Random Notes, 5/24-6/7/17, Mariner, Rumorlite but LIVE!

[tnr]

Hello Rich. I'm just now catching up with your thread. I have been so busy with other issues since a car accident at Christmas. You make me smile just reading all your wonderful posts and great pictures. I really hope we get the chance to meet Shauna one of these days. But you have made us feel like we already know her well. We did an Alaskan cruise many years ago before we started sailing with Regent. You bring back so many great memories. I am also missing you and Ginny, Squeeze and Pam, TC and Dennis (and everyone else from our TA cruise). Feeling like we all need to plan another one together:'). Can't wait for the rest of your posts, and hope the second half is a good as the first.

[islandhalls]

Wonder if those new name tags were partially driven by the Town Hall meeting with Jason M on our April sailing on Explorer? The point was raised that the type on the name tags was so small as to be practically worthless...and that comment received a long and loud round of applause. I'm only 56 with pretty decent eyesight and I had a hard enough time reading some name tags that I was afraid I was going to get slapped a time or three. :o

 

I also wonder if they're fleet-wide yet. Does anyone know?

 

 

They appeared here on the Voyager yesterday!

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

Great to hear from you, Terri, but so sorry to hear about the accident! Hope you are doing much better. Would love another tour with you and Ray.

 

We're docked and just finished breakfast in La Veranda. A few minutes ago we witnessed magic on our starboard side. We saw not one, not two, not three, but FOUR humpbacks breach the water and show their tales! What a start to the day!

 

We anchored the last, and only previous, time we visited. Now Icy Strait boasts a new pier and we get to dock. What is cool about the port is that we can't see anything but nature from our berth; the buildings are around the corner, a short walk away. That was the community's plan, according to Terry Breen. Like!

 

View from the ship. We'll walk this extended corridor to get to our tours.

 

 

 

 

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Edited June 2, 2017 by Mr Rumor

[1teach53]

Greetings, we made it home! After disembarking on Wednesday at 8:30 AM we reached our door at 2:00pm Thursday. This air schedule will never happen again (John!)!!! Too old for this type of "monkey business!!! Last night I slept for 13 hours, John about 11, can you say exhausted?!?!

Rich, Ginny & Shauna, thrilled to finally meet you! We so enjoyed dinner & all our time together. You are such kind gentle folks. Would love to have our paths cross again very soon.

Our first 11 day cruise was a great time with the help of Roberto & Pam!! Can't wait till November to see you in Miami & cruise with you again!!

Met new friends the last 7 day cruise, Steve, Teresa, & Greer! We must cruise together again soon, think about Nov . - 7 day Caribbean ???? If Steve is busy with work maybe just a girls cruise for you two?? We would have a great time hanging by the pool & losing at trivia, LOL !!!

Special shoutout to Risky, Lorraine, Marla, Sergei (who made the best little/big pink drink) & so many more crew that were so helpful and kind, thank you is not enough!!!!

I've taken a break from unpacking & laundry so must get back at it.

Alaska is still our favorite cruise, majestic and unbelievable beauty!! 18 days went so fast!

Hugs to all the above mentioned! :hearteyes:

Karen & John

 

[mangia bene vivi felice]

We are wildly envious of your back-to-back. We were not ready to leave this magical-majestic beautiful-bodacious (yes, still a hippie) cruise. What a week! Blue skies every single day. Funny thing, ... we left clear and warm weather in Anchorage and returned to cold and drizzly weather in San Diego.

 

Ahhhhhhhhhh what an amazing week.

 

It was such a pleasure to meet you, Ginnie, and the Joy-Inducer named Shauna. She is even more beautiful in person. Sweetness galore. Her giggle is infectious.

 

Yesterday I was more that a tad tired -- surrounded by explosions of suitcase debris (laundry is never fun, but post-cruise laundry is always a bummer,) ~ and juggling plumbers (came home to a flood from upstairs, through the ceiling to the garage.) As I was precariously close to a pity party, the vision of Shauna dancing in sheer joy at the Beatles party slapped me silly into a sunny smile.

 

I wish we had more time to visit. The week sped by in dizzying fashion. Hoping to meet up on another cruise soon. You and your family are blessings to all in your path.

