An Adventure on The Voyager

[daetchief]

I have it on very good authority that Andy and Tammy will soon re-appear as CD/SH on the Explorer.   (And they would be very happy to hear that the products they use make them appear younger than they are...  😁  And I'm mostly referring to Andy;  Tammy is forever young...)

 

 

Edited November 21, 2022 by daetchief
Protecting Tammy...

[earth117]

Is Abidjan still the next port on Voyager now, before Takoradi? The Marine Traffic site seems to indicate that Regents Seven Seas Voyager will be skipping Abidjan, Ivory Coast. It shows it as en route from Banjul to Takoradi, though less industry insider sites still list Abidjan. I'm curious because I'm on this route with Azamara in December.

[DeepFreeze63]

Yeah! We spent yesterday in Banjul, the capital of Gambia as scheduled. Hot at 95F; lots of cars (many were older Mercedes); and lots of people (many were young), Interesting; highlight for us was meeting lovely school children near a mosque. Apparently, our shipboard account will eventually be charged 63 euros for a Gambian visa - Regent handled obtaining such. We now have 2 sea days before arrival in Cote D'Ivorie.

Terrific having access to WC games.  England vs. Iran was well attended - with English flags being supplied by a guest!

[DeepFreeze63]

The "adventure" continues, another sea day added to itinerary as Ivory Coast stop cancelled at 10AM! Not clear from Captain's letter if cause was the port or us.

Despite disappointments with port cancellations, the cruise continues to be enjoyable for us. Jam-packed with activities that we like and an affable group of fellow passengers.

[mrlevin]

19 minutes ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

The "adventure" continues, another sea day added to itinerary as Ivory Coast stop cancelled at 10AM! Not clear from Captain's letter if cause was the port or us.

Despite disappointments with port cancellations, the cruise continues to be enjoyable for us. Jam-packed with activities that we like and an affable group of fellow passengers.

Interesting that they didn't tell you until 10am when it had been showing on CruiseMapper since you left Banjul that you were heading straight to Takoradi.  

Edited November 23, 2022 by mrlevin

[DeepFreeze63]

Thanksgiving at sea. Turkey to be served in all passenger dining venues at dinner.

Had "County Fair" on deck this AM - well participated in and great fun. Apparently hasn't been held recently on Voyager.

Ate our dinner last night at Pool Grill for the first time in all our 22 Regent cruises (we made Titanium level at start of this cruise). It was a nice alternative as we wanted a quick, casual meal. Both the sausages and the steaks were grilled to perfection.

[RJ2002]

6 hours ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

Thanksgiving at sea. Turkey to be served in all passenger dining venues at dinner.

Had "County Fair" on deck this AM - well participated in and great fun. Apparently hasn't been held recently on Voyager.

Ate our dinner last night at Pool Grill for the first time in all our 22 Regent cruises (we made Titanium level at start of this cruise). It was a nice alternative as we wanted a quick, casual meal. Both the sausages and the steaks were grilled to perfection.

 

What a great day...  the Country Fair AND Thanksgiving onboard!

 

Enjoy.

[Boatmans Lady]

20 hours ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

Thanksgiving at sea. Turkey to be served in all passenger dining venues at dinner.

Had "County Fair" on deck this AM - well participated in and great fun. Apparently hasn't been held recently on Voyager.

Ate our dinner last night at Pool Grill for the first time in all our 22 Regent cruises (we made Titanium level at start of this cruise). It was a nice alternative as we wanted a quick, casual meal. Both the sausages and the steaks were grilled to perfection.

 

Really hope we get to experience a County Fair on our Voyager cruise as we have 7 sea days and these look a fun thing to attend. 

[DeepFreeze63]

Delicious Thanksgiving dinner option in CR last night! Turkey (dark and light), cranberry (a little more jelly-like than usual), wonderful mashed sweet potatoes, and pumpkin pie (better than my grannies' - yes).

A terrific "rock& roll" dance party in the Horizon Lounge - a wonderful venue for such, like a night club with a big dance floor.

[mrlevin]

Interesting that the ship informs all other ships and ports that there is "armed security onboard."  I never noticed that on CruiseMapper before.

