LIVE LIVE LIVE from the MARINER with MERION MOM for 53 DAYS!!!

[Merion_Mom]

As I previously wrote, we stayed on board all day, with Liz arising from her bed around 3 P.M. :eek::rolleyes:;)

 

This was a very eventful evening.

 

At 5 P.M., we attended the ice show, Ice Under The Big Top. It was a circus-themed ice show.

 

OMG! This was utterly fabulous. The costumes, the sets, the choreography, the skating..........absolutely the best I have seen. I wanted to go see it again, and then I remembered: I WILL!!!!!!! ;)

 

7:45 - P/D/D+ party. The usual - open bar (although the push whatever they have on the tray - they'll still get anything). Hot & cold hors d'oeuvres, brief speeches. Live band, dancing.

 

Dinner was the weakest so far, I thought. Perhaps it was just my selections, but it was fortunate that I wasn't all that hungry.

 

The "panko-crusted somethingorother cod" was the chef's selection, so I selected it. Feh. Not worth eating. Not poisonous or anything, just not good.

 

Edison brought out coffee ice cream at dessert time again.....how can I refuse, when he is going to so much trouble for me?

 

Then the big climactic event: The Nelson Brothers!!!!!!!!!!!

 

YUM YUM YUM

 

I could eat these guys up with a spoon.

 

The show is a tribute to their father, Rick(y) Nelson. They play a couple of their own songs from their rock days in the 90's, but mostly they play the golden oldies. They show clips from Ozzie & Harriet, and from interviews about their father.

 

Their own songs were VERY good. They sang After The Rain and Just Once More. That second one is a real tear-wringer.

 

Afterwards, they sold CDs and autographed them, and posed for pictures.

 

These guys were the very definition of "gracious". They posed and posed and posed and answered question after question after question.

 

Since my daughter bought the CD and they posed for a picture with her, I asked them if they were staying on, or leaving and coming back for the next cruise.

 

THEY ARE STAYING ON!!!! I can't wait to "run into them" around the ship!

 

Their sister Tracy was here and sitting in the theatre audience, and they introduced her and put the spotlight on her and she waved.

 

All in all, a very satisfactory SECOND half of the day!

[Merion_Mom]

Carol, guess who is posting to YOUR thread!!!:eek:

 

 

Where?!?!?!?!? :eek:

[walcherw]

As I previously wrote, we stayed on board all day, with Liz arising from her bed around 3 P.M. :eek::rolleyes:;)

 

This was a very eventful evening.

 

At 5 P.M., we attended the ice show, Ice Under The Big Top. It was a circus-themed ice show.

 

OMG! This was utterly fabulous. The costumes, the sets, the choreography, the skating..........absolutely the best I have seen. I wanted to go see it again, and then I remembered: I WILL!!!!!!! ;)

 

7:45 - P/D/D+ party. The usual - open bar (although the push whatever they have on the tray - they'll still get anything). Hot & cold hors d'oeuvres, brief speeches. Live band, dancing.

 

Dinner was the weakest so far, I thought. Perhaps it was just my selections, but it was fortunate that I wasn't all that hungry.

 

The "panko-crusted somethingorother cod" was the chef's selection, so I selected it. Feh. Not worth eating. Not poisonous or anything, just not good.

 

Edison brought out coffee ice cream at dessert time again.....how can I refuse, when he is going to so much trouble for me?

 

Then the big climactic event: The Nelson Brothers!!!!!!!!!!!

 

YUM YUM YUM

 

I could eat these guys up with a spoon.

 

The show is a tribute to their father, Rick(y) Nelson. They play a couple of their own songs from their rock days in the 90's, but mostly they play the golden oldies. They show clips from Ozzie & Harriet, and from interviews about their father.

 

Their own songs were VERY good. They sang After The Rain and Just Once More. That second one is a real tear-wringer.

 

Afterwards, they sold CDs and autographed them, and posed for pictures.

 

These guys were the very definition of "gracious". They posed and posed and posed and answered question after question after question.

 

Since my daughter bought the CD and they posed for a picture with her, I asked them if they were staying on, or leaving and coming back for the next cruise.

 

THEY ARE STAYING ON!!!! I can't wait to "run into them" around the ship!

 

Their sister Tracy was here and sitting in the theatre audience, and they introduced her and put the spotlight on her and she waved.

 

All in all, a very satisfactory SECOND half of the day!

