Great to hear from you all, PLEASE keep the seamail coming!!!

Great seamail. Glad you are having a wonderful time. Enjoy! Relax! Laugh! May you be blessed with calm seas!

Okay, now there are probably going to be some onboard activities where SOMEONE can share some pictures? Remember on TAP when you got all those Derby Day pictures (aside from the pix from kaoreoke and other parties). Oh, I remember, we had KEN aboard then!

May you all continue to have the great weather with which you've been blessed, and many good times to fill those extra hours you will gain on the way westward!

Editing to say :mad: to Regent for not having DJ in VL (especially on the first night at sea) if it was on the schedule! Website says they were bringing along extra musicians on this crossing? It is a Regent Experience Spotlight cruise! On TAP, we had great H/W duo in VL every night (that I remember) at sea.

Olivia, you remember very well. We were there every night to listen (and even did the Karioke (I don't know how to spell) one night. It sounds as if they are going to have as much fun as we did on TAP. And Yes, POST SO"ME """"PIX. The computer guy would probably show you how.
Lynn

Yes, Lynn, there are so many lct people aboard that I think the computer guy/gal will help someone with a camera! However, we don't want to take away from your "onboard" experience! Just enance it to the next level!

Denise is a wonderful organizer.Her excusion plans are usually flawless. I often ask her for advice. Sounds like a wonderful time is being had by all. Enjoy the crossing. Be safe and have fun!

OK, you all. Be leary of Denise's "Walking on Water" tour..... Have life perservers handy!!!!! Great seamail. Glad y'all are having a fun time.

I don't knwo what the deal is with the DJ, but when they just put music on the computer no one dances. The duo is onboard and they are great and fun to dance to, but they usually stop at 11 or midnight. I thought there was wsupposed to be a big band from England, but unless they are part of the orchestra, haven't heard or seen them specifically, although they have ballrooms dancing in the Horizon every night, so maybe thats it, but we are usually still having dinner.

The "walk on water" excursion went very well. It was a little difficult at first, but we finally got the hang of it. I'm having a massage in an hour to ease my pain.

Tomrrow is water skiing behind the ship!

We are having dinner with Lorraine, the CD tonight along with Jan and Fred and the lovely lady who invited us for the German dinner the other night, Gabrielle.

So far pretty smooth sailing. Lots of activies going on today and even though Wayne and Charlotte are gone and we have to fill their spots on the trivia team, we are hoping to win some more tokens.

Debbie,
We are still here...everyone else has been posting so I've been lazy. I'll write up our adventures and get it posted.

We did the Sledge in Funchal..it was a lot of fun! Twice they stopped us and "greased" the skids because we weren't going fast enough! I thought we were going just fine!

Met Sue and Tom last night and we love our duck!

Jan

Whew...we made it through our first LCT dinner. We had a wonderful time with everyone.

This morning we hit the gym for 30 mins of treadmill time and then on to CR for a light bkfst. We both have spa appts at 11 so that will be a nice and relaxing time.

There is so much to do I hope we can fit it all in!

We have the best next door neighbors; Priscilla and John! Priscilla's smile just lights up the room and makes you feel so good inside. :)

I will try to send Karen a pic of our One Sole shoes with the cruise ship tops.

Whew...we made it through our first LCT dinner. We had a wonderful time with everyone.

This morning we hit the gym for 30 mins of treadmill time and then on to CR for a light bkfst. We both have spa appts at 11 so that will be a nice and relaxing time.

There is so much to do I hope we can fit it all in!

We have the best next door neighbors; Priscilla and John! Priscilla's smile just lights up the room and makes you feel so good inside. :)

I will try to send Karen a pic of our One Sole shoes with the cruise ship tops.

Yes Olivia, :mad: is right for the lack of a real DJ at Voyager Lounge! Frank tried to use his engineering background to figure out the computer but couldn't. The virtual DJ was playing Merengue music which I love, but I found no takers.


This deal of gaining an hour is great! Tonight we gain another one.

I missed the Walking on Water tour. I wonder if they give refunds?? ;) .

Our sailaway out of Funchal was beautiful. We then made our way over to JoAnn and Frank's for a wonderful pre-dinner, meet & greet Sue & Tom cocktail party. So great to finally welcome sweet Sue and Tom aboard to join our group. Sue gave each of us the cutest Aflack ducks.

