Regent's Penthouse B and Butler Service

Day 2 aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner (Alaska to Russia to Japan).

Here's a bit of information about our stateroom aboard the Regent Mariner. We booked a Penthouse B suite on Deck 10, mainly because we wanted a bit more room. (I needed space to exercise; I use the Leslie Sansone in-home walking DVD series and wanted to be sure I could do this workout every day.)

The room itself is 376 square feet with a 73-square-foot balcony. The sleeping area with a king bed is set off from the living room with heavy blackout curtains that tie back during the day so you can sit on the bed and gaze out the sliding-glass doors to the balcony. The sitting area is outfitted with a L-shape sofa, chair, TV/DVD, writing desk/chair and mini-fridge.

This stateroom category comes with the services of a butler. We really didn’t need the extra assistance since we’re the type of people who like to take care of things ourselves (restaurant reservations, laundry, etc.).

However, Laxmesh was terrific and it was nice to talk with him each day. Every afternoon he brought a tray of hors d’oeuvres around 5:00 pm and he was available via phone anytime we needed anything. Some of the evening appetizers included tuna sashimi, shrimp cocktail, a cheese platter, antipasto, caviar and foie gras.

Laxmesh immediately learned about my predilection for Diet Coke and made sure the fridge was stocked at all times. He also made sure my husband had sliced lemons and limes for his afternoon libations.

Our stateroom was just around the corner from the elevator and stairs, and across the entry hallway to the laundry room. This was a fantastic location because it really didn’t take any time to get from our room to any other location on the ship. It was especially convenient to get to the Constellation Theater on Deck 5, the Observation Lounge on Deck 12, as well as the Coffee Corner, library, Internet cafe and Stars nightclub, all on Deck 6.

I would have loved our cabin to be a few decks lower, however. We did encounter some rough weather as we left Kodiak, Alaska and another night sailing the Sea of Okhotsk. We never got sea sick (maybe thanks to our Sea-Band wrist bands and Bonine… which we used religiously), but it was still rocky. One night it was really difficult to sleep, so we just got up and watched some DVDs we checked out from the library earlier. The Mariner really responds well in rough seas though. During most of our voyage, we could barely feel the ship moving. (Photo courtesy of Regent Seven Seas Cruises.)

The bed in our suite was AMAZING (albeit a bit high for my 5-foot height). It was incredibly comfortable and, combined with the gentle rocking of the ship, I felt like a baby bear nestled in for a long winter’s hibernation!

The balcony was terrific and we used it quite a bit; we were blessed with smooth seas and warmer-than-expected temperatures for many days of the voyage.



The suite was incredibly quiet, but that may have to do with the fact that this leg of the cruise was underbooked. I don’t think there were any guests in the rooms next to us. From what we heard, many more people were joining the Grand Asia Pacific voyage when the ship docked in Tokyo (our disembarkation port).

If you book a penthouse suite on any Regent cruise ship, you're sure to love it! Our stateroom was the perfect basecamp during our voyage across the International Dateline.

Photo credits (top to bottom): Leonard Hospidor (first four photos), Regent Seven Seas, Andrea Rotondo

Setting Sail – The Northwest Passage Aboard Regent's Mariner!

Day 1 aboard the Regent Seven Seas Mariner (Alaska to Russia to Japan).

This is our first Regent Seven Seas cruise and so far all I can say is, "Wow! Wow! Wow!" We've only been on the Mariner for a few hours but we're already feeling quite pampered!



Around noon this afternoon we arrived at the Hilton Anchorage where the Regent staff checked us in for the cruise. We then were taken on a short (seriously short, about two minute) bus ride to the departure point of Alaska Railroad's Grandview Train. We were beyond thrilled when we realized we'd be traveling to Whittier by train. We had thought that the train had completed its season and we'd be busing it. Taking the train instead really made our day!

As this is the beginning of low season, Anchorage was truly empty and many shops and restaurants had already closed down for the winter. Perhaps that’s why the Grandview Train was also similarly empty. My husband and I got our own four-person table on the train and were able to set up all our camera equipment and take some great shots. The scenery is absolutely breathtaking! I had no idea Alaska was so beautiful.

