Dispatch from Donna: Dazzling Thailand

This is travel writer Donna Hull's last installment of "Dispatch from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

On the last week of our 52-day Regent Mariner cruise, Alan and I add a dazzling jewel to our cruising crown—Thailand.

The introduction begins when Mariner tenders at the resort island of Ko Samui. For me, the time in Thailand does not begin with a lustrous start. Because of my desire to ride an elephant, we’ve booked one of Mariner’s free excursions, “Elephant Riding.”

Guests are ferried by small, air-conditioned vans to a rubber plantation, elephant sanctuary, and beach stop. The tour is well run and pleasant enough, but the elephant sanctuary reminds me of a run-down circus. After riding in an ox cart, watching a cooking demonstration by our guide, attending a monkey show followed by elephants performing tricks, we finally climb aboard the Asian version of a pachyderm. He (or maybe she) plods along beside the rudimentary housing area for sanctuary workers.


The golden sand at Lipa Noi Beach, our final excursion stop, saves the day. Walking along the shore reminds me that Thailand is known for beautiful beaches. Next time, I’ll join other cruise guests for a day of leisure at Chaweng Beach or schedule one of those two-hour Thai massages.

Laem Chabang is Mariner’s port entry to Bangkok. With two nights in port (and three full days), options for exploring the area range from long, multi-hour day excursions to Bangkok, spending a couple of nights off the ship in Bangkok, or remaining on Mariner to lounge around a quiet ship after discovering the nearby sights of Pattaya.

Mariner offers a free bus transfer to Bangkok, or cruisers can choose an excursion that ends at the Shangri-La, where many passengers have previously booked an overnight stay through Regent. Alan and I made our own arrangements also at the Shangri-La, saving money in the process.

Using the “Grand Palace and Emerald Buddha” excursion as our entry into Bangkok, we once again find ourselves on a long bus ride, this time on a modern highway that gives us the opportunity to observe life in another country. Although our guide claims that Thailand has an agricultural based economy, you wouldn’t know it from the dozens of factories that are visible from the bus window. Acres of container storage facilities house row upon row of ship containers each stacked six units high.

The drive to the Grand Palace takes us through Bangkok’s China Town, known for jewelry stores selling every form of gold ornamentation. The bus negotiates narrow streets as almost every female passenger presses her face against the window glass to bask in the golden glow while making a mental note about a return-shopping trip.

Inside the Grand Palace grounds, golden-roofed buildings dazzle us. A hot sun glints off of the colored glass mosaics that seem to cover every surface of the palace structures. Some architectural elements are encrusted with semi-precious stones. It all combines into one brilliant kaleidoscope of colorful buildings.

At the Royal Monastery of the Emerald Buddha, visitors must leave their shoes on the sidewalk below. As this is an active place of worship, no cameras are allowed and observers must either sit with their legs crossed or move quickly through the building after gazing at the Jade Buddha located on a tall platform.

When the bus drops us off at the Shangri-La Bangkok, Alan and I are surprised with an upgrade to the exclusive Krungthep wing. After a winding journey through the sprawling complex, we discover that we’re spending the night in a one-bedroom apartment with a balcony overlooking the Chao Phraya River.

After a night spent exploring on our own through the hot, steamy tents at the Suan Lum Night Bazaar, we return to watch the night boat traffic from our balcony. The next day we return to Laem Chabang via Mariner’s free shuttle bus, wishing that we had booked an extra night in Bangkok for visits to the Reclining Buddha, a long boat river ride or an exploration of Thailand’s ancient capital Ayuthhaya. But our time onboard the Mariner is drawing to a close. A re-packing job waits for us at the ship.

During this 52-day journey, we’ve seen destinations that are now marked off of our “been there, done that” list. And through Mariner’s introduction to Japan, China, and Thailand, we’ve discovered countries that we’d like to explore on a deeper level.

When Mariner docks in Singapore, our cruise life will be over—for now. As Captain Felice Patruno says when ending his noon-day announcements from Mariner’s bridge, “Ciao. See you later.”

—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Donna and Alan Hull.

Luxury Cruise Bible thanks Donna for sharing her 52-day Regent Mariner cruise with all of us! I've loved reading about her adventures and I hope you did too. Please continue to follow Donna on Twitter and visit her blog, where she discusses travel of interest to baby boomers.

Video: Four Seasons Explorer Catamaran Sails the Maldives

This past September, the 128-foot Four Seasons Explorer 11-cabin, three-deck catamaran was refurbished for three-, four-, and seven-night excursions around the Maldives in the Indian Ocean. While the vessel usually draws those interested in diving and snorkeling, even those who aren't natural water babies enjoy seeing the Maldives from this intimate ship that caters to just 22 passengers.

Accommodations are what you'd expect at any land-based Four Season resort and feature 10 staterooms and one Explorer Suite. The suite includes a king bed, a daybed, an indoor dining area, couch, writing desk, bar, DVD/CD player, telephone, and in-cabin safe. The bathroom features a full bath tub, and separate shower. Regular staterooms can be outfitted with either a king bed or two twins. Staterooms also feature a sofa, desk, DVD/CD player, bar, phone, and safe. These bathrooms have a tub/shower combo.

The catamaran promotes a casual atmosphere and shorts and sundresses are acceptable attire, even during dinner. The casual vibe doesn't skimp on service though...the entire boat is air-conditioned and you'll find an onboard masseuse and a PADI dive center with Nitrox. Laundry service is also available.

As of the first of October 2009, Four Seasons Explorer began weekly itineraries. The first part explores the northern atolls of Baa and Raa and includes a stopover at the Four Seasons Landaa Giraavaru. The second part of the cruise expolores the southern regions, which may include Rasdhoo, North Ari, South and North Male atolls.

During the cruise, you'll enjoy water activities like diving, snorkeling, windsurfing, kayaking, waterskiing, and fishing. Other activities include visits to local villages and other island excursions.

Four Seasons Explorer video footage:

Four Seasons Explorer sails until December 20, 2009 and then she goes into dry-dock. She'll be back on the water as of June 8, 2010.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Kuda Huraa or Four Seasons Resort Maldives at Landaa Giraavaru.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Four Seasons

Northern Europe & Baltic Routes New for SeaDream in 2011

For those of us who cruise often, word about any new itinerary is always cause for excitement. Last week SeaDream Yacht Club announced new routes for 2011 that will take the line to the Atlantic coast of France, Spain, and Portugal as well as to Scandanavia and the Baltics.

SeaDream I will call upon England, Norway, Sweden, Finland, Denmark, Estonia, Russia, Germany, France, Holland, Spain, and Portugal from May through August 2011.

