Who will be joining us on the transatlantic voyage?

Last year we did our first transatlantic on the Star Princess. The enjoyment of the interesting ports we visited the first week of the cruise, together with the ecstacy of 6 days at sea, lounging on the balcony and watching the sea go by, encouraged us to "upscale" a little (maybe a lot!) to RSSC. If the voyage is a reflection of our May/June 1994 trip to Normandy on Song of Flower, (same captain) it is going to be fantastic!!!
Hoping that we will hear from o few people who we can look up in 6 months!!!

Well, we will be with you for the first week,
Monte Carlo-Madeira. This will be our first cruise, so we figured 7 days was plenty. We've both been to several of the ports of call, but we still are looking forward to the experience.

We live in Chicago, are retired, and love European travel. I had to laugh when the travel agent we booked through (in a suburb near here),
cautioned us about the weather on this cruise...
60's.. in November?? sounds very good to us!

Shirley and Peter

Welcome to the board, David, Betty, Shirley and Peter!

David and Betty, I, too, am looking forward to seeing Captain Dag again after several years!

Hello,
My DH and I will also be on the Monte Carlo to FLL cruise. We were on the Voyager from Rome to Venice two years ago and on the Diamond in February. Since we are several years from retirement and in our own business, this will be one of our longest vacations yet and we are looking forward to it immensely!
Gwen & Dennis :banana:

HI all. My husband and I, plus a family friend, will be joining you all on this 11/6/05 cruise - Monte Carlo to Ft. Lauderdale. Yes, looking forward to the sea days!

Michele

Welcome Gwen and Dennis! It looks like this cruise is becoming quite popular! I will be on the ship 2 sailings before you, I wish I could of stayed on board and sailed home with everyone!


Ps
Should I move this message to the Roll Call board where it might get more notice?

Hi Karen,
Yes, move it on to Roll Call. Maybe we'll find other ocean cruisers. Just a quick question, I looked at the RSSC web page and was surprised to see that the cruise is no longer a spotlight on Big Bands as had been advertised in the brochure. It will be a Cordon Bleu cooking workshop but I believe that costs extra $$$. Anyone know what the story is?
Gwen & Dennis

Hmm, that's odd!! I wonder if it might be both? Maybe a call to Radisson might solve the mystery!

Moving this post to the roll call forum now :)

Greetings to all! We will be joining you, sailing from Monte Carlo to Ft. Lauderdale. My brother will join us in Funchal. In counting, from previous posts, our roll call now stands at five couples, one friend, one brother and a post by Joanne B. on the CC Radisson board saying she will be sailing with us as well. Joanne, will your husband be sailing with you on this trip? Did he enjoy the spring crossing? Also, has anyone heard if Doug and Lynn Burns will be with us?

Rick and I had the privilege of sailing with Joanne and the Burns on the Voyager’s crossing in the spring of 2004. It was such a pleasure to be with them. And thanks to Joanne, we had one of the most memorable experiences of our lives as she treated us to cocktails, hors d’oeuvres and stunning views from her incredible Funchal home. The evening was then topped off by a grand meal by the seaside. Oh, what a night!

Karen, as I began reading this thread, I thought for a moment you would be sailing with us. No doubt you will enjoy your trip in the weeks prior to ours, but I’m sorry we won’t have the chance to meet.

Debbie

Alan and I will be on this cruise starting in Monte Carlo. His mother and sister will also be joining us. Looks like we've got a good group started. I'm looking forward to meeting everyone.

The last info I saw says that the Monte Carlo to Funchal will be a Frank Sinatra cruise. I was also looking forward to the big band theme, finally the kick in the pants we needed to take dancing lessons.

Karen, stow away and come back with us!

Yes, we too are looking forward to the big band theme. We're getting a good sized group here -

Michele

My friend Carol from Ohio and I (from South Carolina) will be joining you in Funchal. We did the same crossing last year and loved it. The weather was great. If you have not taken it the Corden Bleu cooking school (spelling?) is wonderful. Lots of parties and a special dinner in Signatures just for participants.

