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!

Marcie--wow, I can feel the nostalgia and warmth in your post, about the wonderful friends who have lived through such adventures and fun together.....I've enjoyed your various posts from the different places and I'm really looking forward to meeting you guys at the May 1 brunch---coming up pretty soon, now. Have a wonderful trip home and take LOTS of kleenex to the final parties!!!

Marcie, it's true, I can feel your emotions too. I'm sitting here smiling with teary eyes for your wonderful experience. Thanks again for taking the time to share with us. I feel like it's my World Cruise that's ending!. You're posts are so real, almost like I'm there (but not quite!). What fun you have had. Can't wait to see you on May 1 at the brunch.

Marcie, I wish we could keep you on the ship a bit longer, I will miss your posts :(

If you had to pick one port that was your absolute favorite, which would it be?

Marcie,

You have really been in my thoughts this week, trying to imagine how you and Tom are feeling, and, very selfishly, wanting it NOT to end! You have brought us all so much pleasure, knowledge and FUN!

Wishing you a memorable last 2 days and a safe journey home and hoping to hear from you once you settle in,

Marcie,

This is a very bittersweet time for you and Tom, as you near the finish line of your incredible journey.

Your posts and photos have brought so many of us as close as we may ever come to so many fascinating corners of the world.

While you are concluding your World Cruise, I am sure you are now looking ahead at the many cruises you have on the horizon.

Have a safe trip home. Can't wait to see you both on May 1!

Hugs from Alan and me!

Marcie,
I have truly enjoyed your posts from your wonderful world cruise. I will miss them. Thanks again for taking the time to share so much of your experience with us.
Have a safe trip home.

Betty

Have a very safe flight home Marcie. Thank you so much for all the time you have spent making us drool about wonderful and exotic places. you are the best!

Marcie, you have made all of us feel like we were on the world cruise with you. I have looked forward to your posts and I have appreciated every word. Thanks for taking us along.

Thank you very much Marcie for your wonderful reports. It has been fun for us to wait each day for the next one.
Thank you :nw:

Marcie, it's hard to express how much I've appreciated all of your wonderful posts and pictures. I feel as if I have been with you the whole time. You are so sweet to share your incredible experience with all of us. Thanks so much, Nancy

Marcie,

Time does fly when you had fun!! I would be so sad too! This cruise had everything in it but most of all, memorable characters, destinations and people that brought it alive...certainly this experience is life changing and you will feel the impacts of it for many years to come. What a fantastic opportunity to have lived!!

Marcie,
I also find it hard to believe how fast the time has flown. Thanks so mcuh for sharing your experiences with us. Have a safe flight home, and give all your furry firends an extra hug from us as well - after all they shared you with us for quite some time! Wish I could be at the brunch - I'm sure a fabulous time will be had by all!! Hugs! :hug:

Marcie,

I'm glad you have had such a great time, and thankful that you have let us come along vicariously.

Here's a slightly premature "Welcome HOME" from Mark and me!

Thank you so much for sharing your fabulous trip. It was a privilege to read your exciting posts.

Have a safe journey home.

Marcie,
It had to end and it's so sad to leave all your new found friends but look at the incredible memories you will keep.
In the next 5 years I WILL do a WC. You have given me the incentive and push to follow through.
Thanks for all your wonderful and interesting posts.

I can't believe it is over - it feels like yesterday that you called from your limo on way to LA hotel - glad you'll be back on LCT on a regular basis - Joanna

Marcie, ditto to all of the above. I felt goose bumps reading your last report - so sad for you that it has to end but a little bit jealous that I'll never get the opportunity. Maybe in my next life! Have a safe trip home and a wonderful
'Welcome Home' party - wish I could join you all.

Lee

Marcie,

I think we all know the feeling of our cruises ending and the warm feeling you get just recalling a week or two. Three and a half months has to be so different. The unselfish act of sharing this time with us will be memorable to all of us. Some will get to live this way for a time and those who will not will have your posts to remember their vicarous cruise with you.

Thank you - and Welcome Home, Marcie and Tom. Remember that Dorothy says "There's no place like home"

FANTASTIC job, Marcie! We really enjoyed cruising with you and Tom. Sorry we could only do the Singapore to Rome portions. You both made us all at LCT feel as if we had been aboard for the entire cruise. Let's do it again soon.