Why are these routes exciting? Well, it's the first time the yacht has called upon ports like London. You'll be able to transit the Kiel Canal or visit small villages in Bordeaux, Brittany, and Hamburg.

Among new ports of call for these 2011 itineraries are:

• Stockholm and Marstand, Sweden
• Helsinki, Finland
• Oslo, Stavanger, Lillesand, and Bergen Norway
• Tallin and Kuressaare, Estonia
• St. Petersburg, Russia
• Hamburg, Germany
• Amsterdam, Holland
• Honfleur, St. Malo, Belle Ile, La Rochelle, and Bordeaux, France
• St. Jean de Luz, Gigoni/Oviedo, Spain
• Cascais, Portugal

If you love SeaDream and have been hoping for something a bit different, these new itineraries may hit the spot. Watch SeaDream's website. The cruise line says these trips will be bookable by this weekend, starting November 20.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact SeaDream Yacht Club.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo of St. Malo, France courtesy of iStockPhoto.com

Dispatch from Donna: Contradictory Vietnam

This is travel writer Donna Hull's seventh installment of "Dispatch from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

As Mariner sails south along Asia’s coast, Alan and I have glimpsed orderly Japan and booming China. On our seventh week of sailing, we meet contradictory Vietnam. But it takes stamina against the heat and humidity, as well as long bus rides, to explore a country that tourism hasn’t changed much... yet.

When Mariner docks at Hong Gai, the port for Hanoi, an 11-hour excursion to Vietnam’s capital city requires a three-hour bus ride each way. But the reward is the opportunity to gaze out the bus window at farmers in coolie hats bending down to tend their rice by hand, observe small shop owners sitting on their haunches in the villages and cities that we pass, or cringe at the motorbikes and buses that overtake us on the seemingly laneless road. All the while, our guide discusses his version of life, history, and politics in Vietnam.

Negotiating heavy traffic on poor roads, the bus reaches Hanoi where streets are crowded with motorbikes, while the sidewalks are lined with people selling, sitting, socializing, and smoking. Masses of electrical lines drape from pole to pole. No high rises compete with buildings that still reflect the influence of Vietnam’s French colonial days.


Our tour includes visits to Hanoi’s cultural highlights: Ho Chi Minh’s mausoleum, the Presidential Palace, Ho Chi Minh’s house on stilts, and the one pillar pagoda. Open-mindedness is necessary as we listen to a guide who is obviously proud of his communist country. Later, we walk through the Temple of Literature where graduates’ names were etched in stone rather than on a diploma. A stop in the Old Quarter provides not nearly enough time to explore the busy market area.

It’s a dark ride on the way back to the Mariner. The bus bumps along roads that need improving. In the villages, residents gather on street corners or sit in cafes. The houses we pass are dark except for the glow of TVs.

The next day, Regent treats all passengers to an outing in Descending Dragon Bay (Halong Bay). The pleasant junk ride around the limestone pillars and islets of the bay, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, feels like a reward for surviving yesterday’s Hanoi excursion. Although the mist and clouds give the experience a surreal feel, they hamper photographers looking for that quintessential shot of the rocks highlighted against a bright blue sky.

At our next port of call, Chan May, passengers experience Vietnam’s ancient history with visits to Hue, Da Nang, and Hoi An. Those interested in rest and relaxation choose China Beach.

At Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Mariner docks overnight, giving us two days to explore. Although it’s not that far from the port to the heart of Saigon, traffic determines how long it takes to get there. Why? You guessed it, millions of motorbikes, around four million to be exact, one for every two Saigon residents.

On our first day in Ho Chi Minh City, Alan and I choose the “Highlights of Saigon” excursion. We learn that the entire area is called Ho Chi Minh City while the city center is still referred to as Saigon. The approximately five-hour journey takes us to the Reunification Palace where we visit a war history museum located in the basement. At the History Museum, we walk through rudimentary displays before viewing a water puppet show. But the highlight of the trip is the pedicab ride to Notre Dame Cathedral and the Central Post Office. Traffic whizzes around us. When we turn left at a traffic light, I close my eyes at the line of oncoming motorbikes.

After stopping at a lacquer ware factory (in Asia no tour is complete without an attempt to sell you something), our guide leads us on a walk through Cho Lon Market. This time we’re here to observe rather than purchase. The Chinese marketplace is filled with stalls selling anything and everything. Shop owners sit on the floor or rest under merchandise attempting to escape from the oppressive heat.

The next morning, we take the Mekong Delta tour thinking it will be a respite from busy Ho Chi Minh City. After driving through a surprisingly upscale section of South Saigon, where a Porsche dealership competes with the BMW one next door, we reach the city’s outskirts.

Are those tombstones in the rice fields? “Yes,” says our guide, “the families want to be near their ancestors.”

From here, the road is a never-ending procession of cafes, coffee shops with hammocks, and street vendors selling bread and duck. Since it’s a Saturday, the road is crowded with city dwellers traveling on overloaded motorbikes to visit their relatives in the Mekong Delta.

At My Tho, we board a sampan for a cruise on the Mekong River. A visit to Unicorn Island introduces us to coconut candy, snake wine, and pythons. After a walk through a fruit orchard, we rest under a shaded pavilion to sample fruit while local musicians entertain us. Next, the sampan transports us to another area on the river where we board longboats for a ride through narrow canals. Mangroves shelter us from sunlight and the rain of a passing thunderstorm. Then it’s a walk through the jungle to a local resort restaurant where we’re served elephant fish and other Vietnamese delicacies.


Returning to the Mariner, Alan and I sit on our balcony as the ship sails from Ho Chi Minh City, weaving through the Mekong Delta in the afternoon sun. As day turns to night, we reflect on what we’ve seen and wonder about our next port, Thailand.

—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photos courtesy of Donna and Alan Hull.

Follow Donna on Twitter, visit her blog, and return here next week for the next "Dispatch from Donna" as she travels for 52 days aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner from Vancouver to Singapore.

Any Crystal Symphony Questions?

On Monday evening we're boarding Crystal Cruises' Crystal Symphony at Manhattan's Cruise Terminal to celebrate the cruise line's 20th anniversary and to take a tour of the recently refurbished ship. Crystal spent $25 million while upgrading Symphony during her September 17–October 1 drydock at Boston's Atlantic Marine shipyard.

Enhancements include...

• Prego Italian restaurant
• Lida Cafe
• Penthouse accommodations
• Seahorse and Neptune pool areas
• guest elevators
• digital x-ray equipment installed in the medical center
• and many behind-the-scenes upgrades

We'll be posting photos and video from the ship tomorrow. If you've got any questions, or want us to take photos of specific areas of the ship, let me know before 3:30 pm on Monday, November 9.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Crystal Cruises

An Easy Way to Snag 100,000 British Airways Miles

I've talked about my frequent flyer mile obsession in the past and will admit that my fervor usually peaks this time of year. Year-end is when I review all the miles in each account and create my strategy for the coming year.

