In a bit of irony I just received a notice for the newest video of the Intercontinental Tahiti resort. Having stayed there I am pleased to confirm that it actually looks like it does in the video. So if a cruise is not in your plans, or you are looking for an excellent pre-cruise hotel, consider the Intercontinental Tahiti.
Selasa, 08 Juli 2008
Cruising French Polynesia
A reader of this blog wants to know what is happening with luxury cruising in French Polynesia in the next few years. The answer is: Something...and it probably will be very good.
Regent Seven Seas has announced, after rumors that 2009 would be its last year chartering the Paul Gauguin, that it is again negotiating to extend the charter. To me this seems almost identical to what occurred a few years ago when Regent had everyone believing the present charter was not going to happen. I do not know if it is a negotiating or marketing ploy, but I find the "this could be it" approach unfair to the clients. Regardless, the 350 passenger Paul Gauguin provides an overall exceptional experience at a premium (not true luxury) level. It does have a good number of balcony cabins and a very limited number of suites (though they are not furnished at a level one would normally expect.) I truly enjoyed this ship and highly recommend it, but know that it is an great way to experience French Polynesia in a very comfortable and cared for manner, but not at the level of the other Regent ships.
Silversea is close to finalizing an agreement with the Tahitian government to place its new discovery vessel, Prince Albert II for the period of April through October 2009. A letter of intent was signed in December 2007 and a meeting was held last month. Its itineraries have been set in anticipation. The Prince Albert II, with only 132 passengers, has been extensively refit and now has quite a number of suites, though only the top suites have true balconies (and a limited number of French balconies). I understand that the level of service is intended to be as close as possible to the luxury levels of Silversea.
Seabourn is going to be visiting French Polynesia during the Seabourn Odyssey's 2010 World Cruise, but not before. While I know Seabourn is planning on having a strong presence in Asia in 2010, I do not have any information on its expanding its presence in French Polynesia for now. When it does make its brief stay in French Polynesia, it iwll raise the standard of luxury to its highest levels to date.
There are, of course, some other alternatives:
Star Flyer, a 170 passengers sailing ship, with modest accomodations is now based in French Polynesia, but it provides a markedly different experience with the majority accommodations being very compact cabins with twin bunks or beds and portholes. While the other two regulars, Paul Gauguin and Prince Albert II, fares include gratuities and drinks, they are not included on the Star Flyer.
If you act quickly, Princess's Tahitian Princess cruises French Polynesia through December 2008. This former R-Ship provides a more "cruise ship-like" experience than the others mentioned with a good variety of accommodations and a fairly standard Princess experience.
Also, with more cruise lines traveling to and from Australia, there are some one-off cruises which spend some time in French Polynesia including such lines as Celebrity. While they may not be the most ideal way to visit this little slice of paradise, it may provide an option on either side of some extensive sea days.
It is hoped that Regent is able to renew its charter with the Paul Gauguin. If it does not I am confident some other entity will continue to operate the Paul Gauguin there. It is a purpose built ship with a very loyal following. Losing that option would leave the area with only two real choices with no compromise in between and extremely limited capacity.
Regent Seven Seas has announced, after rumors that 2009 would be its last year chartering the Paul Gauguin, that it is again negotiating to extend the charter. To me this seems almost identical to what occurred a few years ago when Regent had everyone believing the present charter was not going to happen. I do not know if it is a negotiating or marketing ploy, but I find the "this could be it" approach unfair to the clients. Regardless, the 350 passenger Paul Gauguin provides an overall exceptional experience at a premium (not true luxury) level. It does have a good number of balcony cabins and a very limited number of suites (though they are not furnished at a level one would normally expect.) I truly enjoyed this ship and highly recommend it, but know that it is an great way to experience French Polynesia in a very comfortable and cared for manner, but not at the level of the other Regent ships.
Silversea is close to finalizing an agreement with the Tahitian government to place its new discovery vessel, Prince Albert II for the period of April through October 2009. A letter of intent was signed in December 2007 and a meeting was held last month. Its itineraries have been set in anticipation. The Prince Albert II, with only 132 passengers, has been extensively refit and now has quite a number of suites, though only the top suites have true balconies (and a limited number of French balconies). I understand that the level of service is intended to be as close as possible to the luxury levels of Silversea.
Seabourn is going to be visiting French Polynesia during the Seabourn Odyssey's 2010 World Cruise, but not before. While I know Seabourn is planning on having a strong presence in Asia in 2010, I do not have any information on its expanding its presence in French Polynesia for now. When it does make its brief stay in French Polynesia, it iwll raise the standard of luxury to its highest levels to date.
