LIVE LIVE LIVE from the MARINER with MERION MOM for 53 DAYS!!!

[Merion_Mom]

Congrats on the upgrade to the Divas of the Deep:D...

 

Thanks, Jill. I wish that you and Dave could join us.......................

[xpcdoojk]

You are fast. I am posting from a T1 line!:D

 

jc

[Merion_Mom]

We would like pics if you can! We are so much more jealous!

 

If I ever get my wireless and my laptop working properly (it may have to wait until all of my computer whiz friends board next week), I'll be able to upload photos and post them here.

 

Wish me luck with THAT! :rolleyes: (I feel like an idiot that I can't get everything to work for me yet)

[suzyluvs2cruise]

Does your itinerary take you to Costa Rica? That's the country that wants to see *our* proof of vaccination, because of where we are visiting before reaching CR.

 

Costa Rica is one of our ports. Our cruise originates in Santiago, Chile. There is so much confusion on the YF vaccine. When do you show your "proof"? If I have to get one I will............but if not I'd rather not. How about not getting off in Costa Rica.........would that work?

 

I'm really enjoying following your awesome journey and look forward to all your posts in the coming days.....weeks.....months of this once in a lifetime trip. :)

[Merion_Mom]

Carol .... We took a vote on the roll call and you guys won! You get to have THE PARTY... :D:D:D Gail

 

It's ON!!!!!!

[Merion_Mom]

PAPER TOWELS PLEASE!!!

I need to clean the coffee off of my monitor!!!

I think I encountered one of them on the Carnival Ecstasy; perhaps they've transferred?!

 

You know what?

 

People often ask about differences between ships, or classes of ship, and will I like this one or that one.

 

In my experience, the PURSER'S STAFF is often the big difference.

 

Cabin stewards are just as good on all ships.

 

Waiters and assistant waiters are just as good on all ships.

 

But the Guest Relations people....................WONDERFUL on Sovereign, Majesty and Monarch.

 

But I have encountered more snarky and snotty attitudes on the big ships. NOT ALL. This is only a mild generalization, but there it is. Gaston has been very kind and helpful, but...................

 

There is this ONE woman at the desk here who is about to suffer a brain aneurysm from all the eye-rolling that she does. It's simply unacceptable.

[Merion_Mom]

Oh, Carol, you are really getting us all excited about this cruise!!!!

 

I wonder what we'll forget to bring... Do you have any thoughts on what you wish you had brought (within reason ;):p)

 

Mariana

 

I am going to stop on the way back to the ship on Sunday from MCO and buy a cheap hairdryer. I simply cannot go another 46 days with that obnoxious gotta-hold-me switch.

 

A soft, comfy sweatsuit or play clothes.

 

That's all that I can think of.

[Merion_Mom]

Try Lot 6, Fisherman's Point Road (close to the pier, opposite Fisherman's Point Resort). Seow Edward & Sons Ltd, 32 Main St, Shop 3 80 Main St.

 

Thanks! I'll stop on my way back to the ship.

[Merion_Mom]

Carol, If all else fails I will bring one with us when we get on. Just let me know . Woody

 

This is my second trip off the ship today.

 

First trip, Liz and I shopped and unsuccessfully tried to use wireless on my laptop. But we bought a bottle of Gentleman Jack, and she walked right back onto the ship with it. No one said BOO to us.

 

I was shocked, given that tonight is New Year's Eve!!!!

[Merion_Mom]

How do you pack for 53 days? Is there self serve laundry on broad or do you use the service? How many formal days are there?

 

curious

 

Thanks Brenda

Peoria, AZ

 

I think I'd have to know what the weather predictions are first. There are several climate conditions to pack for on this type of trip!

 

Pack as little as you possibly can and use laundry services as you go.

 

Formal nights, I think I'd rotate 3-4 dresses, more than that would be overkill. Plus, no one is going to remember all that well what you wore 2 or 3 weeks ago to dinner :)

 

Mix and match - black skirts, different color tanks/tops, different jackets

 

I have 11 formal nights in all - 2 this week, 3 on each of the legs to come. But I sure didn't pack 11 different formals!

 

I'll use the laundry specials, stuff-a-bag and $5 off coupon.

 

I wish that there were self-service laundries, because there are some things that I wash but don't machine-dry, and I can't send those out to the laundry.

[Merion_Mom]

I mentioned that it was $130 something at Sam's the other day, didn't I? Proving again that some high end offerings are actually reasonable on the wine list when compared to Beringer White Zin.

