Hot Spots and Headlines: A Mariner Mediterranean Joint Live Blog

[orchestrapal]

Great picture and it's so nice to see someone made happy with the little things in life. Wish I had points to give her.

[Mr Rumor]

Eager2Travel, the Kavala excursion we took (Philippi and Kavala) is indeed rated two walking men and is no sweat (literally). The huffing and puffing guide led us on the Priene, Miletus & Didyma excursion out of Ephesus. Umit's main problem was that he was too well miked!

 

Glad you enjoyed the blog, gnomie! We'll see how the point redemption goes tomorrow. I would imagine that the point requirements might change cruise to cruise based on how long the cruise happens to be.

 

Aww, thanks for your post, orchestrapal.

 

CD Lorraine came on the PA at 6:30 to announce that Jean Ann Ryan's '80s-themed "Film Flashback" production will not go on as scheduled tonight due to one of the singer's "voice issues." Hopefully, she added, the cast will be at full strength by tomorrow, so that the show can be performed then. We'll have a movie in the theater instead, with the Beatles dance party being moved from tomorrow to tonight in the Horizon Lounge. Don't know how ready we'll be to "Twist and Shout" tonight after a long, although wonderful, day in Santorini (more below), but we'll see.

 

Lorraine's announcement reminded me to mention another surprise PA announcement, this one from Staff Captain Serena Milani, that was piped into our cabins yesterday morning at 8:30. According to the staff captain, CDC guidelines require the imposition of "most rigorous" preventative practices in the event that 1.5% or more of the passengers report gastrointestinal issues. Obviously the Mariner has met that threshold (in fact, I've heard we're at 2.5%), as we are now being asked to sanitize our hands before entering the restaurants, and it is no longer help yourself in La Veranda/Sette Mare. Needless to say, we're popping the Airborne tabs! (By the way we never did get charged for our consults with the ship's doctor after the episode in Cairo, and I understood why in listening to the staff captain's message: Consultations with the doctor on gastrointestinal matters are "complimentary.")

 

Now to Santorini! Because we had never been we booked the longest of the tours, "Highlights of Santorini" (five and three-quarters hours), the highlight of which was easily our 90 precious minutes ogling and photographing Oia (pronounced E-ah), one of the most beautiful places we've ever laid our eyes on. We did pretty darn well, photo-wise, although I felt a little pressure trying to make each minute count. The day also included a visit to the traditional Santorini village of Pyrgos, delicious mezes at the Pyrgos Restaurant and free time to shop in the capital, Fira, before taking the cable car down to our tender. The one stop we could have definitely done without: Profitis Ilias for views and photos of the entire island. With five ships at anchor (only one visited yesterday), the tight little area was impossibly clogged with tour buses, and the stench of exhaust was terrible. Our driver received not one but two rounds of applause from Ginny and me and our good-natured fellow tour-takers for deftly navigating through the mess.

 

Well, as I type this Ginny is getting an early start on our packing. We are due to anchor at our last port, Mykonos, tomorrow at 8, even though none of the tours will depart until the early afternoon. We plan to be fully packed by then so that we can relax into our Delos excursion, as well as our remaining hours onboard the Mariner. More to come still, but some of that more may have to wait until we're either in Athens on our "forced overnight," or back in the Land of Enchantment!

 

Rich

Edited October 3, 2015 by Mr Rumor

[Travelcat2]

Great report as usual. Keep popping those AirBourne tabs. When we were still onboard, we noticed a lot of people coughing and sounding like they had a bronchial issue but was not aware of gastrointestinal issues. We have been through the "most rigorous preventative measures" on the Voyager. After we docked, everyone was required to get off of the ship while it was given an extra heavy duty cleaning. Anyway, stay well!

[RachelG]

Congrats to you and Ginny for finally making it to Santorini. Agree Oia is drop dead gorgeous. Hope you like Delos too, since I recommended it. When we were there, it was very uncrowded and we just explored on our own. Take water!

[Mr Rumor]

Well, Rachel, it was a tough decision for me, but not so tough for Ginny: We decided this morning to cancel the Delos excursion and add it to our Next Time list (and we hope we will have a next time in the Greek Isles, as we we've really enjoyed this week, especially Santorini). If Delos were a morning excursion we would have happily done it, but because it is afternoon only we would not have returned to the ship until after 5 p.m., and we didn't want to risk not being first in line for Regent Rewards Point Redemption at 5--especially after all the build-up on this thread! Plus we want to be fresh for Krew Kapers at 6, and, at 9:30, JAR's "Film Flashback." (We hope singerJoanne Bacon is feeling much better today, as this particular production is an excellent showcase for her vocal talent.)

