CLOSING CRUISE CONNECTION by DIANA

With Gratitude to My Friends & Fellow Cruisers....

Allow me to open, by extending my personal appreciation to each of you who willingly and even those who were hesitant to write your Cruise Blog Article, “Thank You So Much!!”  Each article has its own style and individual finesse which made reading the articles incredibly fun. It was truly enjoyable and an excellent way to introduce each other particularly when we are so separated by distance. Most recently, ROCKY and PEGGY shared with me that they took each of the photos from the Cruise Connection articles and identified who was who on a handy reference chart so they could get to know everyone. Yes, another great idea to get acquainted with our upcoming Cruise Family. 

So I can’t believe that embarkation day is just around the corner. Gotta start by giving a big shout out to my main man, partner and hubby, ROGER. Thanks “Honey”, for all your support, patience and understanding for these past three years as we began this journey to make this bucket list trip a reality. You truly are amazing to put up with me! Love You! 

Secondly, gratitude goes to my other partner ALEX as she has been just as supportive addressing my demands, need, wants and expectations. Yes, the “Diana Craziness” will end soon, I promise! The quiet and steady TED, Alex’s hubby cannot be forgotten. Thanks Ted for your generosity in understanding the demands of our group trip. And so glad you can join us as well.

My 30 plus year career in Recreation and Community Services has truly been a blessing. The City of Irvine has given me some incredible friendships. STELLA is the sister, I never had and now found, thanks to Irvine. This sisterhood has an incredible story that you will have to ask her to share with you. Let me preface Stella’s story by saying, it’s imaginary, but a great story over cocktails and I’ll close at that! But beside Stella, my working days with the City of Irvine brings about additional friendships on this cruise, they include: MARSHA, PATTY, ANGIE and her mom LIEN, MICHELE and her boyfriend BOB, JO MARY and her husband MICHAEL.   

Planning and dreaming of bucket list cruises, events, trips and getaways is obviously one of my passions. If I think about it, it’s been a part of my core for as long as I can remember. I started an annual Youth Ski Trip when I was a Sophmore in High School because there was no Recreation in my hometown of Sonoma and now in my retirement. I’m still planning, facilitating and coordinating events and activities. Including supporting Roger with his High School Reunion Committee which is where I had the pleasure of meeting SCOTT and his wife LIDDY. Scott was the reunion committee chair  and a fellow classmate with Roger. Liddy and I would attend the reunion committee meeting hoping to just sip our wine and support our husband from afar, but of course that was never the case. Needless to say, the bond was sanctioned and the four of us have become great friends sharing many fun memories and laughter. 

As the Cruise Connection article notes Peggy, Rocky and I goes way back to when we were in our early school days as kids. Traveling with them is LUCY, Peggy’s sister and Lucy’s husband JOHN who you might have caught his blog article “Traveling with a Camera”. Thanks John for your contribution. Additionally, Rocky’s fellow co-worker friend, MIKE and his wife CRISTIN will also be joining us on the 32 day cruise. And to show how truly small this world is, a fellow co-worker of mine Stephen from Irvine who had to drop from this cruise had invited his friend BILL and his girlfriend LINDA. Who by the way, decide even if Stephen dropped out that they would still join us. That’s terrific! Love, true travelers! The “Small World” and “Cruise Connection” concept found that there was a connection between Linda, Cristin and Peggy. It seems a few months ago at a dinner gathering, over a conversation there was a connection that the three gals all worked at the same hospital. Different departments, but same organization. Small World indeed !!

In closing, I need to give a big high five spotlight to my BESTIE BFF,  KAREN and her hubby BUZZ. Most recently, both Buzz and Karen had to drop from our cruise. Buzz had to schedule an unexpected surgery and unfortunately couldn’t get a medical recovery release in time to make this cruise. We all will be raising our glasses to toast you both in “Gratitude” as it was Karen who found this cruise for us and without her diligence we all would not be going. So as much as I will miss you greatly, Karen and Buzz, I am wanting you to recover with good health as this is only a hiccup and we will be planning another cruise journey again soon. 

Thank you everyone for all your love and support and yes, let the fun begin, its Bon Voyage Time and I’ll see you on deck!            

CRUISE CONNECTION by ROGER

My fellow cruisers.........

Allow me to set the record straight.  Yes, I am married to Diana and yes, I did really good.  OK, OK, OK.....I did really, really, really good........but hey, I do have some redeeming qualities........hmmmm, I’m thinking.  

I mean seriously, could this cherubic wonder be anything but absolute joy and amazement??  Upon seeing this picture, I am sure that those of you who do know me will be wondering....WTF??  How could this cute, adorable child turn out to be the perverted, sick and twisted adult that we all know and love (way too strong) adore (again too yucky) like (close but no cigar) tolerate (yes, lets go with tolerate) and that somehow managed to get Diana to marry him??  Well, let me assure you it wasn’t easy!!

Had to ask her four (4) different times before she finally caved.  Seems she didn’t like being asked in the kitchen; or in my truck; or while on the toilet.......go figure??  So I actually had to spring for a romantic dinner and she caved.  See, a redeeming quality!

