JoAnn, that sounds like fun -- our own foursome. I'm not a "serious" player; I know how to play bridge but don't know all the bidding conventions, etc. I just do what seems sensible. (By the way, Joanna, I had to laugh at the picture of Tony bidding six hearts on nothing! He is soooo funny.)

Marcie, are people pretty serious about the lessons, or mostly just wanting to have fun? I'm definitely in the fun camp. I don't want someone yelling at me if I don't bid right!

Kathy, I like Pinochle and Canasta too. I'll be up for a game of either, I'm sure.

Denise, John won't be interested in bridge lessons either, I don't think. But that's the nice thing about all the time we'll have on the crossing. Everyone can do his or her own thing.

Now if anyone wants to play Texas Hold'em, you definitely want to play with me (since I don't know what I'm doing -- talk about needing lessons!)

Priscilla: Yes he is funny - I just don't find him "funny" while he's my bridge partner - :rolleyes: :rolleyes:

Ahhhh Priscilla - I think you and I are in the same Bridge category - fun and sensible, and don't want to be yelled at for bidding wrong - my biggest fear!!

Joanna - I am ROTFLMHO at the picture of Tony bidding six hearts with a void!!! That is hysterical.

JoAnn: Just remember if he tries to "partner up" with you on a trip - don't ever expect him to return your lead or lead from his strength - he has his own rules <img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[bang]" title="" src="graemlins/banghead.gif" />

Um, well yeah, I see your point, Joanna, when Tony is your bridge partner. On the other hand, I can't imagine anything more hysterical than watching him play six hearts with a void. Knowing Tony, he'd probably make the bid on pure charm!

JoAnn, you and I definitely are on the same page. I've found my perfect bridge partner for CROSS!

OK Priscilla - we are it!!! whoohoo!
And your comment about Tony managing to make six hearts with a void is sooooooo funny and you know what, if there is anyone in this world that could do it, it is definitely Tony!!!

Joanna - I will keep that in mind!!!LOL!! But have to admit I would love to see it!!!

<img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

JoAnn -- They'll no doubt be talking all over the ship about two ace bridge players -- us! Yeah, right .... :D Whatever, we'll be having the MOST fun ...

:app: :app: We will make them sit up and notice Priscilla!!!

So Denise, are you in???? Kathy????? We could certainly have the most fun table, even if we are not the best!!!

Lets just hope that the cooking classes and bridge aren't the same time, although I am not 100% committed to the cooking classes yet, I did sign up, but haven't made a final decision yet. I have done it once, so I may opt out, but we'll see.

JoAnn,

Thanks for the invite. Cards are really not my thing. I will leave it to you experts. I'm sure there will lots of other offerings to immerse myself in.

I called United this morning to inquire of the cost of the lowest price, upgradeable tix from LA to Nice. It's too early to book, but I wanted to get an idea of fare. United quoted me a little over $1,400 PP for upgradeable tix, flying with their partner, Lufthansa! We are considering using miles to upgrade the over-the-water portion of the outbound flight. Steep, when you factor in the cost of tix and adding miles to that!

Priscilla, they had the beginners and the advanced. I didn't really fit into either but was much closer to the beginners so that's the class I took. They moved along quick enough that it wasn't too long when half of that was over my head too! Some people took it more serious than others. I had a great 4-some (Tom didn't play)and we learned to play well enough with each other and made lots of mistakes but hey, who cares! We started playing between 1-2:00 each afternoon as well so we got extra "party bridge" time in. I never got into duplicate bridge...they were the serious group! You guys will have a lot of fun!

Denise, Don't know if this helps...one way from EU first class with Regent is $1700 from NY for TAP. You may be able to do the LA portions on Jet Blue for $79 one way or $160 RT from either FLA or NYC. Then, you wouldn't have to use miles.

Thanks, Andi.

Regent air, from LA, was $1,200 PP plus $100 PP deviation fee (which we would need). Total $1,300. Am I understanding you correctly - Fly into NY or FL and then use RSSC's air for CROSS?

BA offers some very good fares from LA to London. We may opt to fly out a few days earlier and stop in London, then take an early AM flight from London to Nice. Fares from London to Nice, OW, are very reasonable.

That's what I was suggesting. Jet Blue is good and it is cheap and it is non-stop...You have $1300 for business class for Cross through Regent?

I always like breaking up a trip. The BA option sounds great.

Andi,

Thanks for the clarification. Air through Regent ($1300) is for Economy, with deviation.

I think I can do better if BA runs a good deal. This year we got a steal through them, with a free two night stay in London prior to flying to Paris. We are hoping for the same next year. Rather than make a stop to break up the trip on the East coast, we'd prefer London, if possible. We love BA.

