Many of you already know that in September, longtime Cruise Director Barry Hopkins left Regent Seven Seas Cruises to join Seabourn. Barry will be on the Seabourn Spirit beginning November. Barry was hired to take out the company’s three new ships and has been busy in the Miami headquarters assisting with the onboard plans. I can’t think of anyone better than Barry to design the entertainment venues on a new ship. The Odyssey will be the first new Seabourn ship in the series and is scheduled to be launched in June 2009.

Taking his place at Regent is Ray Solaire. Ray has been with SilverSea for many years and took the reigns on the Mariner this fall with the Grand Asia-Pacific cruise. In addition to his work as Cruise Director, Ray is quite the entrepreneur with a beautiful stately home in England’s Lake District that he runs as a bed & breakfast with his brother along with a vegetarian restaurant, a jazz club and a bowling alley!

John Barron will be back on the Mariner in January for the Ring of Fire. I am excited to join John on the first portion of this cruise. No promises but we will see if we can get Lynsay and Luke on for a while - wouldn’t that be great!

And at the end of the Alaska season Bryan Townsend was talking about future projects in his home state of Texas. Located on what T. Boone Pickens calls the “Wind Corridor”, Bryan’s hometown of Amarillo will be at the heart of the development of alternative energy – and he wants to help lead the way. Don’t know what that will mean - if he’ll be trading the waves of the deep blue sea for the amber waves of Texas grain - but its a great cause and I support him in whatever he does. Go Bryan!

As the temperatures drop up north, bookings to southerly cruise destinations go up. Whether you are yearning for the brilliant beaches of the Caribbean or the glow of the Mediterranean sun, travelers fleeing winter’s cold are sure to find the perfect getaway on one of the many ships serving warm weather destinations. However, with so many of us feeling the pinch of the economic meltdown you may be wondering if you can afford a cruise this winter.

Knowing that everyone is watching their money this season, many cruise lines are offering great deals from US ports. Expect to see real bargains on cruises to the Mexican Riviera and the Western Caribbean. Be sure to look into the available air-sea packages and don’t be afraid to compare prices with discount air carriers. If you can book far enough in advance you might be able to get lower fares especially if you book online.

Another cost saving consideration – examine your priorities. If you choose to cruise because you’re in love with your favorite ship and its crew; you’re a wine connoisseur and partake of the included spirits; and you believe nothing can replace that onboard experience – then you know what you want. However, if for you the ship is just a convenient means of transportation to access several sun-filled destinations then perhaps this year you might consider a different cruise line. The least expensive cabin on a luxury cruise line can easily buy you the most expensive suite on a more commercially priced ship.

Finally, don’t dismiss the value of a mini-vacation. Even a three day cruise can be just what you need for a satisfying change of scenery that will reward and refresh.

Though I now have the time to post all the clips filmed in the Panama Canal, I am having problems transferring the format. So, I am ready to go but still need some additional help. Stay tuned. If you are an expert in this area - please let me know.

There once was a time when only the most fearless and intrepid sailors braved the dreaded waters of Cape Horn. They marked their passage with tattoos and gold earrings. Today, dozens of cruise ships, “Round The Horn” though it still takes a certain someone to book the trip. Ships may be more stable but the sea is still as unpredictable as ever in this area of oceanic convergence. If you made the crossing yourself, then perhaps you sailed around The Horn with me on one of my 35 trips. As this is a note worthy number, Captain Philippe Fichet Delavault nominated me for admission into the Société Cap Hornier – an organization of captains who successfully sailed around Cape Horn. Originally started in Captain Delavault’s home city of San Malo, the organization is now headquartered in Valparaiso, Chile. For consideration into the Société, Captain Delavault had to document from the ship’s log the eight times I have sailed around The Horn on the Mariner. After review by the Société’s committee, I was granted admission as the first Sister of the Brotherhood of Cap Horniers. Pretty cool, eh?

