Packing??? What's that? I am in a state of denial. I refuse to start! Luckily we downsized a few years ago and for something to come into our small condo it has to be either edible or wearable. So we haven't purchased much at all...and packing shouldn't be too difficult...no choices to make like when we packed to leave. Now it all just goes in.

This afternoon was the Country Fair and everyone seemed ot have a great time.

Tonight it's our turn in the Truck Stop Diner down in the crew area. Reports from those who went last night say it was hilarious.

Don't know if they've had to before, but becuase there are so many World Cruisers they split us up into two groups. Then the third night (Thursday) all the Segment folks go down there while the World Cruisers have a gala dinner together in Compass Rose. And for the three nights La Veranda is closed and that is where the crew gets to eat.

For those interested, there are 524 guests on this segment.

I think it's wonderful that they are offering the "Diner" event to segment guests. Smart thinking on Regent's part plus it opens up Compass Rose for the World Cruiser's gala dinner. Nice that the crew gets to eat in La Veranda, too.

I agree Donna. We went to Jimbo's Truck Stop Diner last night and it was WONDERFUL. We all had such a great time. The crew/staff were all dressed so funny as were many of the passengers.

Tom and I truly dressed the part. I used balloons and was very bossomy and Very Very pregnant. I pinned 2 "Dag Dollars" to my tee-shirt, had my hair in pig tails and bows, with one pink "spongy" curler in the front (the kind I didn't even know they made anymore until my next door neighbor was wearing them when I saw her on her balcony so I borrowed one). I wore jeans rolled up and spikey glittery heels. I painted freckles on both Tom and me. I painted Tom with a big black eye. I used eyeliner and colored one of my front teeth black. The final touch was red lipstick smeared all around my lips. I decorated a plastic bag as my purse with "I LOVE (drew a heart) WALMART"
I looked so Trailer Trashy!

The food was great with lots to chose from, the meat loaf was the best ever! Capt. Dag and Stef were bartending. After dinner the Voyager Quintet played for a couple of hours and everyone danced and danced. There is a pole in the crew bar that was put to good use by several very good pole dancers onboard. I laughed so hard!

The bad news is that I took so many pictures through out the evening but accidently erased them all!

What a great way to start my day! The fact your posts are slowly coming to an end is sad, Marcie. They have been wonderful - darn you take the best pictures :mecry:

Marcie I have tears in my eyes from laughing at how much fun you all must have had as well as tears for being sad that the WC is coming to an end. :mecry:

A big THANKS to you, Larry and anyone else who has shared this magnificent journey with us!!! :hug:

Larry and Marcie,
It sounds like the WC is winding down. It doesn't sound like you either of you have a packing issue.
Enjoy the last of the sea days.

I was hoping that Bermuda would have stopped at as a surprise but it looks like it is too far north now.

Well, so many friends on the ship are sharing Jimbo Truck Stop pictures with me so I'm probably going to end up with more than I would have had, had I not accidently erased mine.

I will download them soon into an album for you to see but here is one for a start that Larry took.
[img]http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v600/marciematassa/IMG_7005.jpg?t=1177607314[/img]

Oh lovely :D :app: Brings back the old "I Love Lucy" character. LOL

Tooo cute, Marcie!!!!
I think you have more fun than the law allows!!!!
HAHA!!!!!!!

I want to come back in my next life as Marcy!

Great Picture Marcie!!!

Nancy

Marcie, I thought you said that you wore a costume?

Marcie...he he, you sort of look like Pippi Longstocking! That looks like it was a lot of fun! :banana:

Hilarious! Can't wait to see more!

Marcie, loved that photo! I also enjoy Larry and Karen's blog, so will hope for many more later from him! Can't wait to see you on Monday after you get in!

Isn't it great???? I just want 1/100th of Marcie's energy!!!!! Joanna

Sue, Maybe Marcie's character is a TUSHee .... We can call her PeePee .