 

jc

 

I've tried to explain that to several people on this cruise, jc. Thank you and Jean (critterchick) for explaining it to *me*!!!!

[wrp96]

I am going to stop on the way back to the ship on Sunday from MCO and buy a cheap hairdryer. I simply cannot go another 46 days with that obnoxious gotta-hold-me switch.

 

A soft, comfy sweatsuit or play clothes.

 

That's all that I can think of.

 

 

Okay somebody go buy Carol a hairdryer and a soft comfy sweatsuit and take it to her on Sunday. We have to rescue her!!!

[Merion_Mom]

You are fast. I am posting from a T1 line!:D

 

jc

 

I am at a (dive) bar in the Taj Mahal shopping center.

[Merion_Mom]

Costa Rica is one of our ports. Our cruise originates in Santiago, Chile. There is so much confusion on the YF vaccine. When do you show your "proof"? If I have to get one I will............but if not I'd rather not. How about not getting off in Costa Rica.........would that work?

 

I'm really enjoying following your awesome journey and look forward to all your posts in the coming days.....weeks.....months of this once in a lifetime trip. :)

 

I actually feel better knowing that I have the YF vaccination. I would HATE to get Yellow Fever!!!!!! (and I am the BIGGEST baby on earth about getting shots - it wasn't bad at all)

 

They say that Costa Rica won't let you off the ship without proof of vaccination, but others have said that they just waltzed off the ship with no problem.

 

Pick your answer. :)

[Merion_Mom]

Dinner on Monday, Night 2:

 

Shrimp cocktail (small but tasty, and there were 5 or 6 of the critters) - it was actually served in a real shrimp cocktail server - two metal dishes that fit together that had been chilled.

 

Lobster bisque - really wasn't very good. I've had it before on RC ships, but it was always better than this one.

 

Atlantic cod - good, except for three VERY large bones. At least they were big enough that I easily spotted them, instead of accidentally ingesting them.

 

I asked for the filet, too, and he had to bring the whole plate.

 

The waiter called it filet mignon, which you and I know that it is NOT - it is a tenderloin of beef.

 

It was DELICIOUS. Fork-tender, and very flavorful. Two large slices, but I would rather be served less and ask for more than be served too much and waste food.

 

No dessert for me. I never waste calories unless I know that they are "worth it".

[xpcdoojk]

I am at a (dive) bar in the Taj Mahal shopping center.

 

Would that be a bar for scuba divers or a bar that your mother would not be happy to see you at?;)

 

jc

[Merion_Mom]

Dinner on Tuesday - Night 3

 

Caprese Salad

Scallop Risotto - the smallest serving of this that I have ever been served, and I always order it when it's available. It was tasty.

Caesar Salad

Garlic Tiger Shrimp - very garlicky and good

Fat-Free chocolate mint cake - one of my absolute favorite RC desserts - I recommended it that way to my tablemates, and they all got it. Fortunately, they liked it, or my reputation would have been shot to hell!

 

I had asked for coffee ice cream on the previous nights.........tonight they paraded out with four dishes of it! Special order! I *do* like RC! :D

 

Raj, our headwaiter, has (illicitly) arranged for me to trade in my (TA-sent) Asti Spumante for a bottle of Korbel Brut tonight.

[GMoney]

You know what?

 

People often ask about differences between ships, or classes of ship, and will I like this one or that one.

 

In my experience, the PURSER'S STAFF is often the big difference.

 

Cabin stewards are just as good on all ships.

 

Waiters and assistant waiters are just as good on all ships.

 

But the Guest Relations people....................WONDERFUL on Sovereign, Majesty and Monarch.

 

But I have encountered more snarky and snotty attitudes on the big ships. NOT ALL. This is only a mild generalization, but there it is. Gaston has been very kind and helpful, but...................

 

There is this ONE woman at the desk here who is about to suffer a brain aneurysm from all the eye-rolling that she does. It's simply unacceptable.

 

The Gladiator Pit (aka GR) is a thankless job though. Not saying that excuses bad service, but if I had to stand there for X hours a day and take the beating those folks do, I'd be in a bad mood too. The inane questions, the same question 100x over, the pax who all think they are better than everyone else and entitled to something... :eek:

[Merion_Mom]

Would that be a bar for scuba divers or a bar that your mother would not be happy to see you at?;)

 

jc

 

hhmmmmm.........I lost my reply to this in cyberspace somewhere.