Ricky is one of my favorites of all time. I read much earlier that they were going to be on our leg and i have been happly telling all my friends how lucky I am to be able to see them live. I bet in 15 days we get more than 1 performance. Woody

[Merion_Mom]

This day started off much more auspiciously than New Year's Day. Although Penn State had been thoroughly clobbered by USC, Liz managed to get to bed at a reasonable hour, sleep reasonably well, and awaken in time for our excursion.

 

We were awakened by the phone call that "room service is on its way". About 30 seconds later, there was a knock at the door. Liz was in the shower, so I got to leap up, grab some bills, and answer the door.

 

All was correct, as ordered.

 

We left the ship in time to meet in the little market area at the end of the pier and find our Mexican Cuisine Workshop ;) group.

 

Off we went, traveling on the same bus as the people who had booked the Playa Mia Beach Break, since that's where the cooking class is held.

 

We were about half of the group - we were joined by a bunch from Carnival ships. (there were three in port with us today)

 

Luis, Moises and Javier were all there, so we had a big reunion. The appetizer and dessert were the same as before, but the main dish was different.

 

It was a blast, of course. Both my daughter and I decided NOT to get as far gone as last time, so we were only mildly dizzy and disoriented at the end.

 

We relaxed on the beach for about half an hour, then visited the parrots (GORGEOUS) near the entrance, and got back on the bus.

 

Back at the pierside market, we shopped a little, and I purchase two bottles. Liz carried them back on, and they are registered to her at the Booze Check-In, so she should get them back Saturday evening in time to pack into her big suitcase for the trip home. ;) :p ;)

 

After returning to the ship, we went to the pool deck for a while. After just a few minutes at the main pool, and watching some babies being put into the pool, we hastened to the Solarium, and sat in the hot tub for a while, participating in that favorite of Cruise Cuisine Experiences: Human Soup.

 

We had a lovely chat with some other cruisers. Then I got out and went to lie down on a chaise, and had the delightful opportunity to watch a father and his two young sons lying out and playing. :rolleyes:

 

Then we decided that we were hungry, just in time to realize that the Windjammer was now closed until dinner time. We descended to the Café Promenade, only to discover that everyone else on board had ALSO realized that this was now the only place to get food. It was CROWDED. We managed to snag a table, and some food, without too much delay.

 

The pizza wasn't bad, and the sandwiches hit the spot. We each grabbed a cup of tea and headed back to the stateroom.

 

After some relaxation, we dressed for dinner and headed to the show - one show only, between seatings - Pure Energy, starring the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers.

 

It was quite good. Not spectacular, but very enjoyable.

 

Dinner was VERY good tonight. I had the Fisherman's Plate, and got an extra. The dessert was the sampler, with the RC choc cake, savarin & cheesecake. And Edison brought out coffee ice cream again!

 

The service has been good/fine, but I find Edison annoyingly obsequious.

 

The way to earn good service ratings is to provide good service, not to beg for or even demand good ratings on the survey. Just my opinion........

[walcherw]

Ricky is one of my favorites of all time. I read much earlier that they were going to be on our leg and i have been happly telling all my friends how lucky I am to be able to see them live. I bet in 15 days we get more than 1 performance. Woody

BTW. I collect vinyl LP records. I have 22 Lps by Ricky Nelson. My total collection is about 8000 records. Woody

[Cheeriolover]

Carol...Thank you so much for this post. I've enjoyed reading all 24 pages so far!!! I was really excited to read that you are (were) staying in the cabin we are going to be in this April (8318). I know you got that fabulous upgrade but...could you please tell me how wonderful 8318 was?? Kind of like this..."I really didn't want to switch cabins because 8318 is really the best cabin on the ship but I didn't want to hurt their feelings". :D Just kidding...

 

Have a wonderful trip...and please stay safe so we can continue to read your wonderful posts and live vicariously through you. :rolleyes:

[Merion_Mom]

As I suspected, after seeing Abe run the Love & Marriage Game with all new questions, his Quest was also uniquely his.

 

It was at most, PG-13. Nothing even "near" the line, much less crossing it.

 

It was fun, but we were stuck in a "dud" section. Dozens of people, and they just sort of stared blankly. Not much on participation.

 

Fortunately, we won one of the "five point bonus" quests: Someone in our group "pulled a Doris." :D

 

In other words, out popped those false teeth, and up to Abe they went!

 

No one else in the whole Studio B came up with any!