 

Keep posting!

[dogs&dancing]

Hello!!!

 

This is your new friend, Greer :)!!

 

I am so happy to catch this thread--- thank you Karen for emailing me the link! And YES! I would love to cruise with you again soon. I will be talking to my mom about the Caribbean trip. That would be so much fun!!

 

I had such a wonderful experience as a first time Regent cruiser. I loved Alaska and can't believe how lucky we got with the weather! I especially enjoyed my time with Shauna, what a sweet girl!

 

I'm having major cruise withdrawals! I miss my new friends, the food, the sights, and all of the entertainment! My favorite show was Blazing Boots! The backstage tour with the cast was great!

 

I am already looking forward to our next trip!!

 

Enjoy the rest of your time in Alaska!

 

Hugs,

 

Greer

[Mr Rumor]

It's great to see our newest Regent friends posting!

 

Greer, congrats on joining Cruise Critic! It was a joy meeting and getting to know you and your parents. We look forward to staying in touch!

 

Karen and John, glad you were able to sleep off your ordeal of a return home. We were thrilled as well to finally cruise with you and get some really great and meaningful visiting in. We look forward to staying in touch with you as well!

 

Cindie and Jim, while we only got to visit once--yep, a seven-day cruise flies by--we made the most of those minutes. Sorry you had such an unpleasant surprise awaiting you when you returned home. That the thought of a joyful Shauna rocking out at the Beatles fest helped you ride out the stress warms Ginny's and my hearts. I hope that one of these days we'll get to compare '70s San Francisco concert notes.

 

We loved our first visit to Icy Straight Point in 2014, and we loved our visit today as much, if not more. The setting, at the most northern point of the Inland Passage, is stunning. The fact that only one ship is allowed to visit at a time guarantees an uncrowded, nature-dominating experience. There is a fun, varied selection of excursions, one of the best of which has to be the Whale and Marine Mammals Cruise. According to fellow CC members Mel and Lisa (mellapl), who were on the cruise, the whale spotting/watching today was "incredible!" (I'm not surprised after witnessing the whale of a show for La Veranda starboard diners this morning and learning that Icy Strait boasts one of the richest feeding grounds in the world.)

 

We chose to repeat the easygoing Forest Tram and Tribal Dance, knowing Shauna would enjoy a reprise. She did. Meanwhile, I had the chance to play journalist with Dennis, our guide on the tram ride, as well as a Tlingit elder, clan leader and shareholder in Icy Strait Point.

 

Dennis explained that when Icy Straight opened for business in 2004 as the only privately owned port in North America, the Huna Totem Corporation, an Alaska Native corporation, and the town of Hoonah, contracted with a Juneau company to bring in cruise ship business. After the contract was up three years later, Huna Totem took over that job. According to Dennis, that decision was a turning point for the local Tinglit community. "(Running this business ourselves) has done wonders for our community and our schools. It has been our casino," he said. He added that as one of approximately 1,500 corporation shareholders--everyone born before 1971 received 100 shares--he is entitled to a quarterly dividend.

 

To ensure Ice Straight Point's long-term viability and growth, Huna Totem made the decision a few years back to seek funding to help underwrite the construction of the corporation's first cruise dock. The dock seemed all but a done deal when the state offered to pony up three-quarters of the estimated $28 million cost.

 

However, several years went by as shareholders debated--"bickered," according to Dennis--where the dock should go. Dennis said he and others felt it made sense to locate it near the various Icy Point attractions and the old landmark salmon cannery-turned shopping center, while another faction pushed for it to be located near the town of Hoonah, a mile and a half away.

 

Finally Dennis' side won out after the state, annoyed by the foot-dragging, threatened to pull its promised grant. The cruise dock, within easy walking distance of the new Adventure Center (where all land tours depart) and the cannery complex, was ready for its first ship in the early spring of 2016.

 

Since then business has been so good that Dennis said several major cruise lines, including NCL, have inquired about purchasing Icy Strait Point, "but we've turned them all down.

 

"We're hanging on to Icy Strait Point for dear life. It's our future."