 

Great news: We're docked! This was a big surprise as Mykonos is listed as a tender port. In fact, there is only one berth, and the Mariner got it this a.m. for the first time in its eight calls to Mykonos this season. While we would have been able to anchor this morning (the Riviera and another ship I am unable to identify at the moment are), the last time the Mariner visited it couldn't anchor due to high swells. So docking is always a good thing in Mykonos. And the forecast is for a gorgeous day, mostly sunny with a predicted high of 74.

 

So what's on tap for us? We're looking forward to taking the free Regent shuttle to town and, quoting the Regent info sheet on Mykonos, walking "through the town's narrow whitewashed streets" and being "struck by their labyrinthine layout, which was designed to confuse attacking pirates." Hopefully, they won't confuse us too much as we come in peace, with a few more Euros to spend.

 

But, first, a little more packing. . . .

Edited October 4, 2015 by Mr Rumor

[Mr Rumor]

Yesterday morning, Oia, Santorini

[Mr Rumor]

This morning, Mykonos

[Mudhen]

OOOO! Beautiful pix! Especially like "Zorba's" on the second one!

[Mr Rumor]

Thanks, Mudhen!

 

Mykonos on our own was just the ticket for us on our nineteenth and final day aboard the Mariner. We had a leisurely stroll around town, and then a leisurely lunch at Vegera, one of several restaurants that Yanni, who manned the hospitality desk this a.m., recommended. Ginny had a vegetarian pasta dish, while I dined on "Linguine a la Mykonos, with sautéed baby lamb, Myconian Kopanisti cheese, xinotiro (local sour cheese) and fresh lime," which was quite rich and very good. For dessert we only had to stroll next door to Gelarte for two flavors each of some of the best homemade gelato we've ever tasted.

 

Because our packing was 99% done we could relax into the rest of our activities, including the much anticipated Regent Rewards Redemption on behalf of Shauna (we're happy with our haul--details to follow), Krew Kapers, light dinner in Compass Rose and Jean Ann Ryan's "Film Flashback," once again outstanding. Now, we're looking forward to strolling off the ship tomorrow morning and meeting up with our guide for a private half-day tour of Athens, followed by chill time at the Holiday Inn Athens, where we will spend our "forced overnight." We're scheduled to embark on our usual three-flight return to the Land of Enchantment on Tuesday at 8:10 a.m.

 

Assuming I have a good wi-fi connection at the Holiday Inn I'll be posting more from Athens, so stay tuned. Hot Spots and Headlines rumbles on!

 

Rich

Edited October 4, 2015 by Mr Rumor

[Mudhen]

Safe travels back to the states!

[Travelcat2]

I didn't realize that you had not been to Santorini. IMO, it is the best of the Greek islands that we have visited (also love Mykonos -- we climbed stairs there to the top of the hill with a cat following us. We would have continued but there was a busy street and we felt it would be better to lead the kitty back down the hill to wherever it lived).

 

Have to second the "safe travels" post:D

[xrvlcruiser]

Safe travels Ginny and Rich.

 

Peggy

[Catlover54]

 

TC2, was this perhaps the cat that was following you? :))

 

(seen by me in September on a parallel cruise in the area on the SB Odyssey)

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

[Bigdogwon]

Thanks, Mudhen!

 

Mykonos on our own was just the ticket for us on our nineteenth and final day aboard the Mariner. We had a leisurely stroll around town, and then a leisurely lunch at Vegera, one of several restaurants that Yanni, who manned the hospitality desk this a.m., recommended. Ginny had a vegetarian pasta dish, while I dined on "Linguine a la Mykonos, with sautéed baby lamb, Myconian Kopanisti cheese, xinotiro (local sour cheese) and fresh lime," which was quite rich and very good. For dessert we only had to stroll next door to Gelarte for two flavors each of some of the best homemade gelato we've ever tasted.

 

Because our packing was 99% done we could relax into the rest of our activities, including the much anticipated Regent Rewards Redemption on behalf of Shauna (we're happy with our haul--details to follow), Krew Kapers, light dinner in Compass Rose and Jean Ann Ryan's "Film Flashback," once again outstanding. Now, we're looking forward to strolling off the ship tomorrow morning and meeting up with our guide for a private half-day tour of Athens, followed by chill time at the Holiday Inn Athens, where we will spend our "forced overnight." We're scheduled to embark on our usual three-flight return to the Land of Enchantment on Tuesday at 8:10 a.m.

