Mulled wine & musings from Mariner

[flossie009]

‘‘Tis the season to be jolly so here goes.

 

We were very sad to see this on Splendor last week as our Caribbean cruise came to an end

 

……… but were able to look forward to this on Mariner

 

On Saturday a car picked us up from the Intercontinental for the short trip back to Terminal J in Miami port that we had only left the day before.

Testing was efficient and speedy; unfortunately check-in was very slow - iPad issues for the check-in clerk meant we had to go through the same questions & paperwork numerous times.

Eventually we were cleared for boarding.

First we were greeted by Santa & his helper

 

 

Then the ship’s crew lined the deck to clap us on board; then finally carollers to remind us it is a Holiday Cruise.

 

So good to be back on Mariner and to see her cruising again 😀

 

[flossie009]

Having now been on board for a couple of days we can give our initial impressions

• we miss the well designed suites on Splendor with plentiful storage
• we prefer the public areas on Mariner. Pool deck layout, forward viewing area on deck, Horizon Lounge etc etc.
• last night in the theatre, we realised how good the Mariner auditorium design is compared to Splendor & Explorer.
• crew are excellent on both ships but because Splendor restarted earlier everything operates like a well oiled machine. Mariner still has a few wrinkles that need ironing out.

The new mask policy is mildly inconvenient but needs must. We do not intend to get into an acrimonious debate about the issue. NCLH/Regent has set the rules and we will follow them.

 

As reported elsewhere, Mexico has now become difficult for cruise ships and therefore our itinerary has changed to include more sea days and arriving at our destination, San Francisco, earlier than originally planned.

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by flossie009

[flossie009]

Yesterday, Sunday, Mariner was in Key West (nearer to Cuba than the closest Walmart)

 

We enjoyed our morning trolley tour around the town on a gloriously warm & sunny day

The Customs House

 

Our home until January 5th

 

 

Tonight is Captain’s Welcome Reception and the first Formal Optional night (no dress code debates, please 🤨)

 

We are looking forward to dining with @daetchief, Bob & Susan, this evening after a drink in the Mariners bar.

 

Hope others on board Mariner will join in this intermittent blog.

With the lack of ports now I think it will mainly be reports of activities around the ship together with food/drink photos 😋

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 20, 2021 by flossie009

[mrlevin]

Anyone know why mariner skipping Mexico yet splendor still going to Mexico?

[liptastic]

Susan your description of the Mariner / Splendor preference mirrors our views too.

We haven’t sailed on Splendor as yet but have been twice on Explorer. While we loved the suites  the public spaces are for us not as welcoming as on Mariner. That’s only our opinion though.

Have a great cruise and appreciate all the updates and posts.  Jean.

[BBWC]

Susan,

when you have a chance, could you list the featured entertainment in the various lounges?
 

Wishing you good luck that your visit to San Francisco does not coincide with another atmospheric river rain event.

[twobeautifulgirls]

Hello, can you tell me how much drinks cost without the drink package? Thank tou

[Not a Georgia Peach]

Drinks are included on Regent Seven Seas, you don't need a drink package.

 

[labonnevie]

Flossie, can you provide any more information on the cancellation of all of the Mexican ports?

Can't find information about it, although it seems a Carnival cancelled Cabo due to local authorites requiring all passengers coming ashore to be tested (December 16th). Thanks and enjoy.

[flossie009]

18 hours ago, twobeautifulgirls said:

Hello, can you tell me how much drinks cost without the drink package?

$zero

………. unless splurging on ultra premium wine & spirits. For us the included drinks are fine.

 

[flossie009]

19 hours ago, BBWC said:

when you have a chance, could you list the featured entertainment in the various lounges?

 

Today’s schedule below:

 

 

Evening lounge entertainment is normally the pianist, the band and the duo. All very good.

We caught the end of the show last night (Divos & Divas) and the Production Cast of singers & dancers look to be an excellent team.

 

Three lecturers on board for this cruise; which is good because we have lots of sea days.

 

[flossie009]

19 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Anyone know why mariner skipping Mexico yet splendor still going to Mexico?

 

15 hours ago, labonnevie said:

can you provide any more information on the cancellation of all of the Mexican ports?

No more information than the letter included in post #2 above.

Plenty of uninformed speculation 😉

 

 

[flossie009]

Connecting to ship’s Wi-Fi and to the internet has been challenging thus far on Mariner. The internet manager has been kept very busy.

 

Now that we have connected we can only access the internet in the public areas; intermittent, unreliable or usually no service in our suite.

 

Speed test this morning from Coffee Connection:

 

 

[Ladys Mom]

38 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

Connecting to ship’s Wi-Fi and to the internet has been challenging thus far on Mariner. The internet manager has been kept very busy.

 

Now that we have connected we can only access the internet in the public areas; intermittent, unreliable or usually no service in our suite.

 

Speed test this morning from Coffee Connection:

 

Are they expecting to get any better, or is this a function of a ship full of guests with nothing to do?  We get on in SF for the WC and I hope we can use the internet in our suite.

 

[1982CruzStart]

Susan, you and David have a great cruise. Looking forward to whatever posts you have time to make. Too bad about the missing ports but just being onboard must be great. 

[RetiredandTravel]

5 hours ago, flossie009 said:

Connecting to ship’s Wi-Fi and to the internet has been challenging thus far on Mariner. The internet manager has been kept very busy.

