As far as I know, there is not yet a roll call for the Sydney-Beijing cruise, KANGAROO (Keeping to Australia's North then Going Across Rolling Oriental Oceans). So, I'm starting one:

Edited 10/24 to add more TUT transfers. Anyone else? Any more cabin assignments?

---------------
Ngaire and Ken 740
Gail and Eugene 915
Sheila and Ken 853
Peggy and Jerry 725
Jan and Fred 722
Pam and Jim 1009
Marc and Arlene 961
Betty and Al 716
Olivia
Kathy and Steve 920
Marcie and Tom 736
Joanna and Tony 719

Hi Eugene and Gail

Put us on the list. Sheila and Ken 655

Just FYI Eugene I now have 19 people booked on this cruise. I know you want to know how many will be coming.

Ngaire, glad you have so many people booked already. I hope some of them see this so we can add them to the list. (I realize that many of your clients are not LCTers.)

--------------

Eugene

Any more interest from the Un-TUT-ables?

Hope we add some Un-TUT-ables like Marc and Arlene.

-----------

Eugene

Eugene, are you flying straight back from Beijing? Delta? Which flight? Did you have to get a visa if flying straight back?

Marc, We are flying PEK-NRT-ATL-DCA. That way we are on the 777LR from LAX-SYD and from NRT-ATL. We are using Regent air and paid for the Business Upgrade, because it was impossible to get DL FF J tickets for a reasonable number of miles. Originally, we were taking on a 777LR from ATL to LAX, but they changed the schedule of the aircraft. Now we are on a 763 for that leg. At one point, I was going to switch to DTW because the 777LR was flying from there to LAX, now it's become a mystery as to what they're doing with the aircraft. I'll look again as the trip gets nearer.

--------------

Eugene

I realize that a lot is going on this week with TUT people deciding whether they are taking a replacement cruise, a future cruise, etc. Ngaire mentioned that some are thinking of KANGAROO (I infer that Marc and Arlene are thinking of it or have decided already) so just let me know if you'd like me to add you to the roll call. The more the merrier (even if the reason was not so merry).

---------------

Eugene

OK, it's official. You can add us to the roll call in cabin 719. Eugene--I'm also sending you a PM regarding the hotel in Beijing.

Lovely to hear you are now joining us Peggy . We have changed cabins, now in 853. Will be great to see more of our LCT friends on this cruise. We are also in touch with Eugene re post cruise hotel in Beijing. We'll be there for one night.

Pam and Jim with 3 nights in Beijing. We are flying out on United (with flat bed seats) at 1:40 so we won't need the airport hotel. Hope we have Pooch players on board. Going to Kanagroo Island before cruise.

We, also, are on Kangaroo!

Eugene, can you give me any recommendations for 777-200 seating beyond what is on Seat Guru? Do you choose cross aisle instead of forward and back for a couple to talk to each other?

Fred and I will be there. We are doing San Francisco to Dubai. Suite 722

Question on Indonesia visa.

Are people getting them in advance or on day of arrival? I see that they are $45 on Indonesian Consulate website. Regent wants $99. Is that using ZVS or is that just getting on day of arrival? $99 is highway robbery. I might find someone in Houston to get our Chinese and Indonesian visas in person at the rates that ZVS and Regent are charging.

I just look on a site that said Visa on arrival for Bali for U.S. citizens was $25. Isn't that the only Indonesian port?

I already determined that the Chinese visa was $130. So I'm pretty sure that we're doing our own.

-----------

Eugene

China is now $140. ZVS wants $89 each for processing. China visa service hust wants $43 plus $19 per order for fedex return. Therefore, the $249 Regent wants is not much more than arranging through XVS yourself. Of course, Euguene you can do it for free. For us, we would have to get to Conulate in Houston.

I just looked up the Tourist Visa again on the Chinese Embassy sight and it still said $130, so I'm confused. Marc, where are you seeing $140?

I posted the link previously.