A few weeks back I sat down and wrote out my comprehensive plan for 2010, but then today British Airways and Chase made me slam on the brakes.

They've announced what, to me, is an unprecedented bonus mile deal: earn 100,000 miles with a new British Airways Visa Signature Card from Chase.

Card Benefits

• receive 50,000 miles after your first purchase
  
  
• spend $2,000 within three months of opening your card and receive an additional 50,000 miles
  
  
• earn 1.25 miles for each $1 spent
  
  
• earn 2.5 miles for money spent on BA purchases
  
  
• spend $30,000 in a calendar year and you'll receive a 2-for-1 companion award certificate
  
  
• $50 off a British Airways flight if booked before December 31, 2009 (for travel before the end of 2010)

This promo is especially enticing since British Airways offers what they call "Household Accounts." This means you can combine miles with anyone living at the same address. That makes managing miles SO much easier! You'll retain your own Executive Club membership but your mileage balances will be combined.

You may use British Airways miles on any OneWorld airline, including:

British Airways
American Airlines
Cathay Pacific
Finnair
Iberia
Japan Airlines
LAN
Malev
Quantas
Royal Jordanian

Other British Airways partners also include:

Aer Lingus
Alaskan Airlines
Brussels Airlines C
aribbean Airlines
Mexicana

This British Airways/Chase Visa promo is definitely something to look into. I'm already figuring out where we'll travel with our newfound cache of British Airways miles! Apply for the card now.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Save on 2010 Windstar Caribbean Sailings

On October 28, Windstar Cruises launched its “80 Degrees of Sunshine; 180 Degrees from Ordinary” two-week sale on 2010 Caribbean sailings. Seven-night per person cruise fares (based on double occupancy) start at $1,799.

Windstar sails three motor-sail-yachts: the 312-passenger Wind Surf, and the 148-guest Wind Spirit and Wind Star.

This is a great time to book if you've sailed Windstar in the Caribbean in the past. This season, Wind Spirit debuts a new seven-day St. Martin roundtrip itinerary calling on St. Kitts, Tortola, Jost Van Dyke, Virgin Gorda, and St. Barts. Selected Wind Spirit sailings on sale are: January 16; January 23; January 30; and February 6, 2010.

The larger Wind Surf offers weeklong roundtrip sailings from Bridgetown, Barbados calling on a variety of ports on northbound and southbound itineraries. Wind Surf’s northbound itinerary includes St. Kitts, Nevis, St. Martin, St. Barts, Guadeloupe, Iles des Saintes, and St. Lucia. The southbound itinerary includes Bequia, Dominica, St. Lucia, Mayreau, Grenada, and Tobago. Selected Wind Surf sailings on sale are: January 31; February 7; February 14; and March 14, 2010.

The “80 Degrees of Sunshine; 180 Degrees from Ordinary” two-week sale is not combinable with any other promotions/programs. Offer valid on new bookings only from October 28 through November 11, 2009.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Windstar Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

InnerSea Discoveries to Launch Experiential Adventures in Alaska's Inside Passage

When I first sailed with American Safari Cruises, I returned from Alaska's Inside Passage and just raved about the experience. It was everything we love about cruising rolled up into one tremendously fun week: an intimate yacht (we sailed aboard the 105-foot Safari Spirit with just three other couples), wildlife viewing, excellent service, and fine cuisine.

We spent tons of time in the skiff and got incredibly close to humpback whales, orca whales, sea lions, and more. We even hugged the shore and viewed a moma bear with her three cubs. We could hear them chewing grass! It was awesome!

I consider American Safari Cruises to be a luxury experience because of the intimate yachts; crew-to-guest ratio; the caliber of the service; topnotch food, wine, and spirits; and access to wildlife that cruisers on the big ships just won't ever get close to. All-inclusive cruise fares start at $4,895 per person.

Those fares are too steep for some cruisers though, so the parent company of American Safari decided to purchase two larger ships where they could offer the same excellent naturalists and personal service, but offer a lower price point. The new initiative is called InnerSea Discoveries and is also meant for travelers who wish to actively engage their surroundings—both physically and emotionally.

The two ships—the 157-foot, 66-guest Wilderness Adventurer and the 170-foot, 80-guest Wilderness Discovery The vessels were purchased earlier this year and are being completely renovated now. The per person price point will start between $2,500 and $3,000 for one-week itineraries between Ketchikan and Juneau (two-week voyages will also be available). Fares include all meals, equipment for adventure activities, expert guides, port charges, taxes, and transfers.

These voyages will be ultra-experiential and activities include stand-up paddle boarding, wilderness hiking, snorkeling, inflatable boat and kayak excursions among icebergs and along shorelines, beachcombing, and whale watching. Optional add-ons include spelunking, river rafting, and jet boat excursions; fishing with expert guides on a fully outfitted boat; and overnight backpacking and kayaking. Professional naturalists will provide lectures on the surrounding environment, and yoga and massages will be offered; both boats have on-deck hot tubs and saunas with a view.

“We think of it as an ‘un-cruise’ because there are none of the hassles of traditional cruising,” says CEO and principal Capt. Dan Blanchard. “No crowds, long lines, herd mentalities, bus trips, and tourist-clogged port calls. Instead we’re offering exhilarating activities in the wildlife-rich waters of Southeast Alaska, plus creature comforts aboard the boat.”

Wilderness Adventurer and Wilderness Discoverer will begin sailing Alaska's Inside Passage in May 2011.

The parent company will continue to operate American Safari Cruises three-vessel yacht itineraries in Alaska, Mexico’s Sea of Cortés, the Columbia and Snake rivers, and the Pacific Northwest. Inter-island Hawaii yacht cruising debuts in 2011.

For information, talk with your travel agent or call InnerSea Discoveries at 1-(877) 901-1009 or sales@innerseadiscoveries.com.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of InnerSea Discoveries

Seabourn Kicks Off One-Month Free Air Special

This new promotion from the Yachts of Seabourn may interest you if you're planning on booking a Mediterranean cruise for May or June 2010. Starting November 2, Seabourn is offering free airfare from 28 North American gateways on 20 Med sailings on any of its ships. (Offer ends November 30, 2009.)

Book category A–B3 on the triplets (A–V6 on Odyssey) and you'll receive complimentary economy air. Higher categories receive business class flights.

