Live From The Mariner 13-24 May 2017 (Lite)

[Travelcat2]

"Z", Jason Montague posted a video from a passenger onboard on his Facebook page. You guys had quite a show from the ship. It seems like the whales love the Mariner!

[Zqueeze1]

Krm 55: thank you.

TC2: can you post the link since I can't find it? Thanks.

 

 

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[Zqueeze1]

Yesterday, we had our Cruise Critic Meet and Mingle and it was great. Thanks to Regent for their great effort. Along with about a dozen of us, there were at least half a dozen crew members to include the head of F&B, GM, CD, assistant CD, and the social hostess. Of course sangria was poured all around and there were great hors douvres served. We met at 1045 and wrapped it up by 1130 since most of us had lunch prior to departing for our tours in Wrangell. Here is a pic of the GM, assistant GM, and one of our own:

 

Also, nice decor:

 

Later on: the tour from hell

 

Today: shopping in Ketchikan and trying to score another reservation in Prime 7.

 

Z and TB

 

 

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[Travelcat2]

Krm 55: thank you.

TC2: can you post the link since I can't find it? Thanks.

 

 

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You ask this question from someone who can't figure out Tapatalk?:D I am not sure that you can post a link to someone's Facebook postings unless you subscribe to their thread. It may be easier to go to Jason Montague's Facebook page and friend him (however, I will go to where the post was and will give it a try). Here is a link to Jason's Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/JasonMontague/?hc_ref=NEWSFEED You have to scroll down a little bit to see the video.

[Zqueeze1]

Z, did you hear if the Tracy Arm excursion went into Tracy or Endicott Arm? We won't be there for another month but data is data.

 

 

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I'm sorry to make you wait so long for a response. I am not aware of any exclusions to Tracy Arm. However, I did have a leg at Tracy's Crab Shack (I kill myself).

 

Z and TB

 

 

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[Travelcat2]

I'm sorry to make you wait so long for a response. I am not aware of any exclusions to Tracy Arm. However, I did have a leg at Tracy's Crab Shack (I kill myself).

 

Z and TB

 

 

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How was the leg? And, was it expensive? Just curious!

 

In terms of Tracy Arm, May is a bit early to be able to navigate Tracy Arm (although it has happened when the winter was warm as it was a year ago ....... this year there was quite a bit of snow to Alaska). It generally opens in June. "Z", IMHO, Hubbard Glacier is better than Tracy Arm.

[Zqueeze1]

King crab leg by itself was 22 bucks. We had a combo plate of a leg, wonderful seafood bisque, and crab cakes for 36 bucks. However, ours was free since our friends Karen and John paid the bill (thanks, mom).

 

Z and TB

 

 

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[Zqueeze1]

Yesterday, I started the day a little rough as I fought the laundry machines, broke an ironing board (accidentally), and had to throw out one of my favorites shirts that got burnt by a dirty iron. The Boss put me on a time out and the let me have a late breakfast. Thank God for the meet and mingle that mellowed me out before docking at noon.

We docked in Wrangell and took a paid tour for a view of a glacier and wildlife onboard a jet boat. Unfortunately, the only wildlife we saw besides a black bear was the behavior of our fellow passengers who were needy and uncooperative. At to the equation the fact that twelve folks were crammed into an area that really had seating for ten and throw in four hours of this situation and we were not happy campers. The crew was excellent but the environment was not.

What a shame because the natural beauty and serenity was not enough to balance out the equation.

As a result, we decided to cancel aour tour for today in Ketchikan since we could not bear another four hours with possibly cranky Regent passengers. Plus it's been non stop raining for the past two days. For those of you that know me, canceling out on a crab feast tour is the ultimate sacrifice and goes beyond the call of duty for me.

 

Here are a couple of pics from the tour:

 

 

 

 

Afterwards, we got ready for a special meal prepared for us and our friends Karen and John. We had preordered some Filipino pancit and lumpias (glass noodles and spring rolls) that hit the spot. Risky followed this with a wonderful Spanish seafood paella. Unfortunately, I totally forgot to take pics. We were so full that I was in bed by 9PM and slept like a baby.