The train trip began with a welcome champagne toast given by Brian O’Brien, the Mariner’s cruise consultant. Then someone from the Travel Concierge desk came through the car with information on the available port tours and to answer any questions we may have. We were served several types of cookies while we enjoyed the gorgeous views. We did see some wildlife… mainly eagles and other birds and some Dahl sheep high up on the mountain ledges above us. The ride was a quick two hours and by 2:00 pm, we were at the Whittier Passenger Terminal. We lucked out with the weather… it was sunny and warm (about 70 degrees). All the locals kept telling us how unusual this was for the end of the season.



It was an amazing moment when I first caught sight of the Mariner. What a stunning ship! It was larger than I expected (700-person capacity) and seemed to have a presence all its own. We spent some time outside taking photos and enjoyed the scenery. We then got in line to check in.

My husband and I appreciated the level of security Regent provides. All luggage was being screened outside the terminal while passengers and their carry-on items were scanned inside. The process only took five or 10 minutes. We walked up the gangplank, were handed a glass of champagne each and were told that our stateroom was ready. That was a pleasant surprise!

We had heard we’d probably need to go to La Veranda for lunch while the staterooms were readied. Since that wasn't the case though, we quickly got settled, met our butler, grabbed a few pastries from afternoon tea and went to muster drill. The drill was held at the Constellation Theater and it was short and to the point; quite well run.

At this point, we felt pretty much like kids in a candy store! We wanted to take in everything on the ship and get familar with the deck plans. As the Mariner set sail, we raced up to Deck 12 to take photos as we sailed out of Prince William Sound. The scenery was stunning and gave us just a hint of what we could expect on this two-week adventure!

Cruising Prince William Sound.

Photos by Leonard Hospidor

Anchorage in the A.M.

Today's the day we join the Regent Mariner in Whittier, but we wanted to at least get a small taste of life in Anchorage. So, we got up early and did a walking tour. It looks like quite a quaint city (reminds me quite a bit of Portsmouth, NH, actually). The city is a mix of modern buildings, along with some beautifully restored structures from the 1800 and 1900s. I'm pictured here in front of the Alaska Visitors Center on West 4th Avenue.


We hit two terrific gift shops that shouldn't be missed: Trapper Jack's Trading Post and Grizzly's Gifts.



Now we're closing up our suitcase and will check out of the Westmark and head over to the Hilton Anchorage. The Hilton is Regent's hotel of choice for this embarkation point. We'll check in for the cruise and then we'll be on our way to Whittier by noon!

Photo credits (top to bottom): Leonard Hospidor, Trapper Jack's Trading Post, Grizzly's Gifts

Welcome to Anchorage, Alaska!

It's been a long day but we're finally in Alaska and tomorrow we'll board the Regent Seven Seas Mariner in Whittier! This 13-day adventure from Alaska to Russia to Japan is the Northwest Passage portion of Regent's Grand Asia Pacific tour.

We left home on the East Coast earlier this afternoon and touched down in Anchorage around 8:00 pm. We wish we had some more time to enjoy the sights... hopefully we'll come back soon to enjoy more of Alaska.

All we had time for this evening was a nice dinner at the Glacier Brewhouse (at 5th Avenue and H Street, directly across the street from the Westmark Hotel). It was just getting a bit nippy outside when we walked over to the restaurant. It is so warm and inviting inside! This is probably due to the fact that there are some large fireplaces in the open space, as well as a brick oven! The servers were very friendly and told us what not to miss the next time we get to Anchorage. (Photo courtesy of Glacier Brewhouse.)

When in Alaska, the king crab is a must, so we indulged in Bering sea red king crab served simply with lemon and drawn butter. It was delectable! We washed it down with some homemade cream soda and I couldn't resist ending the meal with the restaurant's signature bread budding topped with carmalized pecans and Yukon Jack sauce. Mmmmm! Heavenly!

By this point however, the time difference was catching up with us and we headed back across the street to the Westmark Hotel where we are staying for the evening. This property is actually owned by Holland America. Since this is the beginning of off-season, the hotel is very quiet and we got a terrific king room on a high floor for just $89/night. The rate included highspeed Internet access. That's always appreciated when traveling! (Photo courtesy of Westmark Hotels.)

It's pitch black out now, but we're looking forward to waking up to a beautiful Alaskan vista in the morning. Then, it's off to Whittier to meet the Mariner!

The Anchorage skyline as seen from our balcony at the Westmark Hotel.