The voyages that are part of this offer sail from Istanbul, Rome, Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Venice, and Athens. Fares start at $3,799 per person.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

Dispatch from Donna: Luxury Living Onboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner

This is travel writer Donna Hull's sixth installment of "Dispatch from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

Are you wondering what it’s like to live onboard a luxury cruise ship for 52 days? This week, instead of reporting on the ports we’ve visited since sailing from Vancouver, I’ll be telling you about life in our temporary home, the Seven Seas Mariner.

Luxury Accommodations
Alan and I are staying in a typical Mariner Suite that includes a bedroom section plus small living area with sofa. Across from the sitting area, a long cabinet includes a hidden mini-refrigerator stocked with our choice of cold drinks. The wall unit also provides desk space with electrical outlets for charging laptop computers or camera equipment. The walk-in closet includes all the storage that we need, plus a small safe for valuables. There’s also an umbrella for rainy days and deck blankets for cold mornings on the balcony.

In the moderately sized, marble designed bath, a tub and shower combination satisfies my need for a long soak after an all-day excursion. Regent has provided robes, bedroom shoes, sewing kit, and bath amenities. A vanity area near the bed holds a hair dryer plus make-up mirror.

When we’re in our cabin, you’ll probably find us on the balcony. In the mornings, room service delivers coffee, or even breakfast, setting it up on the outside table when the weather’s nice. It’s also where we relax with a glass of wine in the late afternoon.

Fine Dining
You’d think that after 52 days we’d be bored with our dinner options. Not so. Compass Rose, the main dining room offers an ever-changing menu. Executive Chef, Mike Rohmild has been experimenting with a destination-themed section, giving us the chance to try Japanese, Chinese, Vietnamese, and Thai cuisine.

Two reservation-only restaurants provide more choices. Signatures is a Cordon Bleu-inspired dining venue while Prime Seven offers a casual but elegant eatery with an American Steakhouse theme.

Alan and I also enjoy La Veranda, a more casual option. Guests choose appetizers, salads, and desserts from a buffet but order soup and a main course from a menu that changes about every two weeks. It’s like eating in an upscale local restaurant where everyone knows your name. When we’re tired of socializing or it’s been an especially long day on shore, we also have the option of ordering a room service dinner in our suite. And, of course, Mariner is all-inclusive, which means that alcoholic beverages throughout the ship are “on the house.”

Varied Entertainment
Cruise Director, Jamie Logan, works hard to provide plenty of entertainment options, including humorous and informative television shows produced onboard. When Alan and I aren’t dancing to live music in one of the lounges, we’re attending a production show performed by the in-house entertainment troupe, The Regent Singers and Dancers. Special performers are also brought onboard. So far, we’ve attended shows by classical pianists, comedians, violinists, and jazz singers as well as a special opera performance by Heather Clancy who happens to be married to Executive Chef, Mike Romhild.

Interesting Diversions
Do you play bridge? Are you longing for a game of paddle tennis? Name an activity and you’ll probably find it, especially on sea days. Want to be “in the know?” We enjoy the destination expert lectures that help prepare us for our time in port. Is exercise your thing? A well-equipped gym plus an assortment of exercise classes satisfies Alan’s inner athlete. What about me? The hot stone massage I experienced at the Carita Spa is my idea of a great diversion.

Making Connections
Although we miss friends and family, Alan and I enjoy the connections that we make with fellow cruisers as passenger dynamics shift and change with each new segment. But it’s the relationships that we make with the staff that mean the most to us. After this many days, they almost read our minds, bringing a favorite coffee before I even ask or making sure that Alan has his supply of potato chips for lunch.

We’ll be sad to see our cruise end. It really does feel like a second home to us. However, we’re not finished yet. Next week, I’ll tell you what it’s like to visit Vietnam.

—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Top and bottom photos provided by Donna and Alan Hull. Middle photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas.

Follow Donna on Twitter, visit her blog, and return here next week for the next "Dispatch from Donna" as she travels for 52 days aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner from Vancouver to Singapore.

2009 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks Awards

Each year the editors of Cruise Critic rate the best the cruise industry has to offer. The 2009 Cruise Critic Editors' Picks were recently awarded in 31 categories.

The winners are:

Accommodations & Service
Best Big Ship Luxury Enclave - MSC Cruises - (MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida)
Best for Big Ship Suites - NCL - Courtyard Villas
Best for Cabins - Holland America Line
Best Luxury Service - Crystal Cruises
Best Luxury Staterooms - Regent Seven Seas Cruises

Activities
Best Cruise Line Private Island - Disney - Castaway Cay
Best for Activities - Holland America Line
Best for Nightlife - Carnival Cruise Lines
Best Sun Deck - Celebrity Cruises - (Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox)

Body and Soul
Best for Fitness Enthusiasts - Royal Caribbean International
Best Spas - Costa Cruises - (Samsara Spa)

Cruise Styles
Best Family Cruise Line - Royal Caribbean International
Best for Adventure - Lindblad Expeditions
Best for Couples - Azamara Cruises
Best for First Timers - Carnival Cruise Lines
Best for Kids - Royal Caribbean International - (Freedom Class)
Best for Romance - Princess Cruises
Best for Sophisticated Singles - Cunard Line
Best for Teens - Royal Caribbean International - (Freedom Class)
Best Luxury Cruise Line - Crystal Cruises
Best River Cruise Line - Uniworld
Best Sailing Ship - Windstar Cruises

Food and Dining
Best Buffet - Carnival Cruise Lines
Best for Healthy Dining - Celebrity Cruises
Best Luxury Dining - Seabourn Cruise Line
Best Main Dining - Carnival Cruise Lines
Best Specialty Restaurants - Oceania Cruises

Innovation
Best Kept Secret - MSC Cruises - (MSC Fantasia and MSC Splendida)
Best New Luxury Ship - Seabourn Odyssey
Best New River Ship - Uniworld's River Beatrice
Best New Ship - Celebrity Cruises - (Celebrity Solstice and Celebrity Equinox)

Weddings and Honeymoons
Best for a Honeymoon Splurge - SeaDream Yacht Club
Best for Weddings At Sea - Princess Cruises

For more information, visit Cruise Critic.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Cruising Halong Bay in Vietnam

I love cruising because, often, it means enjoying gorgeous vistas that just can't be captured from vantage points on land. If you're looking for a cruise experience that will have you sitting on deck, dumbfounded by the landscape, consider a voyage though Vietnam's Halong Bay.

On the Gulf of Tonkin in Vietnam's northeast region, Halong Bay is about a three hour's drive from Hanoi. Thousands of islands, islets, and limestone outcrops dot the bay. A series of island caves and grottos complete the scene that's almost always blanketed with mist.