There are, of course, some other alternatives:
Star Flyer, a 170 passengers sailing ship, with modest accomodations is now based in French Polynesia, but it provides a markedly different experience with the majority accommodations being very compact cabins with twin bunks or beds and portholes. While the other two regulars, Paul Gauguin and Prince Albert II, fares include gratuities and drinks, they are not included on the Star Flyer.
If you act quickly, Princess's Tahitian Princess cruises French Polynesia through December 2008. This former R-Ship provides a more "cruise ship-like" experience than the others mentioned with a good variety of accommodations and a fairly standard Princess experience.
Also, with more cruise lines traveling to and from Australia, there are some one-off cruises which spend some time in French Polynesia including such lines as Celebrity. While they may not be the most ideal way to visit this little slice of paradise, it may provide an option on either side of some extensive sea days.
It is hoped that Regent is able to renew its charter with the Paul Gauguin. If it does not I am confident some other entity will continue to operate the Paul Gauguin there. It is a purpose built ship with a very loyal following. Losing that option would leave the area with only two real choices with no compromise in between and extremely limited capacity.
Kamis, 03 Juli 2008
Travel, "Life Lists" and Why Check It Off
Yesterday I was talking with a client about to depart on a Regent Seven Seas cruise on the Paul Gauguin around French Polynesia. We discussed taking a jetski tour around Bora Bora and the relatively unbelievable cost to do it. While I hate jetskis (as they are painfully noisy not only to the driver, but those on shore anywhere near them and they are dangerous - counterintuitively when you need to avoid something releasing the accelerator eliminates control), I know that for many they are a symbol of freedom and fun.
Clearly if rational sense was applied, the cost per minute of actual jetski time ($5.00 or so) would make one say, "No Way!". But knowing that one cold winter's evening while sitting in front of the fire, or one horrid day at work, there will be a quick thought about the experience of being on the water speeding around Bora Bora and it will bring a smile; making it all worth it.
I mentioned that on Friday I had checked off a "life list" experience: Sailing on an America's Cup yacht. Every morning for more years than I care to admit, I walk down the hall to my office passing lithographs from the America's Cup races going back to 1983...every day! And on Friday I was there doing it. OK, I was a 50 year old in faux races, but I was also on deck as a grinder. As one of my colleagues said, "I can now die a contended man."
But then I thought: "I AM PUTTING THIS BACK ON MY LIST! ONCE IS DEFINITELY NOT ENOUGH!"
I have been on two safaris in East Africa; one a more traditional "tourist" safari with pop-top minivans in Kenya and the other being a private safari in Tanzania the year it opened its border with Kenya (that is a whole 'nother story!). I was amazed by the number of people who were just interested in checking off the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhino) rather than truly observing them.
On my private safari, as we had already checked off the Big Five (and many others, like 174 species of birds, cheetah, bat eared fox, some seriously poisonous snakes, etc.), we had no pressure to "check off" anything. So we found a pride of lion and waited...and waited...and waited for hours. And before we knew it we realized we were watching a hunt developing right before our eyes. The hunt took quite a bit of time...and then there it was: The Kill. Life List time, right? Wrong.
I will never forget watching the lionesses over the kill and then seeing this huge male lion bounding over tall golden grasses with the sun behind him (ala Clint Eastwood), letting out a roar that made the marrow inside your bones quake, then leaping on top of the kill, fighting off all of the lionesses. I was up all night thinking about that moment. It still brings chills to me when I think about it. That was most definitely a thing to check off my "Life List".
But then I thought, that was so personally enriching, so astounding, that I need to do it again. Erase that check mark! Next August I am taking my family on a private safari in Southern Africa.
In the truly rarefied world of luxury travel isn't that what it is all about? That unique experience? That really personal one that is based upon what you really are aching to do and not what someone else will think of you for doing it (for better or worse)?
So I am wondering if that jetski around Bora Bora will be a one time thing? Or maybe next time it will be in a sailboat? The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter if it is either.
The beauty is the inspiration of the moment.
The inspiration to...DO IT AGAIN!
Clearly if rational sense was applied, the cost per minute of actual jetski time ($5.00 or so) would make one say, "No Way!". But knowing that one cold winter's evening while sitting in front of the fire, or one horrid day at work, there will be a quick thought about the experience of being on the water speeding around Bora Bora and it will bring a smile; making it all worth it.