Oh the end is near...
Just found another WC blog. This is by a performer onboard Voyager. Whole other perspective and some laugh out loud moments.

http://scarybari.blogspot.com/2007/04/any-minute-now-my-ship-is-coming-in.html

Marcie,

You look like you're ready to embark on TUSH II!

Sooooooo funny!

Ya gotta have a lot of confidence to appear in public dressed like that!! You looked absolutely fantastic darhling!!

All I can say is WOW. You sure have a way of making us feel as though we are right there with you. What a blast.....you are the perfect WC person Marcy...

Marcie, you have the best time. Loved the outfit.

OMG!!! Amazing photo!! Marcie, you are just too much fun!

Greetings! New guy here... I noted a big jump in webtraffic from this referrer, and I discovered this board! Apparently several of you have checked out my blog, which of late has been world cruise focused. I thought I would point out there's an easier, more user-friendly link:

www.donwinsor.com

Always glad to have more people reading the site, and please feel free to leave comments. I would love to know of more blogs by cruisers on this cruise... I know of the McCrackens, and www.photofinnish.com, and I think one other... what are some others I may have missed?

Welcome Don! Our Marcie "blogs" almost daily here on the board. I thought there was another WC blogger, too, but I can't remember who it was. Debbie keeps track of all the bloggers, maybe she will see this post and respond.

Hi Don, Welcome! Enjoyed your blog. Yes, I did post your blog link here. (Sorry or you're welcome as the case may be.) We don't remember seeing you last year Jan-Apr. But, we were onboard and kept an online journal along with, as far as we know, only one other man. The photofinnish link doesn't work for me. This year though, there are lots! Pasted below are the ones that I know about:

http://journals.aol.com/thelmccrackens/worldcruise
http://worldwideweldens.blogspot.com/
http://www.travelpod.com/travel-blog/cynjohn/world_-_2007/tpod.html
http://ozblog1942.spaces.live.com/default.aspx?_c02_owner=1
http://2007worldcruise.blogspot.com/search?updated-min=2007-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&updated-max=2008-01-01T00%3A00%3A00-05%3A00&max-results=16
http://arlineben.blogspot.com/2007/04/72-april-25-field-of-dreams.html


Debbie

Hi Don, Welcome to LCT. My husband and I were on the first two legs of the WC last year (LA to Hong Kong) and I enjoyed your performances. I also kept a blog which you can access from my signature. I've traveled quite a bit since then so you'll have to do a bit of scrolling to reach the WC segments.

I enjoyed your bog.

Debbie, you are amazing. How do you find all the blogs? You, Marcie and Larry have helped us who have stayed at home be able to share the wonderful experiences of a world cruise. Thank you.

Debbie...thanks for posting all the blog addresses - isn't it amazing - so many takes on the same events - it gives a world cruise as many facets as a diamond - what a great way to travel along.

Debbie, Thanks for the interesting reading. I hope you are going to continue your travelog on your trip next year

Tom&Marcie and Larry&Karen we surely have enjoyed your postings and pictures throughout the cruise. Wish we could have stayed on with you all past Cape Town. The hip replacement surgery went well on Monday and I came home yesterday afternoon. Now it's just recovery for a couple of months. The doc said I was lucky that the hip didn't break before the surgery. Said it was a mess and one of the worst he'd seen. Hope your stop in FLL is enjoyable. Please give our best to everyone. We probably won't cruise again until the Navigator from Mumbai-Cape Town in Nov of '08. Have to rehab the bank book after buying the 2 new new cars last week. Got 2 hybrids- a Prius Touring and a Camry loaded with all the goodies. Again, thanks for all your efforts during the cruise.

Doug, 2 new cars in one week is a hit to the bank book! An associate at work loves his Prius. He and his wife have spats about who is to drive it, as both have to be on the road for work from time to time. Longest traveler wins.

Doug,
I'm sure happy your surgery went well! That's great news. Let me think, did you and Lynn get off yesterday or was it the day before? This entire trip has flown by!!!!!!