Irene

What a great group we have forming! I believe our count to date is now at nineteen.

Our spring 2004 crossing was also a Spotlight on the Big Band with the Glen Miller Orchestra and a Cordon Bleu cruise. On several occasions the full orchestra would be on the pool deck playing as we pulled away from port. Everyone would be dancing or swaying with the music, beverage in hand and waving to the shore as we slipped away. Those experiences really made for some magic moments.

It seems that I read on the RSSC website that this cruise will have the Nelson Riddle Orchestra playing all the wonderful Sinatra songs. Donna, I agree with you about this being the kick in the pants to take those dance lessons. Now, whether I can convince my dearest husband of this is another story!

One of the other fun things about the crossings, and other sailings with several sea days, are the “country fairs”. Irene, did you and Carol have one of these on last fall’s crossing?

Also, Irene, in what part of Ohio does your friend Carol live? Dayton is my brother’s home.

Looking forward to meeting each and every one of you,

Debbie

What a wonderful group and a small world. Debbie, my friend Carol lives in Dayton and I am from there originally. The Country Fair is great fun IF the ship is not full. Looking forward to further posts and keeping in touch.

Sounds like we're going to have fun.

Reney, what part of South Carolina are you from? My son graduated from Clemson.

Debbie, still haven't started our dancing lessons but I need to get on the ball! By the way, I lived in Knoxville for 6 years (1980-1986).

Irene, it is indeed a small world. We are constantly amazed at the numbers of people we meet during our travels that we share some connection with. The theory of six degrees of separation often proves so true. Speaking of the country fairs on board, did you have a full crossing last year? I can imagine a full ship would cause quite a crowd at those fairs. On the Ft. Lauderdale to Funchal leg of our cruise, there were only 420 passengers. In fact, we had more crew than passengers. I’ve wondered if the Diamond’s departure will cause the numbers to increase on the crossings.

Donna, did you enjoy living in Knoxville? It is a lovely area and definitely a football crazy town. We live a few miles off of I-24, 45 miles from Chattanooga and 90 miles from Nashville, atop the Cumberland Plateau. Nashville is Rick’s hometown and Franklin is mine. We’ve adapted very well to “Mountain Time” as in slow as molasses.

Debbie

Debbie, yes I enjoyed Knoxville. And, you are right, what a football town...all 32 radio stations broadcast the same game..UT, a big disappointment for a Ga Tech fan! When me moved to Virginia, my children said they hoped they never heard "Rocky Top" again. After awhile, they missed it.

And, I lived in Chattanooga for almost two years (1974-76). My first child (a daughter) was born there. She's now all grown up and living in Memphis.

We visited the Cumberland Plateau once, very pretty except our dog came home covered in ticks!

Looking forward to meeting you in November. I think the ship is close to full.

Donna and Debbie--my husband would say he has let me go on too many RSSC cruises. We were not on the crossing last year but the year before!! The Voyager was completely full (700 Passengers). Thus the Country Fair day was so crowded and the lines were so long that most people did not enjoy it. Too bad.

Most all of the crossings from east to west are full. Plus on the Funchal embarkation they have a $99 single supplement. For the first time ever Carol and I each get to have our own cabin--we are ecstatic.

We live in Charleston but just spent a week in Greenville,SC--Clemson country. What a beautiful area.

We will all have to plan a get-together.

Does anyone on the board know how the pax load is for this voyage?

FYI.
I read this in a review of the 2004 crossing.


General Information About Transatlantic Crossings

Guests often combine Transatlantic crossings with one or more of the cruises occurring before or after the Transatlantic cruise. Because there are no or few ports of call on Transatlantic crossings, these cruises tend to appeal to more mature guests. Transatlantic crossings and longer cruises may also cause the ship's occupancy to be lower. Guest capacity aboard the Seven Seas Voyager is 670. On the Barcelona to Santa Cruz de Tenerife leg of our back-to-back cruises, the passenger count was 483, just slightly above the 447 staff onboard. On the Santa Cruz de Tenerife to Ft. Lauderdale leg (Transatlantic leg), the passenger count went down to 350 with about 98 percent of those being guests who had also been on the previous cruise.

