Hi from the Voyager. Only 420 on board to Funchal; then @ 500 to Monaco. Seas fairly calm and temps a pleasant mid 70s. Had a great night dancing last night. Tonight is formal and the first performance for the Glenn Miller orchestra. They are going to have dancing in the Constellation Theatre during the performance. Jos Coppers is the HM and will remain aboard until July, when Andreas will return. Talked to the cruise consultant this AM and she said the world cruise for next year is booking fast. The large suites are already gone and the regular suites are fully booked thru Cat F. Jos said Luigi on the Diamond fills in as HM when Fabrizzio is on vacation, so Fabrizzio did not retire. Jamie and Dana Logan will be aboard Voyager until Monaco and then Steve Lewis will come aboard as cruise director. Met Capt Knute and he seems like a really nice guy. Thanks for the note and bottle of wine Anne. We had some trouble retrieving it, because they moved us to 1007 from 720. Nice surprise! Big crew change in FLL. Lots of new faces and many old friends. For a bunch of old farts, we have a pretty lively group aboard if last night was any indication. More later. Have a great day all!

Are you noticing any vibration problems?

We don't notice any vibration, but the cavitation of the starboard prop is still there. The temp control around the ship is still not real good. Lynn is always cold in most of the indoor public areas. Temp control in our stateroom is great this time though. Seas are calming even more now, so we're hoping for a calm crossing.

Doug, Glad to hear the weather is great and the waters calm. Are you and Lynn going to book the Dubai to Rome segment of the world cruise?

Doug and Lynn, a belated Happy Anniversary! I know this will be a wonderful celebration.

Can I ask a favor?

Can you ask Jamie or Dana if they will be back on Voyager for the fall transatlantic?

thanks,

Enjoy your crossing, especially those pleasant mid 70's temperatures. Those of us left behind in Phoenix are experiencing unpleasant mid & upper 90's.

Doug - thanks for the post from onboard! Please keep us posted as to how things are going!

Masaki

Hi Doug:

Sounds like you're having a great crossing. Like Marc, we are interested in who will be on the Voyager in November. Your report is appreciated.

Weather still balmy(mid 70s) with relatively calm seas. Lynn and I are a maybe for the Dubai-Rome, but we would board in Singapore. Have to wait to talk to Ngaire. Dana and Jamie will get off in Monaco, come back in Aug-Oct, come back in mid-Dec, and do the world cruise. Therefore, they won't be aboard for the fall Transatlantic, as it stands today. I suspect it will be Steve Lewis. Was a bit disappointed with the Glenn Miller orchestra, because it's not the Glenn Miller sound. His arrangements, but not that smooth sound. Lot's of folks dancing to it in the Constellation Theatre last night though, so that's good. Having fun is what it's all about. They're going to play for dancing and listening again tonight. Bermuda tomorrow; more then. If you have any questions, just fire away.

Nice weather! Hope the calm seas continue!

Masaki

Doug:

I really would not expect that you would have any vibration problems in your suite, as it is not right on, or near, the stern of the ship. We had no such problems, except in our suite which was right over the stern (784). As your cruise is not 100% full as ours was, I am a bit curious about a couple of things. First, are the suites right on the stern even occupied? On the VTC, I had heard that they weren't used when the ship wasn't full, due to the vibration problems. Second, if you get the chance, go stand in front of the door to suite 784 on a day when the ship is making 20 knots or more, and let me know if you feel any vibration or jerking. You may not have read my posts about our experiences in this suite on the VTC just before your cruise, but suffice it to say that we found it worse than when we cruised through Hurricane Floyd in '99!

Thanks,
Richard

Just docked in Hamilton, Bermuda and are waiting for clearance to go ashore. A bit cloudy today and expecting high of @ 72 degrees with light winds. Regarding the vibration problems, we spend a lot of time in the Horizon Lounge and don't find the vibration to be a problem. I guess it's different strokes for different folks. Any vibration on this ship is much less than Navigator and certainly much less than ships I'm used to in the Navy, where all of the ships have shafts. If you think a light vibration would bother you sleeping, then I would suggest getting a cabin forward. The Seven Seas Aft and Horizon suites are occupied on this cruise and we have heard no complaints. We leave here at 1600 for the trip to Funchal and will have an ice cream social on the way out of port up on the pool deck with the Glenn Miller group playing for dancing and listening. Probably not ice cream weather, but it'll be nice anyway.