 

Rich

 

 

 

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[Zqueeze1]

Rich: It is always a nice start to my day when I get a chance to read your posts and comments from other folks. Although we just disembarked a little over a week ago, we wish we were still onboard marveling at Alaska's beauty. Keep up the writing and say hi to the family. One day, we will have the privilege to meet Shauna. Please say hello to Risky and Herman as well as to Rommel in the Coffee Connection.

 

Ray and Terry: Really glad to hear from you and we are so sorry to hear about your accident. We hope you guys are OK. I think that the only good medicine is to book the 10 November 17 Carib cruise on the Mariner along with our good friends Karen and John (1Teach53). We can watch John pick up and deliver Karen's coffee during our morning gab sessions. DO IT!

 

Greer: Welcome to the boards. Listen to Karen and John and hop on to our Carib sojourn. It's a short one, but it will be a blast.

 

Karen and John: Your long night's sleep is nothing compare to The Boss's marathon naps! Miss you guys.

 

Z and TB

[Mr Rumor]

Roberto, I wish you and Pam were still onboard, too! Will be happy to relay those hellos.

 

Today's proud modeler of the new, bigger and better Regent name tag is. . . Malika (Kazakhstan, second Regent contract, Prime 7/Compass Rose/La Veranda)!

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

Just noticed that auto-correct changed most mentions of "Strait" to "Straight" in my post above. Have to be ever-vigilant with A-C.

 

While I only managed several so-so shots of the whales keeping us company on our starboard side at breakfast yesterday, I was pleased to score this eagle shot while walking around Icy STRAIT Point.

 

 

 

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[Sheltieluv]

WOW! The eagle pic literally took my breath away! Absolutely magnificent.

Have been enjoying your posts so much. Enjoy the rest of your cruise!

[Mr Rumor]

Thanks, Sheltieluv, and good morning from Sitka!

 

The view from the bow, port side:

 

 

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Edited June 3, 2017 by Mr Rumor

[RachelG]

Rich, glad you enjoyed Icy Strait as much as we did . I loved how they are developing it without just putting in a casino and a bunch of junk.

[WesW]

Rich, thanks again for the continued well done posts with fab pix. Especially like pictures of the crew -- please pass Malika our warmest regards from ATL. Rich if you recall (on board the Voyager this February (Singapore to HK) when Ginny, Ida, you and I were enjoying P7 dinner--Malika was there immediately to lend a hand when I needed assistance (minor Mal de Mer).

 

Loved the eagle snap--just glorious--thanks for sharing.

 

Minor note--this is the second pix you shared of the same gentleman walking or jogging on the Mariner track. Rich, does the Mariner (like the Voyager) have signs with stick figures and arrows pointing in the preferred direction of jogging/walking. If so and the Mariner signs are pointing in the same direction as the Voyager (jogging walking goes clockwise from the bow to stern) then this fellow is going in the opposite of the Mariner's preferred jogging or walking direction.

 

 

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[DaveFr]

Just heard from friends on the cruise who said that the Mariner is now under a Level Two Code Red alert. Supposedly the alert is about an influenza outbreak but it sure sounds like the protocol for a norovirus outbreak. Hopefully, whatever the illness, it won't get out of control.

[Travelcat2]

Just heard from friends on the cruise who said that the Mariner is now under a Level Two Code Red alert. Supposedly the alert is about an influenza outbreak but it sure sounds like the protocol for a norovirus outbreak. Hopefully, whatever the illness, it won't get out of control.

 

Dave, this may be a dumb question but I really don't know how many levels there are and is Level Two more severe than Level one?

 

I feel badly for the passengers onboard as having services disrupted in addition to getting sick is definitely not the way one wants to spend a vacation. It became so bad on the Voyager (3 1/2 years ago) that when they reached the disembarkation port (Sydney), everyone had to leave the ship while it was being cleaned - continuing passengers were given dinner at the Four Seasons Hotel and new passengers had a very late embarkation. It sounds as if this may be what is needed for the Mariner.

 

Rich, hope that the three of you stay well!

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Hi Rich

I love reading your posts and seeing all your great photography!!!

 

My regards to Roberto, the Boss, TC, Dennis,Ray and Terri through this link

Terri - sorry to hear you had a car accident. Hope you and Ray are ok.

Miss you all from the TA on the Explorer last November.