 

We almost got another 5 point bonus............but my bra was beaten out at the last moment for "largest bra in Studio B". :eek:

 

I won some at slots today, but I immediately pocketed the winnings - I'm getting smarter in my dotage! ;)

[Merion_Mom]

Carol...Thank you so much for this post. I've enjoyed reading all 24 pages so far!!! I was really excited to read that you are (were) staying in the cabin we are going to be in this April (8318). I know you got that fabulous upgrade but...could you please tell me how wonderful 8318 was?? Kind of like this..."I really didn't want to switch cabins because 8318 is really the best cabin on the ship but I didn't want to hurt their feelings". :D Just kidding...

 

Have a wonderful trip...and please stay safe so we can continue to read your wonderful posts and live vicariously through you. :rolleyes:

 

It's a great location - just off the elevator "lobby". Nice balcony with great views all 'round. The closet is REALLY big and well-laid out. We are very happy in it, and I'm sure that you will be, too!

 

:)

[CruisinEars]

MerionMom~ I am really enjoying your posts. I will be following along and living vicariously through you for the next 47 days. Thanks for sharing your trip with us.

 

I, too have a dd named Elisabeth (Lizzie for short) and we just booked spring break on the Mariner this morning. :) I look forward to hearing more about the ship. We are very excited.

 

Happy travels!

[Sooner-b-Crusin]

Rescue from page 2.

 

See ya tomorrow Carol......................

 

Pat

[CruiseKeeper]

This day started off much more auspiciously than New Year's Day. Although Penn State had been thoroughly clobbered by USC, Liz managed to get to bed at a reasonable hour, sleep reasonably well, and awaken in time for our excursion.

 

We were awakened by the phone call that "room service is on its way". About 30 seconds later, there was a knock at the door. Liz was in the shower, so I got to leap up, grab some bills, and answer the door.

 

All was correct, as ordered.

 

We left the ship in time to meet in the little market area at the end of the pier and find our Mexican Cuisine Workshop ;) group.

 

Off we went, traveling on the same bus as the people who had booked the Playa Mia Beach Break, since that's where the cooking class is held.

 

We were about half of the group - we were joined by a bunch from Carnival ships. (there were three in port with us today)

 

Luis, Moises and Javier were all there, so we had a big reunion. The appetizer and dessert were the same as before, but the main dish was different.

 

It was a blast, of course. Both my daughter and I decided NOT to get as far gone as last time, so we were only mildly dizzy and disoriented at the end.

 

We relaxed on the beach for about half an hour, then visited the parrots (GORGEOUS) near the entrance, and got back on the bus.

 

Back at the pierside market, we shopped a little, and I purchase two bottles. Liz carried them back on, and they are registered to her at the Booze Check-In, so she should get them back Saturday evening in time to pack into her big suitcase for the trip home. ;) :p ;)

 

After returning to the ship, we went to the pool deck for a while. After just a few minutes at the main pool, and watching some babies being put into the pool, we hastened to the Solarium, and sat in the hot tub for a while, participating in that favorite of Cruise Cuisine Experiences: Human Soup.

 

We had a lovely chat with some other cruisers. Then I got out and went to lie down on a chaise, and had the delightful opportunity to watch a father and his two young sons lying out and playing. :rolleyes:

 

Then we decided that we were hungry, just in time to realize that the Windjammer was now closed until dinner time. We descended to the Café Promenade, only to discover that everyone else on board had ALSO realized that this was now the only place to get food. It was CROWDED. We managed to snag a table, and some food, without too much delay.

 

The pizza wasn't bad, and the sandwiches hit the spot. We each grabbed a cup of tea and headed back to the stateroom.

 

After some relaxation, we dressed for dinner and headed to the show - one show only, between seatings - Pure Energy, starring the Royal Caribbean Singers and Dancers.

 

It was quite good. Not spectacular, but very enjoyable.

 

Dinner was VERY good tonight. I had the Fisherman's Plate, and got an extra. The dessert was the sampler, with the RC choc cake, savarin & cheesecake. And Edison brought out coffee ice cream again!

 

The service has been good/fine, but I find Edison annoyingly obsequious.

 

The way to earn good service ratings is to provide good service, not to beg for or even demand good ratings on the survey. Just my opinion........

 

 

That cinches it, I'm making rice pudding and cookies today. I forget the name of the appetizer but I've made it a few times since we've been home. Of course it would be easier if we had those nifty tortilla makers.

[tinkerme1]

Carol, guess who is posting to YOUR thread!!!:eek:

 

 

Mr. Loyal2Royal is in the house, Carol!

 

Our "quest" on the Mariner in November was really crazy. Our team came in second since we didn't have a "bald" guy.:p:eek::D I'm sure you had fun at "Quest"! Always a good belly laugh or two or three!

