Welcome back! You've been missed! Thanks for the great seamail and photos! It looks like MUSH was a fantastic cruise! Hope everyone arrived home safely!

Ditto what Denise posted - we missed y'all!

Here's my welcome, too. We certainly did miss you. I know there will be more "stories and pictures". Can't wait!

WELCOME HOME, MUSHers!
We did miss you. Thanks for sharing with us, all your posts and photos!!

Welcome back to the REAL World Mushers. Looking forward to hearing more about your experiences. I didn't think you would take it literally, when I said 7 days was not a long enough cruise, and that you would extend yours to 8!. ;)

Hi everyone! I'm guessing that Tom and I may be the first ones home (?) as we had a non-stop from Anchorage to LAX (still a long 5 1/2 hour flight!). The Kimmi's were also on our plane but they had 2 more transfers before getting to Ft. Lauderdale.

We had a great week, that's for sure but problems upon arriving at LAX....the car wouldn't start! We called AAA assuming our battery was dead after sitting for 9 days. Unfortunately that wasn't the problem and we had to have it towed to a near-by garage to LAX and rented a car to get home. We walked in the door at 3:00am...one long day! We'll have to hassle with the car today.

One of our dogs was happy to great us at 3:00am but our other dog, Mr. Magoo was no where to be seen. This morning I've learned that he is at the Vet's. Jill noticed yesterday that he was in great pain and couldn't walk so she took him to the Vet for X-rays etc. I won't know more until the Vet opens up today but the immediate opinion of the Vet was that he will require back surgery. My poor baby!

We had a large package waiting for us here from Regent. Hmmmmmmmm?? I opened it to find 2 of their beautiful thick plush robes like we have in the cabins and a thank you note for doing the South America circumnavigation cruise. Now that was a wonderful surprise!! :)

The outcome of the Alaska cruise (this may already have been posted but we were the last ones off the ship yesterday): The cruise was scheduled to go yesterday with the pod 70% fixed. Hubbard Glacier, Skagway and Sitka were all scratched! Juneau and Ketchikan are the only 2 ports with 3 sea days. I'm guessing there are some unhappy cruisers onboard right now. I'll be anxious to find out what type of compensation they receive. Are any LCTers on that cruise?

Although we arrived home to problems, especially with Mr. Magoo, we had the most wonderful of wonderful weeks on MUSH!!!

Marcie - welcome back! Sorry to hear about the car problems and especially that Mr. Magoo is not well. Keeping my fingers crossed he is better soon. Cheers, Anne

Marcie,
Thanks for letting us know that you and Tom are home safe. I'm soooo sorry about Mr. Magoo. I am keeping my fingers crossed for him too! Welcome home!

Welcome home all! I'm glad that MUSH went last week and not this week. Three sea days in Alaska wouldn't be what I'd be hoping for.

MUSHers! Welcome home! It seems you were gone a looong time - we missed you!!

Marcie, I'm praying your little Mr. Magoo recovers quickly. He'll probably gain a lot of strength when he opens his eyes & sees you.

Glad to have you all back with us.

I heard from Ken and Ngaire the guests currently on board will receive a credit towards a future cruise equal to what they paid for this one. Don't know about any onboard compensation.

Our last sea day was handled with amazing energy and grace by John, Lyndsay and Dionne. The travel desk I have a few issues with, but in the end I'm home safe and sound having enjoyed a bonus cruise day with an absolutely fantastic group of people.

First off, WELCOME HOME MUSHERS!!! Yes, I'm yelling but I mised y'all. Thanks for posting the great photos and sea-mail, we soaked up every picture and word.

Welcome home Lauri & Marcie. Good vibes headed down south for Mr. Magoo.

Marcie glad to read you are home safely, but sorry to read about your car and most of all Mr. Magoo.

My cocker spaniel had a slipped disc a few months back and was in awful pain, but with steroids and lots of rest she is now fine...I pray that Mr. Magoo will soon be better!

Lauri glad you are home safely, too! :)

I'm home as well, walking in the door a little past 10pm last night.

What a great trip with a bonus day! Granted, those of us with independently booked air either spent much of that day on the Internet or phone trying to rebook, or missed most of the celebration in Stars lounge the night before as we were trying to rebook before Omaha "opened" the next morning and grabbed all the seats for those with RSSC air.

I am waiting to be served a restraining order today from Orbitz as I "vocalized" my displeasure with their less than stellar customer service in trying to assist me :mad: . I could now rewrite the lyrics to that old song "Torn between two lovers" to be "Caught between two air alliances".

Reading Lauri's post above regarding the current passengers, it sounds like RSSC is handling that situation well. We, of course, are hoping for a little more than the free drinks between 6 and 6:30 our final evening.

Marcie, keep us posted on Mr. Magoo. I'm actually glad you didn't learn of this until your return as you would have been beside yourself with worry.

