26 May 2010
Igor and Natalia
NEVER have I seen dancers who can perform at the level of Igor Dogoter and Natalia Gorshkova, and I have seen many. Besides living in Las Vegas I have had the privilege of viewing about 100 musicals between New York’s Broadway and London’s West End.
But forget about my opinion; they won the WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP of Ballroom Dancing.
So what do they have to do with JetSetWay? Well they just received their green cards and they can now work in the U.S. Allyn and I have been fortunate to watch them many times on cruises during the last three years, and we have become good friends.
They have just moved to Las Vegas with no job, no manager, and no clue as to how to get discovered. However they have total confidence that they will figure things out. I have no doubt at all.
Maybe somebody out there can help point them in the right direction.
They are world-class amazing performers.
For those of you who wonder why we cruise, below are six clips of their performances from our 2010 World Cruise:
1) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Slu9qP-9Q5w
2) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jYDv9cMauR4
3) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1m7J3YOZzs
4) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QYp3z4dFE7A
5) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SUiebIVCuT8
6) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IrF97roLjtI
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25 May 2010
Friends and Memories
By Guest Blogger Allyn
In our hearts, we take with us, the many good friends we made along the way on the Voyager 2010 World Cruise.
Our first and best friends, Mickey and Marty Fine, who never stopped asking questions.
Cute boy Jordan Sills and Abra with proud mom (Joanie) and Charlie Davis
Howie (Howaluh) and the lovely Ellie Sprechman; Robert and Maria Warmington before they had twins!
The amazing Rabbi Yitzchak (Richard) and Ora Yellin
The one and only Martin Shafron and the not so plain Jane!
The sweetest and most helpful Jay and Mary Pat Silberman
Our memorable neighbors with 27 suitcases, Marc and Harry. Or was it 32 suitcases?
Everyone’s favorite family, Kathleen, Mary, Charles and Nicky Welden
Happy Hank and Sondra Davis
Busy Bert and Lovey Handlesman
The incomparable, Igor and Natalia
Allan Berg and Carolyn who never missed a Friday night service!
Bridge Instructor extraordinaire, Rose Anne Levinson
Jerry and Terri Kohl who didn’t stay long enough!!
Our friends Peter and Yasko Newton with Stephanie (Michael was working!)
Secret Agents Dick and Janet Smith. They may have to kill you if they tell you what they do!
Wonderful dinner in Joanie and Charlie’s suite.
Our beloved daily poker game!!
And last but certainly not least, Captain Dag. When Regent excluded any mention of Captain Dag from the clip of the World Cruise video, that was petty, inexcusable and just plain wrong. Captain Dag treated everyone with dignity and respect. He was fun, accessible, caring, and made the cruise more enjoyable than it would have otherwise been. (...fog horn sounding in the distance...)
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17 May 2010
Jessica Graduates Boston U Cum Laude
What a great way to end this trip that seems to never end.
In poker, people often ask what percent is luck. It can’t be answered for many reasons, including great players position themselves to have more luck.
Pardon the analogy, but that is exactly what happened here. Allyn, always the planner, got to the u-shaped venue very early, picked a good series of seats, and then LUCKILY Jessica was seated exactly right in front on that particular aisle.
That was the “small 500 person ceremony” just for the School of Management.
Today U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder spoke to the school wide “big 4,000 person ceremony.”
His message wasn’t the usual bit about “allowing yourself to achieve.”
It was more about “In these times you have an obligation to be the best that you can be.”
He was very well received.
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16 May 2010
Cruise Report Card
We had an absolute marvelous time. Much of it was because of just being together and being able to travel the world in a grand, unhurried style. Also we met and reacquainted ourselves with many wonderful folks.
Cruises are great. Just think, visiting 50 cities in 20 countries on a floating hotel with no intermediate airports and packing.
Unfortunately the ship is definitely going downhill. Much is subtle and only noticed by experienced past passengers, but it is generally fine and better than most. However we have cancelled our one month cruise this summer on the Mariner and will be trying the Seabourn Sojourn, a brand new ship.
Some specifics:
Racket – They were constantly banging away right in front of our suite. True they stopped when Allyn called to complain regularly, but that didn’t stop them from starting again. We were happy to give them our schedule which often was off the ship for hours and days at a time, but that offer was rejected.
Gym – The gym is very tired. Ironically it is the one part of the ship they do not maintain as well as others. All great hotels keep their gyms immaculate for obvious reasons. Here they hope you will wipe up after yourself. Much more important was the physical fitness instructor who was TERRIBLE. Many people, including Allyn, just quit going to his classes. There was never any hanging around the gym to help people. If you wanted to pay, he was available. That was the single biggest experience downer for her on the cruise. He had a terrible attitude.
Destinations Services – These people remind me of power hungry people, every one of whom would have been fired if I owned the ship. They were there to say "no" and revel in it.
Concierge Services – She was bad, uninformed and lazy. I provided my own concierge service to people who knew I am a good researcher.
Food – By in large it was good, just not as good as previously and very stingy on expensive items versus previously. They are very proud of their steakhouse, Prime 7. People want to eat there because the other restaurants are so bad by comparison.
Service – The maid and butler staff were generally very good and the deck staff had great attitudes. When the ship got close to full they were overworked to a point of becoming ineffective.
Entertainment and Lecturers – Sporadically great, often bad. This is way worse than previous, but better than most.
Captain Dag – Either he quit or was fired, depending on the rumor. Normally that is actually a non issue for a passenger. But he was bigger than life to many passengers for years on the Voyager. It is sad that he is gone. Where else do you find a captain in the pool every sea day playing volleyball with the guests? Maybe the new owners don’t like that. Regardless, it was totally disgraceful when they had the final farewell film of the four months, and his face did not show up once. That symbolizes the current owners.
Park West Galleries – I have written twice now about their art auction racket. Regent doesn’t seem to care because they profit big time. Even Royal Caribbean just fired them. My guess is Regent will get rid of them when the lawyers make them.
Staffing and Payroll - I have had many conversations with top management because I am a good customer, historically a fan, and presumably a businessman who gets it. They have an interesting attitude that they have people problems because there is a need for better skills and management. They don’t think they have a payroll problem. They say money is not the issue because they do not need more staff. I agree in concept that they have enough people, except they pay so little (all the lines do) that they lose good people who have other options. Middle level staff work 7 days a week 10 hours a day and earn just in excess of $1,000 monthly and nothing during their vacations.
Conclusion - I am definitely not saying that I will not go back. We will probably travel with them next year, if for no other reason than the itinerary works. They certainly are better than Silver Seas which is a joke altogether. It reminds me of a friend who often says that he had the worst sex ever last night – and it was terrific!
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14 May 2010
New York City – Obama and Other Stuff
Allyn went shopping for some custom made outfits today. Normally that would be no big deal, but everything was done privately with world famous designer, Kalinka. She is a good friend of Number 1 son, Michael.
Obama was in town today too. He said thanks to the police for their job in Times Square. As long as he was here, he picked up $1.3 mm for the Dems right here at our hotel, the St. Regis.
He kinda interfered with my day, but it was fun. They blocked off the street and built a tent for him to drive right into for security.
We saw one of the best musicals ever, In the Heights. Unfortunately as they rehab theaters here they cram in more seats. It was as tight as London.
Then we topped the night off with a fun pedicab back to the hotel from the theater.
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