Photos by Leonard Hospidor, unless noted otherwise

Holiday Cruises to the Caribbean & Mexico

With the summer slipping away and September in full swing, now is the time to snag one of the remaining staterooms aboard a handful of luxury cruise ships sailing the Caribbean and Mexico during the 2006 holiday season. There's still availability on a variety of 7- to 32-night voyages.

Cruising the tropics during the holidays can be a great way for your family to spend some real quality time together.

Crystal Cruises Mexican Riviera
12 nights aboard the Crystal Symphony from San Diego or 14 nights from Los Angeles
December 21, 2006 – January 4, 2007
Los Angeles, CA / San Diego, CA / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico / Acapulco, Mexico / Zihuatanejo, Mexico / Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Mazatlán, Mexico / La Paz, Mexico / San Diego, CA / Los Angeles, CA
From $5,715 per person

Crystal Cruises Caribbean Holiday
14 nights aboard the Crystal Serenity
December 22, 2006 – January 5, 2007
Miami, FL / Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos / Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands / Philipsburg, St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles / Gustavia, St. Barts, French West Indies / St. Johns, Antigua, West Indies / Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies / Bridgetown, Barbados, West Indies / Oranjestad, Aruba, Dutch West Indies / Miami, FL
From $6,570 per person

Cunard Dreamer’s Western Caribbean
7 nights aboard the Queen Mary 2
December 23 – December 30, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / Montego Bay, Jamaica / Georgetown, Grand Cayman / Mahahual, Mexico / Cozumel, Mexico / Fort Lauderdale
From $1,599

Oceania Cruises Caribbean Pearls
12 nights aboard the Regatta
December 21, 2006 – January
Miami / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Gustavia, St. Barts, French West Indies / Roseau, Dominica / Castries, St. Lucia, West Indies / St. John’s, Antigua, West Indies / Tortola, British Virgin Islands/ Samana, Dominican Republic / Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos / Miami
From $2,599 per person

Regent Seven Seas Mexico
8 nights aboard the Mariner
December 18 – 26, 2006
Los Angeles / San Diego / Cabo San Lucas, Mexico / Mazatlan, Mexico / Puerto Vallarta, Mexico / Los Angeles
From $2,748 per person

Regent Seven Seas
10 nights aboard the Navigator
December 18 – December 28, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / Nassau, Bahamas / Cozumel, Mexico / Costa May / Belize City, Belize / Santo Toma / Roatan Island / Key West / Fort Lauderdale
From $3,837 per person

Regent Seven Seas
11 nights aboard the Voyager
December 18 – 29, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / Gustavia, St. Barts, French West Indie / Philipsburgh, St. Maarten / Roseau / Bridgetown, Barbados / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Island / Great Stirrup Cay / Fort Lauderdale,
From $4,917

Seabourn Caribbean Holiday (Grand Voyage)
21 nights aboard the Pride
December 16, 2006 – January 6, 2007
Bridgetown, Barbados / Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Charlestown, Nevis / Portsmouth, Dominica / St. John’s, Antigua / Philipsburg, St. Maarten / Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $8,015 per person

Seabourn Legendary Christmas 2006
7 nights aboard the Legend
December 19 – 26, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Gustavia, St. Barts / Pointe-a-Pitre, Guadeloupe / Bridgetown, Barbados
From $4,639 per person

Seabourn Caribbean Holiday
14 nights aboard the Legend
December 19, 2006 – January 2, 2007
This itinerary begins with the Legendary Christmas route and then continues on to:
Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / St. John, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $8,576 per person

Seabourn Caribbean and Panama Canal
28 nights aboard the Legend
December 19, 2006 – January
This itinerary begins with the Legendary Christmas cruise, the Caribbean Holiday cruise, and then calls on:
Belize City, Belize / Hunting Caye, Belize / Roatan, Honduras / Puerto Moin, Costa Rica / Fuerte Amador, Panama / Puerto Quepos, Costa Rica / San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua / Caldera, Costa Rica
From $9,880 per person

Seabourn Christmas Pride 2006
7 nights aboard the Pride
December 23 – 30, 2006
Fort Lauderdale / San Juan, Puerto Rico / Charlestown, Nevis / Portsmouth, Dominica / St. John’s, Antigua / Philipsburg, St. Maarten
From $4,639 per person