Welcome back home, MUSHers. It's good to hear that a few of you have made it home safely. Unpack, rest and begin planning on that next cruise!!!

Marcie,

So sorry to hear about sweet Mr. Magoo (you know how I love him!). Hope he gets through his back surgery strong and fit. Please let us know how he's doing.

Also sorry to hear of your car troubles. You should have called us to pick you up at the airport!!!!

It's really too bad that you don't know how an airline booking site (or, airline, for that matter) will come through for you in a pinch, until a situation arises that calls for assistance and cooperation rather than their contributing to stress and frustration. Sorry that you had a less than favorable experience with Orbitz, Suzanne. Clearly you had a situation way beyond your control. Orbitz should have been working with you to resolve the changes that needed to be made rather than alienate you.

Welcome home Musher's, we really missed you!

Marcie, I hope Mr. Magoo will be ok. Keep us posted.

Nancy

Wecome home everyone! It was quiet here with you all gone.
Marcie, good luck with Mr Magoo. One of our sweet Maltise, Bibi, has a slipped disc now and is on steroids and feeling much better. This is the second time this has happened and the vets say the next time its surgery. Please keep us posted on his condition.

Hi all;

Carla and I got into Boston at 5:55am very smooth flights, my body feels like I went 6 rounds with Mike Tyson, made some phone calls this morning and then had to take a nap, miss everyone already, what a blast, during my nap I jumped up and thought I was late for Dinner at Compass Rose, then realized its back to reality..

FV

We just pulled in a few minutes before 4pm. We have been traveling so long that Mark has a beard, lol. We had engine trouble (how appropriate!) on our plane so we were hours late getting out of Anchorage. So of course we missed our connecting flight in Chicago this morning and had to wait til noon for the next flight. We are BEAT and it's really good to be home!

Marcie, please keep us updated on Mr. Magoo, he is my favorite!!

Robert and the rest of the gang, you all did such a good job of stalking us! I can't wait to read all the messages after I sleep for a bit. We have been up over 36 hours and delirium is setting in!!

Editing to add, I think I am going into MUSH people withdrawl already. When I walk down the hall to my bedroom, I don't pass anyone that I know!!

FDV72 and Karen,

Welcome home!

Karen,

You had quite the long journey home! Get some rest! You've been missed so much!

We TUSHees were on our very best behavior! HONEST! REALLY (or is that REARLY???)! :rolleyes:

Too funny, Karen. It's good to see that you still have that wicked sense of humor even with sleep deprivation. Glad you are home safe and sound.....

Sleep well tonight, MUSHers.

Welcome home all!

I know you're exhausted, so rest up and get ready to tell us ALL about it!

Hi Karen and Suzanne!!! Welcome home - so nice to see your smiling postings.

We have made it as far as LA. Yesterday's travels were long with us not arriving to the hotel until around 11pm. Saw folks today for lunch and will get together with rest of family tonight and tomorrow.

Wonderful trip....just too short....glad that they arranged an extra day for us.

It's good to have you all home but Doris said it was quiet here while you were MUSHing....um-m-m-m-m-m..... :rolleyes: :p :D <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" />

So good to hear we're all rolling in one by one. Karen, your flight sounds horrendous but so glad you're home now. I can relate to walking down the hall and not running into anyone we know! It was such a great week.

Things are on an upswing here....got the car back (long story) but it didn't cost us one penny. Just needed someone nice to tell us what to try, we did, and the car did!

Speaking of those who had trouble with airline changes (oh poor Olivia!) We couldn't have had any better luck than with Alaska Air. Got flight changed, able to keep our one way 1st class upgrade, and any change fee was waived. Thank you Alaska Air!

We now have Mr. Magoo home. He is such a sweetie but walking very wobbly! He was on a steroid IV and lots of meds. The X-rays came back negative so that is good news. We're hoping to nurse him back to health without surgery. If all this doesn't work, he must go to a specialist for MRI and have back surgery. Approximate cost quoted for all this is $5,000!! Keep your fingers crossed that it doesn't come to this! Otherwise bye bye GREECE cruise. When I was about 16 my Grandmother told me with my animal passion I should marry a Vet (I didn't listen). Thank you for all the get well wishes for him!!

This is a picture of Mr. Magoo (still has IV bandage on)

We made it home around 6p.m. sans most of our luggage. For those who booked Regent air, I'm sure that last day was a lot more pleasant than ours. WORST customer service EVER from USAirways. Don't ever get a paper ticket if you can avoid it (I couldn't). I made a big mistake this time not using Regent air!

It was such a fun cruise, and I can't wait until the pictures start rolling in!

Aw, what a cutie Mr. Magoo is! Please give him hugs from Alan and me. Hope he is doing much better very soon, Marcie.

Good news about your car, too.

Very good hearing that Alaska Airlines came through for you. We've had similar good luck with this carrier and their customer care.

I don't think Doris was following TUSH too closely. Otherwise, she never would have posted that it was quiet around here.