 

Z and TB

 

 

 

 

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Edited May 21, 2017 by Zqueeze1

[Zqueeze1]

After sleeping really well I decided that the laundry machine monster was not worth the aggravation so we had breakfast and got ready for a rainy shopping spree in Ketchikan. Let me pause to say that breakfast for me is a healthy bagel containing the major food groups: salami, ham, sausage, bacon, and cheese. Damn it's good and better than the caviar and champagne option.

 

Ok, let's talk about my quirks. Every cruise we take I always obsess about my souvenir. We've had "Zqueeze gets a watch" cruise, a model ship, etc. This time, I saw a real mice Regent jacket that cost the price of two Carnival cruises. So, I went out hunting for on in Ketchikan and came up with Butkus. Let's not even mention the fact fleece lined jackets are not seen every day in Miami nor the the size I need (equator waist size) is a total bust since my weight climbs and drops like a yoyo on steroids.

 

Anyways, this is a pretty neat little town with a pioneer sort of look:

 

 

 

Can you guess which one is The Boss and which one is the bear?

 

This looks like a good place for chow and a beer

 

Finally, our ship docked in town. In front of her was a Carnival ship:

 

We got back in time for The Boss to get an 11AM snack just before lunch. While having coffee, we decided that we need to book a New England cruise so we made an appointment for 530PM today to see what is available.

 

Meanwhile, we were able to score a reservation for six folks tonight at Prime 7 by begging the maitre d' for an additional reservation.

 

The Boss is napping now and I need to get ready for trivia.

 

Tomorrow: our final sea day. Already getting blue about leaving.

 

Z and TB

 

 

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[Travelcat2]

Z, the Crab Feast in Ketchikan is really good (at least the one that costs $$$ is). Best crab that we have ever had (except in Norway which is still Alaskan crab). We also like Ketchikan. I see that it was raining which is typical. One time (in May) it wasn't raining and it was even more enjoyable.

 

Totally "get" what you're saying about grumpy passengers. Firstly, people that sail Alaska are generally not long-term Regent customers. I try to tell posters about this but am met with what I will mildly say is resistance. Still, Alaska is a magical place. I also get what you are saying about Regent jackets. When our luggage was lost for 10 days in Norway, we did buy one (each) and they are good. but likely are not worth the money -- unless you don't have anything else to wear.

 

Your "bear" comment may come back to bite you! TB is much too beautiful and nice to be confused with a bear:evilsmile:

 

Was the "Meet and Mingle" as good as our "Meet and Greet" on Explorer? Just curious. I am still resistant to it (a control issue) and have not signed up of any (nor will I) for our five booked Regent cruises. I. cannot imagine having a get together when the cruise is more than half over (okay - I do sound bitchy but I know too well how the communication is between headquarters and the ships. This is something that Cruise Critic will eventually learn).

 

If I remember correctly, you two became Gold on the cruise. Did you attend the Gold and above event? If so, what was it like. Alaska cruises tend to have good events because they are so few passengers in this category. I look forward to ours in August/September. I would guess that there would be less than 50 Gold and above passengers on that cruise (a great thing IMO).

 

Hope that your remaining days are wonderful (ignore the "human crabs" you will most likely never see them again!)

[Zqueeze1]

The meet and mingle was a much smaller affair with only fourteen or so folks and half a dozen crew members. It was a more quieter and mellow affair than ours in November 2016.

 

 

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[jeb_bud]

King crab leg by itself was 22 bucks. We had a combo plate of a leg, wonderful seafood bisque, and crab cakes for 36 bucks. However, ours was free since our friends Karen and John paid the bill (thanks, mom).

 

Z and TB

 

 

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22 bucks for one leg?! Is that typical? And I thought dungeness was expensive.