Sept. 6 - This morning was one of the most beautiful and surreal I’ve experienced in many years. At about 6:00 am we were approaching Holkam Bay and the entrance to Tracy Arm. All through the night the fog horn was blowing so it was no surprise to wake and find visibility nil. On the bridge the Captain had little choice – both Tracy and Endicott Arms were socked in with low fog hanging heavy on the water. Curiously, you could see it was just low fog as every once in a while it would shift exposing brilliant blue sky and a clear view of the surrounding mountain peaks. As the sun was coming up a small portion of the bay cleared; the Captain decided rather than abort the morning we would pursue the patch of sunshine and see what it would bring. We slipped under the fog into the sunshine. It was glorious! Wispy fingers of fog edged the clearing; we were surrounded by towering mountains dusted with new snow. The water was like glass. It was so enchanting; we just sat there in awe. In the quiet, a pod of six humpbacks surfaced; then another two, followed by two more. As we were not moving they lolled about lazily; relaxed and completely not threatened. The low fogs on the horizon made it hard to tell where the water ended and the clouds began. When the whales headed out it looked like they were swimming up into the sky. It was amazing.

After a non-existent summer in which everyone complained about the weather, seeing this was such a gift; it makes me ready to sign up for yet another Alaska season!

Whenever a guest comes onboard in a wheelchair I am always interested in knowing about their cruise experience. Recently, I had someone tell me about “Special Needs at Sea.com”. Not only do they provide assistance with everything from wheelchairs to oxygen they also offer another service – travel counseling based upon need. You can contact SpecialNeedsatSea.com and they can tell you more about shore excursions that are right for your particular challenge as well as information about the logistics and preparation needed for your upcoming cruise. I hope that anyone with special needs who is planning a cruise will take a look.

Juneau, AK – Eleven guests from the Seven Seas Mariner participating on a dog sledding shore excursion were stranded overnight on a glacier when their return helicopter was unable to take off from Juneau due to foul weather. The group spent the night of August 16, in tents provided for the dog sled camp employees. According to an ERA Helicopters employee, this was the first time such a thing had happened in twenty-two years of operation.

Prior to leaving Juneau guests on the tour were given thick jackets and snow boots so during the long wait on the glacier everyone remained warm and dry. As evening approached and the clouds grew thicker, the camp employees started to make arrangements for the eventuality of overnight visitors. Communication from the heliport in Juneau confirmed that no more helicopters would go out that night. Tents were prepared while a hot dinner of meatloaf with spinach and green beans was served. There was even chocolate cake for dessert. The camp has a generator that pumps water through an on-demand heater for hot water which is used for dishes and basic hygiene and there is an eco-friendly chemical toilet. After word came through that all the guests’ family and friends back onboard had been advised that they were safe and comfortable, everyone settled in for an evening of what they described as “simple pleasures” - cards, chess, board games and real conversation. At ten o’clock they retired to their heavy canvas tents which had elevated wooden plank floors, raised cots with ample sleeping bags and small gas stoves – reminiscent of the same tents used by Alaska’s earliest prospectors and pioneers. As the dogs were fed and put down for the night, one of the guests reported that they howled in a progressive chorus that according to one of the handlers was a sign of appreciation; the dogs’ way of saying thank you and good-night.

The next day the clouds were still low, no helicopters flying. A hot “stick to your ribs” breakfast of baked oatmeal and fruit was served with piping hot coffee. The eleven guests used the time to get to know the dogs and take another whack at mushing while others hiked with the camp employees to look at the spot where water is collected from the glacier ice. By late afternoon concerns were rising that the eleven would have to spend another night on the glacier. From the standpoint of the ship this was getting problematic; the Mariner had already left Juneau and was now getting ready to leave Skagway. Were the guests not able to join the ship they would have to fly to our next port in Canada. Without passports this could be tricky.

