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2 registered members (Ngaire, 1 invisible),
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 Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
#255868
06/05/22 06:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Didn't want to start this thread until our drug tests came back negative; yippee the NAAT tests came back negative a little while ago. Just in case Regent doesn't accept NAAT tests at USA ports, we have Inspire antigen tests scheduled in an hour. Regardless, we are good to go.
We were supposed to be on our way to NYC already. We had a non-stop to JFK that was going to get us in a little after 5, dinner at Gallaghers booked, and a night in a nice suite at the Conrad Midtown. Had is the operative word. Last night we got notification that our flight was cancelled. As Arlene and I each used our own miles we were in different records so of course they rebooked us on different flights. In a little over an hour got that fixed (fly through DTW early tomorrow), Gallaghers reservation cancelled, Conrad reservation cancelled, and was able to talk our neighbor into driving us to the airport at 3am. At least we will get there in time for the party.
Really hope to post from Navigator over next three months. With Kim's tutorial, I even hope to post pictures. No food porn but maybe pix of ship and ports. We have been looking forward to this trip for so long; it was booked in 2019.
More later . . hopefully we will reach NYC tomorrow and depart on Tuesday.
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255869
06/05/22 08:39 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,212
jbittle
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Posts: 1,212 |
We used NAAT tests for the sailing on the Navigator in April in Miami. No problemo.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: jbittle]
#255870
06/05/22 08:42 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Thanks; we now have negative NAAT and negative antigen in hand so we are set. Additionally does not look like we actually have to upload the results for Bermuda; just have them with us.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255871
06/05/22 09:08 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,033
lonestarlady
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Looking forward to your posts Marc! Bummer about your flight being cancelled.
Cindy TravelingTexasDuo.com"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255872
06/06/22 10:59 AM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,212
jbittle
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Marc, Last month on the Navigator we needed the Bermuda TA uploaded and receive a confirmation with a QR code. They will work with you on the ship if you don't have it. It was a real bother and many of us didn't get ours until close to arrival. Do you still need the ArriveCan for Canada? We needed that before boarding, but they had techies helping us in the terminal.
Enjoy the cruise.
Jim
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255873
06/06/22 11:23 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Jim, Bermuda TA and ArriveCAN all completed and printed. I sure hope we can complete embarkation paperwork at hotel and then get bussed straight to ship.
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255876
06/08/22 02:45 AM
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Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,762
seadog
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Marc -
Alice and I are very excited for you and Arlene! We look forward to your posts. Let me know if there's any way I can help if you run into issues posting photos.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255877
06/08/22 07:27 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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Joined: Feb 2004
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We are having an absolutely wonderful time. Flight to JFK was uneventful except long walk from B42 in Terminal 4. We got to Plaza and had a wonderful stay. Jason and Jennifer were there from Miami to host the Diamond/Commodore tables (maybe someday). Breakfast in Palm Court was quite nice and then a interesting bus ride to the port. With all the paperwork required I was surprised that we were onboard easily by noon.
IT IS GREAT TO BE HOME.
The prime rib was fantastic at lunch; nice and rare We relaxed with Pool Grill for dinner. Martha's Vineyard cancelled due to high seas so we are now on our way to Boston (I don't know whether I will go for the baked beans or cream pie). Tonight we have our initial Grand Voyage Cocktail Party. We have met four couples we have cruised with in the past so nice to see familiar faces. Lots of familiar faces in the crew with Ray and Luke at destinations being most prominent.
We are so lucky!!
More later . . .
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255878
06/09/22 08:53 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,923
Ngaire
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Sounds great Marc. I love Luke we have known him for so many years say hello for us. Who is the GM?
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255883
06/09/22 10:47 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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OP
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255893
06/10/22 09:20 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Three trivia games and three wins; today by two questions. Two Commodores, two Diamonds, and two Titanium makes a difference. Three perfect scores on Mensa. At this rate we will have close to 700 regent points for cruise.
Cedric is absolutely fantastic as F&B. Yesterday he went into Boston and brought onboard some Belgium beer, just enough to carry us over until we get to Europe. As he is Dutch I am sure we will be stocking up with all sorts of neat beer once we get to England and then the Continent.
Cruise has been absolutely wonderful.
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255894
06/10/22 09:41 PM
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Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,212
jbittle
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Cedric is great, he's the new Ricky on Regent. Are they still doing trivia in Galileo's during tea? That was very popular on the Eastern Seaboard cruise Apr/May this year.
