Tom update isn’t good. His back is better but he’s decided he just can’t continue with the Dancing With The Mariner Stars competition. He is really disappointed. The routine he and Louise were doing was REALLY good but did require lots of physical athleticism. During their act there was a cute show-stopper where Tom did a Chuck Berry move jumping across the stage on one leg as he pretended to be playing a guitar. He feels that if he cut out some of the best, more difficult parts of their routine he’d look like a Wayne Newton. Betty loaned him a heating pad and Carol gave him a back brace which are both helping but it’s still sensitive. He hurt his back riding the ATV in Moorea and all the hours of practice just continued to aggravate it. He is sooooooo disappointed but I assured him he’ll always be my “Star”.

On a happier note, our cocktail party last night was lots of fun. The food was in Joanna and Tony’s suite, the bar was set up in our suite. It was great all being together!

I agree, the cocktail party was perfect!! Thanks to Joanna and Marcie for throwing the shindig.
Today is another sea day and another perfect weather day so I will go up to the pool deck and hang around.
Tonight is the SSS party so it's formal night as well. Sorry I have not been posting pictures but since I don't have a lap top, it will have to wait till I get home.
Someone mentioned that our cruise was half over yesterday, waaaaah!! Time is going by way to fast!
Any one having any board problems or questions that I can help with from afar? Holler if you need me!
xoxo

PS
I forgot to mention that I finally met Kiwi Dave the other day and Jini last night!! I hope to be able to spend more time with them both!

Sorry to hear about Tom, Marcie. But the health of his back is more important.

The cocktail party sounds lovely.

It's not half-over, K, it's half-begun. :)

10:20 am - Just finished b'ft LV and it is another sunny day - cocktail party was fun hope the pixs we all took turn out - we ate in CR medium rare filet excellent- had after dinner drinks and laughs in ML NO idea what time we went to bed - our first late night! There is a pooch game at 11 am in big suite next to mine perfect as living room has big table!! - trying to decide if I will play or head to pool - Anne I am drinking Gavi every night people ask how I knew about it "Well Anne ordered it one night yada yada" - coffee bar is packed again - I was able to get a computer on the Grand Concourse :3smile: :ch: OH I keep bumping into Kiwi Dave and he is the nicest gentleman - saw Jini yesterday, too, she said she is enjoying her cruise - more later - Joanna

I can only repeat what the others have written. Great party with the PEARL people. So happy to finally meet Ruth and Fred (parislady) and Debbie and Russ, plus Debbie's dad and step-mom. They are sooooo proud of her. Every LCT person onboard is thrilled that Dena and Grant won. And we did have a few hours of fun watching you all try to guess. It was our morning sea day activity - but that Suzanne was too good.
Didn't realize Tom had dropped out until I read LCT and Marcie is here in the same room with me.
The cocktail party was wonderful. Tony kept saying, 'Take some food, take some food," so I did. Grabbed the platter of huge shrimp and sauce, some crackers and got another glass of wine. Tried to stroll leisurely to my cabin - a few stares from other cruisers along the way - but who cared. Cleaned that platter while watching TV. It was so fine. Opened the cabin door to try to sneak empty platter outside door, wearing nightgown. Good idea - but someone's butler happened to be walking by and was nice enough to take the evidence. Then proceeded to sleep for 12 hours. Those sea day activites are so tiring.
Off to pooch.

So sorry to hear about Tom, Marcie. I'm sure he's disappointed, knowing how much he loves to dance. Please tell him to take care and wish him well from Alan and me.

Sounds like the fun continues. Thanks for keeping us in the LAMB loop!

I'm sorry Tom will miss Dancing with the Stars. He's such a terrific dancer! Those ATVs can get you if you don't watch out. Here's hoping he's better soon.

Cheers, Anne

So sorry that Tom won't be dancing but a good back comes first. Hope it feels better soon, Tom.

Played Pooch this morning with David, Shirley, Betty, Pat and Judith. Lots of laughs.

We've had another beautiful day and I'm keeping my new commitment to exercise. 23 laps around the track is really boring!! Tex Mex on the pool deck for lunch, Alan's favorite.

For the first time, I tried a spa treatment - deluxe manicure and pedicure. I figured with the price of the regular one, might as well go all out for the full treatment.

Just finished watching the singers in a Neil Sedaka broadway type show. Really cute and the girl singers are especially talented. Time to get ready for formal night. Raju will be delivering our appetizers any moment. Taa, taa.