[Going Coastal]

Thanks for the correction on the concierge. I was another expecting it to be Fernando, since that was the word from Matin on the Voyager last month.

Would have hated to call him by the wrong name.

Aren't daughters fun to travel with? Almost as much fun as DHs.

Love your thread and looking forward to meeting in person in Rio.

Drew

[Loyal2RCCL]

I think you may be incorrect on this one. I believe they are all printed at the Port and not on the ship.

 

Maybe someone who knows for 100% sure can answer?

 

I do know 100% that the SeaPass cards are printed onboard the ship and not in the ports. I've actually been behind in the Guest Relations office several times (I have a friend who is a GR Manager) and they organize all of the next sailings cards in the boxes onboard. The cards are then brough to the check in desks before the next cruise starts embarkation.

[TheMiz]

Merion_Mom

 

Strange question but do you know if that English Pub on Deck Five

has Guinness on tap, and what they are charging for a pint?

[Spellbinder]

Carol just to let you know that Cindy is enroute and a little delayed with her flights. Airport security has been backed up and very picky about searching everyone's carryon's so she got rerouted through Toronto and will arrive later than planned today.

 

They searched her carryon because the xray guy was curious about the plastic tiara and seemed perplexed. Apparently one of the females finally told him it was for her hair and then he moved on to the next victim. :D A Royal Diva must have a tiara. :D

[terryandmarie]

Carol just to let you know that Cindy is enroute and a little delayed with her flights. Airport security has been backed up and very picky about searching everyone's carryon's so she got rerouted through Toronto and will arrive later than planned today.

 

They searched her carryon because the xray guy was curious about the plastic tiara and seemed perplexed. Apparently one of the females finally told him it was for her hair and then he moved on to the next victim. :D A Royal Diva must have a tiara. :D

 

 

Hey Spellbinder,

 

This is Tim and Candice....This is my dad's sign in, he will be with you on the whole sailing...Make sure you say HI:)

[longwood]

Merion_Mom

 

Strange question but do you know if that English Pub on Deck Five

has Guinness on tap, and what they are charging for a pint?

 

The English Pubs use to carry Murphy's Stout on tap...but when I was on the Navigator last month, to my disappointment, they had switched to Boddingtons. I believe they do have Guiness in the Nitro cans.

[Spellbinder]

Hey Spellbinder,

 

This is Tim and Candice....This is my dad's sign in, he will be with you on the whole sailing...Make sure you say HI:)

 

I will be on the 3rd leg and Cindy will be on all three legs. Have your mom and dad go to the VCL at 5:00pm tomorrow and they should be able to find her and the other Royal Divas of the Deep before sailaway.

[TheMiz]

The English Pubs use to carry Murphy's Stout on tap...but when I was on the Navigator last month, to my disappointment, they had switched to Boddingtons. I believe they do have Guiness in the Nitro cans.

 

 

Guinness in a can is just not Guinness

[tahoemc]

Wow, took awhile to read 12 pages to get caught up since Tuesday past.

 

Carol, thanks for your reports - loving this voyage so far through your eyes. Really looking forward to the next 46 days - should be quite the adventure.

 

Thanks to everyone else posting - some great information being shared.

[flames]

Carol, I just found you, 53 days, Have a great time and now I will go back and start reading and I will go along with you on this wonderful cruise:cool:

 

Thanks for sharing with all of us:D:)

 

Carol:)

[byteofram]

I sailed in a JS on Monarch in December and my card was the usual one. Probably have to wait for the port to use up its supply of cards. Or maybe since you got the card on the ship and not in the port that the ship has a different supply?

 

I was on the Mariner the 14th-21st and we were told that was the first week for the colored cards. Having the gold card was kind of nice (we were in a Grand Suite) because it seemed we got more alcohol in the mixed drinks and at the casino it got noticed and the pit bosses and dealers started paying more attention.

[ladylawyer]

I do know 100% that the SeaPass cards are printed onboard the ship and not in the ports. I've actually been behind in the Guest Relations office several times (I have a friend who is a GR Manager) and they organize all of the next sailings cards in the boxes onboard. The cards are then brough to the check in desks before the next cruise starts embarkation.

 

Bob, if that's true, why is it that when you lose your SeaPass (or it becomes demagnetized), GR cannot produce a replacement that says "Diamond Plus Member?" I have always had to have a sticker afixed, in order to get the "Plus."

[Snoozeman]

OMG--Enjoy!!:)