3 registered members (Ngaire, seadog, 1 invisible),
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Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196815
12/27/06 03:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277
m'ellen
OP
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OP
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277 |
Hi Everyone,
Greetings from windy San Diego. We are enjoying the first day of the New Year's cruise and I can feel all the stress of the past year just draining away.
Embarcation yesterday was flawless - we arrived at around 1PM, checked in with no waiting, were handed our welcome glasses of champagne and then headed up to the pool deck for lunch. Suites were ready by 2:30 - we're in one of the category C ones so there's lots of room for the seemingly extraordinary amount of stuff we have.
The Mariner is still beautifully decorated with Christmas Trees and lights everywhere. The all inclusive is in place - Jim is happy as he can get his Grey Goose martinis . You still can have your allotment in your suite too. We ate at Latitudes last night and had a wonderful dinner.
I had a lovely massage this morning and then we went into Old Town for breakfast - Jim loves menudo (yech!) - and walked around for a while. My brother and his wife came to visit and have lunch with my mom. They have yet to sail on a cruise so we spent some time showing off the ship.
The ship does not seem full to me - there seem to be a number of folks that will be going on to the worldcruise when we arrive in Fort Lauderdale and another contingent that is doing the full South American itinerary. I'm not sure if there are any LCT people on now?
We are having the block party tonight - I'm curious to see if there is even anyone else on our hallway as we have yet to see anyone other than the stewardess.
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196816
12/27/06 03:18 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,335
AndreaN
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,335 |
Hi Mary Ellen! Glad to hear you arrived safe and sound and enjoying my home away from home. I'm sitting here in my living room wearing sweatpants, sweatshirt and wooly socks because it's freezing compared to last week!
Yay for all inclusive!! Hope you continue to have a wonderful time - check in when you can.
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196817
12/27/06 05:25 PM
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,612
Michele & Don
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Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,612 |
Happy New Year, Mary Ellen & Jim, from your ROAR range rover buddies! I'm so glad you've posted - Sounds like all is wonderful for you two & for your mom on board. My daughter says it's verrry windy in San Diego so I would imagine you're feeling it on the seas. Here's to some wonderful (and exciting!!) memories we've shared in 2006 and another toast to a terrific new year!! Have fun!! All the best, Michele & Don
Michele
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196818
12/27/06 05:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358 |
Wishing you all a wonderful time on your New Years cruise! Happy New Year!
It's been very blustry in SOCAL today. Hope the winds settle down for you!
BTW, I agree with you about the menudo - ICK!!!! It's a very acquired taste!
Denise
Retired and loving it!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196819
12/27/06 06:10 PM
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Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171
KarenS
Moderator
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Moderator
Joined: Jan 1970
Posts: 15,171 |
Hi Mary Ellen! It is great to hear from you, I hope you have a wonderful cruise.
Someone needs to tell me what menudo is? I thought it was a teen boy band?
Karen Live long and prosper
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196820
12/27/06 06:23 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646 |
This is a Mexican specialty, said to be a cure for a hangover, but, I don't think I could eat this: Menudo Recipe!! A large saucepan (see note below) 1 calf's foot (about 1 to 1 1/2 pounds) 2 pounds honeycomb tripe 1 large onion 3 cloves garlic, peeled 6 peppercorns 2 teaspoons salt, or to taste 4 quarts of water A comal or griddle 3 large chiles anchos A spice grinder A large chile poblano, peeled or 2 canned, peeled green chiles The calf's foot 1/2 cup canned hominy (1 pound) drained (see note below) Salt as necessary 1 scant teaspoon oregano
Have the butcher cut the calf's foot into four pieces. Cut the tripe into small squares. Put them into the pan with the rest of the ingredients. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Lower the flame and simmer uncovered for about 2 hours, or until the tripe and foot are just tender but not too soft. Meanwhile, toast the chilies well. Slit them open and remove the seeds and veins from the chile poblano, cut it into strips, and add to the meat while it is cooking. Remove the pieces of calf's foot from the pen, and when they are cool enough to handle, strip off the fleshy parts. Chop them roughly and return them to the pan.
Add hominy and continue cooking the menudo slowly, still uncovered, for another 2 hours.