--------------

Eugene

I am seeing $140 for L- visa

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/ywzn/lsyw/vpna/rap/t710627.htm#Time

There seems to be an inconsistency. Maybe they didn't update one part of the site. Or do you see something that I don't?

http://www.china-embassy.org/eng/hzqz/zgqz/t84246.htm

-------------

Eugene

The Chinese Embassy FAQ looks like it was from 04/23/09. The rates werre raised in March 2010.

operator error :(

We're in 716 -- we're going to try this AGAIN!!

We arrive in Sydney on the 21st of Feb. so there's a couple of days to recoup.

We leave Beijing on the 21st of March, I've booked the Peninsula (Thanks, Eugene!) for the night of the 20th.

The good news is that this trip has MORE SEA DAYS than TUT, but still just as many port days -- you can't beat that!

Betty

Betty, how early is your flight on 21st? We are flying out at 0730 so had been thinking about staying at airport. However, there is a hilton next door to Peninsula so it might work to share a transfer.

I'm absolutely thrilled to join in on this roll call! Just put me on the list, I never put my cabin number anyway. Been a long couple of days emailing and talking with Ngaire while also visiting with my family not where I live, and helping out with the grandkids. OMG, I could never do toddlers again. I can't wait to see you all again (if not on FUN! Tomato juice at noon Observation Deck!

I'm SO EXCITED, what a great sub for TUT disappointment!

Sorry, Marc. We don't leave Beijing until 5:25pm. I was originally trying for the 20th, and that seemed like a good time. Couldn't get the 20th, so have a late flight on the 21st. But surely there's another good reason for you to stay in town with us the night of the 20th!!

Betty

Really lovely to hear you are joining us on this cruise Olivia.

And looking forward to catching up with Marc & Arlene who we met on PANDA.

We are now booked in at The Peninsular in Beijing for 20th March. Thanks Eugene for all your time given to this research.

Is anyone interested in going to Tim's Texas BBQ in Beijing?

Here is their website - http://www.timsbarbq.com/

http://www.tour-beijing.com/private_tour/

This is the company I was intending on contacting once the dust settles on TUT issues.

I have not used them before but read some good reviews when I was researching this a couple of months ago.

If you click on link above you can see their recommended private tours and you can see the pricing of the various options for 2,4,6,8,10 people. I like that they have this all out clearly. If some want to do something different from the others it is very easy to know the pricing and just book separately.

Everyone can read the options and make choices too of what they want to participate in. The clarity of their options and pricing so clear really makes this much easier.

If just four of you want to do a specific tour together then you can book for just four. If there is a popular tour that everyone wants to do we can do a bigger group. VERY flexible.

The pricing does not decrease that much with the numbers and smaller groups may work better.

Ken and I have done all these tours before multiple times and we do want to have plenty of time at the pearl market and for that we will just take a taxi over and a taxi back. So if any of you are interested in that you need to remember to keep at least a half day free.

They do the transfers also from the port. That I will book that for everyone in one bus when it is much closer and we know how many people are involved and where they all want to go.

Ray and I have spent 2 weeks in Beijing in 1996 and another week in 2006. In '96 we spent it at the Palace Hotel(now the Peninsular) very close to the main inner city areas. We hired a car,driver and guide for all day touring.

The Beijing Classic Day Tour from US$ 60 p/p
Tiananmen Square + Forbidden City + Temple of Heaven + Summer Palace Tour Code: BXIT-F01 would be my first choice.

Badaling Great Wall and Underground Palace ( Ming Tombs ) from US$ 55 p/p Tour Code: BXIT-F02 would be my second choice.....Even that many years ago it took HOURS to get back from the WALL....traffic is terrible.

If you have time I've included the address for Prescription glasses. I took my prescription with me but Ray had his done in the shop.Our Opthemoligist checked them out on our return and said they were "dead-on correct". Get there early(when door opens) they rushed and delivered them to our hotel by 8pm the same night....Have Chinese currency to pay for them. The savings are unbelievable.

http://www.shoppinginbeijing.com/Glasses_city.php

At the southeastern part of the Third Ring Road is a small, modest bystreet. The street ends at a four storey-building which is best described as a paradise for every four-eyed person.

Just while strolling down the thin street, you will find ten or so glasses shops. These small shops contain everything necessary to make a pair of eyeglasses. The shops in the building, however, rarely handle the eye-testing and glasses- production. This takes place in a room in the building next to it.