We’ve been married 23 years now, we’re both retired, and, as you know, been doing lots of traveling.  I was very concerned when we retired that Diana would get bored and want to go back to work......no such luck.  Instead, she discovered the 24-7 internet, got bit by the travel bug and viola, here we are. Of course this 24-7 thing has totally ruined my sex life, but my sacrifice is your gain and we are about to embark on another great adventure.  See, I did REALLY good!!

CRUISE CONNECTION by ALEX & TED

The first time I met Diana and Roger was when they walked into my office, clipboard in hand, to interview me as their potential travel agent. They had been referred by Wendy Brown, to whom I will be forever thankful.  The rest, as they say, is history.  After a grueling 6 hours of questioning....I was in like Flint!  I never saw Roger take so many notes! Over thirty years of experience: check;  teacher at Coastline Community College in the Travel & Tourism Department: check; Certified Travel Consultant (graduate level program for travel agents): check;  traveled to almost 90 countries (at the time...I'm up to 108 today): check;  owned and managed my own agency: check;  personally recommended by someone they knew: check;  willing to always research the best deals: check; husband was a chef: check.......whew!  Grueling I tell you....grueling. 

I'm exaggerating of course....but those of you that know Diana and Roger, know it ain't far from the truth.  They were very thorough in their questioning of my experience.  That was back in 2003!  Over the years we have shared so many amazing adventures, not only traveling, but our favorite pastime...eating great food.  I'm sure most of you have experienced Diana's cooking.  She puts as much love and effort into her cooking as she does everything else.  Not to leave Roger out....he makes a darn good martini!  Shaken...not stirred!

The best part of knowing Diana and Roger is the laughter that comes with getting together with them.  You know it will always be an evening filled with more laughter than you know what to do with.  On our 14 night cruise through Europe in 2008, we had more fun than we knew what to do with.  We ended the cruise in the incredible city of Venice, which is where we took this picture below....at Hemingway's favorite hangout.....Harry's Bar.

You don't have to be a rocket scientist to figure out that when Diana and Roger come up with a travel trip, you can be sure that it's been researched and thought out and comes with a guarantee of having the time of your life.  As much as I like to eat....many times I don't even finish my meal because of all the laughter that comes with sharing a meal together.

Ted and I are looking forward to this trip on several levels...great itinerary, great cruise line, great group of people.  We will see you all on board the Diamond Princess in April 2013.

Warmest regards,

Ted & Alex (T & A for short)

CRUISE CONNECTION by ANGIE

I'm Angie and I'll be joining the Diana and Roger 2013 Asia Cruise with my mom, Lien.  I, too, am a City of Irvine employee and have worked forthe city for over 13 years.  I had the pleasure of working with Jan Noce(a mutual friend between the Davis'), who was the recycling guru at Irvine, and she told me about the wonderful cruises that Diana has organized.  When Jan retired in 2010 I had the pleasure of meeting Diana and Roger at Jan's retirement party. I gave Diana my contact info and asked her to include me when she organized another cruise.  

Well...as you all know back in early 2011, Diana sent out information about the 2013 Asia Cruise.  When I saw the interesting countries we would be visiting I could not resist.  I told my mom about it and she felt the same, so we decided to go on the cruise.  Needless to say, I thought 2013 was so far off in the distance that it would take forever to get here, but lo and behold here we are just less than a couple of months to go.  Now that we've finalized all our documents with Alex, we are really excited about the cruise because this is our first one!  Yes, we are rookies when it comes to cruising, so we are looking forward to meeting our fellow cruisers and picking up travel tips from you all.

Angie

CRUISE CONNECTION by MARSHA

Ahoy Mates! 

I am Marsha Burgess and I will be joining you on the Asia cruise. This will be my second venture travelling with the Roger and Diana cavalcade and I am truly looking forward to it. I never imagined I would have the opportunity to see Vietnam, Hong Kong, and China. It seems so very exotic and indulgent.

I worked for the City of Irvine for nearly twenty five years and that is where I met Diana and Roger. Diana and I, along with a few others on this trip, worked together in the Community Services department. Roger, on the other hand, was in purchasing. Shortly after I joined the City staff, he sent me a rather scathing email suggesting that the financial transaction I was trying to process was a “gross misuse of public funds”. I really had no idea what I was doing and thought he was being rather harsh, really overstating the case. Nevertheless, I paid more attention after that and never had to appear in court or anything close. Well almost… when I worked at the Great Park I had to give a deposition to Chuck Knuckles (no kidding, that was his name) the D.A., but that is a story for the cocktail hour aboard ship, when we’re way far out at sea.

Diana was always nice to me, so I like her much more.

My roommate this trip will be Pat Cruz who’s is escaping Tennessee for a couple of months to join the tour group. I’ve known Patty since the first day I started working at the City and we have travelled together before so I think we’ll be good bunkies. Pat likes to strategize and prepare, and I like to wing it. Consequently, she has done all the planning for our trip and I have taken advantage of her willing nature. It works for us.

So, I will be leaving behind my darling granddaughters Charlotte and Clare, and my equally adorable dog, Allie, and my new job, for 18+ days of adventure. I look forward to seeing my old friends and meeting new ones.

Best to all,

Marsha