A Quintessential Crossing on the Mariner - Live!

[flyers]

We have been following your excellent posting with much interest as we are booked to board the Mariner in New York on the 17th.September and especially with Hurricane Lee lurking in the background.

Looking at the Marine traffic website it seems as if the Mariner is now heading towards New York and maybe bypassing Bermuda ?...Has anything been announced on board if in fact this is what has been decided in order to arrive in NY before the Hurricane reaches close to Bermuda?

[CurlerRob]

1 hour ago, flyers said:

We have been following your excellent posting with much interest as we are booked to board the Mariner in New York on the 17th.September and especially with Hurricane Lee lurking in the background.

Looking at the Marine traffic website it seems as if the Mariner is now heading towards New York and maybe bypassing Bermuda ?...Has anything been announced on board if in fact this is what has been decided in order to arrive in NY before the Hurricane reaches close to Bermuda?

To date there have been no announcements of changes and only oblique mentions of the storm systems, mostly that they are being monitored and ‘far away’. 
 

The current situation is likely a bit of a strain on the bridge. One hurricane is not too hard to dodge - but we have both Hurricane Lee and TS Margot spaced nicely across the Atlantic, south of our track and both moving north. 
 

We appear to have moved a bit north to get over the top of Margot and stay out of the more dangerous right quadrant. Current forecasts have Lee in the Bermuda vicinity at the same time as our scheduled arrival, so all will depend on Lee’s progress to the north. 
 

If you’re boarding on the 17th, I’d suggest coming in at least a day early, and preparing for some tough weather for the first few days. 🍺🥌

 

[vitacura]

14 hours ago, flyers said:

We have been following your excellent posting with much interest as we are booked to board the Mariner in New York on the 17th.September and especially with Hurricane Lee lurking in the background.

Looking at the Marine traffic website it seems as if the Mariner is now heading towards New York and maybe bypassing Bermuda ?...Has anything been announced on board if in fact this is what has been decided in order to arrive in NY before the Hurricane reaches close to Bermuda?

I have heard of no changes to our itinerary as of yet. Seas remain calm, weather sunny and bright. Reception has indicated that Bermuda is still the next port of call, but they are monitoring the storms. Time will tell..

[vitacura]

Double post..

Edited September 11, 2023 by vitacura

[vitacura]

Clear skies, calm seas and plenty of sunshine appear to be the theme for this crossing, and today is no different. 
 

 

Being Sunday, it’s Caviar Breakfast this morning at either La Veranda or Compass Rose. I have been skipping a lot of morning breakfasts this trip and today would be no different.

 

The Speaker Series continues this morning with Terry Bishop giving the lecture: The History of the Atlantic Ocean. Who did what, when, where and why? It was quite informative and entertaining!

 

I usually stroll to the Pool Grill around noon and today the winds were calm enough that they opened the umbrellas, providing more tables with shade!

 

 

The pool, spas and loungers have been popular this cruise. I have noticed you can usually find a few open loungers, and there does not seem to be an issue with people saving them for long periods of time. 
 

Today the featured Lunch Buffet is German Lunch, Sehr Gut!

 

 

Picture ended up pretty dark, but from left to right the options were: Potatoes, Beef Goulash, Knockwurst, Bratwurst, Weisswurst and Kielbasa. They were cooked just perfectly and juicy, I was impressed! There were more options that I did not picture and of course in La Veranda as well.

 

 We then had the ‘Just the Two of Us’ duo arrive to serenade us.

 

 

After lunch, there were plenty of options to keep us entertained around the ship. The afternoon lecture by Dr. Douglas Nelson was: Battle of the Atlantic WWII. Re-live the U-Boat vs Allies naval campaigns!

 

There was Indoor Bocce, Roll-A-Ball, Shuffleboard and Skittles (Carpet Bowling) for activities.

 

 

The Casino also hosted a few tournaments, including Blackjack, Slots and Texas Hold’Em. 
 

Afternoon Tea featured English treats today. We had a late Chartreuse reservation, so we decided to head up to the Observation Lounge to have a cocktail and enjoy the amazing sunset!

