Marcie sent some photos of Joanna's birthday party!

Thanks for posting the great photos. Looks like a fun time! Any photos of the Birthday Girl?

Good luck with the slots, Joanna!

Hi Joanna.

I am enjoying your posts about your adventure
around South America. Keep having fun.

You mentioned the Dark Ginger Ale.

I was on the Mariner in December 2005 for
christmas, and very much enjoyed drinking the
dark ginger ale when I was not feeling too good
or a little sea sick. It worked WONDERFUL
for me. I have been looking in stores all over
Southern Cailfornia for some to buy on land and I can't find it anywhere--I've been to all the grocery stores and to Trader Joe's--no one
seems to understand what I am talking about when I try to explain it to them.

I think the label I remember from my trip
was 'Kirk's Dry Dark Ginger ale" . Would you be so kind and look over the label for me to see where it comes from or if there is any sort
of website I could pull up to order somehow. I would like to just keep some around the house when I am not feeling well.

If anyone else who reads this has any ideas
where I can find dark ginger ale for sale, I would love to hear from you.

thanks, see sic (Randy)

Love the reports from the Mariner - Thank you for your update Joanna. We miss your humor here. It's pretty quiet on LCT!

Randy - Try Gelson's or Bristol Farms. If Gelson's doesn't have it, they will order it for you.

Joanna picked out the photos she wanted to post from her party. I wish she would have picked one of her! One pix is our WONDERFUL Cruise Director John Barron and gorgeous wife Lyndsey. The 2 girls are Lynn and Joan (great friends we made on last year's WC).

Joanna is so right........Tom was a Wild Man 2 nights ago in Star's Lounge. He and Paul were a riot with their pole dancing! When Tom did the strip tease taking his shirt off I knew his "Suzette" had arrived! If there were just a way to get him to come out of shell!! :eek:

BTW, Paul has booked MUSH. He is absolutely the nicest, kindest man ever! Loved by all! Can't wait for you guys to meet him!

Tony has some pixs I will send to Karen - I had the one of Marcie and I in computer room, taken by Tony, but she wouldn't let me post it as not good of her - I do the same thing - DON'T post that pix of me!!!I was at doctor's at 9 am as there seems to be a cough/cold going around so I want to nip it asap - we had a wonderful dinner with Martin and gang last night in Signatures - I leave Marcie in charge of dinner plans/reservations - I think we eat in Latitudes tomorrow night - I am going to stay put today - I think there is a shuttle to get into town - I don't want a beginning cold to develop - feel fine don't want to push my luck - alot of singing in ML last night everyone seemed to be having good time - enjoying every moment on this cruise and having so many fun people makes it very special! Joanna PS I will check out the ginger ale and post tomorrow - Tony has not been able to find it at home -

Good hearing from you both.

Take care, Joanna. Smart to take precautions to stop the cold from blossoming. Order a few bowls of chicken soup!

Hope to see more pix soon.

I thought that was Lindsey and John in the picture! They are so adorable. We were on a cruise when they got engaged!! And if you see Lindsey say hello for me! Please remind her I'm the one that 'volunteered' from the audience for the magicians act..one of the last nights on the Navigator Christmas cruise thru the Panama Canal several years ago. When I got on the stage (Saying to myself WHAT WAS I THINKING!?!?) all I did was GIGGLE. For fifteen minutes. No kidding. I couldn't stop!! The comedian really played into that and for the next two days everyone told me they thought I was a part of the act! Saw Lindsey two years later and she remembered my 'performance' with the magic act!!!! :app: :o

Yesterday was Fortaleza - Tony went in with a group for a few hours and I stayed on the ship to nurse my cold - which is 90% better today!!

