That exciting day has come.  After being stymied by this Pandemic for nearly three years, we are finally off to Dubai, first stopping off in Bangkok for three days.  Then we go first class to Dubai on Emirates Air.  On November 21 we board the Regent Seven Seas Explorer for Singapore.  Then after a few days, fly via Tokyo to Honolulu on December 18. Among our highlights should be rooftop dining in Bangkok, visits to the tallest building and largest shopping mall in the world in Dubai and four days in Singapore just before Christmas.  And if you've been there for the holiday season you know about the fabulous lights on Orchard Road.  The 21-day cruise features free excursions, wi-fi, cuisine and alcohol beverages. Bad news...our flight is delayed an hour.  Why? Because headwinds will take the incoming Asiana flight longer to arrive.  But the hopeful good news is that the subsequent tailwind to Incheon will make up some time.  The connection to our flight to Bangkok is so close that

 On  September 19 I ended Part One  of my cruise series with: Our current state of mind is that, in the short time we have to travel ( I'm getting old ), might as well go for some luxury.  So Part Two of this series will describe a stage of our 21-day Regent Seven Seas Explorer trip from Dubai to Singapore in November, and a 53-day  Seabourn Odyssey journey from Sydney to Honolulu beginning in March of next year.  We welcome you to join us. To answer that question, my answer is no.  I've been on several Crystal cruises, but the company went bankrupt earlier this year.   All current signs show their ships being readied for service next year .  We were very close to reserving a cabin on a 2022 Crystal European Christmas river cruise, but backed off because we instead found another option which I'll talk about.  As far as I know, those who paid deposits have not yet been refunded, but  Royal Caribbean  said it will be acquiring Crystal Cruise and will protect the deposits of c