Live Machu Picchu (pre cruise), Mariner Lima to Buenos Aires 23 Jan -13 February

[Carnevale]

Wonderful photo of you and Ida. And, really enjoyed your interview with the laundry staff. Well done!

 

I agree completely with Focused1 - great report and photos especially of the two of you.

 

What is a block party?

[WesW]

Thanks Focused1 and Carnevale for your thoughtful compliments. Carnevale, Regent’s block party is an event designed for guests to meet their neighbors while waiting for the ship’s leadership to come running by and welcoming each guest. Generally, you step outside your suite about 6pm and meet your suite next door neighbors as your room stewards/stewardesses pour champagne or wine. The cruise director rings a bell on the bridge signaling that the party has started as the Captain, GM, and CD begin running from the top of the ship’s passenger decks to the last pax deck. They introduce themselves, shake hands and continue until they have met everyone on the cruise. A wonderful tradition started almost ten years ago by then Captain Dag, and World Cruise CD, Jaimie Logan.

 

Today we are in Chile visiting our first port, Iquique. Ida and I will do the city highlights tour this afternoon. Tonight we have our first production show, Tuxedo starring the Mariner production cast featuring a fresh take on the music of the Rat Pack (tony Bennett, Natalie cole, Frank as well as contemporary artists (Michael Buble, Harry Connick Jr., and even Stan Smith.

 

Also, at yesterday’s wine tasting signed up for the connoisseurs wine lunch being held February 2nd. Wines that will be featured and food pairings are shown below:

 

 

 

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[WesW]

Rachel, glad the Laundry team profile will help.

 

This afternoon we spent about three hours with Regent Seven Seas Mariner excursion team seeing the highlights of Iquique.

 

“Barefoot surfers, paragliding pros, casino fans and frenzied merchants all cross paths in this rather disarming city. Iquique is located in a golden crescent of coastline, the city is counted among Chile’s premier beach resorts.”

 

We visited two historical museums (Museo Regional, Museo Corbett Esmeralda). We then passed by Cavancha Beach and ended at Casino Espanol where we were treated to Pisco Sours, juices, Empanadas, and fresh fruit. Last, we walked through Plaza Prat and the tower (designed by same architect of the Eiffel Tower).

 

Please enjoy a few snaps as we walked down the Main Street of Iquique, a snap of the beach, regent guests enjoying drinks and empanadas, and Ida and I at the Clock Tower where the statue of Archuro Prat is located. Captain Prat lost his life in battle a few centuries ago and is revered in Iquique where the major university is named after him as well as the Main Street.

 

Tonight we will have dinner with long time cruise friends (from cruise blogs) in the Italian restaurant on board. Have known Tom, Mona, JoAnne and Frank for a decade+ digitally. Willl be nice to share dinner with them.

 

Tomorrow is another sea day enroute to Coquimbo. We will get the chance to profile another Mariner behind the scenes crew member—General Manager Michael has coordinated for us to interview an engine room crew member.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2018 by WesW

[Wendy The Wanderer]

Surprised to see that the entire laundry team is men. I had always pictured them being women!

[doyouseawhatisea]

I hope you enjoy Tuxedo--this cast is incredible and put on fantastic shows! Such a cool thing to interview the not-as-frequently seen crew. Loving this live blog!

[WesW]

Wendy, we have done profiles of Laundry Teams on two Silversea ships and two Regent ships and all members of the team are men and all are from Indonesia curiously.

 

doyouseewhatIsea; thanks again for your kind words—sincerely our pleasure to share our time on board the Mariner with you.

 

We had a super time at dinner in the Seven Seas Mariner main restaurant Compass Rose last nite with cruise friends; Tom, Mona, JoAnne, Frank and Jill. Photo of Ida and JoAnne below.

 

 

Today is our second seaday of this voyage and it is chock full of activities (so typical of a Regent cruise).

 

In the morning, one of Regent’s most informative Lecturer’s Terry Breen will be giving her second talk, “Skywatchers of Ancient America”. She will discuss how ancient Americans monitored the skies including a look at what was the end of the Mayan Calendar.

