Thread: Live From The Mariner of the Seas 46 Days Around the Horn

Hornblowers Mariner of the


Seas Around the Horn Cruise

DAY ONE, SUNDAY 28 DECEMBER

Well, here we are with one week to go before we board the Mariner of the Seas for the epic 46 day around the horn of South America cruise from Port Canaveral to Los Angeles beginning 4 January 2009.

We have a roll call of about 200 people, most of who are cruising all 46 days. There are also folks cruising only one leg, be it first, second or third. Then there’s the 2 leggers on either first and second or second and third. Most of the states are covered, along with Canada, England and Australia.

We all have our Brazilian visas, our yellow fever shots or waivers due to age or health and various other injections for typhoid, Hep A & B and tetanus/diphtheria as needed.

Some are packed, some are still agonizing how/what to pack for so long a cruise and others will throw things in a suitcase at the last minute and hope they picked the right things.

There will be various folks contributing to this thread. So, you will get different perspectives of the same cruise. There will be reviews of many different excursions, both private and ship.

It’s about 50/50 sea days and port days.

That’s all there is for now.



DAY TWO, MONDAY 29 DECEMBER

Two of our group, Letty & Len, are driving from California to the Cape. They left Saturday with a first stop in Tucson and Sunday to Fort Stockton, TX.

We have most of our clothes on portable racks and carry-on things on a table in the family room. Since we live in Florida, we’re still wearing our summer clothes while all the northerners can pack theirs. We’ll pack Saturday. We have our list and will be checking it twice.

We have 2 from England, 4 from Australia and 32 from Canada on the roll call.

Based on all the information we can gather, it looks like the ship is only about 90% full.
Around 150 cabins are vacant scattered over all categories. RCI had sales events for 3 Tuesdays in a row with deep discounts on all balcony cabins down to interiors.
It didn’t look like they had much success selling them. With the economy the way it is, that’s not surprising.

New suitcase arrived today. I won a $50 Walmart certificate from an online contest and used it to buy a 25 inch spinner. That will make 2 large and 2 medium for the trip.

Bought a new laptop a while ago that didn’t fit in our computer bag, so we bought a new one today.

RCI started calling today with the D+ upgrades for both the 2nd and 3rd legs. Many happy people. We get to stay in the same cabin we were upgraded to the first leg for all three legs. A nice Christmas present.

Paul, this is going to be such a great adventure! I am so happy that you will be sharing it with us.

AND I am delighted to hear that you and Judy were upgraded to a suite for all 3 legs! Crown & Anchor came through for you.

I am making this thread a sticky now.

We can hardly wait for the Mariner to arrive in LA. What an upgrade to the Mexico fleet. We're sailing her in April. Have an awesome adventure!!

Plan to follow you via this thread on your journey. How exciting!!! Congratulations too on the upgrades, extra room is always nice especially on a longer journey.

We will be sailing on the Mariner on April 19th with a group Reggie has organized. It will be our first time on a ship of this size. Can't wait.

I'm looking forward to your report since I'll be on the Radiance "around the horn" in March. Have a blast!!!

Garry

Better late than never:

DAY THREE, TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER

Nothing ever happens on Tuesday except getting junk mail.

And, nothing did happen worth mentioning.

More tomorrow

I'll be following your thread too as we're considering an South American cruise. I think one question that many have is how is the sea conditions as the ship approaches the Horn.

I'm on-board for this one also. Thanks for keeping us posted.

Originally Posted by rcicruisers

Better late than never:

DAY THREE, TUESDAY 30 DECEMBER

Nothing ever happens on Tuesday except getting junk mail.

And, nothing did happen worth mentioning.

More tomorrow

Sometimes we need days when "nothing happens" to temper the days of excitement and preparation.

It won't be long, now!

DAY FOUR, WEDNESDAY 31 DECEMBER

New Years Eve. The end of 2008. Anticipating the start of 2009.

How do you pay your bills while you’re gone that long, you ask? Set up epay for the bills on your banks website.
Plug in the names of everybody you owe, enter the amounts and date to be paid and you’re all set. Also take your laptop along to check the $$$ due on your credit cards so you can pay the total amount and not get hit with any finance charges.

Called today to stop the paper while we’re gone. We have 2 cats and our cat sitters will come twice a day to give them food & water, clean their litter box and play with them awhile.
The sitters will also pick up our mail.

There are various friends and neighbors keeping an eye on our house while we’re gone. They’ll email us if there’s any problems.

Nothing on the calendar for today.

We’ll be going over the checklist and making the final clothes selection so we have all weather conditions covered.

Paul & Judy wish everyone a safe, happy and healthy New Year.