We will be there all the way from Alaska - Suite 821

If you look at the itinerary for the cruise, the ship sails from Tianjin, the port for Beijing, at 18:00 (6 PM) on Tuesday, Oct 2, 2007, calls at Dalian 8AM-2PM the following day, spends a day at sea, and then arrives at Shanghai at 7 AM the following morning, Friday. Pat and I are more interested in Xian and the TerraCota Warriors than in exploring Dalian. Also, we (at least one of us) is a train buff, and would like to try a train trip in China, such as the overnight Z trains: 'Z' category trains are the fastest and most modern long distance trains in China, running on routes such as Beijing-Shanghai and Beijing Xian. They are composed of the very latest air-conditioned sleepers, plus bar and restaurant. Traveler Jim McCorry reports: "The train journey was exceptionally good; the sleeping accommodation was first class as was the service. We also had the opportunity to meet and enjoy conversations, sometimes only in written form I may say, with a number of Chinese people sharing our compartment both going and returning." for more information and pictures, go to http://www.seat61.com/China.htm#What%20are%20Chinese%20trains%20like. We're going to check this out with the new Regent "Concierge" service while on our Nov 4-20, '06 Reunion crossing on the Voyager next month. PLEASE NOTE: there is an extra day in the Tianjin (Beijing) to Shanghai portion of the cruise next year, for the port call in Dalian. Anyone interested in taking the train for part of the Xian excursion please post here or send me an e-mail (e-address in my profile). Thanks