 

Assuming I have a good wi-fi connection at the Holiday Inn I'll be posting more from Athens, so stay tuned. Hot Spots and Headlines rumbles on!

 

Rich

Godspeed, our friends. We look forward to welcoming you to our home in Santa Fe.

 

Sent from my SM-N910V using Tapatalk

[Mr Rumor]

The Parthenon this morning.

[Mr Rumor]

Thanks for the safe travel wishes, especially from our Santa Fe neighbors to be! We've made it safely so far to the Holiday Inn Athens on our "forced overnight"--just about 6,500 more miles to go tomorrow!

 

We had an anxious start at the port this morning: no guide at the appointed time, 8:30, for our privately booked Athens tour. Finally, a little after 9, Lillian came huffing and puffing over to us, exclaiming she and her driver had been waiting for us at the other terminal. Whatever, we were relieved to see her.

 

The highlight of our morning was supposed to be a guided tour of the Acropolis, but our veteran guide was content to talk to us in a couple of shady spots outside the Acropolis, then turn us loose for about 40 minutes on our own inside. Which, actually was just fine by me, as I had already found Lillian to be a little too crusty and snappy for my liking, even though she was somewhat entertaining as a "character." She was actually quite good, however, on the guided tour of the Acropolis Museum that followed, and the drive through downtown Athens that followed that. What made it all worthwhile for me was how much Ginny enjoyed everything, especially the Acropolis, where she had never been. "Fantastic!" was her one-word review.

 

By the way, I meant to mention that 94 passengers are continuing on the Mariner from Athens to Barcelona. We saw a number of them at the Acropolis, in two separate Regent tour groups. I had inquired about a tour for the "forced overnighters" when we first learned that Regent couldn't fly us home on the day of debarkation, but was informed through our TA that a tour, free or priced, wouldn't be in the offing. I guess it is possible that we are the only forced overnighters. In fact, we were informed at the front desk that we will be taking the hotel's complimentary airport shuttle tomorrow a.m. rather than a Regent-arranged car/van.

 

Ginny just reported we have a great bathtub, so that's where I'm headed next!

 

Rich

[Mr Rumor]

Ginny and I are back home safe and sound. The pups have been cuddled and we get to finally reunite with Shauna in several hours. Not an article of clothing has been removed from a suitcase yet, but that's OK, as it is time to begin "A Photo Finish," my usual end-of-blog feature.

 

Captain Teo Srdelic, September 30, Kusadasi. The 13-year veteran of Regent may be master aboard the Mariner, but he is fond of telling passengers that when he returns home to Split, Croatia, it's "my little princess, Nora (three and a half now) who is in charge."

 

 

Nature's Rhythm has been going strong on the Mariner with its tunes and banter ever since it was discovered by Regent executives at a Manila Hilton gig back in 2006. As you can see, new member Sernil (center, on his second contract with Regent) is every bit as shy as original members Larry (left) and Jun.

 

 

Professor Cengiz Icten spent 40 years excavating at Ephesus and is a walking history book of the world famous project. It was an honor for Ginny and me to be able to take the Discover Ephesus with an Expert excursion for a second time ($179 upcharge and worth every penny) and meet the good professor again. Here is he guiding us on the tour of the Terrace Houses with his usual mix of grace and wit.

 

 

Receptionists Clarice and Simone met by chance in a restaurant back home in Brazil two months before joining the Mariner--what are the odds of that happening? Now they sit three feet apart, and help make up a great reception team that also includes Assistant Purser Aimee and night receptionist Danilo.

 

I don't think we've missed a Jean Ann Ryan production since we started cruising with Regent in 2010. This particular cast of singers and dancers-- that's newest JAR star Jo Bacon front and center--was our favorite. If reports are true that Jean Ann Ryan's time with Regent is coming to an end next year, the song and dance company is ending on a high note with Regent--a series of them, in fact.

 

 

Rich

[gnomie1]

Rich:

 

Glad to hear that you made it home safe and sound - I am sure that you and Ginny are anxious to reunite with Shauna and she feels the same!

 

Again, thank you so much for allow us to join you on your adventure - it has been a pleasure to read each one of your posts and to enjoy your wonderful pictures - you have a great skill of writing that entices the reader for more. You traveled a part of the world that I love and even though I have been reading your posts from the office, for a few minutes each day you provided me (and I am sure many others) the opportunity to experience your vacation.

