For those who might be interested and who are taking the extended tour from Luxor-Abu Simbal-Cairo-Port Said, Ngaire found out after much searching with RSSC reps that we'll be staying at the Four Seasons Nile Plaza in Cairo. It took quite a bit of time to determine whether we were staying at the Nile Plaza, or the First Residence. Both are up to Four Seasons standards. One is on one side of the Nile and the other is on the other side.

Joanna, thanks for your people updates! It's like we're there too. We're all happy that you and Marcie have computers in your room!

we ate with Paul and Hans and M and T last night - then we all "special" ordered our dinners for Sat night - Marcie and Paul having Mexican food, Hans and I Weiner Schnitzel and I forget what the others are haivng - poor chef - we stopped in lounge, it was early, and I went to bed. Marcie just called and said it was one of the best nights and she was out till 1 am - she took pixs!! we leave at 1 pm for train ride through rainforest and some walking around in Cairns - eating in Latitudes tonight as they have changed the menu which never appealed to us before - again, it is very very hot today - it is 8:20 and we'll head up to LaVeranda for a bite around 9 am - still just rumors about the person that was ill yesterday so don't know exactly what happened - Marcie said there were alot of young people in the VL last night - of course young on this cruise is 50!! Marcie knows everyone - makes it easy for me I just say "I am Marcie's friend" - more later

I'm piggybacking on this thread, rather than starting a different subject. We found it interesting that our docs came in a box this time. Don't know if it's unique to the WC, but it's much different. Didn't get the usual large book with the itinerary, info, excursion descriptions, etc. Instead, the itinerary/excursion books are much smaller separate books(like the ones you get for PG) for each two legs; ie 4&5, 6&7. Very nicely done. Also got a black doc jacket and black luggage tags instead of tan. A couple of things in the docs were a bit confusing, but our lovely Ngaire got them clarified quickly thru RSSC.

Doug, I ended up liking those smaller excursion books, which are more like the ones Silverseas does. You can hop in a cab with that little thing and cover what the ship's tours do, like Joanna and I did last March with taxi's on the Silversea Shadow with my little book in hand. However, I think Marcie pointed out earlier there is a lot missing that used to be in the bigger book that has a lot more information on the ports. I also can't remember what the doc jackets looked like for my cruise, but I think it was black as well. They are just too big, and I always throw them away and transfer stuff to that worn leather thing I bought at an airport in Italy years ago that is smaller, and fits in my purse.

Ah...

Captain Dag is slowing reeling them in. One by one he is snagging the key players from the Song! The latest is Patrick Lescoute!

Love all the tasty "news" tidbits!

YEAH - Patrick is on the Voyager, about time!!! Hope he is there in August when we do the Baltic we love sailing with him. I wonder if Arnold is there also wouldnt that be grand.

Suzanne - I was wondering when you'd show up with that piece of news! :D

Masaki

What happened to Douglas McKenzie? Are he and Lescourte alternating? Was a bit sorry to hear that Dana Logan is not aboard with Jamie. She and Lynn really get along well together.

Doug, Dana Logan is aboard as ship's hostess. Sorry, I forgot to name her before.

I can't tell you how much I am enjoying all these reports! The other pax sound so fascinating -- I can just imagine all the interesting stories and drama that must go on in an environment such as this.

And I'm especially enjoying hearing about life onboard Voyager, given that I will be spending 12 days of my own life on her in less than three months!

Fantastic news about Dana being aboard; Lynn will be delighted! A fantastic day today overall! Our son arrived this morning while I was at the hospital. I now have a really neat wireless mouse and the router has been hooked up, so Lynn can go wireless on her new Dell laptop. She also has her new version of Bridge Baron installed. While son and I were installing things and moving furniture the doc from Mayo Clinic called to tell me the heart is just fine with no signs of blockage. That's real service, since I only completed the MIBI tests yesterday. The left hand is another matter, however. Thought they were just going to be able to cut the cyst out this morning, but the hand surgeon said my wrist is a complete mess and they'll have to do reconstructive surgery to hold the small bones together when they remove the cyst after our cruise end in April. All he can do before we leave for the cruise is inject the cyst to reduce the swelling. Said the right hand would have to be done eventually as well. Not what I wanted to hear. War is hell! The good things definitely outweighed the bad today though. Thanks for all the cruise updates and for answering all the questions.

Good morning! Dana and her husband are terrific but then the whole staff are so nice!! We took an afternoon excursion yesterday but, again, it was so hot 97 and the train ride was not air conditioned (Kuranda Scenic Railway)so we were tired when we returned at 5:30 (left at 1:15) so now 2 sea days YEAH!! We ate in Latitudes last night - they have a fun program this week - very relaxed with pop music in the background and the kids entertaining us while serving - lobster last night it was very good. Marcie was having problems with her computer so sure you'll hear from her soon. We "special" ordered our meal for tonight so that should be fun - fill you in on what we had tomorrow. We are crusing the Coral Sea and it is a beautiful day but HOT!! I guess we missed the "best" night in the VL night before last - many of the kids in the shows came in and good time was had by all. White Sambuca back onboard - one of the bartenders looks like Antonio Banderas - I greet him with "Hi just call me Melanie" - he was so excited to tell us he had our Sambuca - so today laundry, going to a computer class and slot tournament this afternoon - we are just beginning day 6 - time is flying and I was worried about 34 days - piece of cake! As I have mentioned, people so so friendly and just enjoying meeting new people from all over but it seems that Calif and Fla are well represented on this segment. More later -

Antonio Banderas? Mamma mia! Will he be on board when I'm on Voyager in May? Please tell me his name, I'll be sure to order some white Sambuca from him. ;)

Doug, so glad to hear you got good news from the doctor, and I wish you the best with your upcoming hand surgeries. :(

Keep it up Joanna - we too are thinking the first time we should try 30 days or so and work gradually up from there - so I'll be interested to see what you think after 34 days.

Great to read your reports, Joanna. 38 ball gowns!!!! I can't even imagine. And your greeting to "Antonio" -- what a hoot! Ah, the WC sounds wonderful.

Joanna,

Love reading your updates - it's like reading a novel! Really funny! Glad you are enjoying your WC cruise segments.