Great to hear from you, Olivia and Peggy! Being on board the Mariner for a relaxing cruise sounds like heaven right now. I'm not a hot-weather person -- I know, I know, I live in the wrong place, at least in the summer -- but this itinerary sounds like it's worth overlooking the temps.

Peggy and Jerry, happy belated anniversary! What a great couple you are, and John and I join in the good wishes for you and look forward to seeing you back here in Texas, with stories galore! By the way, it's misty and chilly today, so go ahead and gloat over your warm and sunny weather. Actually, until today we had several days of glorious sunny weather with just the slightest of chill -- my favorite kind of day in all the year.

Looking forward to more seamail!

So wonderful to hear from you, Olivia!

Hey Peggy and Jerry-wanted to say hi! I can't believe you are still on board and I am on my 4th load of wash. I miss my cabin steward! Happy Anniversary.
Sally

A VERY Happy Anniversary to you, Peggy and Jerry! Seems you are celebrating in great style, compared to us (43rd,) as it's been TOO d--- cold to think about! Hope the remaining cruise is all you want it to be!!

We've started up the Amazon today. Right now we're sailing past an island that's the size of Switzerland, so we can actually see a shoreline. The water is very chocolately--kind of like sailing on a sea of hot chocolate. When we get further up the river past the island, the banks will be up to 30 miles apart, so it will be just like sailing on the ocean except for the chocolatey thing. We've started the pink dolphin lookout--hopefully we'll see some as we get further upriver.
Thanks for all the good wishes. One of the advantages of having an anniversary on leap day is that three out of four years we get to celebrate twice--once on 2/28 and again on 3/1. Last night we had dinner with Ray, the cruise director--always fun. I had Eggplant Parmesan--one of my favorite things. Tonight we go to Prime 7 with Olivia.

Happy Belated anniversary Peggy & Jerry!! I LOVED seeing the pink dolphins in the Amazon...you'll see a lot very soon!

No pink dolphin sightings for me yet, and I even got on the top of the tender coming and going to spot them. Today's port I just LOVED! A little village (I'm going to murder the spelling, I know) Boca de Valeria? Anyway, I had listened to all the info on the ports channel, so I knew what to expect. As reported, two little girls (probably 5 & 7) grabbed each of my hands and started just walking me up the path along the shore that was dotted with sights along the way....the church, some children "dressed" in costumes, small vendors, children with their "pets" (a couple of sloths and some green amphibian things) and at the end, the little girl on my right introduced me to her mother and baby sister! Then I think it was her house I went into (they are all on stilts). Some people onboard, more often the full SA people, have tired of going ashore for places like this...they've been aboard since January. But as a newbie to this part of the world, this is just my cup of tea. We weren't told to strip ourselves of jewelry and watches, and to hold our cash close, no dire warnings to watch out for unsavory ones. Here, it was like the "everything's a dollar" store. A dollar for a picture of the costumed child, dollar for a house tour, dollar for a string of beads, a dollar to each one who held your hand and walked you around. The really expensive "excursion" from the shore was a $5 canoe ride for an hour! This village only has about 75 residents. I think they came from all the neighboring "counties" today to greet us! We saw a big rain cloud that we were sure would hit us, so came back to the ship after about an hour ashore. Any professional or serious amateur photgrapher could have a hey day in this port.

Well back to the ship, I can't remember if I reported this before, but it seems that just before Rio, Steph Armengol (sp?) came aboard for a "listening" visit. It seems from people I have talked to who have been aboard the whole cruise, all suggestions have been addressed. So it is nice to know that there is more than "lip service" given to such comments. For the first time ever in my 25+ cruises on this line, I got a courtesy telephone call in my cabin from the General Manager, and each night I see officers out and about on this ship. Only one I haven't seen is the captain (but then I do sleep my time away most mornings if we are at sea!

Laundry service incredibly fast, unlike the Voyager! Room service prompt every time I've ordered. Special requests for in-cabin bar set up came on same night I requested, while on other cruises has not been delivered until the next day.

The only continuing complaint I have is nothing anyone can control, can't get my AOL email most days in the cabin!

Olivia, something I had to do once was open the door so it is just ajar. Somehow that allowed the wireless to work better. As the door is steal it acts as a barrier. Worth a try at any rate. Does not need to be open much, stick a spare shoe , I think you have a few of those, between the door and the jam.

Olivia, your port today sounds like a treasure! Experiencing a part of the world you are not used to, but letting the moments just "happen" without so much worry getting in the way like a lot of us do. Obviously you have to be cautious. But I do love experiences like you had today.
:hug:

Olivia, I loved your report of your day in port. What fun to enjoy the people and the way they live. Thanks.... Keep having fun!

What traveling is all about -those special moments -

Ralph, thanks for that suggestion, I tried it twice over two nights by propping open the cabin door with the bathroom door. Didn't work. Tonight I just kept tooling around trying different things. I have a MacBook, and went to Safari help, it suggested clearing the cache, or if that didn't work resetting Safari. After I cleared the cache, VOILA, my email came up! Most times I don't have a problem getting to CC or LCT, it is just the AOL email that's a problem.

