Thank you Paul for your updates...I look forward to them. Merry Christmas to you!

Paul, I have really enjoyed your updates, and eagerly await new ones as you head for LA!

Paul we don't get on till 2/7 but it is fun to share your enthusiasm! Joanna

Thanks for the reports Paul, we all appreciate it. This way we can all experience a world cruise through Paul, Marcie and Betty as they will all be on board for the whole cruise. The thread could get long maybe start a new thread for each segment. This is going to be fun.

I agree, Ngaire! It is fun, and this way, all of us can cruise the world! I will try to contribute on Leg #2. Marcie, Paul, and Betty will have lots of sea days on Leg #1, but I am really interested in how they will do French Polynesia on a larger ship.

I just received this from Colleen. She's having trouble posting so I'm posting this for her.

Live from the RSSC Voyager 12-26-04

Christmas Eve we had dinner at Compass Rose and although there was plenty to select from, the chef’s choice was a version of British Christmas including goose, trifle, and a type of figgy pudding. As a matter of act, earlier in the day, they gave a goose cooking demonstration. Those that attended enjoyed it. Generally, we’ve been eating at La Veranda for lunch and fill up on salads of mixed greens and loads of vegetables. Oh I eat dessert and other things, but I’ve been good about these fresh salads since they are just so good. I might have 3 plates of that stuff.

Christmas day’s dinner at the Compass Rose was supposed to be a typical American holiday dinner. We all agreed with the turkey and stuffing and pumpkin pie but had serious doubts about the shrimp and one other item that escapes me know. As usual the food and the company were quite good. We are usually getting to dinner about 8 pm or a little later and like the last people seated. Guess this is the age group that eats early.



Go ahead and laugh but I have taken up needlepoint. I probably won’t finish my project on the ship but I’m finding it enjoyable. The needlepoint instructor is the social host named Jack. He learned to needlepoint approximately 3 days before I did. Jack has certain other talents. When he is not sailing on Radisson he is one of 11 certified Disney Prince Charmings. I bet you are really laughing now.



We took a tour of the locks and the former canal zone. The former canal zone is a very nice area of homes and condos, rather upscale. The locks are just fascinating. We heard about several canal swimmers (Jack Haliburton in 1928 paid a 36 cent toll), currently the most expensive fee is paid by a Princess ship, over $200,000. Watching the locks operate is so interesting. All gravity run, no pumps. When we sat in a lock and waited until it filled it was so smooth, you’d hardly know water was running in under the ship.



The Christmas Eve show was put on by the staff with some stories and songs from their native lands. The Russian dancer (actually the dance captain) was probably the most popular but Prince Charming has a nice voice. They were all quite good. Actually before dinner, the staff had a sing along Caroling session and when we asked for an encore they said “no” because they had to go wait on the dinner tables. So we even had singing waiters in a way.



The Christmas night show was a Broadway production. Songs and dances from West Side Story, South Pacific, Les Miz, Cats, and several others. The place was packed. Hardly a seat to be found (650 seat theater). Actually Christmas tea time was packed, too. We really had to work to find several seats together. Still no luck with the trivia. At least we consistently come in second place.



Gosh I hate to be so picky but I will comment on the shelf in the shower to put the bottles of shampoo, etc. It is not a very stable place for 4 oz bottles. I keep knocking them over so I just put all the bottles on the floor but the room stewards keep trying to use the shelf and the bottles are precariously balanced there as I type. The products provided are 4 oz bottles of Aveda shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion.



We’ve been playing trivia with a lovely couple from Virginia. He uses a walker but both are still very sharp. Found out today he is eligible to be in the Guinness Book of World Records for being the oldest lung transplant recipient who has survived (one year so far). Guess when I get nosey, I’ll ask just how old he is. They get off in LA or I’d tell you’ll to look out for them. I’ll also try to get a full name so we can look him up in the Guinness Book when they get all the paper work filed.



Today they have an open bridge for the afternoon. I think I really should have been an engineer because I found that every bit as interesting as the canal locks. Interesting to note that they have the lifeboat crew list posted. In the event of an emergency, the tour director, 3 assistant tour directors and the head sommelier will be in my lifeboat. Wonder what that means?



As this is the 7th day of our trip and I feel that my vacation is just getting started, I can safely conclude that a one weeks vacation will never be enough for me ever again.

Colleen, loved your post! You provide a lot of detail via Marcie, and we love it!

Yes, Colleen, we love to hear from the ship and the mroe details the better !!! Keep up the good work but more importantly, enjoy your cruise!

Thanks for the posts Colleen so glad you have had a good time. My daughter LOVES needlepoint and has made the most wonderful Christmas stockings. It is actually a skill that I think is coming back into vogue - so needlepoint away.

I never tie of reading posts from on board the ships it is like being there.

I'm enjoying your reports, Colleen! I hope you continue to enjoy your cruise and look forward to your next report.

Glad you are having such a good time, Colleen. Keep the reports coming!

Colleen, wonderful posts...thanks for sharing..r/wes

Sorry, but I just couldn't let this thread go much longer without asking this question.

Paul, are you or aony other guests on the Voyager noticing any vibration in the Horizon (stern) suites or on the dining dick just above?

Thanks,
Richard :) :) :)

Hi all!

I'm also on the Voyager now but only from FLA to Cabo as we have our three school-aged kids with us and they are dragging us back for school!!

We are in rooms 755 and 757 and do not feel any vibration. Hope that helps...

Costa Rica is beautifully sunny and humid today (in case you were wondering!!)

happy New Year all,
Susannah

Thanks Susannah for responding - not sure where those cabins are but Richard will know - Joanna

Susannah, glad you posted your 2nd post! Hope we will hear more from you when you return!

