Thought we should start a new thread for the MARINER - SPLASH. Same name fits just fine just a different ship, itinerary and passenger list.

May be confusing to continue to use the old thread.

Just post below here if you are on the new SPLASH and Jim can do his roll call here.

This does include your choice of the Hotel in Rome or a $300 Shipboard credit.

The ROLL CALL is several posts down in this message, compliments of Jim B

Are we certain they won't use the Hilton at the airport? Regent has put me there before and it's not exactly in Rome. Can't remember what it cost to get into the city.

Ngaire, is the $300 credit per person?

Jim, Add Ray and Pat to the new roll call. In cabin 823.
We will be going in a day or two early and staying in centre of Rome at Trevi Fountain.

What hotel in Rome will Regent be using?

From CC news and reviews as of Oct.27,2010


In Rome, lower-category passengers stay at the Parco dei Principi, and upper-category guests stay at the Intercontinental de la Ville;

http://www.parcodeiprincipi.com/eng/index_en.html


http://www.ichotelsgroup.com/intercontinental/en/gb/locations/rome

Hope this helps a bit Betty.

Both look pretty darn nice to me......Pat

Jim, Please add us too. I realize I told you to take us off of the roll call - you must think I am certifiable ;)

Kathy and Al Cabin #906

Yippee!! You are back! :banana:

ROLL CALL!

"SPLASH"
Spain Plus Laughs At Sea Homeward

Seven Seas Mariner 11/20/2011 to 12/04/2011
Rome to Fort Lauderdale

(Ngaire)...................Ngaire & Ken (---)
(Jim B).....................Jan B & Jim B (H 733)
(Ajax)......................Penny & Tim (F 825)
(Anna B).................. Kathy & Al (C 911)
(Kathy's Mom)...Midge Christiansen(C974)
(RK)......................... Ellie & Ravi ( G 757)
(Susan and Jeff)..........Susan & Jeff (Cabin ???)
HOTEL IN ROME!
C & higher: Westin Excelsior
D thru H: Parco dei Principi

--------------------
Jim

B 1008 for Jackie & Dennis.

Thanks Jim.

Got It!!

Hotels are correct as listed here and the non use credit is $300 per person. I have the list of all the hotels and I am going to put that on the web but I am still bogged down in the issues at hand and Julie is on vacation. We are the only ones that work on the web. Maybe this weekend I can get that up and update the website with the new trips - Splash and Cleo.

Jim, you may remove Gail and me from the roll call. One of the main reasons we signed on for SPLASH was for the ports at the beginning and the fact that the cruise began in Barcelona. (We've never been to Spain.) Once that went away, the cruise was of much less interest. Sorry we won't be meeting some of you, but I'm sure we will on a future cruise.

---------------

Eugene

Jim, Caroline and John should also be removed from the roll call. Thanks.

OK I have corrected roll call. :(

Today is 11/19/2010
Did you realize date wise we should all be in Rome right now waiting to board the Mariner tomorrow.
I know day wise it is not until Sunday but who cares.
It is less than a year away!! :banana:

Has anyone booked their hotels yet?
Will anyone want to get together and arrange a private van from Rome to the port or is everyone just using Regent all the way?

Am going to check the hotel rates within the next week or so as well as book my Air from Toronto to Rome.
Rome is my favorite city in Europe...a very walkable place and awesome restaraunts.

Location Location Location when booking anywhere.

Jan B and I will be doing the Regent Air & Hotel package for this trip.
Based on what I have read the hotel Regent will be using in Rome is PARCO DEI PRINCIPI for us in D thru H cabins and C & higher cabins WESTIN EXCELSIOR if that helps you in choosing where you want to stay.

Just booked our BA flight Toronto to Rome for Nov.16th,2011...was able to get Business Class seats without any problem.

Regent's hotels,though very elegant,are just a tad to far from the center of Rome(IMHO). However, they do provide free shuttle service down town.
Think we will stay more centrally.