I mentioned that on Friday I had checked off a "life list" experience: Sailing on an America's Cup yacht. Every morning for more years than I care to admit, I walk down the hall to my office passing lithographs from the America's Cup races going back to 1983...every day! And on Friday I was there doing it. OK, I was a 50 year old in faux races, but I was also on deck as a grinder. As one of my colleagues said, "I can now die a contended man."
But then I thought: "I AM PUTTING THIS BACK ON MY LIST! ONCE IS DEFINITELY NOT ENOUGH!"
I have been on two safaris in East Africa; one a more traditional "tourist" safari with pop-top minivans in Kenya and the other being a private safari in Tanzania the year it opened its border with Kenya (that is a whole 'nother story!). I was amazed by the number of people who were just interested in checking off the Big Five (lion, leopard, elephant, cape buffalo and rhino) rather than truly observing them.
On my private safari, as we had already checked off the Big Five (and many others, like 174 species of birds, cheetah, bat eared fox, some seriously poisonous snakes, etc.), we had no pressure to "check off" anything. So we found a pride of lion and waited...and waited...and waited for hours. And before we knew it we realized we were watching a hunt developing right before our eyes. The hunt took quite a bit of time...and then there it was: The Kill. Life List time, right? Wrong.
I will never forget watching the lionesses over the kill and then seeing this huge male lion bounding over tall golden grasses with the sun behind him (ala Clint Eastwood), letting out a roar that made the marrow inside your bones quake, then leaping on top of the kill, fighting off all of the lionesses. I was up all night thinking about that moment. It still brings chills to me when I think about it. That was most definitely a thing to check off my "Life List".
But then I thought, that was so personally enriching, so astounding, that I need to do it again. Erase that check mark! Next August I am taking my family on a private safari in Southern Africa.
In the truly rarefied world of luxury travel isn't that what it is all about? That unique experience? That really personal one that is based upon what you really are aching to do and not what someone else will think of you for doing it (for better or worse)?
So I am wondering if that jetski around Bora Bora will be a one time thing? Or maybe next time it will be in a sailboat? The beauty of it is that it doesn't matter if it is either.
The beauty is the inspiration of the moment.
The inspiration to...DO IT AGAIN!
Rabu, 02 Juli 2008
Seabourn Announces Godparents for Seabourn Odyssey
What a fantastic idea! Seabourn has announced that every guest on the Seabourn Odyssey's Maiden Voyage will be her godparent. Each guest's name will be inscribed on a plaque that will be displayed for her entire life.
Seabourn Complimentary Upgrades - With a Catch!
Seabourn is extending an offer to its most productive travel agent, who are designated Pinnacle Club members, the ability to have clients purchase upper category oceanview suites and be upgraded to balcony suites. If your travel agent is not a Pinnacle Club member, member you cannot take advantage of this promotion.
The two available sailings are November 21, 2008 and December 5, 2008. Both are 14 day Costa Rica/Panama Canal itineraries.
You must book by July 30, 2008 and the upgrades are made on weekly basis based upon availability. If you are interested give me a call sooner than later.
The two available sailings are November 21, 2008 and December 5, 2008. Both are 14 day Costa Rica/Panama Canal itineraries.
You must book by July 30, 2008 and the upgrades are made on weekly basis based upon availability. If you are interested give me a call sooner than later.
Where Did the "Critic" in Cruise Critic Go?
As many of you know, I had posted for years on Cruise Critic under the moniker of Iamboatman. My postings have stopped essentially because the concept of "critical" discussion of cruise lines has become forbidden and anyone who dares challenge a poster's comments could summarily have his/her posts removed, be suspended or banned.
In essence, a great message board to find and exchange ideas now has become a "Don't bother us asking a question you don't already know the answer to" and a "I can say anything I want, and you cannot criticize me for it or challenge it."
I have looked at the boards from time to time, especially the Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn boards and find them to be not only boring, but absent any real content...with very few people posting because (obviously) actual discussion of issues, concerns or ideas has been significantly suppressed.
For example, there is presently a thread on the Regent board trying to find out about a particular "Circle of Interest" program on Regent Seven Seas which Regent couldn't provide her/him information on. The poster started that thread after her/his first thread wondering about what it was that justified Regent in charging such high cruise fare was hijacked into a discussion of vodka and how one particular person (who feels she must respond to every one of my posts) only drinks premium vodka while she is cruising on Regent. That same person advised the poster in her new thread to ask her travel agent rather than get information on the message board. WHAT?