If you have a pair of glasses with the correct strength for your eyes, be sure to bring these with you. In that case, their strength can be read and a similar pair can be made without you having to test your eyes. But if you do not have any glasses with you, you can still find a good pair. Just seek out a pair of frames you like, and the staff will help you with the eye-testing without any extra charge.
Salespeople and atmosphere

Some salespeople speak English. If you find a pair of frames in a shop with non-English-speaking staff, you can buy the frames there and then let a shop with English-speaking staff take care of the lenses. Prices are negotiable and range from about two hundred yuan and upwards, depending on which frames and lenses you choose.


Address

朝阳区东三环南路64号

Dongsnhuan Nanlu 64
Chaoyang district
Taxi
Approximately price:
25 yuan from
Opening hours

Daily 9am - 6pm
Subway
Line: 10
Station: Jinsong, approximately 8 minutes walk to Beijing Glasses City.

We even had our guide take us to the "Fragrent Hills " outside the city....beautiful...we were the only Occidentals there.

The best thing I brought back this time was a Silk Quilt ...it's the only thing we have on our bed winter and summer.

Anyway sorry to but in, but thought this might be of some help.

Pat.

Marc, if you really want Texas BBQ, come and see us -- it'a a lot closer ;) . Gotta say, though, by the time we get to Beijing, I'll be ready for some Tex-Mex or BBQ, even if it is Chinese.

I'm glad to be on this cruise. Earlier booked and canceled, but now I am back, and happy to be so.

Hi everyone!
It's not official/official but we will be joining you on this cruise also. We are from the Un-tut-ables so we are really looking forward to this! Love the fact that we are in port one day and at sea the next....lots of relaxation as well as sightseeing.
We've taken advantage of the four day post cruise excursion. No cabin, no air arrangements yet.
Steve and Kathy

Yay Kathy and Steve! See you in Sydney--and before in Fort Lauderdale for Fiesta and maybe even before that .

Nice to hear you are with us, Steve and Kathy! I met Steve briefly though Jerry on non-TUT, but will look forward to seeing both of you this time! Nice group growing here! Wish some of N's other clients would sign in an make themselves known.

Hi Steve and Kathy....what a great trip wish we could have made it work...really enjoyed meeting you on TUT glad to hear we'll see you in Jan...Joanna and Tony

Joanna & Tony...glad to see you will be on Kangaroo too!
How was Singapore????
Looking forward to seeing everyone from TUT at Fiesta in January!!
JHP...maybe the other non-tut's are waiting for official booking numbers and cabins and flights....we shall see!

NO Kangaroo for us as so hard to plan it when not at home.but I am very envious!!!! :mecry: :mecry: ..sing has been wonderful but we miss our kitties and house...guess our weather has cooled down in PVB so that will be nice after the brutally hot summer we had...

Well Joanna, there is still time after you get home to consider/book CLEO. We have a nice group going there as well.....hope you give it some thought.

See you in Jan on FUN2.

Kathy - glad we will see you at FIESTA.

Well....it looks like the M & M's will be on KANGAROO too! No cabin #'s yet, G guarantees.

Marcie, wonderful news!!!

When will you be flying from LAX? We arrive in LA on the 17th and are flying out night of 20th.

Joanna, glad you were able to talk Tony into the trip!

I am so excited I can't stand it! This is wonderful! I wish more LCTers would sign up for this one, but I know the timing and length are not good for some. This is going to be a great time! :banana: :banana: :banana:


We need more pooch players though for all those sea days!

We are very excited - still have to work out flights and pre and post visits - Marcie will be in charge of flights :) nice way to make up for disappointment with TUT - 25 nights of bliss with all the wonderful sea days -

My Regent air has me flying IAD to LAX to SYD on Friday, 2/18, arrival on the morning of 2/20. Spending 3 days in Sydney, gave myself an extra day because I know how bad that jet lag is, and my body thinks I am arriving at night.

So excited the M&M's will be aboard. 25 nights! Lots of sea days! Just what I am coming to like the most, these days.

