Art Instructor

@gnomie1 - Thank you for generous compliment! I am sure I enjoyed your mother's presence in my art classes as much as she enjoyed the experience! Please give her my best regards.

@JMARINER - Of course you are correct. Regent would treat all instructors equally and fairly. I was merely being exuberant and indicating, in general, I'd be happy to be on the ship offering guests an art experience on sea days.

@travelcat2 - Jackie, you are so kind! Making baskets in La Veranda was a so much fun. Clean up...not so much. ;) I have not contacted Oceania. I understand they have a dedicated art room which would make classes a breeze.

Marcia

I happily volunteer to join the Voyager again to teach art classes! They were so well-attended, fun and provided not only a great way to spend time on sea days, they were perfect venue for meeting fellow guests. We created art and life-long friendships!

Marcia

We cruised through the Middle East embarking in Turkey late Fall, 2015. One of our ports of call was Haifa for a three days visit to Israel. It was the highlight of our trip and I would gladly repeat this wonderful itinerary.

We felt safe at all times and trusted Regent to make decisions in the best interest of every guest. The trust was well-placed.

Go...enjoy yourself! Life is short and trouble can just as easily be around the corner from you. Regent will take you to the most delightful places, enriching your life.

I can't wait to read about your exciting adventures!

Marcia

Fantastic photos, Jackie! Thank you for posting. Catch up on your sleep and continue your wonderful adventure.

Marcia

This cruise sounds fabulous. Hope you have a safe and wonderful journey. Wish I were going with you as S. Africa is one of our favorite destinations. Hope to go back soon.

Looking forward to reading your posts. I wrapped up my blog from our recent 10/31 - 11/21 Voyager cruise. You can find it at consultm2.blogspot.com if you care to read it...loved the cruise and the Voyager was outstanding as always.

Sette Mari really stood out with both the Italian dining and French Bistro. We had a sandwich for dinner last night! What's up with that? :)

Best to all of you!

Marcia

The best of Oman will be seen when we dock in Oman tomorrow morning. It's a beautiful city with a fabulous Souk...lots of alleyways and exciting haggling. I am looking forward to doing some shopping there...the first for this trip.

The cruise is winding down. "Crew Kaper's" tomorrow night before dinner at the Captain's reception. That is always a fun and moving show.

Tonight I gave a lovely couple their portraits. They are members of Cruise Critic, so it felt like a special gift. I'll post them on my blog soon.

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

A large pod of dolphins surfaced, starboard, as the sun was setting this evening. It was a wonderful surprise. I've never see dolphins in the Red Sea.

We had dinner with Jane and Mike, Sally and Bob, both CC members. It was a delightful dinner with great company. After, we dropped in for the show. Great cast and a really good production. The costumes were really gorgeous.

Another sea day tomorrow. Ray's entertaining in the evening. It will be another, warm, beautiful day on the Voyager.

I posted two photos, on my blog, of sketches I completed today. Please check them out: consultm2.blogspot.com

Thank you,

Marcia

And then realized I had forwarded the clock two hours, not one! That's the carefree life on a RSSC ship. Really, does anyone care what time it is, as long as we are able to arrive in the dining room at the proper time.

Wadi Rum was fabulous! Pics are up on my blog, as are sketches of Mariana and Franck. Hope you enjoy them.

The weather was great today. Seemed like every chaise on the pool deck was filled with a sleepy sunbather. The seas are calm and the Captain is barreling through the Red Sea.

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

I'm glad you are enjoying my drawings! It's interesting, I find some faces easier the capture than others, so I can spend anywhere from 1.5 to 4+ hours creating a portrait. Same applies to an oil painting...some faces emerge very quickly with a paint brush and others "talk" to me for quite a while. The best part is simply getting immersed in the work and watching my subject look back at me.

I am drawing Franck now. Mariana, the Captain's wife, just stopped to chat and she graciously let me take her photo. You'll be seeing her soon, on my blog.

On another note, we tried rescheduling yesterday's tour to today, but everything was full. We'll take the shuttle into the town of Safaga and see the sights there. No worries, the best part about cruising is taking the trip your way....whatever it may mean to you.

More soon!

Marcia

My blog can be found here: consultm2.blogspot.com

...for you, Jackie. I see him frequently and yesterday, he sat down for a quick photo "session." I will sketch him next.

I am so glad you are enjoying my blog and art. It's so much fun to put the day's events on "paper" and share them with people who enjoy travel and cruising as much as we do.

I created another entry today about the strong winds and the havoc they played on the Voyager after we docked. Chairs were careening across the deck outside of La Veranda and a ballast was pulled out of the pier by one of our ropes. Quite exciting! Check out the details on my blog, please.

I had a visit with the Captain's wife, Mariana. We met in 2009. It was wonderful to chat with her, she's so lovely.

Wish you were along to enjoy this marvelous cruise!

Marcia

consultm2@blogspot.com

We sailed on Regent so many times, but have never seen Ray's show. Last night we had an opportunity. Ray is a fabulous! What a diverse, funny, talented and throughly enjoyable performer. Loved his show!

This voyage is spectacular. Israel was a non-stop thrill. I spend more time discussing our visit on my personal blog. I will try to post photos today.