What would I have posted? As to the Circle of Interest inquiry, I would have confirmed one poster's comment that Regent has used it as a marketing ploy and that from what I have seen and heard it is generally little more than an expensive (for the client) marketing ploy that has been played out...so Regent is discontinuing the program. And why would it train its staff to encourage a failing program?
As to the first thread, I would have posted that the value simply isn't there relative to the price...if you are questioning it yourself. When the supporters of Regent's policy are acting with faux "status" by upscaling their vodka while onboard, it only confirms to me that they are the same people that fall for the "smoke and mirrors" Regent has been using for the past few years as they endorse the same practices.
To be sure, not everyone who cruises Regent is of that sort; to be sure the majority probably aren't. But when the discussion of what the heck is happening to Regent with its hugely increased prices, its inconsistent service, its changing of hotel, food, etc. sourcing to Oceania's, is met by the "smoke and mirrors" people defending Regent as a sort of holy grail...and the hosts of Cruise Critic barring that discussion, the utility of the message board fails.
In another instance, a poster on the Seabourn board simply made up event(s) (literally pulling one of them from an old thread) and when challenged by that fact as well as facts obtained from others onboard, Cruise Critic defended the original poster's right and removed the challenges under the theory of "you were not there, so how could you know." So the misinformation stayed and the accurate info was removed.
The result is, as is clear from the present state of both the Regent and Seabourn boards, is that everyone is now left with a pretty meaningless site when, not so long ago, it was a great place to find out information.
I would hope that from what seems to be a clear tailspin from being a great source of relevant information, those that run Cruise Critic will change their philosophy and put the "critic" back in Cruise Critic.
In essence, a great message board to find and exchange ideas now has become a "Don't bother us asking a question you don't already know the answer to" and a "I can say anything I want, and you cannot criticize me for it or challenge it."
I have looked at the boards from time to time, especially the Regent Seven Seas and Seabourn boards and find them to be not only boring, but absent any real content...with very few people posting because (obviously) actual discussion of issues, concerns or ideas has been significantly suppressed.
For example, there is presently a thread on the Regent board trying to find out about a particular "Circle of Interest" program on Regent Seven Seas which Regent couldn't provide her/him information on. The poster started that thread after her/his first thread wondering about what it was that justified Regent in charging such high cruise fare was hijacked into a discussion of vodka and how one particular person (who feels she must respond to every one of my posts) only drinks premium vodka while she is cruising on Regent. That same person advised the poster in her new thread to ask her travel agent rather than get information on the message board. WHAT?
What would I have posted? As to the Circle of Interest inquiry, I would have confirmed one poster's comment that Regent has used it as a marketing ploy and that from what I have seen and heard it is generally little more than an expensive (for the client) marketing ploy that has been played out...so Regent is discontinuing the program. And why would it train its staff to encourage a failing program?
As to the first thread, I would have posted that the value simply isn't there relative to the price...if you are questioning it yourself. When the supporters of Regent's policy are acting with faux "status" by upscaling their vodka while onboard, it only confirms to me that they are the same people that fall for the "smoke and mirrors" Regent has been using for the past few years as they endorse the same practices.
To be sure, not everyone who cruises Regent is of that sort; to be sure the majority probably aren't. But when the discussion of what the heck is happening to Regent with its hugely increased prices, its inconsistent service, its changing of hotel, food, etc. sourcing to Oceania's, is met by the "smoke and mirrors" people defending Regent as a sort of holy grail...and the hosts of Cruise Critic barring that discussion, the utility of the message board fails.
In another instance, a poster on the Seabourn board simply made up event(s) (literally pulling one of them from an old thread) and when challenged by that fact as well as facts obtained from others onboard, Cruise Critic defended the original poster's right and removed the challenges under the theory of "you were not there, so how could you know." So the misinformation stayed and the accurate info was removed.
The result is, as is clear from the present state of both the Regent and Seabourn boards, is that everyone is now left with a pretty meaningless site when, not so long ago, it was a great place to find out information.
I would hope that from what seems to be a clear tailspin from being a great source of relevant information, those that run Cruise Critic will change their philosophy and put the "critic" back in Cruise Critic.
Senin, 30 Juni 2008
The Oceania-fication of Regent Seven Seas Cruise Line
After months of Regent Seven Seas (luxury) claiming that is not and will not be Oceania (premium), and being blasted by loyalists on such message boards as Cruise Critic that I was just stirring the pot, reality is setting in and, to be sure, I was correct; but alas it is bittersweet.