We then made our way to CR. Unfortunately, we needed to split into two tables, as our group was so large. Spreading the frivolity into two sections was a good thing. Our group was having so much fun - we drove out the people at the table behind us. The laughing was getting to them big time. The laughing reached a fevered pitch when Maria became frantic at the loss of her duck. The waitstaff advised her that her duck had been taken to Reception for safe keeping until the rightful owner claimed him. The ordeal was hysterical! Who would have thought in just a few hours, Maria and her duck would have forged such a bond?

The Walking on Water tour began the second portion of our tour-intensive schedule. Alas, a few couldn't sustain the intensity and the survivors held a burial at sea ceremony. Needless to say, the burial at sea was not in the itnerary, so everyone who participated will have to cough up some extra $$$$$$$$$. A more formal memorial service will be held tonight in the Observation Lounge.

Today, being our first sea day, has gotten off to a great start. Alan and I had breakfast on the deck joined by one of our guest lecturers and his wife. Fascinating discussion.

The weather continues to be brilliant. Smoothe seas and sunshine!

Seafood BBQ today for lunch. Ah, life is good!

Yes, Sue there is so much to do. This cruise hasd been near perfection. Not even time to process the 1000+ photos I took this last week.

In Taurodant, the driver and guides stopped for the Tree Goats and when we got off of our van, the goat herder handed me a baby goat. Oh my...they are affectionate and that baby kept following me. The Guys took photos. We ended up at the same spot that Denise's group did for lunch.

We had a great guide in Funchal and we went to Cabo de Camera - a fishing village with colorful boats to photograph, Up to the top of Cabo Girad and then to Monte for a sledge ride, a drive through various parts of the island and then the botanical garden.

The deposits that every one else has made in the Casino have been found...they are in my little purse and tucked safely in the safe in my room along with the sparkly Tahitian Pearl and Diamond pendant that Frankie bought me onboard for a birthday present.

We had a Cordon Bleu Cocktail party last night, enjoyed Jan and Fred, and Peggy and Gerry's company and then off to Latitiudes with Fred and Pat. They changed the menu. Last week's was spectacular but this week was like Chinese Take out. Cornell asked us to critique it for him, since we know him from last year's Cordon Bleu. We have our first class jsutafter lunch.

We are now Gold and we were given new key cards today. Whooptie Do! And we can have our local paper delivered daily to our room via satillite.

Haven't uploaded any photos or read the boards much or even posted - internet too slow on my laptop in the room and even dropped the connection here in the computer room too. Everyone else is doing a good job of posting.

Well, off to the Slot Tournement. Have to retain my title of First Place Winner. Keeping my fingers crossed.

Our first sea day! We gained an hour last night and so our sleeping "late" today actually wasn't so late. We had a leisurely room service breakfast -- my first order of eggs benedict -- and finally here I am at club.com to post.

We enter the crossing segment with great memories of our last week's touring. Denise had done a marvelous job of organization -- no surprise there -- and we had really great guides at every stop. It was truly a fabulous learning experience to a part of the world, especially Morocco, that was entirely new to us. Madeira yesterday was absolutely beautiful and a real treat. Our driver took us on some little roads to small villages that were very charming, and we had lunch on the deck of a restaurant overlooking a serene and beautiful bay. Couldn't have been a better day. Last night, after the fun party and JoAnn and Frank's and a good dinner at CR, we fell into bed tired, but this morning we are rested and ready to go for the next week. We will try to keep up with Maria and JoAnn for the night life now!

Our new neighbors, Sue and Tom, are the best! We're so glad they have joined us. Truly, we have the most lovely group on this cruise. It is making everything beyond wonderful.

I forgot to say -- people were stopping us in the hallway last night about the Aflac duck we got from Sue and Tom. It yells "Aflac" when you squeeze him, and people were cracking up. Hysterical! And finally Maria and her duck were reunited -- she went to reception and said "I think you have my duck." You can imagine the hilarity.

Off to a lecture about marine life we may see. Later ....

Glad to hear from everyone. Thanks for posting, Jan. I've got to check out Funchal and a crossing for the future!

It sounds like several people have met the charming Gabrielle. Is she still dressing up? On my last night, she had on a gown. She always looks beautiful.

I wonder what happened to the DJ. He played into the night on my cruise until they shut down, I think, but I was always there till 12:30 or 1 a.m. Ask Terry or Lorraine. I hope Terry is smiling more. She seemed to be unhappy a lot. She had come back after a 2 year absense and wasn't getting a visit home to Canada until December. She seemed down a lot.

