Bridge or galley tour on mariner

[malily]

Is it possible to arrange a bridge tour on the Mariner? As a retired Marine I spent some time on naval ships but would love to see the bridge on a modern ship. My wife, a serious cook and caterer would love to see the galley. I know things might be different after 9/11 but thought I would ask if anyone has had these opportunities.

[Travelcat2]

Galley tours are usually available on all of the ships. Check with Reception. I believe (but not certain) that bridge tours are no longer given. Again, check with Reception -- they seem to have all the answers:)

[TedC]

Several years ago we were on a Radisson (now Regent) charter on a small expedition ship to Antarctica and the affable Capt. said anyone could visit the bridge, just knock. At that time there was friction with Libya and the Capt. said someone from Libya was in the bridge! It turned out the Capt. was born in Libya.

 

It was a FANTASTIC adventure with many landings on the 7th Continent and surrounding islands!

 

(I think, but not sure, Capt was John Mulder, or something like that.)

 

 

Alas, Regent no longer charters the expedition ship BUT perhaps Regent will return to Antarctica with its new expedition ship. Save your money and GO FOR IT!

Edited November 16, 2013 by TedC

[HanaleiSailor]

Aloha,

 

We've sailed the Voyager in the Med the past two years, and because we paid for the trip with our Plat. Amex Card, we were offered a group Galley Tour given by the Executive Chef on each trip; it is an AMEX Plat. benefit. The groups were about 15 people, held around 11 am or so, and they lasted about 30 minutes.

[jhp]

Same here, an invitation every cruise from Amex for a galley tour. If not, ask at reception or Destinations desk! Your wife would be fascinated. Years ago, at different times, I've enjoyed cocktails in the crew bar, or the laundry, and tea in the crew mess, perhaps Amex as well, or some other perk. The world has changed since 9/11, and doubt we'll ever see that again. Like Ted, unless he was on a different ship they also chartered in earlier years, also enjoyed the bridge on the Explorer II, now the Minerva in Antarctica, back when Radisson chartered it for a few weeks every year. Prettiest sunset up there I've ever seen, from the wing bridge or whatever it is called.

 

Malily, I will tell you however, that when I was on the Mariner in October, on the TV there was a wonderful TV tour of the bridge by Captain Felice Petruno that was fascinating to me. I believe it was in two parts. I hope he will be your captain, and you can watch this!

 

Far more instructive than you would find in person (well for me as a layperson, and you are a mariner, as he had no one asking questions to interrupt his presentation). There was one small part where he explained all the back-up plans in place for any problem that may come up on the ship with a power failure, and all those electronics used today. He went through the whole gambit, and in the end, went to a desk and opened a simple wood box, and brought out a sextant. I missed even the most elementary explanation of this amazing instrument throughout my whole education, (or maybe I just wasn't listening ;-).

[JMARINER]

It wasn't 9/11 that ended the bridge tours. No you can blame it all on one man; the now infamous Capt. Francesco Schettino, last Master of the Costa Concordia.

 

As late as 2010, getting to go on the bridge just a matter of asking for a tour. And on some long crossing/voyages you just went up to the bridge, pushed the intercom, and if the ship wasn't doing some maneuvering, they would let you in. A few lucky passenger even got to toot the horn when the ship left port.

 

Now, unfortunately, this all belongs to that category of "The good old days."

 

j

31/422

[Patti22]

As of August, Seabourn was still doing bridge tours. We have taken two bridge tours on Seabourn cruises and found them to be very interesting. We also had the opportunity to tour the provision lockers on Regent which was exceptionally educational and also included hors d'oeuvres and vodka served on blocks of ice in the poultry freezer.

[Travelcat2]

As of August, Seabourn was still doing bridge tours. We have taken two bridge tours on Seabourn cruises and found them to be very interesting. We also had the opportunity to tour the provision lockers on Regent which was exceptionally educational and also included hors d'oeuvres and vodka served on blocks of ice in the poultry freezer.

 

It is nice that Seabourn is still doing bridge tours, however, Regent is not. If I had a choice, I would do a galley tour where hors d'oeuvres and champagne is served on Regent. However, I suppose "men" would prefer the bridge tour with vodka:o

[Patti22]

Travelcat2,

 

We were on a 22 day SA cruise on Regent and there was an auction dedicated to the Crew Fund. Lots of different perks (dinners with officers, etc.) were auctioned off one night. We were fortunate to be chosen by the winners (friends we met from Canada in Rio) to join them on this special tour (only 6 passengers). Very nicely done by Regent I might add.

[jhp]

It wasn't 9/11 that ended the bridge tours. No you can blame it all on one man; the now infamous Capt. Francesco Schettino, last Master of the Costa Concordia.

 

As late as 2010, getting to go on the bridge just a matter of asking for a tour. And on some long crossing/voyages you just went up to the bridge, pushed the intercom, and if the ship wasn't doing some maneuvering, they would let you in. A few lucky passenger even got to toot the horn when the ship left port.

 

Now, unfortunately, this all belongs to that category of "The good old days."

 

j

31/422

 

JMariner, in my comment about 9/11 I didn't mean bridge tours, I meant going below to crew areas like the crew mess, bar, and the laundry for private parties by say, American Express. I do know that these have not been offered for several years before the Concordia sinking. As far as I know, private bridge tours may yet be possible, as Patti22 mentioned, but she did not say when it was.

 

Last cruise I was on, had a dinner with the Chief Engineer with 4 others, and a guest at the table was in a suite below the bridge was quite interested in the mechanics of the ship. I was thinking, well, if he's right below the bridge in "that" suite, and wants a private tour, and being a "boat" owner (he announced, and it was large) then why would he be considered a threat. I suppose if he pursued it, they would have obliged, in the same way Patti 22 mentioned.

 

But doubt anyone goes down into the engine room anymore on the ladder. I do believe that insurance companies just don't want to deal with potential liability for many of these "visits".

 

Patti, interesting about that auction. I never recall one of these, but if I did, I would be there!

Edited November 19, 2013 by jhp

[Patti22]

jhp,

I went back and pulled the Passages from that day and it is called the Seven Seas Mariner's Annual "White Elephant" Auction. It states that it offers one-of-a-kind items and experiences to raise money for the crew fund.

We were escorted by the Restaurant Manager down the "green stairs" to the crew deck and then down to the provision deck. Very interesting to see how food and beverages are managed. We did get a glimpse into the security room (30 seconds and no pics).

[malily]

Everyone,

 

Thanks for your replies. I will go to reception and see what ship tours might be available.

 

Thanks again!