Just back from another wonderful dinner in Compass Rose. Somehow, the Captain's table had been "given" to another group but we still managed to find a wonderful spot. We were so boistrous that we were drowning out the screaming children (just kidding). Martin joined us for dinner at the request of Tom (after Tom's promotion). You will have to wait for the pictures to fully understand. Martin said that this was the first time that he has ever sat at a table in Compass Rose with guests.

Evening started out with a stop in observation lounge in the dedicated B2B section; I counted 24 attendees. We had a great time. Although the ship has run out of tequila, they seem to still have sambuca and scotch.

Tomorrow is our last day in Venice before heading to Croatia and Albania. We have enough dinner parties and birthday celebrations and other social occasions in the next six days that this cruise, unfortunately, will come to an end too soon. Why can't we permanently move onboard.

More later....

Great reports and pictures! Glad you are all having such a wonderful time, but out of Tequila? Oh well, back to Johniie Walker for you, Marc!

What a fun dinner Marc!! Glad Martin could join you too...he's such a nice guy.

Now the LCTers all meet in O.L. pre dinner.
On previous cruises it seems that the LCTers always met in V.L. since it was next door to C.R. What's with the new venue? Is there pre-dinner music in one and not the other or ??. Maybe it's all about the view from O.L.???

Marc,
Carole and I sailed out of Venice on 5/15 on the GP and needless to say it was fabulous. We just wanted to replay it just went by too fast for us. We had an aft suite and just kept looking from the left to the right. It was a fab cruise.

Marc - Yikes, if the ship has run out of tequila, how is everyone getting their margaritas??!! Have the Latin cocktail lovers had to switch to mojitos and caipirinhas?? That's tough on the bartenders, as both of those drinks are a lot more work to make (requiring muddling) than are margaritas. Just pray that the ship doesn't run out of white rum and cachaca. If that happens, there are still Pisco sours as an option, assuming that the ship doesn't run out of pisco... Oh, the humanity...

As to the foc'sle screw-up (oh, how tempted I was to make that phrase alliterative), did any others of the at least 25 G-P-T pax show up for the non-event? Were any of the hotel staff there to serve coffee and rolls? It does sound like a major disconnect between the Hotel Dept. and the Deck/Safety crew. It would have been cool if they'd allowed you to help play out the docking lines, no??

We've read that Mariner may be changing Latitudes from the Asian fusion theme to a steak-house theme. Any indication of that on Voyager?

Cheers, Fred (desperately wishing he was on B2B with all of you)

Aliteration is always good... :D

We received replenishment in Venice so all should be in order. ;)

Mojitos were impossible to get in Observation Lounge since the beginning of the cruise. We were saving the mint on our ice cream in Compass Rose so that Tom could take his own mint up stairs. Luckily, they have now found mint on the upper decks.

There were 15 G, 6 P, and 4 T on last cruise. Two other guys were out early on foc'sle with us. Hotel staff already had champagne, fresh fruit, and pastries ready. They also had bloody marys. As for the lines, I think I could have tossed it far enough when we docked; in fact, we were so close that all you had to do was toss it over the side and it would have been fine.

BTW, two banana daquiris at lunch just now so I have to see how I do at Pooch. :D

Marc mis-wrote in one place. Martin could not join us for the entire dinner, just for dessert. He is absolutely the BEST. He has really gone out of is way to make our dinners very memorable. The first night we had the captain's table and were teasing Martin that we were not going to give it back to the Captain. Later, Martin gave me an "invitation" he had had printed (similar to the ones we get for "officer's dinners" that appeared to invite the captain to dinner at his table, which was being hosted by Marc and I .... too funny! At Rod an Cynthia's (New LCTers.... you will all love them) anniversary dinner he had little colored hearts (like the valentine heart candy) hidden under all of our napkins. He is just THE BEST!!

Marcie, I told Martin hello for you and he was very touched.

Freddie, WE MISS YOU & Pat. The ONLY thing that would make this cruise better is to have you both along.