[DeepFreeze63]

Arrived in Takoradi, Ghana this AM. Had our temperatures taken yesterday and today as we disembarked. Saw at least 2 passengers escorted away from monitoring. Visa cost is apparently $50 each.

Takoradi is an industrial port in southwest Ghana which is an English-speaking country. Local craft stalls greeted us on the pier. City and environs are relatively clean and neat but definitely impoverished. Many deteriorating buildings with pockets of opulence (banks, hotels and churches).

 

We had a fun excursion of about 3 hours in AM. Hot but had an air-conditioned bus. Guide was acceptable. Much was a panorama ride but 2 stops. We visited a terrific museum - 3 floors of wonderful African art (decidedly pro-liberation themed). Then to a modern hotel for a cultural show in an outside, canopied area with comfortable chairs, beverages and banana snacks. Show consisted of Ghana dances to African drums. Highlight was two very young boys in intricate, syncranized routines - amazing endurance.

[watercruise]

On 11/25/2022 at 4:06 AM, Boatmans Lady said:

 

Really hope we get to experience a County Fair on our Voyager cruise as we have 7 sea days and these look a fun thing to attend. 

Hi. A few questions -

What is a county fair day.
We are Taking our first RSSC cruise CapeTown to CapeTown December 6-21. We too have many sea days. Is there a limit to how many days you can dine in each specialty restaurant?  
And what’s the typical evening dress code?

[cwn]

4 minutes ago, watercruise said:

Hi. A few questions -

What is a county fair day.
We are Taking our first RSSC cruise CapeTown to CapeTown December 6-21. We too have many sea days. Is there a limit to how many days you can dine in each specialty restaurant?  
And what’s the typical evening dress code?

Each ship’s department sets up a country fair type game booth around the pool deck. Loads of fun for passengers and the crew seem to enjoy it also.

You can dine in the specialty restaurant as many times as you can get reservations.

Evening dress code is nice casual (no jeans or shorts) every night including formal optional nights if any. Check Regent website for exact statement of dress code.

[DeepFreeze63]

On 11/25/2022 at 2:08 PM, mrlevin said:

Interesting that the ship informs all other ships and ports that there is "armed security onboard."  I never noticed that on CruiseMapper before.

Per GM: "I can neither confirm nor deny". - when I asked about armed security onboard.

All draperies closed in Observation Lounge each night at about 6 PM.

[DeepFreeze63]

14 hours ago, watercruise said:

Hi. A few questions -

What is a county fair day.
We are Taking our first RSSC cruise CapeTown to CapeTown December 6-21. We too have many sea days. Is there a limit to how many days you can dine in each specialty restaurant?  
And what’s the typical evening dress code?

We will also be on that cruise. Once you have used one of your pre-cruise reservations for a specialty restaurant you can get another (if available). See the Dining reservation desk on Deck 5 across from Reception Desk.

[NCCruzQueen]

5 hours ago, watercruise said:

Hi. A few questions -

What is a county fair day.

Country Fairs usually occur on lengthy ocean voyages with a large number of sea days in a row.  I am currently on Splendor with 6 consecutive days at sea.  Yesterday was day 3 and we had a country fair.

[DeepFreeze63]

Yesterday was another interesting day!  We entered Lome, Togo ("the pearl of Africa") which is a small, French speaking country sandwiched between Ghana and Benin. Rainy season had not yet arrived so day was hot and dusty. Port is large and prosperous as it supplies several land-locked African countries. We were met by drums, dancers and stilt-walkers - great fun! Area looks to be on the upswing as many cinder-block building in progress (but far from completion).

We took the "Traditional Togo" excursion, in a convoy of about 6 nice buses (thankfully ours was airconditioned). had 3 stops. A fetish market (think voodoo) - not for the squeamish - serving the locals who are mostly animists, as a religion/culture. Second stop was a primary school (compulsory and free) where the children sang; we visited a classroom; and we could peruse the children's workbooks - I was impressed by the quality of the students work. The third stop was at a ethnic village where the village leader (the "King") and his entourage paraded accompanied by music, drums, chants and dancing. Long day but very interesting port of call

[watercruise]

9 hours ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

Yesterday was another interesting day!  We entered Lome, Togo ("the pearl of Africa") which is a small, French speaking country sandwiched between Ghana and Benin. Rainy season had not yet arrived so day was hot and dusty. Port is large and prosperous as it supplies several land-locked African countries. We were met by drums, dancers and stilt-walkers - great fun! Area looks to be on the upswing as many cinder-block building in progress (but far from completion).