Marcie...Thanks for the memories! Even if they were yours, we treasured the opportunity to share them. And while I feel sad that your fun in ending, I can't wait to read your first post from home when you tell us about your joyful homecoming. So hurry back friend. We'll be glad to welcome you home to LCT landside!

Marcie, thank you for your wonderful posts. I feel cheated that your trip is almost over..

Marcie, I've been thinking about your mail all day. Exactly how high will the stack "to read" be? I can only imagine!!

Marcie - Not sure what to add to what everyone else has said, but it sure has been great cruising the world vicariously with you.

Thank you.

Lis

Marcie - thank you for taking all of us along on your "Excellent World Adventure", I am crying as I read your last post, wondering what I am going to do in the mornings without your wonderful "ravel log" but knowing how hard it must be for you to be ending your lifetime dream trip.
You know I have to tell you a funny story about our first RSSC cruise, it was on the Mariner in May of 2003, and it was the Panama Canal transit at the end of the World cruise, and there were still 36 people onboard from the full world, and one couple we met said they were supposed to get off in FLL, but they realized that it would be more expensive to ship all the stuff they bought back to Calif than to stay onboard and cruise back to LA, so thats what they did, the most interesting part was that they lived in Manhattan Beach, where I grew up, and were doing one of those "tear down, rebuild" things and when we talked we of course knew exactly where they were building, which led to us seeing them frequently in the Stars lounge at night.

Thank you again and we will look forward to meeting you and Tom on MUSH!!

Marcie, what a great "last post"!!! You and Tom are the ultimate "regular people" like most of us on this board, and you have given all of us dreams to someday do this. You have been most generous with sharing with us your experiences! I doubt you will ever know how much your postings have meant to all those coming to LCT and Ngaire's site

Thanks so much for sharing your wonderful journey with all of us! Safe home!

Claudia

Marcie...every time I read this thread I'm sad. You've taken us on an amazing voyage!

I just find it amazing how I can sit here and read these posts, and feel like I'm actually there going through it, including feeling all the nostalgia and sadness for it coming to an end. I'm literally teary, and I'm not even ON it! What a joy following this whole experience has been. A million thank you's!

I can't believe it is almost over. I'm going thru withdrawal. LeeAnne, you have big shoes to fill for your upcoming cruise. Marcie, hope you make that flight but 9 suitcases. Oh my. I'd have loved to be at the white elephant sale. Sounds like loads of fun.

Thank you so much for letting us join you on this trip, Marcie. You rock!!!

Marcie...you really did a wonderful job. Just reading your posts, it is hard to believe how fast 3.5 months went by. Your writing was fantastic and the pictures brought the world to us. Thanks for taking the time to share.

I have nothing more to add to what everyone has said. Thank you for letting us share in this experience with you!

Masaki

Marcie, ditto what everyone has said. I really appreciate your efforts to make US a part of your cruise.

Anthony

Hi Marcie,

Thank you for taking the time to publish this "diary". It was something to look forward to!
Have a safe trip home,

Marcie, thank you for taking the time through all of this wonderful world cruise to continue writing and posting to enable all of us to experience it with you! I enjoyed reading it so very much. Have a safe trip home and bestow many hugs on your wonderful daughter and enjoy the welcomes from all of your "furry family".

Marcie,
Thank you so much for letting us hitchhike along with you on the WC. Your photos and travel descriptions were great. We will be like ships that pass in the night as we are embarking Saturday, after you leave. Have a good trip home!
Thanks again,
Marilyn

Marcie,
Thank you for taking the time throughout your cruise to make us all feel as if we were sailing along with you. Your trip of a life time was a treat to us also! Hope you get your land feet back quickly.
Gail and Rich

Marcie,

I join everyone else in saying what a joy it has been to read your reports from the Voyager and to view your wonderful photos along the way. Welcome home to dry land. I can't believe it's over!!!

Marcie--

I've been remiss in expressing my appreciation for your dedication in posting your experiences.

Its been truly great and very much appreciated.

Best to you and Tom!

Many thanks--

Bill

Yes, yes, yes. Marcie's reports have so excited us that my SE actually said that he is thinking of booking the World Cruise. I am SO excited. Thank you, Marcie.