We had a terrific boat tour our Venice this morning arranged by Joann and Frank. It was really great seeing Venice from the canals. We saw so much, much of which you don't see just walking around. We saw the local's farmer's market, the hospital, the university, even the cemetary island. It has been nice being here for 3 full days.... there is so much to see and do.

Off to pooch in a few minutes....

Darn!!! Got the white page and lost my entire post!!! Uhhhg!

We have had three beatiful days here in Venice. Frank and I have just wandered around, and walked and walked, with plenty of stops for "refreshments" and to just people watch. Today 8 of us did a private Grand/Minor Canal boat ride, Tom/Mona, Marc/Arlene, Joanna/Tony and us. It was reall great and well done and a fun way to see a lot of area we would not have otherwise. Frank and I spent about another hour in town after the boat ride, had a last lunch at a little hole in the wall "barco" with delicious panni sandwiches and a cool glass of wine.

Lots of laughter at dinner last night with Martin joining us for dessert. He tells great stories and had us all in tears laughing so hard. However, what happens at dinner stays at dinner!!!

Weather has been hot actually and the sail out this afternoon should be beautiful, as we did not get expected rain.

Pooch at 2:00, then I would assume trivia, then Captains night again. Not sure what our dinner plans are, but I'm sure we will eat somewhere with someone.

Thats it for now from the Voyager.

That's good to hear that you got your "to kill ya" back. On our cruise to Alaska last month, they ran out of Pinot Grigio on day 8 out of 11, and the New Zealand Savignon Blanc by day 9. By day 10 we were getting random Compass Rose whites at the bars. They also ran out of the Coppola Claret Cabernet around day 8. The alternative Cab (Avalon) was also good, so no complaints.

Sounds like you guys are having a great time. Your descriptions of the meals are making me jealous! Keep having fun!

We are just pulling out of Venice. The three days here were great. We went to Burano today. Long time to get there about an hour by water taxi but it is really a lovely quaint place once you arrive. Ken will post some pictures later. All the houses are brightly colored, lots of flower boxes, and really unique front doors on all the houses. The town is full of tiny canals with small bridges, not crowded at all. The shops were really quite lovely too. Along with the normal tourist goods they had some exquisite lace products. Not my kind of thing but I enjoyed looking. Many say the lace is not made here now but imported. That may be the case but it is still beautiful.

The water taxi stopped at a couple of other islands and it was interesting to see these residential islands. Some really lovely properties.

Came back and found the Poochers hard at it. Grabbed a burger and then joined in for the second game. Lots of laughs, Marc is winning too much so we focused on "girl power" in the final round so one of the girls would win. Marc was a good loser! Amazing the power of a bunch of women when they put their mind to something.

Okay now it is trivia time. Tomorrow Croatia again a new port for us.

We lost at trivia! :banana:

Tour Joann arranged today was fantastic; it was great to see Venice from the water. We sailed through canals in all six sesteries [sp]. It was a lot of fun.

More later...

Photos of Dubrovnik, Croatia & Koper, Slovenia:


Dubrovnik, Croatia.


Inside the Old Walled City.


The Walk on the Wall.




Our Welcome to Koper, Slovenia. The Voyager is the First Regent Ship to Visit This Port.


Paintings in the Square in Koper.


A Park on the Grounds of the Postojna Caves, the Larges Caves in Europe.


A Hotel at the Postojna Caves.

More gorgeous pictures Ken!! Waaaaaa.....wish so much we were there with you guys! So happy everyone is having such a good time!

GORGEOUS pics, Ken! It really is so great to hear from all of you, thanks so much, and keep the Seamail coming!

P.S. Glad you got the tequila back on board - whew!!!

Must be about time to take a few pics of the "POOCHERS" for those of us who are "panting" to be there to help you all "lap" up the liquid libations.
PS who is the Alpha hound this trip?

Marc is the Alpha Hound but we still have time to catch him,and Alpha Females are hot on his heels.

ARF ARF ARF :app: :app: :app:

Ken - Wonderful photos, as always; but what is that Souvenir Dubrovnik guy selling??!! Fish hooks, pieces of string (about what one would expect these days for only one euro), magic horsehair talismans...??

