Capt. Dag is leaving the Voyager World Cruise in Cape Town. What a bummer.

This information started as a rumor about 10 days ago and has been confirmed in individual conversations with various officers and staff. I had hoped (and advised so) that there would be some public confirmation, but as of yet there has not been.

The reason given in those private conversations is simply that Capt. Dag’s current contract is up. However, the situation has not been well received by a large number of the passengers. It was fully expected by many that he would be our captain for the entire four-month voyage. And in my conversations that view was also held by of some of the senior crew.

I believe Regent has a PR problem brewing. President Mark Conroy is scheduled to get on the ship in Mombasa, Kenya. I expect he will be getting an earful from disappointed (angry) passengers.

Personally, I think it is an unwise move by RSSC or Prestige/Apollo and is one that could have been avoided through better crew management (scheduling) or advance communications.

I am sure there will be more to report on this situation on my blog in the days ahead.

In the meantime, Capt. Dag pulled off one of his trademark "surprises and delights" with a "sundowner" out on the bow last evening (Palm Sunday) to enjoy a beautiful sunset in the Indian Ocean. Now that is cruising!

And that is why we will be so sad to see him leave us.

Larry, please keep us updated if you can, I am curious as to how this will play out.
Captain Dag was the captain of my first cruise on the Song of Flower, way back when it was still called Seven Seas Cruise line.

We certainly shall miss Captain Dag when he leaves, but the cruise has been wonderful. We have had beautiful and calm days at sea with outstanding food and service. Couldn't ask for better then this.

My concern is this....If his contract is up and he is leaving the ship, does that mean that Regent is not planning to renew it? If they don't, there certainly will be a mutiny.
Lynn

I do not ever remember a Captain leaving during a WC. If my memory serves me correct from doing 2 full world cruises as well as going on the last segments only...Capt. Dag was always on until the end and would begin his vacation the day the WC ended.

The Capt. who would be replacing Capt. Dag for the crossing would come on board several days earlier but the actual "changing of the Captains" didn't happen until the LAST day. ??

I'll be anxious to hear from Elaine, Peggy, Larry and others as to Regent's/Prestige reasoning behind this when they attend what will likely be a lively Townhall meeting with Mark Conroy.

Thanks for reporting in all who are currently onboard! We really appreciate it.

This is sad news as I really like this man and what he has done for me personally. This cruise would of ended in HK if he wasn't on his toes. While Captains get all the PR this fine man knows how to drive. Honestly I don't get the politics sometimes.

Do you think the "near miss" outside of Hong Kong had anything to do with it?

ABSOLUTELY NOT!

This is a company policy and has apparently been in place for a couple of years.

There was a pilot on board when we sailed out of HK harbor.

I've heard 3 different stories on why this is happening. All I got to say is the new Captain better have good people skills. Maybe I should film the town hall meeting with Conroy. That ought to be good.

Warren, I wish I could be a fly on the wall.
Lynn

My guess is nothing is going to happen until Conroy gets here. We will all keep you updated.