Well, I finally found time to purchase my internet minutes and am reporting in. They are changing the system in two weeks so I didn't purchase many minutes. In other words, I'll keep this short.

Debby (Onamountaintop) and Rick and also Michele and Don and Alan and myself enjoyed chatting in the Observation Lounge before our sail away party in Monaco. It was raining so we drank our champagne inside. Since then we've had three lovely days of sunshine although it's a bit windy today in Malaga.

Last night was the Captain's Reception and we found the dress for the evening very interesting. Although it was an "informal" night, many guests were dressed in long gowns and tuxedos. Couldn't figure that out.

Love the bathrooms on the Voyager plus the extra bit of cabin space.

I don't know how much "gossip" I'll be reporting. We are in charge of entertaining my MIL so we're not spending many nights dancing in the lounges or playing in the casino. But, MIL is having a wonderful time and seeing the smile on her face is making this cruise a fun one for us. Some of the excursions have been a challenge and I'll elaborate when I finally type a review. Radisson could improve their communication in that department but we have managed.

We connected with our favorite headwaiter "Edwin" from the beginning and are being spoiled at night in Compass Rose. So far, the food has been great. Lobster last night, yummmm!

Will go for now. I will admit that I've been having LCT withdrawal and will be spending many hours catching up later in November.

Great to hear from you Donna! I bet your MIL is having the time of her life. Edwin is wonderful isn't he!! Tell him The Matassa's say hello!
Keep having a ball!

Hi Donna...regards from the Pacific! Like you, I find I have to come to LCT whenever I sign on. It's great to hear you're having a wonderful cruise. Hope to read more about it when you get home.

Hi Donna, thanks so much for checking in! I can just imagine how much fun you are having :)

Hi to both oceans.

Margo, loved reading about your wonderful airport service, expecially after my experience last week at JFK. And your LA stay sounded wonderful as well. Don't let a little cool weather bother you. As we continue to steam to death in Houston, it sounds wonderful to me.

Donna, Michele, Debbie and everyone on the Voyager. Truly wish I was still on the ship with you. Having met Michele & Debbie I know you have fantastic traveling companions. Also, tell Edwin hello from me. He was so kind and such a gentlemen as he escorted me to my table everynight. And such great service. Also, a hello to Mars and Albert, if they are still on board.

I look forward to more seamail from both of you.

Donna and Margo, thanks for checking in and continue having a great time. Nancy

Donna, please don't tell me they are changing the Voyager internet system to be as expensive as Mariner! :eek:

Any word on tier'ed benefits? My internet expense last time was higher than liquor, shopping, spa, and laundry bills combined. I sure hope they start giving us free internet. :D

Hello from the Voyager! My AOL has not been working so have changed to Don's SBCglobal connection. Voila! Here I am.

We are enjoying the Voyager and all its perks. Love meeting fellow LCT'ers & have enjoyed the excursions, especially the visit to the Alhambra today. I was down with the European flu while traveling in Switzerland & Italy for a week prior to boarding so was relieved when we boarded the Voyager where I could relax and recover. This is our "Virgin Voyage" ...as Linda calls it! We are in heaven and now can truly see what everyone has been talking about. Thanks to Captain Knut, we had fanfare while sailing through the Straits of Gibraltar tonight. Beautiful setting while listening to a Spanish guitar musician playing. I'm in heaven!

I called David last night (of David & Betty) when I saw that they were here. We are all planning on luncheons & dinners - we have the crossing as well to enjoy ourselves. Donna (SouthernLady)& Debbie (OnamountainTOP) are so delightful. We all spent the day in Granada. We're all trying to hold up the "tradition" but I'm already bug-eyed and exhausted from being sick & not getting enough sleep. Next week the crossing should be fun.....

We gain an hour tonight so welcome the extra sleep. Tomorrow is Casablanca - looking forward to being in Morocco. Regards to all, - Michele

Great to hear from all of you!! Don't worry about about holding up the "tradition" - I am home with terrible cold, cough, and ache all over - I think I got "run down" from holding up the tradition - Joanna

Great to hear from you! So glad that the LCTers are getting together. Yes Michelle, Donna is a DOLL! I look forward to meeting the rest of you one of these days!

Keep having a ball. As Joanna says, no holding up the Tradition is necessary....just have a great time! (at home we're real light weights!)

Michele & Donna,
Love reading your reports. Keep having fun and keep posting!

Betty

Hi All Voyagers, good to hear that your cruise has started so well. What else do we expect from RSSC! Looking forward to hearing about, Casablanca, Agadir and Lanzarote. Take good notes as I will be cruising these ports in a year. Continue to have the best time and share often.

Loving the seamail! and looking forward to much more!!

