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Safari + 29 days onboard Mariner starting 11/21/2015

Travelcat2

By Travelcat2,
in Regent Seven Seas Cruises

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glorygaf

glorygaf

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Enjoying your comments and pics TC2 thank you. We are joining Voyager shortly following the pre cruise Safari similar to yours. Did you find mosquitos a problem? We note your comments about the cool mornings although we will be a good month into their summer when we go however seems some warm clothing is necessary. We have booked an excursion in Mozambuique but as you say the cost of Visas is exorbitant and may cancel as well.

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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Enjoying your comments and pics TC2 thank you. We are joining Voyager shortly following the pre cruise Safari similar to yours. Did you find mosquitos a problem? We note your comments about the cool mornings although we will be a good month into their summer when we go however seems some warm clothing is necessary. We have booked an excursion in Mozambuique but as you say the cost of Visas is exorbitant and may cancel as well.

 

Mosquito's have not been a problem at all. We have worn Deet impregnated wrist bands but some people only use a light spray of Deet (others have no mosquito protection and still have not had a problem - we are being overly cautious). The only area we visited that is a malaria area is Mozambique (and we didn't get off of the ship but did not hear of any issues).

 

Port Elizabeth remains cooler than the rest of our port stops. Some people are doing or have done safari's out of Johannesburg and I do not know what the situation is there. In the early morning and at when the "drive" ends (around 7:00 p.m.), it was cool - mainly from being in an open vehicle with the wind on us. I would suggest wearing a couple of layers under a light jacket (windbreaker for instance). We had blankets in our vehicle and, as mentioned earlier, were given hot water bottles to help keep us warm.

 

The visa issue remains a mystery. I gave my experience but I cannot state definitely that you will not be required to have a visa. I do suggest that you decline the visa on the form you will receive. IMO, that is a good starting point if you do decide to cancel your excursion and stay on the ship.

 

Enjoying a sea day and still day-dreaming about Duma.

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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Nothing much to write to day so I'll describe the Connoissuer's Wine Lunch. This is something that we only do when we have too many OBC's.

 

Below is described information about the wine (type/year/cost per bottle) and what food it was paired with:

 

MOET ET CHANDON "CUVEE DOM PERIGNON" BRUT EPERNAY

Chardonnay, Pinit Noir, Pinot Meuner

Reims, France/ 2004/ $199

Tuna Tartar with crispy leek and caviar

 

LOUIS JADOT, PULIGNY MONTRACHET, A.O.C.

Chardonnay

Burgundy, France / 2012 / $70

Porcini Dusted Jumbo Scallop, Roasted Shallot and Truffle

 

CHATEAU LYNCH BAGES, SEME CRU CLASSE

Cabernet Sauvignon, Cabernet Franc, Merlot

Pauillac, Bordeaux, France / 2011 / $275

Ballantine of Quail with Roasted Pine Nut, Apricot Farce and Port Jus

 

BARON PHILLIPE ROTHCHILD AND ROBERT MONDAVI OPUS ONE

Cabernet Sauvignon

Napa Valley, U.S.A. / 2010 / $272

Grilled Tornados of Beef with Yellow Chanterelle's and Foie Gras Red Wine Sauce

 

GRAHAM'S

Vintage Port

Oporto, Portugal / 2007 / $125

Roquefort, Bel Paese, Saint Paulin, Reblochon, Saint Marcellin

 

DOLCE FAR NIENTE WINERY

Semillion, Sauvignon Blanc

Napa Valley, U.S.A. / 2005 / $95

Grand Marnier Souffle, Vanilla Sauce

 

Cost for the Connoisseur's Wine Lunch $169/person. There were two additional wines and one additional Champagne that was served.

 

They poured 15 bottles of wine for 14 people. I should have realized that I would "feel" it quite a bit. Went back to the suite and slept for 4 hours and awoke with a headache 15 minutes after I was due at a cocktail party. I quickly sent Dennis down while I quickly got ready and ended up 1/2 hour late (sorry Jennifer). Everyone was very nice -- a great group of people on board.