Popular activities for the outdoorsy types include birding, kayaking, and swimming, while tours of local floating fishing villages are on almost every tourist's agenda.

There are a number of excellent luxury cruise options for a visit to Halong Bay:

Azamara Cruises
Azamara Quest includes Halong Bay on several two-week itineraries.

Bhaya Cruises
Bhaya sails three junks—Bhaya Classic, Bhaya Legend, and Bhaya Spirit—and offers day trips as well as two- and three-day itineraries.

Indochina Sails
Four junks—Indochina I, II, III, and Valentine—ply the bay for two- and three-day trips.

Oceania Cruises
In 2010 and 2011 the Nautica will call upon Hanoi for Halong Bay.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Both the Mariner and Navigator call upon Halong Bay several times a year.

Silversea
Silver Whisper visits the bay quite a few times per year.

If you've visited Halong Bay, I'd love to hear which ship/junk you sailed and what you liked most about the experience.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Indochina Sails

Culinary Editor Janice Wald Henderson Joins CruiseMates.com

Here's an announcement from CruiseMates.com that made me think, "Of course! What a terrific addition for a cruise website." The full press release follows.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Prominent Food Journalist Janice Wald Henderson
Joins CruiseMates as Culinary Editor

CruiseMates is first online cruise guide with a full-time culinary expert onboard to cover one of the most important aspects of the cruise experience.

LOS ANGELES, Calif. (October 22, 2009)—Prominent food journalist Janice Wald Henderson, who has written for top magazines from Vogue to Bon Appétit, has joined the consumer cruise web site CruiseMates.com as Culinary Editor. CruiseMates is now the only cruise web site with a distinctly qualified and singular voice to ensure consistent cruise ship culinary reviews.

Dining is a vastly significant part of the cruise experience for every cruiser. Janice Wald Henderson has the culinary knowledge to enrich the cruise experience for all CruiseMates’ readers, whether in the process of researching a new cruise or already booked and seeking advice on what not to miss onboard.

“From the latest trends in molecular gastronomy to the sourcing of fresh ingredients, Janice is fully versed in all aspects of gourmet dining. No one could be more qualified to comment on the best culinary experiences obtainable on cruise ships and in ports of call.” says Paul Motter, CruiseMates editor-in-chief.

Wald Henderson is also the Los Angeles dining editor of epicurious.com. She has written for Food & Wine, Cooking Light, and Eating Well among numerous publications, and has been syndicated by both the Los Angeles Times (now Tribune Media) and New York Times syndicates. She was a senior editor for Chocolatier magazine and has authored two cookbooks. Wald Henderson has also appeared as a guest expert on CNN, Food Network, and ABC-TV and Los Angeles radio and television stations. She has coordinated international culinary events, working with star chefs such as Bobby Flay, Emeril Lagasse, and Mario Batali.

“Every passenger gets excited about onboard dining,” says Wald Henderson. “And no matter your level of culinary knowledge, the more you know about the food and wine on your table the more you will enjoy tasting it. I have two goals, to enlighten cruisers on the culinary choices available and to enhance the dining experience they choose.”

Onboard dining has grown more nuanced with every cruise line from the “included in the cruise fare” dining rooms to the alternative restaurants onboard. Some cruise lines consult with world-class chefs, such as Nobu Matsuhisa or Todd English, to create specialty restaurants. Many cruise lines also offer special food and wine—themed cruises with superstar guest chefs and winemakers.

Wald Henderson will provide expert advice on all of these cruise culinary topics:

• Recommendations on how and what to order
• Best dishes on cruise ships
• What food to avoid on a cruise
• Realistic expectations for guest chefs
• Specialty restaurants
• Benefits and weaknesses of onboard culinary and wine classes
• How to be your own best restaurant critic
• Ships showcasing local ingredients
• Understanding gourmet menus
• How to work with chefs and maitre d’s for the ultimate dining adventures

Sign On for a Segment of Cruise West's World Cruise

"Up-close, casual and personal exploration"—that's how Cruise West describes themselves. It's an apt description and encompasses so many of the things I love about small ship cruising.

Beginning March 6, 2010, Cruise West launches its 335-day circumnavigation of the globe aboard the 120-passenger all-suite Spirit of Oceanus. Dubbed Voyages of the Great Explorers, the world cruise is a series of 24 individual segments that range from nine to 19 nights. The cruise both begins and ends in Singapore.

Cruise West is offering some excellent values for all segments of the world cruise, if you book and pay in full by December 18, 2009. Also, guests will save up to $1,550 per person ($3,100 per cabin) and receive free round trip international airfare from five select U.S. cities: San Francisco (SFO), Los Angeles (LAX), Chicago (ORD), Washington D.C. (IAD or DCA), and New York (JFK) or an air credit of $750 per person. (The free air or air credit is valid for Voyages 1 through 18 of the 24-voyage segment Voyages of the Great Explorers.)

Additional saving options include:

• Bring a friend (new booking) and each person receives $500 off the cruise fare
  
  
• 50% savings for all children 18 and younger
  
  
• Single supplement will be waived on Voyages 1 – 4 in all cabin categories
  
  
• Reduced single supplement for Voyages 5 – 24 in Superior, Majestic, Premium, and Classic cabin categories

Cruise fares begin at $4,995 per person, before savings, and include a pre-cruise hotel night.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Cruise West at 1-(800) 296-8307.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Cruise West

Windstar Discounts Thirty 2010 Sailings: Book by Nov. 14

Windstar Cruises is discounting 30 of its most popular itineraries in 2010. Just book between October 15 and November 14, 2009.

The sale encompasses itineraries on all three of Windstar's motor-sail-yachts: Wind Spirit, Wind Star, and Wind Surf. Rates start at $1,649 per person.

Wind Surf Sailings
4/18/10 Rome to Athens
4/25/10 Athens to Rome
5/30/10 Rome to Rome
6/20/10 Venice to Venice
7/04/10 Rome to Nice
7/18/10 Barcelona to Rome
8/08/10 Rome to Nice
8/22/10 Barcelona to Nice
8/29/10 Nice to Rome
9/12/10 Venice to Venice
9/19/10 Venice to Rome
9/26/10 Rome to Nice

Wind Star Sailings
3/06/10 Costa Rica Roundtrip
3/20/10 Costa Rica Roundtrip
7/03/10 Athens to Rome
7/10/10 Rome to Rome
7/17/10 Rome to Athens
7/31/10 Istanbul to Athens
10/23/10 Rome to Rome
10/30/10 Rome to Barcelona
11/06/10 Barcelona to Lisbon

Wind Spirit Sailings
3/13/10 St. Martin Roundtrip
5/08/10 Nice to Rome
5/15/10 Rome to Rome
7/17/10 Venice to Venice
7/24/10 Venice to Athens
10/23/10 Athens to Rome
10/30/10 Rome to Rome
11/06/10 Rome to Barcelona
11/13/10 Barcelona to Lisbon

I love Windstar's product, but the cruise line has experienced some financial issues this year. I wouldn't hesitate booking a Windstar Cruise, but I would definitely purchase trip insurance.

