Greetings everyone!

Thought I would start off the Sea Mail for our SA journey! We are sitting in the Admirals Club at DFW waiting for our connecting flight to FLL. A few light snow flurries in the area, but nothing to effect flights. So far, the board is showing us to be on time to FLL, so hopefully the incoming plane is not coming from the areas being affected by the snow and ice.

We'll be on our way to the Ritz Fort Lauderdale for the Gala kick off event when we land. Can't believe we are really on our way now and our adventure has begun!

We'll try to keep the blog going, so feel free to check in periodically for more detailed updates (link is below in my signature line).

How excellent!

Cindy, Wishing you and David a wonderful cruise. This cruise in on "my list." Will follow along with you. How lucky you will have Terry Breen and Lisa del Vecchio on board. They are both great women.

Cindy & David:

Cripes, do we wish we were on that cruise as well.

You'll be sailing with some really nifty people.

Live it up for us as well, will ya?

Cheers! Ray & Penny

How fun! enjoy!

So wanted to be on this cruise but not to be.
Really look forward to your seamail.
And lots of photos too please. :D
Have a wonderful cruise. :bv:

I will follow you along on your blog. I can't believe we were on Reykjavik-Southampton together and never ran into each other.

Well we are onboard! Looks like you FUNsters left the ship in good condition for us! Alpa at the pool bar told us all that last week's cruise had lots of partiers and drinkers! I didn't admit I knew you guys!

They had a great send off for us last night at the Ritz-Carlton. We boarded the ship around noon and have had a couple of beers and a hamburger. Met Pat and Ray at the pool bar, and Linda came by and introduced herself.

Waiting for all that luggage to arrive (but not looking forward to unpacking it!!). Two hours until sailaway!

Did anyone catch us on the webcam during sailaway?? Cindy had the banner hung and we had a small group of about 10-12 (?) waving and cheering so I hope Lou was able to get it.

Dinner at Signatures tonight was a riotous affair with Mr. & Mrs. (nanook21) and Mr. & Mrs. (cwn/rnn). The menu items seemed to be the same as 2009 if that's possible (?) but the menu itself is different so now I really don't feel guilty that I scarfed one the last time I was here.

Ran into Julie & Joe in the terminal and met Joe's lovely parents but haven't seen any of them on board since. I'm sure I'll see them again at tomorrow's Meet & Greet. I expect about 40 so it should be some fun!

The pool loungers are different than the ones they had last time which I was kind of sad about because I loved those but then I laid down in one and promptly fell fast asleep so I have to say I love these too!

Also, can't wait to try out the new golf nets and putting green. All of our luggage came pretty early except for the golf bag which didn't arrive until after 7 so obviously that little task has to wait until tomorrow.

Sorry I didn't get to see you guys when you boarded. We were at table next to pool bar most of the afternoon visiting with lots of old friends on your cruise.

I hope you have a wonderful time! I know you will...

Sorry to have been so remiss in not posting Seamail. Either David keeps "dragging" me to one of the bars, or the internet is not cooperating, or I am taking a nap!

It's hard to believe the first segment is over. I think Julie and family will be leaving tomorrow.

I've got a few pictures posted over on the blog if your interested, but only have it updated through about the 18th. I need a couple of sea days to catch up!

"Sorry to have been so remiss in not posting Seamail. Either David keeps "dragging" me to one of the bars, or the internet is not cooperating, or I am taking a nap!"

sounds like my life on a cruise

;) ;)

I'm gradually getting the blog
updated and adding some pictures, but thought I would go ahead and post this picture here - Julie and Joe stopped by our table their last night aboard to say so long.

You four look wonderful Cindy - good hearing from you and look forward to reading your blog

GREAT picture!!! :app:

Great picture Cindy. Did you happen to meet my clients who were onboard, John and Cheryl?

Julie....dang girl you are smokin'!! ;) Sorry I didn't get to see you before we all left....guess I'll see you in 2013 LOL! :D

Greetings all! The SA cruise is going great.

Sorry I haven't been too good about posting Seamail - I'm trying my best to keep up the blog, and it's kind of hard to do both. I see Peggy and Elaine about the ship, and also Pat & Ray. Not sure we have met the other cruisers.

We are crossing the Drake Passage today, and the seas are being very kind to us so far!

More pictures over on the blog if you are interested. As our cute Captain says "Chow!"

Cindy your blog is very enjoyable - I know I always want to send seamail, regularly, but things get in the way - eating, drinking, excursions, partying etc and I never had a blog!!!!

I missed this whole thread somehow.

Yay on the Drake. Love the blog. Have fun

Say hi to Pat and Ray for me

Antarctica was awesome! Since an expedition trip is not likely in the cards for us, this was our last change to see this beautiful place. Truly a once in a lifetime experience.
The crossing was comfortable, and we had some great clear weather whe we arrived in Paradise Bay. Because of the good conditions, we got to make an unschedule drive by Elephant Island.