Posting these for Sue:

Thanks Karen, I will tell Sue the onesole tops are posted. Since no one in our group has a clue as to how to upload pictures to LCT, which is why you haven't had any, we were talking today at lunch about taking some tonight and then sending a few to Karen and having her do it for us.
Is that OK with you Karen?

Great day so far, my massage was perfection. Now its time for an after lunch nap. ;) Wine taste this afternoon and then trivia, then Captains night and all that goes with it.

JoAnn, I would be happy to but it really is easier for YOU if you just create a free Photobucket account! Photobucket does everything for you, including giving you the link to paste here! Or you can upload them to the Ofoto Kodak site, that is easier than resizing and emailing me pix, too!

But do whatever is easier for you, if you are more comfortable mailing me pix, go right ahead!

It's so wonderful to hear from everyone. It sure sounds like a great time is being had by all. We do wish we were there with you all. Continue the good times and the great seamail...it is the perfect start to my day.

Jan & Kathy, Good to hear from you both. You two have been having too much fun to post seamail.

Sue, Love the cruise onesole tops. They are just great.

Loving these CROSS excursions. Water Skiing Behind the Ship!!!!! Can't wait to hear what tomorrow's is.

The fun continues! We had a lovely BBQ fish lunch with Denise/Alan, John & Priscilla. We did a dance class learning the Swing. It was so much fun (Tom and I have two left feet) and we will certainly try it out this evening on the dance floor.

After dance class we headed over to wine tasting with JoAnn, Frank and Alan (Tom hung out but had a beer). Then on to more serious "stuff" of tea time with cheese cakes and trivia. I felt honored to be a part of the LCT trivia team and best thing we tied for FIRST place...my first token!

Resting up for the block party and then to Signatures for dinner and after dinner dancing.

Life is good!

Great to hear from you Sue and all; I totally understand Maria's distress as I love the AFLAC duck!

Sue, I assume Harvey and Mark taught it. Tell them I said hi and that you've "known me" for years. They will know who I am. I am delighted you went to their class. I wish I had, as the others were out there the same night and looked great.

Sue, LOVE those shoes. I think that toboggan ride is a blast. We loved it. Keep the posts coming.

OK, I am lost. What is the "walking on water" tour. By the way, Denise doesn't even have to be there to organize a fantastic tour. She gave me contacts in Istanbul and Ephesus and they were the best. It sounds as if you are all having much more fun than TAP, and I didn't think that was possible. Congratulations!
Lynn

Greetings from the ocean! Oh my last night we dined at Signatures and it was truly fantastic. We had so much to eat we never made it to dance last night...we were so full that we went back to our room and crashed!

Debbie the lessons are being given by dance champions Kristen and Travis (wonderful young couple). Today we learn to Salsa...I just wish we had more than 45 minutes because Tom and I sure need more, but you know what...I am so happy to be able to move my legs again (after having leg and arm weakness for 3 yrs from taking Lipitor) that I don't care how silly we look I am just so thankful for having strength to finally do things that I have longed to do! Harvey is on our floor and a few doors down. He gave us some pointers in the dance lesson and then we talked to him last night at the block party.

Ngaire these OneSoles shoes are wonderful...I just change the top and have a whole new shoe. I wore them last night with a dressy black strap and they were wonderful for formal night.

We continue to have so much fun with all the LCT folks - what a great bunch of people. :lct:

We start the day out in the gym because we sure are eating way too much food. I keep hopping on the scale to make sure I am working my calories off! :)

I have enjoyed reading all the posts so very much! Sounds like you are having a fabulous time on the cruise and with one another :) .

I know our first Regent experience will be really great - only 30 days to go. Wahoo!!

Keep the posts coming.

That is great about the dancing, Sue.

I checked those shoes out the time you posted the link. I think they seem like a great bargain and a really neat idea.

I see the disadvantage of a mostly sea itinerary is you have to motivate yourself to exercise. That is a good thing if you do it. I didn't have to do that since I walked for miles in the port. I felt like I was missing out on the gym, though.

Hi all,

This is such a great cruise!

Lasty night we had a great dinner with Alan / Denise and they introduced us to their favorite team of servers which were a lot of fun . Denise complimented the sommelier on the choice of white wine ( Dry Creek, Fume Blanc), and when we returned to our cabin we had a bottle there, waiting for us! What service!

I'll be following Sue and Tom's example and going shortly to the gym to work off the lunch calories as the Chef informed us that tonight there is weiner schnitzel (sp?) on the menu.