WE WAS BAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAD!!!!!! :banana: :app: :b: :pass: :woh:

Awww - poor Mr. Magoo - but good news about the hopeful prognosis!

I always think you should come in a day early for a cruise - but maybe there's wisdom in staying an extra day post? Less likely for problems to occur post, but most airlines are a pain.

Attention all you MUSHers - if you don't IMMERSE yourselves in the fun of TUSH, you've at least got to READ Anne's Daily TP!

Hi everyone. We made it home at 7 pm after flying since 1 am Alaska time. Can't wait to look at our pictures.

It was a great cruise with even greater people who made it very special. Tom.

Well we made it home finally too. After a fun morning with Mark and Karen, the 4 of us (one of the couples from my little group) and they dropped us and their luggage at the airport, you should have seen the 6 of us with my last count 11 bags plus small carryon's - the security guy at the airport was laughing his head off, said it reminded him of those old "how many people can you cram into a phone booth or VW days" Mark took the car back then we all just hung out waiting till we could check our luggage. Apparently you cannot check it before 4 hours prior to your flight, at least thats the rule in Anchorage. We all watched the Pittsburg game, then finally got to check in, had dinner. Saw Ken, Ngaire, Debbie and Russ - then Mark and Karen took off for their flight (Oh yeah we saw Marcie too, but early in the day) and we sat around and tried to entertain ourselves for the next 4 hours. Flight coming in was 1/2 hour late, so we did not even board until 12:15 this morning, a forever flight to Denver - I think I slept about 5-1/2 minutes, then a rush to catch our connection. Am so tired right now I can't function - we've been up since 6:30 Alaska time yesterday, which is 4 hours behind East Coast time. I have a raging headache, and am trying to stay up till some sort of a reasonable hour so as to get back on normal schedule.

OK, that said and done - it was one of the best weeks of our lives - and certainly one of the best cruises ever, in spite of having to stay onboard for an extra day!!! :D :D :pass: :pass: It was so much fun meeting everyone, which I think I said previously so won't do the roll call again - but we had a great time and can't wait to cruise again with those from this board.

Plan to start catching up on the TUSH'ers and all their antics tomorrow, when I can read, much less absorb everything. Right now I'm so blurry eyed I can hardly read what I am posting.

Jake, our kitty was very happy to see us and Shelby seemed to survive the spa with no issues.

Marcie - sure hope Mr. Magoo gets better soon, we've been there done that with the herniated disc thing, and managed to nurse our Pepper thru many years without surgery - but it was sad to see him slow down. Please keep us updated.

Andi - sure hope Maggie is doing better - again keep us all updated, as you know we are all animal lovers here. ( we ran into them with Kathy's group yesterday and Andi was saying that Maggie was having some blood problems - sorry if I spoke out of turn Andi)

Anyway you'all will get updated on everything else tomorrow when I can read again.

JoAnn, our morning with out luggage was straight out of a National Lampoon movie! We had a great time with post cruise group, too bad Mark was too afraid to drive in Anchorage, we could of spent less time at the airport, lol.

Joanna & Tony are home too! I had a message on our answering machine while I was out walking our "healthy" dog. They demolished a home behind them (tear down) and accidently cut all the wires to J & T's home too so they're without any phone or internet. She called from Tony's cell phone and I know it's killing her that she can't check in with LCT.

Wow! So glad to hear from all of you!

Marcie, happy you have Mr Magoo home; JoAnn, sorry no one told you about the aviation museum on the airport grounds - worth an hour or two; Joanna, being without phone/internet, MOST frustrating!

Karen, Marc, Tom G, Olivia, happy you made it to destination with/without frustration, - lots of rest necessary at this point! It's a tiring trip with time change; never mind all the MUSH partying!

Eager to hear all about it and PIX!!

Good hearing from you MUSHers who have just checked in.

I am feeling for Joanna, who is without phone or Internet service! Hopefully, help is on the way soon, Joanna!!

Marcie,
I hope all goes well with Mr. Magoo. It is amazing how attached you get to your pets. They are family.
Lynn

Welcome home Mushers! Sounds like you all deserve some much needed rest from your wonderful vacation!!!

Bert and I are glad all our new friends have made it home safe and sound. We are spending our last night in Denali-fall is here and all the leaves have changed color already. We toured the park today and saw 2 grizzlies, a golden eagle, an owl, a moose and 2 Regent passengers who decided to leave the tour early because they were too impatient to wait and see the animals-not LCT material.

We leave for Anchorage tomorrow for one last meal before we both go home to reality and a strict diet. I hope to post my pics soon as I get home to organize them. We had a ball and miss the group already.

Andi here as ChatKat with Kathy in Anchorage. We are still waiting to come home. Amanda and Masaki and Doug and I got sad news. Two of Amanda and Masaki's cats are ill and Maggie is again hospitalized. It will be a sad return.