WORLD CRUISE 2024

[crusin7]

Welcome all to the long awaited 2024 World Cruise.  It has been 900 days since we booked.  WHOO HOO we are so excited!  We arrived at the Mandarin Oriental last night.  By time we checked in the Regent  cocktail party was over.  The rooms are beautiful with a balcony.

 

 

Breakfast Buffet this morning was the usual fare.  Scrambled eggs…lukewarm. Bacon, potatoes, waffles and bagels/toast.  We are on the 11:00 bus to the ship.  I’m sure @flossie009 left it in tip top shape.  Crisy 

[pingpong1]

Hi Crisy - So looking forward to your wonderful pictures and narrative!  🙂

[crusin7]

Well we made it to the port.  It is noon and they are still not checking people in.  They say there was a problem disembarking.  So we are waiting.  They told us to be seated but people are standing by the ropes.  I just read @flossie009 that they were the first ones off at 0930.  And so we wait!  I guess we are so happy we are doing headstands!

 

 

 

[kjbacon]

Bon voyage! Really excited to follow along.

[crusin7]

We were able to check in at 12:30.  It took awhile because they collected all our Visa information and took pictures of it all.  We were excited to see Massimo the GM.  He was standing next to Security as we boarded.  Jamie and Dana were also part of the welcoming committee.  They are extremely friendly.  
We were also happy to see Fernando, the Restaurant Manager and Jason.  
Jim’s Luggage Forward bag did not make it to the ship.  They notified us 12/29 that they didn’t know where the bag was.  Their communication has been abysmal.  They finally called us 1/3 to say it was located in Memphis.  We told her we would pay to have it sent second day air.  They said that they would not let us pay.  We never heard from them again.  Of course, no luggage.  I called at 2:00. They said they think it is still in Memphis because they didn’t get an update from Fedex.  They will try it to send it to the next port. I told her if they can’t make it to the United States what makes them think they can get it to Columbia. I am supposed to hear from her at 6 PM.  
Tonight is the Gala Dinner.  It will be spread across the three restaurants. We are to dine in Compass Rose.  

I don’t like that they didn’t include Cathy’s name on the invitation.  

[jpnztutor]

I would mention that Cathy’s name was excluded to the general manager so it doesn’t happen again.  Hopefully, Jim’s luggage will arrive soon.  Cheron

[mnocket]

I've never used Luggage Forward, and I'm not likely to give it a try having read too many complaints about missing bags.  It would certainly be convenient,  but I'd be worried the whole time about my luggage not making it. I'm keeping my fingers crossed 🤞 that yours turn up.

 

BTW  I just got off this morning.  We did our best to leave the ship in tip top condition for you.  I'll be following your journey with great interest .

[crusin7]

I spoke to Luggage Forward. They will try to get it to Jim in San Diego. What????  3 weeks. Pitiful!

[NCCruzQueen]

11 hours ago, mnocket said:

 

 

BTW  I just got off this morning.  We did our best to leave the ship in tip top condition for you.  I'll be following your journey with great interest .

Everything looks in tip-top condition. Mariner is sparkly and shiny.

 

[LouChamp]

Aloha.  Looking forward to reading your posts. Have a wonderful voyage 

[PhD-iva]

I love Mariner! Enjoy!

[crusin7]

Good Morning Miami!

 

 

Last night we had dinner in Compass Rose.  Here is the menu.

 

Lobster

 

Risotto

 

Beef

Chocolate

 

The Risotto was the highlight of the meal.  Staff Captain Ivan was a delightful dinner companion.  We all had a great time.  

[Gilly]

Chrisy, it's going to be hard to keep up with dining in such style but I know that if anyone can,  you can do it!!  Thanks for giving us the insider's view and putting up with envious followers like me 😉

By the way, I will be looking in frequently with fingers crossed in the hope that your luggage turns up somewhere way before you reach San Diego...🤞

[crusin7]

I welcome anyone to post on this blog!  Any input is appreciated.  There are 380 World Cruisers.  The entertainment last night was the Commodores.  First we had speeches from both Captains and Regent Representatives.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[crusin7]

The first segment cruisers started arriving early at 1000.  No chair hogs today!

Cool and windy.

We stayed on our balcony for sail away.  The rain started as soon as we pulled away.

 

[kjbacon]

Your pictures are terrific, thank you! The lobster app and the risotto look especially delicious.

[wishIweretravelling]

The halibut entre at the gala dinner was outstanding.

[MarinerLad]

We are also onboard. Thank you so much for doing this. Your pics are great and will create a memorable recap of the journey for us and our family and friends. Hope to meet you in person as the adventure unfolds. 

[SFOflyguy]

I had to cancel the first 17 day leg of this sailing due to illness.  Please let me live vicariously

through all the posts and pictures!  It would be great to see daily activities, food pictures, and

anything else to help me as I recover.  I wish you all a wonderful journey.

[GOARMY]

So--SFOflyguy: 

 

Will you be boarding Mariner at San Francisco on 01/24/2024?  Hope answer is Yes. 

 

That is when spouse and self will be walking (if there is no rain) downhill most of the way from Ritz Carleton Hotel to the Pier.   

 

Hope to see you onboard for segment to Tahiti.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

Edited January 8 by GOARMY
Edit.

[crusin7]

@SFOflyguy So sorry to hear about your illness!  Thank goodness you will make it for the next segment.  
We relaxed and recuperated from the brutal job of unpacking.  Too many suitcases…too many clothes!  Except for Jim, whose luggage will hopefully arrive in San Diego.  Cathy and I went to the Spa.  She had a massage and me a facial.  Both were very good.  I’m sure I look 5 years younger…HA!

We had a nice dinner in Compass Rose.  Embarkation day always get….

Black Mussels 

 

Pasta with clams in a champagne sauce 

Veal Piccata with marscapone polenta 

But the best part is we had Dennis as our waiter!

[crusin7]

Good Morning!  We are cruising the Florida Straits.

 

[crusin7]

Cathy and I went to BINGO.  We barely had enough players to qualify. 
Yipppeeeee Cathy won two times.  The pot split once.

 

Lunch at Pool Grill Fish Al Fresco

Black Mussels 

 

It was good to meet @MarinerLad  Turns out we sat near each other in Compass last night.  Tonight is the Captain’s Welcome and Reception.

 

 

[crusin7]

The Captain’s Reception was very crowded.  We were jammed in the theater.  People were standing.  People were trying to squeeze into the middle of a row.  People had drinks spilled on them…yes me.  The Officers were introduced.  One gentleman sang one song.  One couple danced to their own choreography.  They were great.  We were finished at 6:25.  
We had dinner in Prime 7. It was excellent.  Our waiter Youda was fantastic.  
Half order Lettuce Wedge

Small Portion Prime Rib…Excellent  I couldn’t wait and started to put horseradish on!

 

Half order Popcorn Sundae…Superb

[kjbacon]

Prime rib is always better with horseradish on it! Your order in prime 7 was perfect with the wedge salad and popcorn sundae.