As reported in Seatrade's Cruise Community, Mark Conroy has announced (admitted?) that not only has the hotel services been turned over to Oceania's vendor, the catering is also being transitioned, as is its reservations system (admitted no loss there!).
But probably bigger news is that the grand plans for its possible new ship has now apparently gone by the wayside. It is reported that Regent may use the Oceania platform for the ship’s technical basis (Decks 3 and below...which would be a significant cost savings) and building the accommodations and public areas as a Regent product with large suites and a spa deck, possibly with a retractable glass dome over the pool. (Compromise in design can be a dangerous thing. I say this not as a travel agent but as a yacht lawyer having a bit of experience in that area.)
For many months I have heard, read and listened to esoteric visions of grandeur of a new ship being delivered in relatively short order with incredible facilities while providing truly luxury service to 1,000+ passengers...something heretofore unachievable by anyone in the industry...while I have been observing Regent making mistake after mistake covering it by marketing.
As a court just observed today in a very important decisionn, just because you repeat it three times (or more) it doesn't make it true. It looks, smells and feels like Regent is becoming Oceania or Oceania+. Does one need to taste it to know it is it? Me thinks not!
I have, as many know, been very skeptical of Regent's plans as I have watched its service and consistency slide over the years...while its pricing has skyrocketed. What is amazing to me is that what has seemed so obvious apparent was so easily masked by Regent's unbelievably costly marketing plan. (I guess it worked...at least in the short term.)
But there is a silver lining in the cloud of what may be the slow demise of Regent as a true luxury product: The emergence of Oceania as a strong value product.
As a travel agent, can I comfortably stand behind a Regent cruise as I do a Seabourn cruise? Not a chance. Can Regent provide a very good cruise experience? Yes. The problem is not in what it may be able to do, but in its inability to provide a consistent cruise product.
Would you be comfortable booking a Regent cruise today and believe the product in late 2009 or 2010 will be of the same or better standards as today after reading this blog or would you first ask what are my alternatives considering itineraries, service and, of course, price?
If you want to cruise Regent I will take excellent care of you, having cruised on four of Regent's ships, but I would not do so without disclosing the foregoing and suggesting you consider alternatives. To me, that is what my job is about.
As reported in Seatrade's Cruise Community, Mark Conroy has announced (admitted?) that not only has the hotel services been turned over to Oceania's vendor, the catering is also being transitioned, as is its reservations system (admitted no loss there!).
But probably bigger news is that the grand plans for its possible new ship has now apparently gone by the wayside. It is reported that Regent may use the Oceania platform for the ship’s technical basis (Decks 3 and below...which would be a significant cost savings) and building the accommodations and public areas as a Regent product with large suites and a spa deck, possibly with a retractable glass dome over the pool. (Compromise in design can be a dangerous thing. I say this not as a travel agent but as a yacht lawyer having a bit of experience in that area.)
For many months I have heard, read and listened to esoteric visions of grandeur of a new ship being delivered in relatively short order with incredible facilities while providing truly luxury service to 1,000+ passengers...something heretofore unachievable by anyone in the industry...while I have been observing Regent making mistake after mistake covering it by marketing.
As a court just observed today in a very important decisionn, just because you repeat it three times (or more) it doesn't make it true. It looks, smells and feels like Regent is becoming Oceania or Oceania+. Does one need to taste it to know it is it? Me thinks not!
I have, as many know, been very skeptical of Regent's plans as I have watched its service and consistency slide over the years...while its pricing has skyrocketed. What is amazing to me is that what has seemed so obvious apparent was so easily masked by Regent's unbelievably costly marketing plan. (I guess it worked...at least in the short term.)
But there is a silver lining in the cloud of what may be the slow demise of Regent as a true luxury product: The emergence of Oceania as a strong value product.
As a travel agent, can I comfortably stand behind a Regent cruise as I do a Seabourn cruise? Not a chance. Can Regent provide a very good cruise experience? Yes. The problem is not in what it may be able to do, but in its inability to provide a consistent cruise product.
Would you be comfortable booking a Regent cruise today and believe the product in late 2009 or 2010 will be of the same or better standards as today after reading this blog or would you first ask what are my alternatives considering itineraries, service and, of course, price?
If you want to cruise Regent I will take excellent care of you, having cruised on four of Regent's ships, but I would not do so without disclosing the foregoing and suggesting you consider alternatives. To me, that is what my job is about.
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