Add salt as necessary. Sprinkle with oregano and serve (see note below).
This amount is sufficient for 7 or 8 people. It should be served in large, deep bowls with hot tortillas and small dishes of chopped chile serranos, finely chopped onion and wedges of lime for each person to help himself, along with Salsa de Tomate Verde Cruda to be eaten with tortillas.
VOYAGER: MC to FLL 11/07 MC/Dover 6/06 MARINER: BCN / Ven 10/11 Alaska 2001|2006 Panama Canal 2003 NAV Caribbean 11/06 Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04 PG 5/05 OCEANIA Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07 Regatta|Baltics 6/08 Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196821
12/27/06 07:07 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Ngaire
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cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922 |
Hi Mary Ellen and Jim. So nice to see you post you two work WAY TOO HARD. Keep posting I love to hear from you.
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196822
12/28/06 01:07 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594
neviboy
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594 |
Hi, Mary Ellen. We are coming on board from home, Jan. 9th.. Suite 841. Who is the cruise Director ? Is there still a suite liquor set up ? Voyager leaves for the world cruise, also on Jan.9th and both ships meet next day at Princess Cay for a combined beach party. Enjoy your ports and have fun.
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196823
12/28/06 12:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277
m'ellen
OP
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OP
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277 |
Hi everyone,
This not working business is much more fun than my usual life! Bit of a bumpy ride last night - winds were gusting up to 50 knots and fairly major wave action. The block party was nice, but sparsely attended in our hallway. There were only 2 other couples that ventured out of their suites. 2 husbands ventured out solo but the wives were suffering from mal de mer. Compass Rose was empty. Today at noon we still had 12 - 15 foot swells and the wind was blowing up to 35 knots, but the ship has settled down to a more tolerable rhythm and the captain assures us everything should be smooth by late this afternoon. I had taken bonine last night so I simply went to bed after dinner. Jim and my mom went off to the show - a classical pianist - who they said was very good.
Typical sea day today. Terry Breen gave an excellent lecture on Mayan civilization. Jim and I took merengue lessons - always fun with the ship moving this much.
We've been entertaining ourselves watching our fellow passengers try to figure out the coffee machine outside the internet cafe. There's something very mysterious about pushing a button labeled "coffee" (in type large enough that mom doesn't even need her reading glasses to see it) - I seem to look helpful so people keep asking me how to get coffee. I did have to explain multiple times the difference between cappucino, latte, and cafe au lait. Good thing all those visits to Starbucks have enlightened me to coffee culture.
Club.com is quite busy. The computer guy has the patience of a saint. Lots of questions about how to log on - no one seems to read the directions prominently displayed next to every single computer. Lots of other questions about how to log on to AOL or Earthlink or various other internet providers in addition to general computer ignorance. Sample question "How do I print?" Answer: "Just like you do at home." Follow up: "I don't know how. I just ask my wife. Doris? Doris? Hey Doooorrrriiiisss? How do I print?" Doris appears: "Oh, for god's sakes. Stop making a scene. Just press the little thing that looks like a printer." And then she left without actually helping him. I finally took pity on the gentleman and got up and showed him the "the little thing that looks like a printer."
Denise: I agree Menudo is an acquired taste. One I will never acquire. Why a non-starving person would voluntarily eat the lining of a cow's stomach is really beyond me. Of course Jim also likes liver and onions and steak and kidney pie so this is just following on a theme for him. On the other hand I did get to have excellent huevos rancheros made with extra spicy chorizo so all was not lost.
Neville: You still get the suite liquor set up even with the all inclusive. The seas are settling down so tonight we'll see if the all inclusive is luring people out of their rooms for pre-dinner socializing. Not very many folks were out and about last night due to the wave and wind action. Tonight is our first formal night and the captain's welcome aboard party. Brian is the first name of the cruise director, I can't remember his last name at the moment. He was an assistant cruise director on the Voyager last year when Glenn Younger was the CD.
I'm off to take Pilates class - I'm trading exercise class for extra glasses of champagne!
Tomorrow is Cabo.
Mary Ellen
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196824
12/28/06 01:18 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,275
Jim B
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cruiser
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Posts: 4,275 |
Thank you for reporting in. Glad the ride is starting to calm down. What are you doing in Cabo?
