Bye Guys! This will be my last seamail from the Mariner as we disembark tomorrow in Ft. Lauderdale. It’s been such a fantastic trip with an itinerary I’d love to repeat again someday.

The past few days have been hectic with lots of farewell activities. Night before last we had a Los Marineros surprise Cocktail party and dinner. We met in the Constellation Theater for cocktails with NO IDEA where we would be going for dinner. After taking a large group picture of all of us on stage, they broke us up into smaller groups and we were led to Deck 6 where we ate dinner on the lifeboat deck. There was one very long (almost 200 ft.) table that seemed to never end. The dinner was all with a nautical theme and so clever! All the Los Marineros events have been outstanding. Tonight we have a farewell cocktail party for the Los Marineros with a slide show as I understand. There aren’t enough words to tell you what a fantastic job the entire Mariner staff has done to make our trip the BEST ever!

When we were in Guatemala day before yesterday 13 of us rented a boat with a driver and went over to a small island called Livingston. It was so hot so we stopped in a little restaurant for a beer and 2 local ladies approached us “You want hair braids?” My friend Joan and I said sure. We figured what the heck, never done it before. It’s been fun and I love not having to worry about what to do with my hair each night. Not sure how long I’ll keep them in but at least until I get home to CA.

Last night we had a nice dinner with Christian. He confirmed what we already knew that the beloved Harp logo is going bye-bye. The change over to Regent will be ongoing over the next approx. 18 months. The Navigator is going to be the first ship to begin an overhaul, followed by the Mariner, then the Voyager. Speaking of the Voyager, Brian Townsend who is now our assistant CD has been promoted to Voyager CD for late April to September. He’ll be replacing Jamie after the WC. All of you cruising in the Med this summer will have the opportunity to meet him. I haven’t gotten to know him very well, just a brief hello here and there. What I do know about him is he’s a terrific dancer and he has a magnificent voice. He’s done some solos that were mesmerizing.

I almost made it through the entire 62 days without catching what always seems to go around on these long cruises….ya know, the kind of “kennel cough” stuff. Day before yesterday I felt it coming on and now I have it full blown. The stuffy head, achy body and cough. I’m trying my best not to let it keep me from enjoying my last day. The last thing I feel like doing is packing but can’t put this off any longer so this afternoon (before our final Texas Hold’em game) we’re going to throw everything in suitcases. We’re fully prepared to pay overweight, no way around this with such tight airline restrictions now.

Adios! The next time you hear from me will be from CA. It sure has been a fun time and I’ve loved being able to share it with YOU!

Welcome home almost - it'll be great to have you home and in easy reach of email - what a trip but then every trip you take is fantastic as you don't let anything get in your way of having the very best time - I know the good byes are always a little bittersweet - give the gang a hug from us too!!!

All I can say is THANKS A MILLION for sharing your many wonderful advetures and the fun pictures!!! Would love to see you in braids! :cool:

Waaa, no more reports but yeah, I have missed you! Now you can start planning for the next World cruise!

Hi Marcie:
Oh my, another world cruise coming to an end and indeed you and Tom have had another very enriching adventure. Good for you.

Penny and I have been following your journal of activities, worldly sights and people meeting with great anticipation. Until you started the world tours, our world cruise dreams were pretty much in dry dock so to speak but fortunately you sent them assail once your correspondence started. Thanks so much!

I think the following is rather apropos to your situation:

"The service we render to others is really the rent we pay for our room on this earth. It is obvious that man is himself a traveler; that the purpose of this world is not "to have and to hold" but "to give and serve." There can be no other meaning." (Sir Wilfred T. Grenfell)

So now it is time to head home. Family, friends and critters are waiting to give you various forms of "welcome home" greetings and a daughter who can't wait to present you with a grandchild. A worldly cruise and a worldly grandchild in the same year. What a blessing!

Cheers! Ray & Penny

Marcie, I will miss your seamail. Your detailed reports made me feel like I was there. Wish I had been. The special events on this cruise were like none I have ever read about. Lucky you! Thanks for taking the time to report in. Will there be a picture of you in braids? Have a safe journey home and take care of that cold.

Boy Marcie, as always you made us all feel like we were just right in the next cabin. You and Tom always have so much fun and give everyone the benefit of your adverntures.

Thanks for all the wonderful posts and details of your trip.

Now on to the Grandmother thing :woh: that will be another adventure all in itself!! Of course its only a few months till MUSH and then just 4 or so until your 2007 World cruise, so it won't be long before we are all enjoying your many adventures along with you again.

Thanks for all your reports and photos, Marcie! You've made your trip come to life in such a special way for those of us left behind.

Marcie in braids? You mean a la Bo Derek? Hope there's a photo for us to see.

Safe travels home to you and Tom. Hope you feel better very soon.

Marcie....like everyone else, thanks for sharing the memories of your South American voyage!

I know your family is anxious to welcome you home! After you give all your animals and children big hugs(I know they've missed you), come back here and share your at home news with us too.

