Mulled wine & musings from Mariner

[Stefken]

I was amazed at how beautifully  kept the surrounding are was. Loved the Mules pulling the ropes!

[Jimmcdaniel]

Who is the head Sommelier on Mariner now?

[flossie009]

Pedro Miguel locks:

 

Approaching the locks with the new “third lane” on the right

 

 

 

 

Leaving the locks (aft view) with the new “third lane” at the higher level on the left

 

 

[flossie009]

Miraflores locks:

 

From the Panama Canal Authority webcam

 

Strong gates holding back the water

 

Entering the locks (bow view)

 

Leaving the locks (aft view)

 

 

[flossie009]

Many watching us from the Miraflores Visitor Centre

 

 

 

………………. and plenty of wildlife circling for any fish stirred up in our wake:

 

 

 

[flossie009]

Mariner’s canal transit was completed on schedule.

Thanks to all the tug & mule drivers who kept us on the straight & narrow throughout.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[flossie009]

Finally it was under the Bridge of Americas and into the Pacific

 

Panama City

 

 

 

A great day of sights & sounds (ding ding) to be remembered 😀

 

 

Edited December 23, 2021 by flossie009

[Sailor Sam 407]

We toured 'Old Town' Panama City in mid-November, when the Explorer was docked in Colon. At that time there was a Norwegian cruise ship that was anchored on the Pacific side, near the entrance to the Canal. We were told it had been there for some time. Just curious if you happened to notice if it was still there?

[DatawCruiser]

You rock flossie009.  Terrific pictures.  We are on the Splendor Jan 2023 Panama crossing and this gives me a lot to look forward to.

[Anchorbuoy]

On 12/22/2021 at 12:14 PM, flossie009 said:

The senior team on Mariner

Plus many other familiar faces amongst the crew on board

 

 

Can you share the list of other personnel onboard ?

[RJ2002]

11 minutes ago, DatawCruiser said:

You rock flossie009.  Terrific pictures.  

 

Ditto!  Thanks for sharing your great pictures.  Canal transits never disappoint.  

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Flossie…. Thanks so much for sharing! We canceled our Panama Canal upcoming cruise. So glad you just gave me the opportunity to relive the Canal crossing. We have done it several times, and found it always interesting and a wonderful day. 
Merry Christmas! 
sheila

[RachelG]

Love all these reports and pics.  I believe Daniela is the F &B manager onboard, and if so, you are in for a real treat.  

[Kwaj girl]

30 minutes ago, RachelG said:

Love all these reports and pics.  I believe Daniela is the F &B manager onboard, and if so, you are in for a real treat.  

 

I thought Daniella moved to Corporate...or am I thinking of someone else?

[flossie009]

16 hours ago, Anchorbuoy said:

 

Can you share the list of other personnel onboard ?

Sorry, Jim, I do not have a list. A few from memory:

Odul is Exec Concierge

Cruise Consultant is a lovely Mexican lady

Robert is Internet Manager

Andy & Tammy Heath look after entertainment

Douglas is the Restaurant Manager

Dominic is Maitre D in P7

Dennis is in Compass Rose

Jessica is a Sommelier

Mario is in the bar

Hopefully others will fill in many many more familiar names that I have missed

 

 

20 hours ago, Jimmcdaniel said:

Who is the head Sommelier on Mariner now?

I think it is Emiliano

 

13 hours ago, RachelG said:

 I believe Daniela is the F &B manager onboard

No, I don’t think Daniela is F&B on Mariner. As @Kwaj girl says I thought the Daniela who started as an excellent Sommelier and was promoted to F&B moved to Corporate pre pandemic.

[flossie009]

With an abundance of caution David has moved on to an Apple Martini

 

 

an Apple a day keeps the Doctor away

😉 😋 🤣

 

 

[flossie009]

15 hours ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

We canceled our Panama Canal upcoming cruise.

So sorry to hear that 

Hope our paths cross again on some future Regent cruise

 

 

[flossie009]

17 hours ago, Sailor Sam 407 said:

At that time there was a Norwegian cruise ship that was anchored on the Pacific side, near the entrance to the Canal. We were told it had been there for some time. Just curious if you happened to notice if it was still there?

The only cruise ship we spotted off Panama City was Silversea, and I see that Silver Moon is transiting the canal towards the Atlantic today.

The website Marine Traffic is a good resource for spotting the position of ships worldwide.

 

 

[flossie009]

Christmas Festival 🤶 (or Masked Ball 😉) in the Atrium this morning

 

Egg Nog & cookies

 

Carol singing

 

Christmas Wishes on the tree (…………. will our request for a free Regent cruise be honoured by Santa?)

 

 

[Roger88]

According to photos, everyone is wearing masks. Great job people! I hate it when I come to a place and only the place's empoyees wear masks and gloves while everyone else is just sitting there as if nothing is happening!

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay Healthy, Stay Strong ! 

[pingpong1]

1 hour ago, Roger88 said:

According to photos, everyone is wearing masks. Great job people! I hate it when I come to a place and only the place's empoyees wear masks and gloves while everyone else is just sitting there as if nothing is happening!

Merry Christmas everyone! Stay Healthy, Stay Strong ! 

Something is happening...we're all having fun onboard!  No one is sitting around in panic...worrying about whether we're going to still be alive for dinner tonight!  I'm now off to smoke an afternoon cigar and have a couple of "Rusty Nails" in the Connoisseur Club...That's probably more risky behavior than walking around this ship (with everyone fully vaccinated) without a mask on!  Regards   🤪

[flossie009]

Further update:

Nino is F&B/Restaurant Mgr

Roderick is another excellent Sommelier who knows our taste

Executive Chef is John (from Milton Keynes, U.K.)

 

 

Edited December 24, 2021 by flossie009

[RetiredandTravel]

4 hours ago, flossie009 said:

With an abundance of caution David has moved on to an Apple Martini

 

 

an Apple a day keeps the Doctor away

😉 😋 🤣

 

 

 

 

My wife outlawed Martini's 25 years ago ☹️.. "Loudmouth Soup" she said..  I don't think I've ever seen a cherry in a Martini.  "In and out" is how I preferred them,  put the vermouth in the shaker swirl it around around throw it out..

 

 

[flossie009]

Something I forgot to mention earlier.

Prior to Mariner returning to service she had a lick of paint and all the teak decking on the Pool Deck was renewed.
From memory this was the work that could not be completed during her 2018 dry dock refurb due to inclement weather.

Decking looks very smart.

 

 

 

This was confirmed by the Captain during his welcome address early in the cruise

 

PS: Everyone was very impressed with the Captain’s socks during the Formal Optional night; one red and one green, apparently as an aid to navigation 😉

 

 

[Eager2Travel]

Thanks for all the personnel news Susan.  We hopefully board in Singapore and we’re pleased to hear Douglas and Dennis were onboard.  They are friends from past journeys.  Will they be on for the world cruise?