Mariner of the Seas Around the Horn of South America

[CAC104]

18 days is better than nothing!

Have a blast!!!

[Grandmom]

Here's a link to a youtube video I took as the Mariner sailed past Jetty Park on her way to the Atlantic, features Captain Johnny

 

 

Thank you so much!!!

Paul....you made my mouth water too.

Enjoy!!!

[glgolfer]

5 JANUARY 2009

Here we are at Coco Cay, the first stop.

Went to the Concierge lounge for breakfast of smoked salmon and a bagel.

I will stay on the ship today. Judy might get off.

The tuxedo I rented appeared last night, The jacket sleeves are too long and the trouser legs are too short. Emily, the tailor will be here soon to fix it.

The meet the Captain party is tonight. It’s also the first formal night. Nelson performs tonight. We will definitely go to that show.

Lunch is in the dining room today as well as on shore. The Windjammer is closed.

Most of our group got linked together for dinner. Those in group bookings did not, they were seated with their group.

We have heard there are only 1800 on this leg. They closed the deck 5 dining room for main seating and decks 4 & 5 for 2nd seating.

There’s also 1100 doing all 46 days. Most everybody we talk to are 46 dayers.

I can tell the ship is far from full as 90% of the time I call for an elevator, it arrives quickly and empty.

As our Diamond Plus amenity the first leg, we got the beach towel. It’s big enough to use as a blanket which we will do instead of the too heavy duvet.

Lifeboat drill today at 1600. First of 3 we will have to attend.

Will talk to the casino manager today about our slot pulls to coordinate the best time for them.

Casino folks said just let them know when we wanted to do the slot pull and they will make sure we get anything we want.

Hard decision tonight. Nelson are the headline show and Ohio State vs Texas on TV. Stayed in the cabin and watched Ohio State.

[calval]

Thanks for the updates. We will be watching daily to see what you are doing. We are friends of Patrick and Daryls and Roger and Ivan so if you see them, Tell them we are cruising along also, if only in our dreams!:p

CV Bill

[MilliesMom]

Thank you for the updates. Really enjoying reading them all.

 

I would love to see the Nelsons perform, but can understand you wanting to see the game.

[emmy]

Enjoyed reading your report Paul.... off to read Judy's blog now :)

[KathieKata]

Emmy: Where is Judy's Blog?? Can you post a link??

Paul: Nice review. Now tell me about this Casino PULL stuff? Where you just joking?? Not being much of a Casino person I must be missing something!

[emmy]

Paul posted the link to Judy's blog on Jan 1 on this thread.

 

here is the link that he provided.

 

http://www.usatoday.com/community/pr...6bb8cd7443cf6a

[negc]

Paul, just curious. Did you have to, as I assume you had to, make separate tuxedo reservations for each leg of the cruise? At least they should make note of the alterations and send one that fits for the next two legs.:)

Sorry that OSU didn't fare better last night.

[MarciaL]

Thanks for the report Paul..... And here we are with freezing rain this morning..... No fair..... Hope they get the tux done.

[maritar]

Nice report Paul, thanks! :) Looking forward to read more your reports and Judy's blogs.

[cruisenfever]

Paul...........if you are reading this.................you may want to print this off and let the folks on the roll call know.

 

 

What can I use onboard credits for? Below are examples of how you can spend these credits onboard*.

 

Spa Services

Beverages

Internet Café

Photos

Shore excursions

Specialty Dining

Onboard shopping

Bingo

Casino

 

 

*In order to redeem onboard credit, items must be booked/purchase onboard via your SeaPass account. Onboard activities reserved on royalcaribbean.com cannot be paid with onboard credits. Onboard credit will appear on your SeaPass account typically by day 3 for sailings 7 nights or longer; for sailings 6 nights or less, the onboard credit will appear on your SeaPass by day 2.

 

For all voyages beginning on and after January 1, 2009, all complimentary/promotional onboard credits will have no cash value.

Complimentary/Promotional Onboard Credits

This onboard credit is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Guests who do not use the full amount of the onboard credit during their purchased sailing, will not be refunded any of the remaining credit. This offer cannot be combined with another OBC on the same reservation. Onboard credit is issued in U. S. dollars only.

