Pre cruise (March 27-March 29th):

We can't wait to board the Voyager this Friday for this magical & iconic middle east/Greece itinerary. Port highlights: Egypt (Luxor, Sharm El Sheikh, Cairo (Pyramids), Jordan (Aqaba), Transit Suez Canal, , Israel (Tel Aviv, Jerusalem) Greece ( Athens, Santorini, Kavala, Rhodes, Mykonos,) and Turkey (Ephesus, Istanbul),

We begin our journey w/our two day pre cruise tonight, flying to Dubai from Atlanta. Pictured below, we're toasting to our good fortune, "bon voyage" in British Airways (BA) first class lounge in the Atlanta airport. Our next stop London/Heathrow we will have a brief layover (3 hrs) then we continue flying BA to Dubai where we arrive very late Wednesday nite. On Thursday, March 29th, we plan on visiting the Spice souk (thanks for this tip Fogmalkin/Suzanne) for fresh saffron. After, the Spice souk we head to Burj Khalifa (tallest bldg in the World) for a sunset observation deck tour. At the Khalifa, we look forward to meeting two other CC couples sailing with us (Witt's End (John & Katie) and WalJul (Walter and Julie). We're hopeful longtime LCTr, count Florida can have their IC hotel concierge work his/her magic to get the count Khalifa tour tix to join us. Pls see links for general information on the Spice Souk and Khalifa below:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dubai_Spice_Souk

http://www.burjkhalifa.ae/

<img src="http://i1197.phot...;0" alt="Photobucket">

Wes, glad you are on your way! Hope you have a great time in Dubai, and keep us updated on your adventures. And yes, hope Mike and Pat will join you. Would love to see pix of this new Burj Kahlifa!

Wes, hope you and Ida have a wonderful cruise. Looking forward to reading your seamail.

Wes & Ida:

http://www.jacquielawson.com/notecards/pickup/3416597232161?source=jl999

Wes and Ida, have a wonderful cruise!

what a lovely couple

Have a wonderful time. You look so happy and ready to begin your adventure!

Sounds very exciting, Wes! We hope you and Ida have a wonderful trip!

Wes: Is it legal to bring fresh saffron back into the USA?

Thanks Olivia,Beth, Ray, Karen, Diane, Im, JoAnna, and David for you well wishes. David it is dried saffron (so ok to take back to US) pix below; fist shows us leaving Grand Hyatt, next Ida is all smiles after buying 1/2 pound of saffron, finally some pix from "on top of the world" Burj Khalifa tallest bldg in the world:

Ida looks younger every time I see her!

What wonderful pictures Wes. You're off to a GREAT trip, I'd be queasy looking down from that high! Thanks for checking in.

Love your pictures Wes. I think my hands would sweat looking down from that height - but would definitely try it. Looking forward to all your posts.

Wow! Amazing photos. I am positively GREEN with envy. This is our dream trip. Really looking forward to hearing more from you, Wes! You and Ida must enjoy every second!

few pix http://i1197.photobucket.com/albums/aa436/colonelwes/muscat009.jpgor Cruise critic get together. Kudos to Regent for providing outstanding spt; mention in passages, signage in/outside obsvn lounge; GM, CD, Cruise Consultant (Gudrun), F&B mgr, all dancers/singers attended:

More pix from tonight's Captains's reception; pix of Voyager officers; count Florida (Mike & Pat) Ida and I:

Nice photos, Wes. Looking forward to more as you sail on.

excellent

Nice photos, Wes. Ida looks smashing in that red dress!

Wes, tell Ida I have that same dress in hot pink. The red one is really beautiful too.

Enjoying the photos and comments Wes.
thank you

Thanks for your kind words Betty, Leslie, Diane, Rachel and Jim. Will let Ida know about your pink dress Rachel--then again maybe not--she may go out and buy it.

Last night we had our first dinner in Compass Rose--outstanding. Noteworthy was the wine service by Ricardo, sommelier--we enjoyed a Gavi with our seafood (shrimp risotto) course, then one of our fav comp pours Emiliana (Chilean) Syrah (wonderful body) with (pork medallions). We have a large (about 70) gospel/singing ("Festival at Sea") group on board who had their own DJ last night in the Horizon Lounge--was motown nite.

Today is the first of three sea days enroute to Luxor. Jam packed day of activities; two enrichment lecturers (on the middle east); cooking demonstration, dance class with Dieter and Ilse; international buffet on the pool deck, Flambe Tea Time, spinning class. Tonight we go back to P7 for dinner and the vocalist Paul Roberts will provide tonight's entertainment. Last night we had an exceptional guitarist, Vicenzo--we enjoyed his playing so much--will buy his CD when we get home. We also will relish the hour we get to turn our clocks back.

Wes and Ida you both look absolutely smashing!!! Have a wonderful cruise!!!!

wonderful report and pixs Wes - yes Ida looks lovely...Tony takes scenery pixs I take people pixs - of course just ones of people I know - I would not want pixs of people who'd prefer bags over their heads

great pix, wes. ida looks lovely. good to see you're both enjoying your much anticipated cruise. continue to enjoy. best from alan and me.

Sue, Joanna, Denise (Happy Passover), thanks for your kind words.

Another wonderfully relaxing sea day yesterday; with dance class (Tango) with the Voyager's outstanding dance instructors, Dieter and Ilsa. Below is a pix of Ida and I spinning, we call it spinning for veal scallopine at La Veranda (out of 2 nites at P7, 2 nites in Signatures and 2 in CR, we enjoyed our best meal in LV last nite) We're minutes from docking in Safaga, then we're off on the Desert Jeep Safari..more later.

Pls enjoy a few pix from our fabulous stops in Luxor and Petra:

Thanks Wes, I can never get enough Petra pix!

Loving your reports and the photos are terrific - thanks!

Thanks for the great pictures and reports, Wes. We love this itinerary and will hopefully get to do it again someday.

Wes and Ida thanks so much for taking time from your special trip to keep us "entertained and enthralled" ... Tony and I love reading your refeshing posts and seeing pixs - just wonderful

Hi Wes and Ida! Looks like we left the Voyager in good hands. We too loved Dubai, and I am the proud owner of a big pile of saffron!
Have a fabulous time, I'm so happy YOU are so good about the picture posting. Im afraid I spent much too much time in the shade at the pool with a book, and at Trivia with Linda and Ron!

You look so happy! It is wonderful to see someone so excited about a trip. Enjoy every moment!

Wes, enjoying your great posts so much. Keep having a wonderful time and please keep sending reports!

Continued great reporting and photos, Wes! This cruise looks to be far exceeding your wildest expectations, yes?

Wes & Ida, Just found this topic...beautiful photo's that bring back so many exciting memories. I told you it would be a sensory overload! Pleasant start to my morning! Enjoy the rest of your cruise and thanks again for sending me the book,I've been wrapped up in that as an excuse for not checking in. Ida looks beautiful

Sure has been enjoyable following along on seamail Wes. Thank you for keeping us informed. :app:

Karen, Kathy, Joanna, Cindy, Betty, Denise, Suzie, and Jim; thank you for your very kind words, glad you are enjoying our photos. As Suzie so aptly described above, more pix from our sensory overload cruise--first pix tho is of the terrific Voyager crew clapping and welcoming us home after a long bus ride to/from Cairo--

Wes, we had the same warm welcome home on Silver Sea , I remember limping up the gangway barefooted, my feet wouldn't work anymore ;)Photo's are merveilleux!!

Greetings Col. and Maj:

Retired military now enjoying ACTIVE lifestyle. You deserve it.

Am enjoying your photos and happy faces.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Thanks for taking us along - continue to enjoy!