Hard to believe that this time next year our cruise will be over (OK still have 1 more day). Pat

Now that it is 2011 I was just wondering if anyone has been looking at joining our group.

Jim, I think you're on a great cruise. Unfortunately, it's too close to CANADA for us.

Yea I know that is a problem for many.
I tried to get Jan to go on CANADA but she
refuses to go on the Navigator again.

Noticed in the book I recently received from Regent that our departure from Rome has moved
from 8:00 pm to 6:00 pm

Oops!
It looks like I got confussed with the departure time we were suppose to have on the Voyager IF
we had been able to do that cruise.
Never mind. 6:00 pm is correct.

Started working on airfare for the cruise today.
Regent air opened for business. :woh:

I hope everyone got their preferred flights!

Leaving from Billings Montana
11/17/2011
Billings 6:00 am arrive Denver 7:23 am
Denver 8:25 am arrive Washington Dulles 2:16 pm
Washington Dulles 5:30 pm arrive Rome 7:50 am
11/18/2011.

Ngaire asked me to post this list of people currently booked for SPLASH -
Marc and Arlene
Olivia
Al and Betty
steve and Kathy
Fred and Jan
Walter
Eugene and Gail
Tony and Joanna
Don and Carole
Ed and Mary
Bill and Rae
Jerry and Peggy
Ken and Sheila
Nancy and Bob
Mike and Bunny
Arthur

Hi Julie. . . just wondering why the none of the people from the prior list are on the new list? It seems to exclude all of us.

OH WOW! :ohmy: :ohmy:
These people need to contact me with their
cabin numbers, flight info so I can put them on the roll call. :D :D :lct: :woh:
Please send me an email bastian20@hotmail.com
or a private message here at LCT.

It wasn't intentional at all. Ngaire just sent me an email that said post this list as is and sent me a list, so I did exactly as she asked. Maybe she wanted me to list the people that were missing from the previous list.

(Ngaire)...................Ngaire & Ken (---)
(Jim B).....................Jan B & Jim B (H 733)
(Ajax)......................Penny & Tim (F 825)
(Travelcat)..............Jackie & Dennis (B 1008)
(RPM).......................Pat & Ray ( F 823)
(Anna B).................. Kathy & Al (C 906)
Marc and Arlene
Olivia
Al and Betty
Steve and Kathy
Fred and Jan
Walter
Tony and Joanna
Don and Carole
Ed and Mary
Bill and Rae
Jerry and Peggy
Ken and Sheila
Nancy and Bob
Mike and Bunny
Arthur

Okay, I copied and pasted from the previous list and added the newly listed. So I think it should be a complete list.
It appears that Eugene & Gail needed to be removed too, so I did that.

MISTAKE - sorry this is NOT a list of people on SPLASH at all this is a list of the PRELIMINARY WINNERS from KANGAROO. Not sure how that got mistaken - perhaps too much wine at dinner on my part.

LOL Ngaire, you got Jim all excited!

LOL Karen, she sure did! Oh well, it was fun while it lasted!

OH MY!
And here I thought I had a whole bunch of names
to enter on the roll call.
Well maybe those on that list should sign up. :nw:

Egad! Sorry guys, what a mess! Complete miscommunication between Ngaire & I.
Jim, I didn't mean to get you so excited, but GOOD IDEA maybe those folks should sign up. :D

It is now April 5th and was wondering
if anyone else has signed up for "SPLASH" ???

If I counted right I think excursions
open 05/24/2011 in case anyone is interested.

I just added B & K cruisers Ellie & Ravi to our roll call!!
Welcome aboard.
Now we just need them to sign up here on LCT! :D

Thanks Jim!
Yes, I did register on LCT at last!! I had been reading various threads and learning a lot from the cumulative knowledge of various cruisers. Ellie and I are looking forward to meeting you all on SPLASH.