 

Onboard credits that are purchased pre-cruise through Shop Gifts & Gear, Royal Caribbean Gift Certificates or through the Groups Program are considered "purchased onboard credits". These are bought by the guest or for the guest by a friend/family/company. Royal Caribbean credit card points can also be used to apply a credit to the onboard account. Onboard credits that are offered through special sales and marketing promotions, such as this one, are considered "complimentary/promotional onboard credits". GAP points applied to Groups are also in this category.

[TheMiz]

Paul...........if you are reading this.................you may want to print this off and let the folks on the roll call know.

 

 

What can I use onboard credits for? Below are examples of how you can spend these credits onboard*.

 

Spa Services

Beverages

Internet Café

Photos

Shore excursions

Specialty Dining

Onboard shopping

Bingo

Casino

 

 

*In order to redeem onboard credit, items must be booked/purchase onboard via your SeaPass account. Onboard activities reserved on royalcaribbean.com cannot be paid with onboard credits. Onboard credit will appear on your SeaPass account typically by day 3 for sailings 7 nights or longer; for sailings 6 nights or less, the onboard credit will appear on your SeaPass by day 2.

 

For all voyages beginning on and after January 1, 2009, all complimentary/promotional onboard credits will have no cash value.

Complimentary/Promotional Onboard Credits

This onboard credit is not transferable and cannot be redeemed for cash. Guests who do not use the full amount of the onboard credit during their purchased sailing, will not be refunded any of the remaining credit. This offer cannot be combined with another OBC on the same reservation. Onboard credit is issued in U. S. dollars only.

 

Onboard credits that are purchased pre-cruise through Shop Gifts & Gear, Royal Caribbean Gift Certificates or through the Groups Program are considered "purchased onboard credits". These are bought by the guest or for the guest by a friend/family/company. Royal Caribbean credit card points can also be used to apply a credit to the onboard account. Onboard credits that are offered through special sales and marketing promotions, such as this one, are considered "complimentary/promotional onboard credits". GAP points applied to Groups are also in this category.

 

 

 

I don't know about you but I am just sick over the Bucks Game yesterday!

 

Hey do I understand you to say that my Stock Holders OBC and the OBC I received for the fuel surcharge has no cash value in other words use it or lose it ?

[Coralc]

Hey do I understand you to say that my Stock Holders OBC and the OBC I received for the fuel surcharge has no cash value in other words use it or lose it ?

 

I think that is what it means...I don't know about you, but we have never had any OBC left over at the end of any cruise, of any length, even with $450 or so in on board (complimentary/promotional) credit. You can always use it to charge the tips to your seapass, or for drinks, etc...

 

It doesn't seem like the fuel surcharge "rebate" OBC shouldn't fall under the use it or lose it category...but since it is once again a new policy, it might be wise to "use it" . :D:D

[cruisenfever]

I don't know about you but I am just sick over the Bucks Game yesterday!

 

Hey do I understand you to say that my Stock Holders OBC and the OBC I received for the fuel surcharge has no cash value in other words use it or lose it ?

A missed field goal and extra points missed after 2 TDs adds up to 5 points. We could have won!!:(

 

Your Fuel Surcharge should not be affected. That is money that you paid in advance, now it's not needed, so it is being refunded to you in the form of an OBC. In other words, it came out of your pocket it should go back into your pocket.

 

The OBC from being a Shareholder is coming from RCI......out of their pocket. So they want you to spend it on the ship so that it doesn't go into your pocket if it is not used. If you do not spend it............yes you will lose it.

 

So you better start planning now.

[cruisenfever]

I think that is what it means...I don't know about you, but we have never had any OBC left over at the end of any cruise, of any length, even with $450 or so in on board (complimentary/promotional) credit. You can always use it to charge the tips to your seapass, or for drinks, etc...

 

It doesn't seem like the fuel surcharge "rebate" OBC shouldn't fall under the use it or lose it category...but since it is once again a new policy, it might be wise to "use it" . :D:D

Patti, did you happen to notice that the word "gratuities" is missing from the list?

[TheMiz]

A missed field goal and extra points missed after 2 TDs adds up to 5 points. We could have won!!:(

 

Your Fuel Surcharge should not be affected. That is money that you paid in advance, now it's not needed, so it is being refunded to you in the form of an OBC. In other words, it came out of your pocket it should go back into your pocket.

 

The OBC from being a Shareholder is coming from RCI......out of their pocket. So they want you to spend it on the ship so that it doesn't go into your pocket if it is not used. If you do not spend it............yes you will lose it.