Jim
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196825
12/28/06 01:32 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
Mary Ellen, Sure enjoyed reading about your adventures and really laughed about the guy who didn't know how to print!
Brian Townsend was the Asst. CD on our SA trip last year (reminds me of Daddy Warbucks). I didn't have much interaction with him as I did with others but boy can he sing "Old Man River"!! If he does a show and you get to see him sing, I would highly recommend it!
Keep enjoying and stay near the Espresso machine to teach them how it works. LOL.
Marcie
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196826
12/28/06 05:45 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594
neviboy
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 594 |
By the way - who is the Captain and will he stay for the cruise leg to Manaus ??
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196827
12/28/06 06:30 PM
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Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,539
Nancyp
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cruiser
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 1,539 |
Mary ellen, thanks for your great posts and hope the seas get better.
Nancy
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196828
12/28/06 06:38 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358 |
Another great report, Mary Ellen!
Seems you've taken on the crew job of Internet Cafe Barrista! Hopefully, your tips (of course, people are tipping you, aren't they?) will pay for your cruise! I see a future at Starbucks for you when you return!
I love chorizo and even liver and onions. Pass on the menudo and the kidney in the steak and kidney pie!
Hope you have calmer seas and fantastic times ahead!
Denise
Retired and loving it!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196829
12/28/06 10:21 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,244
Masaki
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,244 |
Mary Ellen - say hi to Jim for us! Thanks for the sea mail!
How was the block party?
Masaki
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196830
12/29/06 05:10 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,471
sedona
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,471 |
Mary Ellen, Glad you and Jim are having a great time and thanks for reporting. Happy Holidays from your ROAR compatriates..Andi and Doug
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196831
12/29/06 05:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,115
cruiseluv
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 2,115 |
Hi Mary Ellen,
Have a great cruise and a Happy New Year!
When you said that Jim liked "Menudo" I thought you were talking about the boys singing group that was famous some years ago! LOL!!
The "lining of the cow's stomach"??? Yes, it must be an acquired taste. :D
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196832
12/30/06 04:09 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
Happy New Year Mary Ellen and Jim!! Your cruise makes me jealous and I love your seamail - Joanna
Joanna
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196833
12/31/06 09:56 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,239
bebop bonnie
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,239 |
Hi Mary Ellen and Jim....wish we could have stayed on the Mariner and continued sailing with you! Love your story about the computer room. Hellooo Dorris! Between that and the scene at the coffee bar, you have all the entertainment you need. That coffe machine was fantastic!
Have a great trip..and Happy New Year!
Bonnie and Jack
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196834
01/03/07 08:25 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277
m'ellen
OP
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OP
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277 |
Belated Happy New Year!
The internet connection has been sporadic since Cabo and was completely out from Acapulco to late last night. It's actually been kind of nice being "off-line".
We are having a lovely time and they are taking very good care of us. They do seem quite disorganized as we have been late into every port (and there are not that many of them!). We only had five hours in Cabo. Fortunately I had booked an excursion (Land's End boat tour and scenic drive). It was a nice day, only in the 70s. There were 3 foot swells so the boat ride to Los Arcos was a little bumpy - my pictures are a tad on the blurry side. I had not been to Cabo since the late 80's and my how things have changed! It's so built up and so touristy now. The scenery is as spectacular as ever.
The sea day on the way to Acapulco was lovely - the ocean had calmed down so it was a very pleasant ride.
The coffee area continues to be amusing - when confronted with a machine that is obviously disassembled and has a big sign reading "Closed for cleaning" in LARGE type - people stand helplessly nearby, coffee cups in hand, asking in plaintive tones why the machine is not working. As mentioned, the internet has been down, so the computer room follies have been curtailed.
