I sit in the comfort of my recliner at home and I pick up an RSSC brochure of the World Cruise 2006 and 2007 versions and I soak up every word and picture, and I dream about what "MY" world cruise will be like one day. The visual in my head is sublime perfection from beginning to end.

Then as I read Debbie and Clay's adventure around the world, I realize how true it is things do not always turn out the way you fully anticipated or dreamed about.

Not to say they are having a bad time--they are probably very happy--but so far, some things are making me realize there is no such thing as a "perfect" vacation--even on RSSC:

1. A dis-ogranized bon voyage party in L.A..
2. Challenging Seas causing sickness.
3. Less than stellar world cruise shore events.
4. Tour participants you want to smack across
the head.
5. Tour guides you want to smack across the head.
6. Dining room doldrums.
7. Last-minute itinerary changes.

Would I still like to do a World Cruise one day?
YOU BETCHA !!! But I would sure go in to it with a much different set of expectations than I think I would have previously had.

Right now, a World Cruise to me, seems like too much of a good thing.

Thanks for listening!

see sic (Randy)

Randy

I'm having the same reaction to Debbie and Clay's adventure. Just another example of how, like so many things in life, we just have to do our best to make the most of it.

The "dining room doldrums" would definitely be difficult for me. I'm the opposite of Debbie --- no meat for me unless it came from the water! And, I'm not a big dessert fan.

Thanks for the interesting post!

Kim

I quit reading their journal. It made me feel like the world cruise was just one let down, which, I know for me would be a different experience. And the dining seems to be a focal point - much not positive and since, unforunately, I LOVE food. Expectations are a huge part of travel for us. I don't think for me that I would be able to do a World Cruise all at once. Just a segment at a time.

But I love the highlights and style of Donna and Allen's Blog. A whole different perspective.

Ditto Kathy!!! Or read Marcie's journal from last year and her posts from SA 62 days!! I, too, could not do an entire WC - just me - but boy people do adore them!! We met so many on SA segment who were doing all 62 days, had done 2005 WC and had signed up for 2007 WC - must make many folks happy!!! Joanna

Kathy and Joanna..I also stopped reading most of their journal. I would have such a different experience although I couldn't go on the full cruise for now. I love Donna and alan's blog...they're having a fabulous cruise.

Nancy

I sometimes find it hard to believe that Donna and Allen are on the same cruise as Debbie and Clay, the two logs couldn't be more different in tone.

Dining doldrums? How many people have that much variety in their diet at home? If I read about the chocolate croissants one more time :mad:

Another great world cruise log is on cruise critic on the HAL boards. The writer really knows how to make lemonade from the occasional lemon.

If I read about the chocolate croissants one more time

Lauri, I'm with you! She needs to find some other choices and not peanut butter.

Nancy

He is asked how often he repeats menus, to our shock he replies every 14 days. He is asked if this is true and longer cruises and replies, yes. Debbie is incredulous. She jumps in and asks him specifically about the World Cruise, if we sail for 122 nights, we will repeat the menus every 14 days, he is firm in replying yes, the menus will always repeat every 14 days. We are both stunned.

The above is from Debbie and Clay's quick Diamond trip last year - they asked Rolando the question - seems as if they were aware menu would be repeated - sure better than my house - we have about 5 menus and then begin repeating again!!! Joanna

Let's see, 14 days, average 5 different entrees each day; that's 70 choices in Compass Rose alone. Probably another 10 choices every two weeks in Latitudes, 10 in Signatures and 20 in La Veranda. Wow, I'd get really bored with 110 choices. ;)

Joanna,
I read their Diamond journal too. I'm actually surprised they went ahead and booked the world cruise. Different strokes for different folks I guess!

What about the simplicity menu? I see 10 choices in CR alone over 14 days - and they so accomdating they will prepare food anyway you want it!

I agree with all of you about the journal. One thing -- I thought the description about their day in Bali was hilarious! Sheesh, the woman with the carved elephant, and the scuffle over packing it up -- what a day!

