Marc, at the end of PANDA, I will be at 199! Unless they give us that extra day on MUSH, I won't hit it next year.

We should start a write in campaign to ensure you (we all) get that extra day for MUSH. Did you realize this when we were discussing the topic that last night (I mean the penultimate night) at dinner?

I thought I already had it, but then remembered that I cancelled PUBS! Actually, Mark, the only thing it would get me since Regent will then be AI is extra phone time, (and 2 hours is plenty), and free laundry. I don't think you reach the tier until after you have passed the no. of nights, so free laundry wouldn't do me any good on the last night!

No, but free laundry on your first cruise of 2008 would be worthwhile. If you don't make Platinum on PANDA, your next cruise.....the whole time.........is as Gold. At least it is my understanding that you don't change tiers mid-cruise.

tempted .. tempted

Can we formulate the top ten reasons Gary should do this itinerary. He's more amenable to the Hong Kong to Bangkok itinerary that follows this segment.

Cheers, Anne

Anne: #1 Fellow LCT travelers always does it for me -

#2 You can combine segments 3 and 4.

Gary will lose this one :D :D :D

#3 He will be back with several of his ROAR 1 buddies and gets to meet some ROAR 2 folks.

#4 and also gets to meet some non-ROAR people! (would love to finally meet Anne and Gary!)

Welcome Andrea! Pam and Tom - we want you along too! As well as Marcie & Tom (if you come to HNL, we'll definitely put you up!), Betty, Lauri ... :)

This is me and Marika ...



Masaki

He says these are all darn good reasons. Now we're into serious negotiations. Key questions include:

Will he get more guy points if he agrees to this itinerary (umm ... YES!) or the HK to Bangkok (umm .. NO) or both (ummm ... Double YES!)?

Can he visit Kauai on the way over? (umm .. YES! and that's before we visit our honorary niece Marika between plane changes if we leave home early enough!!)

Can he go wild at the Pearl Market and get an extra suitcase all to himself to bring home his treasures? (ummm .. YES!)

Cheers, Anne

OK, the second Pandas are just too much!! I've printed out all the pricing and other info. I am bound and determined to do this. I think I can talk Steve into it. If not...Oh, I WILL talk Steve into it :ch:

Just putting in a plug for continuing on to the Hong Kong-Bangkok cruise, which Brad & I (also Colonel Wes and Ida and a few others?) are have booked. We've been to Beijing, Shanghai and Hong Kong before on a land trip, but are looking forward to Vietnam.

Just a question...how/when do we get to the Great Wall? I couldn't find an RSSC excursion.

Steve's in trouble, once I get fixated on something, it's gonna happen. I'd really like him to come along this time. He needs to meet all you great people!!

Leslie, Viet Nam, as you know, is in my future (I hope) The fact this was a Ngaire group cruise (and I cruise single) sealed it for me, and now there are so many wonderful friends aboard! I'm so excited. If only Joanna and Marcie would get on with us!

And more LCTers pile in!



Could this be the most expensive large-scale LCT cruise ever? (or does that dubious distinction belong to FJORDS?) :D

Masaki

Masaki - It's a close call. FJORDS is more expensive (looked at "g" category, air included, for both trips) on a "cruise + air" basis. If we add in port tours and shopping tallies, PANDA could win by an easy margin (LOL!) depending on the quality of the fakes people choose.

For those of you who haven't been to see the Terra Cotta warriors, are short on vacation time and can swing the cost of the two-night program, it was the highlight of our cruise two years ago. My avatar picture is from the optional bike ride on the top of the Xi'an city wall. When we went, we gave up time in Shanghai to do it. It looks like they may be running it over the sea day to Hong Kong, so there would be more time in Shanghai. That sounds like a better plan. As always, stay tuned to see the final plan. This one needs to be booked ahead of time. If you've got time post-cruise, it's relatively easy to book this out of Hong Kong. Remember to get the multiple-entry visa, though, if this is preferable.