Seabourn Christmas Pride 2006 and New Year’s Pride
14 nights aboard the Pride
December 23, 2006 – January 6, 2006
Start off with Seabourn’s Christmas Pride itinerary and then continue on to:
Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $8,576

Seabourn Caribbean, Mexico & South American (Grand Voyage)
32 nights aboard the Pride
December 23, 2006 – January 24, 2007
This is Seabourn’s Christmas Pride and New Year’s Pride itineraries, plus:
Puerto Moin, Costa Rica / Fuerte Amador, Panama / Guayaquil, Ecuador / Callao (Lima), Peru / Paracas Bay (Ica / Nazca), Peru / Arica, Chile / Valparaiso (Santiago), Chile
From $11,900 per person

Seabourn Legendary New Year 2006/07
7 nights board the Legend
December 26, 2006 – January 2, 2007
Bridgetown, Barbados / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / St. John, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $4,893 per person

Seabourn New Year’s Pride
7 nights aboard the Pride
December 30, 2006 – January 6, 2007
Philipsburg, St. Maarten / Gustavia, St. Barts / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Frederiksted, St. Croix, US Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $4,893 per person

SeaDream Yacht Club Christmas Cruise
9 nights aboard the SeaDream I
December 20-29, 2006
Buenes Aires, Agentina / Colonia del Sacramento, Uruguay / Montevideo, Uruguay / Puerto del Buceo Yacht Club, Uruguay / Piriapolis, Uruguay / Punta del Este, Uruguay / Buenes Aires, Argentina
From $5,199

SeaDream Yacht Club New Year's Eve Cruise
12 nights aboard the SeaDream I
December 29, 2006 - January 7, 2007
Buenos Aires, Argentina / Punta del Este, Uruguay / Ilhabela, Brazil / Ilha da Gipoi, Brazil / Parati, Brazil / Ilha do Cabo Frio, Brazil / Buzios Town, Brazil / Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
From $6,399

SeaDream Yacht Club Christmas Cruise
7 nights aboard the SeaDream II
December 23-30, 2006
Bridgetown, Barbados / Union Island (Mayreau), St. Vincent and the Grenadines / Bequia, Grenadines / Castries, St. Lucia / Iles des Saintes, Guadeloupe / Gustavia, St. Barthelemy / Jost van Dyke, British Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
From $4,299

SeaDream Yacht Club New Year's Eve Cruise
8 nights aboard the SeaDream II
December 30, 2006 - January 7, 2007
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas / Gustavia, St. Barthelemy / Marigot, St. Martin / Charlestown, Nevis / Basseterre, St. Kiss / Josts van Dyke, British Virgin Islands / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas
From $7,199

Silversea Caribbean Holiday
14 nights aboard the Silver Shadow
December 21, 2006 – January 4, 2007
Fort Lauderale / George Town, Grand Cayman / Ocho Rios, Jamaica / Oranjestad, Aruba / Bonaire, Netherlands Antilles / Los Roques, Venezuela / St. George’s Grenada / Castries, St. Lucia / St. John’s, Antigua / Road Town, Tortola, British Virgin Islands / Fort Lauderdale
From $7,465 per person

Windstar Cruises Barbados Holiday
7 nights aboard the Wind Surf
December 23 – 30, 2006
Bridgetown, Barbados / Pigeon Island, St. Lucia / Nevis / St. Martin, French West Indies / St. Barthelemy, French West Indies / Iles Des Saintes, French West Indies / Bridgetown, Barbados
From $2,399 per person

Windstar Cruises St. Thomas Holiday or New Years
7 nights aboard Wind Spirit
December 23 – 30, 2006
or
December 30, 2006 – January 6, 2007
St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands / St. John, US Virgin Islands / St. Barthelemy, French West Indies / Tortola, British Virgin Islands / Jost Van Dyke, British Virgin Islands / Virgin Gorda, British Virgin Islands / St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
From $2,249 per person

Windstar Cruises Barbados New Years
8 nights aboard Wind Surf
December 30, 2006 – January 7, 2006
Bridgetown, Barbados / Castries, St. Lucia / Tobago / Bequia, Grenadines / Roseau, Dominica / Kingstown, St. Vincent / Mayreau, Grenadines / Bridgetown, Barbados
From $2,549 per person

