Well we are flying out on Sunday for our pre-cruise stay in Tokyo before boarding the Mariner for the third leg of the Grand Asia Pacific cruise! We'll also be doing the mid-trip extension to Xian to see the terracotta warriors and a post-cruise extension at the Peninsula in Hong Kong. I noticed in looking at Regent's website today while there have been no port changes, there have been adjustments to the arrival and departure times. I wonder if this is due to the pod problems? Anyway I am excited to be making my first trip to the Orient and my first cruise on the Mariner (fifth time with RSSC though)!

Have a lovely time in Tokyo. When we went, we did an all day trip to Mt. Fuji. It rained the entire day & Mt. Fuji was fogged in. We stoped at a cafe & I bought postcards of a picture perfect Mt. Fuji & sent to everyone at home. Hope you see it in the sunlight.

You are going to love every minute of this trip as it is so exotic & you learn so much about Chinese history, culture, politics & religion. Not to mention great shopping. Think pearls & jade.

Have fun.

Jackie

Have a wonderful trip - please keep in touch with the rest of us left at home - Shanghai and Hong Kong soooooo special - Joanna

Thanks for the encouragement Jackie and Joanna! I just hope the Mariner can keep up with our ports!!!

Have a fantastic time! We will read your reports with great interest.

So far the only port deletions have been Dutch Harbor and 2 islands on the last leg Auckland - LA. There have been arrival and departure adjustments (and there may be more)due to pod problems. We're generally making 17 & 18 knots instead of the normal 20. Life on board is still great as you would expect from Regent.
Jim

A great attitude goes a long way Jim - keep enjoying your trip!!!!

Thanks Mitch and Jim! Just heard from Susan Walsh that they are making a few adjustments to the schedule. The ship will arrive in Shanghai late the first day due to some kind of tidal issues and will also get into Hong Kong later than originally posted. This won't effect us too much because we will miss the first day in Shanghai anyway due to the Xian extension and we are staying over in Hong Kong after the cruise. She indicated that we will receive a shipboard credit of $250 per person plus $500 per person toward a future cruise as compensation. Seems more than fair!

Hi,
We await you on the Mariner. As Jim said, there are adjustments to a lot of the arrival and departure times, but we are sailing nicely if a bit slower. We will be on the Xian extension as well so look forward to spending the excitement on seeing the Warriors for the first time.

See you soon.

Jan

Can't wait Jan!!!

visiting the terra cotta warriers at Xian is an exceptional trip and well worth the expense. Seeing some of China's interior gives a different perspective to the country. The Shangri La hotel that Regent uses is top class and you can get either Western or Chinese food - dim sums and noodles for breakfast is different. Enjoy the experience.
Jim

You're going to have a great trip! I did this one last year, including the Xian extension (which was really something special), and had a fabulous time.

Sounds wonderful and hopefully the port time changes don't inconvenience anyone! Please keep posting!

Masaki

Thanks everyone!!!

Sundial,
Where do you live in NM? I just got back from a trip to Albuquerque and Santa Fe. I used to live in Albuquerque. Before I got on the plane back to CA I stopped in Corrales and roasted a twenty five pound sack of extra hot chiles. My friend and I split it. I took mine as carry on. I fully expected TSA not to let me on with them. They were still hot and juicy. But they did! You could smell them through the plane. It made quite a talking point. Other passengers wished they did it too. I'm making green chilli stew this weekend.

Julie there is nothing like good New Mexico roasted chile!!! I live in Farmington in the Four Corners area.

You live in a very nice area. My sister lives in Bloomfield, and Durango is one of my favorite places!
I simply can't agree more, about the fresh NM chilies. They make everything that is good, taste even better!

Have a wonderful time! Enjoy!!!!!!!

Julie,
I can just imagine that smell on the plane! :)

Betty it is a small world! We love Durango too.