For more details, talk with your travel agent or contact Windstar Cruises at 1 (800) 258-7245.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Regent Seven Seas Announces Dress Code Change

After much thought—and consideration of poll results from various online message boards like Cruise Critic and Luxury Cruise Talk—Regent Seven Seas Cruises recently announced changes to its dress code. Here's the information Regent is providing to its guests:

As a result of guest feedback convincingly in favor of a less formal policy, Regent Seven Seas Cruises has established a revised dress code. Effective with the 2009/2010 New Year's cruises, guests are respectfully requested to adhere to the following guidelines: 



Daytime Dress Code (until 6 p.m.)

During the day, resort style clothing (including shorts, warm-up suits, jeans and sneakers) is acceptable 
in all public areas. Bare feet are acceptable only on the Pool Deck. Note: Bathing suits, while acceptable at the Pool Bar and Grill, are not considered appropriate in any indoor venue. 



Evening Dress Code (after 6 p.m.) 


Two types of dress code have been established for evenings in public areas: Elegant Casual and Formal Optional. The number of Formal Optional nights is dependent upon the length of the cruise, as follows: 
• Cruises of fifteen nights or less will be Elegant Casual for the duration 
• Cruises of sixteen nights or more will have two Formal Optional nights 



Elegant Casual: Skirt, or slacks (no jeans) with blouse or sweater, pant suit or dress for ladies; slacks (no jeans) and collared shirt for gentlemen. Sport jackets are optional. Note: Jeans, T-shirts, baseball caps, shorts, sneakers and bathrobes are not considered appropriate in any public area after 6 p.m. 



Formal Optional: While guests are welcome to dress each evening as per the Elegant Casual dress code, during Formal Optional evenings, guests may opt for a more formal choice of clothing including gowns and cocktail dresses for ladies; tuxedos, dinner jackets or dark suit with tie for gentlemen.

For more information, contact your travel agent or contact 
Regent Seven Seas Cruises at 1-(877) 505-5374.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas

New Zealand Highlights: 10-Night Orion Expedition Adventure

Orion Expedition Cruises' 2010–2011 catalog is out now and it lists the debut of its "New Zealand Highlights" itinerary. Every "Kiwi" I've ever met has been just lovely, so this particular cruise sounds intriguing.

The 75-passenger MV Orion will embark on this 10-night sailing on February 3, 2010, from Bluff, New Zealand:

Day 1: Bluff (Invercargill), New Zealand
Day 2: Milford Sound
Day 3: Dusky Sound
Day 4: Otago Harbour, Dunedin
Day 5: Akaroa
Day 6: Kaikoura Peninsula
Day 7: Wellington
Day 8: Marlborough Sounds Maritime Park
Day 9: Napier, Hawkes Bay
Day 10: White Island
Day 11: Auckland, New Zealand

This itinerary has a little bit of everything: wineries and orchard, gorgeous bays and active volcanos, fjords and waterfalls, magnificent wildlife and lush rainforests.

For more information, talk with your travel agent or contact Orion Expedition Cruises at 1-(877) ORION US.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Orion Expedition Cruises

Dispatch from Donna: Discovering China with Regent Mariner

This is travel writer Donna Hull's fifth installment of "Dispatch from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

Ahoy there! Booming, dynamic China is the star on week five of our Regent Seven Seas Mariner cruise from Vancouver to Singapore.


But first, we make a brief stop in Inchon, South Korea. Most passengers opt for the one-hour bus excursion to Seoul for a short introduction that includes a visit to Jogyesa, a practicing Buddhist temple, views of downtown high-rises, and the chance to shop for South Korean souvenirs along Insadong Antique Street. Arriving back at the ship, there’s still time to walk into Inchon where the alleyways contain a strange mix of fish market stalls, beauty shops and clothing stores.

Dalian, Mariner’s first Chinese port, eliminates any of my pre-conceived notions about China. International stores and 5-star hotels line wide flower-filled avenues near the port area. Alan and I choose to explore via the “Dalian Highlights and a Family Visit” excursion. The journey takes us to People’s Square where colorful kites fill the air. Afterwards, we walk through a working fish market, with seafood of every description on display. The tour continues out a side door into the bleak housing area for the seafood merchants. An elderly Chinese woman watches, then waves to us, from the windows of the Soviet style block apartments.

The bus drives to a more modern area where passengers divide into small groups to visit a typical Chinese apartment. The climb up a dirty, concrete stairwell is a stark contrast to the tiny, clean apartment with sleek wood floors where our Chinese hostess, aided by two English-speaking university students, shares her way of life with us. On the bus ride back to the port, tour guide, Joe, sings Chinese and American songs, a custom we will experience on most of the bus excursions in China.


When Mariner docks in Tianjin, all passengers are treated to a complimentary night at an upscale hotel in Beijing, with meals (our accommodations are at the luxurious Regent Beijing Hotel). The three-hour bus ride into the city includes lunch at a jade factory followed by a visit to the Great Wall. The next day, cruisers tour The Forbidden City before returning to the ship.

Those wishing to extend their stay in Beijing (which includes Alan and myself), purchase a second night’s lodging. One day is simply not enough to explore a city teeming with historical sites wedged between modern day high-rises.

Although Regent offers a half-day complimentary tour, we’ve hired a private guide for an in-depth experience. Beginning our day at the Temple of Heaven, we watch as retirees spend their morning practicing Tai Chi or ballroom dancing on the park-like outer grounds. Later we walk through what seems like a never-ending array of rooms and courtyards in The Forbidden City.

Our visit coincides with the last days of the national holiday celebrating the Communist China’s 60th anniversary. Red lanterns hang from doorways while the trees and shrubbery are lit with colorful lights adding to a festive, holiday feel. At Tiananmen Square, parade floats from China’s provinces line the edges of the vast space. Alan and I appear to be the only Westerners walking among thousands of Chinese as our guide leads us across the area in the late afternoon sun.

The return bus trip to the ship includes a combination of old and new Beijing. We explore the Bird’s Nest Olympic Stadium before visiting the Summer Palace for a stroll through the gardens followed by a multi-course Chinese lunch.