Windstar Cruises Costa Rica Holiday or New Years
7 nights aboard Wind Star
December 23 – 30, 2006 or December 30, 2006 – January 6, 2007
Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica / Curu (Reserve), Costa Rica / Tortuga Island, Costa Rica / San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua / Playas Del Coco, Costa Rica / Quepos, Costa Rica / Marenco (Drake Bay), Costa Rica / Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica
From $2,499 per person

Prepping For A Cruise

I’m the type of mega-planner who obsesses over every detail. That being the case, getting ready for a 14-day cruise is quite an adventure! Our vacation aboard Regent's Mariner starts in about seven days, so last week I focused on documents, getting the house ready and giving instructions to our dog sitters. Here are a few of my tips…

Temporarily suspend mail service. You can do this online at www.usps.com, by calling 1-(800) 275-8777 or by filling out PS Form 8076 and returning it to your local post office. Mail can be held for three to 30 days.

Temporarily suspend newspaper delivery.

Pay bills in advance, if necessary. Check payment dates on upcoming bills and pay early, schedule an automated payment or call the company to make other arrangements.

Alert credit-card companies. If you’re traveling even a short distance from home, it’s a good idea to alert your credit-card companies. If unusual charge activity occurs, some companies will actually freeze your account until they can contact you regarding the validity of the charges. Call the (800) number on the back of your credit card and have the representative make a note in your file.

When I called American Express to let them know about our forthcoming trip, they offered to enroll us in the Payment Flexibility plan. Basically, this allows you to have a revolving line of credit for travel-related charges or larger purchases. It gives an extra bit of flexibility when you’re on the road for extended periods of time. The plan is free and AmEx credited our account 2,500 Membership Rewards points just for adding this new feature to our card.

Purchase foreign currency. Since we’ll be in Russia and Japan, I stopped by my local American Express Travel office and purchased a small amount of rubles and yen… not the best rates but it’s convenient and I wanted a small bit of local cash in my wallet.

Pet locator chips. If your dog or cat is not already micro-chipped, consider having this done prior to your voyage. Make sure your pet caretaker has the (800) number for the locator service and the chip identification number. Of course, let’s hope you never need to rely on the chip to find your dog or cat, but the peace of mind it gives me is well worth the price.

Documents. Make copies of your passports, credit cards (front and back), airline tickets, cruise documents, hotel confirmations and anything else of that nature. Put a set of copies in each piece of luggage and make sure someone at home (a family member or friend) also keeps a set as a back up. Make sure your pet sitter has the contact info for your vet and another backup pet sitter in case an emergency crops up. And, make sure your house sitter or pet sitter knows your security alarm code and how to arm and disarm the system.

Your itinerary and your luggage. Print your itinerary on a sheet of paper and add all your contact information (how to call the ship, your cell numbers, e-mail addresses, etc.). Place a copy of this itinerary in each piece of your luggage. In addition, fold a copy and insert it behind the contact information in your luggage tags. This way, even if your outer identification tag comes off your suitcase, the airline can still determine whom the bag belongs to and how to get it back to you quickly.

We're on track for our trip and this week I'm working on our shore excursion sight-seeing plan. While we're definitely taking part in one of Regent's excursions in Siberia, we will probably do our own thing in Alaska and Japan, for the most part. More to come soon...

It’s Cruise Documents Day!

Earlier this week I heard from a couple set to embark on the September 13 Regent Seven Seas Mariner voyage. They had received their cruise documents so I knew to expect ours for the September 20 cast-off any day. The bulging package arrived this afternoon via DHL courier. We eagerly ripped into it to discover two silver-toned velvet satchels. A large leatherette pouch—with the new Regent logo embossed on the front—slipped out of each bag.


The documents within included:

Letter from Regent detailing embarkation information
Cruise passage tickets and contract
Airplane ticketing information
Visa alert
Shore excursion request form
Silver leatherette luggage tag embossed with the Regent logo
Four cardboard luggage tags with our stateroom location printed on them
Brochure regarding mobile phone service onboard
50% discount offer for Park ‘N Fly Network off-airport parking
36-page Seven Seas Mariner ship information guide
Evening attire suggestions
Brochure for Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society
Brochure for bon voyage pre-cruise gift order form
244-page Regent Seven Seas Cruises Grand Asia Pacific 2006 guidebook

It was great fun reading through the entire itinerary for the three-month, 97-day Grand Asia Pacific voyage that wends its way through Alaska, Russia, Japan, China, Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Australia, New Zealand, Cook Islands, French Polynesia, Tuamotu Archipelago, Marquesas Islands, and then back across the Pacific Ocean to Los Angeles.