Dancing has picked up on Voyager lounge . We are awaiting Sue and Tom's Salsa demonstration! :)

Again I missed the excursion of the day, " Jet ski on the ship's wake" . I hope nobody was lost!

Hi everyone. I have been reading messages on this thread and on the Mariner world cruise with great interest because we will be taking half of the Voyager world cruise next Feb.

So often I see that you have taken local guides such as at Funchal. You seem to have individual guides. While I can find local tour operators I haven't had any luck with individual guides and would appreciate your suggestions.

Well, I won (came in 3rd) in yesterday's slot tournement. Hoping I can keep it up in today's Blackjack tournement. Took bridge lessons this morning, followed by a cooking demonstration (or more like a comedy team composed of the Executive Chef and the Corporate Chef). One of the couples lives in our area that was in the Bridge Class and we had lunch with them so we are going to continue the lessons at home together. After the blackjack tournement, we will tea and trivia. One of the ladies on board who is a headliner pianist (she was a student of Stravinsky and did some major playing for the studios) and I struck up a conversation. She was a classmate of my mother's from Grammar School to High School. What a small world. They lived on the same street. We have met some wonderfully interesting people on board ship.

There is not enough time in the day so much to do with 25 hour days!

Graham, for private guides, it's probably best to look on the private guides section of the board here. Tell us where you are going and we can suggest guides to use that we have experienced. Sometimes it's best to even do a ship's tour depending on the time in ports or even to grab a taxi and do something on your own.

Woo hoo Kathy, baby needs a new pair of shoes! ;)

Beware of Denise and her elite social director excursions :p She went hog wild on TUSH! :pass:

Sounds like everyone is having a great time. Keep the posts coming! Congrats Kathy, keep it up and the trip will pay for itself!
----------------
Helen

Yes, jet skiing was exciting - a little cold though. However everyone made it safely back to the ship.

Had dinner last night with Lorraine, the CD, Fred, Jan and the ever delightful and charming Gabrielle. After everyone met in the Horizon for what was supposed to be big band swing dancing, but it really wasn't. I don't know what happened to the advertized big band from England, the this was a Quintet of 5 guys in their 20', who were good, but they tended more toward jazzy type songs that were hard to dance to. Bob, Maria, Frank and I then adjorned to the Voyager Lounge and did a little dancing to the DJ and finally called it a night.

Yesterday our trivia team won for the 2nd time, since Wayne and Charlotte left, we have filled their spaces with Sue and John (Priscilla's husband). Very good choice as we also won again today!! whoohooo!! :app:

Graham,

I do very extensive research when seeking out guides. I am sending you a private message giving you the email of the company I used for our private touring in Funchal. Our driver/guide was excellent. We spent a full day touring and got to see so many wonderful sites on this lovely island. I strongly recommend this company. They were first-rate and reasonable. We had a beautiful day.

Alan and I attended a fun cooking demonstration this morning. This afternoon, pizza and pasta buffet on the pool deck. It was so good!

Off then to take a tour of the bridge, which was really interesting. I asked Capt. Hansen if he could make a stop in the Caribbean for a few days before reaching FLL. He said I'd really have to make that detour worthwhile for him to do so, as he needs his pay and would surely loose his job! Oh well, no harm in asking!

We then attended a lecture on Albert Einstein.

Another great sea day, capped off by our team's 3rd trivia win! What a great team! We're having a blast!

Tonight, dinner in CR with Priscilla/John, Maria/Bob. We've taken a real liking to Eric, Felix and Felino's area. They treat us royally and love to have a great time joking with us. CR dining has been absolutely the best. After commenting on how much we enjoyed a wine served with last night's dinner (Dry Creek), bottles were later sent up to both Maria/Bob's, Alan's/my suites.

I never thought I would ever say that sea days are fantastic. The Energizer Bunny is finding lots to do and loving it!

Smoothe seas and sunny days have blessed us! Great company and fun times are the icing on the cake!

More fun times this afternoon...our team really is doing well in trivia (I am not sure how much help I am, but it is a lot of fun).

We attended the afternoon dance session. The instructors are very kind to Tom and I. I think before we try our dance skills out on the Voyager dance floor we will get some private lessons at home or they may think we are the new comedy act for the ship! :eek:

We will have dinner this evening with Chat Kat and Frank in CR.

A pic is on the way to Karen of our winning trivia team!

Sue sent this picture of the winning trivia team :)



John, Sue, Peggy, Frank, JoAnn and Denise