Both Pat and Denise have done a great job of summarizing much of CROSS -- in addition to those who posted seamail during the cruise -- so perhaps there is not much to be added. Still, because we found so many good aspects to this cruise, I wanted to jump in with some of my personal impressions too.

Never have I been more happy to see a ship than to see the Voyager in Barcelona. As some of you may have read from my seamail, our overseas flight had a mechanical problem that caused us to miss our connection to Nice, so we flew directly to Barcelona and joined the ship there on the second day. We went straight to reception and checked in, then on to the cabin -- iced champagne waiting (and which we never got around to drinking) -- and on to our first tour. Our check-in was competent but not particularly warm -- although the receptionist did say that our friends had been checking on us repeatedly, so it was personalized in that way -- which made it interesting to hear your take, Pat, on check-in on embarkation day. In later dealings with reception, such as for money exchange and questions, both John and I had a couple of very good and a couple of so-so experiences, depending on who was at the desk.

Our cabin (726) was lovely and well-located for us near the forward elevators. I had a little concern over whether I would be bothered by the lifeboat directly below, but it was absolutely a non-issue. I would book in that location again in a nanosecond. We hadn't been on the Voyager in more than two years, and the bedding has changed in that time, I believe, and I really like the look and feel of the linens. Very classy. And I must say that is one of the most comfortable beds I ever have slept in. I'm almost thinking we need a new mattress at home now!

Before this trip, I had mixed feelings about the Voyager. We are part of that cadre of Song of Flower devotees, with our introduction to cruising being the warmth and friendliness of the crew of that ship. With that pedestal unable to be toppled since it exists only in our memories, we came away from our first two cruises on the Voyager feeling less like "guests" and more like simple paying passengers (which, of course, is exactly what we are, but the illusion of the former is wonderful). For that reason, our experience on CROSS delighted. With only minor and rare exceptions, the crew members were friendly and welcoming, with almost always a smile and comment in the hallway whether you knew that crew member or not and big greetings from several who remembered us from prior cruises. It approached the feelings of our prior cruises on the SoF and even the Navigator.

I agree 100% with Pat's comments about Capt. Knut. He greeted us warmly on our first evening and was involved and friendly with everyone each and every time we saw him around the ship. A real pleasure. The same for Terry Kushner, the social director, which whom we have cruised several times and find to be a particularly warm and special person. It was great to see Patrick when we entered the Compass Rose the first week, and also a couple of the drink servers around the ship. Same for Lorraine, the cruise director.

Meals in the Compass Rose were exceptional, we thought, better than our previous cruises. As Denise stated, only the last night's meal disappointed, and perhaps that reflected the difficulties of provisioning a ship for an eight-day crossing plus an off description or two in the menu. No matter, by that time we had eaten ourselves silly. We still had a wonderful final dinner with friends and a great serving team.

Our first week's dinner in Latitudes was one of our favorites of the cruise, with fantastic service, but the menu change for the second week left me flat, definitely a disappointment. We had one evening meal in La Verandah during the first week, which was a Spanish theme, and the meal was good but not equal to the CR. My only dining regret is that we never made it back to La Verandah for an Italian dinner during the second week; we heard from several people that it was delicious. Lunches on the pool deck or in La Verandah were consistently excellent, with lots of variety -- grilled seafood one day, international grill another, paella while in Spain, and on and on. One day we felt like a quieter time and had lunch in the CR, which was okay but nothing memorable. John probably ordered best there with the "simplicity" menu hamburger.

I'm rambling on and may add more later but need to stop for now, but not without one additional comment. The LCTers we met on this cruise were absolutely delightful, to a person. Whether dining or partying or at teatime or trivia, we had fun together but felt free to do our own things separately also. No pressure, just a totally great time all around. The good memories will stay with us a long time.