We're so busy with last minute events. Today is Tom's birthday (and another friend Judy) so private party in Latitudes tonight with "junk food". Also, pre-dinner tonight is the WC slide show which is always very entertaining as well as "tear jerking"

Hey, KAREN, Stan and I were on the WC but with the excellent journal by Larry I just checked in from time to time. It was interesting to have our friends on board comment on Larry and Karen by saying that they were really GOOD people. They said that when there was a need, Larry was right there to help. She said they were "good from the inside out." You don't meet people of this quality very often.

We loved the trip so much Stan has booked WC 2008. No, nothing is ever perfect but we had so much fun and made many new friends. It is still our opinion that the Mariner is our favorite ship. As one couple expressed, "The Mariner has a soul."

Ardis

Welcome home Ardis!! I'm sure like us, you're slowly settling into life off the ship! We're soooooooo happy that we got to meet you guys. Thanks for letting me join your trivia team when my team was a "no show"! Our wonderful safari will always be so special!

I whole heartly agree with your take on Larry & Karen. They both seem to enjoy whatever ship life was offering and always seemed happy and upbeat. I too loved their excellent journal.

Adding: Most WCers we met were just great! There were a few who I wonder why they spend so much money to go onboard for 4 months and be miserable, always complaining about something when they could stay home and be miserable all by themselves and save all that $$$$

Welcome home Ardis! I am glad to hear that you are on the 2008 WC, we need at least 1 LCTer aboard!

Oh Marcie I so agree with you even though we never met

This might already be posted some place - if so, sorry. Just came from Cruise Consultants office. WC totally sold out for 2008. The couple behind me in line wanted to book 1 segment. All are gone. And yes, there is always a line outside her door!!!!!!!!!!
And welcome home everyone. Enjoyed every single post.

I guess Tony and I have just been lucky in life - we consistently meet people "good from the inside out" on land and at sea!!!! Ray and Pat I am with you, too! No time for complainers!! Joanna

All of our LCT World Cruisers are "good from the inside out" but then again, I think all of our LCT posters are too!

Karen,
Our adored AND loyal LCT members, Ray and Penny are booked on the '08 WC!

Ray and Penny WC 2008, yes, I do remember Ray telling us they were doing that trip - how lucky are we to have them reporting back to us????

I forgot about Ray and Penny! Ardis will be in very good company!

Yes, very kind, non judgemental people much like Larry and Karen - BUT the WCers had Tom and Marcie,too, doesn't get sweeter or better than those two !!!

Yep, we're going on the WC and are we ever excited.

However, we sure have a lot of planning and organizing to do before our departure and that includes picking the brains of Tom, Marcie, Larry and Karen.

We recognize that we have some big shoes to fill.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Packing? What about UNPACKING? We have not received our luggage from IPS yet. We have phoned and they just tell us "It is on the truck." Where is the truck? They do not know.

Ardis, We got our luggage delivered yesterday (7 pieces we shipped via IPS)all in perfect condition. The total weight of these 7 IPS pieces was 420lbs AND We brought the 4 heaviest bags with us on AA, not IPS along with 2 carry on and our laptop. :eek: We knew we were waaaaaaay overweight with 11 large bags total! We've only unpacked 2 so 5 more to go! IMO this is the worst part of returning! Hopefully your luggage will arrive today.

Phone call this morning revealed that IPS ssub-contracted the luggage and we may receive our five pieces on Tuesday!

Marcie, First off I have thoroughly loved your photos and journals of the wc.Thank you so much.

I just called IPS, as their tracking system isn't working. Our luggage is to be delivered Monday. We shipped 5 bags, plus are taking 3 with us from Florida on Tuesday. NOT looking forward to all that unpacking -- except for the big $30 Hong Kong suitcase full of 'goodies'!!!

So sad it's over ....

Betty

Good to hear from you, Betty. I'm sorry we did not get to know each other better on the WC. We did have a great safari together, didn't we? What a wonderful time. We shipped five bags and that was our total. We had no checked luggage going home. We REALLY travel light.