Do I have everyone on the roll call who has posted? Any corrections needed?

so glad Marcie and Joanna that you found something to replace TUT. Wish it would have been CLEO, but we will see you on FUN2 and CANADA. Have a great time everyone. Sounds like a really neat group has formed here.

We're curious as to how many nights others are planning to stay in Beijing ??

I was sorry that Jane Yeo is no longer a tour guide anymore. we saw Tiananmen Square, Forbidden City, Great Wall, shopping etc. with her and she was great. Tom bought a gorgeous Armani suit in Beijing....started off at $500. and thanks to Jane's negotiating, he ended up buying it for $28. which included alterations...knock off ? Hot ?? we'll never know but he sure has worn it a lot and always gets so many compliments.

Marcie,

Marc and I are only overnighting there, as Marc will have been off work quite a while by then so we'll have to get back.

It sounds like you have about covered Beijing, but if you want a recommendation, and if you have time you should go Chengdo (I know the spelling is not right... am spelling it like it is pronounced). We went to see the Pandas and this city was the highlight of our 3 weeks in China. They also have a "theater-like" show that is the best we had ever seen. We didn't want to go thinking it was too touristy, but the tour guide insisted and it was FANTASTIC. We used the travel company Ngaire suggeted and they were great.

Marcie, we're staying three nights at the Peninsula after the cruise. Since Gail didn't make it to Beijing when we were on PANDA, I wanted her to see some of the sights that she missed.

------------

Eugene

Arlene, since we have seen most all the major sites in Beijing I bet seeing the Pandas would be PERFECT for us !! I think I'll look into this.

Eugene, Where did you book Peninsula hotel ? I'm not seeing the promotion including airport transportation and breakfast on their website.

Try this, Marcie http://www.peninsula.com/Beijing/en/Enticements/Winter_Escapes/default.aspx#/Beijing/en/Enticements/
and click on Winter Escapes

That's the same site I was using ??
When I clicked to make the reservation, the Winter Escape promotion is NOT showing up for March 20 & 21st. There's availability but not the promotion you all are talking about ?

Maybe you could call their toll free number, have no idea why they have pulled it.

I don't know what's going on. I just went through the booking steps that I posted on the separate Kangaroo thread on post-cruise Beijing hotel and the only promotional rate I saw was 1600 RMB--about half the rack rate, which isn't bad, but not as good as the Winter Escape Pkg. rate. Perhaps they only offered so many of those packages. I'd see if Olivia's suggestion works by calling.

--------------

Eugene

maybe we missed it??? :mecry: :mecry: :mecry:

Try, try, and NAME drop that your friends go it! Heck it is middle of the winter there, of course they have rooms!

Marcie was able to get both of us the promotional rate at Peninsula and last night I booked Hyatt in Sydney. Now waiting for Marcie to get room there too.

Great Joanna--we'll be at the same hotels pre and post. We get to Sydney on Feb. 21 and leave Beijing on March 22nd, how about you?

SOOOO excited Peggy - without digging into file think we have exact same dates as we are 2 nights pre and 2 nights post - I know we leave LA the 19th and arrive the 21st into Sydney - can't wait! Looking so forward to the sea days and new ports for us and seeing you and Jerry!! XXOO

I think I am only one coming into Sydney 3 nights before on the 20th? Anyone else?

We are actually coming in almost a week early. Spending two night in Sydney 3 nights on Kangeroo Island and than one night back in Sydney. Staying at the Park Hyatt thanks to free nights on credit card signup plus 1 night of points. I find it now takes at least 2 days to recover from that flight. it's great to be retired and be gone as long as we want!

We are arriving in Sydney on the 22nd; staying at the Hilton. We get in at 1045 so will be looking to pack as much as we can into our one day in Sydney.

And if any two people can pack it in for one day it's you and Arlene!!

We arrive in Sydney the morning of the 20th, Olivia. I'm not positive where we are staying yet--depends if we decide to use points or not. We leave Beijing very early on the 23rd.

At the moment, we are in Seattle with the twins who were born while we we on LLAMA. Oliver and Mateo are amazing. I'll post a picture or two when I get a chance. So much fun. Had lunch with Paul and Susan Byrne at Pike's Market yesterday. It was great catching up.