 

 

After the sunset it emptied out pretty quickly, leaving just a few of us enjoying the now, semi-private lounge!

 

 

 

A short time later we were headed to Chartreuse, where we had another magnificent meal!
 

 

My wife had the Beef Tenderloin Rossini with Truffle Royale and seared Foie Gras, amazing!

 

I, of course, kept up with traditions when it comes to desserts! Velvet Champagne Mousse with raspberry jelly and the Floating Island.. Oh, my!
 

 

Just as we were wrapping up dessert, we noticed that the only other guests were leaving. We had the whole place to ourselves!

 

 

Not wanting to keep the staff, we promptly left and headed to the Horizon Lounge for after dinner drinks and to Swing & Shout with Talo and Mica who kept the energy in the lounge high!

 

 

At this point of the cruise, I realize how important hydration is. One glass of water per two drinks sounds about right. 😜

 

With our late dinner, we missed Steve Stevens Comedy & More show in the Constellation Theater.

 

We’re making good progress across the Atlantic.

 

 

No time change for us this evening. We do have something to look forward to tomorrow, besides another sea day: The Country Fair!  
 

While the Wi-Fi has been pretty good today for emails and web browsing, it did take me a few hours to upload yesterdays pictures on this post due to failed attempts. 

 

Until my next update, thanks for following along! 😀

Edited September 11, 2023 by vitacura

[OC Cruisers]

We are so appreciative of vitacura taking time during the voyage to post. It’s so generous!! We’re enjoying it more than we could ever say. Thanks a million, vitacura!!

 

We board Mariner in Montreal in mid-October after having enjoyed our first-ever Regent voyage in June on Splendor, so this sneak peek is just sublime☺️

[PaulaJK]

We are thoroughly enjoying vitacura’s enthusiastic narrative and wonderful photos…AND we are ON this cruise! 

[flyers]

We have been following your excellent posting with much interest as we are booked to board the Mariner in New York on the 17th.September and especially with Hurricane Lee lurking in the background.

Looking at the Marine traffic website it seems as if the Mariner is now heading towards New York and maybe bypassing Bermuda ?...Has anything been announced on board if in fact this is what has been decided in order to arrive in NY before the Hurricane reaches close to Bermuda?

[flyers]

Just now, flyers said:

We have been following your excellent posting with much interest as we are booked to board the Mariner in New York on the 17th.September and especially with Hurricane Lee lurking in the background.

Looking at the Marine traffic website it seems as if the Mariner is now heading towards New York and maybe bypassing Bermuda ?...Has anything been announced on board if in fact this is what has been decided in order to arrive in NY before the Hurricane reaches close to Bermuda?

 

[flyers]

Just now, flyers said:

Good Morning all ....The routing continues to show Mariner heading straight to New York although I guess that could quickly change if the weather cooperates?

 

[CurlerRob]

1 hour ago, flyers said:

 

No announcement as yet, although that could change at the noon address. Royal Bermuda Gazette published that 4 ships, including Mariner, have cancelled. I would expect that an on-board announcement is pending working out the alternative details. 🍺🥌

[vitacura]

Thank you all for the kind encouragement!

 

As CurlerRob mentioned, there have been no announcements as to Bermuda, but it is becoming evident that Miami is having us bypass that port of call. 
 

Today we woke up with a slight chance of showers.. Is this the end of our calm seas and sunny skies?

 

 

Thankfully, no. We passed to the north of the rain, leaving us with our usual calm seas and sunny skies!

 

 

That’s not the only bit of good news. Sitting at the ever popular Coffee Connection at the moment and the Wi-Fi is blazing fast today! I got all my pictures uploaded in less than two minutes. Woo-hoo!

 

Back to yesterday morning.. and what a morning it was! The Mariner’s Country Fair was the absolute highlight and hoot of a time!

 

Each department had their own games, they cheered and sang for each competitor to do their best! Win and you get a raffle ticket for a chance to win prizes. (What they were, I’m not sure)
 

It was well attended, with games on both decks 5 and 6.