 

Executive Chef Kelly will give a cooking demonstrations. And the cruise consultant will give a future cruise presentation. We have Burger heaven at lunch.

 

I meet a member of the engine crew (thanks GM Michael) at 11 am for another installment/profile of the Mariner crew who serve us behind the scenes.

 

Following lunch we have Ballroom Basics: Salsa. In the early afternoon we have another enrichment lecture: Good Neighbor or Bully, “the history of US Foreign policy in Latin America. Tonight is Karaoke too.

 

 

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[Zqueeze1]

Sounds like you have a full day today. The lectures are right up my alley. You guys have so much gusto and enjoy each minute onboard. I think your recognition of the behind the scene stars is commendable. Way to go. Please say hi to Donald and Olga the bartender from us if possible.

Z and TB

 

 

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[WesW]

You’re precisely right Roberto & Pam, this morning was already chock full of fun events (Terry Breen’s outstanding Skywatchers lecture, Chef Kelly’s cooking demo of fresh Salmon, Engine Wiper interview with John...now for Burger Heaven at lunch (well for Ida, I have standing lunch order of sushi at La Veranda)

 

Mariner Crew Member behind the scenes profile of Engine crew member John. John is referred to as an “Engine Wiper.”

 

Our behind the scene crew member profiles is our way of recognizing and saying thank you to the crew we do not see below the passenger decks whose duties are instrumental in us having a terrific voyage.

 

Thank You John.

 

John Eric Go Hal’s from Makati Philippines. He is very close to his grand parents who also now live in Makati.

 

John started with Regent in early 2016 and his primary duties are as an Engine Wiper. John cleans the control room and ensures the engine spaces are crystal clean. John told me his most difficult challenge was learning the procedures in the first few weeks. He thanks his engine team for helping him transition to his job effortlessly. You can tell John loves his work—have not met a Regent Crew Member with such a bright/joyful smile.

 

John is doing his dream job—working/serving on a cruise ship at sea. John enjoys working with his engine work colleagues who work exceptionally well together.

 

When asked what he likes most about Regent, John said Regent treats the crew well ensures there are consistent standards in the work and living spaces. He also enjoys traveling the world—his fav port is New York.

 

 

 

 

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[WesW]

Chef Kelly gave a wonderful cooking demonstration this morning in the Horizon Lounge showing guests how to prepare Sesame Crusted Salmon. Please enjoy a few photos:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[petlover]

Great Photos Wes....you're hangin' with many of our good long time travel friends !!

[PaulaJK]

I'm enjoying your commentary...and certainly would enjoy sampling that fish! Chef Kelly is very talented, generous w his time and enthusiastic.

[RJ2002]

Wes, continuing to enjoy your commentary and pictures. We feel we're right back on the Mariner!

 

We also enjoyed Terry Breen very much on the Amazon cruise, and actually got to spend some time with her when she was "auditing" one of the ship excursions that we were on at Antigua. She is really a delight, and so knowledgeable.

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I so envy you this cruise, especially with Terry Breen aboard. Last year she did a great job through the canal and down to Lima, and the next segment is definitely on my bucket list! We've done Rio to Miami, and Miami to Lima, to Lima to BA or Rio is what's left!

[gjkov]

Wes, your photos and great commentary make us even more excited about our first Regent cruise on Mariner in April. Thanks for sharing!

[Gilly]

What a great day - all my favourite events delivered by a first class team! Wes, thank you for sharing the fun. So interesting too, to read about John. It's good to see a young man take such pride in his work - I agree, he has a most engaging smile!

[WesW]

Petlover, PaulaJK, Rj2002, Wendy the Wanderer, gjkov and Gilley—thank you for your kind words. Gjkov you will love the Mariner, methinks you board after the refurb, look forward to reading your impressions of the “new” Mariner.