We’re booked to sail the Northwest Passage segment of this grand tour with the following itinerary:

Whittier (Anchorage), Alaska
Kodiak, Alaska
Cruise the Shelikof Strait
Dutch Harbor, Aleutian Islands, Alaska (Unalaska)
Cruise the Aleutian Islands
Cross the International Dateline
Petropavlovsk / Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Cruise the Kuril Islands
Cruise the Sea of Okhotsk
Otaru (Sapporo), Japan
Hakodate, Japan
Sendai, Japan
Tokyo, Japan

I called Regent after reviewing our documents to confirm our participation in Le Cordon Bleu cooking workshop. My husband and I had talked about doing this but hadn’t officially signed up. A very helpful Regent representative named Chelsea took care of our request in no time. The cost is $395 per person but we feel it will be a wise investment. We’re sure to meet other couples with similar interests and Leonard (a gourmet cook in his own right) will pick up a few new recipes. Besides, we have several “at sea” days that we’ll need to fill up with various activities. Le Cordon Bleu classes sound fun!

Note to anyone logging in to their “My Cruises” page at Regent’s website (www.rssc.com): Regent can’t access your account while you’re logged in. If you need to call their (800) number to ask any questions or make additional reservations, make sure to sign out of your “My Cruises” page before making the call!

Over the weekend we'll select our shore excursions and reserve them on line. I’ll cover the process using Regent’s new online reservation system in a future blog entry. Check back soon to read more about our Northwest Passage!

30-Day Regent Mariner Countdown!

The countdown begins! In just 30 days my husband and I will embark on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner. We’ll fly into Anchorage and stay the night before taking a scenic train ride to Whittier. We’ll meet the ship there and start our 13-night voyage that calls on the following ports:


Whittier, Alaska
Kodiak, Alaska
Dutch Harbor (Aleutian Islands), Alaska (also known as “Unalaska”)
Petropavlovsk / Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia
Otaru, Japan
Hakodate, Japan
Sendai, Japan
Tokyo, Japan

Why did we select this particular itinerary? For starters, my husband is a photographer who’s especially interested in flora and fauna. Alaska promises many opportunities for breathtaking photos at land and at sea. We’re looking forward to visiting Kodiak Island—maybe we’ll see some whales or brown bears!—and the Aleutian Islands. Considered “bush country,” Dutch Harbor—part of the Pacific Ring of Fire—is home to a thriving community of bald eagles. We’re also nearly guaranteed to see puffins, peregrine falcons, and other rare birds. Over 100 species of birds nest there. In fact, we may even see a whiskered auklet. This tiny grey bird can only be found in the Aleutian Islands.

In Russia, we’re torn between a fishing excursion on Avachinskaya Bay or a nature hike that culminates with magnificent views of Koryakskiy and Avacha volcanoes. Of course, I wasn’t thrilled to read this from Novosti, Russia’s News and Information Agency: “According to research conducted by the International Institute of Earthquake Prediction Theory and Mathematical Geophysics, there is at least a 30% probability of an earthquake with a 7.2-magnitude or higher in the area of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands before mid-December.” This is after the August 18th 6.5 quake on nearby Sakhalin island. Let's just hope for the best!

Japan has intrigued me for years and I’ve never been to Asia so our visits to Otaru, Hakodate, Sendai, and Tokyo are sure to be fascinating. Right now, we’re booked at the Four Seasons Chinzan-so after disembarkation from the Mariner. However, we’re waffling on the location and may end up switching to the Four Seasons at Marunouchi.

In the coming days, I’ll outline some of the other reasons we selected Regent for this voyage: onboard Le Cordon Bleu cooking workshop and restaurant, spacious staterooms with balconies, Jean-Michel Cousteau’s Ocean Futures Society seminars, Spotlight on Classical Music, and much more.

And, if you’ve got any tips for us in regards to the Mariner or our ports of call, please let us know!