Jim
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255907
06/13/22 11:04 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
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Five out of six on trivia. Arlene shows up at trivia on Saturday with crown in her hand. Medical staff arranged for her to see dentist today (Monday) in Sydney; fantastic dentist; ended up having to have tooth pulled.
Fantastic day yesterday in Halifax; Titanic tour including cemetery with temps in 70s and glorious sunshine. Nice still today in Sydney. Weather to go downhill once we approach Greenland.
Six days gone 88 to go; this cruise is absolutely fantastic. Arlene is on the mend and hopefully tooth will be ancient history once we hit the 60kn winds Thursday and Friday.
Jim, Galileos just not perfect for tea AND trivia; need to reconfigure for six person teams. Cedric was up there the other day working with bar crew to get room reconfigured; works great.
Tomorrow we are in Newfoundland and I will go ashore with sign with
13
to claim that I will have been to all 13 Canadian Provinces and Territories; not many of us non Canadian PMs that can say that.
More later,
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255908
06/14/22 05:26 AM
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Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 8,923
Ngaire
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Posts: 8,923 |
So sorry for Arlene not a good thing on a cruise but glad she got to a good dentist. Sounds like you are doing great in trivia and having a good time. Sunshine and warm weather is ALWAYS a good thing and particularly in the area you are in now as there can be a lot of rain.
We have been fortunate with excellent weather as well with temperatures in the 80's, though yesterday in Kavala (a new port for me) it was pretty hot. Just the second time Regent has been to this port and it was very nice. Wonderful old ruins resonably close to the main town. We really enjoyed the day, Topped off with a nice cold popsicle that hit the spot.
Today we are in Mykonos, it has been a long time since we have been here. Sunshine and high of 84 degrees. Perfect.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255909
06/14/22 08:41 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
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I'm glad Arlene is doing well....bummer for it to happen on a cruise. Keep up the good Trivia wins.
Marcie 
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255914
06/17/22 06:52 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Bummer about the tooth—I am kind of paranoid about that as I have lost a crown a couple of times before, but fortunately when I was at home.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255919
06/19/22 01:51 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Sorry about lack of updates. We did make it to Corner Brook and I did go ashore and Arlene took a picture of me holding up a sign with 13 on it. Leaving Corner Brook Captain announced that weather was too bad in Greenland (and too much ice for scenic cruise through Prince Christian Sound) so instead we would go to St Pierre, have four sea days in a row, and then add an additional Icelandic port, Akureyri, and then continue with original itinerary. A lot of complaints about missing Greenland as some booked this segment just for Greenland and then complaints about sea days. I think all of those have finally realized (or been told) that we had four day before (two on either side of Greenland) and still have four sea days. Today is the last of the sea days. We have one sea day on 24 June and then not another sea day until 12 July; we will soon be wishing for more sea days.
Arlene is pretty close to a full recovery on her missing tooth; gum was sore for a while. We alternate winning and crash and burn at trivia; some days we have been five points behind winning score; a little humbling. Production cast good, some of the visiting entertainers good, and some real good lecturers including Terry Bishop. He also performed a show for Grand Voyage kickoff and GPTDC parties.
We have not been on this ship since CANADA in 2011. Stars Lounge reconfigured removing smoking area and changing seating but it still brings back great memories of our concentric circles of chairs we had on CANADA. It is great being on Deck 6; everything is so convenient. Vibration has not really been an issue either in theater or La Verandah. Alessandro great as GM and Ari as Captain; every morning they sit having coffee in Navigator Lounge and mingle with guests for at least a half hour. No Ukrainian bartenders but lots of familiar faces in bar staff; no Ukrainian band either.
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255920
06/25/22 09:02 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569
Mrs. Marc
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569 |
This cruise has been and continues to be superb. The staff is so well trained and just can’t do enough for you. We know so many and they remember us from past cruises….makes it really feel like we are coming home. We have missed a couple of ports due to weather, but no big deal for us. We were supposed to be in port today (last port in Iceland) but the wind was so strong they couldn’t dock. Yeah.. we love sea days. We had lunch in compass rose today and had a table by the window. We were watching the waves crash against the ship, and at times they were so high they covered the entire window. We decided to skip dessert and are glad we did. Just minutes after we left a wave crashed head on into the next window from us and broke the window, knocking it completely out.