 

I anxiously look forward to your next cruise and reporting!

 

gnomie :)

[Pamela1]

Hi Rich,

 

Thank you so much for the blog and all the information and photos you provided to all us lurkers. You packed in a lot there and hope the tummy troubles are a thing of the past now.

Hope you and Ginny settle home well and Shauna enjoys her Regent Rewards.

 

Pam.

[Mr Rumor]

Sincere thanks, gnomie and Pamela! I've enjoyed every live cruise blog I've done--has to be the old reporter in me wanting to work my beat one more time--but none so more than this CC member joint effort. It felt a little strange carrying on by my lonesome with "Inspiring Isles," but I persevered with all the gusto I could muster, even though all the long tours took their toll by the end. Ginny and I accumulated 25 little Regent walking men--three walking men on a Regent excursion signify a "strenuous" tour--and it would have been 28 if we had carried on with the Delos excursion on our last day. We joked that this cruise "ruined" us, but mean that mostly in a literal (read: good) way, as we relished our return to Ephesus, and our visits to sites such as Priene and Philippi. Also, it was a balm returning to the Mariner each day, or late night, as we savored our time on the ship. Outstanding service (I include all the warm smiles and greetings), top-notch entertainment, and several of the best meals I've ever had on a Regent cruise (Yep, I'm still thinking of that halibut in Signatures--it was just as good the second time).

 

Before I close I'd like to briefly address the current situation in Israel. Four Israelis and four Palistinians killed within the last few days. Words like "rising tensions, "tinderbox" and "may be just the beginning" used to describe the situation in one news report I heard today.

 

On September 19 we walked in the very area near the Wailing Wall where an Israeli man was reportedly wounded in a knife attack earlier today. (He shot his alleged assailant, a woman, seriously wounding her.) There is no doubt in my mind that if we were docked in Haifa today most or all of the Jerusalem excursions would have been cancelled. I recalled a painfully candid quote from Moshe, our Jerusalem guide, and found it in my notes tonight: "You don't know how dangerous it is to live here. Be grateful for where you live."

 

Ginny and I are indeed grateful for where we live. But we are also grateful for having finally seen together the Pyramids, Jerusalem and the Wailing Wall, and are relieved we could do so safely.

 

There may be no smiles or beaming faces in the second batch of photos that follow. But there very well could be one more photo that will fit that bill. You see, it is someone's 34th birthday tomorrow, and among her presents will be some Regent goodies.

 

Rich

 

Giza camel photobomb.

 

Our traveling companions on the highway to/from Port Said and Cairo.

 

The Wailing Wall on September 19, 2015.

 

Battered Israeli police van parked near the Wailing Wall.

 

Israelis and Palistinians may share a Via Dolorosa sign, but "the only way, dear people, that peace will come," in the opinion of tour guide Moshe, "is when Israeli and Palistinian politicians are willing to exchange land."

Edited October 8, 2015 by Mr Rumor

[1982CruzStart]

Thank you so much Mr. Rumor. This has been great.

[Travelcat2]

Great photos and a great finish to our joint blog! Sending special Happy Birthday wishes:)

[RachelG]

Love the pics. And tell Shauna happy birthday from George and Rachel

[Winner]

Thank you so very much for taking me along (sort of) to a part of the world I probably will never visit. My husband and I were booked in 2005 when he suffered a fatal heart attack. I feel that your photographs and commentary have given me my cancelled cruise.

 

Thank you again--and a very Happy Birthday to beautiful Shauna!

[Mr Rumor]

Thank you, Winner. It is touching posts like yours that inspire me to continue to live blog our cruises. My best to you.

 

Thanks for the Shauna birthday wishes! For the occasion of her 34th birthday she was very happy this morning to model two of the Regent goodies that were redeemed in part by my blogging companions' donated Regent Reward points. Thanks again, Jackie, Rachel and all! As for the tote bag autographed by every member of the Mariner Entertainment Team, what a surprise it was when Cruise Director Lorraine Weimerskirch personally delivered it and a signed poster to us at the end of the cruise. Shauna has touched many Regent hearts on her three cruises with us, including Lorraine's.

 

Now as this blog sails into the sunset, what better photo to end with than a Santorini sunset shot. My thanks to our Santorini tour guide, Iakovos, for informing us of the 7:15 p.m. sunset on October 3 and exhorting us to be outside to photograph it, as "it will be magic." It was!