Disembarkation Day - Ft. Lauderdale, USA

 

Date:  April 30

 

Location:  Disembarkation Day – Ft. Lauderdale, USA

 

Next Port:  None

                                                                  

Report:  Last night we could see lights from the Bahamas, so we knew we were close.

 

Larry awoke at 4:45 to see the Pilot Boat pulling away from the ship…and then the entrance of Ft. Lauderdale in the distance. We pulled into our berth at about 5:30.

 

Since departing from here on January 9, the Seven Seas Voyager has sailed a total distance of 34,147 nautical miles (39,296 statute miles) -- visiting 48 ports in 26 countries! We thank Capt. Dag and his sailing crew for their wonderful seamanship that enabled us to safely complete this remarkable journey.

 

We were off the boat by 9:10 or so, retrieved our luggage, separated the six bags that IPS would ship to our home and climbed into a town car with our checked luggage for the short airport ride to the airport. The check-in through security was a snap and we were at our gate before 10:00.

 

Our 11:30 flight was on time and American Airlines had us back in warm sunny Chicago 10 minutes early at 1:30 CDT.

 

It was a terrific trip…one that we would love do again some time in the future.

 

Larry has to fly to Colorado Springs on Thursday and will be involved in getting caught up with home activities prior to that. However, next week we plan to file one more journal report on our overall experience and photos of the Voyager.

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

Day 111 - At Sea (Day 7 of 7)

 

Date:  April 29

 

Location:  Day 111 – At Sea (Day 7 of 7)

 

Next Port:  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April 30

                                                                  

Report: Day 111, Sunday, April 29:  This is it! Our last cruise day. What a glorious world voyage it has been. One that we feel very privileged to have experienced.

 

We enjoyed (maybe) our last breakfast on the aft deck, before attending the Protestant church service. There were about 25 of us in the Horizon Lounge. We all thanked Jamie for being our “pastor” for these 17 weeks. He certainly doesn’t need the extra pressure to prepare for these services, but he truly does it for his love of the Lord.

 

Captain Dag has told several of us on separate occasions that he believes Jamie is the nicest person he has ever met. That’s quite a compliment from such a leader and experienced worldwide traveler. That respect and admiration is mutual and really shows when the two of them are together. It seems that whatever creative idea Jamie comes up with Capt. Dag comes through and fully supports it. They truly make a great team.

 

Karen played Bridge for awhile and then joined Larry at the White Elephant Sale in the Atrium. Passengers had been invited to donate items that they decided not to take home – “why did I buy that?” Jamie had also collected some treasures from among the crew and from a special, early-entry buying trip to the America’s Cup logo store in Valencia.

 

Jamie, of course, was the auctioneer. If he ever needs a second job, that could be it. He did a terrific job…as did the passengers in their bidding. All the proceeds went to the Voyager Crew Welfare Fund. In just over an hour, Jamie raised more than $22,000!

 

We had a delightful lunch in the sun on the Pool Deck with Mary Lou and John. They live in San Diego, so we hope to see them occasionally as we visit our daughter and husband who live close by to them.

 

We then spent most of the remainder of the afternoon on the Pool Deck and Larry got in a final swim. Late in the afternoon, Karen played Bingo for about the third time, picked up our passports and provided the library with some books that we didn’t want to carry home.

 

We met Ken, and Shirley and Norman, in the Observation Lounge and then had a last dinner in Compass Rose with them. We had a table by the window and enjoyed watching the ships heading into Florida on similar courses to us.

 

After dinner Larry played 3-card poker for a bit…he also cashed in the chips he had accumulated during the cruise. All in all, he believes he just about broke even in the casino. He played his big $40 stakes a couple of times a week during the first half of the trip, but cut back during the last half due to the numerous smokers in the casino.

 

We retreated to the Observation Lounge to say good-bye to Frankie and were also able to see Jenny and Kevin from New Zealand who we’ve shared many good times over the course of the cruise. We could see the lights of the Grand Bahamas on the horizon.

