Don't know if anyone is interested but it's great to be on board. The sail away from Venice was fabulous. I think we covered every square inch of Venice - Michael forgets his mother is getting old! We stayed at the Manin Hotel which was on the Grand Canal and whenever I couldn't take another step, I had a wonderful time just staring out the window at the passing traffic. I would thoroughly recommend Venice to anyone who hasn't been there.

We were in Dobrovnik yesterday which was enjoyable and easy to get around. It has lots of character but isn't as big as I thought it would be. We just wandered around by ourselves.

Today we are in Kotor which is another manageable city to walk around. We passed some Regent passengers who were on a guided walking tour and a few looked thoroughly bored, so maybe we made the right decision to do it by ourselves. It may be because we've managed without seeing cars lately, but the car drivers here are as bad as those in Italy - the town does have an Italian feel.

The Voyager is in great condition with the possible exception of the carpet but that doesn't worry me. I must admit that when I looked at the walls, the number of paintings made me wonder if I were in an art gallery! The food is up to standard - all good.

Must away - things to do, people to see etc. I'll keep on enjoying myself until next time.

Lee

Have a great time Lee. Isn't the sail in/out of Venice just something spectacular?

Hi Lee,

Thanks for checking in. I do agree with you and JoAnn that Venice is a spectacular sailaway. One of the most memorable. Glad to hear you are enjoying your cruise. Keep the seamail coming!!

So glad you're reporting in, Lee. Venice is one of my favorites. Keep having a wonderful time and don't forget to tell us all about it.

Hi Lee,
Thanks for checking in. Sounds like you are enjoying your cruise on the Voyager. Keep having fun and keep telling us about it, o.k.

Lee, thanks for the update, in case anyone wants to know more about Kotor, Travel and Leisure had a good article on Kotor and Montenegro in their April issue

www.travelandleisure.com/articles/magic-mountains-of-montenegro

r/wes

Thanks for checking in, Lee! What is wrong with the carpet? I have noticed when they vacuum against the grain the it looks like stains, is this the problem or is the carpet getting worn?

Colonel Wes: Thanks for your input - my sister was asking me for information on both ports - that will save me a lot of typing!

Karen and Beth: Guess who will be joining you on Mariner to Alaska on 9 September next year? Hope you don't regret it!! We booked yesterday and should have confirmation today sometime.

Karen: It's obvious I'm a great housekeeper - never thought of the carpet being vacuumed in a way to make it look like stains - clever girl!!

My biggest complaint is that recently I've become allergic to alcohol - no, unfortunately I'm not joking - it gives me hay fever! What an absolute bore! I've got away with a couple of Brandy Alexanders which were so much appreciated.

We're off to Olympia today - will report in again soon.

Lee

Hi Lee & Michael:

Glad to hear you're enjoying your cruise, except for the hay fever.

We're thinking we might be able to meet up with you in New Jersey. Hope so.

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Oh Lee, I am glad you are going to be in Alaska with us!

Lee, That's great news. :app: Randy and I look forward to meeting you and Michael in person. I've tried to talk my sister and her SO into joining us, too. We'll see.

Just another of my famous quick notes - we are in Santorini and just about to sail - very touristy, lots of cruise ships, huge lines for the cable car, thousands of people but fabulous views! We didn't panic too much as we will be back here next week to see what we missed today.

Had a good day in Olympia yesterday - it's hard to believe the ruins are nearly as old as me!

Ray and Penny: Set the time and place and we'll be there! We'd love to catch up again.

Karen and Beth: All systems go for Alaska!

Will be in touch again soon.

Lee

No Lee..... not true!!!!!

THanks for checking in Lee. Love to hear from someone aboard a Regent ship. Just back from Africa so not up to speed on all the posts. Makes me yearn to go back to the Voyager. Glad you decided to do the September 9 cruise it is a wonderful value. Will be a nice group.

Hi Ngaire: Thought my panic attacks would disappear once on board and they have. It's great to know I've got another cruise booked in the future, even though I would rather it be on Voyager.

I'll never make a travel writer - can't put pen to paper (or fingers to keyboard) but I'm having a wonderful time. It's sad when the main thing I remember about the Olympia ruins is that the men trained naked!

We've met up with Tim and Penny (Ajax) and had dinner with them a few nights - lovely couple. Unfortunately they leave the ship in Istanbul.

We are in Kos at present and it's a lovely little town to wander around. It has a few ruins (besides me) and some wonderful huge yachts to look at. It's a very short stop but I think just enough time. We've been so lucky with the weather - another perfect day.

