A Quintessential Crossing on the Mariner - Live!

[GOARMY]

Dodging a hurricane?  How about getting caught-up in the tail-end of one?  This was on Holland America's Veendam.  Mid-1990s   Some time ago, but never forgotten. 

 

Itinerary was from NYC to Bermuda; then, reverse back north through the Canadian Maritimes for a Fall Foliage cruise.  Captain decided to chance making a dash that first night. 

 

Bad decision.  Everything was copacetic for the first four or five hours after departing the Manhattan Terminal.  Then--came dinner time.  Chaos.  Ship rocked; dishes crashed; glasses shattered; folks fled the Dining Room; so did most of the Staff.  I alone--with the Assistant Dining Room Manager, managed to stick it out until dessert. 

 

My wife had the good sense to repair to our Suite after the salad course; batten down the hatches, and secure anything that could fall and break--including herself.  

 

Captain then comes on the Intercom to advise everyone to get to, and stay in their Suites. Sooos--I joined my wife. 

 

Rock and roll; then up and down with thuds throughout the night and well into the next morning.  No sleep.  

 

Obviously, we survived to tell the Tale.  (Apologies to Herman Melville.)  Comes next morning's breakfast.  There were many disgruntled passengers.  We were about six hours' late getting to Bermuda.  Had to tender, as our "dock space" had been given away.  Tours were missed.  

 

One passenger was standing in line behind us waiting for a tender.  And, with her were two Staff handling all her baggage.  She was yelling at anyone and everyone that all she wanted was to get off that ship.  Last we saw her was at a telephone booth on the Pier--no-doubt arranging for a taxi ride to the airport.  

 

On the positive side: rest of that cruise was Great!

 

GOARMY!

 

 

[ON cruiser]

Vitacura, thanks for taking the time to provide such informative and entertaining commentary! My wife and I join Mariner Nov. 25 for a back-to-back in the Caribbean, and your reports have whetted our appetites to get on board!

 

Hopefully you have calm seas all the way  to NYC—and more delicious meals to enjoy!

[mrlevin]

Looks like you are aiming for a Friday morning sunrise arrival into NYC; should be spectacular.

[vitacura]

Today is sea day number five in a row and I’m loving it! So much so that I booked another transatlantic cruise for next year.

 

Weather is as beautiful and sunny as it’s been all cruise. The Pool deck is always a popular hotspot, but there are almost always tables and loungers to be found.

 

 

The crew had another drill this morning, a fire drill up in La Veranda. There were no announcements, I just happened to pass by at the right time to catch it and saw the supply closet being used.
 

In case there were any interested ones, there was an early Country Line Dance class offered. If not, Terry Bishop continues his fascinating lectures this morning with “Wither The Fates Carry Us” -A brief history of Bermuda. Pigs, Shakespeare and conflicts of conscience. 
 

Just thereafter, in the Constellation Theater, Executive Chef John Pugh puts on a culinary cooking demonstration!

 

 

Beetroot Gravlax and Pad Thai, both of which would be offered in Compass Rose this evening.

 

 

 

After that lovely demonstration, our appetites grew and we headed to the Pool Grill for todays lunch featuring Tex-Mex BBQ!

 

 

 

 

It has been the most popular lunch feature this cruise as the Pool Grill was absolutely packed! Lots of delicious choices such as Enchiladas, Nachos, Chili con Carne, Guacamole and more.

 

We also had the Two of Us duo back to serenade us during lunch!

 

 

Todays entertainment team events included Crazy Golf, High Roller (Officer Challenge), Baggo and Shuffle Golf!

The Casino hosting their usual three tournaments today as well.

Today was also the second Connoisseur Wine lunch being offered on this cruise in Chartreuse.
 

My wife was back at the Spa making her (I hope) final donation during this cruise. 😉 

In the meantime, I went for my caffeine and sugar fix in the Coffee Connection.

 

Dr. Douglas Nelson was back on stage this afternoon enriching us with knowledge on Transatlantic Ocean Liners. There we gained a greater appreciation of today’s cruise ships compared with early trans-Atlantic crossings.

 

The Horizon Lounge also hosted Knitting corner and Needlepoint Nook, both well attended. 
 

My highlight for the Horizon Lounge today was in Tea Time. Today was French Tea, Oui! What a view to relax with..

 

 

Trolley with sandwiches visiting regularly!

 

 

 

An amazing spread of sweets to be found today. Basque Cheesecake, Macaroons, Fruit tartlets and more, Oh my!

 

 

 

 

And to think.. Dinner is in less than two hours! That’s ok, there’s always room for one more sweet bite. 😋

 

Back to the cabin for a brief rest, before heading to Compass Rose for dinner. 

 

The usual two dessert regime continues. I don’t know how my pants still fit me.

 

 

One thing I forgot to mention about Compass Rose, is that on day two or three,  I did see a guest being turned away as they were wearing shorts and sandals. I applaud the staff for enforcing the dress code, despite the guests complaints. 
 

