Los Angeles

January 14, 2009

We were fortunate that the snow stopped for one day for us to fly from Grand Rapids to Los Angeles. The flights were on time and uneventful.

On Monday, January 12, we were picked up at our hotel by Regent cruises in a private car and taken to the ship. When we boarded we were greeted personally by Mark Conroy, the president of Regent Seven Seas and offered a glass of champagne as we checked in. Alida had tears of joy in her eyes so Mark gave her a big hug. Only full world cruisers were allowed to board on Monday. Tuesday was spent onboard getting organized as the segment cruisers boarded. We departed in the afternoon for six at sea days as we head for Nuku Hiva, French Polynesia.

We have already become friends with another couple and a widow. Her daughter is married to Tom Jackoboice’s brother, and the couple (from St. Louis) is friends with a classmate of Dad’s from college who was mayor of Town and Country (St. Louis). It’s amazing that of the few people that we have already met we know people in common. It’s a small world.

There are 196 full world cruisers and about 500 passengers in total onboard out of 700 capacity.

We have learned a lot already and are having a wonderful time.