Had two lobsters for dinner last night and now find they are having lobster for lunch on the pool deck today - what a challenge!

We are sailing to Bodrum this afternoon so hopefully I'll be able to offer some information other than it was 'a nice little town'.

I've heard it has been raining in Instanbul for awhile, so hopefully that will stop before we arrive.

Until next time.

Lee

Lee, Hope you enjoy the Mariner as much as the Voyager. Alaska is all about the scenery. Hope the weather continues to hold out for you. Love the lobster reports!!

Lee, I'm enjoying your posts very much - thanks so much for checking in! I hope they have lobster when we get on in a couple weeks - yum!!!

Good luck, Kristin! Sounds as if Lee may eat them out of lobster. Just kidding, Lee. I can, and do, eat lobster every chance I get! I'm sure they will be all restocked by the time you board, Kristin. :)

I hope Lee isn't eating the Navigator's lobster provisions!!!!! We'll be there in 6 days

Lee, I am enjoying your reports and like your writing style. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

You will all be pleased to know that I was going to have lobster for dinner last night and thought better of it as I'd hate for there to be none left for y'all!! I also felt I was starting to look like one!

When we were in Santorini the other day (all days are the same now except for the poor people who had coloured tags left on their doors this morning) - I digress - there were four cruise ships in Santorini when we were there and they were expecting eleven when we are due to return. The powers that be have decided that's far too many so Voyager is going to change its day of arrival. Now don't be difficult and ask me what day we'll now be there again!

We didn't have a block party this week but the word is out they will have one next week. I think they're a great idea.

One thing I have noticed (and don't think this is a complaint) but I have seen very few officers around and when I have, there hasn't been the same friendly attitude as previously. This morning all came out of a meeting just as I was passing and not one of them said hi. Maybe it's just me!

Once again, I'm typing this without my 'eyes' so please don't pick up my typos!!

Lee

Lee,

You shouldn't deny yourself lobster. Eat all you can and enjoy. (Just wait until next Sept. with all the halibut and salmon.)

If there is any chance the Voyager will be in Rhodes next Thursday instead of Santorini, you, Crystal and I must find each other. We will be in port from 9am - 12:30pm.

Hi Beth: Would you believe I don't know when we are in Santorini now? I'll look it up and report in - it would be great to meet up.

Mytelini was small but it gave me a feeling of what Greece is really like - very individual. Greek drivers are unbelievable and I would say the Turkish come in a close second!

We sailed by the Navigator this morning and were lucky enough to be in a perfect position to catch it sail out. Should anyone from LCT be on board at present and like a photo of the ship leaving Istanbul - yell out!

I have decided to let Jackie to do the reporting from now on - she is so much more professional than me. We are meeting up for a group dinner tonight (LCT and CC) so I'll let her know what I've volunteered her for.

I found Istanbul fascinating and was very impressed by everything - it's so different, but I forget the names of things and Michael unfortunately isn't nearby. I just loved the 'Something or Other Cisterns' - the Roman underground water system. I couldn't get over all the men and boys fishing off the pier in very, very dirty water. I'm hoping they don't sell what they catch to Regent!

Apart from Olympia, so far we have walked the ports by ourselves and now they have changed the day we visit Santorini, all our booked tours have been cancelled - how's that for luck? We've managed to get a few alternatives which will have to do.

Lee

Lee, thanks for the reports.

If you can find out what is going on with the officers, let us know. Who is Captain, Hotel Director, and Cruise Director?

How full is the ship? Any signs of grumbling among the passengers or crew?

Enjoy your wonderful voyage!

Hi Lee, Yes, the Istanbul Cisterns are quite amazing.

Do let us know where you will be next Thursday. I do hope it will be Rhodes as that is the only Greek post we visit after we leave Pireaus on Wednesday.

Continue to enjoy your cruise.

Oh, Marc! I love your honest questions.

Ardis

Good to hear from you Lee. I think it is always such fun when two Regent ships pass each other playing songs and blowing whistles back and forth. Like you, we loved Istanbul. It is such an amazing city!

Dag is on board as is Jamie.

Peggy

Understand Capt. Dag will be on for just 5 more days.

Lee told me last night that I can now do updates on LCT. . . I'll do my best (she has a better writing style than I do). I'm posting on CC as well.

So far, the most interesting thing is that we have no clue what our new itinerary is. We are not bothered about this in the least since we do touring on our own. We will be docking in Kusadasi in an hour or so (arriving late). Tomorrow is Mykonos.