The hustle and bustle only increases as Mariner sails into Shanghai. Ship traffic crowds the Huangpu Jung River like rush hour on a Manhattan street. Junks, barges and ships represent old and new, reflecting the feeling that is Shanghai. A ride on the ultra-fast Maglev train complements a visit to the 18th century complex at Yu Garden.

A free shuttle bus transports cruisers to Julong Silk and Handicrafts Market in Dagu Lu Street. Armed with an address list, printed in English and Chinese, provided by the ship, Alan and I jump into a cab for a day of shopping. Along the way, we meet an American ex-pat who informs us that visitors to Shanghai must buy pearls, silk and perfume. Dodging street vendors on Nanjinglu Pedestrian Shopping Street, we find plenty of friendly, English speaking shopkeepers. Later that night, we sit in one of Mariner’s restaurants watching as passengers and crewmembers return to the ship loaded down with purchases.

The Chinese portion of our cruise ends with a multi-night stay in Hong Kong harbor. Cruisers tour Aberdeen, the old fishing village, for a ride along the waters in a motorized sampan, before shopping in the narrow lanes of Stanley Market. A cable car ride to Victoria Peak, with its panoramic view of the city, offers the perfect ending to our Hong Kong stay.

Next week, I’ll take a break from describing ports to tell you about life onboard the luxury cruise ship, Mariner.

—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

All photos © Alan Hull and Donna Hull

Follow Donna on Twitter, visit her blog, and return here next week for the next "Dispatch from Donna" as she travels for 52 days aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner from Vancouver to Singapore.

Have You Had to Cancel a Cruise Due to Illness?

So the flu has descended on New York and my family took a sucker punch—we've all been sick. Feeling like this for several weeks got me thinking how glad I was we didn't have a vacation planned for this month. What a difficult decision it would be to cancel a cruise!

Forget about any impact in terms of cost. (We generally have trip insurance to fall back on.) It's the emotional impact that's on my mind. When we plan a cruise, we can't wait to get to the port and—no matter which cruise line or ship we're embarking on—it always feels like "coming home."

With experts saying the 2009–2010 flu season will be a doozy, how many of us may be faced with the tough decision to cancel a sailing at the last minute? I hope we all skirt that possibility and, with the help of the Center for Disease Control's "Take 3" actions to fight the flu, we all stand a better chance of remaining healthy this fall and winter.

CDC's Take 3 Action Steps

1. Get the flu shot and, if you're in a high risk category, as your doctor if the additional H1N1 vaccine is right for you. (People at greatest risk for 2009 H1N1 infection include children, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease.)
   
   
2. Take everyday precautions: wash your hands often with soap and water (or alcohol-based hand rub); avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth in an effort to stop the spread of germs; and avoid contact with sick individuals.
   
   
3. If you do get the flu, your doctor may prescribe antiviral drugs. If he/she does, take them. However, they work best if started within the first two days of symptoms so don't delay the trip to the doctor in the first place.

With any luck, this current flu going around New Jersey will be the worst we see all year. One can only hope!

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

One Year Until Maiden Voyage of Cunard's New Queen Elizabeth

The countdown has begun! In just one year Cunard's newest ocean liner, the Queen Elizabeth, will set sail on her 13-night maiden voyage out of Southampton, UK. This cruise has been sold out for quite some time and there's a hefty waitlist. Cunard fans are thrilled to welcome a new Queen to the family.

Maiden Voyage Itinerary

1. Southampton, UK
   
2. At Sea
3. Vigo, Spain
   
4. Lisbon, Portugal
   
5. Cadiz, Spain
   
6. At Sea
7. Gran Canaria, Canary Islands
   
8. Tenerife, Canary Islands
   
9. La Palma, Canary Islands
   
10. Madeira, Portugal
    
11. At Sea
12. At Sea
13. At Sea
14. Southampton, UK
    

Queen Elizabeth will be much like her sister ship, Queen Victoria. There will be four categories of accommodation: Britannia Stateroom, Britannia Club Balcony, Princess Grill, and Queens Grill. The Princess Grill and Queens Grill—with their private lounges, dining rooms, and priority embarkation/disembarkation—are the best bets if you're used to sailing the top luxury cruise lines. The Britannia categories are more akin to a mass market experience.

All About the New Queen Elizabeth

• Passengers: 2,092
• Guest Decks: 12
• Gross Tonnage: 90,400 tons
• Length: 964.5 feet
• Width: 106 feet
• Draft: 25.9 feet
• Height: 179 feet
• 85 % of staterooms are outside
• 71% of staterooms feature balconies
• 12% of the accommodations are Grills Suites

For more information about Cunard's Queen Elizabeth, talk with your travel agent or contact Cunard at 1-(800)-7-CUNARD.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Make-A-Wish to Host Oasis of the Seas Inaguration

The Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida and Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines will be hosting the inauguration of Oasis of the Seas, which will set sail on Monday, November 30th for a one-night cruise to nowhere from Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale.

Guests are invited to be the first to experience the innovation and imagination of the world’s largest cruise ship, where entertainment areas are transformed into neighborhoods complete with the lush green beauty of Central Park and a magnificent Boardwalk carousel. Suites are redefined as swank lofts on the 16 decks of this grand floating palace.

The goal of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida is to raise more than $1 million locally to grant the wishes of children with life-threatening medical conditions and give them much-needed hope, strength, and joy.

Individual, corporate, and ultimate sponsorship packages will be available for this one-night event. For more information, call (954) 967-9474 or visit the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Southern Florida web site. You can also find them on Facebook and follow them on Twitter.

Seabourn Nixes 2010–2011 Indian Ocean Sailings; Fear of Pirate Attacks

There's bound to be some disappointed travelers today due to Seabourn's announcement that Seabourn Legend will not sail its five-month, 15-cruise stint in the Indian Ocean in the latter part of 2010 and early 2011. Caribbean cruises will replace the original schedule.

Seabourn president Pamela Conover said the decision was made with regrets. However, the company feels the risk of pirate attacks is too great. (You'll recall that Seabourn Spirit was attacked in the Indian Ocean in 2005.)

Ms. Conover said in a statement, "It makes me sad to have to cancel these cruises. I personally loved touring Kenya's game parks, and the islands of the Seychelles, Madagascar, and Zanzibar are lovely and exotic destinations where we sincerely had hoped to be able to take our guests. We look forward to a time when the sea routes are controlled enough for us to cruise there for a season."