Acapulco was unexpectedly bittersweet. My parents had honeymooned there 50 years ago. We hired a taxi for the day and went off to see the cliff divers show. This set my mom to talking about her honeymoon and all the things they had done. She got the driver to take us to the hotel they had stayed at and we visited a bunch of other places she remembered. Of course, Acapulco does not look at all like it did 50 years ago, but the natural beauty is still evident. I say bittersweet because my parents divorced when I was seven - it was an acrimonious divorce - and my mom has never forgiven my father. The only time I can remember her saying anything nice about him was at his funeral when she managed a grudging "he really loved you kids". I had arranged to go to Las Brisas for lunch and apparently my parents had also gone there a few times. Just imagine my astonishment to hear her speaking fondly about him and reminiscing about actually having fun with him before everything went so wrong. Mom enjoyed the day - we were out touring around for almost six hours and she was uncharacteristically mellow for most of the day.
New Year's Eve in Acapulco turned out to be magical. We were originally supposed to be in Acapulco from 8AM - 11PM. Before we left it was announced we were scheduled from 12 noon to 7PM. Passages had listed a party in the Constellation lounge. No big deal - I was a little disappointed because I had heard such great reports about New Year's Eve at sea. When we arrived back on the ship there were notices everywhere that there had been a change in plans. All aboard had been pushed back to 10:30 and they were having a black and white formal party on the pool deck under the stars. Dinner at Compass Rose was one of the best we have ever had - surf and turf with filet and lobster. They had decorated everywhere with black and white streamers and balloons and hats and noisemakers. The staff had been extremely busy setting up tables with white tablecloths all over the pool deck and had what seemed to be hundreds of bottles of champagne on ice at strategic locations. The Mariner 5 was playing and the duo and one of the guest performers - a very good R&B style singer named Chris Blizzard - performed. It was a wonderful time - I can't remember when I last danced so much and drank quite so much champagne. We sailed around the harbor waiting for the fireworks and Captain Romeo had positioned the Mariner right in the middle of the harbor at midnight. At midnight the entire bay erupted in muliple magnificent fireworks displays - you actually could not see all the different fireworks without turning around - from the entrance to the bay all the way around to the newest areas there were fantastic fireworks. This went on for about 7 minutes and then the downtown and diamante fireworks kept going. I have never really seen anything like this before - maybe lower Manhatten during the Statue of Liberty celebration. We stayed out dancing until almost 2 am.
New Year's Day was a very quiet sea day - we ran into a wind storm off the coast of Nicaragua which set things rolling again - but most folks have their sea legs now. Yesterday was another long and lovely sea day.
Today we are at Puntarenas and once again we are late. We were supposed to arrive at 8, finally arrived around 9:30. All the tours are delayed which is causing major upset amongst the passengers. Jim is off to swing from the trees and I am going on a canopy excursion that uses sky bridges rather than ziplines.
If the internet is still "on" when we return I will post some pics.
Mary Ellen
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196835
01/03/07 08:46 AM
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Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,447
Sue&TomInGeorgia
cruiser
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cruiser
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,447 |
What wonderful sea mail Mary Ellen...enjoy the rest of your cruise! :cool:
Sue "A vacation is having nothing to do and all day to do it in" Robert Orben *******
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196836
01/03/07 01:14 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681
ITravelNow
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681 |
Mary Ellen...love your reports. Sounds like you're having a terrific cruise...keep the seamail coming. If we can't be onboard at least we can enjoy your adventures.
Margo
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196837
01/03/07 02:34 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641 |
Great reports Mary Ellen! I am in awe of all the wonderful writers on LCT!
Joanna
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196838
01/03/07 02:57 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967
jhp
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,967 |
Yes, Joanna! Mary Ellen can really bring it to life, can't she? How wonderful to hear your take, Mary Ellen, on a magical night with all those fireworks(which I LOVE)thanks to the good people in Acapulco!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196839
01/03/07 03:22 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 32
Randall
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cruiser
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 32 |
I am really enjoying your sea mails.
I would love to do a Panama Canal cruise one day.
Here is a heads up for you as you approach the Panama Canal: I talked to a couple on board the Mariner on the Dec 18th Christmas cruise and they told me that as the ship is actually going through one of the locks in the Panama Canal, if you go to the very very back of the Mariner on the 6th floor outside of the Horizon Lounge deck area, you can actually place your hand outside the large round open windows on each side and touch the Panama Canal---might make a cool picture! Enjoy your trip!
