Live from the Voyager, Istanbul to Dubai, 31 Oct to 21 Nov 2015

[gnomie1]

We love the "Artful Traveler" group - the lectures are for the most part excellent and the opportunity to spend time with the people we usually see on television is an added benefit.

 

The last time we were aboard an Artful Traveler group, we were able to watch "works in progress" and provide our input which was quite thought provoking and enjoyable.

 

Have a wonderful cruise - we board in Dubai as you get off.

 

gnomie :)

[Portolan]

Today (Tuesday, 3 November) we're at sea reroute to Haifa. Morning full of AT (Artful Travelers) and Smithsonian lectures. High winds (45 knots) expected this afternoon so it may get a bit rough. The AT focus is on PBS/NPR so screenings of past and future (first time seen outside PBS) programs are on the schedule, both in the theater and on the TV.

 

To echo an earlier poster, the Voyager looks great and the service/food have been outstanding. Haven't had a chance to find out how full we are, but I estimate maybe 550-600.

 

No attempt to manage expectations today about excursions in Israel so it looks like everything will operate as planned.

[Art Instructor]

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

[NJBelle]

Hi, this is a quick note for those on board - if you like jazz, don't miss the Regent Signature Quartet in the Horizon Lounge in the late evening. We went last night after the Broadway Show, and we were quite taken with their talent. They seemed to respond to the appreciative audience, and they were as good as many we have seen in NYC.

 

For the rest of those reading this, life continues to be good on the Voyager. Nice day at sea with lots of lectures. My only complaint is that there has been so much to do, that I haven't finished my first book yet!

 

We had dinner last night with Sarah Colt, a documentary filmmaker who is here as part of the Artful Travellers. Not only is she brilliant in her work, she is also quite charming in person.

 

Tonight is Formal Optional and the Captains Reception. Since we have Prime 7 reservations at 8:00, we decided to blow off the reception, but will have a drink in the Observation Lounge instead. In fact, time to get ready!

Edited November 3, 2015 by NJBelle

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I'm looking forward to your reports about Luxor, since we were just there!

[Travelcat2]

We are also very interested in your port visit to Luxor. I'm quite curious to learn if the "protection" is as heavy as it was in Alexandria in late September (tanks, machine guns in the back of trucks, etc.)

[Wendy The Wanderer]

We are also very interested in your port visit to Luxor. I'm quite curious to learn if the "protection" is as heavy as it was in Alexandria in late September (tanks, machine guns in the back of trucks, etc.)

 

We saw few machine guns, but rifles for sure. We usually hard an armed guard on our bus (just a guy with a pistol in a suit), sometimes an escort vehicle in front, but not often. Lots of checkpoints with police. Security was pervasive, although sometimes they seemed to just pay lip service. Like the temple we visited, where the metal detector was out of service because one of the guards had laid out his lunch on it, lol!

[Travelcat2]

We saw few machine guns, but rifles for sure. We usually hard an armed guard on our bus (just a guy with a pistol in a suit), sometimes an escort vehicle in front, but not often. Lots of checkpoints with police. Security was pervasive, although sometimes they seemed to just pay lip service. Like the temple we visited, where the metal detector was out of service because one of the guards had laid out his lunch on it, lol!

 

Wendy, you went to more than just Luxor on your trip..... right? Did you find security tighter in some areas than others? Had to laugh about the guard's lunch - even though it probably isn't funny:o

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Wendy, you went to more than just Luxor on your trip..... right? Did you find security tighter in some areas than others? Had to laugh about the guard's lunch - even though it probably isn't funny:o

 

All the ancient sites, temples and tombs, had security--metal detectors. Security was tightest in Cairo--there was a lovely German Shepherd dog who acted as a sniffer for all vehicles driving into our hotel, for instance (Four Seasons.)

 

And in Aswan, the security was highest around the dam (obviously), and the bridge across the Nile which is the old Aswan Dam. But everywhere else in the south, it was about the same.

[NJBelle]

This is a very short note to say that no one is posting since we are all dog tired. Our Jerusalem tour started at 6:45 this morning and we got back at 7:30 tonight. Only on Internet to check in with my daughter.

 

Great excursions in Israel so far. No issues whatsoever.

[Travelcat2]

Thanks for checking in. We understand your exhaustion and assume that you are enjoying Regent's excursions in Israel. As mentioned, we had no issues at all in Israel. They take "security" to a level that is not seen in most of the world.

[Eager2Travel]

We are close to leaving Hiafa after three wonderful, informative, fun and inspirational days. What a wonderful replay experience for us. We did this same trip a few years back. We started slowly with a half day tour to Caesarea which are some very interesting ruins built by King Herod and not too far from Haifa.

 

Our second day we lucked out and got the wonderful Mordiachi for a guide! We went to Safed and then a winery with some very excellent wines. The next stop was a delicious lunch at a hotel run by a kibbutz again with some very fine wine. By now with the wine, Mordiachi's wonderful spirit and a fun group of travelers we were on a roll. We went to the Golan viewpoint and finished with a very interesting stop at a Baptismal on the Jordan River. The day was topped off with a local folk dance show that was one of the best I have seen.