 

I wrote:

 

 

Hee hee hee

 

Guess!!!!!!!!

 

Here's a hint: I was man-handled by a drunk Irish lad on the way in. ;)

[Merion_Mom]

The Gladiator Pit (aka GR) is a thankless job though. Not saying that excuses bad service, but if I had to stand there for X hours a day and take the beating those folks do, I'd be in a bad mood too. The inane questions, the same question 100x over, the pax who all think they are better than everyone else and entitled to something... :eek:

 

Yes, but if some/many can do it and keep smiling, then so can the others! There is a right job for everyone, and it just ISN'T customer service for some!

[Merion_Mom]

Every time I was at GR, at least four people came up to get replacement SeaPass cards! Only a couple were de-magnetized - most were LOST! :p

[Merion_Mom]

There were two Crown & Anchor Welcome Back Parties last night - one for early seating and one for late. (we're in late)

 

At our party, the most cruised passenger had 75 or so, so he of course won the champagne. I've been trying to meet him, because Melissa told me that he is staying on for the 46 days, and was on last week, so he has me beat by 7 days.

 

But at the first party, the most cruised passenger only had 22!!! I would have won!!!!!!!!!!! :( :eek: :D

[dorothyh]

 

Raj, our headwaiter, has (illicitly) arranged for me to trade in my (TA-sent) Asti Spumante for a bottle of Korbel Brut tonight.

 

Raj was our headwaiter on Voyager 3 years ago - we were on Mariner two weeks ago and it was great seeing him again.

 

Thank you for your updates - I am living vicariously through you. You will love that huge balcony with the RFS!

 

I soooo want to be back on the ship. Enjoy and thank you for taking the time to do these updates!

[Merion_Mom]

Ok, this is one of those weird truth-is-stranger-than-fiction stories.

 

On Monday, we were at sea, so the dining room was open for lunch. Liz and I decided to eat there.

 

For anyone who doesn't know: Lunch and breakfast are open seating in the dining room. Someone escorts you to an open table.

 

A crew member started to lead us to one table, then quickly realized that those people weren't English-speakers. She changed course, and led us to another table, over by the window.

 

We sat down, and started to get acquainted.

 

First, I noted that the man (it was a family of four) was wearing a cap that said "Ocean City, New Jersey" on it.

 

I asked if they lived there.

 

He said "no, but we had a boat there", or something like that.

 

I asked if they lived in New Jersey, and he said, "No, Pennsylvania."

 

I said, "Oh, where in Pennsylvania?"

 

He said, "Philadelphia.".

 

I said, "Where in Philadelphia?"

 

He said, "Well, not *in* Philadelphia.....we live in the suburbs."

 

I said, "WHERE?"

 

And he said "Bala Cynwyd."

 

People, Bala Cynwyd is so close to Merion that they are in fact almost the same place, just different zip codes. Neither really *exists*, except as zip codes. Both are just parts of Lower Merion Township.

 

They live about ten blocks from us! Their kids are in 10th & 8th grade, and attend the same schools that my kids did. They have many of the same teachers. We know many of the same people.

 

So, to summarize:

 

We are on a ship currently sailing with more than 3,600 passengers.

 

There are some 40 countries represented on this cruise.

 

Thousands were eating in the Windjammer at that time, hundreds in the main dining room.

 

And we were seated at a table with people whom I probably see around home every day without even realizing it.

 

How do you like THAT?!??!?!?!?

 

:eek: :cool:

[Merion_Mom]

The Monday night show, Spectrum singing MOTOWN, was FANTASTIC.

 

Lizzy and I got there early, as we had promised ourselves, and sat plunk in the middle of the front row.

 

These guys were FABULOUS. I knew every song and almost every word, and sang along and danced (in my seat - my daughter would have KILLED me if I had gotten up to dance!)

 

So, they see that I'm bopping along with them, and they started to sing "I'll Be There (Reach Out )"............

 

and we REACHED OUT to one another - one guy leaned all the way down from the stage and grabbed me!

 

Then they introduced themselves, and one said that he had lived in Philadelphia for a long time, and I, well, I whooped. Loudly. It was great!

 

What a wonderful show! Spectrum performs all over - afterwards this same guy told me that they had played last year with Peter Nero and the Philly Pops at the Kimmel Center.

 

Last night there were two ice shows, so no main theatre show. Just the auction and the Love & Marriage Show, which I already told you about.