LAleslie

Dogster, for one, likes these maiden voyages. I suppose there's more hilarity form glitches to bellyache and write about. I would be up for that one as well.

Marija

Sounds good.

dogster

I do indeed like a maiden voyage. Better still, a soft opening... both of which sound rather rude. Maybe there's a pre-maiden soft opening voyage where Thomas pays US to embark.

The point of this seems to excape one or two of us. The real attraction of the Love Boat will actually be the Fodorites, not the sightseeing. I'd imagine that life on board between ports will be every bit as tribal and oddly eccentric as the stops themselves.

There will certainly be no absence of opinion. Indeed, there may be fisticuffs. All the better for our trip-reports. Special events can be arranged. I know a certain canine guide ready to lead unsuspecting travelers into the glories of ear-cleaning and face threading... massage by the blind and certain unsavoury cultural practices in the wilds of Phnomh Penh. Small dogs can be barbequed over the funnel, motor-bikes can be hired for jaunts into the hills, chasing the Mekong Tigers.

If there is no tiger, Thomas may be persuaded to dress up like one and be hunted. Groups of cute children can be donated to, relentlessly. In fact, whenever we see a child, the boat will stop and give them gifts, whether they need them or not. Poor adults need not apply. We need the 'cute' factor.

Dogster will dance the Burning Feather if things get dull.

What more could a maiden want?

rhkkmk

an air sick bag for one

LAleslie

Exactly, dogster. People are overthinking this. It's all about us. A magical mystery tour. Tra la.

In the dead of night, dresssed like a ninja, I will lead a mission to free the tigers.

LAleslie

And, now that the policy has happily been drummed out of the U.S. Armed Forces, we will make everyone sign a "Don't Ask, Don't Tell" contract.

Marija

Asking and telling while onboard the Jahan is surely part of the experience. However, what happens on the Jahan stays on the Jahan. No trip reports.

LAleslie

True Marija. I fouled-up that joke. Typical.

Marija

Have we abandoned this? I have a zillion FF miles and need to book soon.

LAleslie

Apologies. I've been preoccupied with elderly caregiving, a stressful and time-consuming business.

Frankly, the lack of enthusiasm has been disheartening. I'll make up a list of who SEEMS to be on board, who's not, and some maybes. Then pick an exact date and see who coughs up the deposit.

Kathie

Leslie, we have still not settled on where to go this year. The Love Boat is still on the list, but if there isn't more interest, we'll cross it off.

m_bran

Hi LAleslie,

Although I will be in SE Asia in November, I regret to say I have made arrangements that will keep me on land.

I hate to miss an opportunity to actually meet and observe the wonderful fodorites in their native states (as travelers).

If our dates coincide – I’d love to meet in Siem Reap for a drink before/after the cruise. I’ll keep an eye on this link just in case.

Thank you for all your efforts!

Hope the plans come together and you can enjoy a break - it’s so important for caregivers to take care of themselves, too!

Mary

Cilla_Tey

I would have joined in if it was somewhere I have not visited recently.

LAleslie

Cilla, see Dogster post above on the point of this trip. It's not just the sightseeing, it's the Fodorites.

LAleslie

Anyhoo, here's the tally so far. Upstream, and I'm leanbing toward the cheaper and potentially more perilous/hilarious maiden voyage Oct. 29.

INS:
LAleslie
Marija
Dogster (I think, but you never know)
Ekscrunchy
Offwego

MAYBES:
Kathie
Travelaw
Smeagol

???
Hanuman

NO WAY:
Thursdaysd
Simpsonc510
rhk
m-bran
gpanda

This is only 5 confirmed cabins so far. You have disappointed your fearless leader, people. We will need to let them know soon as they are bugging me.
So, please, who's in and willing to pony up their deposit? Otherwise, they'll start publicizing this soon.

LAleslie

ttt

Kathie

Alas! I'm afraid we're going to have to pass on this once-in-a-lifetime experience. Cheryl's work schedule is such that we have to go a bit later than that this year. And neither of the December dates work for us either. I do hope that you'll get a good group. I will be with you in spirit.

LAleslie

OK, Kathie, thanks. If we changed the dates to November would that make a difference? You sound like Sri Lanka is looming largest on your list.

Kathie

Thank you for the offer, Leslie. At this point we are looking at either Burma or Sri Lanka for November.

LAleslie

Maybe we should reconsider the Pandaw. I'm certainly more interested in that, but for the long, remote cruise, whihch scared most people away. And I think Dogster may never set foot aboard a Pandaw again.

I've been in touch with Heritage line people about marketing the Jahan and they have started selling. So, if more Fododders don't jump aboard in two weeks, I'll consider this group cruise dead in the water.