SAME SHIP DIFFERENT DAY: Regent Seven Seas Voyager's 2011 World Cruise Comes to an End!

Day 145 of 145!

: Seven Seas Voyager anchored of Mount Otemanu on Bora Bora is always a spectacular sight!

The last two days of our Journey came and went in a blink of an eye! The last day at sea, for many, was not to be relished but was met with final preparations for packing and marked the beginning of many tearful good-byes. After so many days together it does become like a family here.

: A memory from our day in Lahaina, Maui. Our guests who went on the whalte watching excursion enjoyed an amazing day.

Many friendships will be revisited in the future whether at individual homes or back on our ships. A sad fact for many of the world cruisers is that right now there are no plans for Regent to do another around the world cruise so this may be the end of an era.

: I love this shot of Dana and one of our great guests Lilly in their Indian attire!

Dana and I feel most fortunate to have been able to do each of the past eleven consecutive world cruises. A few of the couples did all of them and one of those was Barbara and a man I nicknamed "Uncle Bob." That is how he became know on the ship for all these years, whether he was on the Mariner of Voyager that's what he was called. Well, Bob was real fragile for the entire world trip but passed away just a couple days after arriving home. Though we were saddened by th news we were all so happy he finished the cruise and made it home. He was a good and funny man. Thinking back, we have lost quite a number of our world cruisers - many lives well lived!

: Barbara and "Uncle Bob."

As for next year there is no "world cruise" but there are a few opportunities for long haul voyages. In fact, you can sail 128 days from Auckland to Reykjavik or stay on another 10 days after that to visit the Norwegian Fjords and finish in Copenhagen (great voyage!). We have about 100 signed up to do at least 128 days.

: Captain Scala even made it to shore and joined us in Petra.

The only places you'd really miss would be the Pacific crossing and French Polynesia. But because of that it visits many more places on the way to Iceland. Dana and I are expected to be on part of that, we'll see.

: One of my favorite shots from the voyage as the two Queens (Mary and the new Elizabeth) set sail from Sydney. Several thousand were on the quay to watch the sail-away.

At noon we held a farewell luncheon for the world cruisers who remained on board for the final two weeks. The chef prepared a wonderful set menu and I believe everyone attended. It was a nice way to say good-bye as many didn't want to miss the chance to get to Normandy, which happened to fall on the 67th anniversary of the D-Day landings, or to Paris which was on the final day of our voyage.

: I snapped this photo of Seven Seas Voyager at dock in Littleton, New Zealand. Just nine days later the port town and Christchurch, just over the mountains a short ways were seriously impacted by the earthquake.

We were to stop in the quaint port of Honfleur but instead we went to Le Havre. The reason for that was because of the anniversary the tour agents were concerned that the buses from Normandy might be delayed in returning to the ship. If they returned after 5:30pm, due to the tide restrictions we'd be forced to sail six hours late. So instead, we went up the coast to La Havre and operated a shuttle to Honfleur which all worked out well.

: This was quite a sight as we cruised the White Island Volcano off the Bay of Plenty in New Zealand. The only "privately owed" volcano!

: Our day cruise Doutbful, Dusky and Milford Sounds in New Zealand. The day was piicture perfect!

The morning of disembarkation went very smoothly, despite all the extra luggage from the world cruisers. I believe a new record was set this year for suitcases which was 59! I can't even imagine that! Dionne Lochner, a South African replaced me and boarded the ship early to go over a few things. Else McLean, an Australian took over Dana's position. Both are delightful and they'll work with Chris Martin who will be the Assistant Cruise Director.

: Seven Seas Voyager will return to Bali, Indonesia twice in 2012.

: Bali is one of our favorite places to see in this great world!

Our guests began leaving as early as 6:30am and there were a lot of hugs exchanged at the gangway... and yes, some tears as well! Dana and I flew back to Traverse City, MI at 1:00pm and had a delightful flight. By 7:00pm we were eating a brat and a beer with our next door neighbors. Its sure great to be home! But certainly, we'll look back fondly at this incredible 145 night journey around the world. It was truly a great one and we feel so blessed to have been apart of it!

: Our guests enjoyed several wonderful special events this world cruise. This shot was taken at the Iolani Palace, in Honolulu, Oahu Hawaii, the only royal palace in the United States. Constructed in 1882 by King David Kalakaua.

As for the next day we finally enjoyed a day off and there are a lot more to come. But please stay tuned as there is a lot more great things to share with you in the weeks ahead!

: Dana escorted our guests on an overland into Luxor and Cairo. Seven Seas Voyager also heads back to Egypt a couple times in 2012. What you see there is absolutely amazing!