 

 

 

Deck department challenging guests to quickly tie up! Chants of “Make it fast!” “Make it fast!” Accompanied every challenger!

 

 

The Entertainment team challenged guests to knock down pins in a game of Wiggle Waggle! Place the line on your waist, and guide the dangling balls to knock down the pins before your opponent!
 

 

The Bar team featured Ring the Bottle! What fair is complete without a ring toss game? Every bottle you ring, you get to take with! (Not really)

 

 

Who can keep up with the Housekeeping department? I did miss this one, so I am not sure what the event entailed. It was very popular though!

 

 

On Deck five we have the Destinations team with pictures featuring popular worldwide locations. Can you guess them all correctly?

 

 

Also featured here was the Galley team. Chefs and Bakers, how is your sense of smell? Can you guess the spices by smell alone? Ooohhh.. harder than it looks, or smells! *Badum tsss

 

 

The Officers challenged us to a race.. a horse race! Sit down, hold your line tied to a tube and reel in your horse to the finish line first! How are those wrists?

 

 

I love the Country Fairs with the games, cheering, chanting and general fun had by all!

 

But if that’s not your thing, that’s no problem! Head over the the Constellation Theater for the continuation of the Speaker Series. This morning Terry Bishop discussed: The Atlantic Armada! Featuring “Maggie’s War” and the Falklands 1982.

 

Still not your thing? Join the Artist on board, Ann Reigle for a colorful necklace workshop. Make your own necklace to remember this journey!

 

As for me, I went to the Macallan tasting! There were 7 of us in the Stars Lounge. We were hosted by the Head Bartender, Vikram. He gave us some history on the Macallan brand, distillation process and then.. the actual tasting! 
 

 

Todays tasting featured the Terra (Poured in the center below), Enigma (left) and Oscuro (right). The Terra, being the youngest with the Oscuro being the oldest, most matured. They all had unique flavors, yet the Oscuro was the smoothest and most flavorful. 
 

 

Now Vikram added a couple drops of water to the Enigma after we initially tasted it, and what a difference it made! It opened up the aromas as well as enhanced the flavor and ease of sipping. Completely changed the perception of this Scotch. So much so, at the end of the presentation, three bottles of Enigma were sold to attendees! (Not me, but I was tempted!)

 

Mid-Afternoon Terry Bishop was back for another lecture, this one entitled: “Song of the Seas” Songs and tales of sailors at work, rest and war.

 

Of course the Casino hosted more tournaments today, including Blackjack, Slots and Texas Hold’Em. 

Afternoon Tea time featuring Brownies! Sweet, delicious bite-sized brownies. Yum! I was sad to miss this one, hence no pictures. Boo, me! I’m sorry!)

 

Off to Compass Rose for dinner!

 

 

Todays choices included Spicy Tuna Maki with salmon sashimi, so good!

 

 

As for desserts.. Hazelnut Soufflé and a slice of heavenly cheesecake! So light and airy!

 

The Mrs, went for the popular Pumpkin Pie!

 

 

We spent some time in the Horizon Lounge waiting for tonight’s performance, the second show put on by the talented Mariner Production Team, Blazing Saddles! Yee-haw! 

 

 

Featuring songs by Shania Twain, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Jason Aldean amongst others. It was a high intensity show and well attended!

 

Judith, our cruise director mentioned after the show that they were going to put it on again that night for the crew. How lovely!! 

 

Looking at our path.. Bermuda is not where we are heading! Captains noon announcement coming up shortly. Will keep you all posted, unless one of my fellow travelers beats me to it! 😜

 

 

Again, thank you all for following along on our journey!

[rcandkc]

My only country fair I’ve had the pleasure to attend was on the Navigator out on deck.  Was wondering why yours was not out on deck? 

[vitacura]

Latest update from the bridge is that Bermuda has been cancelled and we are sailing directly to NY. It is not feasible to go to an alternate destination on the east coast at this time.

[rcandkc]

3 minutes ago, vitacura said:

Latest update from the bridge is that Bermuda has been cancelled and we are sailing directly to NY. It is not feasible to go to an alternate destination on the east coast at this time.