Betty and others, you just can't help but share the fun of a day like this in a tiny little "port".

BTW, Peggy and her "A Team" are staying on top, and shared a first place finish in Trivia today. And then I didn't win the grand final Bingo pot of $420 (or any other of the 3 games that preceded it with $130-180 win)

Tomorrow, we are in Manaus, and have been given the usual warnings about no jewelry, even watches, and hold your cash close to you. I'm on the "Highlights" tour, only 3 hours, and we will visit the world famous Theatro Amazonas, the Indian Museum, and the Military Zoo. Nice variety.

I was so full from chocaholic tea today (best tea on any Regent cruise for my sweet tooth) and after staying out on Horizons through sunset, I was begging for "cabin time" after being out and about all day. Nice night tonight doing just that, with poached salmon and fresh asparagus.......and some sort of chocolate dessert!

Olivia,
You mentioned that you've seen a lot of officers around except the Captain. Did Stan take over from Felice? He isn't the social type.
Jim

Jim, I didn't mean to suggest that Felice has not been out and about, not at all. I just haven't seen him, but I remember him on DRAGON as being quite social. My point was that several of the full circle SA passengers have noticed a difference since Rio that officers in general have been a lot more visible, and that is a good thing since many passengers, especially the "long haul" ones really do take notice of this. I could go for a whole cruise and never see one of them, and it wouldn't affect my enjoyment whatsoever, so long as everything else goes smoothly! I will say that Ray the CD is everywhere. And his puppet show is fantastic!

Did you give Captain Felice the DRAGON pin Olivia? Sounds like you are having a wonderful time wish I was on the ship with you. Seems strange for you to be onboard without me. Love reading your posts and I can tell that that last stop was special for you. Keep them coming. I even like to know you are enjoying poached salmon and asparagus sounds wonderful to me.

Not yet, because I kept waiting to run into him personally. I know he was cooking up on the pool deck the other day (he loves to cook as I remember) But saw the general manager yesterday (in the evil smoking den), and he said I could just drop it off at reception. Of course when I told Anthony it was from Ngaire at BK, his face lit up. They all sure know you around here!

It was on and off rainy in Manaus today, and unfortunately the flightseeing tour wasn't able to go after getting all the people to the airport, because of threats of lightning. The jungle trekkers soldiered on through a bit of mud, but had fun. I think Peggy and Jerry's highlights tour was the best of all, they really liked it. I missed it because I wasn't feeling well this morning, but have been to the med center and all is well now. But I am dining "ensuite" again tonight. Tomorrow will be Veranda night after some show we will see in the early afternoon in Parintins called Boi Bumba Folk show. It is supposed to be really good! Verandah in just the time I've been here has been French, then Brazilian, and now Bella Pasta, with Mediterranean menu.

I do continue to enjoy the cruise, but it sure is strange being on a ship without Ngaire and Ken!

Room service is really busy tonight. Took me half an hour to not get a busy signal. I have just had the yummiest asparagus infused chicken veloute, and next will order some good comfort food, turkey and dressing with giblet gravy. Just what the doctor ordered!

Olivia,
I asked about captain change because typically in the past the captains switched during the SA cruise. Felice is normally visible and Stan (who replaced Phillipe) usually stays in the background. If Felice is still in charge, please tell him Ciao from Jim & Pat. I hope you're enjoying the cruise - I've done the full circumnavigation 3 times and it's always a great cruise.
Jim

We continue to enjoy the cruise and everything about it just like Olivia. We had a great day in Manaus yesterday. We went to the incredible Opera House and then to the area where they train Brazilian and other military forces for jungle warfare (no U.S. military there at this time, but they've been there). They keep a number of animals from the area there so the military can learn how they live and how to coexist with them. Anyway we got to see jaguars, monkeys, ocelots, parrots, anacondas, boa constrictors, etc. Very interesting. The weather was cloudy with rain off and on, but nobody minded because it stayed relatively cool. We haven't seen Felice for several days either, but we did have dinner with Anthony, the general manager the other night--we had a great time with him. I suspect Felice is spending most of his time with the Amazon pilot we have on. The currents in the river are really strong, so I'm sure it takes a lot of concentration on the bridge. Yesterday we were slightly late because we were sailing against the current. Today we're sailing with the current and arrived in the port of Parintins about three hours early.

We had a fun tour in Santarem on Sunday--we went Pirhana fishing in a beautiful lake connected to the Amazon. The boat was one of the typical Amazon river boats and our guide was a professor at the University in Santarem. Jerry caught a pirhana as did four others on our boat. They cooked them up for us and we all had a taste of prihana. Tastes like chicken ;) . Not really--but it is a nice tasting mild fish. The downside is there's lots of bones. We saw some Amazon fauna (sloths, iguanas, birds) and some of the farms and huts along the river. Standing on the bank along the way, in the Amazon jungle and next to a hut on stilts, there was a young girl taking a picture of us with her cell phone--go figure . We're out of the Amazon now and will anchor at Devil's Island this afternoon. We'll be doing our own thing there with Olivia and some other friends. Since we've been there once before, Jerry and I will be the "tour guides". It's a fascinating place.

