A few days ago I hinted at how I’m going on a wild (mostly) review trip. I was genuinely very excited, but didn’t want to fully share the details, due to one of the airlines I’m flying, and their (at least official) policy toward taking pictures. Now that my trip is underway, let me explain what I have planned, and then you can expect lots of updates over the coming days.
In this post:
I’m excited to take a Four Seasons Yachts cruise
Often I’ll take review trips exclusively to review airlines, but in this case, I’m taking a slightly different approach. I need to get to and from Europe in order to catch a cruise, but I’ll be flying there and back in the most roundabout way imaginable.
First let me explain that we’re going to be taking a Four Seasons Yachts cruise. We took a Ritz-Carlton Yacht Collection cruise earlier this year, and had a great time. I’m just generally fascinated by the luxury hotel branded cruise developments as of late, given the growth in this sector, so I look forward to checking this out.
For what it’s worth, we paid full price for our cruise. Well, we sort of paid full price — we were initially supposed to sail in March, but the ship got delayed, so they offered discounts to everyone who was impacted on future cruises.
I’m very curious to check this out, and will be sharing some initial thoughts from onboard. On the one hand, the ship looks amazing, like luxury on a different level. On the other hand, I find it odd how they don’t include most food and drinks, so I’m curious how I feel about that in practice. The reviews so far have been all over the place, and I’ve seen some very positive ones, and also some very negative ones, so I’m anxious to experiencing it for myself.
I realize cruising won’t appeal to everyone, but over the next year or so I plan to check out most of the major luxury cruise lines (including existing non-hotel branded players, like Explora), as it’s an interesting aspect of the travel industry that I haven’t really covered.
The very fun way I’m flying to & from Europe
Normal people would of course fly from the United States to Europe via… well, the Atlantic Ocean. I’m doing that, but I’m adding on a little detour in both directions to the Middle East, Central Asia, India, etc.
Here’s the itinerary I have planned for the outbound:
- First, I’ll be flying Lufthansa’s new Boeing 787 Allegris business class to Europe; I’ve flown Lufthansa’s Airbus A350 Allegris business class, but I’m curious if there are any differences on the 787, and also, finally get to review Lufthansa’s updated business class soft product
- Then I’ll be fulfilling a dream I’ve had for years, flying from Europe to India via Ashgabat on Turkmenistan Airlines; I’m thinking this is going to be the strangest itinerary I’ve ever flown, in terms of both the onboard and ground experience, and I’ve flown some unusual airlines… I’m just hoping I don’t get in trouble
- Then I’ll be returning from India to Europe in Air India’s first class; it’s supposed to be an ex-Etihad Boeing 777 with first class suites, but what I’m most excited about is checking out the new Air India Lounge Delhi, and in particular, the new first class lounge, which looks spectacularly good, and I wouldn’t be surprised if it makes my list of the world’s best first class lounges
Then here’s what I have planned for the return:
- I’ll be flying Saudia from Europe to Riyadh via Jeddah, taking both the Boeing 787 and Airbus A330; I haven’t flown Saudia in years, and I’ve heard the airline has improved greatly, so I look forward to experiencing it firsthand
- I’ll then be flying back to Europe on Riyadh Air’s new Boeing 787; I love to review airline startups, and this is probably the most well funded one we’ve seen in a very long time, so let’s see if it lives up to the hype, including the lounge in Riyadh
- Currently I’m then booked to fly Alaska’s Boeing 787 business class across the Atlantic back to Seattle, but I’m viewing that as my backup for now; my hope is to fly SWISS Senses’ A350 first class, as I’m still plotting a way to make that happen, mainly so I can update my rankings of the world’s best first class airlines (since this is the missing piece)
Anyway, that’s where things currently stand, so stay tuned, as there will be lots of updates in the coming days. Have I mentioned I’m excited to fly Turkmenistan Airlines? 😉
I do have one quick question, for a part of the trip I haven’t yet decided on — any thoughts on where to stay in Riyadh for a quick visit? I’m deciding between the Four Seasons, the St. Regis, and Bab Samhan (Marriott Luxury Collection), but am open to other ideas as well? The Four Seasons seems to be the most central, the St. Regis is new and the most expensive (and is attached to a mall), and Bab Samhan looks really cool and is the cheapest, but the location probably isn’t ideal for my purposes?
Bottom line
I’m just embarking on a review trip, and I’m very excited about the airlines I’ll be flying and the lounges I’ll be visiting, in addition to the cruise we’ll be taking.
To me, the most exciting trips from a review perspective are the ones where I really don’t know what to expect, and that very much sums up the vibe of this trip. Perhaps aside from Allegris business class, everything here is sort of an unknown to me.
Turkmenistan Airlines? WOOT! Startup Riyadh Air, with a flagship lounge? I’m excited! Air India’s lounge and ground experience? That should be an adventure! And flying Alaska on a plane that isn’t a 737? What will that even be like?!
Thanks for reading, and stay tuned!
Not sure this is of much interest, but Saudia will begin Riyadh-Narita flights on November 17. A bit surprising it’s Saudia and not Riyadh Air
I think you will love FS yacht. It's a completely different product from Ritz Carlton's, so much so that I don't think there's any point in comparing them. I have to been to Turkmenistan and flown the airline (although only domestically). The airline was perfectly fine and wholly unremarkable (in a good way). A couple of people on my trip said long haul from London was a bit "funnier," but all in all I don't...