We leave soon for the airport and our flights back to Washington.

Decided I couldn't resist posting one.

-----------------

Eugene and Gail

Beautiful children!!!!

I agree, the twins are adorable!!!!

Oh my gosh, they're so cute. And I bet they're a handful!

Absolutely adorable Eugene.

What cuties the twins are, Eugene & Gail!

They are sooooo cute !!

After getting the promotional package at Peninsula hotel (Mondaes have it too) we've decided to pass on Beijing all together.

We'll take advantage of our transfer straight to the airport then fly to Chengdu for 2 nights. Just finished booking flights, guide, hotel etc. I have wanted to go to the Panda Breeding and Research center soooooo much ever since reading about it here on LCT so just can't pass up this chance. We've explored Beijing pretty extensively in the past but Chegndu will be all new. Also (thanks to Arlene & Ngaire's high recommendation) we're going to the Sichuan face changing show as well. :banana:

You won't be sorry Marcie! Great Plan!!

Yippee! I was getting worried getting the Hyatt Visa 2 free night promotional card. I got one, used it but points haven't posted yet. I called nice guy at Hyatt reservations and they went ahead and reserved hotel room in Sydney using 2 free night promotion. Now just need to wait another week or 2 for points to post but so happy to have it confirmed.

Marcie my points posted 5 days after using card!

Here is the cute KANGAROO pin:

Great pin for all you ROOsters!!

Great pin!!!

FANTASTIC pin :app: :app: :app: :app:

:lct:

Great pin, but then I love them all.

Cyclone Yasi--A CC poster from Cairns posted very encouraging news about the aftermath of the cyclone:

"Cyclone facts from someone on the ground. This very serious and large cyclone has done no structural damage in Cairns. I repeat, no structural damage. There is tree damage with broken branches etc but that is already largely cleared away. A large number of houses are without power and this is being restored quickly. The wharf area, the central areas of the town and all tourist facilities that Voyager passengers are likely to visit are in perfect working order. Trips to the reef are resuming. In Townsville there is some damage along the foreshore but this is minor in the overall scheme of things. There are water and electricity problems too which will be resolved in the next few days.

In areas between the two ports, which are roughly 240 miles apart, there is considerable damage from this monster cyclone. Towns and farming areas are devastated. So we in Cairns dodged a bullet.

For those coming on Voyager you can get back to anticipating a great Australian leg to the cruise. (Unless there is another one of course )"

-------------

Eugene

Love the pin (as always)! Gene, this is great news!

Eugene, put us down for 961; the upgrade fairy needed to have his palm greased. ;)

:lct:

Ngaire, YOU ARE THE BEST! :app: Thanks for working your magic!

:lct:

Nice Marc and Arlene. But Marc, just fyi, the upgrade fairy is a she! :D

She? The palm we had to grease was Mr. Joe DePasquale. Ngaire, did all the work but Regent took the money. ;)

:lct:

We moved too--to 915.

-----------

Eugene

Oh well that kind of upgrade fairy, of course thats a guy!!!! I'm sure Ngaire did a great job negotiating that though.

If you had gotten a complimentary one, well then that would have been the "she" upgrade fairy who would have done it out of the goodness of her heart!!! LOL.

Hope you enjoy your PH, we love those on Voyager, even though they are only slightly larger than the standard suites, the layout makes them seem so much more so - so enjoy.

You too Eugene and Gail.

Good going, Eugene and Marc! I guess that locks out the possibilty of the rest of us in steerage getting any "real" upgrade! That's okay, you two can host all the cocktail parties ;)

Hold on--we'll have plenty of room for cocktail parties--we've been moved to 725 (Voyager Suite). So excited--all that room will be so nice on this long cruise with lots of sea days. We celebrate our anniversary on this trip, so we'll definitely have a party some night.

We're still showing as a guarantee....?? wish we'd get moved like you Peggy ! Congratulations !!

Whoa - VERY nice upgrade Peggy. That is a great place for a party. Wish we were going with you'all, will certainly be there in spirit. Have a most wonderful anniversary Peggy and Jerry.

All you upscale folks - remember your friends in all the wrong places (cabins) :) :) ;) ;)

Clearly, the party's in 725! Looks terrific. See everyone soon.