Evening entertainment featured a Big Screen Popcorn movie in the Constellation Theater or a Dance Party. The Horizon Lounge hosted a ‘Mamma Mia! What a Dance Party!’ this evening. Sadly, we did not attend. Instead we went back to our suites to be in a short, overnight food coma. Clocks went back one hour, so we are now only one hour ahead of our next port of call, NY. 
 

No word on our exact arrival yet, just that we should be there Friday, continuing our smooth sailing at 18.6 knots.

 

Thanks again for following along!

[mrlevin]

31 minutes ago, vitacura said:

No word on our exact arrival yet, just that we should be there Friday, continuing our smooth sailing at 18.6 knots.

 

Thanks again for following along!

Since you are "crossing the t" of the hurricane; I am surprised you haven't increased speed to get to vicinity of New York harbor sometime Thursday night.  That last day should be a little rocky for you.

[CurlerRob]

No update as to ETA at the noon briefing. I have not been able to find any updates to the port schedule as yet. 
 

It’s quite possible that there is a lot of contention for berths, as we are not the only ship diverting and availability has not yet been confirmed. However, Regent, like most cruise lines, seems to struggle with the basics of communicating changes. In this case, the appropriate statement would be something like “we are finalizing our arrival information and expect to update pax on (insert date)”. 
 

In any event, we’ll be there sometime. 🍺🥌

[Jim Avery]

Right on, diverting ships, passenger or cargo, can create many problems.  As a former ship captain I can tell you that berth assignments can be made far in advance and NYC is of course a very  busy place.  If getting into harbor quickly is necessary to avoid rough seas I would not be surprised to see the ship spend a night at the Quarantine Anchorage.  The upside is you would have fantastic views of lower Manhattan and the Verrazano bridge.  We board Mariner in NYC but not till October 31.🍸 

[CurlerRob]

20 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

I would not be surprised to see the ship spend a night at the Quarantine Anchorage.   

Good to hear from you Jim! QA sounds like an appropriate place to dry out 😈. 🍺🥌

[Linda VH]

Just curious - does trivia time conflict with tea time as you said they are in different places?  I used to love listening to trivia while I had my cocktail during "tea time".

[Jim Avery]

1 minute ago, Linda VH said:

Just curious - does trivia time conflict with tea time as you said they are in different places?  I used to love listening to trivia while I had my cocktail during "tea time".

Long Island Iced Tea counts for "tea time"...

[vitacura]

2 hours ago, Linda VH said:

Just curious - does trivia time conflict with tea time as you said they are in different places?  I used to love listening to trivia while I had my cocktail during "tea time".

Afternoon Tea Time is at the Horizon Lounge from 4-5pm, while Trivia is held at 4:30pm in the Observation Lounge. So yes, there is quite the overlap for those who want to do both. ☹️

Some arrive about 10-15 minutes early to the Horizon Lounge, are served tea, scones, sandwiches or sweets and head up to the Observation Lounge 30 minutes later for Trivia. So while possible, you have to be quick and it may not be very relaxing. 

Edited September 13, 2023 by vitacura

[RELS]

1 hour ago, vitacura said:

Afternoon Tea Time is at the Horizon Lounge from 4-5pm, while Trivia is held at 4:30pm in the Observation Lounge. So yes, there is quite the overlap for those who want to do both. ☹️

Some arrive about 10-15 minutes early to the Horizon Lounge, are served tea, scones, sandwiches or sweets and head up to the Observation Lounge 30 minutes later for Trivia. So while possible, you have to be quick and it may not be very relaxing. 

 

I like to go to the Tea lounge (wherever it might be) at 4:00, get a plate with a couple of scones, some clotted cream, and jam, and take it with me to the Observation lounge to stake a location for  the Trivia team 😁.

[vitacura]

Woke up this morning to slight rocking and pitching motion as well as some clouds. Captain did announce we had about 2 meter swells and the stabilizers were deployed.

 

 

As we continue our course to NY, let’s see what’s available for us today. 

This morning there is a Merengue Dance Class if anyone wants to get their Dominican moves on!

 

Terry Bishop enthralls us with his lecture: The Bermuda Triangle -Mystery and myth, fact or fiction? You decide!

It was quite well done and we love his humor. Poor guy insists that’s where his luggage went to..

 

Beginner’s Bridge, Intermediate Bridge or Bingo Bonanza are also offered.

 

The ever fun Photo Scavenger Hunt, Dutch shuffleboard or Bocce ball are on for today!

 

Lunch feature today is Sandwich & Salad Bar. Build your own!

 

 

 

 

In the afternoon, we have Dr. Nelson back to discuss with us: Bermuda. From Shipwreck to Insurance Capital. Explore the amazing transformation of Bermuda since the 17th century.

I love the fact that they replay the lectures in your cabin for viewing later if you are unable to make it in person.

 

Maintenance continues to be hard at work, today they were welding out by the funnel and working on someone’s suite inside.

