Here I am sending hugs your way! So far we're off to such a good start! The party at the St. Regis was phenominal. Ngaire was so right....they really pull out the stops for that! All the big brass from Radisson was there. I finally met Mark Conroy. It was nice seeing Christian again. The theme was "old Hollywood" and they had a guy dressed up as Clark Gable (when he was probably about 35) and a gal was a perfect Marilyn Monroe, Laurel and Hardy waiters even, nice Orchestra which played nice dinner music and lots of dancing before and after dinner! VERY First class!! Yes, our room at the St. Regis was gorgeous....28th floor and a wonderful panoramic view from our "Lanai" (yes, that's what they called it). The lanai had a table and 2 chairs so it was nice to sit and relax 28 floors high. It was wonderful meeting Paul, Betty and Al in the afternoon and Irving and Maria at the cocktail party before dinner. Of course Paul has been on for so many days with Colleen on the pre-cruise that he has all the "scoop" on all the passengers. LOTS of characters on board....this would be great for a book for Donna to write!

Yesterday we arrived in San Pedro via a stretch limo with dark tinted windows to insure that we weren't recognized... LOL. Our luggage was all delivered just fine. I guess I got carried away with the "shoes". I must have kept throwing in more and more and my final count was 17!! Tom has 6 I think.

In the afternoon my sister, brother-in-law, Nephew and Jill came on board for a couple of hours! Great way to send us off...We all went to Paul's room and bless his heart if he didn't have a stuffed kitty cat for me!! He thought it would be nice if I could be a surogate Mom and ease my separation anxiety from my own furry kids! Now how nice was that!!! Paul's cabin looks great....he still had his XMAS tree up, he's been writing a journal, has great photos (he has his computer and color printer in the cabin). He's done a wondeful job!

OK...moving along. Got everything unpacked before dinner!! We were way ahead of schedule and proud of ourselves! (Paul brought 11 pieces of luggage and even has 41 long sleved shirts....guess we packed light in comparison to most!) Had a nice dinner in Compass Rose then debated whether we wanted to go in the disco for some dancing and Sambucca or go to the Casino. Decided on the Disco. Bellyed up to the bar and started talking to new friends. I had met 2 gals the night before so spent some time with them. It's so funny....some of the "older" ladies are all hitting on Tom (in a nice way!). He's danced with some and been "charming" and a good sport! I just laugh and he gives me that "come and rescue me" look. A wonderful lady named Abby (she's been on 50 cruises!) said that she wants to find an 81 year old millionaire! I assured her that Tom is no where close to 81 and he certainly isn't a millionaire. She said "Oh, no...Tom is just my playmate and we like to flirt with each other, he belongs to you!!" I think she wants me to help her on this mission she has! Anyway...lots of very nice, young at heart folks. Some that are quite elderly (Jill doesn't think some will make it to Ft. Lauderdale---spoken by a "true" 24 year old) but for the most part, good healthy active passengers. We've made friends with another couple in their 40's (this in considered young here) from New York. NICE people and also their first world cruise.

Colleen, thank you so much for your sweet note. No problem getting the door name tags! Today I want to meet Sandy (sandracruiser). I put her door tag up this morning. Also this morning Tom and I went to the gym and worked out and went to a "stretching" class. We are really going to try to stay in shape so decided to start right on day 1. Later today we'll go to Trivia and Bingo. I'm so happy we have these sea days to relax and get to know fellow passengers. As you can see, we sure are having a great time!! I just love this life and thankful I have 108 more days of it!! LIFE IS GOOD!!
Hugs to all....
(sorry this is so rambling... Hopefully, Paul will write more! He's so good at this. I'm sure Betty will post too!!

Marcie - it's wonderful to hear from you! Everything sounds fantastic - we will enjoy world cruising vicariously through you all! We're green with envy and happy for all of you world cruisers all at the same time! Have you names your kitten yet? Very sweet of Paul. Can't wait to hear more - thanks for checking in!

