Mariner moseying down to Mexico

[flossie009]

Thought it might be time to start a blog from Mariner as we head towards our first port of call, Puerta Vallerta.

 

This is a 12 day round trip from Los Angeles to Los Angeles. It is one of Regent’s 30th Anniversary cruises and also has some specialist speakers & events for “Spotlight on Hollywood”

 

 

 

In the next few posts we will catch up on the last few days.

Hopefully other CC members will join in with their observations. Yesterday we had a Meet & Greet with a good turnout of about 15 guests, excellently coordinated by @FengShui@Sea

 

 

[zipcruise]

Oh wonderful! Have a wonderful cruise. I’m looking forward to your blog 🙏thank you for all the informations.

Please enjoy every minute on board the Mariner ❤️

[1982CruzStart]

It has been too long since your last posts from a cruise. Always enjoy reading about your adventures. Thanks Susan and have a great cruise. 

[Gilly]

Waving madly from Voyager, thinking that our cruise is passing all too quickly and looking forward to hanging onto your coattails as you set sail on yours!!   Bon Voyage - have fun!

[FengShui@Sea]

Thanks for starting the blog Susan @Flossie009.  We have been very pleased with the food and service in Compass Rose.  I can also report that we are in an aft corner suite and have experienced zero vibration.  The biggest (First World) problem is an under powered hair dryer in the suite.  This is the first time I didn’t bring my own.  🙈.

 

Below are some photos of the Seven Seas Suite #1081

 

The bedroom and ensuite bathroom are pretty small compared with the living room.

Edited October 6, 2022 by FengShui@Sea

[irishwitchy]

Is the cruise critic Meet  & Greet back?   

[liptastic]

Your cruise itinerary looks fabulous. Have a great cruise and look forward to all the live updates. Jean.

[Boatmans Lady]

Thank you all for posting and I hope you have smooth seas and fair winds. 

[Gilly]

@FengShui@Sea I had the same problem on Voyager and the answer is the same as always...ask for a better one (and it will appear...or at least, it did for me)

[ChatKat in Ca.]

The Mariner is one of our favorite ships.  We had the good fortune to be in one of the Corner Aft suites on a Barcelona to Venice itineary. Perfect weater for a sial down the Grand Canal we will never forget.  We were on the inaugural sailing.  We board in a few weeks and look forward to your report.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

1 hour ago, ChatKat in Ca. said:

The Mariner is one of our favorite ships.  We had the good fortune to be in one of the Corner Aft suites on a Barcelona to Venice itineary. Perfect weater for a sial down the Grand Canal we will never forget.  We were on the inaugural sailing.  We board in a few weeks and look forward to your report.

Good for you, Kathy!

[RachelG]

Awesome!  Another blog to keep me from going into total cruise withdrawal.  I didn't know meet and greets were back though. 

[edgee]

Funny..we are packing to leave tomorrow for some time in Anaheim with family ahead of embarking on October 15 ten day version of your Mariner cruise.  DW just asked me to post a question about quality of hair dryers on the Mariner. Your mention of it being a "first world problem" settled the issue. Her hair dryer is packed!

[flossie009]

We had a Mickey Mouse cruise line moored next to us today 🤣

 

 

[flossie009]

Just to backtrack a little, we flew from LHR to LAX last Friday, 30th September. A very comfortable trip on a BA 777 equipped with the new Club Suites - a great improvement on BA’s previous business class arrangements.

We then took a Regent bus transfer to the Fairmont Miramar hotel in Santa Monica. The bus transfer was not very well organised and how the bus driver manoeuvred his way under the tree to the hotel main entrance we will never know. All the bell-hops stood watching …………… but then disappeared when bags were being unloaded 🤨

 

 

 

 

[flossie009]

The three night stay in Santa Monica was one of the promotions offered to U.K. guests associated with this cruise. 
The hotel was very nice but we had to change rooms after the first night due the extremely noisy nightclub on the South side of the hotel.

