Ngaire,
Thank you so much for the wonderful photos of Pitcairn.
To be part of , and share ,living history is an amazing experience and a call to Pitcairn
is something very few folk get to do these days, and even fewer will be able to do in the years to come.
A day you will treasure.
I treasured my call there, and have today re arranged the mementos on the shelf in my study
as I shared your wonderful experience.

Ngaire....Tom and I were there in 2000 and the photos could have been taken from our visit - the happy, smiling faces, the enthusiasm of the native peoples, even the trinkets for sale, such a wonderful experience. Thanks for sharing it with us!

Love your terrific photos, Ken! It's great to be able to follow your trip now. Spectacular weather - love the longboat shots & Easter Island. Would have been fun to jump on the Mariner & continue our journey with you all :) Have fun!

Great pictures Ken !! I love it when the locals from some of these very remote places are able to come on board...they must love it too!

The 7th picture down in Pitcairn series, titled "an islander," is John Young. I think he's also descended from original settlers. Many of the originals moved to Norfolk Island many years ago.

It must be a strange way of life!

Ngaire, Ken and Jim thank you for sharing your cruise with us and Ken thanks for those great pictures. They were spectacular. We, like petlover, were suppose to be on the cruise with you but unfortunately had to cancel. We are, however, enjoying the cruise because of your comments and wonderful pictures. Glad you were able to go ashore at Easter Island because that is not always the case. Continue to have a wonderful trip with calm seas.

WOW - what an experience for everyone involved. I always marvel at how fortunate I am to be part of an online community like this, where LCT'ers openly share their highly unique experiences. What a treasure!!!

Great, GREAT day! We were leaving out over the railing to see the islanders climbing the Jacob's Ladder. The sea is so unpredictable that the long boats are not even left in Botany Bay at night but pulled up into a boathouse. Their lives are so precarious. If they must have hot water, they use their burnable trash to create a fire under a container of water. There is NO medical evacuation since it is too far for a helicopter to come and return. The kids go to school there from 5 to 15 and then if they want go to New Zealand for upper education. As can be imagined, few return. They have four supply ships a year only and possibly four or five cruise ships. Betty Christian was not a professional or practiced speaker but she hit the hearts of us all. Wonderful day.

Ardis

So we continue to have great weather. A few white caps today but the ship is smooth. Every day has been wonderful.

Last night was the 8th birthday of the Mariner. They had a special society party and had created a large cake shaped like the Mariner. The captain blew out the candles. They had all the staff that had been with the Mariner since its inception and called to the stage all the guests that sailed on the Mariner in her maiden year. It was nicely done.

This was followed by a great meal in Compass Rose. Crabmeat, dover sole and rack of lamb for me. Outstanding.

Tonight is sad as Canada Girl and Don and Carolyn leave tomorrow. Don and Carolyn thought about staying on but remembered they had promised to baby sit for five days and could not break that promise. We will miss them. Tonight we are going to Signatures as it is their FINAL SUPPER.

The auditions continue on TV for the crew talent show. It is so much fun to watch these I think everyone is really enjoying this event.

Off to trivia we continue to challenge but seem to be one or two off each day. SOON we will hit the jackpot.

[QUOTECanada Girl and Don and Carolyn leave tomorrow] [/QUOTE]

Boy, I must have missed something....thought they got on with you in Valparaiso. Guess not.

So happy you're all doing well and having a great time. Between reading your postings and knowing FUN started today, Tom and I are feeling a bit glum since we were originally booked on both. Oh well, we can't do them all so we'll just enjoy reading and looking at the great pictures and using our imaginations to be with you in spirit!.

The food sounds fabulous!

Sounds like such a special time aboard the Mariner, Ngaire - we can feel it in your posts!

Marcie, don't feel blue - VIKING is coming up soon! (Don't you DARE cancel that or the LCT police will be at your door! ;) )

I thought they split the original segment into two, with a break at Papeete. I believe that's where Pat is getting off. Poor Pat, hope she is staying for a post-cruise in FP!

The voyage was split into two segments. Some leave today and we understand that about 40 new passengers arrive today.

We arrive in Papeete shortly. We lose Captain Philippe today. He will be missed but the new Captain is really good. Friendly, all over the place and talks to everyone. I think he will be a wonderful new addition. I am glad we will have a chance to see him take over and start to get comfortable as assumes his role of master of the Mariner. He said he was very happy to be with Regent and I imagine the experience is quite different from Captain of a Carnival ship.