Will you spend several nights on ship in nyc? They could arrange some fun excursions. 

[mrlevin]

15 minutes ago, vitacura said:

Latest update from the bridge is that Bermuda has been cancelled and we are sailing directly to NY. It is not feasible to go to an alternate destination on the east coast at this time.

Date/time of arrival to New York?  Will you be able to go to same dock for multiple days?  I calculate that you "could" arrive late Thursday evening and wave forecast indicates that you "want" to arrive no later than Friday morning.

Edited September 12, 2023 by mrlevin

[CDR Benson]

And thank you, sir, for providing this running commentary.  The Good Mrs. Benson and I sail on Mariner in seventy-four days, and we have been drinking in your trip report.  It's the most current information on the state of affairs on board her.

 

We've been particularly interested in your accounts of on-board events and activities.  You see, for us, the purpose of this cruise was to bask in the indulgence of the ship.  That's was a major consideration in booking with Regent.  The ports of call, in the western Caribbean for our cruise, were immaterial.  (I've been to that part of the world so many times with the Navy that it holds no allure for me, now.)  You're providing an excellent snapshot of what we can expect.  Even the "pizza box" incident isn't dismaying.  Aye, it shouldn't have happened in the first place.  But, mistakes are always going to slip in; what determines the quality of the ship's staff is how it responds to the mistake.  And it appears the shipboard folks bent over backwards to correct the issue and make up for your inconvenience.

 

Thank you much for this look ahead.

 

 

[vitacura]

1 hour ago, rcandkc said:

My only country fair I’ve had the pleasure to attend was on the Navigator out on deck.  Was wondering why yours was not out on deck? 

That was a popular question, with no real answer. 

 

1 hour ago, rcandkc said:

Will you spend several nights on ship in nyc? They could arrange some fun excursions. 

 

1 hour ago, mrlevin said:

Date/time of arrival to New York?  Will you be able to go to same dock for multiple days?  I calculate that you "could" arrive late Thursday evening and wave forecast indicates that you "want" to arrive no later than Friday morning.

They gave no information as to our ETA into NY. I would love an extra day, or two in NYC. As soon as I get any updates, I will pass them along. 
 

Thank you Mr. Benson, I hope my thread has been informative to you. If you have any specific questions, please feel free to fire away! 😁

[ready2escape]

Thank you so much for all your information regarding the Mariner - our last Regent cruise was many years ago and it was also on the Mariner. 

We are supposed to be boarding this Sunday, but have never been scheduled to board during a possible hurricane.  We've been out to sea during one, and know they change ports to avoid the weather, but not sure how this works during a debark/embark day.  I would imagine they would want the Mariner at sea away from the weather.

[Kwaj girl]

"Blazing Boots," no?

[rcandkc]

2 hours ago, ready2escape said:

Thank you so much for all your information regarding the Mariner - our last Regent cruise was many years ago and it was also on the Mariner. 

We are supposed to be boarding this Sunday, but have never been scheduled to board during a possible hurricane.  We've been out to sea during one, and know they change ports to avoid the weather, but not sure how this works during a debark/embark day.  I would imagine they would want the Mariner at sea away from the weather.

By Sunday hurricane predicted to be north of nyc by a good bit. 

[vitacura]

1 hour ago, Kwaj girl said:

"Blazing Boots," no?

Good catch.. I’m torn between blaming auto correct or the extra glass of wine with dinner! 😬 Mel Brooks must’ve been on my mind.  

[dabear]

We enjoyed your description & pictures of the cruise , especially your ports and multiple desserts. A man after my own heart.

[RachelG]

We have dodged hurricanes a couple of times on cruises.  Annoying to miss ports, but obviously no one can predict weather that far ahead.

[rcandkc]

1 hour ago, RachelG said:

We have dodged hurricanes a couple of times on cruises.  Annoying to miss ports, but obviously no one can predict weather that far ahead.

So true..we had a typhoon on our tail from Australia to New Zealand.  It did cause havoc with our schedule and some pretty rough seas but we felt totally safe.  We were very happy to be in such competent hands so we continued to “cruise” on.