Out of Bermuda on sched at 1600 to the music of the Glenn Miller orchestra on the pool deck. Temps by mid day @ 75. Seas calm and prospects for dancing great! Dinner at Signatures tonight; all the goodies and no entree. Yummmmm! Back to dancing now. Joe and Karyn, Robert and Donna of the judge incident are aboard this cruise; real nice folks! Have a great week all; we will!

I'm really enjoying your posts. Almost like being there........

Thanks for taking the time to do this!

Doug: So good to hear from you! I'm glad the note & wine caught up with you. I left them with Maureen the concierge at her suggestion. Glad you and Lynn are enjoying the trip.

Please give our best to Jamie & Dana as well as Jos - we are sloooowly pulling out of the post-cruise blues. Keep up the posts as we're that much closer to VJ7 ...

Sorry, but the "judge incident" isn't ringing a bell???

Cheers, Anne and Gary

Beautiful day at sea; calm with light winds and clear skies; temps 65 going to @ 75. They're having a first as far as we're comcerned today; dancing at tea time in the Horizon Lounge. Rose left yesterday and Nancy is now aboard as cruise consultant. She says Hi, Ngaire!

Hi Doug!
Well, we just got back from Las Vegas; took us over 3 weeks but we saw everything we had planned to see and had a great time!
Great to get updates on your cruise; sounds like you all are having lots of fun and lots of dancing opportunities. Tell Lynn hello for us.
We would be interested in the Dubai to Rome or possibly further. Don't want to get on in Singapore though.
Hadn't thought about the "judge incident" in a while!
Looking forward to more reports. Happy Cruising!!!

Sounds great, Doug! Keep it coming!

Masaki

Sunday and another beautiful day at sea! Weather clear, seas calm and temps pleasant. Almost like our Pacific cruise last fall aboard Mariner.

Doug, we are enjoying your posts! I was wondering what kind of enrichment activities/lectures they have during the day, and what kind of entertainment in the theater in the evening on these crossings?

Ditto Olivia's question. Is there stuff to keep you occupied during the many sea days?

Masaki

The enrichment lectures and entertainment are much the same as other cruises on RSSC, except for the Glenn Miller group. Weather is still nice and seas fairly calm(@ 5-9' gentle swell with light winds; a bit stronger today; up to @ 15 knots). Overall, a great crossing so far; even the navigator commented on how smooth it has been. The bridge is open during daylight hours every day at sea and they had one of each suite open for viewing today. Lots of great dancing. The Voyager Lounge has been packed every night.

Doug: It sounds like as close to perfect a crossing as you can get! A packed Voyager Lounge at night is a great way to finish off the day. Perry is just terrific! All the best, Anne

Doug - would you please check with Perry and let us know if he'll be on board for our June 7 Monte Carlo-Dover trip? Thanks very much for letting us know. Cheers, Anne

Well, into each life a little rain must fall. Had a couple of showers today, but still calm seas. Will ask Perry about his schedule when we see him tonight.

It's Tues and we have reasonably calm seas with winds @ 10-15 kts and occasional scatttered showers with some sun. A great crossing so far. We'll be in Funchal on Thur morning. There are @ 200 getting off and @ 300 getting aboard there. To answer the question about Perry, he will be aboard till 18 June. Then he's taking a 2 month vation, after which he's going to the Celebrity Constellation. They've asked him to come back for the world cruise next year, but he has made no firm committment to do it.

Correction to my last; Jos Coppers says it's only 80 getting off in Funchal and 130 coming aboard. Just goes to show that the head butler doesn't always know the story.

Doug - thanks for following up for us regarding Perry Grant. We'll do our best to give him a memorable last cruise!

The onboard information about who is coming aboard & leaving does move around, doesn't it? Neville had heard there were 30+ people boarding in PV on VTC. I asked when I checked in & it turned out to be 6. Go figure. Cheers, Anne

Doug, so happy you've had a great time....glad Perry Grant will be on board for our VJ7 sailing...we got lucky with this being his last cruise before vacation!

Doug - thanks for the follow up!

Masaki

Wed 5 May, last day at sea before Funchal. Cloudy with calm seas and light winds. Yesterday afternoon the Capt slowed the ship to 5 kts so that the country fair could be held on the pool deck. Great time. Last night was formal night and farewell to those departing in Funchal. Great crossing! Charging the camera today for the tour in Funchal tomorrow.