These are the views from our north facing room balcony:

 

 

 

 

There has been some discussion about breakfast arrangements in pre-cruise hotels.

In our case we were given an allowance against breakfast in the Fig restaurant within the hotel. Very good breakfast offerings but extremely expensive. The Regent rep, when he saw the menu, realised that the allowance needed to be increased from $35 pp per day to $50.

How can any establishment justify charging $5 for a single slice of toast ……………. and then increase that to $6 on the weekend 🤔  Makes Regent cruise prices look very reasonable.

 

 

 

 

[flossie009]

We thoroughly enjoyed our weekend in “La La Land” and the pre-cruise allowed us to overcome our jet lag before joining the ship.

 

 

 

On Monday morning we checked out of the Fairmont and took a private transfer to the cruise port.

Check in was disorganised with various senior citizens, employed by the port authority, wandering around aimlessly but amiably with health questionnaires etc. There appeared to be no flow or process.

Fortunately we were near the front of the queue when check-in opened so got onto the ship for a welcome drink around 12:45.

We escaped the nightmare that others suffered later when the LA Port computer systems failed causing total confusion.

 

After an excellent lunch in La Veranda we went to our suite, retrieved our luggage (always a sigh of relief), unpacked and met our steward & butler. 
 

So good to be cruising again after a break of 9 months 😀

 

 

[flossie009]

Just now, irishwitchy said:

Is the cruise critic Meet  & Greet back?   

 

Just now, RachelG said:

  I didn't know meet and greets were back though. 

Our Meet & Greet was simply DIY, excellently coordinated by Holly @FengShui@Sea through the CC roll call

 

[flossie009]

Just now, FengShui@Sea said:

The biggest (First World) problem is an under powered hair dryer in the suite.

My hairdryer is working fine, so try asking for a replacement. 
 

[flossie009]

We do like the Mariner. It has excellent public areas including a well designed theatre and the aft Horizon lounge.

There are quite a few familiar faces among the crew; easier to see their friendly smiles now that masks have become optional.

 

 

 

There are two lecturers on board:

Dr Barrett Rock - botanist & geologist

Dr James Kus - archaeologist & geographer, specialising in South America

 

In addition there are seminars with the Artful Travellers presenters who are on board for “Spotlight on Hollywood”

Scott Henderson - professional ice skater turned talent agent

William Mann - author of books on Hollywood & its stars

David Lee - writer, director & producer of TV comedy sitcoms

Steven Boggs - hotelier

 

 

 

[flossie009]

Just docking in Mazatlan

 

It is forecast to be a sunny day with a high of 89F/32C. 😎

 

 

[flossie009]

For those with excess OBC there is a Connoisseur Wine Lunch scheduled for October 9th in Chartreuse. $169 pp

 

 

@SusieQft, Karen, is that still the day you celebrate being released from quarantine?

 

 

[mrlevin]

Susan, I am surprised that Donald is still listed as F&B; we saw Cedric board in San Pedro; thought he would have taken over by now.  Question: has foie gras returned to the menu?

 

See you in December on Splendor.

 

Marc

[2012_Alaska_bound]

Since the last two "Meet and Greets" we have done this summer have been unofficial, I created a sign to put out at the meeting area. I always invite FB RSSC Social Club contributors and CC Roll Call/ contributors, so both symbols are on the sign. Feel free to use it if you want.

 

P.S. @mrlevin I thought Cedric was going to Explorer after leaving Navigator in Amsterdam? Things must have switched around.

 

Meet and Greet.docx

[flossie009]

Just now, mrlevin said:

I am surprised that Donald is still listed as F&B; we saw Cedric board in San Pedro; thought he would have taken over by now.

Yes, Cedric is taking over and Donald is leaving the ship part way through this cruise.

 

Just now, mrlevin said:

Question: has foie gras returned to the menu?

I will check.

Pleased to report that escargot returned to the menu this week

 

Just now, mrlevin said:

See you in December on Splendor.

👍 👍

A dinner date maybe if you have time in your social calendar