Lauri - this cruise includes a 1 night Beijing tour for all guests (complimentary). From the website:

Depart Tianjin for the three-hour ride to Beijing. A restroom stop will be made en route. Arrive in time for a Chinese lunch at a local restaurant. After lunch, you'll visit the Great Wall, then transfer to your hotel for check in. Dinner will be offered at your own choice of restaurants in the hotel. October 11th, 2006 After a buffet breakfast at the hotel, you'll depart early for a tour of Tian'anmen Square and the Forbidden City, then embark on the journey back to your ship.

Cheers, Anne

Thanks Anne!

I think we are going to have to rename this trip GIANT PANDA! What a fantastic group. Ngaire is on her way to Africa, but has mentioned getting the Regent Concierge to arrange a one or two day pre-cruise tour of Kyoto, for those who would be interested and I am sure she would want our input as to things we want to see and do. Anne, the 2 day Xi'an excursion does look awesome.

Mitch, a precruise tour of Kyoto sounds great. I was investigating some options yesterday, as well as a couple days post in Hong Kong.

And speaking of PANDA:

Man Bites Panda

Andrea, that is the funniest story! I can't imagine anyone being so drunk to try to bite the Panda!

That's the question...how drunk do you have to be to bite a panda? :pass:

Very very drunk

I hear they taste like chicken.

Let's plan another block party like the one we did on MUSH!

someone will need to play Joanna and just wear their robe!

unless we can convince her to star as herself!

:cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: Andrea

That little cartoon is so cool, Masaki!

Maybe we should do a "wear your robe block party"! :woh:

Although it still wouldn't be the same, no birthday gift for Tony :eek:

Andrea, that really is the ultimate question...how drunk do you have to be to bite a Panda?

Will we find out on PANDA? Let's hope not!

I'm kind of late to this thread, we've been out in Arizona enjoying the beautiful desert for the last couple weeks and LCT wouldn't come up on my laptop for some reason or other.
I'm really happy to hear about the additions to the roll call. Joanna and Marcie--you really need to join us. We cancelled the Greek cruise for this one--you can too!!!! Besides being with the great people on this cruise, one of our favorite reasons for going on PANDA is #5--An overnight stay at a hotel in Bejing and two whole days to explore that great city.

Anne, we must have been on the same Tokyo to HongKong cruise in 2004. Xian was also the highlight for us. Dalian is the oddest port. No one I know recommended stopping here again yet they keep doing it. Must be some sort of government requirement. We did the post cruise stay in HongKong. It is a wonderful cruise, but, not counting pod breakdowns, have you ever had a bad cruise on Regent?

Jackie

We added the two night trip to Xian to our upcoming Tokyo to Hong Kong cruise thanks to input received on this forum and I am SO looking forward to it!!!

Ok, I'm in. Steve is a maybe at this point,

But I'm in!!! <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" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" />

Now I just need to secure a cabin...

SOOO happy for you Lauri - I just saw you posted about your sad recent days - this should help you!!!!

Yay, Lauri! :)

Masaki

Joanna,

Thanks for the good thoughts. Yes, a big part of why I'm going is "carpe diem". Well, that and :lct:

Now you and Marcie need to give up Greece and join us!

Jackie - I'm sorry we missed each other on the 2004 Xi'an trip. Were you on the A Bus or the B (for "best" according to our guide Mr. Nu) Bus?

A bad cruise on Regent? No. Have I liked some of the trips better than others? Yes. Why? It's a combination of who's on the trip, the destinations, the weather, the staff on the ship and any problems onboard. As a few other "bon mots" on the board often say, my favorite cruise is my next cruise!

Cheers, Anne

Anne,

We must have had the B bus because we had a delightful woman guide whose name of course I forget. She always gave ratings on the toilet facilities and we all cheered when she would announce a 5 star one after so many squat holes.

Jackie

I'm in 770!! :woh:

I am officially deposited. Just me for now...still working on the hubby; he wants to but there is the issue of what we do with our daughter. Don't want to end up on CNN like the parents who leave their kids for a week so they can go to Mexico!