LuxuryCruiseTalk.com Message Board

You probably rely on your financial advisor when it comes to decisions that affect your bottom line, but who do you call upon when you wish to book your dream cruise? Unlike some land-based vacations, selecting the right cruise ship and cabin location takes the assistance of someone who truly specializes in the line. It’s not enough to seek out a travel agent. When you want to set sail, you’re better off finding an agent specializing in the cruise line(s) you’re interested in. He or she has sailed on the ships you’re interested in, has visited the ports of call, and—even more importantly—has collected feedback from hundreds of clients. That base of knowledge is powerful and it should work to your advantage when you book your next vacation.

I've always been a proponent of researching and booking vacations on my own, but that method is not very sound when it comes to cruising. There are too many variables involved. Researching a ship can be a daunting task and deciding on a cabin location, especially on a larger ship, can be an exercise in frustration. Instead, find an expert to rely on.

Recently, I was on assignment for a magazine and met Ngaire Keene of Brown & Keene Travel in Dallas. (Her first name is pronounced Ny-Ree.) Her company specializes in high-end cruise vacations with special emphasis on Regent Seven Seas, Silversea, and Oceania. She’s also a great resource for African safaris (she’s inspected 48 different camps herself), trips to India, and excursions to her homeland of New Zealand. (Photo of Ngaire Keene courtesy of Brown & Keene Travel.)

Ngaire is a top cruise planner and she goes on about 10 escorted trips per year during which she plans cocktail parties and other special events for her clients. They’re especially enthusiastic about these get-togethers because most have already “met” each other on line at Ngaire’s LuxuryCruiseTalk.com message board. This is the place to go to discuss these cruise lines, ask questions, and offer advice. You’ll get the real story on itineraries, stateroom categories, pre- and post-hotel options, shore excursions and private guides, and more. The information you glean from the forum is especially useful since it comes from unbiased sources. “You hear from real people,” says Ngaire, “not a travel agent looking in a book or an article where the author was paid to write the story, but from real people who have just physically been there.”

The board is addictive and people get to know each other quickly. In fact, many longtime members have met and cruised together on several occasions. The board is moderated by Karen S. and she and other active members are very welcoming and answer as many questions as they can. It’s a great way to learn more about Regent, Silversea, and Oceania.

And, if you’re looking for a professional, ultra-knowledgeable travel agent, consider Brown and Keene Travel. Contact Ngaire for Regent Seven Seas information. For details about Silversea and Oceania, contact Linda Litteken, Susan Walsh, or Julie Harris at (800) 856-1155 or visit their website at http://www.brownandkeenetravel.com.

Luxury Cruise Bible Sets Sail

Greetings and thanks for visiting the new Luxury Cruise Bible! As a veteran writer specializing in luxury and romance travel, I’ve visited many parts of the world. I’ve happily spent time crisscrossing the United States and Canada, the Caribbean and Mexico, and Europe. Lately however, I’ve become increasingly interested in seeing some of these destinations from the deck of a ship. Specifically, I’m intrigued by the top-tier cruise lines including Crystal Cruises, Cunard, Oceania, Regent Seven Seas, Seabourn, SeaDream Yacht Club, Silversea, and Windstar. (Photo of the Symphony is courtesy of Crystal Cruises)

Something about setting sail appeals to me: maybe it’s the serenity I feel whenever I’m near the ocean or perhaps it’s the knowledge that once onboard, I’ll have no choice but to disconnect from the usual workaholic stress of daily living and just relax. Yes, relax …remember how to do that? These days, I think it’s nearly impossible for some of us to unplug, but a cruise offers the perfect solution.

Luxury cruise lines offer a dizzying array of stateroom options, are (nearly) all-inclusive, serve up sumptuous gourmet meals, and provide an easy way to discover new ports of call in a limited amount of time. Cruising is certainly nirvana for many discerning travelers.

Over the past few months, my mind has continually wandered back to the idea of setting sail. This prompted me to thoroughly research the industry and I’ve made it a point to seek out experts in the field who continually add to my education. After all, if I’m going to write about cruises, I need to be an expert!

This website will be my “home base” when it comes to sharing information about luxury cruises. Join me as I hit the open waters and discover the true allure of cruising. I’ll post news about luxury lines, new ships and itineraries, interesting port-of-call shore excursions, and reviews of my own experiences at seas. I hope you’ll join me on this voyage!