Please say hello to Risky for me. Just saw her in April on the Havana cruise.

We would love to meet up with you all on another cruise. Fun people.

Sheila

Rich - Wishing you all stay well and arrive home safely!

[Mr Rumor]

Thank you, Sheila, and hi again! Hoping to have dinner in Risky's station tonight and will give her your regards.

 

Wes, I'm delighted you continue to follow along and enjoy the blog, as I'm returning the favor for your wonderful blogs and all the enjoyment I've gotten from them over the years!

 

I wound up taking several laps trying to locate, in vain, the sign(s) with the little stick figure indicating the correct walking/jogging direction on Deck 12 (I was happy to be out walking, as the weather was the ideal Alaska blend of sunny and nippy). So my next thought was to go to Reception, to see if I could get the answer there. Well, dear Olena had the bright idea to ring up Fitness Director Egan and ask him. His response was that on the Mariner there are no signs and no rules. So, that gentleman you were so observant to spot in two photos (I call him the guy with the Broncos hat) is not committing a faux/foot-pas by striding counter-clockwise on Deck 12 from bow to stern.

 

Quick update on our Code Red. As of yesterday, five crew and one passenger were down with Influenza B. As of this morning it's four crew and the same passenger, as one of the crew, an officer, was cleared to resume his usual duties.

 

I noticed that two more safeguards are now in place: 1.) Doors to restrooms are open and 2.) games are not available. We are still able to serve ourselves in La Veranda/Sette Mari and the Pool Grill.

 

Rich

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

The long and short of it: Shauna at Sitka's Alaska Raptor Center earlier today.

 

 

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[DaveFr]

Rich,

 

Thanks for posting current information on the Code Red situation. Apparently, restrictions have been eased since this morning. Our friends reported that this morning there was no self-service anywhere on the ship and no salt and pepper, etc. on tables. Puzzles were gone and all games were locked up. In addition, all the library books were either removed or locked up. Doors were propped open and many things such as railings, chairs, doors, etc. were being sanitized.

 

What I don't understand is why a Code Red protocol is being used now when no such protocol has been used before on other Regent cruises with flu cases. Particularly when only six cases of the flu have been diagnosed out of over 1100 people on board. Perhaps passengers are not being given complete information about the extent of the outbreak.

 

TC, see post number 97 in this thread for Rich's explanation of Cod Red levels.

[Travelcat2]

It looks like Shauna needs longer "wings" before she can fly like an eagle;p :D

 

Wes/Rich, does it really make a difference which way a person walks/runs? Is the path too narrow? I understand that people from many countries walk/drive on the "wrong" side (just giving our UK friends a hard time:-) but there should be room for all of us. I know that when I walk on a Regent ship I walk on the right side since the cruise line is U.S. owned (almost causing some collisions) but when we are in countries where they walk/drive on the left, we respect their rules.

 

Dave, not sure how I missed Rich's post about the "code" levels. Although our cruise is just under 3 months away, it is still a concern. We have become ill on late fall and winter itineraries but not in the summer (after our last cruise - when Dennis had pneumonia, we both had proper immunizations when we returned home). I did read that influenza has been an issue later in the year than normal. So, once again, this likely was caused by a passenger boarding the ship either with the flu or about to get it. We have taken the flu shot for the last 20 years and have not had the flu (knocking on wood). People that plan on cruising may want to think about getting this to prevent them (and others) from becoming sick on their vacation.

[Mr Rumor]

Our Sitka tour, Russian America and Raptor Center, started and ended oddly but had its definite high points in between.

 

For the first time ever on a Regent excursion we were driven to the wrong venue! It wasn't until we were in our seats at Centennial Hall for a Russian dance performance by the all-female New Archangel Dancers that we were informed by our bus driver/guide that the performance would actually take place in the historic Odess Theater on the campus of the nearby Sitka Fine Arts Camp. So back in the bus we went. To make it to the show in time we had to hoof it across a wide expanse of lawn.

 

The performance itself was a gem. The six-member troupe, all volunteers, performed six dances out of their repertoire of 40 or so. The costuming was great.