 

So you better start planning now.

 

So do you think we will have two OBC accounts?

One that came out of my pocket the other out of theirs?

Or just one lumps some account

[rubrrick]

A missed field goal and extra points missed after 2 TDs adds up to 5 points. We could have won!!:(

 

Your Fuel Surcharge should not be affected. That is money that you paid in advance, now it's not needed, so it is being refunded to you in the form of an OBC. In other words, it came out of your pocket it should go back into your pocket.

 

The OBC from being a Shareholder is coming from RCI......out of their pocket. So they want you to spend it on the ship so that it doesn't go into your pocket if it is not used. If you do not spend it............yes you will lose it.

 

So you better start planning now.

 

Patti..........it's going to be interesting to see how they seperate it, meaning the fuel supplement vs the stockholders OBC.

 

Me thinks it's time to go back to the ship.......and get some clarifacation.

 

I have been in daily communications with several of the officers........and one of them can give me the straight skinny!!:)

 

Thanks again fot the heads up!! Your note is off to the ship in about 5 minutes.

 

Rick.

[Coralc]

Patti, did you happen to notice that the word "gratuities" is missing from the list?

 

I noticed Patti, and of course they wouldn't want to use their own "complimentary/promotional" money to pay their employees. :rolleyes::rolleyes: But it does say "examples" of how your onboard credit might be used, and unless they change their accounting system....most of it will look like the same sort of OBC on the account and should be eligible for Seapass charged onboard gratuities. (fingers crossed):D

[TPKeller]

Patti..........it's going to be interesting to see how they seperate it, meaning the fuel supplement vs the stockholders OBC.

 

Me thinks it's time to go back to the ship.......and get some clarifacation.

 

I have been in daily communications with several of the officers........and one of them can give me the straight skinny!!:)

 

Thanks again fot the heads up!! Your note is off to the ship in about 5 minutes.

 

Rick.

If they are combining the OBC into one account total, ask them which type they will charge down first. This is extremely important if you have mixed types of OBC and you don't use it all.

 

I bet I know the answer, and it won't be customer friendly...

 

Theron

[rubrrick]

If they are combining the OBC into one account total, ask them which type they will charge down first. This is extremely important if you have mixed types of OBC and you don't use it all.

 

I bet I know the answer, and it won't be customer friendly...

 

Theron

 

 

Thanks Theron.........and I believe that you are correct. It might be smart to hit up the casino for cash.........then move on to other areas that will go against the sharholder or other OBC. Take cash for cash first!!

 

You know how RCCl spells out the cruise contract........that no one ever reads...........they need to do the same thing with this.........and then people would read the whole thing..........and guess what......

 

On the Mariner cruise........many more would have worked to get their Brazilian Visas!!:D

 

Rick

[red devil]

I think someone should check about the comments regarding on board credit, the expamble list from their new PROMO which started today, it refers to the on board credit given for booking a cruise now. Certain dollar amounts depending on the number of nights.

Not sure if it effects regular on board credit.

dick

[glgolfer]

6 JANUARY 2009:

1ST day at sea. Breakfast in the Concierge lounge.

Spent some time in the casino and gave back half of what I won last night.

Meet & Mingle at 1130 in the Lotus Lounge. Very well attended. Abe Hughes, the Cruise Director and some of his staff raffled off a few items. Judy and I didn’t win anything, but some of the Hornblowers did.

Rick01 gave me a deck of John Wayne cards as a gift. We also got 2 magnetic book marks in the shape of a cruise ship and a package of smoked salmon from . British Columbia.

Had room service lunch. Soup and chicken wings were good.

Invited Bill & Sam and Don & Pat in for a drink and cheese plates. They wanted to see a grand suite.

Dinner was good. I had the Jalapeño potato soup and the cold cranberry/mango soup, A penne pasta with tomato, shrimp, mussels and scallops. Desert was a baileys and banana crème brulee.

Went to the casino and lost for a while until I hit a pinball slot for 250+ credits.

Then to the cabin to watch the Ball State vs Tulsa game.

Met Bobbie today.

[glSting]

Paul,

 

How do you plan to lose weight eating all that good stuff! Work it off in the casino?? LOL

[truffles2]

Hey Paul,

That magnetic book mark will come in handy if you have any magnetic books:D

Creme brule? yum, gotta go eat lunch.