Last night we had a wonderful dinner in Prime 7 for Peggy’s birthday. It started with Ken spilling his water and it was like the Okavango Delta flooding in Botswana. It slowly advanced all around the table and by the time the dinner finished it has managed to get the entire table wet. One thing for sure we knew our glasses and plates would not move as in rough seas the ship wets down the tables as it helps the china and glassware to stay put. It became quite a joke really we would not have traded our advancing water for anything.

We saw the cutting up a porterhouse steak on the prime rib station. I have not noticed this order before but they cook the entire porterhouse on the bone that is 32 ounces and then take the meat off the bone and slice it for two people. So we ordered one for the center of the table to share and it was super. Something I have never noticed before.

We finished this meal up with Jerry and Jim using shipboard credit to have a Remy Martin Louis XIII Cognac at $125 per glass. Ken was going to take some pictures but his flash would not work so he used Pat’s camera to take a group shot. Pat took some pictures also and Ken will post these later today. Marc you were discussed and we wished you were with us on this special occasion.

Years ago I bought a silver pendant that is a special process done with silver thread in Trabzon. It is in the shape of a pyramid many of you may have seen it. Well one of my favorite people wanted one just like it. So we took the shuttle bus into town and we were on a mission. I was afraid that they price would have gone up considerably. At first we could not find this shape and then we went into another store and he had these pendants. What was remarkable is the price was EXACTLY the same as it had been years before.
So I bought the one for my friend and then one for my daughter and daughter in law. Plus a new shape for me and got my old one cleaned. Felt very pleased that this all turned out so well.

Okay that is it for now it is lunchtime and that is VERY important.

Photos from Cossack:


The Library at Ephesus.


The Terrace Houses at Ephesus.


An old Turkish home turned into a museum in Sinop, Turkey.






A Mosque in Sinop.


The harbor in Sinop, taken from the Mariner.


Jim, Faye, & Jerry with Louis XIII.


A toast to friends.


Mary, Peggy, Jim, Jerry, Ngaire, & Pat.

well we are now getting ready to leave turkey for russia

we did a private tour today to a monastery where rosanne was able to handle all the steps this old man could not finish

the weather has been fantastic and warm

turkey has been fun and new and now wait for russia

had a bad case of elbow bending yesterday and did not make dinner why does vodka taste so good in the afternoon sun?/

tonight dinner with the head of security and i will be able to pepper him with questions
about what goes on while on board

and as usual the staff are all over us with service i am sure this trip i will gain weight

am slightly losing the battle with smoking but not going to give up yet

we sail at 5pm and the view of turkey will be fantastic as we sail away

updates to come from russia

will update

Ken - Thanks for posting the photo of Sinop. I was stationed at the military base shown at the top of the photo (with the large flag and white radar dome) for a year while I was in the army (U.S. Army, not Turkish). Sinop seems a rather odd stop for a cruise ship, as there is not much there.

Have fun in Russia. Is anyone going to visit that secret submarine base in Sevastopol?

Cheers, Fred

Ngaire, glad to hear that you and Ken got your luggage and all is going well. Sounds like you had a wonderful birthday celebration; I am sorry Arlene and I weren't there. I am sure, there will be many more special times to share amongst the LCTers.

I am looking forward to your contiunued trip reports. Arlene and I were discussing your itinerary the other night and look forward to making the trip someday.

Ha Ha Good thing you cleared that up Fred!

Sounds like you are all having a really fun cruise. We need more Seamail and more pictures!

Great pics. I like the sculpture of the 2 lions eating the deer.

Victor, do not give in to the smoking cessation. We want to hear your reports, not hear that you had to leave the ship and go to the hospital.

Victor, keep up the fight to drop the coffin nails! If you do, next time you too can make those stairs.


Quiting smoking is very best thing you can do to keep living longer and healthier. - it's a matter of life or death - it's that important!

Victor - Getting rid of that smoking addiction will give you many more years to enjoy cruising and martinis whenever you want them!!

We had a great time in Sochi,Russia today visiting Stalin's Dacha. This city was quite a surprise--lots of flowers and beautiful hotels. They're getting ready for the 2014 Winter Olympics, so things were really spruced up. Fred, Sinop was a really pleasant stop -- not a lot to see, but the people were really friendly and happy to see a bunch of Americans again. Tomorrow we have a private tour in Sevastopol with David and Mary Elaine and we'll go to the secret submarine base (guess it's not so secret any more Since our son is a submariner, we have to pay attention and report back to him. So far this has been a great trip and a really interesting one--the weather has been perfect.

We had a nice visit in Sochi Russia, however we couldn't go around on our own without a separate Russian visa. We visited Stalin's dacha and saw some or the city which was very tropical and is a seaside resort. They are gearing up for the 2014 winter Olympics so there id=s a lot of construction happening. Ngaire hosted a cocktail party and dinner with officers and Felice drew names for the free cruise pot. Sorry Marc, but I don't remember all the names so someone else will have to post them for you. It's been a great cruise so far.

are you guys having any issues with all the rains and flooding in Russia?

Heard about flooding in the black sea area on the news and thought of y'all. How is weather?