We've never done BA; only Virgin. For TAP, we are doing BA business class for $1700 each and the trip from NY to FT Lauderdale is $79 each. I like the idea of sleeper beds, which not too many airlines have in business.

Maybe we'll follow your idea, Denise, and stay a day or two if possible, in London.

Why are you getting hit with a deviation? Are you using your own hotel? For TAP, economy air with Regent was around $600, but that was for East Coast. Maybe your rates will come down too?

Andi - Time of year might be a factor in the Airfare. Regent used Non Stop flight to Nice from Atlanta on Delta earlier this year. We hope we can use miles LAX to Nice and then FLL to LAX too. We did fly coach both to Italy and Nice last year on Delta. Not unbearable, and we paid $800 RT to Italy each. For Nice, we had a free Air promotion from Regent. Keep your fingers CROSSED they do that!

Denise - last year we did upgrade thru Regent, that was before they added a surcharge, and flew to London UA business class, not bad actuall, and back from Rome via Frankfort LH business in the front of a 747 and it was fantastic. I don't think you'd do too bad on LH, but BA sounds good too. Am just waiting out the days till I can call AA and see if we can get on first with our miles, we have plenty and its just a matter I think of calling on the right day and getting the seats. Probably another 10 days or so.

RSSC would need to add deviation fee because we plan on arriving a few days prior to embarkation to stay in Nice. We would also require selection of airline and flight times. Therefore, the deviation fee applies.

We were very dissatisfied with United's Business class and are not taking a United flight into consideration for any European travel. Besides, to fly to Nice, United (where we have most of our FF miles) would book us on Lufthansa, connecting from Munich or Frankfurt into Nice. Lufthansa Business class is very good, as is British Air's. Another fine option is World Traveler Plus, BA's Premium economy.

The flight from FLL to SNA is no big deal, whatsoever and easy to arrange. We have air vouchers so cost is negligible.

We would not use RSSC's hotel. I am arranging that on my own. Unless RSSC throws that in!

I'd love to see RSSC add air or air credit for CROSS!

I think we are going to stay in Provence for two nights prior. I have booked the same hotel RSSC uses, but for about half the cost they charge. Even adding transfers from Nice to the hotel and then back to Monte Carlo, its like $1100 - $1200 less, so at this point thats what we will do.

Looks like all sorts of different plans out there, will be fun to hear everyone's adventures when we get on the ship.

JoAnn,

We're going to stay pre-cruise in Nice for one or two nights pre-cruise. Enough to see there.

Next trip for us after CROSS is 10 - 14 days land in Europe, probably France and Amsterdam in late spring or maybe a river cruise on Viking

Interestingly, I have always avoided the RSSC pre-post packages. However, to stay at the Majestic in Barcelona for 2 days is $900. While this is expensive, it includes breakfast, transfers and gratuities and no deviation fee. Also, checking the rates for the hotel, it is "about" the same as the best I can find on the internet. If I were to use my own hotel, we'd get hit with deviation fees and transfer fees, which would negate any hotel savings. The only way it would not work best to use Regent for hotel as well is if we were using miles for air. We usually do this, but are hoarding them for ROAR2.

The pre and post packages through RSSC are pretty cost-prohibitive for us. I've always managed to find great air deals or use FF miles to cover our air expenses. Working in the hotel industry and getting my employee rate doesn't hurt, either! Over the years, I've managed to put together great packages of my own, at a fraction of what RSSC charges. The money we save comes in handy elsewhere!

You are right, Denise. This will be the first time (other than PG) that we will take a RSSC package. With no miles or freebies for either hotel or air, I couldn't beat RSSC's price. If anyone else can find better purchased mileage and 4 star hotel for TAP, let's share!!

We've never used the Pre/Post package through RSSC. We have often booked the same hotel they used for about 1/2 price and even got a transfer just by asking. We got the Ritz Carlton in Montreal for $150 per night which was less than 1/2 and we got breakfast included. We got Waldorf Astoria for $129 per night double occ with a triple upgrade thanks to Hilton Honors twice. RSSC was $400. per person but was at the Conrad. Same building - different entrance. Room was gorgeous.

Far be it for me to brag, but..If you worked in the hotel industry, Kathy, you'd be paying half what you paid, if you paid at all! ;)

Denise: I am always in awe of your travel research and your ability to write an excellent review - your hotel perks are a wonderful "bonus" - YOU brag?? I don't think so!