 

After that, we visited the Alaska Raptor Center, another gem. We had an hour there, which was enough time to visit the Bald Eagle Flight-Training Center, meet "Spirit," a young "teacher" bald eagle, and then to tour other areas of the 17-acre campus. Currently the center is tending to 18 bald eagles.

 

By now with the tour running somewhat late, we were given only 40 minutes instead of the 60 minutes listed in the tour description to explore Sitka National Park. Only 40 minutes was a shame because the park is another gem. I would have loved to have done the one-mile Totem Trail Loop walk to view the park's collection of totems in the gorgeous forest setting. But since there was just not enough time, we made do by checking out the small but excellent Tinglit exhibit in the Cultural Center, then viewing the 12-minute film "Voices of Sitka" in the center's theater.

 

By now it was just shy of 1:30 and we were four hours into our four-and-a-half-hour excursion. That's when our driver/guide informed us that if we wanted to visit the final stop, St. Michael's Russian Cathedral, which she strongly recommended, we would need to take a shuttle back to the ship--despite the fact that a transfer back to the pier at tour's end was included. Several couples did leave the bus to visit St. Michael's, but we didn't feel like being responsible for our return, plus we were hungry. So we opted to miss out on the cathedral visit and were driven back to the ship.

 

The silver lining in all of this is that if we return to Sitka we'll definitely take that walk in Sitka National Park and explore St. Michael's.

 

Rich

 

 

 

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[Mr Rumor]

Jackie, I've taken my share of walks on Deck 12 when a lot of fellow walkers were doing their laps as well, and can tell you it would have been chaos for most to be going in one direction, and a few in the other. Actually there is not enough room, especially when one also has to watch for the occasional passenger just taking in the view.

 

I have a further Code Red update, having spoken briefly with GM Andreas at the Seven Seas Society cocktail party earlier tonight.

 

While Red Code Level Two is still in effect, Andreas reported that we're now down to only one active case of Influenza B (the passenger). "Things are going very well," he said.

 

Andreas clarified that once a single case of Influenza is diagnosed, "We go straight to Red, Level 2." However, he added that the ship has the leeway to request specific "small changes" to the Level 2 rules, subject to the approval of headquarters. In this situation the decision was made not to take the La Veranda/Sette Mari and Pool Grill serving utensils out of passengers' hands. Instead, crew has been instructed to change out, and sanitize, the serving utensils every 15 minutes.

 

Rich

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[tnr]

Thanks to Rich, Roberto and Sheila for your concerns. Ray was not hurt, and I am just dealing with concussion headaches and some whiplash issues. Definitely getting better. Driving California freeways is just my favorite thing to do (not). We did get a new car out of it as ours was totaled.

 

Roberto, I talked to Ray yesterday and we have decided to join you & Pam, and John & Karen on the November cruise. Will be calling our TA first thing in the morning. Ray doesn't know how he'll deal with a bootless Z though. Can't wait to see you.

 

Rich, I'm glad things are improving with the epidemic. Take care of yourselves. I certainly would hate for any of you to come down with it.

Terri

[Travelcat2]

Thanks to Rich, Roberto and Sheila for your concerns. Ray was not hurt, and I am just dealing with concussion headaches and some whiplash issues. Definitely getting better. Driving California freeways is just my favorite thing to do (not). We did get a new car out of it as ours was totaled.

 

Roberto, I talked to Ray yesterday and we have decided to join you & Pam, and John & Karen on the November cruise. Will be calling our TA first thing in the morning. Ray doesn't know how he'll deal with a bootless Z though. Can't wait to see you.

 

Rich, I'm glad things are improving with the epidemic. Take care of yourselves. I certainly would hate for any of you to come down with it.

Terri

 

Terri, so glad that the accident wasn't worse than it was and that you are healing. Our daughter got rear-ended on the 101 Fwy. and had whiplash, headaches, etc. Having been raised in California, I can say that some of the drivers there should not be driving!

 

Sorry that we can't join you guys in November. Mudhen (John, Linda), a close friend of theirs, Dennis and I will be on the November 17th Mariner cruise. We may have to meet at 11:00 a.m. at the Pool Bar in remembrance of our wonderful time together on the Explorer.

 

Rich, I've certainly learned a lot about influenza causing Code Red on cruise ships. I had no idea. Continue to enjoy your cruise!