I have ordered my second 250 minutes for internet - it goes quickly - we went to the pool in the afternoon and then I took my afternoon nap while Tony sat on balcony and got more sun!!- we ordered room service which I would do more often but Tony prefers eating in the restaurants - something about being in your grubs with good book or DVD that is relaxing - they brought a bottle of Pinot Grigio and we had filets -

Up early this morning and the area outside the computer room is packed with people - another sea day - I think we are eating at Latitudes tonight - the Captain's name is Philippe Delavault from St Malo - all staff are wonderful

dark ginger ale is Schweppes from NZ -

Tomorrow we are in Salvador de Bahia - town looks interesting we'll definitely go in and explore - I am loving the sea days -

Received bill from Dr - $80 for visit and another $25 for medications - cough med and sudafed - I'm better that's all that counts! MOre later - Joanna

I am so glad you are feeling better, Joanna! There is nothing worse than being sick on a cruise with the exception of being sick and sailing through a storm :)

Here are two pictures from Joanna, I wonder if these were takin with Tony's 10 mega pickle camera?

Great reports and pictures Joanna! Looks like you'all are having one great time.
I think the Captain, is the one that came onboard Mariner when we were on the Panama Canal in 2003, it was his first trip, but I do remember that he was french, and for some reason the name really rings a bell. He was a very nice man, always smiling.
Glad your cold is better, and that Ngaire has recovered.

Yes, Joann , that was the Captain of the Panama Canal trip we took.

I am just imagining that we've all just finished our evening cocktails in the Horizon lounge and we all wander down to Compass Rose for dinner and say "Tables for 90, please"

<img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> <img border="0" alt="[vhappy]" title="" src="graemlins/icon_vhappy.gif" /> Oh my goodness - wouldn't that just knock their socks off!!! I'm sure there will be lots of requests for large size tables that week.

Joanna, thanks for the updates and pictures. So glad that you're feeling better.

Nancy

Great pictures! So glad you are feeling better, Joanna. We have sailed twice with Capt. Phillipe and really liked him.

Have you guys found our message on the bottle yet?

Cheers, Anne & Gary

Super photos! Thanks for posting them!

Thanks for the reports! I really love the photos. More please!!!!!

Betty

Monday 1 PM

Wonderful dinner last night in Signatures with Hans, Paul, Tom, Marcie, Ken and Ngaire – we then headed for Stars Lounge for Brazilian Night – lounge was decorated, played great music and oh my the dancing – Rogerio, Theresa and Martin were there and they all add sooo much to an evening! I think we called it quits at midnight – lounge was still going strong!! Some have taken Samba lessons and they were excellent. I vaguely remember Paul with Ngaire on his shoulders!!??? – I guess so she’d have better view of dance floor – pixs were taken! Hans is celebrating his 60th in April in Houston and we plan to attend – for his 50th he had elephant rides, fortune teller, slot machines – who knows what’s in store for the BIG 60???

This morning Ken, Ngaire, Marcie, Tom and the Mondaes grabbed a van and headed to upper part of town in Salvador – some fun shops but hot hot – we took elevator from upper town to lower town and walked some more and just got back to ship. I plan to head to pool and subject my skin to another scorching –

Tonight Latitudes and tomorrow 2 tables of 8 in Signatures –16 of the wilder folks onboard - tomorrow is formal night – you have no idea how much fun it is having Ken and Ngaire on this cruise – I dread the thought of them leaving in Rio – but there are several other couples we have really enjoyed so this has turned out to be a great cruise with great people –

I am sort of in a routine – take my power nap around 4 pm after reading for 30 minutes and then up at 5:30 pm to shower and get ready for 7:30 pm dinner – life is good –

Thank you sweet Fred for a laugh outloud email!!!!! Keep them coming – Joanna

Joanna!

Good to hear you are having a great time on board. Your days sound perfect to me.

Don't get too baked in that Southern Hemisphere sun! Ahhh...a book, warm sunshine, fresh air, a cool drink, good friends, oh to be on the Mariner!!! Thanks for checking in!

Thank goodness for Joanna's seamails! Last night's Brazilian night sounds like it was a blast!

This sounds like one fun cruise. Keep that seamail coming. Love the photos. More please.