So glad all of these long-awaited trips are underway! Look forward to hearing about the Africa stops. Did any of you make it to the Alhambra? Cheers, Anne

Thanks for checking in and updating us - good to hear that you are all onboard and settling in and getting relaxed. Have fun!!

Greetings from Casablanca!! LCT'ers went on the all day trip to Rabat. Such a fascinating country. The Great Mosque was very picturesque. We were taken to a Kasbah (edit: Kasbah) which was exciting to see. Narrow passages, interesting looking dwellers. Had a lunch at a beautiful hotel, but, unfortunately, the food was just ok. But that doesn't matter to me. I love exploring this country & can't wait to get to the next port for another day in Morocco. We shopped in Casablanca and our group was late in returning to the dock - we got stuck waiting for a train to get out of the way of traffic (us) trying to get by. Ship was calling our guide, Mohammad (what a character), on the cell "where are you?? Where are you??" He just laughed. There were a few anxious moments, especially when our bus was crossing behind the train and it started to back up into us! Needless to say, we're alive and safely back on board. Donna & Debbie were on another bus. Hopefully, they missed the "train" experience.

We just shoved off from the dock. It's a wild ride and has been for the past 24 hours. Some people are not feeling well but I don't think it's much of a problem for most. We are presently hanging on to our computer tables - that's the degree of pitch right now. I'm loving it :)

Will attempt to find out what changes there will be regarding internet charges, etc.

Michele (& Don)

Hi everyone:

We must keep missing each other. Had an "interesting day in Casablanca, not one of our favorite POC.

Just off to the Latitudes to be to try that out. Betty is calling, onl;y another 4 minutes.

Everything is "just as advertised."

Hope we may meet some of our LCT friends. We are in 878 if you would like to call.

BFN

Wonderful to hear from you. I think this is my favorite thread now on LCT - hearing from the ships it is great. Glad you are all getting to meet each other that makes it so much more fun. Keep posting love reading your messages.

Hi guys! Thanks so much for your seamail. How great to have the opportunity to meet and enjoy each other's company!

Please keep the seamail coming. It's great to hear of your adventures and get-togethers.

Greetings from the Canary Islands. We've had the most incredible experience on this island. Several of us took a camel ride up the side of a mountain! As most of you probably know, these islands are volcanic, looking much like a deserted planet. So, the camel ride experience was absolutely fascinating. We were so amazed at the ease of riding this precious animal. We saddled up in pairs. It is definitely the highlight of the trip so far. We were all cheering with glee it was so exciting. There are also beautiful beaches all about these islands. Definitely want to return.

We also enjoyed Agadir, Morocco yesterday. Tour took us inland about 1-l/2 hrs. drive to one of the oldest souks in the country. Loved every minute of it. Mysterious, but the people were friendly. Shopping was fun - we all stuck closely together since getting separated from the group was our biggest fear. What a labyrinth!! We bargained like crazy. I bought some ceramics to match my tangine (sp?). It was a great experinece with a very good & knowledgeable guide.

Weather has been very sunny, in the upper 60's & mid 70's. Now if only the seas would calm down for our journey to Funchal & beyond for the crossing. The seas have been pretty rough. Sleep is a little interrupted from the pitching & rolling. But, Captain Knut & crew are so accommodating every inch of the way. Don & I are enjoying ourselves completely. ...on to Funchal.

Michele

Greetings from the Canary Islands. We've had the most incredible experience on this island. Several of us took a camel ride up the side of a mountain! As most of you probably know, these islands are volcanic, looking much like a deserted planet. So, the camel ride experience was absolutely fascinating. We were so amazed at the ease of riding this precious animal. We saddled up in pairs. It is definitely the highlight of the trip so far. We were all cheering with glee it was so exciting. There are also beautiful beaches all about these islands. Definitely want to return.

We also enjoyed Agadir, Morocco yesterday. Tour took us inland about 1-l/2 hrs. drive to one of the oldest souks in the country. Loved every minute of it. Mysterious, but the people were friendly. Shopping was fun - we all stuck closely together since getting separated from the group was our biggest fear. What a labyrinth!! We bargained like crazy. I bought some ceramics to match my tangine (sp?). It was a great experinece with a very good & knowledgeable guide.

Weather has been very sunny, in the upper 60's & mid 70's. Now if only the seas would calm down for our journey to Funchal & beyond for the crossing. The seas have been pretty rough. Sleep is a little interrupted from the pitching & rolling. But, Captain Knut & crew are so accommodating every inch of the way. Don & I are enjoying ourselves completely. ...on to Funchal.

Michele

What fun you're having! We all love to hear about it! I'd love to ride a camel.....

Capt. Knut is a great, fun guy! Hope the seas calm down for you.