 

 

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[BarbarianPaul]

jeb_bud--

 

For what it's worth, we were on a ship mid August of last year (not Regent, alas, the Solstice out of Seattle), were of course scheduled for Tracy Arm, and wound up in Endicott. The Endicott Glacier up close was still amazing.

 

The Solstice is a larger ship, which might have had something to do with it. But my impression was that about half the time all the way through the season ships turn away from Tracy Arm.

 

For me, I find Glacier Bay the most spectacular. Don't quite understand why that isn't an option on Regent, but of course it's all beautiful!

 

 

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[Zqueeze1]

Jeb: it was pricey but they were huge king crab legs and pretty much worth it.

BarbarianP: we did not get as close as I thought we would to the glaciers but the reason is that there is so much ice this time of year. However, seeing them for the first time was purely magnificent.

 

We are almost at an end of our cruise and we are already feeling blue about leaving this beautiful ship. We will now have to wait until next April for our next Regent cruise.

 

Z and TB

 

 

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[fb0075]

Hi Z

Are there dvds still in suites?

thanks frank

[Zqueeze1]

FB0075: yep.

Let's talk about last night's dinner. We scored an additional dinner at Prime 7 with our most excellent friends Karen and John and two other very nice folks. Everything was great until the husband of couple number three fessed up that he was a Red Sox fan. Too late to. Ow out, so we pressed on and had a wonderful meal. Here's some food porn especially for you, mudhen:

 

Porterhouse steak:

 

Ribeye:

 

Maine lobster:

 

Popcorn and ice cream dessert:

 

The famous fourteen layer cake:

 

 

After dinner I went to gift shop to buy my jacket and......it was gone!!! Some deviant bought it. Now, I haven't got my souvenir for the trip. C'est la vie.

 

The Boss and Karen went to last night's show called Blazing Boots which featured C&W music and a lot of risqué dancing. I missed it because I was at the casino watching John drop off a donation.

 

Today is a sea day and we are coaching The Boss on how to break her lobster record. She is lobstered out at number six and needs one more to break her record.

Tonight: krew kapers and more whale watching.

Z and TB

 

 

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[Eager2Travel]

Thank you so much for this report. I am loving it and will surely miss it.

 

Am sorry about your jacket . I learned some time ago to shop early in the cruise as the supply is often limited. I, too, have had my gift to self disappear.

[Vandyv]

Z - loved your thread so far! Oh, and feel free to visit us when TB reads your comments on some of your pictures...ya think Colorado is far enough away when the sierra hits the fan? Sorry to see your trip ending...see you two (well, maybe just you) next year! Vandy

[Zqueeze1]

Vandy with the Zqueeze you forgive a lot.

Sitting at the pool bar for the first time this cruise. It's a little cold but the sun is finally out.

 

Lunch included:

Great bartender, Iwna from Ukraine:

 

 

 

 

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[hockeyken]

:whiskey-glass: Hey Bubba, have you seen my new Jacket ? Very nice. It would probably fit you.

 

K

[Travelcat2]

On the Maine lobster plate, what was in the small dish?

 

Really going to miss your posts and photos. I may try to pick your brain about tapatalk once you have returned home and recovered.

[ellbon]

Everyone should be a Red Sox fan. I prefer in person but always a fan.

[Zqueeze1]

:whiskey-glass: Hey Bubba, have you seen my new Jacket ? Very nice. It would probably fit you.

 

 

 

K

 

 

 

Is it a straight jacket?

 

 

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[Zqueeze1]

On the Maine lobster plate, what was in the small dish?

 

 

 

Really going to miss your posts and photos. I may try to pick your brain about tapatalk once you have returned home and recovered.

 

 

 

The small dish was potatoes au gratin.

Z and TB

 

 

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[V&GKohn]

My husband and I, along with two other couples, will be heading to Alaska August 9th on Mariner. It will be our first time sailing with Regent and your posts have given me a wonderful preview of what we have to look forward to. Thank you so much for sharing your trip with us!

Safe travels home!

Victoria

 

 

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