DeepFreeze63

I saw no mosquitos (it was a "Trivia" question though) just some flies. We didn't go on any wooded excursions and we were always on the ship about dusk. As a precaution, I wore long-sleeve safari shirts and old jeans with shirt, jeans and socks sprayed with Permethin (spell?) - done at home - and put Deet spray on exsposed skin at excursion start.

It's midnight on the Voyager's last night of the Lisbon to Cape Town cruise. DW and I just closed down the Voyager Lounge - the last bar open at night. Casino is closed as we are in port. What a great final day! Voyager was expected to be 3 hours late into CT but we got better weather overnight and Captain maintained almost 18 knots and arrive only 1 1/2 hours late. A clear, beautiful day and a wonderful view of Table Mountain (with no "table cloth") as we sailed in (great photo-op). Immigration was simple (just passports, no mention of Yellow Fever cards) but tedious as all passengers and crew had to be cleared. Morning included last lecture (14 in total); this one was on the history of diamonds in Africa by Adam Tanner, a gifted historian with a very pleasing voice and whose slides are interesting but not over-whelming. Many went to all 14 talks. DW and I went to the high tea (Regent excursion) at the Lord Nelson Hotel - magnificent event - lovely venue with champagne, finger food, pastries, choices of many teas (brewed at the table), and a delectable selection from the "cake table" - Wow! Got back on ship intime to watch the shoot-out of Japan vs. Croatia. Thanks Regent for continuous World Cup coverage. Had wine and freshly shucked oysters in La Verandah for a light dinner as the High Tea was a meal in itself. Watched "Top Gun", the popcorn movie in Theater @ 9:30 and closed up the bar

Rough seas again last night and today as we race towards Cape Town. Had "Top Tier" special event yesterday afternoon - Namibian Youth Choir -Magnificent! About 30 youths chanting/singing/swaying to drum beat for 4 or 5 African upbeat numbers. kudos to CD, CC and GM for getting them through the immigration hurdles and aboard in time for a performance Beatles Night dance party last evening a WOW event - great participation. The large dance floor in the Horizon Lounge was packed with very happy passengers.

This is our 10th cruise on the Voyager and its attractiveness has grown on me during this cruise with many sea days. The Splendor is my favorite ship but I like the Voyager's theater and the Horizon Lounge better. My cabin (711) is sufficient in size but has minimal storage outside of the walk-in closet - insufficient for us on long cruises. The bath is very practical but "dated" in colors and materials. Our cabin sofa and big chair are slightly worn (upon a close look). Positives: attendants keep the cabin immaculate and the bed is wonderful - especially in the rough seas that this trip is experiencing. Both the Voyager and the Splendor will do this itinerary in 2023. I would travel on Voyager again

Arrived in Walvis Bay only 1 hour late. Port is large and neatly maintained. Had a very rocky and noisy night - awful seas off the "Skeleton Coat" of Namibia! Beautiful weather - about 70F with light wind upon arrival. Face to face immigration required of all onboard, both coming and going. Well organized by Regent but time consuming. We had been here before (more on excursions after I talk to other passengers) so we took the Regent Shuttle to the Dunes Mall. Town is lovely with nice houses, palm trees and wide, paved roads. Mall was terrific - beautiful; fully stocked with all kinds of goods; and the prices were unbelievably low. Stopped on way back at vendors just outside Port gate (passengers can exit and reenter on foot); lots of wooden African animals, trinkets, a few cloth goods (we negotiated a nice tablecloth from $75 to $35). We were only cruise ship in port and docked in walking distance of the wharf where tourist boats depart for excursions (Regent bussed people to wharf).

Update: As of now, John E will be replaced as CD on Voyager by Andy (with Tammy) when ship reaches BsAs; John will go on vacation then. Warm weather gear broken out as outside temp about 63F and winds about 30 knots. Will be late to Walvis Bay as winds are on bow (ship going at max. speed).

Our third sea day since Sao Tome; seas have been rough and winds been brisk. I have been wearing wrist bands - they work for me. Tropical sun snuck up on me; I'm as pink as my pink shirt. Chef just walked by carrying a ginger- bread house as ship decorations continue. Menorahs on the Destinations and Reception desks. Ship had medical emergency during the night with ship-wide request for A+ blood from male passengers for a passenger needing immediate transfusion - apparently many responded. Reminded DW and I to carry our blood-type cards.

Up-dates Library now has a copy of at least one newspaper. Had dinner in CR with 2 members of Production Cast (female dancer and the costume seamstress) - very enjoyable conversations. CR is the only venue the cast is permitted to be invited to but non-licensed staff can join passengers in any of the dining venues. Computer Room is rarely full and internet has been generally OK.

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.

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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!

Correction to earlier post: CD John E. is on board for last 2 months of the World Cruise; Paul ? does the 1st two months. The husband/wife team, who had been CD & Social Hostess on WCs retired.

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!

Entertainment continues to be terrific! last night's show was Piano Showman and the quest tenor collaboration - they got a standing ovation. Reference to a question - John E the CD departs soon to do the world cruise on the Mariner preceded by a vacation. 2nd stop in Cape Verde was BORING. Praia is the capitol and the biggest city of the 10 islands. Again, relatively clean and neat with bright colored buildings. BUT, on a Sunday morning everything but churches are closed - even the souvenir shops!

Yes, being shown in the Conference Room of the Voyager.

Our 2 stops in the Canary Islands were beautiful, interesting places. Cape Verde is relatively clean and neat with bright colored buildings but not very interesting. Saturday morning fish market in Minelo was fascinating for a short visit. The magician/humorist last evening was fabulous! CC said we have 638 guests aboard; the Voyager handles this number well. The passengers that we have met are well-traveled (but not necessarily with Regent) and very affable; makes for very enjoyable dinners (we always share dinner tables). We have been having a "civilized" breakfast often in CR. Extensive menu and attentive service but leisurely.