I guess we'd have to say the first two segments of Voyager's 2004 World Cruise - LA to Melbourne - another Ngaire Special - the 2nd segment actually ended in Perth, but Ngaire had a contract for the 1st and partial 2nd, only as far as Melbourne. After the cruise, we stayed on in Australia and drove from Melbourne to Brisbane – in just over two weeks - before flying up to Carnes for a delightful couple of days at the Sebel Reef House in Palm Cove - THE most romantic place we've ever stayed, far and away - and then a short Capt. Cook cruise on the Great Barrier Reef before flying home. Wonderful memories of our best vacation ever!

But we'd have to mention at least three runner's up: the Voyager's shakedown-Christening-maiden cruise in 2003, PANDA in 2007, and Mariner's circumnavigation of South America in the fall of 2003. We really feel RSSC peaked as far and away the world's best cruise line in the 2003-'04 time-frame, and hasn't been quite the same since, although there have been some wonderful moments, like PANDA. We second Lauri’s feelings; China was so exciting and dynamic last year!

EDITING TO ADD: Ngaire made the special contract arrangements for our top pick, and traveled with us, at least in part, on our three runners-up! Coincidence or causal factor - the latter I believe!