Last night 12 of us dined at the same table in Compass Rose (CC and LCT members). The service and food were amazing. We had a great time with everyone (Lee and I keep telling people about LCT!)

Have to get ready for Kusadasi where we will visit our first Hamam. . . . should be interesting.

Well here I am finally with some correct information and someone has beaten me to it!!

Marc: Just so you know I read your request -
Captain: Captain Dag
Staff Captain: Teo Srdelic
Cruise Director: Jamie Logan
General Manager: Michael Coghlan
Couldn't find Hotel Director.

Beth: Unfortunately we won't be catching up as on

Tuesday: Rhodes 8am-6pm
Wednesday: Santorini
Thursday: Mykonos
Friday: Navplion (?)
Saturday: Athens

We had a great dinner last night - you guessed it! More lobster and my second favourite - Beef Wellington!

I've handed over my commentary duties to Jackie, who I'm sure will do a better job than me! I will still check in with my useless information.

Lee

What are you doing at Napflion? It's a delightful city to just stroll in, and great jewellery shopping. But then there are probably tours to Mycenae and Epidavros, both of which are amazing. BTW, there are lots of spellings, Napflio, Navplion.

They have changed the title of Hotel Director to General Manager. That is why you cant find the Hotel Director's name.

I loved Napflion (or as Wendy says anyway you wish to spell this town). Last time we did a full tour of all the sights out of town with Marc and Arlene. We had a great day and saw a lot. Next time I go there I am just going to enjoy the town itself. Great port, it feels more like Italy than Greece to me.

Keep posting we enjoy being on the ship with you.

Ngaire: Thanks for that information - saved me from looking further.

Marc: Forgot to tell you they had a full ship the first week and nearly full this week. Apart from the officers, the crew is very friendly.

We went to Ephasis(??) Please don't make me write it 100 times - can't run back to the cabin just to find out how to spell it. The ruins are absolutely fantastic and not to be missed. Unfortunately, there were millions (a little white lie - but there were a lot)of steps and my knee has refused to go any further today. Looks like I'll have to sit on my balcony in the sun and read a good book! At one point, we had to walk across a glass bridge with the ruins at least one storey below and I freaked out - what a shocking feeling but then I do hate heights.

We had dinner last night with a great bunch. The staff were fantastic - nothing was too much trouble. Because of my alcohol related problems (I'm allergic to it), I tried a very old cocktail, Golden Dream. It wasn't the same as the first one I'd tried, so they took it away and brought back another - no trouble (except that it tasted exactly the same as the first one did but I didn't tell them).

Our little girl (housekeeper) is an absolute delight - I think I may take her home with me.

Whoops - better go - may miss something.

Lee

Thanks so much for checking in with us, Lee and Jackie - sounds wonderful so far! Hope you've been having good weather! Continue to enjoy, and keep checking in when you are able.

This post may sound strange. . . but, I haven't seen Lee all day -- would love to have dinner with you and Michael tomorrow (Tuesday night) in Rhodes. Maybe this is the best way to communicate??? Guess I could call your suite. . . but, the jetlag really got to me today. . . I'm tired.

The Turkish bath was wonderful. I had all temperatures of water poured on me (including my head and hair) -- learned how dirty my arms were (I do shower every day) and had a great time.

I'm beginning to understand some of the CC posts regarding inconsistency of service. May or may not post it on CC. Still trying to figure it out. Today, almost everyone was off the ship. We ate in La Veranda at noon -- only 4 tables had guests. . . the staff was chatting and looking out of the window. Our plates were piling up on the table -- no one paid attention. Then, at 1:00 p.m., additional staff poured in -- service returned to impeccable. Trying to figure out why.

Although I post mostly on CC, I am most comfortable sharing my thoughts on LCT. The service issue(s) are minor. . . but, they do exist.

Too tired to write more. Lee, where are you?????

Jackie, thanks for checking in, your and Lee's cruise sound pretty darn good so far!

Thanks Jackie for checking in - very disappointing to have that experience in LV - no doubt this is laid back board

Jackie, I think you should post your opinions anywhere you want to. That is what message boards are all about. Fact you are talking about inconsistancies here tells a lot of people that you are having them. You should feel free to post anything you want about your experience. Whether that would bother others is a different matter! Why we are all here!

Jackie, dropping one of those plates on the floor might have gotten their attention. Really is no excuse; sad thing is that they will never improve unless the error is pointed out to them.