 

We had another outstanding dinner (service and cuisine) in Prime7 last night. We began with a tasty amuse Boucher, then enjoyed a fork tender bone in prime rib paired with a full bodied Tomassi Amarone. Finished with Deconstructed S’Mores—-now time for the elliptical to burn off these calories

 

Today we are in Coquimbo Chile and we will do a morning excursion that includes an overview of Coquimbo then a visit to a winery. More words & pix later.

 

 

 

 

 

[Boatmans Lady]

That prime rib certainly looks good.

Thank you for all the pictures as I'm loving them.

[Mudhen]

Hi Wes and Ida,

I'm now just catching up with your blog....what a fantastic job you're doing. All of the port/excursion photos are wonderful, but we're really enjoying the behind the scenes crew folks. So very nice to put a face to those who work so hard for us on board. Must agree that "engine room John" does have a fabulous smile! What a cutie!

Looking forward to more!

Linda

[RachelG]

That cooking class sounds like one I would have enjoyed. Sesame crusted salmon is a recipe I would actually make. Seems like every time I go, it is some form of risotto, and George hates risotto.

[Gcto]

Amarone and Steak...one of my fav combinations. Didn't care much for the deconstructed smores though :-)

 

Saw Ida's picture with Ley (one of our fav servers). Pls give her my regards. She will remember us from last years trip with my brother (who's now a Regent addict :-) )

 

Safe travels

[WesW]

We are now under Code Red’ no salt, pepper shakers on tables, Regent serves us food from buffet, no towels or soap in gym, et. Al. Hope those (six0 affected with influenza get well soonest.

 

Boatman’s Lady, Thank You, happy you are enjoying our photos.

 

Mudhen/Linda; Our blog is your blog—your kind words just spur us on to explore more and share more—thank you.

 

Rachel; believe both George and you would have loved tasting Chef Kelly’s Salmon. Tomorrow nite we will have fresh Chilean sea bass.

 

Franzr/Franz—the Amarone and Steak was a wonderful pairing..then read in yesterday’s Wall Street Journal’s life section a wine story featuring Amarone (Bertani, Tomassi, et. Al). Pls give our regards to Beth

 

 

Yesterday we enjoyed a delightful port stop in Coquimbo Chile. Coquimbo located in north-central Chile, offered us a view of picturesque landscapes (horseshoe bay, the famous lighthouse (built in 1960), we also drove by Coquimbo two famous landmarks (Soccer stadium an the Cross of the Milenia).

 

Our next stop was La Serena (Serene city). Here the major attraction is the City Market, known as “La Recova” that offered us a variety of handicrafts, lapis (fortunately left my credit card on the ship, but now Ida will look for a piece in Santiago).

 

We took a picture of one of our fav Maitre’d’s Silvvester yesterday at lunch.

 

For dinner we again had another outstanding dinner (steak Tartare, Coq au vin) paired with an outstanding red blend, Pirates Treasure. Photo taken in the Mariner lounge is of new friends we first met in the Sanctuary lodge in Machu Picchu (Diedie, and Susie from New Zealand and Bermuda)

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 29, 2018 by WesW

[alexandra cruiser]

Are the flu pts being quarantined in their cabins? Is it noro, that was posted on other thread. I think.

Interested in your shore exc. from next port on as will be there next yr.and wonder what to sign up for,or do on own,etc. Also, see your dressed for warm weather, did you bring things for cold,,when around the tip too.

We are on the new Explorer and look forward to trying the ship.

Re.cooking class, seems like the chefs act like comedians and often end up just leaving. How have the entertainers been?

[WesW]

Alexandra Cruiser. Will try to answer your? When we return from our winery excursion. Now please enjoy some photos from Valparaiso and Vino Del Mar excursion

 

 

 

 

 

 

And now we r enjoying lunch at the winery on this included excursion Valparaiso and Vino Del Mar

 

 

 

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Edited January 29, 2018 by WesW

[liptastic]

Great photos and posts, thanks. For some reason I always seem to enjoy these wine tasting excursions ;) .

Hoping the illness onboard resolved soon for everyone.

Jean.

[irishwitchy]

Wine tastings are always a good choice! Love the pictures, stay healthy and keep the staff profiles going - they are very enjoyable.