 

Speaking of people on board, there is a doctor's convention on board -- approximately 80 doctors and their spouses/significant others. This has not created a problem on board except when they were using the theater and the Gold and Above event had to be held in the Observation Lounge.

 

On my way to the computer room I noticed Captain Felice having lunch with guests. He is very involved with speaking with and dining with guests. He enjoys it very much!

 

Tomorrow and the following day we will be in Namibia then we have a sea day and an overnight in Cape Town (it seems that most everyone loves Cape Town). On the 9th, most current passengers will disembark and new passengers embark. We'll change suites and go to my DH's dentist appointment instead of taking the included 3 1/2 hour tour offered by Regent.

 

Will send photos to Z if I get any good ones on the Dolphin and Seal boat curse on Sunday. The Kindle does a fairly good job outside but a poor job of taking food. I tried taking photos of the wine lunch but the only thing that came out well was the glasses and that would not make an interesting picture:-)

 

Caio for now.

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Mudhen

Mudhen

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I'm most interested in the "dolphin and seal boat curse". I know ships fall on hard luck on occasion, but this is one I don't know about.....giggle, hahaha! Good one!

The wine luncheon sounds fabulous. Lovely wine choices paired with great dishes. mmmmm! Don't feel bad about falling asleep. I would've been down for the count as well!

Enjoying all of your pictures (thank you, Z!) and reports! Keep 'em coming!

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Keith1010 "Live from...." Rare

Keith1010

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Jackie, I just saw your thread yesterday so I am sorry that I didn't wish you a wonderful trip as your trip began. So I am wishing you belated greetings for a wonderful journey. I have now read through all of your posts and looked at the photos and am enjoying following your trip. Best to you.

 

Keith

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Nigella

Nigella

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Mosquito's have not been a problem at all.

 

 

I've been to South Africa a couple of times and never been bitten by a mosquito. I do, however, get bitten by them every time I go out in the evening in "super exotic " Monaco !! :D (and the rest of coastal southern France).

 

Anyway TC, thanks for your thread. I did a very similar itinerary last year on Seabourn, many of your thoughts and experience reflected mine, so it brought back lovely memories.

Great pictures too, although too big for my browser to handle so reading the thread has been a challenge. Silly browser!

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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So happy to read that Nigella, Keith and Miles have been lurking on this thread. Although we have been to Cape Town and Walvis Bay, Nimibia previously, we are enjoying it just as much this time around. Such a beautiful area with warm, gracious people!

 

Late this morning we arrive in Walvis Bay where it is currently very foggy (9:40 a.m.) The fog has been an issue for a while and while it does not affect us very much, I do wish that others could see wonderful scenery. We are staying onboard this afternoon to take advantage of some spa treatments and will do a Dolphin and Seal boat ride tomorrow (weather permitting). We enjoyed this excursion so much last time that we hope to repeat it and take some photos.

 

The ship will return to Walvis Bay and will again overnight there on the next segment (that we will be on).

 

This afternoon we have another "face to face" meeting with custom officials. This is happening more and more around the world as security continues to tighten. Apparently we will have this one, then one for South Africa and again when we visit Nimibia next week. Although they take a bit of time, we are happy that security is being taken so seriously. Dennis is traveling with both a U.K. and U.S. passport for this trip so he can enter Rio without a visa. Although Regent is completely aware of the situation, it has caused a bit of confusion as he used his U.S. Passport to enter South Africa and now is unsure which one to use as we go from one area to another.

 

The big BBQ "under the stars" (what stars?) is scheduled for this evening. Andreas (the G.M.) said that he may have to move it inside. Wherever it is held, it is always a highlight - one that we are looking forward to.

 

We will definitely miss the passengers and crew that are getting off in Cape Town but do look forward to to the next segment as it will give us a chance to sit out on the balcony and read and relax.

 

As I write this, most people in the U.S. are sound asleep. Hope you all sleep well.