Great contributions to the dialogue, Pricilla. I "amen" everything you said. I'm thinking the same thing about our bed here at home. It was wonderful to meet you two. We were fortunate in that our final meal was the cooking class celebration in Signatures featuring a special menu created by the seasick chef who taught those classes. It was sensational. Can you imagine how tough it must have been for that poor chap to have to teach three classes and do one presentation while his tummy was bouncing around and around and around? Pat

Those beds, I was told are Sealy Posturepedic Twin mattresses. I echo all the scentiments. It was a terrific cruise, spent with good friends and some well deserved rest as well. As for that final meal, it was the best and Benoit was an excellent teacher. I'm now stuck making Chocolate Lava Cakes for my annual holiday bash, because I raved about them to a few of my friends...(lol)and Capt. Knut is my favorite Regent Captain.

Thanks for the information about the beds, Kathy. I was wishing I had asked. Honestly, that bed was heavenly.

Ah, your last meal sounds marvelous, Kathy and Pat. A grand reward for your newfound cooking knowledge. Wish I could stop by for a chocolate lava cake!

Pat, we so enjoyed meeting you and Fred too, after years of reading your posts online. I hope our cruise paths will cross again before long -- and I say that sincerely.

Well I haven't done a review, but the ones above pretty much echo our sentiments. We just plain loved every single moment!! We only did Lattitudes once and it definitely did not live up to past experiences there. We did Signatures twice and as far as we are concerned it was great. We loved every meal in CR - and I have to say that our last night meal was perfection!! Bob/Maria and I ordered filet of sole and Frank ordered a Rib Eye and we were not disappointed!

We enjoyed every LCT'er onboard, had a great time at trivia,had such fun dinners with everyone, not to mention lunches and a few breakfasts, thought every staff person we met was terrific and would do this again in a heartbeat. I wondered about 8 days at sea, but they went by so fast I couldn't belive it.

As for excursions, I missed Valencia since I was sick, Frank said it was fine. We loved the ship excursion we did in Lanzarote - the Camel ride was hysterical, made even more so by the fact that Denise and Alan were on the Camel right behind us - and she and I laughed so hard thru the whole thing.

Our private tours were perfection, not one thing went wrong, and they were wonderful. Our days on our own were the same.

We loved our two nights in Provence at the Four Seasons, that is one wonderful hotel. We rented a car for one day and drove all the little hillside villages we could see from the hotel, and I would do that again in one nanosecond. We even drove back to one village for dinner on Friday night, and it was fabulous. I think this place had maybe 12 tables and it was packed. Our driver from Nice to hotel, and hotel to ship was wonderful and we loved EZE. So the only negative thing I can think of ---- was getting off. Didn't want to do it!!! They pulled me off that ship kicking and screaming all the way. <img src="http://smileys.sm...3Fi%253D4%252F4_11_1/image.gif">

We had invited two of the lead singers from the shows for dinner one night, as we had met them in Observation every evening, and on the spur of the moment, Fred, Pat, Bob and Maria joined us and it was fun evening.

We don't generally do a lot of shows, so I can only say that "Oh What A Night" was really terrific.

Our room stewardess was fantastic, our butler was wonderful and did such a great job on the welcome aboard party we had for Tom and Sue. Our bed was also wonderful and I don't think I have slept as well for a very long time. Agree with everyone, time for a new mattress, maybe some wonderful new linens and someone to turn the bed down at night and leave that wonderful treat.

So in short - this was one of the top two cruises we have ever taken, with some of the most wonderful people we have ever cruised with, on one of our favorite ships, with wonderful ports!

Guess that says it all.

Thanks Priscilla and JoAnn,

I can't add too much to what you said,as you both said it prefectly.

Regarding the beds.....could it be that mine were never changed to the newer ones ? I never found them particularly comfortable ( that's only me. Bob slept like a log, but he always does! :) )

I'm looking forward to those new beds! If they are anything like the ones on Navigator now, I will be in heaven. I love sleeping with the rocking of the waves, in fact I would pay to have my room at home rock like that sometimes!

Wendy,

Move to California and they can rock when you'd least expect it. Anyone who has experienced a 3.0 or greater Earthquake can tell you that is what the ship motion can be like.

Love reading your post-cruise thoughts, CROSS'ers! Thanks so much. Glad you enjoyed it, and wish we would've been with you!