Glad it's supposed to warm up here next week. I hope that means everyone's flights (especially from the East Coast) will be less stressful for this time of year.

----------------

Eugene

Eugene, I was almost wishing to be able to leave in sub-freezing (tho' not snowy) weather, as I leave from IAD, and no puddle jumpers to get there, so I could kiss this winter weather goodbye for one more year!

Are you and Gail by any chance on the American/Quantas IAD-LAX-Sydney flight on the 18th? I think a long time ago you and Marc had some discussion about this, maybe about Delta.

Tony already stressing about change of flight in DFW via Jax to LAX - we will get bags in LAX and take to Qantas, ugh, but feel safer that way

We are on the Delta LAX - SYD flight on the 20th; anyone joining us?

we fly Qantas the 19th LAX to SYD

We're on the DFW-LAX-Sydney flight on AA/Quantas on the 19th. Looks like we can start the party on the flight :D

As you probably know we do not arrive until Brisbane on the 25th. Did that to save Ken a shift but now he is off work anyway. Kept trying to change the FF tickets but to no avail, you can all just get the ship warmed up for me.

Oh, and maybe you and Ken can have that "shift" of Ken's converted to some free time which both of you surely deserve, Ngaire! We will do just fine until you get there! You know you don't have to worry about this group! (at least the ones who are "public"! :D

Peggy we can start party on flight!!!!! - your seat #?? JK JK JK we are 24 E and F??? Not sure but too lazy to look now

For better or worse, we're committed to Delta. So we are flying DCA-ATL-LAX-SYD. I also wanted to try Delta's relatively new BE product on the LAX-SYD flight with the angled pods. It gets pretty good reviews. Unfortunately, since our original booking there have been a lot of changes--originally we were to be on that same plane from ATL-LAX, too. Now we have a connection in LAX that is tighter than I would have liked. That's one of the reasons that I was thankful for the long-range weather forecast. Hope I don't hex us.

Now all you "luxury" cruisers can tell us how to make effective use of a butler .

--------------

Eugene

Eugene,
We had our first experience having a butler when we took advantage of an upgrade on our last cruise. He took the time to explain his position to me. He said to forget about any other service button on the phone except for butler. Your butler, or one of the other butlers depending upon the hours your butler works, come and take your order for room service and then deliver it to you. If something in the cabin is not working correctly, they contact the correct department and have it fixed. If you want a restaurant/spa reservation, or are hoping to have an extra reservation, the butler handles that for you. The butler unpacks/packs if you wish. The butler ensures that your laundry is picked up and returned to your suite. If you have bought too many packages to carry up to your suite, the butler will come and carry them up for you. The butler will bring you pre-dinner h'ordeuvres from the butler menu, located in your cabin, each day. If you plan a special event in your suite, the butler makes the arrangements and ensures everything goes smoothly.
We didn't use the unpacking/packing service, so I can't tell you first hand how it worked; nor did we use the carrying the shopping packages service. However, our butler did an excellent job helping plan and hold an anniversary party for friends in our suite.
I'll try and find my notes to see if I wrote down anything else.

Thanks for the info Carman.

-----------

Eugene

We also took advantage of upgrade and are now in 1009. Hoping the bulter can score us some extra reservations in Prime 7.

If I'm missing any cabin numbers of those already assigned, let me know so that I can add them on the first post of this thread.

Thanks.

------------

Eugene

We're on same flight with Peggy & Jerry and Joanna & Tony....Quantas 10:25pm non-stop from LAX. Guess we'll all hook up in Admirals Club (or whatever Quantas uses).

This should be quite a flight on Qantas--Betty and Al and Steve and Kathy are also on this flight. Joanna, we're in 17A&B, I think, and 4 E&F on the AA flight from DFW. Are you on the one that leaves DFW at 6:30 pm? If so, we'll see you there. Not sure if the others are on the same AA flight or not. We have about a 3 hour layover in LA, so luggage transfer shouldn't be a problem.

NO we leave DFW at 3:30 going to be long day for us

Just checked and our flight to Sydney leaves out of Bradley International terminal (not Terminal 4 where most AA flights leave from and where you'll fly into from DFW. They're next door to each other or there's the complimentary shuttle that circles all the terminals).