Randall
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196840
01/03/07 03:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
Mary Ellen, just love reading your seamails! You put so much zest into each one and they make for such interesting reading! Glad you're having such a fun time...dancing till 2:00am YOU PARTY ANIMAL YOU! :banana:
Marcie
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196841
01/03/07 04:13 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,868
Betty K
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cruiser
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 4,868 |
Mary Ellen, Lovin' your SeaMail! Your cruise sounds great! That is a one I hope to do, some day! Keep having fun!!
Betty
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196842
01/03/07 04:17 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681
ITravelNow
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681 |
Randall....what a great idea...touching the Canal! I thought it was fun to "swim" in the canal. Actually it was Gatun Lake but that counts doesn't it?
Margo
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196843
01/03/07 04:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 32
Randall
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 32 |
Yes, but then I was wondering?? Can anyone in the suites on the Mariner (Or Voyager...?) touch the canal from their suite?? Like maybe on the 7th or 8th deck suites?? I don't know--would love to find out one day----I dont know how it works---anybody??
Randall
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196844
01/03/07 04:30 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 7,646
ChatKat...
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Posts: 7,646 |
We were on Deck 7 and we sat on the balcony going through the Gatun Locks (Going FLL to LAX). We could not touch the Canal from our verandah.
Mary Ellen, Thank you for such good seamail. This was one of my favorite RSSC Cruises. One very worth doing again!
VOYAGER: MC to FLL 11/07 MC/Dover 6/06 MARINER: BCN / Ven 10/11 Alaska 2001|2006 Panama Canal 2003 NAV Caribbean 11/06 Bermuda|New Eng/Canada 6/04 PG 5/05 OCEANIA Nautica |Ist/Athens 6/07 Regatta|Baltics 6/08 Riviera 2013 Crossing -Istanbul to Miami
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196845
01/04/07 02:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
cruiser
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cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358 |
So enjoying your seamail, Mary Ellen! Continue to have a great time!
Denise
Retired and loving it!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196846
01/06/07 08:22 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277
m'ellen
OP
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OP
cruiser
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 277 |
Hello everyone, Sorry for not reporting in. I have been hit with some kind of bug and basically have been down for a few days – we ran into rough weather after leaving the Canal yesterday and had another night of rocking and rolling which has not helped my recovery. Also the Internet connection is slow and fragile. We were late into Puntarenas so the excursions were also late. I had signed up for the Canopy tour as I wanted to take pictures of the rain forest (this is not possible on the zipline tour – at least not by me!). Let’s just say that there is nothing much happening in a coastal rain forest at 1:00PM in the dry season. We saw some leaf cutter ants and two butterflies. Also had the opportunity to ponder the chemistry of metal fatigue while crossing swaying metal suspension bridges with mesh “decks” a hundred plus feet above the forest floor. Interesting perspective to look down at the trees. My fellow travelers were an inquisitive lot. Our guide started out by asking if there were any questions and by the end I think he was trying to hide from us. Sample questions: “What is the average temperature? What is the annual average rainfall? Who is the president? What is the political system? What is the school system? What are the biggest industries? Crops? Who are your major trading partners? What is the military and security situation? What is the impact of NAFTA on the local economy? What is the health care system? What is your quest? What is the air speed velocity of an unladen swallow…….” You get the idea. Jim went on the zipline tour and had a blast. There was a couple in their 80’s who had mistakenly signed up for the zipline when they really meant to be on the swaying bridges one. They gamely decided to go for it. The guides went with them down the first couple but by the end they were zipping along by themselves and having a blast. Jim was impressed and apparently I no longer have any reasons to avoid this particular activity! Calm sea days en route to the canal. I have nothing to report as I was in our suite for most of this time. There is a group on board sponsored by Jazzdagen Tours and they have brought their own entertainment: two really excellent jazzbands and some soloists. They have taken over the Horizon Lounge and jam all night. They also provide pre-dinner music and after multiple requests from guests they have played a couple times on the pool deck – they are playing again today. This has been a bonus as they are (in my opinion anyway) much better than the usual Regent entertainment (which I also enjoy). They apparently are hosting some trips on the Paul Gaugin later in the year – I will try to find out the dates. If you like jazz, you’ll be in for a treat. The Panama Canal was really interesting. We were up at 5 