Mariner at Christmas

[flossie009]

On 12/23/2023 at 3:24 PM, ON cruiser said:

Interesting re the entertainment. On our cruise ending December 12, there was a pianist in the 5th floor bar (the one with the lovely Xmas decorations on a table). He also played at the observation bar pre dinner

 

I am surprised that Regent isn’t providing that—perhaps someone on board should have a word with the CD. 

I am sure John the CD is well aware.
I understand he used to be a magician ……….. but just didn’t conjure up sufficient entertainment for this cruise 😉

 

Pre dinner the bars are reasonably well covered. Fabio (the Regent band pianist) in Observation; the saxophonist or guitar player from the band in Mariner; Boogie & Kasia in Horizon.

 

Tonight the headline singer Colleen Williamson is doing a Christmas show after dinner, which should be good.

 

[flossie009]

Our excursion today took in the iconic Manaus Opera House; opened in 1896 and funded by the boom in rubber.

Even though it is Christmas Eve we were able to go inside to view the splendid auditorium and reception rooms.

It is incredible that most materials were shipped in from Europe for the project.

 

 

The dome is made up of a mosaic of thousands of ceramic tiles in different colours

 

 

The painted ceilings in the building are not to be missed

 

 

Even the wooden floors are masterpieces

 

 

 

 

Edited December 24, 2023 by flossie009

[flossie009]

We also visited the old municipal market.

Rumoured to have been based on designs by Gustave Eiffel, it took British ironwork to enable construction

 

 

 

Most of the stallholders had packed up for Christmas, but this man seemed to have a lot of produce still to shift

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flossie009]

2 hours ago, CJANDH said:

At 7:30 there was a 45 minute wait for Sette Mari and a 30 minute wait for Compass Rose.

Were you willing to share or did you require a 2-top?

 

We shared a table in Sette Mari last night, didn’t have to wait and service was OK

 

 

2 hours ago, CJANDH said:

Regent should consider opening the pool grill in the evenings

No outside dining in the Amazon, so that would not help at present

 

 

We are looking forward to goose in CR tonight so hope things go to plan 🤞 😋

 

[flossie009]

1 hour ago, flossie009 said:

Fabio (the Regent band pianist)

Should read “Fabiano”.
The F&B Manager, Fabio, has not joined the entertainment team 😮

 

[CJANDH]

15 minutes ago, flossie009 said:

Were you willing to share or did you require a 2-top?

We did share. 

[mrlevin]

Last night we too arrived at 7:30 at Compass Rose and we were asked if we wanted to go to Prime 7 instead; we went over there and asked for a quick meal.  We had three courses and were out of there in an hour.  A little while ago we got a call asking if we wanted to move to Prime 7 again tonight albeit at 6pm.  We agreed; tonights dinners will be a little more relaxed in speed.  Tomorrow is turkey so we will definitely stay in Compass Rose.

 

Marc

[flossie009]

Christmas best wishes to all CC readers from Mariner moored in Manaus

 

Goose was good last night, as were the mussels to start and Christmas pudding to finish 😋

Shared a table with two other couples in Compass Rose. The conversation  & wine flowed such that we missed the show.

 

Rain this morning; we are going to spend a lazy Christmas Day on board.

 

 

 

[liptastic]

Merry Christmas to all on the Mariner . Jean and Bill xx

[xrvlcruiser]

Flossie: I wanted you to know that I was not able to pass your message along to our mutual friend in early December - she was not on the short cruise. I don't have any more information. FYI and xox

[lprp]

Was a little bit surprised that the Christmas Gala Dinner was not scheduled as “Formal Optional”, just the normal “Elegant Casual”.

Most guests were in their sparkles and glamour, saw a few men in bow ties and ties, but mostly just a collared dress shirt with or without a jacket. There were a couple of polo shirts and a football shirt (with collar) too, so within policy……..

…..BUT there was one “gentleman” in a red sweater/sweatshirt and what looked suspiciously like white jeans.

Not really sure why he wasn’t asked to change 🤔

 

[flossie009]

16 hours ago, xrvlcruiser said:

Flossie: I wanted you to know that I was not able to pass your message along to our mutual friend in early December - she was not on the short cruise. I don't have any more information. FYI and xox

Thank you. Hope she is able to join the WC

 

[xrvlcruiser]

I agree!

[flossie009]

Following our departure from Manaus yesterday afternoon there was a medley of Christmas songs from Boogie & Kasia in the atrium, heralding the arrival of Santa

 

 

The attraction of the Christmas Gala menu in Compass Rose meant that there was a wait time for tables of 2 or 4 when we went down to eat at around 7:30.