 

Upon returning to our room, there was a note that we could expect to begin disembarkation at 10:00 a.m. We have an 11:30 flight to Chicago…so things could be tight!

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

 

Days 109 and 110 - At Sea (Days 5 & 6 of 7)

 

Date:  April 27 and 28

 

Location:  Days 109 and 110 – At Sea (Day 5 & 6 of 7)

 

Next Port:  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April 30

                                                                  

Report: 

 

Day 109, Friday, April 27:  The core members of our Devotional Group met for breakfast in Compass Rose. The 12 of us had a great time breaking bread together and reliving the highlights of these past four months. We have struck strong bonds of friendship with both the staff participants – Jamie, Dana, Elda and Mallorie – and the three other couples who were consistent attendees – Barb and Richard, Mary Lou and John, and Dodi and Larry. We believe that these relationships will endure and that we will all cross paths again, whether on land or sea.

 

We dedicated the afternoon. Cecilia obtained the four three pieces of luggage that had been stored and we applied ourselves so diligently that we even had a chance to catch some rays on the Pool Deck.

 

At 5:30 we attended a “Stop the Packing Party” in the Atrium. Apparently this an annual event sponsored by a long-time cruiser. Jamie’s team had strung garments throughout; there were refreshments, the Voyager Quintet played and the singers entertained.

 

We had dinner in Compass Rose with Joan and David, after which we attended the last show of show of the Peter Grey Terhune Singers and Dancers. We have gotten to know most of the cast members and they have certainly added to the enjoyment of our trip.

 

Day 110, Saturday, April 28: With all our packing done we were able to spend a very restful next-to-last day at sea. Karen continued her Bridge Lesson and social game with her group. Larry attended the last lecture by Bill Miller, this one on the current cruise industry.

 

Karen had arranged for the group of us that had dinner together at Regent’s Departure Gala in Miami on January 8th, to get together for a reunion farewell lunch in the Compass Rose. The nine of us had fun reminiscing about the good times we’ve had and the sights we’ve been fortunate to see on this grand adventure. The other attendees were Yolanda, Nancy and Jerry, Shirley and Carl, and Phyllis and Eddie.

 

We got some more sun time and swimming on the Pool Deck in the afternoon. The seas have been very calm and the temps are in the mid-70s.

 

Last night, Jamie and his crew put on another spectacular. It was our last formal evening and we all gathered in the Constellation Theater before dinner for refreshments and good fun. The 90-minute show included humorous skits (such as the daily navigator’s report from the bridge and the Captain and Jamie singing some original songs); individual musical performances by Frankie, Elsa and Peter, and Nathaniel; entertainment by the Peter Grey Terhune Singers and Dancers; and singing by eight men and women from the crew (including our delightful stewardess, Cecilia). This was followed by a song by all the senior staff and crew members from each department as they paraded on the stage. Interspersed between the musical acts were readings by staff members of inspirational remembrances and thoughts that had been solicited from the passengers.

 

Jamie concluded the evening with a short video of the highlights of the trip and a closing message from him (in his water skiing gear) and from Capt. Dag, standing on the bulbous nose that protrudes from the nose of the ship (obviously shot while docked at our last port!)…and finally him sailing away in his new little white run about…with him saying that “old seamen don’t die, they just get smaller dinghies.

 

We then had dinner with Marji and Dave, Ken, and Marybeth and Gary. We retired to the Observation Lounge to listen to Frankie with Marybeth and Gary before calling it a night. We then packed up our formal wear and put the six bags that are being shipped home to Chicago out in the corridor. That action made it really seem that the end is near.

 

(The Captain told us that he had hoped to dock in Ft. Lauderdale at 8:00 p.m. on Sunday, so that the disembarkation could go smoother on Monday morning. But that the US Coast Guard would not honor his request. It seems that it’s Navy Week there and we would cause too much congestion. So we are scheduled to hit the pilot station at 5:00 a.m. on Monday and should be dockside at 6:00 a.m.)

