I've been to San Carlos with 3 women friends. We drove from Tucson and it is a funny story for another day.

I can't imagine why the ship is stopping in San Carlos. Must be anchored because I don't think there are docking facilities large enough for the Mariner. It's a fishing village/diving/sailing/boating destination. A moderate-sized community of US citizens winter there in homes and condos. The scenery is beautiful and I hear the diving is excellent but limited shopping and restaurants. The Mariner in San Carlos? I'm still scratching my head in wonderment.

A Mango Nip Sack?!
You are funny

The internet went down for a while, but happily it's back up.

We are still anchored off San Carlos, due to sail at 5:00. Last tender back was at 4:00, but some of the local people were brought onboard and may still be here. The two excursions offered were a beachcombing walk and an eco-excursion by boat. I saw some people on tenders, but haven't talked to anybody who went ashore.

Still bright and sunny, we seem to be in a very protected bay, and it's very calm here.

Tomorrow is our last day. Since the ports got so screwy and we stayed onboard as much as we did, we are both ready for it to be the last day. I keep telling myself what a great price we got, and to suck it up and just enjoy the rest of the trip.

Pam, since you seem less than happy with Radisson for this cruise and the timing of the ports, it will be interesting to see how the next cruise shakes out. I am hoping that our less agressive schedule will make all of our ports right on time!

Olivia, I still love Radisson, and I adore Mariner. I just keep feeling that they should have let us know there was a problem, more than the one letter we got not long before sailing. We've had a great time on the ship, and now we know we can handle sea days, but the drastically shortened port times have been slightly irritating.

I'm hoping that your schedule will hold closer to time posted, too!

Last report from me, for this trip.

I forgot a couple of things. Our captain, who is a very distinguished-looking and pleasant man, has a home in (moment of blankness on spelling) Pritoria? Pretoria? Wherever we get off Rovos Rail.

It's cold and windy today; the people on the pool deck are wrapped in blankets! It's been overcast all day but the sun came out a little while ago.

Tomorrow will be a long day for me, we won't land until 9:00 pm Central Time. Hopefully when I sign back on, on Saturday, we'll have a report that all the MINTers made it safely onboard!

Bon Voyage, y'all!

Thanks Pam for all the updates!!! THanks for the Grey Goose as well.

Thanks Pammy for all your port up dates. That is so neat of you to do..

Love the day to day updates..
I think that the Mariner is about due to go into
the shop it seems.. wonder what cruises get canned for that? They really can't go on doing that to all cruises.
I Can't wait for the Mintie Brigade to tell us what they think ( feel)..

Sorry couldn't make it down south to cast you " Mintie guys off.. I do hope to meet all of you soon.
Lots of love and certainly fair seas to all.
Claudia

I put a few pics up on the Ophoto site.

"cruise@yahoo.com"
"cc"