Oh Marcie, so sorry Tom won't be competing in "Dancing with the Stars", I'm sure he would have won. But as everyone says, its better to take care of the back.

Thanks everyone for the updates - just keep hoping for some pictures - but then who am I to complain, since we never posted any from CROSS.

Donna - <img src="http://smileys.sm...i%253D23%252F23_32_5/image.gif"> <img src="http://smileys.sm...Fi%253D7%252F7_2_118/image.gif"> Good for you.

Hi Anne,

Our next cruise will be on HAL's Amsterdam next March from Istanbul back to Los Angeles. We did two world cruises with HAL, one in 05 and one this year. We plan to sail on HAL's Rotterdam for their 2009 world cruise, Godwilling.

We are looking at 2009 for Regent, but all of their itineraries are not out yet. Hopefully, they will be soon, so we can do an onboard booking.

How about you guys??

Mary Ann & Bill

Maybe Tom can help with hosting the competition - the new Drew Lachey? We want to see him on the DVD one way or another!

So sorry Tom's isn't able to continue in the competition - but I know that won't stop the fun. I just hope his back will be feeling better soon.

Keep the seamail coming. We love hearing from all of you!

Waaa -- I am home now. Unpacked, washed and just checking LCT before I crash for the night.

So hard to leave everyone on the Mariner, we did see Alan and Donna on their balcony. It was a wonderful cruise and I know "logically" it was sensible to leave the Mariner so I could see the new PG cabins. Plus Ken has REALLY gone way over the amount of time he is supposed to be off so that added to the decision at the time we made it. However, when I walked down that gangway to depart the ship I was really sad and wishing I had worked out some miracle so I could stay. So glad they are pooching without us - keeping the tradition alive.

Then it was so much fun to be on the PG again. Debbie came on early so we were able to go into all the new suites with no guests on board and we took lots of pictures. They are really very nice. The new suites have a large shower no bath tub. Great for some, of course others want tubs. Only ONE cabin on the whole ship has a separate bath tub and walk in shower and that is the original owners suite.

Then I found it hard to be on the PG and have to leave everyone AGAIN. HELLO is so much nicer than GOODBYE.

Sorry to hear Tom hurt his back, no sense continuing on with a sore back. Just tell Valerie all LCTers are now pulling for her to win. I really think she has an excellent chance of winning the competition. Maybe if we get a copy of the DVD someone with the knowledge of how to do it can put some of it on UTUBE.

Off to sleep so I can work on all the things I know are piled up on my desk. I notice that the 2009 cruises are not on the Regent web yet but will probably be up very soon and the waitlists will clear. I will contact those of you with confirmed waitlists as soon as I get them.

New administrative cancel fees for 2009

One thing you do all need to know there are new rules for 2009 bookings. There is an IMMEDIATE $200 per cabin administrative cancel penalty if you cancel any 2009 cruise. HOWEVER, this fee can be applied to a new Regent cruise as a non-refundable "Future Cruise Credit" if a new cruise is booked within 6 months of the cancelled cruise.

I'm so sorry to hear that Tom has hurt his back and needed to bow out of the dancing with the Mariner stars competition. Everything else sounds great. Thanks so much to all of you for keeping us informed with your frequent, funny and teasing posts.

Karen - at the very beginning of your cruise I actually had a nightmare that something horrible happened with the LCT board and with both you and Ken over in New Zealand we had no one to bail us out. We do depend on you for so much. But, as far as I know, everything here has gone smoothly or else someone has taken care of stuff. Continue having a wonderful second half of your vacation.

Good Morning! We're just arriving in Nuka Hiva and will just be here half day. There is a complimentary excursion for everyone this morning. It is called a mini-festival of arts showing their traditions, culture, and a buffet lunch. This will be our last day on land until LA.

Last night we had a wonderful dinner with Steph Armengol (Director of Hotel Operations & Guests Services) who has been on the ship for a few days. It was great catching up on things with him. Joanna & Tony were with us too and we all had lots of fun. Too bad he must fly back to Ft. Lauderdale this morning.

Thank you for all the good wishes for Tom. I will share these with him. His back is doing better and OK for normal day to day things, just not good enough for dancing competition. I know Valerie is going to do a wonderful job and hopefully be our winner!

Ngaire, glad you and Ken made it home safely! You sure are missed here!

