Went to the future cruise presentation. High points were: onboard booking is still on offer; they've added an option of an open deposit $1Kpp to be able to apply an onboard booking to a cruise booked within the next 2 years. I have to find out about the full details on that option.

Talked about new ship possibilities; said past 3 years have been best for Regent; has been sailing at near 100% capacity for that time frame. There's a deadline for ordering the new ship (whether Regent or Oceania) or penalties are due to the ship yard. Apollo Management still owns Prestige Cruise Lines, and Regent rolls up under that corporate entity within the Apollo portfolio of companies. Will there be an IPO of Prestige? Who knows but why rule out the possibility until you need to rule it out? At present RSSC is sticking to pretty much the same general areas for their 2013 and 2014 schedule (rest of it expected around Mid-March). There's discussion of whether to create reciprocity of nights on Oceania and nights on RSSC for their loyalty program but no decision as of now. Editorial and self-serving comment: I hope they don't. We have 600 repeat Regent passengers on this segment and it will serve to dilute the value if you are loyal to one or the other of the cruise lines.
Did not win the drawing for the $250 ship credit.

I have always wanted to visit Cape York peninsula, and I am scratching that itch. it's remote, wild and the water is oh so beautiful today. Lots of amazing flora and fauna you don't find elsewhere.

Lee, I was in Sydney in 2009 just long enough to go to airport & then enjoy tennis in Melbourne. My recollection is the weather was near perfect on that trip. Melbourne and Sydney were both very civilised weather-wise on this trip. The rest of the trip so far has been challenging, either from the storm or simply the normal weather pattern. Funny .. one of the cruise passengers asked a shop keeper if it was their high season for tourism. She just looked at hiim and said "it's July and August, sir, which is our winter time" You do get the sense the locals are also putting their heads down and toughing it out during this part of the season.

Country fair starting in 5 minutes this afternoon before trivia and bingo rematch. Another busy day at sea.

Cheers, Anne