We took the "Traditional Togo" excursion, in a convoy of about 6 nice buses (thankfully ours was airconditioned). had 3 stops. A fetish market (think voodoo) - not for the squeamish - serving the locals who are mostly animists, as a religion/culture. Second stop was a primary school (compulsory and free) where the children sang; we visited a classroom; and we could peruse the children's workbooks - I was impressed by the quality of the students work. The third stop was at an ethnic village where the village leader (the "King") and his entourage paraded accompanied by music, drums, chants and dancing. Long day but very interesting port of call

A

[DeepFreeze63]

Just dropped anchor (our first tender port) at Sao Tome and Princie - a country with two main islands about 150 miles off the coast of Gabon- and almost on the Equator. we're going ashore for an African Art and Lunch excursion. Cross the Equator deck party tomorrow.

Our sea day yesterday was activity -filled as usual and included a presentation by the Engine Room staff's three main officers with Captain, Gm, and CD also chiming in - a WOW event. FACT FILLED (they are engineers) with opportunity to have passengers' questions answered

[DeepFreeze63]

On 11/27/2022 at 3:18 AM, DeepFreeze63 said:

Per GM: "I can neither confirm nor deny". - when I asked about armed security onboard.

All draperies closed in Observation Lounge each night at about 6 PM.

Passengers have identified our special security. Two young, very fit (one described as a "hunk") males who stand out among the rest of us!

[mrlevin]

10 hours ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

Passengers have identified our special security. Two young, very fit (one described as a "hunk") males who stand out among the rest of us!

I bet it was Mary that spotted the special security; after all, she has spent lots of time in the White House.

[forgap]

So funny!  We were in pirate territory on Voyager and we had Israeli commandos on board.  Very easy to spot, shades, black cargo pants, tight T-shirts over buff pecs,  easy on the eyes.  A girl can still dream…..

[DeepFreeze63]

Ship's public areas look beautiful! Large tree was being assembled in the Atrium when we returned from yesterday's excursion; soon it was fully decorated with Christmas ornaments and lights - wow. Smaller trees arrived in other venues overnight.

We crossed the Equator about an hour after leaving Sao Tome. Had a warm and tiring excursion (lots of walking at the Equator at Noon is not recommended); others reported that they had fun excursions (they were in vans). The Crossing the Equator deck celebration is @ 10:30 this AM.

Last night, we had another terrific guest entertainer - a gifted guitarist.

A "Voyager Art Scavenger Hunt" started after yesterday's Trivia - 4 days to locate more than 50 objects from photo snippets of the art - challenging but great fun!

[Gilly]

20 minutes ago, DeepFreeze63 said:

4 days to locate more than 50 objects from photo snippets of the art - challenging but great fun!

John introduced us to this during our Voyager cruise in the Adriatic a month or two ago and we really enjoyed the challenge.  We couldn't complete it but it was a fun distraction and another conversation starter (if we needed one!)  It's a great idea for a series of sea days (of which we had none, which might be why we never finished it!)

I'm loving the daily updates from an itinerary I'd love to sail.  Thanks for taking us with you.

[DeepFreeze63]

On 11/21/2022 at 6:01 AM, DeepFreeze63 said:

Navigation Officer says we will pass about 300 miles from Null Island. GM says that we will have an on-deck celebration when we pass the Equator several of the Production Cast have never sailed across the Equator - they get to kiss the BIG fish!

WoW event; lots of participation. John E. the CD makes a GREAT Neptune! "Passages" today featured "Crossing the Equator" and explained the evolution of the ceremony and noted that crossing the Prime Meridian at the Equator (Null Island), one becomes an "Emerald or Royal Diamond Shellback that is the most distinguished...". We were about 300 miles to the East.