 

Now that we have connected we can only access the internet in the public areas; intermittent, unreliable or usually no service in our suite.

 

Speed test this morning from Coffee Connection:

 

 

 

Nice to see its improved. 😡  We had some better luck on off hours, hard to find on sea days.

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Enjoy and be well!👍🤞🙏🥂

[islandhalls]

We asked a bartender about the Mexican port cancellation, he said Acapulco canceled our visit and the Mexican government then canceled Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. He said eastern Mexico ports are still open; Cancun and Cozumel. 🤷‍♀️

[flossie009]

Christmas is coming and Mariner is looking very festive throughout

 

 

 

 

 

Last night there was a pre-dinner cocktail party in the Horizon Lounge with the Production Cast, Tammy & the Regent band playing some Christmas favourites 🧑‍🎄

The dancers showed us how it should be done - ah the energy of youth 😊

 

 

 

Edited December 22, 2021 by flossie009

[flossie009]

The senior team on Mariner

 

 

Plus many other familiar faces amongst the crew on board

 

 

[cwn]

Thanks for the pictures. So glad you are reporting from the Mariner. We will be on her next Christmas and it is exciting to see what goes on during the Holidays!

[pingpong1]

Okay, A few general ramblings here on a lazy afternoon.  We left the port of Cartagena about 12:30 PM after docking there for about 5 hours.  We're now heading almost due West towards the Panama Canal.  I think I heard the Captain say that we'll be arriving at the entrance around 6AM tomorrow morning (Thursday).

 

The ship seems to "feel" empty!  That's not a "bad thing"...that's "Great" as far as I'm concerned!  But probably not too good if I were a Regent Accountant.  Many folks are enjoying the warm sunny weather laying on their recliner lounges up on the pool deck.  A few are in the hot tubs, and a few are in the pool.

 

Some groups and lectures are going on inside around the ship.  A Panama Canal lecture going on in the theater, some tables of bridge are going on in the Garden Promenade....and the Casino is opened now, that we are out of Columbian coastal waters....I'll be there as soon as I "sign off" here.

 

All in all, the internet speed isn't really too bad.  Of course, I'm just on Email and not doing any real data or bandwidth sucking,  or video-intensive "stuff" but it's quite tolerable for what I'm doing.  Tonight in the Theater, Jeri Sager and the Regent Signature Orchestra will be performing.  Yesterday, One of our travelling companions enjoyed a "full body massage" up in the Serene Spa.

 

So for "this 70+ something", who doesn't want to burn too many calories, this is turning out to be a "perfect cruise".  Tomorrow's excitement will be the transit of the canal. If you have any questions....just ask and I will try to "dig up" an answer.  Just don't make it too much of a  labor-intensive question!!  🤪  Best Regards. 

[pingpong1]

Hello Everyone - Please excuse any typo errors...It's now 10:30PM and I am one "whipped puppy".  Just finished a nice cigar and a couple of "Rusty Nails" in the Connoisseur Club.  This "cruising life" is tough if you're not in shape for it!  The "2 Mary's" are either still down in the theater....or in a lounge somewhere having a "nightcap".  Chuck and I said, "Goodnight" to each other and headed off to our respective suites.  Even without the shore excursions, I'm finding that there's so much to do on the Mariner...you just can't keep up with it all! The lectures, the casino (where so far, I'm losing/spending our children's inheritance - Oh...wait...I don't have any children!), the meals, the lounging on the balcony, etc., etc.  You all are going to have a great time, believe me! 

 

Tomorrow of course, we'll be up in the Observation Lounge or on the jogging track to view our day-long passage through the Panama Canal...Really, why we booked this cruise and what we really came here to see.  Tonight, we "did" Chartreuse.  A wonderful dinner.  I did take some "food porn" pictures but am just too tired to up load it to you tonight.  Hope to be getting those to you tomorrow. I had the lamb chops, "My Mary" had the floating desert, and we all had the "French Coffee" to finish off the meals - coffee with Cognac - and heavy cream floating on top.  The wait staff is performing their duties to "perfection"!  They are so happy to be back onboard and are trying so very hard to make everything "fabulous" for us...and succeeding!  The wines have been very good and the meals have been delicious.

 

No one seems to be "worried" or even talking about the few Covid outbreaks on the ship or the various port stops that we will be missing.  It's all been a joy to just be onboard.  We're all wearing our masks where required...and not wearing them when not required....in the dining venues while eating, in the lounges when drinking....and out on the pool deck when lounging or at the bar.  The masks simply haven't been a big deal!  And I would urge everyone to "accept" things like that - it's all simply "working out".  Regent is fully aware of what "needs to be done" to keep us "safe" and we are all happily abiding by their rules.

 

So, "off to bed now".  I'll give you more updates tomorrow.  Best Regards to all. 

[flossie009]

Mariner has started its transit of the Panama Canal.

We are presently in the Gatun locks on the Atlantic side.

 

Looking forward (Bridge camera)

 

Looking aft

 

Panama Canal Authority webcam

 

 

[flossie009]

A couple of views as we finish our climb up the Gatun locks ready to enter the Gatun Lake

 

 

 

So good to have the outside forward viewing area on Deck 12 of Mariner.
A pity the two newer Regent ships do not have this facility.

 

It is a gloriously sunny day for our enjoyment of the wonder that is the Panama Canal 😎