Hi David and Betty,

Thanks for the information regarding the passenger count on the crossing. We were on the Voyager’s April 2004 crossing, beginning in Ft. Lauderdale and disembarking in Funchal. On that leg, there were fewer passengers than staff. Several comments have been made indicating the Europe to U.S. crossing is much more popular. This November’s Voyager crossing may also reflect a higher passenger rate due to the cancellation of the Diamond’s crossing. My husband, brother and I were originally booked on the Diamond.

On our 2004 crossing, we noticed a wide spectrum of ages on board. By far, the vast majority had vibrant personalities, were very energetic and fit. We were some of the younger passengers, as our ages range from mid-forties to one of us that recently celebrated the BIG 50!

Debbie

Hi David & Betty, & Debbie,

We're looking forward to this trip with you all. This will be our first crossing. Was it warm enough on your previous crossings to enjoy the balcony & a brisk walk on the jogging track? Just curious as to how much one has to bundle up. Looking forward to meeting everyone. - michele

Michele,

We found the temperatures on the crossing to be cool to moderate, making for wonderful weather to enjoy our balcony and other outdoor activities. Layering your clothes would be a good idea. Several times as we lounged by the pool in the shaded areas, we enjoyed having a blanket over us. The pool staff was very attentive, bringing blankets to cover up with, beach towels to lie upon, rolled towels to serve as pillows and always offering food and drink. It truly was a “waited on hand and foot” experience.

Now, here’s my input about that brisk walk. To the best of my recollection, the ship travels at a speed of approximately 19 knots during the actual crossing. I’ve been told that is a fast pace. What that translated to for me on the jogging track was nearly being blown off my feet in one direction, and then trying to walk into a brick wall the other direction. It was quite an experience!

Debbie

Dear All:

The full description of the 2004 crossing with a wonderful ammount of detail is found on the site:

http://www.cruisereport.com/report.asp?sr_id=968

It has all the answers to the questions re temperatures etc.

Hope you enjoy as much as we did.

My friend Carol from Ohio and I will be joining you all in Funchal. She is in 672 and I have an H guarantee.

On our November crossing two years ago the temperatures were in the high 60s and low 70s during the day. Everyone dressed very casually during the day.

Per my travel agent it is still a Big Band cruise.

Looking forward to meeting everyone.

David & Betty, good cruise report, thanks! Debbie, I'm having a good laugh over the image of you being blown around trying to walk on the track. I prefer the other image you described: being pampered by the pool! Great stories!
Reney, glad to hear from you on the board again. Donna & I were wondering where everyone was! Tks for the info on the Big Band theme & I like casual days. It's a good sign that there's repeat crossing cruisers (rcc's) on this trip! :) Michele

Has anyone booked any private tours? We would be interested hearing about them. We have been looking into the open on/off bus tours available at the ports of call.
Last year we did that in Cadiz and really enjoyed the experience.
We remember tours from the Song of Flower en route from Barcelona - Rouen for the 50th anniversary of D-day. They were very special as we are sure the Voyager tours will also be.

Only 10 weeks to GO!!!

Two years ago Carol and I did the ship excursion in Barcelona and we loved it. It is a good-sized city and we were able to see everything.

In Malaga the ship had a shuttle to the center of town--walking will show you the city.

In Lanzarote you MUST take the camel excursion. Our travel agent recommended it and it was the highlight of our tours. You will think you are on the moon on the excursion. It is a very popular trip so I would book it early.

BTW, my husband and I lived in Westlake Village for many years so I know the Calabasas Comman well!

Good luck with your tour hunting.