We've never had a better block party. It felt like everyone came out of their suites. What a great group of neighbors we have...they all hung out in the hallways and chatted for a very long time. Lots of fun!

Food, service, crew and the ship are all wonderful.

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

There's little time for writing as we are all so busy enjoying ourselves on the Voyager.

Sette Mari was outstanding for dinner the other night. Best Veal Parm ever, anywhere...land or sea.

Prime 7 never disappoints and the service was fantastic.

The ship is immaculate and very cozy.

Four ships in port for Kusadasi but it didn't seem to effect anyone's tours. Excitement is building for Israel. It will be a very full three days in port.

Meeting many great CC'ers.

Marcia

consultm2.blogstop.com

We are on board. Our driver arrived at our hotel early. Quick trip to the entrance to the port. Effortless check in on land and on the ship. Relaxing by the library until 2:30 when we will find our suite and settle in for the next 21 days!

First item of business: purchasing unlimited internet! That was easy, too.

Very happy to be back and looking forward to meeting our fellow CCers at sail away!

Marcia

consultm2.blogstop.com

...and I can't sleep. I am not adjusting to the time change or perhaps it's my excitement about "coming home" to the Voyager, mid day, tomorrow.

No dinner for us last night. We enjoyed the nibbles in the hotel club room as well as the delicious wine and champagne.

A note about Istanbul: we were everywhere and never felt the least bit uncomfortable. We found lovely people all along the way and know that a smile is part of a universal language. It's "spoken" in all parts of this welcoming city!

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

I looked for those tea cups today. Alas, I could not find them.

We walked all day. Uphill/downhill...wore ourselves out, but had fun doing it. Loved the Spice Bazaar or was it the handsome man who gave me his phone number in one of the shops? :)

Toured Istanbul like natives. The tram was easy and a fun experience. Even hopped on the Funicular up to Taksim Square.

This morning we watched the Voyager sail in while looking out our hotel room window. Can't wait to board tomorrow!

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

Delightful flight from Chicago O'Hare with amazing service and food on Turkish Air. They made up beds for us which provided for a decent sleep en route. No glitches, landed early and our driver was waiting for us when we exited baggage claim.

We are ensconced in the Ritz Carlton (picked on the advice of our TA) in a lovely room with a view of the bridge and the Bosphorus. However, I really didn't realize how far away from the old city we are. We enjoy public transportation and finding our own way around a city, however, I think we may be very challenged in the morning. Maybe when we are fresh, it will seem less daunting. Or, if we surrender, we'll order a car. :o

In any case, we are thrilled to be in Turkey and look forward to meeting everyone on board the Voyager on Saturday.

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

PS...absolutely loved the chefs and tea light candles on our flight. Plus, drinking tea from the most exquisite tea cup, ever! (posting a photo of this elegant cup on my blog, soon)

Yes, please do stay in touch, Gill. Thank you for the good wishes!

Wish I knew how to create a "like" button. Do they only exist on Facebook?

Travel safe, everyone. We begin this journey tomorrow night from Chicago O'Hare!

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

Gill,

The art classes were great fun, but that evening in the desert was one of the true highlights of our world cruise! Thank you for posting a note on my blog. It was a delightful surprise. Very warm regards to you and Mark. I hope we cross paths again.

Marcia

consultm2.blogspot.com

Thank you, Jackie! I'd be delighted to do it all over again on the Explorer with you!

I think we have sort of "hijacked" this thread and I apologize for that. So, let me encourage people to read our joint blog beginning October 31st. Like my fellow cruisers, I am very excited to get to Istanbul to meet the Voyager for our 21 day adventure.

So looking forward to meeting everyone at the pool bar after sail-away!

Marcia

Yes, I do believe that was the cruise. We spent several days at sea making baskets! What a mess we made in La Veranda, with raffia all over the room and embedded in the carpet. The baskets were fantastic, though, and our art exhibit garnered raves from envious guests who wanted to buy the baskets! What fun!!

I followed your recent cruise. Everyone had a wonderful time and the group blogging was great to read.

Marcia

Thank you for asking. I have sailed on both Crystal and Regent, more the latter, than the former. We loved the intimacy of the Diamond, Barry Hopkins (RIP) on the Mariner and everything and everyone on the Voyager. In fact, I once met you on board the Voyager, however, I don't remember the cruise date.

Cruising has taken me to all seven continents and over 95 countries with two and half world cruises on the Voyager and many more voyages in between. It's my favorite way to travel.

I suspect it's yours, also. I've followed your posts on Cruise Critic for years and always enjoy reading what you have to share. I hope we meet again in the near future!

Marcia

We love sailing with you! There's room on board, so pack your suitcase and join us! We'll order lobster for you!

Marcia

Nancy,

I love having you as a Facebook Friend, but it's even more fun to see you here!

Please "tag-a-long!"

Love to both you and Larry!

Marcia

Hello All,

I journal every cruise and this one will be no exception. I am inviting all of you to not only read the group's joint blog, you are also welcome to follow mine.

Please visit:

http://consultm2.blogspot.com

I invite you to subscribe. (No spamming, I promise!)

Like so many others, I enjoy living vicariously reading about someone else's voyage. I am confident that with all the contributors, we'll be able to give an amazing account of this fantastic cruise.

Best,

Marcia