A day without Marcie is a day without sunshine!

Marcie, Thanks for sharing your wonderful SA cruise with us here. I have throughly enjoyed all your seamail. You give such a delightfully fun swing on all your posts. Have a safe journey home and look forward to hearing more from you when you rest up and settle in. Oh, Marcie, I received a photo of you and my friend, Terry during your lunch together on the Mariner. Looks like you two were having a great time.

Hi Marcie, I too have enjoyed your posts from SA and I've added some more places to my "must-do" list...some day...

Thanks for sharing your fun experiences and the photos too.

Dena

Marcie, I loved reading all your reports, and am so happy that you enjoyed every day of this fabulous cruise. I hope to sail with you on the Voyager next year... Thanks again for all of the enjoyment you seamail has given me

Doris

Marcie, I have really enjoyed your seamail. I wish you and Tom a safe trip home.

have a safe flight back to FREEZING L.A...hope you feel better.
Reading your seamail has been great..thanks again for sharing..

It's over already?? :(

Marcie, welcome home. I so much enjoyed all of your seamail and wonderful pictures. I'm so glad that you and Tom had a fabulous 62 days.

Nancy

Thanks Marcie. Loved the pics. Looks like a great place to go and have fun.

Trish

Wow, Marcie, it seems like you had just boarded! I loved reading about your SA cruise. Thanks for taking time out each day to keep us informed as we "sailed" with you!

Yeah, it just seemed to fly by. Can't believe that it's over ... :(

Masaki

Yep, it's over. We arrived home at 5:00 yesterday. Jill and her boyfriend Brian picked us up at the airport, went out for a bite to eat then came home and crashed. The house and 5 pets are all great. The best part of returning home is the wonderful slurppy kisses we get!

Now the worst part of returning home begins....unpacking, laundry and catching up on 2 months worth of mail. UGH!

Our 62 day trip around South America was just fantastic in everyway!!! Saying good bye to many of our friends onboard (as well as the fantastic crew) is always a bittersweet. We will be seeing many of them next month at our friend Han's "Big 6-0" birthday party next month. Even Bruce Meadows (lead singer with PG) will be performing at this party so this will be lots of fun.

I'm glad you enjoyed my "novice" seamails. I know how much I love reading everyone's seamails and I just tried to return the favor.

Thank you Marcie.
:app: :app: :nw: :nw:

Marcie, sorry you're wonderful journey had to end. We enjoyed your seamail and will miss reading it. Can't wait till your next trip!

Welcome home Marcie - loved reading your reports and glad to see your enthusiasm for long on board stretches continues.

Thanks for taking us along on your great trip, Marcie! I am sorry it is over (especially considering what the stack of mail must look like). It was a wonderful journey, indeed. You are a terrific correspondent. Cheers, Anne

Marcie, you are SO appreciated for all of the time you take when you are away to keep us posted! I LOVED your chronicle of a wonderful trip, all your trips are wonderful because of your spirit, attitude, and just down-right sociable personality! Thank you for sharing it with us who were left behind!

Thanks for, once again, sharing your great cruise experiences and photos with us.

Welcome back to Fullerton! I'm sure Jill, Mr. Magoo, and the rest of your furry family missed you both terribly!

Marcie,

Welcome home to you and Tom. We so appreciate all the time and information you shared with us and making us feel a part of your glorious cruises.

Maybe it's time again for a Welcome Back Brunch!

Kathy, I would be there!

Welcome home! So glad you enjoyed your trip. It really sounded fantastic. We should really have a great time next year on the wc with all of us writing journals. Can't wait to meet you and Tom.

Doris

OK, I will post this photo taken the night we had our final farewell dinner on Deck 6 outside with the lifeboats at the VERY long 200 ft. table. This may be the only photo I have with the braids.(got funky that night with feather earrings which seemed to go with the top and braids)

Great shot, Marcie! I think you look fabulous with your hair in those braids!

Definitely Bo Derek!!!!

Very Carribbean of you....Where's Tom's braids? They do men too.
Love the New Kitty Cat photo too!

His is one long braid down his back - you can't see from this snap -

Wow, what a glamourous couple you are (with or without braids)!

Hope you're feeling better!

Marti

Welcome back to reality!! If that 62 days flew for all of us, it must have really gone too quickly for you. Thanks so much for "taking all of us along", it was just so fun reading about the parties and seeing such great pictures. Welcome home again!!

Welcome home, M! Loved reading your reports, thanks for posting. It was like we were standing next to you the whole time.

This isn't exactly seamail since I'm back home but I don't think I shared these photos with you. Rounding the horn was such an amazing experience....these are mostly scenery and animals without too many people photos. Enjoy!

Final SA Photos (view as slideshow)
www.ofoto.com
email logon: cruise@yahoo.com
password: cc

Marcie, the photos are unbelievable! The scenery is amazing. thanks for sharing!

Nancy