Upon our departure from Skagway, Capt. Fichet-Delavault made an announcement that we would be proceeding to Auk Bay north of Juneau. There we would either pick-up our guests were they able to get off the glacier in time or leave their passports and personal belongings so that they could comfortably make their way to Vancouver the next day. Two hours before we arrived we heard that the group had been taken off the glacier but they were being waylaid at Taku Lodge. Just one hour before dark, to the relief of all, we received news that they were now in Juneau and on their way to the ship. Once onboard we learned that the pilot who picked-up the group from the dog sled camp was young and did not feel comfortable going beyond Taku Lodge. Knowing the situation ERA sent up a forty year veteran pilot to complete the transfer. He expertly surveyed the cloud cover and found a way to take everyone safely back to Juneau. Upon their arrival the group unanimously agreed that this was one of the best experiences they had ever had in their lives; they didn’t want to leave and they would pay to do it again. One of the young women was so moved by her experience she applied to work for the camp next year! What could have been a terrible disaster ended up being a wonderful experience that no one will ever forget.

The following observation was submitted by a reader. Your comments are always welcome as this site does get read by the cruise lines!

My husband and I have enjoyed your talks on several Regent trips.  Many of the Regent passengers seem to enjoy extended cruises.  With your very insightful comments regarding fuel usage, perhaps you might comment on my idea of having consecutive segments in loops over shorter distances.  For example, in Europe, part 1 might go from Southampton down the coast of France, Portugal, and Spain in a leisurely manner with many ports, ending in a Spanish port.  Part 2 would continue with Spain, and continue say along France and western Italy to perhaps Rome.  Part 3 would continue to southern Italy and thence to the Adriatic and Athens.  Part 4 could do the Greek Isles, Turkey, etc.  If possible, a continuation could go along the northern coast of Africa.  This same sort of option would, of course, work in the Baltic/Scandinavia/Northern Europe/Iceland routes as well as South America or any other destination.

Folks would be able to choose a long or short journey depending on the number of segments, and the cruise line would be doing the more intensive treatment to which you referred.  Many folks, especially Regent’s clientele, do not care for a 10 or 12 day cruise far away with the air travel – the experience as well as the expense and carbon footprint.  Giving them options to lengthen their vacation might work.

On our southbound cruise, we have been forgoing a stop in Ketchikan, Alaska in favor of a visit to Campbell River, British Columbia. Located on Vancouver Island just south of Seymour Narrows and north of Vancouver, many guests question the reasoning of the stop as, in their words, “there is not much there.” So, why do we go?

The obvious answer is that it adds a new port which means guests wishing to combine back to back cruises have a least two ports which are not repeated. But there is more to it than that; by skipping Ketchikan southbound the ship is able to reach the very picturesque Inside Passage of British Columbia earlier allowing a full day to explore the scenic waterways between Vancouver Island and the mainland. During the summer this is the home to pods of resident orca that can be seen around place like Blackney Pass and Robson Bight. In addition, there is the daytime transit through historic Seymour Narrows where the undersea pinnacle of Ripple Rock was exploded; a highlight for buffs of navigation and engineering.

Though we dock in Campbell River in the late afternoon, the community rearranges its schedule to accommodate our arrival. Businesses stay open longer. A shuttle bus is provided to transfer guests into town including a stop at the museum. Admittedly, with disembarkation looming for an early morning the next day, many of our guests are not keen on doing much in Campbell River. Unlike most other towns visited on an Alaskan cruise, Campbell River is not touristy. However, with the pulp mill soon to be closing the community will probably be setting its sights on developing tourism infrastructure in the near future to attract more ships. In the meantime – it’s real.

Going past the strip malls and chain stores, the downtown of Campbell River is a charming area situated along the harbor with cute restaurants and storefronts. The town looks very much like any small town on Vancouver Island with one exception; the pier is on a First Nations Reserve. Dancers from the local “kwan” or village, welcome guests ashore. There are local Native vendors on the quayside. For those on foot, interpretative signs dot the sidewalks. In town the city museum is excellent. It contains a truly extraordinary collection on the Northwest Coast People of Vancouver Island including a historical time line that takes you through the introduction of the logging and fishing industries. Worth the $6 admission. You won’t find Diamonds International in Campbell River, but you will find friendly people who are proud of their community and happy to share it with visitors.

A guest forwarded this New York Times article to me regarding art purchased onboard.

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/07/16/arts/design/16crui.html?_r=1&ex=1216872000&en=1ebd6efdc22b4087&ei=5070&emc=eta1&oref=slogin