--Ravi

Ellie and Ravi, welcome to LCT! :hello1:

Julie was kind enough to check for me and found out that when Jan and I arrive in Rome at 7:50 am on the 18th,
Regent will have someone there to take us directly to the hotel and drop us off.
That means we will need to store our luggage and be on our own until we can check in.
Could be a long day for us! :ohmy:

Jim: As I mentioned in my email, we have cancelled SPLASH. We were not even looking for another cruise. . . . Regent just had an offer for their November Barcelona-Dubai itinerary that was not possible to resist.

With the great crowd on board your cruise, it will no doubt be wonderful. I'll be following Seamail every day. ;)

Well OK Jackie. Sorry to have you go. :mecry:

I think you can book excursions tomorrow
May 24th. :D

Jan and I requested our excursions this morning.
We had gone through the "potential" list that
was posted on the web site and everyone of the
ones we decided on were listed.
Guess we will wait and see if we get them.

Jan and I are scheduled to arrive in Rome at 7:50 am on Friday November 18th.
Regent will take us to our hotel. Will need to put our luggage in storage since it is to early to check in.

ROME TOURS:
Would like to set something up and do a 1/2 day approx 4 hour tour both the 18th and again on the 19th.

MY QUESTION TO EVERYONE:
I realize most of you will be arriving on the 19th on real early flights.
If we were to set up some sort of "group 1/2 day tour" beginning around 1:00 pm
1. Would you be interested?
2. What type of tour would you prefer?
(Vatcan or city tour)
My thoughts are if we can do this and there is interest we could set something up and Jan and I would do the opposite the day before.

Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.

Received an email from Susan Wempe.
We must be getting close because she needs
to confirm information from us! :D :banana:

We have signed on for the cruise. We are Susan and Jeff from Tucson, AZ. This is our first time on Mariner - our 4th Regent Cruise. We are going 3 days early and staying at the Hilton Cavalieri...

Welcome Susan and Jeff. :hello1:
I will put you on the roll call. :D

:( :mecry:
Just found out that (RPM) Pat and Ray cancelled.
Darn it anyway.

Making dinner reservations open up on September 6th.
Does anyone have any thoughts about this?
Is there any kind of plans for the group to all sit in the same area one night?

Let's coordinate, Jim...let me know what your plans are and when you are logging on.

Good idea Tim! :)

Need to make reservations today.
Anyone have comments??

2:16 pm

Here are some dates to be aware of. (subject to change).
11/21 Captain's welcome aboard party.

11/25 Regent Loyalty cruise Party

12/01 Captain' farewell Party

69 days from today.
Has everyone got their excursions and specialty
restaurants taken care of? :lct:

Jan and I will be flying into (EWR) Newark on
November 17th. Arrive at 04:04 pm and take off for (FCO) Rome at 05:34 pm
Does anyone know if we would have time to stop
at a currency exchange?
Course that is hoping there is one somewhere between where our flight from Denver arrives
and we take off for Rome.

Jim, you might do better getting euros from ATM at FCO.

Most currency exchanges charge fees and also have unfavorable rates.


Have a great crossing!

Jim I'd get a few from local bank if that makes you feel better vs using ATM in FCO... have never used those airport places - actually rarely get from bank I'd do what Ted suggests

Jim, we have gotten euros from ATM at FCO in Rome probably 6 times, never any problem and it's the most economical way as well. Make sure you and Jan BOTH bring an ATM card, one time (not Rome) Tom's BofA ATM card didn't work (demagnetized maybe?) so we were happy we had mine.
Also, good idea to call your bank and cc companies to make them aware you're traveling out of the country.

Tim (Ajax), I just noticed that you're from Los Gatos...have kids, S-I-L's (Los Gatos High/UCSB/USC MBA) entire family all from there (inlaws - Susan & Ron Fagin)...we visit often & LOVE that area !!!