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

 

Day 108 - At Sea (Day 5 of 7) (Farewell Gala & Crew Talent Show)

 

Date:  April 26

 

Location:  Day 108 – At Sea (Day 4 of 7)

 

Next Port:  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April 30

                                                                  

Report:  Thursday was the last day for the morning devotionals that Jamie and Dana have been conducting on sea days. We have had a fluctuating group numbering at times 18 or so, as others have come and gone. The hard core of 12 has included four World Cruise couples, Mallorie (one of our young production singers, and Elda (the Assistant Cruise director). We have thoroughly enjoyed these meetings and have developed a strong sense of community among the participants, including those who have only been on board for a couple of weeks or so. It has always been sad to see people disembark and leave the group. Now it is almost our time to say our final good-byes.

 

Today we had the last of the Nooma videos that Jamie has been showing. These are short 12-minute productions by a young minister that address life issues in a powerful manner. Tomorrow we plan to have breakfast together, so that Jamie will have time for all the other things he is involved in at this busy “end-of-the-cruise” time. All of us certainly appreciate the extra time, effort and enthusiasm he puts into his Christian outreach.

 

Our evening was super. We gathered with 10 friends in the Observation Lounge before heading down to the Compass Rose for our World Cruise Farewell Gala. The tables from the middle of the dining room had been cleared out to create a dance floor and Peter and Elisa played dance music throughout dinner. We had a special menu which concluded with the traditional waiters’ sparkler parade of Baked Alaska.

 

Then it was off to a packed Constellation Theater for the Crew Talent Show. This was the first one Jamie has organized on the Voyager and it was terrific. There were 12 or 13 acts – and every one of them was outstanding. It was lots of fun to see the folks we know as waiters, cooks, stewardesses, bartenders, pool boys, etc., step out of those roles and showcase their musical and dance talents. The cheers, whistles and standing ovations were clear demonstrations of how we felt about these wonderful young people. And you could see in their faces and expressions of joy that they were having a good time also.

 

Afterwards there was a wild cast party in the Voyager Lounge…which we heard then moved on the Horizon Lounge until about 2:00 a.m. (We turned in about 11:30.) It was a special night!

 

We will probably have to begin our packing tomorrow….ugh!

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

 

 

Days 106 and 107 - At Sea (Days 2 & 3 of 7)

 

Date:  April 24-25

 

Location:  Days 106 and 107 – At Sea (Days 2 and 3 of 7)

 

Next Port:  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April 30

 

Report:  Our time on the Voyager is rapidly coming to close and thoughts are turning to homeand our re-entry into the real world. We are also enjoying 25-hour days, as we are setting our clocks back almost every night of the 7-day crossing.

 

Day 106, Tuesday:  Larry spent a good part of the day getting his journal entries and photos uploaded to the Web. We’ve had some connection issues, but mainly the delay in posting has been due to too much going on and, to be frank, a fatigue factor in getting the journal done.

 

We both exercised and attended our devotional group’s gathering before breakfast. Larry attended an excellent lecture in the morning by Bill Miller, a real ocean liner and cruise line aficionado who has written 70+ books on the subjects. Karen continued her lessons and social game with her Bridge group.

 

We enjoyed telephone conversations with our daughters and Karen’s sister, Phyllis, and husband Dan; a quiet dinner; and some time in the Observation Lounge (both before and after dinner).

 

Day 107, Wednesday:  Many people have gotten into the serious packing mode. We are in a state of denial and haven’t even asked yet for the portion of our luggage that was put in storage. The rest is under the bed. (Early readers of this journal will remember, that as Full World Cruisers, Regent provides complimentary shipping to and from Ft. Lauderdale of up to 135 lbs. per person.)

 

We did receive our luggage tags – ours are Red. The color determines the order in which you disembark. And the bags on the dock are sorted by color. Since we have an 11:30 flight from Ft. Lauderdale, we need to reconfirm that we are in one of the earliest groups to get off…the timing could be tight.