10:10 am - It is raining buckets so we did not get off the ship - no problem for me but Tony wanted to walk on land one last time before our many sea days - "Grand Concourse" packed again with people visiting coffee bar, doing puzzles, laptopping, Regent computers, cards, games etc - hoping it will clear by noon but no idea of weather forecast - what will be will be - what would we be doing at home on a rainy day??? Catching up on laundry and chores UGH!!! Headed to library where things are looking up as people must be dropping their books off so better selection - had another filet last night YUMMM! Stayed up till 11 PM and then my bed was calling - do we get off in a week? Lost track of time :D :D :D Karen is standing here and said HI HI she couldn't get on computer this am - she and Mark and Tony just came from the gym - they need showers they are sweating....TRUTH they snuck in and stole the Gatorade from the gym - sweating from guilt...I think they have security cameras there! I see Donna and Alan and Marcie and Ralph all strolling....wow it is pouring again~!!!!! Karen and I just said this is one of our favorite cruises - we are having fun! XXOO

Since I missed the Cooke Islands, I was determined to make it to the Marquesas. Yes, it poured, and then poured some more, but I didn't care. At this point all you can do is enjoy getting wet, then start scraping mud. :D Most of the LCT people made a short appearance, even if it was only to tender over and back. Now it's on to LA and we will literary only have seamail to send.
Watched Valerie practice yesterday. She is fantastic. I can't imagine anyone being any better. We will miss Tom, but we still have Valerie!

Thanks so much, all of you great reporters! Am curious to see how you all react to the many sea days!

1:20 pm we have not left yet as they cannot lift one of the tenders as the winch is not working - three crew members just cruising around on tender waiting waiting - I think we were to leave at 11:30 am - NO big deal just more excitement - lunch at pool.....huge prawns and tenderloins - going to eat in LV tonight veal shank plus I love the views from LV - more later

Thanks for all the updates...your seamail is so appreciated. Keep having fun

DARN!!! This was the 4th time I was wiped out. NEWS....I had a score of 116 today in POOCH!!! does that mean I beat the Alpha Males????

David is plying us with delicious bottles of wine...it sure helps

Missing Ngaire and Ken already,however we are soldiering on.

From this time on only ONE liners.Finally fixed winch...21/2 hours late in sailing...oh well we're in no hurry

Only if you have a flight in LAX at about 2:00 on disembarkation day! Nothing you can do about it, though, so soldier on and have a great week for the crossing to LA!

I would love it if some techie type amongst you could get some videos of the dance competition and post them! Not necessarily on YouTube, but any way we could see them! I hear that Valerie stands a great chance of winning!

Tried posting earlier today but lost my text, yet again. We’ve had a slow afternoon so I tried working on my blog which is VERY far behind. Can’t get the pictures to upload.

Yes, Alan and I were on the Grand Concourse this morning. I was leading him on the Mariner Tour of Trees. In other words, we were checking out all the Christmas decorations, which are beautiful. Skipped going ashore in Nuka Hiva. We were dressed and ready to go but the rain poured. I’ll have to look at my pictures from last time.

I intended to go to afternoon Pooch. Came back to the cabin after lunch for a “short” nap. You can guess what happened – I slept right through Pooch. Sorry to read that I missed David’s excellent wine choices. Oh well, there’s always tomorrow.

Back to last night’s formal dinner, rack of lamb (thought about you Ngaire) and Grand Marnier soufflé were all a girl could hope for. Alan and I shared a table and lots of laughs with Jan and Jim. Then, on to watch Sally Jones perform. Very good act.

We were planning our first dinner in the suite tonight; but, we have cabin fever so will do that another night. Brolied Tuna Fillet in Compass Rose or Osso Bucco in La Vernda? Decisions, decisions.

Had a great "sunbathing, reading, sea day" on my favorite HS balcony as we sailed from Nuku Hiva.

Loved seeing Estelle's photos of her scuba dives on Moorea. Estelle is the Cousteau Society's Naturalist giving lectures on board. We had the incredible luck of having dinner with Aaron, Activities Coordinator & Tabitha, Social Staff, when they were planning their dive trip to Moorea with Estelle. They invited Don & I on the dive trip. Since we had our C-cards with us, we were good to go but I felt we would slow them down since they are so young & fit, plus it rained cats & dogs. What a mistake! The Captain joined them & their photos show how easy and fun the dive turned out to be! Ah, what a great experience we could have had.