Warning about LAX if you claim your bag and recheck again at LAX, be careful if bags have to be rescanned. This is how Tom's bag didn't make it to FLL for FUN2 even though it was domestic flight and we were there 2 1/2 hours before departure. It has been big problem at LAX, scanners are slow and the workers don't seem to give a care whether your bag makes it or not. Lots of write ups about how desperately they need to revamp and redesign the entire scanning process here.

If time allows, I'd suggest waiting at scanning area with your bag to make sure it makes it. Hopefully they do a better job in Bradley Int'l than they do in Terminal 1 (Southwest) which is a mad house.

Clothes all over the house.....trying to decide how to pack for both warm/hot and then chilly/cold weather! Steve and I are getting really excited now!
Love the KANGAROO pin!
We are still waiting for a cabin ourselves....but happy to know many of you have taken advantage of the upgrades!
Looks like 8 of us on the Qantas flight on the 19th...see you all in LAX at the Admirals Club!
Steve & Kathy

As Marcie said the Quantas flight leaves from the Bradley terminal , which is where many if not most international flights leave from. It is next to the American terminal. So you should not use the Admirals club but go and check in at the Quantas desk at Bradley. If going business there is a club that Quantas uses in the Bradley terminal that you all can meet at.

Last November I checked my luggage straight through from Houston to Sydney. Had 5 hour lay over at LAX. Bags still didn't make it. Qantas shares the BA and Cathay Pacific club at Bradley.

Last time we flew to Sydney we did get our bags in LAX and were fortunate to find man with big cart who took us across a parking lot, around a building, across another street etc where we loaded our bags right onto a United scanner - so guessing we went out of Brad Terminal.. if your bags are destined to get lost not much you can do..I do know after experiencing it in Athens it was painful for 2 days ... Tony remained semi postive but I kept saying... :b: :b: :b:

We get into LA on Thursday but don't leave until Sunday night. Does anyone know of a CHEAP and convenient way to store bags? Don't really fathom having to take them with us for those three days.

Lacking a storage facility, maybe I can get Delta to lose them for three days ONLY. :D

Kathy and Steve: Packing is a challenge - have not begun BUT determined not to leave it until next Friday - working on list right now - winter jacket, gloves etc for Beijing ugh! I love China so small price to pay - doubt we can do one suitcase each :( :(

I have always checked my bags straight through and not lost them going to Australia or New Zealand yet. Betty hit a bad time with the Qantas air bus issues that I believe had an impact on her lost luggage. A lot of luggage was lost. It is SUCH a hassle not to check them through but we all have to do it our own way.

Wishing i could be on this trip is one thing........i would happily settle for being in the admirals club with peggy and Jerry and the Mondaes and the Matassas........and everyone else!!!

You and David will be sorely missed....we have had so much fun with both of you - will ALWAYS miss our chats about the 2 GQ guys and their packing :rolleyes: :rolleyes: ;) ;)

not to mention the ironing and the tidying of the room. i think i have gained 5 pounds just having drinks with Joanna while David finished the last minute tidying.......after the room was already clean. best of times:) :)

we have had laughs for sure - we now have free laundry - will this stop the packing of 32 shirts for 25 nights doubt it ... he tried on his slacks today - OMG another suitcase he needs them all :D :D :D :D

We will be one day short of free laundry :(

If this cruise were 26 days, we would get the laundry. Luckily, are cabin is right next to laundry room.

OMG Marc - so close to such a nice perk - GEEEZZ one day??? IF I were fairy laundry godmother I'd help you :hug: :hug: :hug:

Best perk of all next to free internet, available early on, one of the reasons I love Regent, they give all these things along the way!

CANADA will be first cruise to take advantage of free laundry and GRAND PRIX will be first cruise to use free deviation.

Got free laundry on last cruise. Went home with clean clothes. Going right back in suitcase tomorrow. Next best thing is being across from laundry room.

Oh, you are opening Pandora's box here, Marc. The bad box. I don't know that the rest got the 14 nights for TUT. I sure didn't I will zip my lip now.