 

There is a lot of luggage on this ship. We’ve seen many passengers (and crew) buying new suitcases so as to accommodate their numerous purchases. I’m pretty confident that we’ll be OK. We just didn’t purchase much, and what we did was small. We downsized to a small condo six years ago and have a rule, “To come into the condo it needs to be either edible or wearable.”

 

Larry attended another lecture on the famous Atlantic Ocean liners by Bill Miller, as well as a fascinating one on the Amazon River by Jean-Michel Cousteau.

 

After lunch, the crew set up a Country Fair on the Pool Deck. Each department set up a game for which passengers participated to earn coupons. Then the coupons were placed in a hopper for raffle prizes. The departments were competing for most original booth/game…with the prize being $250 for a party. The Dining Department won for great booth and game built around the Adams Family. Though a bit windy, everyone had a fun time.

 

In the evening, half the World Cruisers descended into the Crew Quarters for dinner and fun at “Jimbo’s Truck Stop Diner.” What a hilarious time we had.

 

We were met by floozy Elsa, Jimbo (Jamie), Flo (Lisa) and Bimbo (Dana)…all were in costume…and the ladies seemed to have had some surgical chest enhancements! Many of the past guests had experienced this event before and came in proper (funny) “truck stop” costumes and wigs.

 

We entered through the Crew Bar where Capt. Dag was serving up powerful drinks. We enjoyed a delicious cafeteria meal that was somewhat above most diners – yes, there was meatloaf, but there was also lobster! Afterwards, the quintet played for dancing in the crew bar…and Capt. Dag was still pouring.

 

(The Truck Stop Diner is running for three nights. For the first two, one-half of the World Cruisers attend each. On the third night – tomorrow – the Segment folks attend and we full World Cruisers have a gala going-away dinner in Compass Rose. And for three nights, the crew gets to eat in La Veranda. So everyone has a treat!)

 

After dinner we enjoyed a variety show featuring the Huber Marionettes and vocalist Richard Beavis. Another not so lazy sea day!

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

We have been having satellite issues and/or problems with the Picasa web site…I have been unable to load photos of the Country Fair and Jimbo’s Truck Stop Diner…stay tuned.

 

Day 105 - At Sea (Meeting the Navigator) (Day 1 of 7)

 

Date:  April 23

 

Location:  Day 105 – At Sea (Meeting the Navigator) (Day 1 of 7)

 

Next Port:  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April 30

 

Report:  We both have recommitted to ensuring that we would workout during each of our seven sea days. (Larry hasn’t been able to convince Karen that it’s the ship’s air conditioning that is shrinking the clothes!) We were both up early and completed our workouts before the 8:45 meeting of our devotional group. 

 

Karen continued her bridge lessons and after-class game with Barbara, Neil and Kirk.  She was high on the fact she and Kirk made a slam…something that doesn’t happen too often.

 

Capt. Dag and Jamie have promised that there will be a few surprises during our crossing…so we knew that today probably wouldn’t be just another “sea day” – particularly since we were sailing northwest and Ft. Lauderdale was to the southwest.

 

Unlike most cruise lines we have been on before, Capt. Dag opens his bridge to passengers. It is normally open from 10:00-11:30 and 1:00 to 3:00 on sea days or by special invitation.

 

A couple of weeks ago, Larry noted that the crew had been plotting a rendezvous with the Regent’s Navigator which would be enroute to Europe during our crossing. Today, suspecting something was up, he visited the bridge and received confirmation that we would be rendezvousing with the Navigator at about 3:00. Shortly thereafter, Capt. Dag announced the surprise meeting to the rest of the ship.

 

Then during lunch, Capt. Dag asked Larry if he’d like to photograph the rendezvous from a catbird location high up on the smokestacks. Of course the answer was, “YES!” (Karen was able to take a few pictures of Larry taking pictures of the event…very memorable all around.)