 

 

Afternoon Tea today featured the ever yummy Cupcakes!

 

 

We cannot forget to get something off the trolley first! 😉

 

 

Today we were given information on accessing the digital guest survey to be completed prior to disembarkation. 
 

I have noticed more coughing and sniffling amongst guests, at lunch the guest at the table behind me was coughing a bit and openly told friends passing by that she had a cold. Yet, there she was eating and drinking at the Pool Grill lunch buffet. 😠

 

Off to Compass Rose for dinner tonight!

 

 

Started with the always available Beef Carpaccio, then I decided to make my own surf and turf. Ribeye and Lobster tail. 
 

 

 

At this point, my dessert choices are no surprise to anyone. Chocolate Mousse with Mango sauce and Grand Marnier Soufflé.

 

 

After dinner, I hiked all the way up to the top deck. (I only take the stairs while cruising, it makes my two dessert regime seem justified somehow) 😁

I love seeing the stars, but noticed tonight was really cloudy. Looks like we are starting to feel the effects of Lee?

 

 

Do they tie up the furniture every night on the pool deck? With the cloudy skies, I guess I started looking down more and noticed that. Are we expecting some rough seas? 
 

This evenings entertainment was Steve Stevens, his second show on our cruise named: Around the World and Back Again! 
 

 

Karaoke round 2 was also offered, but I was in bed long before it started. Tomorrow is our bonus sea day! 
 

Thanks for following!

[mrlevin]

Any NYC tours added for Friday and Saturday?

[vitacura]

1 hour ago, mrlevin said:

Any NYC tours added for Friday and Saturday?

 

Nothing has been shared with us in regards to our arrival into NY, although I have yet to ask today. 

Soon, I will wander a bit and ask, hopefully someone with knowledge takes pity on me and shares what they know.

[CurlerRob]

1 hour ago, mrlevin said:

Any NYC tours added for Friday and Saturday?

Noon update - plan pier 91? on the 17th, need to anchor near Veranzano bridge for the 15/16th (weather permitting). No room at the inn for the 16th. 

 

 Found this on another board - similar story. 🍺🥌
 

 

Edited September 14, 2023 by CurlerRob
Correction

[vitacura]

Just adding to Curler Robs post, we will be anchoring tomorrow at about 8 am and remaining there, if the weather allows, until we head to the pier for our original arrival time on Sunday.
 

We will remain on board for the next two days with no tenders to take us ashore, due to a combination of weather and customs rules. 
 

Does that count as two more sea days? 😜

[rcandkc]

11 minutes ago, vitacura said:

Just adding to Curler Robs post, we will be anchoring tomorrow at about 8 am and remaining there, if the weather allows, until we head to the pier for our original arrival time on Sunday.
 

We will remain on board for the next two days with no tenders to take us ashore, due to a combination of weather and customs rules. 
 

Does that count as two more sea days? 😜

Not the most exciting way to end cruise but you will be safe. 

[CurlerRob]

6 minutes ago, rcandkc said:

Not the most exciting way to end cruise but you will be safe. 

And all should be well for pax boarding on the 17th. 🍺🥌

[Jim Avery]

Anchored at Quarantine is way better than banging around the fringes of a hurricane. North of the Verrazano Bridge and off the Brooklyn docks will have great views of the NYC harbor area. Maybe Regent will have some good pizza delivered by tugboats..😎

[CurlerRob]

2 minutes ago, Jim Avery said:

Anchored at Quarantine is way better than banging around the fringes of a hurricane. North of the Verrazano Bridge and off the Brooklyn docks will have great views of the NYC harbor area. Maybe Regent will have some good pizza delivered by tugboats..😎

Completely agree! I’ve had more than enough heavy weather in small boats. 
 

Impressed by your prediction - they have not specified our anchorage and it’s obviously weather dependent, but sounds like where we will be. 
 

Want first call on the over / under day/time for pax grumpiness? 🍺🥌

[mrlevin]

Brooklyn, Bayonne, Newport, etc? No one could provide customs officials?  I will take the over/under; grumpiness has had to hit already.  Wait until they find out that casino will be closed next two days, too.  And shops.

Edited September 14, 2023 by mrlevin

[cruiseej]

6 minutes ago, CurlerRob said:

Want first call on the over / under day/time for pax grumpiness?

 

Can I pick a time in the past? I'm sure it has already begun; you just haven't heard it yet! 🤣

[rcandkc]

2 hours ago, mrlevin said:

Brooklyn, Bayonne, Newport, etc? No one could provide customs officials?  I will take the over/under; grumpiness has had to hit already.  Wait until they find out that casino will be closed next two days, too.  And shops.

But many of us never step foot inside the casino….

[mrlevin]

8 minutes ago, rcandkc said:

But many of us never step foot inside the casino….

Mariner is only ship wherein I step in the casino; I use the shortcut stairs from Stars up to Deck 7 through the casino.