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.