Peggy, your trip sounds truly fabulous. So interesting and different! Keep the seamail coming. I love hearing what you are doing and seeing.

Peggy, thanks for keeping us posted. I'm really enjoying the updates and wish I was still on the Mariner!

Sally

I'm going to bed now, but will tell you that I walked the whole island, hill (gentle) and all...along with Jerry and George. We had a great dinner tonight in CR, and Peggy and I were absolutely stuffed! I was seasick last night (I'm a sissy) but tonight was fantastic! However, we have all been in our cabins for a couple of hours now. This is NOT the party ship it will be for TUT, and I'm sort of enjoying that!

Thanks Peggy and Olivia for checking in sounds like a wonderful trip!!!! Glad you are getting a good rest in preparation for TUT ;) ;) ;) kidding aside, it is nice to have a laid back chill cruise -

TUT is going to be a party cruise? :eek: Uh oh, we better rethink this! :D :D :D

Seriously, it is great hearing from you ladies - thanks for the seamail, and continue to enjoy! :cool:

I didn't take the time after my last post from the Mariner to keep up with seamail. Anyway, I really did hate to have to leave the ship after 21 days. Met a lot of nice new people, one couple we had dinner with are clients of BK and may be interested in ROAR 3 in time, if anything opens up. I hope they start posting on LCT!

Sometime during the cruise when we were still on the Amazon, I got an invitation for tea with Captain Felice in his quarters, so that was the perfect opportunity to present him with the DRAGON pins Ngaire sent with me to fill out his collection. It was really nice, there were just 5 guests, 3 of the solo travelers, and the parents of one of them. It was a delightful time, and I think the Captain is using this as an opportunity to meet and spend time (maybe more with solo guests) with more passengers where he can still be right next to the bridge. He was truly bound to the bridge for a great part of the cruise starting with the trip down to Antarctica, and continuing on the Amazon. Pilots aboard alot. He explained to us the diffulties of the Amazon, as the topography underwater is constantly shifting, so a Pilot and the latest set of charts and keen attention are a must. No buoy lights or visible navigational aids in the water here. Terry Breen was also there, and added some great Brazilian lore to the mix. She is truly a remarkable and knowlegable woman, and I enjoyed many of her lectures on TV late at night or in snippets during the day. Now she is off the ship for some time off, and will rejoin the Navigator when the Alaskan season starts. Back to the DRAGON pins, as it was time to leave,I went into my purse to take them out, and the darn thingc had attracted several safety pins and it was rather embarrassing to sit there picking them off! They even de-magnetized my room key! Felice said he likes those magnets because they are so strong! One of them went straight to the wall beside his desk, and the others he added to a box he keeps for his daughter, collecting them for her in all the ports he can get off the ship. She's eleven, truly the apple of his eye, and will be joining him later in the sumer season to spend some time with him on the ship. And she has told him clearly that she does NOT want to be known as the Captain's daughter!

I also really enjoyed Florian the F&B manager, what a charmer he is! He joined us after dinner in CR the last night for a glass of wine, and we just had a great time. He's off the ship now, or maybe after the charter, for some needed time off, and on his way to French Polynesia.

I'm sorry I didn't get to know Anthony the GM a bit more, but a couple of attempts for dinner just didn't work scheduling-wise for either of us. For the time I was on, Anthony was hosting a dinner with guests almost every night. I finally told him once in CC that I thought he needed a night off! He said "I took one, last night!"

Debarkation was slow, as it often is in FLL with the Longshoremen thing. I made it to the airport on a Regent transfer in plenty of time, but some people were a little more nervous than they needed to be. Curbside luggage check in for $2 a bag plus tip, and you are done, no lines. We had cleared customs in St. Thomas. Easy, easy.

The staff had been preparing for days for a big health inspection, as well as the charter coming on that promised a lot of partying people (younger demographic) from some company, can't remember which one. Frank del Rio was coming aboard with Mark Conroy and other suits, I don't know if just for a few hours, or whether they were staying for the 5 day charter.

Peggy and Jerry and I and another couple walked over to the Navigator while in St. Thomas and paid a visit. I have many great memories of my first cruises ever on her, and was impressed with the refurbishments everywhere there were changes made! Prime 7 is small, but handsomely appointed. I already knew the space it was occupying, so no surprises there. On the whole, the Navigator is just a more intimate ship, as it holds so many less passengers, and I look forward to getting back on someday in the future.

Of course, I can't comment on the vibration issue, as we were in port.

All in all, it was a fantastic cruise! Plenty of time to relax on sea days, or you could stay busy all day with all the activities aboard. Trivia competetion was pretty tight, but our LCT team triumphed more often than not!

Welcome home and thanks for such a great report!!

Peggy, Jerry and Olivia, I can't believe your cruise is already over. The time just flew by. Thanks for the reports, I enjoyed reading them. Once you get to know Capt. Felice, he is charming and extremely personable. We enjoyed his company.

OK, you three. Where are you off to next?

So glad you all had such a good cruise! Thanks Olivia and Peggy for your fine reports.