Nothing in this journal has made me question whether or not I would absolutely LOVE to go on a world cruise. I just have a different approach to things, I guess. The negatives, which are inevitable, are far outweighed by all the positives, and all the amazing adventures, that I'm not sure I would even notice them all that much. But that's just me! ;)

(Oh, and I too would feel like I'd died and gone to heaven if I had Compass Rose available to me every night -- even if they rotated their menus every 7 days instead of 14!)

We are leaving tomorrow to join the wc in Hong Kong next week. My expectations are very different than the material that I have been reading in Debbie and Clays journal. The food is only a small part of this fabulous expierence in an absolutely facinating part of the world. Every ones priorities are different I guess. If dinner is boring one night, so what, the next night will be better. I would love to be able to take the entire wc one day. I'm off to finish our packing and will try and post from the ship if I'm not too busy......... :bv:

Doris

Have a great time Doris!! :bv:

Thanks Lauri, We are soooo excited, tomorrow can't come soon enough. Off to Newark tomorrow and then Sunday 16 hours to Hong Kong!!!!

Doris

Bon Voyage Doris. I know that you will have a fabulous time and have no problem finding something wonderful to eat! You have to look at the cruise as a exciting adventure.

:bv:

Nancy

Doris - have a wonderful time! I've enjoyed Debbie and Clay's journal as well as Donna and Allen's blog and Marcie's seamail. Of course it is 12 degrees here and just thinking about warm places helps! When I travel I'm not organized enough to really journal so I appreciate anyone who takes the time - especially when they share it with us.

Where do I find Donna and Alan's blog on the current World Cruise...and Marice's on SA 62 days?...thanks.

We are signed up for the 2007 WC and am sure we will have a better time than Clay and Debbie...

Larry

Larry - Welcome to LCT! We hope you will post an introduction and post often!

Marcie's World Cruise Journal is Marcie\'s World Cruise Journal - click here!

Donna has a link on the bottom of her posts.

Larry: Look at topic seamail and for "petlover" (topic starter) and you can read her posts from SA - not in journal form but very interesting!! You will have a great time on WC 2007 - I met several couples on segment of SA doing your 2007 cruise and they were all very nice people - Marcie and Tom loved WC 2005 so much they have booked WC 2007 - Joanna

http://www.travelblog.org/Bloggers/Alan-and-Donna/

Oh yes, I'm sure you will! It won't be difficult at all! You'll have to journal it so we can all enjoy with you.

Welcome, Larry!

Kim

Welcome to the board, Larry!

I enjoy any meal that is served to me. I have certainly never complained about RSSC food.The only problem is that when I get home I can't seem to take off the pounds. I don't know what a World Cruise would do to me.

I've loved reading Donna's journal. Her descriptions are so well-written and vivid, and the photos are a great addition. Can we keep her on board as our reporter for the rest of the WC?

Dena

When on a LONG cruise I get very tired of the food no matter how gourmet it is.
At home I would get tired of eating out each night. I solve the problem on the ships by special ordering from time to time. I have also been known to order just a baked potato for dinner!

Ardis

I have not been following Clay and Debbie's journal but look forward to reading it in it's entirety when we return home in mid March. I have received quite a few emails (at least 2-3 per week) from friends we made on last year's WC who are onboard again this year and they sound NOTHING like what Debbie and Clay report. They are much more in line with Donna's "happy" seamail. To each his own....sounds to me like the "glass is 1/2 full vs. 1/2 empty"!

BTW, we special order dinners probably twice a week. This is available to everyone but too few take advantage of it.

Have a great time Doris! Can't wait to hear what you think!
If you have 1/2 as good a time as we had last year, you're in for a wonderful time!

Marcie thankyou, We loved every minute of last years segment and expect the same again. We have some friends that are joining us in Hong Kong and also on the cruise. We will have a toast for you with Marc and Harry our first night in the Voyager lounge. Keep posting and enjoying your cruise, and I'll try and post when time permits. I am having trouble loging in and have to register under a different name everytime I use this laptop. So just look for D n A and some number.