Much of hotel pricing, for those who don't know, has to do with timing and capacity. We've gone to a hotel and had a different rate each night of the stay because of the hotel's occupancy level. Not all hotels do that, but, like anything, the price is dependent on supply and demand.

Of course, working in the Travel industry, the hotel stay is quite a perk. But since few of us here work in that business, it might be helpful to know the markups.

Kathy,

ALL hotels formulate their rates on occupancy levels, as well as time of year, special events within the city the property is located in, group bookings, and most importantly - competitive set.

Thanks Joanna!

Much like the rest of traveling.. "hotels and the hotel know how" we all have our expertise..best to know our limitations or seem to know??... I am not a hotel expert defer that to the hotel experts -

Denise is right...There is a monthly rate that is calculated per property. Remember, depending on the chain, many properties are franchised and corporate cannot dictate rates. Marriott, for example is 50% franchised and the chain cannot dictate rates for these properties. Hence, these properties define their own rate structures. Then, there is seasonality and occupancy..if low, these are called distressed properties. For example, you may be able to get a fantastic rate in Chicago at a 4 Seasons in January. It is not a science, but an art form. Hotels rates are increasing at 10-14% in major cities and this is predicted to occur within the next few years. Even major companies are having trouble getting good deals. It is worth keeping your eye on the rates and constantly looking for best rates. If only we could be Denise and not have to worry or deal with this.

What I found is that I do not use Expedia or Priceline - you often will get the lowest end rooms and they are not exchangable, cancellable or refundable. Sometimes, I will book and then check rates before I go. I have closer to booking changed to a non-refundable rate or if the rates are down will call the hotel and change the rate on the booking. Sometimes, if I am willing to pay an old rate they will upgrade me instead but still save money.

On TAP/Cross - the hotels near Monte Carlo were pricey to get something decent if you are doing the Grand Crossing. We loved the Hotel Hermitage, but, won't stay there again - we want to see more of France and will stay in Nice.

Denise, did you happen to get a quote for using Regent's air in business class?

Sorry, Julie. I didn't ask about Business class.

No problem Denise. I'll contact Linda when she gets back. We usually do our own air but I was thinking about using Regent's air for TAP. I won't be booking flights until January though.

Julie - I got a quote for business class upgrade from RSSC for my clients joining us on CROSS. They would fly from LAX, but I would imagine SFO would be similar - RSSC quoted me $4200.00 per person RT business class, LAX to NCE, FUNCHAL back to LA.

They quoted me from DC, 1700.00 per person one way, as we could easily do our own air back from FLL, on JetBlue. Hope that helps, although I didn't get a oneway from LAX, maybe that gives you a sort of ballpark.

Thanks Joann. The airlines still haven't made it easy to get one way flights, at least not intercontinental. I'm still waiting to make sure Regent is my cup of tea before I committ to flights. I'm leaving for SAND in thirteen days so I'll know soon. LOL.

FYI - We have had great rooms booking with Expedia, Travelocity and Orbitz - NOT talking about refundable BUT am talking about being subjected to inferior rooms booking with those sites - never happened to us - we got upgraded to suite in Chicago Sofitel? would have to look it up - Priceline - high floor magnificent room $119

Julie,

The OW fares to Europe are outrageously expensive; therefore, we will need to book a RT if buying our own air, not buying upgradeable tix, getting FF miles tix or using RSSC's air. The OW from FLL back to CA (SNA for us) won't be bad at all.

Joanna,

Prior to my working at an IHG property, I, too, had similar success with very good rooms and/or upgrading, booking via Priceline, Expedia, Orbitz, etc. A pleasant demeanor when dealing with the Front Desk staff is very helpful! In the position I'm now in, I see, very first-hand, how hard those staff members work and the verbal abuses and difficult situations they have to contend with. Genuine kindness and respect go a long way.

BTW, I found this OW airfare from DFW to NCE for $581 including tax. It is American Airlines to Boston and then AerLingus to Nice with a connection in Dublin. From Boston it is $433 including tax. It was quoted on Orbitz, but you can book directly with AerLingus.

OW going DFW to Funchal is a little trickier and is $648. American to Chicago, then AerLingus to Dublin, then BA to Funchal with a connection in London Gatwick.

Whoohoo! Got it!!!!! Just booked our air Dulles/Chicago/London, 31 Oct AA first class!In the suite seats! YESSSSSS!!! Tomorrow I can add the segment to Nice on BA. Have our hotel booked, and will then confirm our transfers thru the company Kathy recommended that she used last year!! Now it seems real, less than a year to go everyone.

I may drop the cooking class, can't decide if I really want to do it or not.

Anybody else got their air yet?