Ken's photos are beautiful. Oh, how I wish I were sailing with all of you, the female POOCHer's need to stick together! Weather looks gorgeous too.

Fred, the Souvenir Dubrovnik guy was selling some little plastic charms with Dubrovnik 2008 on them.

Korcula is a sweet port - we spent about 3 hrs walking and shopping - very pretty place we depart at 6 PM it is now 4 PM. - our tour of canals that JoAnn put in place in Venice was outstanding. I have no idea what happens to time on this cruise but it is flying!!! As Tom said, we are all having a wonderful time. Few light showers this afternoon but weather has been very nice. Tonight is Ngaire's second cocktail party and I think more names will be drawn for free cruise - some PVers were drawn last week. Yes, the very exciting news last night was Joanna's engagement to Mark. She has pretty ring and is sooo in love. A proposal in St Mark's Square very romantic - no idea what our port in Albania will offer but think I will treat it as a sea day. There are children on this week but I have no comment except to say, I'd never bring small kids on this cruise line - whoops, guess I made a comment. 7 of them with water wings in the pool yesterday and 4 in hot tub all under age ten I would guess.... Nap time for me getting cranky thinking about it.- more later - Marcie we just have not gone into VL - it seems dark and small and with so many we all seem to enjoy back of HL outside at night - we meet in OL every night at 6:30 and then on to dinner - crew is wonderful but boy they seem to be worked to death - first cruise where I have felt this - no specifics just the feeling I have - smiling faces but not sure they are happy faces.

So happy for Olivia's Joanna & Mark !! I know how exciting this is and such a romantic spot to propose. I 've never seen people outside of H.L. at night before....is it quite dark? Do you put together some of the wooden tables? At least you're sheltered from the wind.

Have a wonderful time at the cocktail party tonight!!

Marcie,

The deck outside the HL is lit at night and just wonderful. It has been so hot during the days that it is nice going out there and enjoying the breeze. We have found it a great place to congregate as not too many other people go out there which means we can be as noisy as we want. Also, Emily takes very good care of us out there. I did tell her hello for you.

It was fun to share in with Joanna and Mark's happiness last night. He seems so nice and you can tell they are very much in love. Ah... to be young again!

Someone pul-eeze post a photo of the happy couple!

Auntie Suzanne sends bigs hugs and lots of congrats and best wishes. A proposal in St. Mark's Square? Sigh...so romantic...

I want to be a Bridesmaid! ;) So happy to hear this news.Lots of hugs and kisses from the other Auntie Suzanne :hug:

Such happy news!! I am just delighted for Mark and Joanna!

OH WOW! :nw:

Congratulations to Joanna and Mark. Yes, a photograph, please. A proposal in St. Mark's square - one romantic guy. Lucky Joanna!

Congratulations Joanna & Mark!! What wonderful news!!

Congratulations and best wishes to the newly engaged! How romantic - a moment made even more unforgetable!

Congratulations Joanna and Mark!!!

Nancy

I second (or third) the request for pics of the happy couple! Can we all come to the wedding? O, give them huge hugs from us (or at least give Joanna hugs, you can try for a manly handshake if you think Mark might be shy)!

I'm passing out just from the news & image of Joanna's Mark proposing to her in St. Mark's Sq!! Mercy! How romantic!! Olivia, please give them hugs from Auntie Michele & Uncle Don. :hello1:

Congratulations to Joanna and Mark! What a great place to propose. Obviously he's a smart guy!

Here is the Happy Couple:


Mark & Joanna

Joanna is glowing. But we can't see the ring!

Mark and Joanna - so happy for you both.

Wow! Wonderful news! Best Wishes to the happy couple! Ditto what Maria (and others) said - awesome place to propose.

EDIT - I'm with B - let's see the ring!!!

WOW!!!! What great news!
Congrats to Joanna & Mark! How very romantic.
LOVE IT!!!!!

Congrats, Joanna and Mark! What a lovely way to begin your lives together! Alan and I wish you both the very best!

Congratulations and best wishes, Joanna and Mark - obviously, your LCT family is very happy for you!!! Please keep us posted about your plans!