Paradise Bay


Elephant Island

Also a couple of videos over on the blog.

Pretty disappointed today, as we had to cancel our Falkland Island stop due to poor conditions (gale force winds developing). Many of us were looking forward to our penguin encounters. Oh well, that's life at sea!

Since I couldn't take my own penguins photos, thought I would borrow this one form the internet!

Cindy, I'm enjoying your blog and these photos are magnificent. Thanks for sharing. Sorry you missed your penguins. :(

Cindy, you were lucky to get to Paradise Bay. On last year's Circle SA, it was iced in down there. All we got to do was circle Elephant Island for a couple days, but we did see a few icebergs. Sorry you missed the Falkland Islands, but there's still lots of wonderful places coming up on your itinerary. If you're stopping in Puerto Madryn, there's penguins there.

I agree Peggy - we feel so fortunate to have had such beautiful weather for Paradise Bay - Terry Breene agreed! It was picture perfect.

I do have an excursion planned for Puerto Madryn that is supposed to include penguins, so keep your fingers crossed for me!

Jan 2006 we were anchored in Paradise Bay on Explorer II charted by then Radisson - it was 52 degees and sunny! The on-deck BBQ was that day - PERFECT!


What wasn't perfect was when we landed at Neko harbor off Paradise Bay some of us climbed "Mt. Neko" (really an ice hill) but had to slide down.

Part way down I remembered I had a hip replacement a year earlier and probably shouldn't have been doing that.

(After the operation surgeon told me I couldn't ski - and I didn't know he had seen me.)

Turned out titanium hip was OK and still is. Now the only "pain" is going through airport security.

"(After the operation surgeon told me I couldn't ski - and I didn't know he had seen me.)"

I got it right away Ted ;) ;) ;)

Ted is such a wild card! Can't wait to cruise with them again! If Mt. Neko is what I remember from Explorer II another year, I sure didn't attempt it!

The wild card guy is the funniest wittiest guy I have ever met!!! BUT he is married to a very attractive saint,Kathy...those wild card guys need saints..ask Tony :) :) :)

We were sitting close by and I managed to capture this shot of Peggy at her birthday dinner the other night.



The cruise is going great - really enjoyed the sites in Rio. It's hard to believe we only have about 2 1/2 weeks to go!

What a great shot, Cindy! Peggy looks beautiful!!!

Love this photo! surrounded by men in uniform <img border="0" alt="[naughty]" title="" src="graemlins/naughty.gif" />

What a cute picture from Peggy's birthday dinner. She is loved by ALL the staff so it's no wonder they made her day special.

Great photo, Cindy! Looks like a perfect "happy birthday to Peggy"! :)

It was a lovely/fun dinner/day . . . what better place to have a birthday than at sea, with friends and on the Mariner!

Thanks Cindy and David for the photo!

Hi Peggy:

Woe is us for missing your birthday but after viewing your photo, Penny and I couldn't miss seeing how happy you are being amongst your friends. I must say in all sincerity that you look radiant.

May we be the first to wish you a very happy birthday in 2012!

Cheers! Ray & Penny
p.s.: Is that Al seated to your right? If it is, say hello to him and Phyliss for us, please.

Hi Ray,

Thanks for you 2012 wishes!

The man next to me is Franck Galzy - the wonderful GM on board.

Miss you guys!

Hugs, Peggy

Peggy --

Glad to see you had such a wonderful birthday celebration. Karen joins me in sending love and best wishes.

David had a great birthday dinner last night - his favorite - Southern Fried chicken, mashed potatoes and sweet corn. The chicken was cooked to perfection, but they didn't quite know how to make cream gravy! But that's okay - David said the chicken was so good, he didn't care about the gravy! Thanks to our favorite, super attentive waitor, David got a nice little birthday cake. I was a tad bit disappointed that there was no decorated door or balloons, or other recognition offered - didn't Regent used to do this? (For my birthday onboard Seabourn, they really did it up right - balloons, chocolate covered starberries and cognac in the room after a birthday cake at supper, and well wishes from the captain. I thought I remembered Regent doing similar things in the past.)

At least our buddies the Nature's Rhythm Trio remembered and sang Happy Birthday to him when we walked into Horizon for a nightcap.

We have really enjoyed the Amazon, but I am way behind in the blog (just been too busy!) Sea days ahead, so hopefully I will get caught up.

Here are a couple of photos from the birthday dinner (thanks to Peggy for snapping the second shot for us).

Cindy, Will Nature's Rhythm be staying on after FLL? We're boarding on the 23rd for the Atlantic crossing and NR is one of our favorite bands ever.
Jim

happy looking people there