin class at a much better rate. I called the agent, he said he'd not likely get me money back but he'd get me something. He got us bumped to a very nice balcony cabin. Perfect. Thanks again.
Regarding deals in 2021, we received offer from CCL for Mardi Gras Thanksgiving week sailing for $1270 total for balcony for 2! Was 8 weeks before sailing. We bought it on the spot. We'd cancelled several cruises due to COVID-19. This was a week I was off work because I am a teacher. It was a FABULOUS cruise, I think because we were so glad to be cruising again, it was a new and interesting ship, and it was sailing at about 60% capacity! However, wouldn't cruise her with 6500 passengers like they have now.
Long flights from Florida USA annually - We use Melatonin the day or during travel. We don’t eat heavy on day before and day of travel. We try to keep a routine of our Oz itinerary. We often land and go straight to a morning of soccer/netball for the grands. We do plan a. Hour only nap before their dinner.
I'm wondering if you've considered doing a deep dive into HAL's "Club Orange" ? Is it really worth it? There are only a handful of reviews and most give it an overall thumbs down, particularly with regard to how well the ship's crew know/understand the benefits, as well as little compensation for items advertised that they are unable to present? Always respected your POV and insights. Thanks.
I have covered it in some HAL reviews but not done a standalone. I like Club Orange though have got it as part of suite package and not paid to have it. I think people buying the package tend to be disappointed as the hype of upgrades etc are not as good in reality! Once they refit the Club Orange restaurant on the newer ships to be more like on Rotterdam one, it will be better and feel more luxurious as they are converted Test Kitchen venues (and on the Vista ships just an area in the MDR)
Question if I am considering going on a cruise a combination tour of japan South Korea China and maybe something else I only remember the main ones which ports should I focus on??😊
Can you do a video about the best cruises to take for people with limited mobility? I've developed a problem with my lungs and would still like to travel but can't walk super long distances. So maybe river cruises that pull up to the center of towns? Would love suggestions.
@epp according to Gary it can be challenging getting on and off the river cruise ships if you have mobility problems. The tours also involve a lot of walking. I'm doing a Gate 1 river cruise in May and they warn passengers about this.
@@francesgill8621oh I wouldn't go on a tour. Just kind of hang out on our own. Maybe I shouldn't have said mobility issues. It's more breathing issues so I can't do strenuous walks. But we aren't bus tour people either. We just want to be in town, get a meal and leisurely walk around.
I have been asked to focus on this topic and will. I have been researching as I am not experienced and feel maybe others may be better qualified but think I can probably connect and get their expertise. The issue with river cruises by the way is getting on and off ships can be an issue as they dock with steep river banks and often it owns with cobbled streets, and often dock side-by-side so means going over them or through them to get to the bank. Not all ships have facilities like lifts etc so can be bit complex
Now planning our cruises for 2025. I've searched your site and don't seem to find anything on a China cruise - have you done one? And when I say China, I refer to East Coast Asia (not Mekong) other than Japan (which we did a few years ago)
I have done some cruising of that area but not covered it as was more passing through. It seems challenging finding good trips on that region which are more China focused. I have been looking and the best I have found is a Japan to Manilla via Shanghai. I think with uncertainly of China and reopening as lines commit so far out they shifted more into Japan as their are so many of those....
Very enjoyable live and I always like the interchange with other participants and helping folks who have simple questions.
Thanks, and great you were able to join as you have been so busy recently so appearcvite you being able to join
Thank you for sharing your time and knowledge 🫶🏼
Always enjoy your live shows even when i catch them late. Thanks.
Thanks for answering my question regarding Diamond Princess and Silversea Silver Moon. Both cruises go “all the way around” Japan and cost wise they are pretty close (for suites). I agree with your assessment that Silversea has far more interesting and immersive excursions than Princess and that is probably due to the size of the ship. Princess is about 2600 passengers and Silversea around 600 passengers. Don’t want to be doing excursions sitting on a crowded bus with 60 other people and doing drive-bys and herded like cattle through “highlights”. Thanks again, and loving the Japan videos.
To help get through very long haul flights between Australia and Europe, I try to schedule a stopover on the way. I find that it helps me to arrive feeling well and lively. I pay extra for day flights whenever I can which also helps significantly. Thank you for the video!
We won a Hurtigruten norway 12 Day Coastal postal cruise last august and it was pure magic and luxury. Due to my food allergy we had all of our lunches and dinner in the bistro and Al a carte restaurant with a menu designed just for me
I'm here with an unrelated thank you comment. You've suggested that travel agents can get a better deal than booking directly but I had always booked directly and doubted you. I was wrong, you were right and thanks for the advice.