A very near miss for us, but I think Marc was actually disappointed he wasn’t there to see it. Talking to staff later, they told us they have replacement windows on board but this one can’t be replaced until we are in a port as the frame was bent. It is all curtained off but the staff showed Marc and I, and what a mess. Soaked carpets, lots of plywood and scaffolding, etc. We’ve really been rocking and rolling all day.
For those of you who have met the Duvas, they were made Commodores a few days ago. Definitely don’t see that every day. We have a great trivia team, and though we aren’t winning every day, we have had our share. Miss the LCT gang and card games though.
More later as we start seeing more ports. Arlene
Arlene
Adventure before Dementia!
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255921
06/26/22 01:45 AM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Wow, Arlene, George is really jealous. He would have loved to have been there at the breaking of the window.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255922
06/26/22 01:24 PM
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 1,033
lonestarlady
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Posts: 1,033 |
Someone told us about this happening before several years ago - either on the Navigator or Voyager . As I recall they were crossing the Tasman Sea. A couple had just gotten up from the table by the window seconds before it happened. I hope no one was sitting there when it happened this time!
Cindy TravelingTexasDuo.com"In the end, it's not the years in your life that count. It's the life in your years." - Abraham Lincoln
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: RachelG]
#255923
06/26/22 09:33 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569
Mrs. Marc
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Posts: 1,569 |
Believe me Rachel, Marc was plenty disappointed too!
Arlene
Adventure before Dementia!
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: lonestarlady]
#255924
06/26/22 09:36 PM
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Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,569
Mrs. Marc
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No, in fact the people at that table had left about 10 minutes before. The mess it created was really something!
Arlene
Adventure before Dementia!
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255947
07/03/22 09:49 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Port every day; and they have all been new for us. Torshavn Faroe Islands; Kirkwall, Portree, and Greenock Scotland; Belfast, Dublin, and now Liverpool. In Dublin we had known we would be moved to Dun Loaghaire as it was announced over a year ago; however, we did not know that we would be at anchor. The Exclusive Shoreside Event was scheduled for first night in Dublin; it was absolutely fantastic! Event was at Christ Church Cathedral. Drinks in crypt where we saw an original copy of Magna Carta and then dinner in Nave. Great entertainment to end evening. Yes we had long and rough tender rides and long bus rides but Regent put on a fantastic event.
Ship and crew continue to be wonderful. Continuous turnover of crew but training has been great so not a drop in service at all. Entertainment has been pretty good, too. Paul just came onboard in Dublin and will take over in London. 368 passengers this leg; I anticipate next leg will be quite a bit smaller. We personally know of at least ten people that were isolated for COVID so it is onboard; just don't know how much. Met one couple that was supposed to get onboard in NYC for Grand Voyage but a positive test delayed their arrival 16 days until Reykjavik; my main worry prior to boarding.
Have missed trivia last four days due to touring; hopefully willl get back to it soon (we think we will make tomorrow a sea day). Occasional wins interspersed with crash and burn.
Getting ready for our Beatles tour and then Beatles Night at sailaway on pool deck; so more later.
Marc
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255948
07/04/22 01:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084
petlover
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 10,084 |
Ahhhh...I remember our Beatles Nights...fun memories. Thanks so much for posting, we're thoroughly enjoying them.
Marcie
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255969
07/20/22 07:34 AM
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352
Marc
OP
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OP
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Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 6,352 |
Been having a fantastic time on the Navigator. Third leg has been topsy turvy. New production cast members got sick before leaving Tampa so they were ten days late arriving. First night singer replaced by a ventriloquist with no advanced notice as she got sick after boarding. Another guest singer didn’t arrive as he tested positive before his flight. Many nights of movies or jukebox. Still, fantastic trip.
Ship in wonderful shape, strongly recommend navigator; it is just so comfortable. Deck 6 place to book; cat e if you want a balcony and cat g if window is fine. Back of Galileo’s is just like back of horizon on mariner or voyager; a beautiful place to relax that is never crowded.
More later.
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Re: Grand Arctic Adventure 2022
[Re: Marc]
#255975
07/23/22 08:41 PM
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Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,217
RachelG
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Thanks for checking in. I was beginning to wonder what happened to you.
Agree about deck 6 on Navigator. Very comfortable and a good location for access to everything.
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