We and our friends went up to Chartreuse and snagged a table for 4. We were also able to order from the Gala menu; 2 of our party enjoyed traditional turkey; the Pannettone Pudding for dessert was delicious 😋

 

 

 

After dinner the Production Cast’s Christmas show played to a packed theatre 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited December 26, 2023 by flossie009

[John117]

Thanks for all the posts and photos. We are looking to book a Christmas cruise on Mariner next year but have been put off slightly by all the comments about it needing refurbished and ongoing toilet issues. I have to say Mariner is my favourite ship layout and having been on Splendor and Silver Nova recently this has confirmed my view.

One question if I may...as it is the holiday period are there many children/teenagers on board? The December 2024 cruise is round the Caribbean which may be more popular with families but I would still be interested to hear how many are on the current cruise.

[lprp]

7 minutes ago, John117 said:

One question if I may...as it is the holiday period are there many children/teenagers on board? The December 2024 cruise is round the Caribbean which may be more popular with families but I would still be interested to hear how many are on the current cruise.

There is one small 3 year old girl.

[mrlevin]

2 hours ago, John117 said:

Thanks for all the posts and photos. We are looking to book a Christmas cruise on Mariner next year but have been put off slightly by all the comments about it needing refurbished and ongoing toilet issues. I have to say Mariner is my favourite ship layout and having been on Splendor and Silver Nova recently this has confirmed my view.

One question if I may...as it is the holiday period are there many children/teenagers on board? The December 2024 cruise is round the Caribbean which may be more popular with families but I would still be interested to hear how many are on the current cruise.

This is our 7th Christmas/New Years cruise on Regent.  We are booked again for Mariner next year.  All of them have been fantastic; albeit most of the Caribbean ones have been different clientele.  You will have a fantastic time with or without your kids.  

 

Marc

[John117]

Thanks for the replies. We have cruised with Regent since 2005 (then Radisson) with the majority of our cruises on Mariner and we have enjoyed all of them. Never had a cruise with any line over Xmas however so that will be a new experience.

The reason for my question about children is we prefer our holidays/cruises to be relatively child free (yes I know "Bah Humbug" - no Christmas Spirit etc ). To that end we normally cruise during school term time. I reckon that I have spent enough time with my children and grandchildren and now I deserve some "me time" when we cruise. 

[flossie009]

Yesterday we were anchored off Parintins 

I stayed on board but David took a tender ashore to attend the colourful Boi-Bumba show

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was hot & humid all day. Suddenly late afternoon the wind picked up and a ferocious rain storm swept up the river.

The Captain decided to quickly recover the last tenders, up anchor & depart early. However he needed the two Brazilian Amazon Pilots on the Bridge and had to put out a ship-wide announcement to locate them. It turned out they were enjoying some free time in the ship’s Spa 😉

 

A very pleasant, leisurely meal in Compass Rose last night with excellent company. The “Destination” fish main course was delicious 😋

 

Last night was yet another film night in the theatre (Top Gun: Maverick). I think our end of cruise comments for the CD & entertainment team will be “Could do a lot better !” 🤨

 

 

Today we are anchored off Alter-do-Chao in the Amazon river. We may take a look ………. or may just laze by the pool on board 😎

 

 

[lprp]

8 hours ago, flossie009 said:

I think our end of cruise comments for the CD & entertainment team will be “Could do a lot better !” 🤨

100% Agree - probably the worst entertainment of any cruise we’ve been on and definitely any Regent cruise 🫤

[Smitty A]

3 hours ago, lprp said:

100% Agree - probably the worst entertainment of any cruise we’ve been on and definitely any Regent cruise 🫤

Couldn’t agree more.   It has been a big let down.  It feels like CD is only doing enough to get by and nothing else.  No enthusiasm at all especially given it is Christmas.     Two (maybe more) nights with only a 50 year old and 4 year old movie and absolutely nothing else is really bad.  It takes a lot for me to complain as the staff all tries so hard, but this cruise director doesn’t seem to care at all.   For example, they had a decorate your door contest and specifically said don’t use any of the ships decorations which is completely understandable.   Other cruises when they have done this the CD and social hostess had all kinds of ribbon, construction paper, etc., etc.  this time absolutely nothing.   What were we supposed to use?  I have seen maybe one door where it looks like they decorated with stuff they brought from home. Otherwise only a stocking here

or there.  (I have not walked all floors). No announcement who won…..no surprise there.  I really hate to say it, but the CD has been pathetic.

 

Edited December 28, 2023 by Smitty A

[crusin7]

Great.  He will be our cruise director on the world cruise!  132 days just got longer.

[mrlevin]

Never mind, crossing ceremony is this morning.

[BBWC]

I wouldn’t say that the lack of Christmas entertainment is solely due to the CD (he was quite good on this year’s WC). We basically experienced the same on Splendor - old movies, decorations only for those who brought their own, no announcement of decorating contest winner. At least, we had a Christmas carol singalong.

[flossie009]

Neptune finally made it on board this morning; we will be crossing back over the equator tonight