Please say hi to Lars and Patrick for me if they're still onboard.

Hello from me too,
Yes, the seas have been a bit rough yesterday and today. Nothing to stop us from enjoying ourselves, though.

I agree with Michele that Morocco was a fascinating port. We did the Rabat tour but didn't have the close up bus experience with the train. In Agadir, we took the tour that included a folklore show which included boys doing cartwheels and a snake charmer. Very interesting. We also walked through a souk (marketplace). How in the world do they ever get any shopping done? Too many choices. I enjoyed just riding in the bus and people watching. In Agadir, many women were still wearing "the veil". I kept looking at all the people and wondering what they think of us. Unfortunately, shopping time has been at a premium on my tours, a disappointment to me and a relief to Alan.

We toured the Northern part of Lazarote today as the camel ride wouldn't have suited my MIL. Our tourguide was charming and the day enjoyable. At one lookout a very kind gentleman offered to take a picture of Alan and me. It turned out to be David. We finally met. Hopefully, the crossing will allow all of us some time to have an LCT lunch, dinner, drink or whatever.

Margo, hello from the Atlantic and keep having a good time.

I agree with Michele, there is no way that I can keep up with the 007'ers. Guess I am a pantywaist when it comes to partying!

Tonight, Alan and I will be dining with the Chief Engineer.

Joanna, hope you feel better. Marcie and Betty, yes I'll give Edwin your best. He is now calling Alan's mother "Mom" and really looks out after her.

Time to get ready for dinner.

Great details, guys - love hearing all about them!

Masaki

We're almost ready to set sail across the Atlantic. We are late leaving as some of the embarking passengers are without their luggage. It didn't arrive with the plane. Since there will not be a chance for their luggage to catch up with them, the captain is kindly waiting for a couple of hours to see if the luggage appears on the next arriving flight. If not, they will have 7 days with only the luggage in their carryon's. Marc, I'm sure you could give them some pointers on lost luggage! Personally, I have found a way to pack an entire formal night's wear,including shoes, in my carry-on luggage. No way will I ever miss formal night!

Our day in Funchal was pleasant. I enjoyed this port as it is very picturesque. A local folkloria troupe entertained right before our intended sail-a-away (which hasn't happened). David was invited to join in the dancing onstage. I'll post a picture later!

I'm looking forward to the sea days. Oh, dinner last night with the ship's officers turned out to be dinner with two handsome Italian engineers. Lots of fun :)

Yikes! I hope that luggage has appeared. Have a relaxing crossing, everyone, and here's to calmer seas.

Thanks for all of the updates. I look forward to hearing the next installment. Cheers, Anne

You meet the nicest people on this board. We just had a delightful dinner with Michelle & Don and George. I ma not as great a writer as the rest of the reporters from LCT but needless to say we are enjoying ourselves immensley. When we get home Ilook forward to putting all my thoughts in a m0ore concise form.

Best wishes to all of you from this wonderful vessel.

Great to hear from you all. Sure hope the missing luggage makes it's way onto the ship.

Hoping for continued great times and smoothe seas, Donna and Alan, David and Betty, Michele and Don!

Oh my yes, hope the luggage arrived and everyone is happy!!

Donna - thanks for your updates and posts.

David, Betty, Michele and Don - your reports sound wonderful. Camel ride sounds really interesting - but I don't think so!!! Maybe, enough wine and you never know! heehee.

Keep having fun guys, thats what its all about.

Day 1 crossing the Atlantic

We're having a wonderful sunny day at sea. Wish I had brought more shorts to wear in this warm climate. The seas seem calmer - just pitching and rocking - great for sleeping (that is, for me it is)

Madeira is so beautiful. We were going to do the "Sledge" down the mountain through the streets but the light rain caused the streets to be very slick. Friends of ours did it prior to the rain and loved every second of it.

Had a fun dinner with David & Betty last night. What a delightful couple! Debbie's (Onamountaintop) brother boarded the ship yesterday. We're looking forward to meeting him tonight.

We are loving the sea days. - Michele

COME BOUNCE WITH US FROM FUNCHAL TO FL.

THE MUSIC OF SINATRA AND THE PROGRAM BY THE ORCHESTRA IS IMHO OUTSTANDING.
BY THE WAY HEARD FROM THE CD THAT THE LOST LUGGAGE, EXCEPT FOR THE SHOE CASE! ARRIVED ON BOARD. 7 1/2 SHOES NEEDED!!!!!

HAVE A GOOD WEEK YOU POOR WORKING PEOPLE!,GET YOUR NOSES TO THE GRINDSTONE!!!!!

Glad to hear you're underway with nearly all the passenger luggage. Does FedEx deliver?

