Majestic Cruise Lines

[bonniejoy03]

Fredhashway: Thanks so much. You made me smile also. You see, I lost my mother last year. She was the travel bug! She made sure all our her children saw all the States before we left the country. Now, with her gone, we are trying to keep my father going. (and he is doing amazing!) Panama in November was the real interesting trip! I kept waiting for the phone to ring that he was going to be deported! For this trip, I've already given him a "pack" list. (I think he is ready to disown me!)

I am so sorry to hear of your father. I will definitely post when he returns from the trip. I did post some ideas under the Panama section about his trip to Panama. I really probably should do a whole report of an 85 year old man travelling alone. Some of his stories priceless. (like giving a "tip" to a tour guide of bug spray because he felt the tour guide would make more money spraying people then just receiving cash!)

[fredhashway]

Hee hee hee. I think I'd like your Dad.

My Mom died last year, too.She taught me to love travel. I can remember, when I was little and we were on a family trip, she took me out onto the hotel balcony one night before bedtime and told me to look out at the lights of the city below and memorize the view. That way, she said, when you're back home, even years from now, you can shut your eyes and be right here again.

She was so right. And I still do that today, every time we travel.

[bonniejoy03]

Fredhashway. Thanks for the beautiful posts. Isn't it wonderful the things we take away from our parent? Sometimes the material things can never compare with the world experiences! Will keep you informed of my father's trip. He already has his seat set on the Front Porch of America!

[jashermd]

Hello Bonnie and Jenna,

Thanks for sharing your memories. I hope that my cruise with my mum will give us as many happy memories as you have from your travels with your parents.

Cheers,
Julian

[bonniejoy03]

Hi Julian. Did I miss a post? Where are you and your mum cruising? Please take a lot of photos! We have found that our most beautiful photos are of our parents travelling. On a sad note, my husband's mother died on Tuesday. We are working on the photos and will be using the best one of her in Seattle on a bluff with the ocean behind her. Her hair is windblown and she looks SOOOO happy. These are the memories to treasure!



Have a great cruise...when are you going? How old is your mother?

[bonniejoy03]

I wanted everyone to know that my Father returned from the paddleboat (Majestic Cruise Lines) from New Orleans to Memphis. He is 85 years old and was travelling alone. He had a fantastic time! He said that he was taken care of, enjoyed the meals, enjoyed the shows, swam in the pool and overall relaxed. As he said "this was the best tonic for me and allowed me to get away from my usual life." I couldn't ask for anymore for him. Families adopted him and made him feel part of so many groups. He actually believed the service staff was there to help him as opposed to looking for additional tips. I have to say the new owners of the Delta Queen boats ((Majestic Cruise Lines) impressed him and our family. He is now considering his next trip from Memphis to Pittsburgh.

[jashermd]

Hi Bonniejoy,

No, you haven't missed anything -- we are still trying to decide between Regent and Silversea. But we've pretty much settled on one of the Asian itineraries that includes China and Vietnam. Right now we are leaning towards Regent because the itinerary we're looking at includes a focus on food and wine and my mum loves the idea of going to the markets with the chefs and learning how to cook Asian food. My mum is turning 65 this year so this is a big birthday for her!

Cheers,
Julian

[disneygal]

Interestingly, Windstar and Majestic and now owned by the same company. The most recent communication from Windstar to past cruisers was really a sales pitch for Majestic. Apparently they are both appealing to the same luxury cruising market and have consolidated the markets departments for both cruise lines into one organization. It will be interesting to see if there will really be cross-over between these two.

Jashermd, I know I had promised to ask my parents some questions about their Regent cruises. Then, my father had a health issue and I couldn't follow through on that. Now that all is well, is there anything you still would like to know from past passengers on that line? They had done the Paul Gaugin cruise in French Polynesia, and then a European itinerary. So, they haven't done the Asian itinerary, but that sounds very interesting!

[bonniejoy03]

Wow. Didn't realize Windstar and Majestic were together. I had always heard great things about Windstar. I didn't know anything about Majestic but my father seemed to like his trip in May. He will be going back for another trip in August. A river ride from Cincinnati to Pittsburgh. What a great trip for an 85 year old! Our travel agent even worked with Majestic and he received a single room and the single room price. (though he was first charged the full amount so we are PATIENTLY waiting for a $600 credit!).