Piggy Backing on Joanna's post....DITTO everything she said. The fun sure continues! Last night John (CD), Martin (HD) and Rogerio (F&B Mgr) and who ever else involved sure did a FANTASTIC job for our Brazil night in STARS Lounge. It really was great and it seemed like the entire ship turned out....so nice!! We have voiced opinions about "livening" things up at night (poor Tom can't always be a one man show!) and they sure have listened. Now there is entertainment in Mariner Lounge and more parties like last night in STARS lined up!! STARS was decorated to the hilt last night with balloons, masks for us to wear and a real Brazilian atmosphere. Great Samba dancers too (I tried but had no idea what I was doing!) BIG Kudos to the Mariner Staff for such a great party! Yes, Paul did give Ngaire a ride on his shoulders...all in good fun! Traveling with Ngaire and Ken is such fun. I highly recommend everyone to cruise with them whenever possible...they're such fun and of course the Mondaes are always a hoot!! It's nice that they all fit in so perfectly with all the friends we made on last years' WC....just one big happy family! I can't remember if I mentioned that Paul booked MUSH so many of you will get to meet him. He's just great!

This afternoon there's a show in Constellation Theater of local musicians, dancers, singers,should be fun. Tonight there's 8 of us at Latitudes which has had great food this trip. Tomorrow is a sea day then the day after we hit Rio. Unfortunately, this is where Ngaire and Ken will disembark (sob sob :mecry: ) as business calls them back to Dallas. Thank goodness we have Joanna & Tony until Buenos Aires, then Doug & Lynn get on there.

I haven't taken a picture since Tony and Ken boarded.....they're doing such a great job! Photos from Tony and Ken to follow soon!

Bye for now from Salvador De Bahia!!!

We're ready and chompin' at the bit! Lynn has everything of hers laid out and I just finished stripping and trimming the citrus trees. One last squeeze of lemons and tangelos to go. We're going to hook up with Warren and Judy Waite(gamblers) at the Park Tower in BA on the 6th. Hope we'll see you and Tom at Iguazu, Marcie. We'll get there @ noon on the 7th. Sounds as if RSSC has finally gotten the msg re Stars. Gets a bit bumpy sometimes trying to dance in the Horizon Lounge; midships should be better. It's tango time!

Doug, I could be wrong but I think we go to Iguazu Falls on Feb. 8 and return back to the ship on the 9th. Whatever....we're sure excited to see you and Lynn and have your "booze" in the cabin lined up for you.

Just saw the show in the lounge....WOW! There was so much dancing, acrobats (not to mention great costumes) I'm exhausted. It was really a great "complimentary" show!!

Marcie - thatnks for the update - love your seamail as always. Wishing we were all there with you! Happy to hear you're having a great time.

Thanks so much for all the great pix and posts!!! (no, I will not succumb to megapickels and matzo ball jokes here!! :rolleyes: )

You're bringing back wonderful memories for me of our 2 years living in Brasil!

Happy Samba!!!!!!! :3smile:

Joanna, Marcie, and Ngaire..... how fun does this sound........ Everyone is wishing they were with you. Enjoy!!
Cindy

Tuesday 1:30 pm

We had another fun filled dinner in Latitudes last night - - Ken and Ngaire asked us to stop in their suite and we drew some names for their very generous cruise offer! I did not have my glasses on so was very surprised when Ngaire told me I had drawn my own name!!!! We turned the clocks ahead one hr so actually in bed a little after 1 am – we closed the curtains (which we never do) and did not get up until 10:30 this morning!

The Captain just came on and said some noticed he was changing direction – we will be passing another ship shortly on port side – a friend of his!!! I am looking out window in computer room – fun!!!

Tonight is formal night – 2 tables of 8 in Signatures – I will be sure to take some pictures – remembering to use my zoom on the camera – CR served lamb shank last night, I missed it, so hope it is on menu again –

It really is wonderful to have NO agenda for an entire day – I have no problem amusing myself and I do like to talk to people – this has been a great “people watching” cruise –

I have loved all of my emails and Fred, again, you make my day – I have tried to reply to you but get timed out -??? Being with Ken and Nagire has been one big highlight of this trip – we all are sad thinking about saying goodbye to them –

I have grown very fond of my next door cabin neighbor – we talk on balcony every day – he is a hoot and we love to dish the dirt – well time to think about lunch as we slept through b’fast - Cindyr miss you!!! Joanna

Joanna, Marcie, Ngaire, we love living vicariously through your wonderful posts & photos!
:) - Michele

Joanna, Don't ya just love sea days!!! Thanks for taking the time to keep us posted on your comings and goings. Continue to enjoy your great cruise. I love getting your seamail.