Have a wonderful crossing. It amazed me how busy the sea days can turn out to be. Cheers, Anne

I am loving all your reports & remember sea day reports are also wonderful! Keep them coming.

We're trying to keep up with David & Betty! Such a fun couple. They keep us smiling.

Had a great LCT dinner last night. 8 of us. Debbie located Irene & Carol & they joined us at dinner. They boarded in Funchal. They are so delightful! Debbie's brother is a doll-he boarded in Funchal also. Lots of laughs and, of course, wonderful food.

The weather is so balmy-70 degrees today. Trying to exercise "off" all the food. Mercy. I'm not aware of any hiccups but was told that one couple insisted that they get moved from their Horizon Suite to mid ship due to vibration annoyance. David & Betty remark that they have no problems in theirs.

Corden Bleu cooking classes are fun. George (our traveling buddy) & I are slapping the incredients together, especially after partaking in the champagne offered. (Thanks, Anne, for telling me how to handle this experience!)

Editing to add: The Navigator just told us that it is 75 degrees outside now.

Michele

Just had an e-mail from our friends, Robert Morris and Donna McInnis, who are aboard Voyager from Funchal-FLL. They were aboard the Seabourn Spirit when it got hit. Their stateroom took a direct hit from an RPG and was really torn up. Donna took shrapnel from the grenade in one arm and her hearing was affected as well. Robert said it was the crew's fault for letting the boats get so close. They were lolly gagging along at 14 knots and didn't react until the boats started shooting. Fortunately, the pirates thought the bridge was the top deck, when it was actually the Observation Lounge(almost totally destroyed). Otherwise, they may have been able to board. Anyway, you can get the full story of the incident from them. They'll be in the Voyager Lounge smoking area every evening before dinner.

Wow, Doug what a harrowing experience for them to be in the cabin that was hit like that they had an angel on their shoulders that was for sure.

The Indonesian waters are supposed to be bad for pirates too. In fact the worse waters in the world. On the Mariner there were water hoses manned 24 hours a day on each side of the ship. We went to look late at night and there were people on duty at the hoses. We were running most of the time at a pretty high speed. They bought up the threat of pirates in our daily newspaper and said we needed to always keep our balcony doors locked. I have to admit I thought that was strange as I never thought small pirate boats would even consider attacking a large cruise ship.

I was so shocked when I heard about Seabourn. Of course the Seabourn ships are at lot smaller, however, I was still suprised they would try to hit a passenger ship at all.

Well, it's almost dinner time, I haven't had my nap today so this might not make much sense. We stay up late, get up early, eat, eat, eat and drink, drink, drink...not easy on the body!

Last night was formal night and we enjoyed seeing the other LCT'rs at the Captain's reception. Dinner was surf and turf...beef wellington and lobster thermidor. After dinner, a concert pianist entertained and she was wonderful. I was ready to skip the performance but glad I didn't. It was the highest quality entertainment I've ever experienced on Radisson.

Today I had a date with my MIL to attend the water color class and then the flambe tea. She is a wonderful artist and enjoyed the opportunity to do a little painting. Me? Well, I did my best.

Yesterday, Alan and I took a ballroom dancing class on the foxtrot. We are novices so this was a good beginning for us. We skipped the cha-cha today. We figure one dance at a time is best.

My MIL has gained another son. Edwin now calls her Mom. It's so cute. Last night he sang to her as he escorted her out of Compass Rose. She is basking in all the attention.

Marc, I checked on the new internet system. They are changing satellite providers to one with a higher bandwidth. Marco wasn't sure of the prices but said it will probably be around 100 minutes for $25, much higher than the current 5 hours for $25. The speed should offset some of the cost but I'm not sure how much. If I find out more, I'll report back.

Got to go get ready for dinner. It's time to eat and drink some more!

Michelle - there are cooks and then there are gourmands (I learned this from Suzanne). So glad you've enjoyed the classes. Anything tastes great if you cook with enough champagne, I say.

Donna - so glad your MIL is able to enjoy Edwin and get some water coloring in, too

Enjoy the rest of your crossing. Sounds like a wonderful time! Cheers, Anne

Donna, thanks. Another ship going over to MTN for internet services. They are certainly no faster than the current service.

I sure hope I qualify for free internet.

Reporting in again.

Alan and I have just completed the engine room tour. Have any of you ever done that? Noisy, hot and amazing. We are floating on top of a remarkable mechanical system.

I just saw Debbie's brother in here. We laughed that this has been such a quiet cruise...no gossip to report or wild times.

Tonight is the Seven Seas Society party. More champagne and of course, great food.

Now I see Michele, maybe she will have more interesting news to report. Take it away, Michele!