Jim,

Do you know if your domestic flight lands in the same terminal as your intl flight? Not trying to scare you but for Newark that's a pretty tight connection, so I wouldn't count on having time to get euros. I know that in terminal C there is a foreign exchange window but I've never used it. I would also recommend using an ATM when you get to Rome. Are you using Regent transfer to get to your hotel? If so, you could wait until you get to the city to get to an ATM.

Marcie -- Yes, we love living in Los Gatos! Both sons attended LGHS and all local schools, and Penny and I are very involved in local non-profits and community groups. Since we have missed connecting on a Regent cruise, let me know the next time you are heading to the area and we'd love to meet up!
Tim

Yes we are using Regent transfer to get to the hotel but I am not sure if the tip is included.
If it is then no problem.

When I pulled up the Newark airport map it shows
Continental flights in concourse C. I did not see them located at any other concourse unless I missed something. All of our flights are on Continental so I hope that helps.

Thank you everyone for your comments.

Jim, sometimes Continentals domestic flights arrive at Terminal A or B, especially now that theyre merging with United. International flights are out of C.

Here is your cute SPLASH pin!

Now that is really neat!!

Love it.......but sure hoping the seas are a little calmer than they are on that pin! Won't be long now! :app: :woh:

Never thought of that Kathy! :eek:
I agree with you. :D

That is WAY cute. Love it.

REALLY cute pin, the BK group pins just keep getting better and better and better with each one.

Makes me wish I could go on them all just to have the pin.

Great pin! If there are any left over please save one for me Ngaire

Will do Arlene. I know you like your PIN collection.

Will do Arlene. I know you like your PIN collection.

Are we worried???

I see there were riots in Rome today!!

Jim, I would worry if you were going this week, that's for sure!

We go next week....we can always cancel the visit to Rome and stay near the port

30 days fromn TODAY we will be on the Seven Seas Mariner :3smile:

Can't wait! :ch:

you'all have a great crossing. Hope the weather is perfect and the ports are perfect and everyone has a great time.

We get to do it next year.

Thanks.
Been watching the weather and it was back into the mid 70's. Hope it stays that way.

16 days before we leave the house.
17 days before our long flight begins.
20 days before we board the Seven Seas Mariner.

Getting anxious now. :nw:

Received our Documents yesterday!!
Well it is sort of documents.
Actually it is a very nice information booklet
explaining things in detail
and some luggage tags. :banana: :woh: :chicken:

Yes, I have read others' description of the new format, but still didn't know exactly what to expect. They certainly are complete, and no more having to keep together a packet of loose pages, but I sort of miss the elegance of the leatherette pouches (which Penny and I have always referred to as the "Letters of Transit" a la Casablanca)

Sure surprised with only 12 days until we sail
that nobody is talking about it here on LCT.

Jim, Tom and I were talking about your upcoming trip. I know you and Jan are going to have a great time, love the itinerary. I hope you send us seamail. :bv:

Thanks Marcie.
We may be a small group but going to be
a really good group.
Should be lots of fun and look forward
to meeting new people and seeing others again.

I'm with you, Jim....this is going to be a great cruise!
Tim

Wish we were with you and Jan, Jim! We miss you both XXOO

We're here too and really looking forward to seeing everyone in Rome!

woo hoo have wonderful trip - we are envious!!!!

only 11 days now

So excited for all of you! Great group! (nice when they are small, actually) And hope you will take us along for the ride, as so many past cruisers/travelers (like Diane above) have done in the recent weeks! Beautiful fall about to turn to gloomy winter, and we of the landlocked crowd need some upbeat reading!

Actually it is not that small 33 people on SPLASH. A lot that are not active LCT people.

Ngaire, I'm really looking forward to finally meeting you after so many years on the LCT Board!
Tim

Gosh! :eek: So glad to hear we have 33 B & K'ers.
This time EST next week Jan and I should be waiting to board our flight for Rome in EWR. :woh:

yay for the excitement