Thur 6 May Funchal. Great day! The Diamond was here with us today, because she had to turn back to St. Thomas to drop off a sick pax after 1 day at sea. Saw Capt Broomhall, Fabrizzio and Guiseppe. Niel immediately knew us by name and gave Lynn a big hug. He says hello to all the crazy people; and you know who you are! Niel will be aboard till late June and will have his wife with him the last couple of weeks; then Jeremy takes over for the rest of the summer. Niel will be back in late Sep/early Oct. Fabrizzio is doing just fine after his bout with sickness a while back. Guiseppe is the cruise director. Jerry and Danilo are on vacation, but will be back soon. Not sure if they'll be aboard for our crossing in Oct. Fabrizzio was going to try to talk them into it. Had a ship-ship shuffle board tournament aboard Diamond this morning. Knute was supposed to be my partner against Broomhall and one of their pax, but Knute didn't show. My partner wound up being Fabrizzio and we waxed all comers. So, I guess the match was a draw in the ship-ship competition. As far as Voyager is concerned, Peter and Uta Sporndli are leaving for good in Monaco. They're building a house in Switzerland and will eventually open a restaurant there. Uta wants to have children and her clock is ticking! John, the new ass't cruise director came aboard today and Steve Lewis will come aboard in Malaga. Jamie and Dana leave in Monaco. All for now; we're ready to get under way and I have to get ready for some dancin' and drinkin'.

Thur 6 May Funchal. Great day! The Diamond was here with us today, because she had to turn back to St. Thomas to drop off a sick pax after 1 day at sea. Saw Capt Broomhall, Fabrizzio and Guiseppe. Niel immediately knew us by name and gave Lynn a big hug. He says hello to all the crazy people; and you know who you are! Niel will be aboard till late June and will have his wife with him the last couple of weeks; then Jeremy takes over for the rest of the summer. Niel will be back in late Sep/early Oct. Fabrizzio is doing just fine after his bout with sickness a while back. Guiseppe is the cruise director. Jerry and Danilo are on vacation, but will be back soon. Not sure if they'll be aboard for our crossing in Oct. Fabrizzio was going to try to talk them into it. Had a ship-ship shuffle board tournament aboard Diamond this morning. Knute was supposed to be my partner against Broomhall and one of their pax, but Knute didn't show. My partner wound up being Fabrizzio and we waxed all comers. So, I guess the match was a draw in the ship-ship competition. As far as Voyager is concerned, Peter and Uta Sporndli are leaving for good in Monaco. They're building a house in Switzerland and will eventually open a restaurant there. Uta wants to have children and her clock is ticking! John, the new ass't cruise director came aboard today and Steve Lewis will come aboard in Malaga. Jamie and Dana leave in Monaco. All for now; we're ready to get under way and I have to get ready for some dancin' and drinkin'.

Fri 7 May- Lots of roll and rain last night; no good for dancing. Seas have calmed a bit and sun is out, but still have some roll. Tomorrow is supposed to be sunny in Cadiz and we're going to Seville. Sunday is supposed to be rainy in Malaga, so the trip to Granada is probably off until the Oct cruise.

Doug - glad to hear that the weather has calmed down. How many more days do you have left onboard?

Masaki

Mothers Day- Had a bright, sunshiny day yesterday in Cadiz. Went to Seville and had a wonderful tour of the Real Alcazares and the cathedral. Our guide was great. Would highly recommend this tour. It's a long one, but well worth it. Wonderful lunch at Robles included. Last night in calm seas and clear night we went close aboard the Rock of Gibraltar, which is lit up at night. A sight to remember! We're just docking in Malaga now and we're off to Granada and the Alhambra. Another clear and calm day. Can't believe this tour will be as good as the one yesterday, but we'll see.

Doug - let us know about Malaga and glad you had such a great day yesterday! Cheers, Anne

Doug, did you take the Radisson tours of both Seville and Granada? Did they come down in price from original prices due to dollar doing better?

thanks,

Doug:

Thanks for the information about Seville. We are very interested because we will be on the Voyager for the reverse trip in the fall and are considering these tours.

Give our best to Karyn and Joe AND of course Lynn too. I know you're all having a wonderful time.

Keep posting Doug I love reading your reports. Even just about the seas I picture myself on board with you. Captain Knute is really nice I knew that you would enjoy him. Being in port with one of the other ships is always fun just like family coming together.