Seabourn will contact any passengers (via their travel agents) regarding this change and will offer further discounts and onboard credits if they rebook an alternative sailing. If it were me, I'd rebook on one of these itineraries:

Gems of the Java Sea
Seabourn Spirit
January 12, 2011 (10 days)
Singapore to Benoa, Bali (Indonesia) via Kuching, Borneo, Malaysia and the following ports of call in Indonesia: Karimunjawa, Semarang/Java, Lembar/Lombok, and Padang Bay/Bali.

or

Spice Islands Discoveries
Seabourn Spirit
January 22, 2011 (12 days)
Benoa, Bali (Indonesia) to Singapore via Indonesian ports of call Komodo Island, Palopo/Sulawesi, Ujung Pandang; Malaysia stops in Sandakan/Borneo and Koto Kinabalu; and Maura in Brunei.

For more information about the Yachts of Seabourn, talk with your travel agent or contact Seabourn at 1-(800) 929-9391.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Photo courtesy of Seabourn

Dispatch from Donna: Japan's Northern Islands with Regent Seven Seas

This is travel writer Donna Hull's fourth installment of "Dispatches from Donna," a weekly update during her 52-day voyage aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner.

As we enter our fourth cruising week, Mariner sails toward Japan. Traveling from north to south means the ship visits the smaller ports of Hakodate and Sendai before introducing passengers to cosmopolitan Tokyo and Osaka. After cruising the wilds of Alaska and Siberia, it’s like easing our way back into civilization.

At every Japanese port, Mariner is met with official delegations that swap plaques and speeches with Mariner Captain, Felice Patruno. In Hakodate and Sendai, dancing troupes wave gaily as the ship pulls into port. Fireboats spray a watery welcome in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagasaki. Performers singing a brief excerpt from the opera, Madame Butterfly, elicit tears from the audience before Mariner leaves Nagasaki. Throughout our stay, Japan proves to be clean and efficient with a polite population that is friendly to visitors.

On the morning of Mariner’s arrival in her first Japanese port, Hakodate, passengers are required to present themselves to authorities to be fingerprinted and photographed. By the time we clear Japanese customs, the stay in Hakodate has been whittled down to a few hours. Standing on the observation deck on Mt. Hakodate, I wonder what adventures Regent could find for us if we only had more time to experience the mountainous countryside.

In Sendai, we’re introduced to the first of the many Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples included on the ship’s tour excursions. According to our guide, most Japanese claim to be secular; but these historical sites are crowded with both international and local tourists. Since the cities we are visiting were bombed during World War II, much of what we see is a rebuilt version of the original buildings.

An overnight stay in Tokyo gives us plenty of time to explore. The port authority runs a shuttle for Mariner guests to the Ginza shopping district. We brave the subway system for a ride to Akihabara, an electronic lovers paradise, where the streets and alleyways are lined with shops selling every electronic gadget known to man.

The next day, our Tokyo overview excursion takes us to Meiji Jingu, a shrine surrounded by a large park in the heart of Tokyo. The morning bus ride across town allows us to observe Tokyoites as they stream from the subways toward another workday. Later, at yet another Buddhist site, Asakusa Kannon Temple, row after row of shops selling Japanese souvenirs compete for our attention.

When Mariner spends an overnight in Osaka, it’s the end of a segment for some guests while new voyagers join us for the sail to Hong Kong. After a rainy afternoon arrival, we visit Osaka Castle plus Shitennoji Temple, believed to be the oldest Buddhist temple in Japan.

The following day, Alan and I take advantage of our “in transit” status to book an eight-hour excursion to Kyoto, where many historical buildings survived World War II. Joining hundreds of Japanese school children, we tour Nijo Castle, the home of a 1600s-era shogun and a UNESCO World Heritage site. The children laugh and giggle as they pass us, saying “hello, hello.” We answer back. The flirting continues throughout the passageways of the mighty shogun’s home. Later, the Golden Pavilion dazzles us. I can only imagine how this area must look in the spring when it’s decorated with the blossoms from hundreds of cherry trees.

Mariner says goodbye to Japan with a stop in Nagasaki. Standing on deck, viewing the low mountains surrounding the harbor, it’s hard to imagine that an atomic bomb devastated the area. On a visit to the Peace Park, we walk in a pleasant plaza where plaques and statues, donated by nations from around the world, display hopes for peace. A sobering visit to the Atomic Bomb Museum ends when we stand at the detonation point of the bomb.

The Nagasaki lights twinkle as Mariner slips out of the harbor on a late-night sail-away. I’ve been impressed and intrigued by Japan. The time here has left me curious to visit again. But, on this trip, more ports remain to be explored. Next up, a short stop in Korea before visiting the Chinese cities of Dailin, Beijing, Shanghai, and Hong Kong.

—Donna Hull for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

All photos © Alan Hull and Donna Hull.

Follow Donna on Twitter, visit her blog, and return here next week for the next "Dispatch from Donna" as she travels for 52 days aboard Regent's Seven Seas Mariner from Vancouver to Singapore.

Don't Miss: The Birthday Bonus Program from Crystal Cruises

In 2009 Crystal Cruises unveiled its Birthday Bonus promotion and—in celebration of the line's 20th anniversary in 2010—it will be carried over into the New Year.

Simply book a 2010 cruise by December 31, 2009 and sail on your 2010 birthday. You're then eligible to save 50% off a second cruise-only fare taken before your 2011 birthday.

In addition, birthday guests can celebrate their 2010 birthday with a special champagne breakfast and a Captain’s Quarters birthday party.

For more information, contact your travel agent or Crystal Cruises.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com

Take a Wild Guess: Name Seabourn's New Luxury Yacht & Win a Cruise

Seabourn is at it again: simply guess the name of the cruise line's yacht debuting in June 2011 and you'll be entered to win a free cruise for two during the ship's maiden year.

This new ship joins the currently sailing Seabourn Odyssey and Seabourn Sojourn, which sets sail in June 2010.

You may enter as many times as you wish. E-mail your guesses to names@seabourn.com and include your name and contact information.

Entries must be received by December 4, 2009. If more than one correct guess is received, Seabourn will draw a random winner from all correct entries.

The Fine Print from Seabourn
The award is a complimentary 7-day cruise in a minimum category suite anywhere the new ship sails between her second scheduled cruise in 2011 and June of 2012, and is subject to space availability. Prize cruise does not include airfare, ground transfers or onboard purchases. All expenses not specifically stated are the sole responsibility of the winner. The award is not transferable and non-refundable. All terms and conditions of Seabourn Cruise Line’s standard Ticket Contract of Passage, as well as those stated in the General Information section of Seabourn’s brochure, shall be applicable to the cruise.

In case the winner is unable to utilize available space during the maiden year, a 7-day cruise on another Seabourn yacht may be substituted.

—Andrea M. Rotondo for LuxuryCruiseBible.com