I am so behind in preparing for this cruise. Haven't even started thinking about excursions. We will be escorting my 87-year-old MIL and will be deferring to her wishes (most of the time). Alan and I will have plenty of chances in our lives to come back and do it again. I'm sure we will be taking some excursions though. Need to get started on my research. Looking forward to meeting all of you.

We were just upgraded to a C suite on deck 8. It is an Horizon suite. I have read in several posts of vibration problems in this area of the Voyager. Has anyone been aboard recently and had any experience of the phenomena.

So you can meet us we have now posted picture. Hope it comes out OK.
Still conting down!!!
Have a good week.

That didn't seem to work. How do you post a picture? I have the http address in my profile

David and Betty, go to the Off Topic Board, and on the very first thread you will find picture posting directions that Karen posted some time ago. Good luck!

Thanks jhp. D.

This week' s Newsweek (9/26/05) has an article on p. E32 entitled "Cruises for Hobbyists" ...... i.e., "themed" cruises.

So you don't have to dig it up, here is the paragraph on ours:

SINATRA: Celebrate big bands with the top arrangers on many of The Voice's greatest hits. Afternoons onboard the seven-day crossing from France to Funchal, Madeira, are filled with 1950's and '60's classic films and informal talks with Rat Pack friends (from $2937; rssc.com)

Judging from the posts here, most of us won't be spending afternoons chatting with the "Rat Pack" friends!

Other "themed" cruises mentioned include ones focused on Art and Architecture, Cars, Coffee, and Books.

Thanks to the "other board."

Thanks for posting your picture David and Betty. We will keep our eyes open for you. It won’t be long now. I loved your post about “reminiscing”; what great memories the two of you have. It brought back my memory of holding my cell phone up into the air as the Voyager’s horn announced our departure from Ft. Lauderdale as we began our Spring 2004 transatlantic crossing. On the other end of the line was my dear brother, thousands of miles away listening as our champagne glasses clinked for him. The allure was just too much to resist, hence his decision to join us on this crossing.

Looking forward to meeting everyone,

Debbie

Hi! Debbie:

Great story!!

As the time draws near (5 weeks) till we board the Voyager we talk more about, "cruises past."

I think we have done about 30 now so some become distant memories. However we still remember the first one when we occupied the owner's suite on the World Renaissance, an old Costa cruise ship.
Betty was deadly nervous about sailing. In those days the cabin had 2 twin bunks at opposite ends of the room. We left San Juan, Puerto Rico at midnight and by the time the ship crossed the bar we were already in bed. I told her, "roll with motion." Apparantly she did and next morning after a very rough night she was OK. This was not the case with many of the passenger who were entertained by Mr. C. Sickness overnight!!
Ever since that day she has taken very little persuading to take a cruise.
Looking forward to meeting you and your family. I am easily recognizeable by my "Transatlantic" Sailors Cap. It was admired by Captain Dag several years ago and I sent him one in exchange for his service cap which I wore for many years as "captain" of my own 36" sloop!
We also look forward to meeting our future ship mates.

Wow! Thirty cruises, what wonderful stories you must have to tell. We will look forward to hearing them.

In reviewing past posts on this board and the CC board, it appears 20 of us will be enjoying all or a portion of the crossing.

Monte Carlo to Ft. Lauderdale:

David & Betty
John & Kathy
Gwen & Dennis
Don & Michele & friend
Alan & Donna & Alan’s mom & Alan’s sister
Debbie & Rick

Monte Carlo to Funchal:

Shirley & Peter

Funchal to Ft. Lauderdale:

Irene
Carol, Irene’s friend
Edward, Debbie’s brother

Have I missed anyone? Also, is there any interest in setting a time and place to meet and greet?

Debbie

We would be very happy to meet at some specified place and time. Maybe en route to Barcelona on Monday AM. (not too early!!!)

Maybe someone who knows the layout of the vessel could suggest a place.

We'd love to meet everyone, too.