Marcie, it sounds like you are off to a good start!
I am very proud of your shoe count, you done good!
Thanks for checking in and keep 'em coming :)

Marcie, wonderful, enthusisatic post, thanks so much for taking the time to keep the "cult" informed. Your World Cruise mates sound like they will make your cruise extra special..and terrific
act of "pet" thoughtfullness by Paul..btw, how many formal nights does your cruise have? r/wes

Marcie, thanks for the report on Day 1. A great start indeed! This morning I dug out my World Cruise brochure so I can follow your every move. Living vicariously through you already is being fun -- and as you say we have 108 more days! Enjoy every minute!

Marcie, we are sooo happy for you! I bet you can hardly contain yourself!!! You better watch Tom, he IS certainly a ladie's man ;) I miss him attempting to teach me to dance, as I stepped all over him. Don't forget about your lonely LCT buddies. xoxoxoxo

Marcie!

Big ol' grin pasted on my face sitting here reading this! It sounds like a terrific start to your grand adventure. Thanks for posting and keep em' coming. Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy.

Nice to hear from you, Marcie. It sounds like you are off to a great start. Keep us posted.

MarnaLou

It all sounds soooo fine. I think your shoe count is very acceptable & I love the fact you have a surrogate kitty for the voyage. How nice of Paul.

Has Abby checked out the Colonel for her 80+ year old millionaire? The one with the 4 white suits. Colleen said he is in his 80s & I think she said this isn't his first world cruise so money must be falling from somewhere.

Keep us posted & hi to Betty & Paul.

Marcie! I miss you!

Are you posting from your laptop, in your suite?

Have fun!

Marcie,

Sounds as if you are having a wonderful time already. What a thoughtful gift from Paul. You know, of course, we are hanging on your every word, and can't wait for your next post. Enjoy!!!!

Betty

Marcie,

I am so glad your cruise is starting off on such a wonderful note.

Best wishes to you and Tom!

Anthony

Marcie - like everyone else said, I am full of envy and will have to live this wonderful adventure thru you, so please keep the posts coming.
I think your shoe count is acceptable, as long of course as they all match!!! haha!
Have a most wonderful time!
PS - the lady you met isn't named Cherry is she? We met a Cherry on the last segment of the 2003 World on Mariner, we were doing the Panama Canal, and there were 36 people still left on from the World. What interesting people they were and fun adventures to tell about.

Marcie, you share your excitment so well...it feels like we're right there along side you.

Your note made me remember our long cruises. My DH (another Tom) loved giving many of the passengers nicknames, some of them quite discriptive. We also made up our own little histories for them. It was great fun. On long voyages you get to know so many people, you become almost an extended family.

Every evening as we raised our cocktail glasses our toast was # of days until the end....as the number got lower I always felt a little sad. You'll be amazed how quickly the next 108 days will fly by.

To this day when we're joking around we'll clink glasses and say a number! Sometimes it's the days until our next cruise....and now it's when our remodel might finally be done - that's not a warm fuzzy moment! LOL

I can tell you're cherishing the moments...we love sharing them with you.

Marcie,
Keep doing the workouts, I'm proud of you! Try not to be bored on all those sea days ;)
Hugs to you too :hug:

Marcie, Your post was adorable. I'm so excited! 108 more days of your posts.....

With travelling companions like Paul, you're sure to have a wonderful time. Please private email us all about the "characters."

Marcie, LOVED your first post from onboard, lots of details. It is nice to enjoy a World Cruise without paying for it! Keep 'em coming. We will really miss you if you don't post often!

Looks like Tom is already a hit with the single (young-at-heart)ladies. Get to know that "rescue me" look, as he is in for a long time of being in "demand"!

Oh, and that Abby/Colonel pairing from Betty sounds great! Get to work to relieve Tom of his "flirting" responsibilities!

Marcie - great to hear from you from aboard ship. Glad you're having fun. We will have to rename the ship "The New Peyton Place" when you are done. Love the details!

Marcie- What a wonderful, informative note! Thanks to both you and Paul for posting your thoughts and letting us LCTers back at home share a "vicarious voyage" 'round the world! Mia

Mia, Paul has not posted yet since they left on the "official" WC, although he gave us great info on the pre-cruise! Just a nudge Paul, if you are reading this! We want to hear from EVERYONE!