The crew talent show continues. The final will be after we debark in Auckland. I am so disappointed that I will miss the final. However the two semi final rounds will be taking place BEFORE I leave so that is great I will get to see all the acts that made the cut in person.

Well we made it home after doing half on the Ring of Fire escorted cruise. The cruise was fabulous and we only wished we had booked the complete segment. The changes that were made on the Mariner are fantastic. The new color scheme throughout the whole ship is taupe and cream for the most part and it is very nice. All the restaurants have a new look and one is prettier than the other. I don't know which one I would pick if I had to pick a favorite as far as the new look goes. The food in Compass Rose this trip was great and the staff could not have been more efficient. The new Prime 7 steak house has the feel of a real New York Steak house and the color scheme and the furniture is first class. The food was to die for. We went to Prime 7 twice in two weeks and had the rib in rib eye steak twice as it was so good the first time. Signatures has the same wonderful food as it has always but I do think that Prime 7 is giving it a run for its money.

Getting into Easter Island has to be the highlight of the trip. The Moai are magnificent, how these things were carved and moved is still a mystery. The Island itself is beautiful and we had such a pleasant day on the Island. Lunch was served at the beach and it was grilled chicken with a mushroom sauce, very good. We could not get into Pitcairn Island but the local folks came to us. The carvings they brought with them were excellent and they had t-shirts, hats and lots of local crafts. I think they had a very productive sales day on the Mariner. We loved meeting with them, it was a wonderful experience.

Our room was not being filled with any of the new people coming on board so Regent let us use the room all day until we left for the airport at 7pm so that was a big plus. This was a wonderful trip and it now ranks as one of our favorites. We had same old friends on board so it was nice to share this great cruise with them. This trip was magical, and we enjoyed every moment.

Hi to everyone who is still sailing on the Mariner, wish we were there.

Carolyn

Carolyn, so glad to hear you had a great time! I can't imagine Easter Island and Pitcairn, how fabulous! It was such a treat to be able to read the posts here about those once-in-a-lifetime experiences. I am sure you and Don will cherish these memories forever.

Hey, on a side note, Greg just drove through Georgetown the other day and had lunch at Chili's on his way back from an all-nighter (ugh) business trip to Rockport. Of course, I thought of you and when I asked you, "Where is Georgetown?" ;)

I am so anxious to try Prime 7 (when we get on Voyager) - everyone has just raved about it, on both ships.

Welcome home, and we sure hope to sail with you and Don one of these days!

Welcome Home Carolyn....sounds like a fabulous trip and I'm sure it was tough to have to depart. I really love that part of the world...so interesting!

Did Lynsay & Luke Barron get on board in Sydney? She had said how excited she was to reunite with her husband.

Welcome home Carolyn and Don your trip sounded perfect and it is hard to leave the "magic" - I know that feeling!!!

Carolyn, welcome home to you and Don! Your words make me eager to get back on the Mariner again in Hong Kong for DRAGON!

Don and Carolyn, we miss you two very much. Carolyn your presence is definitely missed at trivia and we play pooch today for the first time since you left - a "poochless Carolyn" game.
Glad you are home safe and sound.

The last two nights of the crew talent competition were truly amazing. The presentations changed from what was done in the auditions on the TV for most acts. Almost going to be impossible to pick a winner. Wish you had seen these, but we will also miss the final.

Have to fun off to Pooch now I have possession of the MUDMAN cards and score sheets they cannot play without me.

MUDMAN cards are some cards we picked up in South Africa. Each card has a different picture and the King of Spades looks like he just came out of the Blue Lagoon in Iceland - hence the name MUDMAN. Then we have dubbed the Queen of Spades MUDMAN'S woman, etc etc. It is a lot of fun.

I bought some Pitcairn Island cards to play with but everyone missed MUDMAN. I will buy some more in South Africa so we have a "supply" of MUDMAN cards and bring them on VIKING with me.

Ngaire....I hope to learn Pooch on VIKING...it sounds like so much fun. Just 54 day until we board in FLL!

Margo: It is easy to learn and lots of fun - I hate cards and Pooch worked for me!!!

Woo hoo! MUDMAN and POOCH both...looking forward to it! :D

Rarotonga had to be cancelled since the swells were too large and we are now headed for New Zealand. Since we had one broken leg on a tender at Easter Island, the officers are making sure that it does not happen again.

Dinner and a Show last night was the one Voyager had for their first - music of Oscar Hammerstein. It was nicely done with a large variety, good voices and was an exciting time. It had been prearranged that two guests were taken to the dance floor in Horizon and danced with the entertainers. Signatures had gotten their act together and service and food were good. It was a very nice evening.

