Yes, Ardis, Ngaire does seem to be gone alot. Only her Regent group cruises qualify for the chance for a free cruise. A lot of her being away is to do stuff aside from Regent, like taking us to Africa on ROAR in September, an unbelievable schedule with a gazillion of her clients being there, then she's going to Europe before next group cruise on the Navigator to check out another River Cruise company, and then on to Cape Town to meet her clients for a mix between land and sea packages! (GAME & SAMBA). We are lucky she is "gone a lot" looking out for her clients! I hope on my next cruise I get my name drawn for the free cruise she offers for 2009!