Gilly

We were total safari novices post cruise in Cape Town and weren't even sure if we really wanted to go up country to see wildlife at all! We took a great Regent offer together with advice from friends who'd been to Kapama Southern and held our breath. Wow! Regent took care of everything and we had a blast! We loved every minute, found the whole thing very comfortable and exciting; exhilarating, even. (blog posts start here) I can't comment on whether we'd have had a better time somewhere else/booking it all independently, but can only say "Go for it!" We were simply glad not to have to worry about bits of luggage here and there, were pleased that it all came together again in Jo'burg and that we didn't have to worry about it at all.

Chrisy, that's such good news!

Thanks @lincslady and @RachelG for highlighting Valencia, now on my wishlist! (Cartagena too...) Safe travels home RachelG and thanks for taking us across the Atlantic with you. It's been a fun trip!

@Pcardad , @PhD-iva is correct - no CV tests recently but that experience remains in our memory as the most anxiety-inducing embarkation procedure of all. We should feel thankful that these days however awful that process is, it seldom comes close. A glass of champagne usually provides welcome relief.

@Mudhen I agree. Embarkation day is seldom totally trouble-free and we often remark that, if we didn't feel confident about the experience awaiting us once on board ship, we'd feel like turning around and going home! I think that having to undergo CV tests on the pier before boarding was the worst, but boarding in Rio a few weeks ago was hardly a picnic. Somehow though, that first glass of champagne and everything else that follows on from there is usually a swift remedy for any of our remaining grumpiness.

They were on Voyager earlier in the month too and we thought they were excellent. Lovely people too. Did they offer a dance class? I rather regret not taking up that offer - can you imagine how useful learning to do that Flamenco "stamp" might be in certain situations!? 😉

Hi @ysolde! I second everything you say - our cruise was great and Voyager was in good shape indeed.

Adding my good wishes to the collection - this is not how that story was supposed to end! Good to read through the thread and reach the part where you are well enough to go home and look forward to the next cruise though. Stay well and take care of yourself and TB!

When we sailed that itinerary in April/May 2019, we made the dateline crossing on May 4th. Cue for countless Star Wars jokes (again and again) Fun though (and not to be forgotten) Sorry you'll miss Dutch Harbor, but hopefully an additional port will more than make up for that. Thank you for sharing the trip - we have really enjoyed coming along with you again and were glad to see the Kuril Islands which were bathed in fog when we sailed past!

My favourite place to shop!! (But did you buy shoes?!?)

I believe it was described as a 'technical fault' and read that the Captain made mention of 'sea trials' which could explain the manoeuvres.

Great photos, thank you!!

We were at the W last year. A little quirky!

Oh we too! We were really hoping to catch him before he left but sadly that was not to be. He is a great chap and our loss is his family's gain without doubt.

Oh I must have been very good then 🤣 We had the best connectivity we've ever had on board Voyager these last couple of weeks and I didn't have to resort to my *secret* place once! Maybe it was our location on board - we had an aft suite on the port side - from where I posted my daily blog with quite a few (edited) photos without throwing my laptop across the room at all! *my secret place was the one that Davor shared with me when we sailed on Voyager last year and I could not so much as log on from our mid-ship suite. @UUNetBill you are absolutely spot on with your YMMV observation of course!