 

Capt. Dag said to come to the bridge at 2:00. At that time he outlined his plan: Laurens and Jamie would join him in the Zodiac. They would meet the Navigator with Jamie on water skis with a Regent flag and inflatable Orca. They planned to zoom between the two ships as we blared music across the waters. Capt. Dag would rendezvous with the Navigator’s captain in his Zodiac and exchange gifts…after which he would return to the Voyager and pick up Jean-Michel Cousteau and exchange him for Kenny Smiles, the comedian on the Navigator. Jean-Michel would use the Navigator’s public address system to tell its passengers about his Ocean Futures Society, while Kenny used ours to tell some jokes (and make fun of Capt. Dag).

 

Amazingly, during lunch the skies cleared and the sea turned almost glassy. What had been a somewhat drab day turned brilliantly sunny. The bright blue color of the water and the approaching white ship made for some great photos. Jamie fell as he zipped between the ships – Dag admitted later that he started too far away and could understand how Jamie could have been somewhat tired! We sailed slowly together for awhile before getting everyone back on board.  We then sounded our respective horns as the ships again turned east and west. There is never a dull moment on board!

 

This evening’s event was an “Underwater” cocktail party in the Constellation Theater. The venue was decorated with fluorescent fish, underwater scenes and sea ice sculptures.  Laurens and a couple others in full SCUBA gear passed out cocktail shrimp and the waiters passed caviar canapés. Elisa sang some “nautical” songs, and Capt. Dag and Jean-Michel spoke.

 

We had dinner with Ditta and Ellen in Compass Rose and then enjoyed the first performance of the Huber Marionettes.

 

So the first of our 7 sea days was anything but lazy! We apologize for the somewhat delayed publication of these last three journal entries.

 

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

Pictures of our meeting Regent’s Navigator have been added.

 

Day 104 - Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

 

Date:  April 22

 

Location:  Day 104 –  Tenerife, Canary Islands, Spain

 

Next Port:  Ft. Lauderdale, Florida, USA, April 30

 

Report:  Tenerife is the largest of the Canary Islands. Santa Cruz de Tenerife, its capital, is the maritime gateway to the island and one of Spain’s busiest ports. However, Santa Cruz is mostly a business and administrative center. As it was a Sunday, most of its stores were closed. Therefore, Regent provided a shuttle bus service over the foothills of the Mount Teide volcano to the seaside resort of Puerto de la Cruz.

 

The drive between the sharp, folded, green Anaga Mountains to the northeast of the city and the gentle, volcanic slopes of Mt. Tiede (12,200 ft.) to the southwest was beautiful. The view as we dropped into Puerto de la Cruz, with the white waves crashing on its craggy black volcanic coastline, was spectacular. The resort was much larger than we expected and bustling with tourists – we thought mostly Germans.

 

Once again we enjoyed a leisurely walk along the rock bulkheads, around the old fort walls, along the promenade and down close to the waves and rocks. Right in the center of the town’s shoreline were a series of stylish pools and restaurants – called “a lido” – encircled by low volcanic rock walls, much of which were painted white.  It was another artistic project of the late Cesar Manrique.

 

We had lunch at an outside restaurant enjoying the sun and cool breezes before returning to the ship by shuttle bus. (The “special chicken” lunch Karen ordered turned out to be a fried egg sandwich…something may have been lost in translation!) We passed by a white building that looked very familiar. And it should have. It was a performance auditorium designed by Santiago Calatrava (remember the buildings in our Valencia report?).

 

It was a very relaxing last day ashore. As we pulled away from the port at 3:00 p.m., and Tenerife faded into the distance, reality hit home. Our grand adventure truly is drawing to a close. The next land we spot will be the condos lining the harbor of Ft. Lauderdale – 3,458 nautical miles away. 

 

We are having many mixed feelings.  While we are sorry to see our journey winding down, we are also excited about seeing our friends and families back home. This has been a wonderful adventure.

 

Karen and Larry

 

Photos of our cruise are available at the following web site:

 

picasaweb.google.com/larryworldcruise

 

Pictures of our day on Tenerife have been added.