Edited by Travelcat2
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Zqueeze1 "Live from...." Rare

Zqueeze1

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The following set of images depict the Mariner Suite which is just gorgeous. Thanks, Jackie for sharing it with us.

 

Note: Hard to photograph this suite as the wall of windows creates a glare for the camera.

d05ac1bdb493c428d2623cae422f1d98.jpg

 

To the right of the sofa is the nice, large desk with lots of plugs.

4518931a17c2cc90b9e9f9b87c45f51e.jpg

Z and TB

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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This morning we took our favorite "included" Regent excursion....... Dolphin and Seals in Walvis Bay, Namibia. This day has definitely been luxury starting with caviar and mimosas at 7:00 a.m. (who cares what time it is when on vacation?) By 9:00 a.m. we were sipping sherry on the boat while a pelican walked around greeting people and acting like a dog looking for food.

 

She was soon joined by a young seal that hopped oboard for a fish or two before returning to the cold waters. Sea gulls flew around - occasionally catching fish that were being tossed up..... the pelican was always there - just in case there was something for her. Prior to reaching an island with thousands of seals, another pelican flew on board to hang out. He had a new injury and stood patiently while the guide lifted his wing and applied two medications to the wound. He had a "thing" for the captain and continually tried to assist him in steering the boat.

 

By 10:30 a.m. we had champagne, fresh oysters, pelican eggs (hard boiled) as well as sandwiches, cheese, meatballs, etc. For those that wanted a beer, it was also available. IMO, this is the way to treat luxury cruisers!

 

Just sent pictures to "Z". I took so may that it was difficult to choose. The pelican and seal were less than a foot from me. At one point the pelican leaned on my DH for a while. Such an amazing experience.

 

Life could not be better on the Mariner.

Edited by Travelcat2
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Zqueeze1 "Live from...." Rare

Zqueeze1

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Folks: the following set of pictures from Jackie's South African cruise will be uploaded in Tapatalk's medium size since some folks have mentioned that pics may be too big/wide. Pls let me know which size is best and let the majority rule.

 

Food Porn from Seal and Dolphin excursion. IMO, the Seal and Dolphin boat excursion is the best "included" excursion offered. This is one platter of food - obviously oysters:-)

 

38a11828504d694ad6796ffa0629cd8d.jpg

 

Z and TB

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited by Zqueeze1
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Mr Rumor

Mr Rumor

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Z, Tapatalk medium format rules! The large format wreaks havoc on my margins for the entire page in which one or more large format photos appear--have to scroll one way and then the next to read each post and see all of each photo. Would like to stuff the ballot box for medium format. And, by the way, big thanks for taking the time to post Travelcat's shots.

 

Jackie, this has been one fun blog! Glad you and Dennis are having such a great time. Now if you could nudge DenEsq to favor us with a check-in post. . . .

 

Rich

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Travelcat2

Travelcat2

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Jackie, the next time you see "Risky" would you please give her a hug from Mike & "HJ" and tell her it would be nice to see her on the Explorer in November. She is our favorite.

Continue to have a great trip.

 

HJ

 

Will pass on the message in the morning. We also love Risky -- she and Dennis are the most requested servers on board (I post this as it will only make it more difficult to get a table in their section):o

 

Not sure how many more pictures there will be. I will take the Christmas tree (once it is up) and may take a couple of pictures when we return to Namibia in a few days (especially if they serve worms for lunch:-)

 

Looking forward to our last sea day so we can spend the rest of our OBC's and then we'll be in Cape Town for three days before the next cruise.

 

After a lovely dinner with a CC couple, I was thinking about how experiences on Regent differ. In a couple of days there will be mostly new passengers and quite a few changes in crew and officers. While this cruise has been nearly perfect (the not so perfect has to do with excursions once again), I could not really predict what the next segment will be like. Every cruise is unique and, as I have said previously, out of 22 or so cruises, we have only had one that we didn't care for. A pretty good record!

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