Ardis

Pat & Ray,
I'm glad you enjoyed my postings. Hearing from all of those on TAP makes me appreciate the need for seamail when we're away. Let me say that when we left for the WC we only had 9 pieces of luggage (one was empty anticipating purchases). Well, we kind of out did ourselves with purchases along the way (we purchased another suitcase in Hong Kong for $25 just like Betty did). I think I'm coming home with 12 wooden animals and misc. wooden items like a jewelry boxs, etc. Besides being heavy, these all had to be wrapped carefully in bubble wrap (supplied by RSSC). On top of that I seem to always over due it packing shoes (but not as bad as Karen does!). Besides taking too many to begin with, I bought 5 new pairs along the way. Sometimes I just can't turn down good deals. The only suitcase I really had fun unpacking so far was the one with all the souveniers for my family.

Ardis, I think you deserve the award for traveling the lightest of anyone I know!! I should take lessons from you and Stan. I actually had far fewer bags/boxes than many others on the full WC so I really don't feel all that bad. The good news is that I did wear every item of clothing I brought....Tom can't say that!

There were some (hopefully who lived near FLL) that had purchased large 5+ feet wooden giraffes! I wouldn't have wanted to try and get one of those on our return flight!

Unpacking the dirty clothes probably isn't fun. But I bet unpacking the "souvenier/purchases" suitcases feels like Christmas! Plus, you get to relive the trip through all that you bought.

Hi Ardis!

I can't figure out how we missed each other so much of the time on that long of a trip!! There were some people I met in the last two weeks that I swear I'd never seen before -- HOW does that happen??

We did have a great safari, and I know we'll see you two on a trip to come. Hope you're adjusting to 'real life'. It's difficult, isn't it??

Betty

Our 6 bags via IPS arrived in Chicago yesterday (Thursday)a.m....we asked to have the earliest delivery possible since we left today (Friday) for San Diego. We were pleased to be only 5lbs over our 370lb limit. We got them all unpacked and Karen spent the rest of the day washing & ironing while I put the "other" stuff away. (I had the easier task.)

Karen did a great job...especially considering she has a splint on her right hand. She stumbled on an uneven pavement the day after we arrived home and tore a tendon between her thumb and index finger. She had it operated on this past Tuesday. Around the world for 111 days wihtout incident or a doctor's visit and then to fall 3 blocks from home. She's not a happy camper! But being heree in San Diego with our daughters for Mother's Day helps.

Bingo Donna! That's exactly it! There are some small things that we bought back in Brazil (seems like 100 years ago) that we're running across unpacking. I always asked for things to be "wrapped for packing" so by the time we got home, I really didn't remember what was wrapped inside. It's like Xmas all over again.

Larry, I'm sure sorry to hear about Karen's hand. OUCH...what a shame. Hopefully, she'll feel better soon, especially being with your 3 daughters. Have a wonderful time in SD.

Betty, I agree....as much as you & Al saw Tom and me daily, there really were people that were on for 4 months whom we NEVER crossed paths with ?????? I'm sure they're wondering the same thing about the 4 of us! Maybe they thought we were shy! :D

Such wonderful Safari memories...thanks again to Ngaire for such perfect planning for such a memorable experience!

Marcie: I really think you should give an in depth story of how Tom bought his Armani suit! I thought it was really interesting.

As for traveling light, I realized that my wardrobe had certain areas lacking and have already bought three items for our next trip.

LOL Ardis.....such a long story about Tom's Armani suit but quickly....

when we were in Beiijing and went to the Silk Market where they sell lots of knock offs Tom found a gorgeous Armani suit. They wanted $500 USD for this Armani knock off. Our tour guide was fantastic and went back and forth with the shop owner all in Chinese. We had no idea what was going on but after walking out of the shop we got called back in again, and then again. They kept starting this all over again and again. This went on for a long time but the bottom line.......Tom got this gorgeous suit for $39. USD (and that included alterations on the pants!) He wore it a lot on WC and has had it cleaned twice, it look gorgeous. Knock off or Hot Merchandise?? Guess we'll never know but he loves it and gets so many compliments when he wears it!

No-one could have looked more elegant than Tom! The material and fit were perfect.

Ardis