Doris

Shortly after Clay and Debbie started publishing their journal, I made some comments on this board that were definitely in the flavor of what I am reading here - if even more so. But other comments stopped coming, I thought maybe I was being a little too critical, so I stopped commenting.
-
I do think when they are done it should be required reading for anyone considering doing a WC (so they can see some of the perceived negatives), and more importantly, a couple that is considering making the commitment in time and resources to something as remarkable as a WC (and I'm sorry but roughly $100,000 for 120 days is a lot of money and time even for a couple that is quite wealthy with few other commitments) can see that this may not be a wise choice unless both partners are equally enthusiastic from the beginning.
-
As I said in my earlier post, in a somewhat existentialist light, everyone has different ideas of "hell" and one of mine would be 120 days at Disney World (Debbie's choice over going on the WC).
-
Why someone who is so easily seasick (even with medicine) and picky about food (with pretty strange eating habits), and evidently not very outgoing (how often have they written about doing anything with anyone else?)and who doesn't seem to appreciate the adventure in visiting exotic and even not so exotic locations (I'm sorry but Australia can't be that exotic these days) would even agree to a 14 day cruise is beyond me. To decide to cruise for 114 days would be amazingly masochistic.
-
When all is said and done, I do have to give them credit for keeping up with their journal. But somehow, unlike some other quasi famous cruise reviewers, I don't see Radisson inviting Clay and Debbie back for seconds.
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And finally, I'd like to second Sue and others in wishing Doris a splendid time as she flies halfway across the world to try to bring some cheer into Clay and Debbie's life, and dreaming of anyplace warm after our brutally cold weekend. Jeff

Susan and Jeff, perhaps I'm being a little too critical but I feel exactly the same way you do.

Nancy

Susan and Jeff, So well said!!

I too apologize if I came across as overly critical. I just can't figure out the "thought process" that goes into booking a 114 day cruise after being so miserable on a 4 day cruise???? Hopefully Debbie and Clay will come out of this with some wonderful experiences and memories.

I am very confused and mixed up! Are dogs allowed on the WC? Debbie and Clay said they had to sneak Bob into an area in Australia because "dogs were not allowed." What is with this?


..

Bob is their stuffed dog they take everywhere. If you read or look at photos in their journal, Bob appears quite a bit & is something of a lush!

Thanks, Betty! I guess I am very innocent. Also, I have never been on the Voyager but plan to in the future. Who is the Freddie who makes announcements?

What I don't understand is, if they like chocolate croissants so much, why don't they just ask that they be made every day for them? If you're baking regular croissants every day it can't be that much more work to put a little chocolate inside some of them. I'm sure the ship would do it. Tom.

good point considering how accomodating RSSC is.

Somebody cooking FOR me...AND serving me...AND cleaning up after me??????? On top of ALL that, they just refuse to quit pouring the wine!!! I am just not sure what there could possibly be to complain about???? :D

It's not as if Radisson is out of chocolate!!! Ask you and shall receive has been our experience - Joanna

Also I think Debbie and Clay are probably enjoying their terrific trip more than we realize - I hope they end up looking back on it as a great experience -

Sometimes it is the glitches that we remember most fondly - they can make the trip that much more memorable. I laughed out loud as they wrote about Belgian waffles. I had the best Belgian waffle on our first Seabourn cruise and Dad has spent part of every cruise since then trying to get a decent Belgian waffle. It's now a standing joke in our family! And what do you want to bet that Day 1 on Silversea he will try to get a Belgian waffle.......

I also wonder if it's not just Debbie and Clay's writing style. Maybe it's meant to be humorous - the quirky side of doing a World Cruise? As Joanna says, I suspect that they're enjoying the experience a lot more than they're revealing in their journal.

Masaki

Other than mentions & photos of Bob, which continue to crack me up, the amount of time Debbie spends doing laundry just seems (what's the right word) - wrong?! I know it's hot and humid, and they are probably going through a couple of outfits a day when they are in port, but it seems like she's doing laundry every other day. I'd have to go back to the beginning of the journal, but I thought they brought a lot of luggage.