I talked last evening with some World Cruise friends who just returned home after thoroughly enjoying Capt. Knut's homecoming cruise.

They did remark that Voyager seems somewhat "tired," without being very specific. Has anyone heard any specifics on what is planned for its pre-2009 World Cruise dry dock in December?

They will be building the new coffee area (similar to the Mariner). According to the announcements made by Regent execs. on our May cruise, lots of great things are planned during the upcoming dry dock of both the Voyager and Mariner. They were keeping most of it secret:-)

Travelcat, do you know the "secret" where this "coffee area" is going to be? Are they transforming the area where it is now next to the reception in the corner? Or closing down part of one of the two computer areas?

It is really a special area on Mariner, as it is right along the promendade where people are always passing.

I think it's going to be over where the computer room and gift shop is. They'll need to move the gift shop probably.

Larry, I really hate to say this, as I respect your opinion so much. But I think WC people (that you might have heard from) tend to be a lot more critical of what is "tired"! I'm sorry, just doesn't bother me when I get on a ship and see a little wear, so long as it is clean, and ship-shape!

People who have been on a WC, again and again, have an "eye" that people like me do not, because we are looking OUT of the ship! I do not count you and Karen as those critics!

However, I will look forward to hearing any other updates to the Voyager coming up during the drydock!

I was told on B2B that it would be in the same area that the current machine is located. I don't know how they will do it and not affect access to the theater but that is what I was told.

Marc, when we were on the last seg of 07 WC in April this is the area where they were measuring. There were quite a few on board people discussing, measuring etc. I thought the same thing as you about access into the theater. I later heard it would not be there but over by the gift shop....who knows ?????? You have more up to date info than I do.

I talked to men from the company suggesting the changes for the coffee corner and they told me it is in the computer area with the computer area being reduced in size and the coffee corner extending across the corridor into the gift shop area.

Ardis

Ardis, I sure hope you are right; a much better location. Still, Voyager can never match the
Garden Promenade on the Mariner.

OH, YES, my favorite ship for so many reasons.

Ardis

The only thing they told us was that it would reduce the size of the computer area. We did love the "Garden Promenade" on the Mariner -- except when it became overcrowded. There was Stars (empty and smelly) and everyone was crowding into the coffee/computer area. The Mariner is a lovely ship -- still, our favorite is the Voyager:-)

I'm a fan for moving it if they keep the seating they have where the existing one is as somewhere to sit and visit. I don't like coffee at all, and this is about the only place to sit and visit in this area. The coffee drinkers camp there, and those that are just chatters have no seats! It seems like a silly complaint, but I would meet people to go to the theatre or other places and have to stand.

Debbie, there is other things to drink at the coffee bar besides coffee. Juices, tea, cocoa, etc.

I tried it once, but the tea water had coffee taste like a poorly done restaurant, and they just were not set up too well. I know I am being critical, but I just wanted somewhere to sit and never could ever sit there even if I did want tea. They obviously know thing thing needs work. It certainly wasn't enough not to make me love the ship, but I did think this was a weak area. I remember meeting a lady there (on purpose) as we planned to talk to the tour desk about her going with a cane and needing extra assistance, seat in the front, etc. It was during the boullion timeframe at the coffee bar. She was British and was into trying the boullion with the sherry and scallions like she was used to doing.

I've made myself a cup of tea in that little corner lots of times, just hot water and a tea bag as I recall, no little pots. But I can't imagine why the hot water tasted like coffee. Perhaps it was an anomaly, someone who didn't clean the machine properly.

I'm all for moving it, although the early-morning crew will want their comfy chairs and CNN on the tely for sure.

Debbie: Are you talking about the the "Grand Concourse" on the Mariner?? OMG plenty of seats regardless of what you are drinking OR not drinking- bad coffee, iced tea, Irish coffee, etc -