Thanks for the blog complements, Ardis. I still keep it up, two more entires for Norway and then I can catch up Solvang, Santa Fe and Kauai. Right now the site is having technical difficulties. I'm holding my breath that it comes back online. Although I have the text, I have never copied out any of the pages with the photos. I would hate to lose all that work! I had over 1800 views in July which is good for an unpublicized blog.

Isn't the cruise director thing just odd....we met a couple on post Fjords at the Marriott, we had seen them a few times during the cruise. She thought Jamie and his most wonderful wife (sorry I've forgotten her name, this stuff always leaves me), that THEY just pampered the world cruisers and ignored everyone else. Boy, I just didn't get that at all..........some may recall I injured my foot (OK Joanna wink wink), a small trip and fall, she could not have been more kind. When they told us that at breakfast at the CPH Marriott, we both just looked at them like they were nuts. Jamies darling wife (I am so sorry for the mental block here) was just so great, she had her mom along and I could not imagine anyone being nicer. But these people just despised them, and were writing Regent about it. I guess it truly is different strokes!

OK, just snapped into this work infused brain. DANA. She is just wonderful isn't she???? She brought me ice for my foot! (I already had ice in my drink..........of course)

Dana is terrific and so is Jamie. Just goes to show you can't please everyone.

I think I speak for both Doug and me when I say that we have never had a cruise director we haven't liked. As others have said, each CD has had a different personality and strengths, but they are equally good.

We feel a special fondness towards John and Lynsay since we remember them from our first cruise when he was a singer and she, a dancer. They became engaged on that cruise. It was so cute.

I know that they often read this board and I would like to thank them for working so hard to make our cruises so wonderful.

Yes they are.....no pleasing??? Just life - my only negative on WC segments?? Some WC People!!! complaining about trivial things - I remember thinking how lucky you are to have never had a serious/sadness in life ..NOT the CD, the coffee, the late arrival of ship, the forgetting of your name, you almost want to say GET A LIFE!!!

I agree that the World Cruise can be something special...it was for us!

I also agree that if I was to do only a segment, it probably wouldn't be the last. For by that time the World Cruisers are trying to wrap up final dinners and activities with many of the friends they have made over the past 100+ days...and may not be as gregarious toward newcomers as we found almost everyone to be at the beginning of the trip.

I have to agree, Jamie and Dana are two of the most solid people one could ever hope to meet. They are caring and sincere...and know what's important in life.

WOW, you have blown me away with your responses. If the folks on this board represent the people on the WC, it must be a special experience. Thank so much!

TA is looking into the cruise.

Seadays

Don't discount other Grand Cruises. I've 1 full WC, 1 full Grand Asia and 3 full South Americas and they all offer special events you won't find on short cruises and the full cruisers develop a community. It's hard to say any one of them is better than the others - they're all different itineraries and experiences. I'm looking forward to the new Grand Cruise on the Navigator in 2008 as well. Seadays, if the WC is full, look into the Grand Asia; last year they only had about 48 guests doing the full cruise so special events were more varied and intimate.

Look for Paul Reynolds to be a great CD. He comes from a London entertainment background and was recruited by Barry initially. He's also been ACD under Jamie and I think he is now working with John. He's a talented piano player and very personable.
Jim

Yes, yes, yes! Grand Asia is wonderful. AND because there are fewer full circle people, the special events are able to be unique. When a ship must give special events to 350 people it is exceptionally difficult. When there are about fifty, more events can be planned. For example, the truck stop dinner was done for both trips. But eating in the galley with a table for five or six was unique. We were with Captain Guillou, Chef Tobias and our best friends. We could watch everything going on and also visit with our favorite people. This type of thing just is not possible when you have 350 people to take care of. On the WC it was considered special when we were taken to a historic hotel and given canapes and drinks. This was more exciting to segment people but not necessarily the full WCers. I also love Asia and the itinerary it offered,.

Ardis

This is so true! Loved the special events when there are fewer full passengers to accommodate. Then you really do feel special!! We'd love to do the full Grand Asia Pacific cruise!

In 2008 we can only be on the last segment of the WC and as others have said, this is when the full WCers are winding down and really not the best time to join in. We'll know lots of friends on board (hopefully no more cancel) so we're still hoping for a fun reunion. I've heard from a small minority of segmenters how sometimes the full WCers "shun" the segment guests. I NEVER saw this, in fact we have always tried to make sure segmenters feel welcome.

I guess we'll find out first hand.

We made great friends that we stil see from both segments we took. We hope to be sailing with one couple this year if we get a suite.

Hopefully we'll cruise with you too one of these days Doris!

Thanks Marcie, we feel the same way about you :)