I am impressed by John Barron. This morning when it was decided to bypass Rarotongo, he immediately revised the daily schedule. In addition to two speakers this morning, additional games, we are having the movie Slum Dog Millionaire this afternoon in the Constellation. He is doing a really great job and is putting the guests first in his priorities. I also enjoy his sense of teasing and humor. He can insult us and we like it.

Ardis

Sorry you had to miss Rarotonga due to big swells (though I can't remember what we did there??)

Are Lynsay & Luke on board?

Too bad we missed "Roaringtonga" but we figured that would happen as we approached at 6:30 and the swells were huge.

Lynsay & Luke come on board in Sydney. I'll still be on board and get a photo of them and send it to Ken to post.
Jim

Thanks Jim, I know how excited she is to join John. Luke is the most gorgeous child !!

Marcie, an all John could talk about was when Lynsay and Luke board the ship in Sydney. He kept offering to give Luke questions at trivia. I do think John is the best CD I have ever had on a cruise. The fact that he is so young and so good at his job is amazing.

Carolyn

Yes, I remember when Ring of Fire was first proposed as an additional WC It was unanimous wanting John as the C.D.on RofF. He is very popular and spontaneous plus a very talented singer.

If two cruises were equal and I could not decide, but John was CD on one of them, bingo decison made for us -

Ngaire,

So nice to be reminded of MUDMAN. I do miss him and our POOCH games. (Hard to believe that this week marks 3 months since our return from DC.)Crystal bought some cards in Cape Town and guess what, MUDMAN!!!!! She is the keeper of MUDMAN cards on the east coast. Maybe she will bring them on MOOSE and we can enjoy some fun games again.

As McKeever posted no landing at Raratonga. Big swells. The Mariner was really moving about and I cannot imagine how much a tender would rock and roll. Remembering Lamb and the broken windows in the tenders I think the decision not to go ashore was a good one.

That day the seas were pretty choppy and the sky was overcast. Not too rough but not a nice day.

Today looks so much better, calmer seas and blue sky.

We had dinner with the new Captain Felice Patruno
last night. I believe this Captain is going to be very popular. He is so friendly, down to earth just a really nice man. He is all over the ship talking to everyone. What is nice is it is obvious that he is very happy to be with Regent. He said he enjoys the interaction that this cruise line has between the staff and the guests. He is going to be a REAL asset to Regent.

So another day at sea, I am going to relish my last three days on board and enjoy them to the fullest. This was the longest cruise I have taken and it is amazing how quickly the time passes.

It is hard to believe that you have been gone almost a month now Ngaire -- I was thinking about that yesterday and saying to myself how fast it has gone. Hope your last days at sea are relaxing and enjoyable.

Thanks for all the reports and Ken's pictures which as usual have been amazing.

I am so pleased with the Mariner which has always been my favorite ship, so I admit to being prejudiced. The sea and port days are so full of activities and we have so many choices to make. There is a guest chef on board from La Jolla, California, who is doing three cooking demonstrations which are delicious as well as being practical. Another point which has impressed me is that when a problem came up that affected many guests, it was handled within twenty-four hours. There was no beating around the bush or the making of what I call "happy talk."

Our "new" captain is around and talking to people, listening and being so personable. He has a nice sense of humor and is fun.

The horrible news received a short time ago is that our assistant CD is leaving in Sydney, Handre, and will be sorely missed. He composes and sings his own music which is poignant and haunting.

Ardis

Handre is going on vacation but Louise is coming on and she is very popular with the guests so all will be well Ardis.

John Baron is the KING of trivia. Playing trivia with him reading the questions is the best entertainment on board.

Pooch - we have now named all the cards in the suit of spades in the MUDMAN deck. Mudman is the King of Spades. We had more laughs coming up with a name for each card. Anybody watching us must have thought we had gone nuts.

ONE MORE DAY - where did the time go???

Have a safe trip home.

Weather is nice is Texas.

Ngaire and Ken,

Can't believe y'all are on your way back already, it seems like we just left the Mariner. Wishing you a smooth and safe flight home.

Carolyn

PHOTOS FROM THE MARINER:


The Market in Papeete, Flowers Are A Bargain.


I Love My Ice Cream.


You WILL Buy My Mangos.


O-TAHITI-E


Pam & Jim in Moorea.

Beautiful Moorea.


Bora Bora.


Jim & Pat Having A Bloody Mary At Bloody Mary's.


Ken, Ngaire, Pam, Jim, Sheila, Ken, Pat, & Jim at Prime 7.

Wonderful photos (as always!)

That's a great group photo