Marcie: You and Tom will be full of fellow passenger knowledge by the time we join you! All sounds wonderful - wow working out your first day - keep writing we all love it - Joanna

Marcie - sounds like heaven for you and Tom! Thanks for posting. Cheers, Anne

Thanks for checking in - keep track of those statistics as you meet people - love hearing about your 17 pairs of shoes and Paul's 41 shirts. Do you get complementary laundry?

Sounds like a great adventure already!


--
Leslie

Leslie: Funny I asked Marcie that question, too, and answer was they do not - Joanna

Hi, jhp --- Pre-cruise, "World"-Cruise, and (even) Post-Cruise -- we appreciate ALL of the posts that share the sojourn!!! :) Mia

Marcie, it sounds like you are indeed off to a wonderful start! Please keep the reports coming!


Claudia (I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous, I'm not jealous........ok so I really am!) :rolleyes:

Well , not to jump on Marcie's thread but wantedto add a bit here. The LA Party was great and it was a way to met 280 of the 314 full world cruisers. I recognized Marcie in the Lobby before the festivites started. I was so happy to meet the Magnificant Marcie and her great husband Tom. I am looking forward to our adventures for the next 105 days. News Flash. A few changes since the pre-cruise segment. They are giving a 25percent discount on the Dry cleaning and 10 percent on the spa for full world cruisers. Also the special hookup for my laptop went from $25/day to $15/ per day. The regular charge in the Club.com is about $3.75/hour and is very resonable. Tonight I am having dinner with Marcie and Tom. More later from the Voyager. Thanks for all the nice comments everyone. Wish you all were here!! LCTers are the best!!!

Paul: I talked about having our Xmas tree still up - but it was on the wrong thread - meant it to be for you!! Enjoy enjoy - Joanna

Hi Marcie!

So great of you to post so soon!

Had such a wonderful conversation with you last night,prior to you sailing off into your dream cruise. You guys are having a fantastic time and we can't wait to hear each and every detail. Looking forward to your next installment!

Happy sailing to all!

Hugs to you and Tom from Alan and me!

Great Post, Marcie. Glad my little package arrived OK. Abby definately needs to meet the colonel. Some people thought he looked like Boss Hogg from Dukes of Hazard. You really can't miss him.

Marcie - Absolutely LOVED hearing all about your cruise so far. It sounds like heaven. And how nice of Paul to have the stuffed kitty for you. So sweet. Hang onto Tom, he is a good looking catch for all those older ladies!!! Of course there's no need to worry - he has wonderful, beautiful YOU!!!

Keep having a great time :banana: :banana: :banana:

Cyndi

Marice, I'm loving your cruise so far. Your enthusiasm radiates from my computer screen and onto me. I get so excited reading about your fun! Keep the information and tidbits about your fellow passengers coming. This IS great material for a book (of course all discretely disguised so that none of the passengers will recognize themselves!). I'm so glad you and Tom had this travel opportunity. Can't wait to read more.

BOO HOO!

I picked up my cell phone today to find I had a missed call...from you!
WAAA! So sorry I didn't get to say the final bon voyage "voice to voice" yesterday, BUT, am loving the updates!

Sounds like way too much fun. Thanks for the update, Marcie!! (and Paul!)

Masaki

Thank You for posting! I know I'll enjoy the cruise too!

Great post! Looking forward to your next one!

keep them coming. sounds wonderful...I know you and Tom will have a wonderful time.

Well thanks to Marcie I was rethinking my shoe situation (I have a guest room filled with my shoe addiction) and decided I did not have 17 pairs I wanted to bring - so I solved that problem by shopping today and got 6 new pairs of slinky dinner shoes - 2 black, one fushia, one brown/taupe, one navy and my all time best buy "Isaac Mizrahi" pink slinkys covered with tiny pink leather petals - FROM TARGET $19.95 - Kimmi check them out they are YOU - that purchase helped to offset my fushia Ralph Lauren's but had to have them!!!Joanna

Marcie, I am looking forward to hearing everything about your wonderful trip. Don't worry too much about eliminating extra water weight. The Radissson food is WAY too good to pass any of it up.

At least PARTY isn't long enough to need 17 pairs. I'm sure I could scrape that many together with no problem, though.

Joanna, picture please.