to watch the sail in and the first two locks. We ate breakfast with a lovely couple. His first transit through the Canal had been 63 years ago on his way to the Pacific - he is a Marine. They got married right before he shipped out. They decided to celebrate her 80th birthday by going on this cruise. He was out and about all day taking in all the sights. The voyage through the Canal was fascinating – definitely a highlight of the trip. I passed on swimming in the lake but did make it ashore for the Gatun Yacht Club experience. The performances by the local dancers and the Indians were entertaining and mom got to do more shopping. It started to get quite windy as we were sailing out into the Atlantic and we had another bumpy ride last night with 15 foot swells. They actually cancelled the PGT show as it was too rough for the dancers to perform. We are at sea today – still a little wind but things have settled down again. This morning as I was typing this up an elegant lady (EL) of a certain age appeared in the computer room. She is beautifully turned out – flawless makeup, hair perfectly styled, designer clothes - I recognize the Chanel bag, Hermes scarf and Ferragamo shoes. By way of contrast I am in Chico’s tee shirt, LL Bean capris and Merrell slides. I did manage blush and lipstick this morning and my hair is pulled back and secured with clippy things. This lovely person approached the computer guy (CG) and began a conversation in a cultured, husky voice: EL: Young man. I find I must communicate with my travel agent. She needs to finish arrangements so that I may receive my visitors when we reach Buenos Aires. CG: Certainly, ma’m. How can I help you?” EL: I am told that e-mail is the preferred method of communication. CG: Do you have an e-mail account? EL: Certainly not. CG: I can set one up for you, if you’d like. EL: Raises an eyebrow and looks at CG. CG (After a brief pause to consider his alternatives): Perhaps, it might be easier if I just send the message for you. EL: Yes, I think that would be best. Ah, life at sea. Time for my lunch time dose of chicken soup. They make excellent chicken soup with matzo balls available through room service. The matzo balls are the little, dense, marble like kind – I prefer the golf ball sized fluffy kind – but the chicken soup is wonderful. Mary Ellen
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196847
01/06/07 08:29 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,641
joannapv
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Mary Ellen: Your reports are so entertaining to read - thanks! I hope you feel better soon - I love that soup from room service too!
Joanna
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196848
01/06/07 09:25 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,239
bebop bonnie
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Your 'entertainment' in the Computer Room continues to be wonderful! Thanks for the great sea mail!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196849
01/06/07 04:15 PM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2,335
AndreaN
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Posts: 2,335 |
Mary Ellen, so sorry to hear you aren't feeling well. I wish I could send you some chicken soup with matzo balls from Zaftigs!
Love your stories about the computer room. I joked a little with CG too - told him he must have a lot of patience to get the same questions day in and day out!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196850
01/06/07 11:08 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,244
Masaki
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Posts: 6,244 |
Mary Ellen - thanks for the seamail! And loved the Holy Grail reference! :D
Masaki
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196851
01/07/07 05:48 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,922
Ngaire
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Posts: 8,922 |
So sorry you were under the weather Mary Ellen. You deserve a nice break and getting ill is not what you needed right now. Hope that today finds you in better health.
You may have to zip line in the future, or be like me and say "Yes I am a chicken - watch me cluck". No one will EVER get me to do that. Would not do that at 18 either always been a bit of a wimp on things of this nature.
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196852
01/07/07 06:05 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 8,358
Denise
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Mary Ellen,
Hope you are feeling better very soon. Chicken soup will cure what ails you.
Your seamail continues to make for wonderful reading! The computer room story was great and so was the story of the 80 year old zippliners!
Take care! Hopefully, calmer seas today!
Denise
Retired and loving it!
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196853
01/07/07 06:18 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 3,681
ITravelNow
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Posts: 3,681 |
Mary Ellen:
Your seamail is so entertaining...you're a great storyteller (like Terry Breen!)
Hope you feel better now.
Seems like the Atlantic side of the canal is always rough, perhaps it will be better by the time you get to Grand Cayman.
Wishing you the best,
Margo
Margo
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Re: Live from the Mariner New Year's Cruise
#196854
01/07/07 06:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 4,471
sedona
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Sounds like a great time. Thanks for posting
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