Sunset is gorgeous tonight ....8 Degrees South Latitude

When you Lambies get to Nuku Hiva, think about walking between the ship and the event location. It's an easy 15 minute walk and there are a lot of things to see along the way, including an interesting craft shop part way with different items than at the event.
Jim

Michele:

Could you say hello to Aaron and Tabitha for us? We also had dinner with them and played many of the games on the ship with Aaron. We were on PANDA so lets hope he remembers us? Also ask Tabitha if she stayed off the scooter on Moorea? She was probably much safer diving :)

grant

It looks like I am the first to post since our escapades in Stars last night. I think Suzanne would of been proud of me :)
Ngaire, you too would of been happy, Us LCTers did it up right, I was up till after midnight!
Dinner in La Veranda was fun with Mondaes, Matassas and Don and Michele. Then we went up to the Observation lounge to listen to Hal Frazier who is fantastic but I think we were in the mood to party so off to Stars we went. Fun was had by all, including our adopted honorary LCTer, Herb, who is just so fun!
I am sure I will be having a pool day today, it is wonderfully clear outside.
Yesterday afternoon before we left Niku Hiva, Mark saw the hugest Manta Ray off of our balcony. Of course I was out of the room and missed it but he got a bunch of pix. You could even see his giant beak (the manta rays, not Mark's!!)
More later.

Karen -

"You could even see his giant beak (the manta rays, not Mark's!!)"

:app: :app: very funny!

10:30 am - Beautiful day but pool closed due to rocking and I really miss it! - slept in as we were part of the Stars partiers - Tony took some very good pixs ;) ;) ;) - guess today will be more eating, relaxing, reading, drinking, napping, etc - still uncertain what to do about our return flight out of LAX at 2:45 pm the 21st but not worrying about it today (I have said that every day since learning we may be slightly delayed NOT due to any mechanical problems, though) ...had veal shank last night it was huge! La Veranda was nice change from CR - I slipped note under Don and Michele's cabin door to give them firm dinner time and location and put it under wrong cabin door!!!!! Forgot they had changed cabins.... Oh well it all worked out and the evening was FUN!!! Saw Jini again and she is enjoying her cruise - more later - off to library and pool -

Had a crazy day at the games today. We teamed up with 4 to a team and did a scavenger hunt all over the ship. Had to come up with crazy things like....Tahitian coin, dental floss, magnet, pair of Regent slippers, soft cover book with the Title starting with the letter K, yesterday's copy of passages...20 things on the list. Even had to take a digital photo of one of our team members playing the slots!
Each team member had to return back to Observation Lounge wearing white Regent robe, sunglasses, hat and pair of socks on their hands. I literally ran into Tom as I was running down the hall wearing all this....said "No time to explain, gotta run!" Anyway...our team was 1st one back and won. CRAZY but lots of fun!

Tonight we're eating with Mondaes, Chuck and Valerie. Fun night at STARS last night!! Tom's back is doing much better, no more pain!

Off to poker game. Played in the slot tournament this morning and came in 3rd.

Well, those BK pins make STRONG magnets, I can attest to that! Glad you had such a great day, Karen, Marcie, and Joanna, and thanks for checking in and giving us at home some fun!

Sounds like the fun continues. What a scavenger hunt! M&D - which room did you switch from/to? I"m so very intrigued by the HS options & am thinking about switching to one of them. Advice? Joanna? Marcie?

Hope you pick up the lost time at Nuka Hiva. In the meantime, keep the sea mail coming.

Please say hello to Aaron for us, too.

Cheers, Anne

Anne, I think Michele posted that they were in a Horizon Suite, as she said the sunset was so beautiful! This is definitely the one ship in the line where Horizon is GOOD! Especially when you are headed east(for the sunsets, at least)!

Anne, we really love the HS. I actually like the layout better than the A,B,C penthouse double wides. I love the privacy on the balcony, the larger closet and that you can close off the bedroom and make it dark, I call it a cocoon. The only thing I don't like sometimes is being at the very back when I need to go to the front. The cost is higher than penthouses so probably wouldn't be willing to pay the extra $$. Also, don't need the butler...would like it better if there was a less expensive one that came without the butler. We've had no vibration issues whatsoever, like the Voyager HS are suppose to have. In our case, glad we jumped at the opportunity to upgrade for such a deep discount.

Marcie, it is nice to hear what a great cabin this is. I am always happy with the standard ones on the side, but if a good deal came my way, I would hop on it, unless they had those double charges for singles!

POOCH updatebetty won in11am game (I was the total looser today)...waaaaaaa...
Carol was 2pm winner,

THE SAGA CONTINUES