Joanna, Susannah's cabins are toward the back of mid ship, just inside the DMZ in front of the laundry rooms that apparently are vibration free according to Richard's assessment. Glad to hear a good vibration-free report. Can't wait to see how I fare in suite 900 all the way forward as I cruise the Tasman sea. I am expecting more movement than I am used to, if not vibration!

I know this was 5 months ago, but I had # 816 & had no problems. And BTW - I have yet to see the inside of a ship's laundry room. My next trip is on the Diamond, so my record will remain in tack. The problem is, my Diamond trips seem to always go longer than 7 days, and I long for a laundry room and/or iron.
Susannah, please keep posting. Did your kids love the Canal?

deleted. posted in wrong place

Hello All: At Sea today on our way to Guatimala. (sp) Finally met Irving and Maria Shapiro. Also had Susannah itentify herself to me. New flash. Free drinks for World Cruise passengers is on again. So as of yesterday, no more $8.50 grey gooses. We picked up about 75 passengers in Costa Rica yesterday. Don't know how many got off. Ate at Signatures again last night. It was superb. They had a few empty seats. More later.
PAUL

Karen, no wonder Maria didn't need our help with packing. I didn't realize she & Irv were already on board.

HAPPY NEW YEAR from the Voyager in the harbor in Acapulco. 90 F here today. We are docked next to the Silver Shasow and the Crystal Serenity is in the Harbor. We sail at 11:00 PM and will be in the Harbor the the Acapulco Fire Works at Midnight. Looking forward to picking up the rest of the World Cruisers in LA in 5 days. YEAH MARCIE.

How fun Paul!! I remember reading about that and thinking how exciting and fun it would be to watch the fireworks in Acapulco. ...jealous of the 90 degree weather. All we've had in LA is rain, rain and more rain!
Happy New Years!!

Happy New Year Paul!!! (And here's to free Grey Goose's!)

What fun, Paul, and a Happy New Year to you! I love fireworks from the water.

Have a wonderful time, Paul! Happy New Year to you!

Paul & Colleen

It all sounds wonderful. Wish I were there, but i love being with my family so I will just dream along with you tomorrow. i don't think that makes any sense. Oh well, Happy New Year to all on the Voyager.

Sounds like the perfect way to celebrate the new year. Celebrate for all of us at home! Happy New Year!

Just a short update, we toasted the New Year in, up on the pool deck with lots of dancing, desserts, champagne, and fireworks, even a Pinata. A wonderful evening.

Colleen,

Sounds wonderful. What a great way to bring in the new year. Enjoy!!!!

Betty

Happy New Year to both Paul and Colleen!!

Masaki

Sounds like a perfect New Years Eve! Happy to all!

Paul and Colleen,
It sounds like you are having a great time. Father Jerry is on board, he is the minister for the WC 2005! We cruised with him last year on the Marnier at Christmas and he is great guy. If you see him, please let him know that Vernon,Barb,Carole and Jan are saying "hi" from Maryland. We ate dinner with him 7 out of 9 nights!! He is from Ft. Lauderale. Super nice guy.
Jan

Jan, I'm heading to Mass right now. I'll mention you to Fr. I've been serving as EM and Ted was a lector for Christmas.

Hey All. Well the satelite is back up after reception problems off of Cabo San Lucas yesterday. Today is the last sea day before San Diego and the passenger and crew are getting ready for the end of the Holiday Cruise. 60 World Cruise passengers are on board. Jamie and Dana are here and will be hosting a cocktail party for us at noon today. Tomorrow, in San Diego we will be taken by limosine to LA for the WC party. Marice, ARE YOU READY? It will be sad to see Colleen and Ted go home. They are true LCT buddies. Tonight is Formal and the Captains farewell party. He is getting off in LA. I am looking forward to meeting Captain Dak.
So, as the Holidays wind down, I would like to wish you all a healthy and happy new year one more time. Happy Sailing! PAUL

Paul, thanks for all you super posts...and
Fair Winds and Following seas as you start the
World Cruise...r/wes

Keep up the interesting posts so we can live vicariously through you!! That goes for all of you World Cruisers.

Andi

Back home with many wonderful memories. My three girls had a wonderful time. We all woke early and sat in the front of the Observation lounge, drinking cappucino and eating pastries as the locks filled and lifted our ship forward through Canal.

Other glimpses of special memories...
Santa emerging from the 12th deck, down the stairs past the pool with gifts for everyone of the 65 kids on board...
Watching fellow passengers on video on CHannel 4 singing songs that included the "word-of-the-day"..
Playing bingo in the Horizon lounge...
Arriving back to our suite after a long day on an excursion and having cavier and jumbo shrimp on the veranda...
Watching the kids jump the waves in the pool on "at sea" days...
Playing Rummicube at the game tables on Deck 5...
Watching a great magician, Nick Lewin, leave the audience either in laughter at his jokes or in amazement at his tricks...
Hearing Glenn, the CD, relaying all of the evening options at 10:45pm with her "And if you don't like that choice, make another one!"...
Being greeted by Dennis every morning in La Veranda with toasted bagels for the girls...

I could go on and on. It really was lovely.
Happy New Year all,
Susannah

Hi Susannah,

So good hearing of your wonderful cruise experience. RSSC cruises are very special!

Paul (and Colleen) you have both been so great about posting! Thank you!

Paul, I'll be meeting you in several hours! Colleen, I'm so sorry you can't stow away with us! Next time we need to coordinate better!! Thank you for leaving me the door signs for everyone! (HUGE thanks to John for making them!)