 

Today we skipped the 7 am departure for the Tel Aviv tour and had a lovely Compass Rose breakfast. We took the shuttle into the German Colony section of Hafia and had a enjoyable walk in town

 

The Voyager is prefect for us. Fine food and drink. Friendly and accommodating service. Good traveling companions. Enjoyable entertainment. We'll run and informative excursions. Life is good! Thank you Regent.

 

Ann

[RachelG]

Really glad you enjoyed Israel. We loved it. Mordecai is a fantastic guide. Wish we had had 3 days there (which was the original plan that Regent unfortunately changed). There is just so much to see that we barely scratched the surface.

[gnomie1]

They take "security" to a level that is not seen in most of the world.

 

The reason that security is at high level in Israel at all times is because they have no other choice if the country wants to survive - tourists only see a nutshell of the security that goes on in the daily life of most Israelis. While for the most part, day to day living appears "normal" to an outsider and for the most part is, even when parts of the country are being attacked. For the most part, life in Israel is the same as live in many other countries. Tourism is big business in Israel and the country goes all out to make sure that tourists not only feel safe, but that they are safe.

 

BTW - the majority of security is undercover and cannot be recognized by the average person.

 

 

gnomie :)

[Anchorbuoy]

We are having a relaxing day at sea today. We needed that after the 3 long days of touring in Israel. Lots of Smithsonian lectures yesterday and today.

 

Tonight we will have the Block Party, and The Ray Solaire Show (not to be missed). Tomorrow, we enter the Suez at daybreak.

Edited November 7, 2015 by Anchorbuoy

[NJBelle]

Right now just relaxing on the balcony in between events on a sea day. While the day is beautiful, this is the first chance I have had to enjoy the outdoors since there has been so much to do! Between the Smithsonian lecture on the Suez Canal (and it was literal standing room only this morning!) then the wine tasting and then the Artful Travelers lecture by Bill Gardner, there went the morning. On sea days, we like to have lunch in the Dining Room and that was very pleasant (although I am sure the Greek Buffet was pretty good too). Then we saw a premiere showing of PBS's The Pilgrims (being shown on Thanksgiving Day for the rest of the USA). Really wonderful production. Now I am out having a cup of coffee before the cocktail reception with Artful Travelers and then the Block Party. Then dinner and the show. Whew!

 

Israel was really fabulous. Everything was smooth (although some traffic and the some rain on the 3rd day). We had an action packed 3 days and saw all the sights that I read about in Bible stories and learned about in sermons over the years.

 

Glad to have the two sea days ahead. Well, this one and just one more while we go through the Suez Canal. Then Egypt!

[Otisandlouise]

So jealous, wish I was on this cruise. The itinerary looked awesome.

[Eager2Travel]

The itinerary is awesome. We did this trip two years ago and this time around we have the time to do fun things like riding in the dunes and snorkeling in the Red Sea.

 

We discovered a Cruise Critic friend across the hall from us during the Block Party. It is always fun to attach a face to a screen name.

 

Now we are off to the Ray Solaire show.

[Art Instructor]

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

[Travelcat2]

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

 

Marcia - your blog and sketches are absolutely amazing. You brought our experience from September back to life. Coincidentally, Joel was also our host at the kibbutz when we were there in September. It was our second visit to the kibbutz. As you know, you can see Syria which is only a couple of miles away. We were told by our guide that no one has tried to gain entry into Israel from that border.

 

So glad that you had dinner with Franck. He is such a lovely man. If you see him again, please tell him that Jackie and Dennis send a hug (I try to send him that message whenever someone I know is on the ship).

 

Looking forward to reading more on this thread as well as your blog.

 

Jackie

[Art Instructor]

...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

[Travelcat2]

Just read your blog and had to laugh about you doing laundry while all of the turmoil was going on. It was a great idea since there were few people on the ship. This is the first time I've heard of a ballast giving way. Hopefully it didn't hit the ship and ruin her nice paint job:-)

 

Having done Luxor and several other places in Egypt during a land and Nile cruise several years ago (plus visiting there on the Voyager), we also decided against taking the 3 hour drive into Luxor and did the caravan to the desert (we loved it). For people that have not visited these sites, it is worth the long bus ride.

 

I'd love to hear some comments about the security you are seeing in Egypt. As I mentioned in my thread in September, we saw a lot of guns and even a couple of tanks in the streets to insure that everyone was safe. With the problems that just happened with the airplane in the Sinai area of Egypt, I would not be surprised if security was even tighter than when we were there.

 

Really looking forward to your sketch of Franck!

Edited November 9, 2015 by Travelcat2

[irishwitchy]

I'm enjoying your blogs also and your pictures were wonderful to see. How long dies it take you to complete your Drawings?

[Art Instructor]

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

[NJBelle]

Surprised to see that fellow travelers have not commented recently, but the again, not too surprised. We just spent a huge 3 days....2 in Egypt and one in Jordan. Today we are enjoying a well-deserved sea day. I think everyone is just recovering. I slept 10 hours last night! I think you will hear more in the next couple of days. Bottom line, last 3 days were WONDERFUL!