I gave up on booking directly with NCL because my regular guy was gone and they assigned one incompetent after another. The travel agent got me access to the agency website which is remarkably better than NCLs. About 2 months ago he got me a slightly better deal on an inside Cabin for an NCL Sky for a December 1 cruise out of Miami. No big deal, but a bit better. Then 2 weeks ago my wife got a promo email from NCL advertising the same cabin class at a much better rate.
I called the agent, he said he'd not likely get me money back but he'd get me something. He got us bumped to a very nice balcony cabin. Perfect.
Thanks again.
Great!!! Good to hear.
Regarding deals in 2021, we received offer from CCL for Mardi Gras Thanksgiving week sailing for $1270 total for balcony for 2! Was 8 weeks before sailing. We bought it on the spot. We'd cancelled several cruises due to COVID-19. This was a week I was off work because I am a teacher. It was a FABULOUS cruise, I think because we were so glad to be cruising again, it was a new and interesting ship, and it was sailing at about 60% capacity! However, wouldn't cruise her with 6500 passengers like they have now.
Very informative for future cruise and land travel planning.
Long flights from Florida USA annually -
We use Melatonin the day or during travel.
We don’t eat heavy on day before and day of travel. We try to keep a routine of our Oz itinerary. We often land and go straight to a morning of soccer/netball for the grands.
We do plan a. Hour only nap before their dinner.
Watching your recording from Bangkok… a land trip with a So. America cruise right after that. Comforting to see you from anywhere around the globe.
Thanks!!!!!
I'm going on Regent Splendor through Panama canal next month. Really looking forward to it.
I think you will be wowed by Splendor. She’s a spectacular ship.
Small ships do not appear to be running at full capacity. My wind star cruise starting next Saturday presently is only at 80% capacity.
QUESTION
Have you cruised on the Ritz- Carlton Yacht Collection ship Evrima yet?
Thoughts?
Not yet. I keep looking at it, but is so costly I keep debating!!!!
QUESTION, when is good time to book cruise to get good deal?
Question:We have cruised all over the world. Long and short cruises. What is your favorite length for a cruise.
I'm wondering if you've considered doing a deep dive into HAL's "Club Orange" ? Is it really worth it? There are only a handful of reviews and most give it an overall thumbs down, particularly with regard to how well the ship's crew know/understand the benefits, as well as little compensation for items advertised that they are unable to present? Always respected your POV and insights. Thanks.
I have covered it in some HAL reviews but not done a standalone. I like Club Orange though have got it as part of suite package and not paid to have it. I think people buying the package tend to be disappointed as the hype of upgrades etc are not as good in reality! Once they refit the Club Orange restaurant on the newer ships to be more like on Rotterdam one, it will be better and feel more luxurious as they are converted Test Kitchen venues (and on the Vista ships just an area in the MDR)
Question if I am considering going on a cruise a combination tour of japan South Korea China and maybe something else I only remember the main ones which ports should I focus on??😊
Can you do a video about the best cruises to take for people with limited mobility? I've developed a problem with my lungs and would still like to travel but can't walk super long distances. So maybe river cruises that pull up to the center of towns? Would love suggestions.
I recommend Holland. They are very accessible. You don't want to do a river cruise.
@@francesgill8621 well but isn't it nice that river cruises drop you off right in the center in town most of the time
@epp according to Gary it can be challenging getting on and off the river cruise ships if you have mobility problems. The tours also involve a lot of walking. I'm doing a Gate 1 river cruise in May and they warn passengers about this.
@@francesgill8621oh I wouldn't go on a tour. Just kind of hang out on our own. Maybe I shouldn't have said mobility issues. It's more breathing issues so I can't do strenuous walks. But we aren't bus tour people either. We just want to be in town, get a meal and leisurely walk around.
I have been asked to focus on this topic and will. I have been researching as I am not experienced and feel maybe others may be better qualified but think I can probably connect and get their expertise. The issue with river cruises by the way is getting on and off ships can be an issue as they dock with steep river banks and often it owns with cobbled streets, and often dock side-by-side so means going over them or through them to get to the bank. Not all ships have facilities like lifts etc so can be bit complex
We never see Gary going down water slides, do we.
I love water slides :-)
Now planning our cruises for 2025. I've searched your site and don't seem to find anything on a China cruise - have you done one? And when I say China, I refer to East Coast Asia (not Mekong) other than Japan (which we did a few years ago)
I have done some cruising of that area but not covered it as was more passing through. It seems challenging finding good trips on that region which are more China focused. I have been looking and the best I have found is a Japan to Manilla via Shanghai. I think with uncertainly of China and reopening as lines commit so far out they shifted more into Japan as their are so many of those....
What cruise travel insurance do you recommend for Americans, Norway bound via Havila? Thanks 💕
I would look at Allianz was many US cruisers swear by them
Banff is Baffin...freudian slip
QUESTION, when is good time to book cruise to get good deal?