Well, today is our last sea day and likely my last post from the Voyager. Unfortunately, all good things must come to and end and this fabulous cruise is no exception.

The past few days have been filled with lots of parties and activities. Last night there was a special end of cruise party in the constellation theater for all the full World Cruisers. They had various songs (some more like skits) by crew and the professional entertainers on board. They read passages turned in by passengers (Jamie had sent a request to the passengers asking for some of the most memorable experiences during the past 3 ½ months). Many of these were hilarious, some were almost tear jerkers and ALL brought back such fond memories. They also had a video (all done in fast motion) that was so cute entitled something like “A Day in the life of a Voyager Passenger”. It included many of the guests doing funny things like running back and forth pushing elevator buttons (they’re not synchronized to all light up if just one is pushed), guests playing charades, trivia, bingo, pool volleyball, just lots of funny everyday scenes around the Voyager. Everyone loved it. There was also a video of all the “out takes” from Jamie’s daily TV passages program where he announces the day’s events and interviews the guest lecturers, entertainment…what a hoot! Anyway, the party went for a couple of hours but like this entire cruise, we felt we could have stayed longer craving more.

Today was the White Elephant sale with all the money raised going to the crew fund (a VERY good cause). Passengers were asked to donate items they purchased along the way but were less enthralled with them now, items they no longer needed or wanted, whatever! Some of the items were so funny! A pair of man’s pajamas, slippers still in the package from our first night at the St. Regis hotel, a table top Christmas tree (I have a feeling that was Paul’s), trashy junky souvenirs, Egyptian head dresses….you name it! Eventually they got to some nice things donated by Radisson and Capt. Dag that went for bigger bucks like breakfast tomorrow at the Officer’s table in La Veranda, the aft Radisson Seven Seas Flag that has been on our ship during this entire cruise (what a keep sake), even commemorative Seven Seas china plates. I believe the item auctioned off for the highest price was Capt. Dag’s casual white shirt with the stripes on the shoulders with his name tag still in place. I think that went for $350. Anyway, it was a lot of fun and the $$ sure goes to a GREAT CAUSE. Jamie is fantastic at MC'ing this type of thing with his quick wit and sense of humor!

Tonight is formal night(wish they hadn't done that so close to disembarking). We’re having dinner with Lars (Hotel Director), Paul and Hans. This will be a great time with some of the nicest people. Tomorrow night at 6:30 many of us are meeting in the Voyager Lounge for what is sure to turn into a “crying” party. We are eating dinner with 2 other couples that we met the first night at the St. Regis and have remained a close 4some ever since. I’m in the process of trying to work out something fun for tomorrow’s farewell dinner….a progressive dinner. There will be about 4 tables of our closest friends onboard. After each course, each couple will change tables and go to a nearby table for the next course. This way by the end of the evening we will all have been able to spend time with each other. I’m waiting for a phone call from Patrick (the restaurant manager) to work out the logistics of it all and find out if it’s doable. Two of the head waiters told me this morning that it sounded OK to them. We’ll see.

Most people’s bags are packed and IPS has already picked many of them up during the past couple of days. Having the luggage shipped to their homes is such a HUGE perk for the full world cruisers. It sure will make our lives easy not lugging 9 large bags home. We have 7 bags fully packed now and the last 2 will be easy….just trying to figure out what we need during these last 2 days.

Today is Tom’s last Hold ‘Em game and my last day of trivia and bingo as we’ll be in Nassau tomorrow morning just after my last bridge lesson. Betty’s husband Al (aka. Mr. Betty) plays poker with the gang too.

I’m hoping we’ll make our 10:30 flight Saturday morning. We were originally scheduled on AA for an 11:00 non-stop to LAX and low and behold AA moved the time up a half hour! Oh well, it is what it is and there are later flights that require a change of planes.

I’m so glad that you all have enjoyed my travel postings….The realization that this entire Dream is ending just hardly seems real yet. I am looking forward to hugging Jill and my 5 furry kids, seeing my sister and brother, and our May 1st brunch! I just hope the first time we go out to dinner we don’t walk out on the check!! As I’ve said so many times before, if there is EVER a way to do such a cruise, DO IT. You’ll never regret it! Do as we did and travel on the SKI plan (spending our kid’s inheritance). It’s hard to remember back to the St. Regis Hotel at the Grand Gala kick off party….we didn’t know a soul! We’ve since met so many great people (passengers & crew) and seen the best cities around the world. These are memories that are priceless!