I think you will love FS yacht. It's a completely different product from Ritz Carlton's, so much so that I don't think there's any point in comparing them. I have to been to Turkmenistan and flown the airline (although only domestically). The airline was perfectly fine and wholly unremarkable (in a good way). A couple of people on my trip said long haul from London was a bit "funnier," but all in all I don't think you'll find it as exciting as you're hoping. Ashgabat airport is a trip though. They redid it before the Asia Games several years ago and well, it's pretty much what you'd expect from a dictatorship that LOVES white marble and gold. It's a shame you won't see it from the outside though - it's a massive falcon.
Be careful in Turkmenistan — it’s a lite oil rich version of North Korea.
You’ll be fine but don’t criticize the government or insult anyone (like the anti defamation laws in Europe but harsh punishments).
If you end up writing a bad review… don’t plan on going back.
Flew ashbagat to amritsar once. Interesting to say the least
It is funny the most consensus there was in the prediction post was you flying the Elevate Polaris on the way back, but even if not the itinerary itself seems fascinating.
@ Daniel -- Hah, and that's on my radar as well, but sadly couldn't find any reasonably priced award space for it. It's next on my list.
The new first lounge in Delhi is amazing.
Hard product has some chance to it. I once booked on an ex delta a350 but fell victim to equipment swap and ended up on a crappy workhorse 777.
Food and service were solid at least and direct beats layover for me always. .
I can’t sing Saudia’s praises enough! They have seriously impressed me over the last year!
All this non essential rubbish and people can't afford eggs or a gallon of gas while they work three jobs.
@ Yiannis93117 -- Sorry, you're saying this trip is non-essentially rubbish? You're entitled to your opinion, but you do understand what I do for a living, right? ;-) I think 99% of people flying on planes are engaged in "non essential rubbish," based on what (I imagine) your definition is.
@Ben - just returned from a long journey to India and spent a good four hours in the first class (and business section) of the Maharaja lounge. It's beautiful and luxurious without being overwhelming, but it's also rather small. I stayed in the first-class section and even got a nap room for a couple hours of privacy and rest before the long-haul flight. There was this beautiful scent (mix of cinnamon and clove) in the...
@Ben - just returned from a long journey to India and spent a good four hours in the first class (and business section) of the Maharaja lounge. It's beautiful and luxurious without being overwhelming, but it's also rather small. I stayed in the first-class section and even got a nap room for a couple hours of privacy and rest before the long-haul flight. There was this beautiful scent (mix of cinnamon and clove) in the room, which I loved. I commented on it when I had entered. On the way out, remembered my comment and gave me a cute little wooden box with patchouli and the spice mix which they used to create the aroma. I've been using it at home by placing in the AC vent and the house smells lovely.
..and one more thing...being an AvGeek, don't miss (I was drooling) the artwork in the lounge which used the electrical panels, pcbs, and nuts and rivets from Air India's old 747s!
For sure Bab Samhan in Riyadh. With traffic it's more convenient than the other options and is in a nicer location.
Hi Ben,
If your Four Season itinerary includes Korčula, Croatia I have a few suggestions how to spend a day there with little kids. Or without the kids :-)
I seriously doubt that Turkmenistan airlines will ever qualify for the best first class in the world .
@ Alert -- I think that's safe to say, given that they don't have first class. :p
Turkmenistan has "Ashgabat Class" with a street-food cart frying up the fatty mutton .with hot peppers .
I think you will love FS yacht. It's a completely different product from Ritz Carlton's, so much so that I don't think there's any point in comparing them.
I have to been to Turkmenistan and flown the airline (although only domestically). The airline was perfectly fine and wholly unremarkable (in a good way). A couple of people on my trip said long haul from London was a bit "funnier," but all in all I...
I think you will love FS yacht. It's a completely different product from Ritz Carlton's, so much so that I don't think there's any point in comparing them.
I have to been to Turkmenistan and flown the airline (although only domestically). The airline was perfectly fine and wholly unremarkable (in a good way). A couple of people on my trip said long haul from London was a bit "funnier," but all in all I don't think you'll find it as exciting as you're hoping. Ashgabat airport is a trip though. They redid it before the Asia Games several years ago and well, it's pretty much what you'd expect from a dictatorship that LOVES white marble and gold. It's a shame you won't see it from the outside though - it's a massive falcon.
This is exciting! So curious to see your review on Turkmenistan and yes, please don’t get in trouble lol. I’d also suggest keeping the Alaska 787 flight. It’s more compelling given the newness and hype around it. It would be great to see the soft product on this route which I understand Alaska has put a lot of thought and effort to it. Swiss First is basically Allegris so how different could it be? Service will marginally be better. That’s your review lol.
@ DJ -- I hear you about Alaska. I guess I'm sort of hoping to wait to fly it till it has Starlink, which should happen in the coming months. That's not because I can't be without Wi-Fi for a bit, but instead, because it helps with judging my overall impression of the passenger experience. If it doesn't happen now, I'll do a United vs. Alaska 787-9 back-to-back very soon.
You're totally right about SWISS,...
@ DJ -- I hear you about Alaska. I guess I'm sort of hoping to wait to fly it till it has Starlink, which should happen in the coming months. That's not because I can't be without Wi-Fi for a bit, but instead, because it helps with judging my overall impression of the passenger experience. If it doesn't happen now, I'll do a United vs. Alaska 787-9 back-to-back very soon.
You're totally right about SWISS, though I haven't done a daytime first class flight on them departing Zurich in over a decade, so I am curious how the soft product compares to Lufthansa's new soft product.
Can’t wait for your review of the Maharaja lounge! I was there recently and it was absolutely fabulous. Hope you cover the business class section as well :)
In India they have fast elephant-shape electric carts , and you sit on the top of the elephant's back as it takes you from the bar to the bathroom .