Rains are in a different area of Russia. Our weather has been delightful.

Hi Everyone

Yet another wonderful sunny day in Sevastopol with the high expected in the low 80’s. We have had such great weather on this trip and extremely calm seas. Yesterday it looked like glass in the morning.

Yesterday we did the Tea Plantation in Sochi. I think the Stalin’s Villa is a better tour but they did serve a really nice tea with some nice bread and gave a little folk show. One of the ladies was so lovely she was older and seemed to having such a great time singing.
At the end I said Spaceba and YellowBlueBus --- that means thank you and I love you. She broke into a big grin and said Spaceba right back to me. Surprised she understood what I said in the first place, maybe she did not she was just being nice.

Last night was the BK Cocktail party and everyone was talking so much it took several tries to stop them to handle the drawing. Sign of a happy crowd. We had Captain Felice draw all the names as he does such a terrific job of announcing the winners and Michael Coghlan the GM held the ice bucket.

Ricky the F&B manager asked the Pastry Chef to do a plate with the image of the pin COSSACKS. It turned out just super! Later today Ken may get some time to post some pictures from the party. The senior staff on the Mariner have been absolutely wonderful to work with and the reception desk one of the best ever. This was just an example of how they have gone above and beyond on this trip.

We played hooky today and cancelled our tour. We have been to Sevastopol several times so decided to stay on board, sleep in and catch up on some things on the computer.
I think we were the only ones at lunch at noon everyone was off on tours or in town.

It has been a great trip with great people but the time is just flying by so quickly. Next trip is a safari, and of course I am really looking forward to that, my passion, South Africa.

well the day tour here was fantastic
as never here before it was great
but it was and still is very hot

nice we sail at 8pm so we can have dinner on shore

great to finally meet some other lct people

and my first martini yesterday and that hurt

Photos from Sochi, Russia and the B&K Cocktail Party:


A beautiful church taken from the bus.


Entrance to the Tea Plantation.


Folklore show.


Ricky & Ngaire display the "Cossack" pastry created by Kevin the pastry chef.




David, Michael, Jim, & Pat.


Peggy, Jerry, Patty, Mary Elaine, Kathy, & Midge.


Ngaire, Captain Felice, & Michael at the preliminary winners' drawing.


Barry Hopkins is on the Mariner for a few weeks as a Regent Ambassador.

That pastry chef is talented! How nice of him to do that for all of you. Looks like you have a great group onboard and everyone seems to be having such a great time. Loved the pictures Ken, That orthodox church is just beautiful!

I just found this thread! I have been looking for a COSSACKS thread and wondered why there was no seamail. Duh! Anyway, l loved catching up and seeing the wonderful pictures -- as always when Ken is onboard!

Happy belated birthday, Peggy! Sorry I am just now seeing that I missed your birthday. Sounds like a great celebration.

Hi to Kathy and Al ... and everyone! Continue to have a great time. Now at least I know where to check in with you.

Great Photos! I love that cake. How cool is that?

today yalta

and still very warm though not uncomfortable

regent continues to amaze me with the tours

the quality is excellent

i keep hearing complaints regarding going to the theatre to get tickets but how else would you be able to get so many ashore without too much of a delay

i have yet to see the entertainment but been told so so

one day left in ukraine tomorrow then into romania where
some crew members taking us on private tour

this entire trip is all new ports fro us and i woudl highly state that you do try

only2 martinis this week(so far)


talk later

It's nice to see Michael again after spending time with him on FUN3 and that cake is so cute!
Here is the ship in Yalta, quite a faraway stalk!!

Sevastopol, Ukraine - A few photos in the harbor area, we have been here before and I just walked around to get some exercise.


Monument to Admiral Pavel Nakhimov, Commander of Black Sea Fleet in the Crimean War.


Notice the detail on this monument.


This is a huge naval harbor for Russia and the Ukraine.


These two guys were swimming near the bow of the Mariner.








Watch out for that cruise ship behind you!!

We loved this trip...the Romanian tour guide was wonderful and fascinating, but it is a good thing that you have a private tour! The bus tour was endless....hours and hours and hours to see very little but one big building and lots of fields.....Doug still hasn't forgiven me. Thanks for your posts.

Photos from Yalta & Odessa, Ukraine:


Yalta, taken from the Mariner.


Beautiful church in Yalta.


Could be the next tender for the Mariner.


Selling time with your favorite bird of prey in Odessa.


The Opera House in Odessa.


This photo is for Andi - Ukrainian Borsh, Yumm!!


This is not a lonely guy.


People were waiting in line to get their photo taken with this guy.


A nice walk in the park.

Thanks, Ken, for the borsht! You know me, I can't get enough. LOL

Gorgeous pictures, Thank you!

Our group of 12 has arrived at the Museum Hotel in Cappadocia and it is a real treat. Everything in the hotel (except the staff) is antique. Our room was actually a cave house 2000 years ago. Ken is taking pictures of all the rooms since each one is different. Easy sightseeing this afternoon, balloon ride & full day sightseeing tomorrow and light sightseeing on Sunday morning before flying back to Istanbul.
Jim

We loved the Museum Hotel. We also found a delightful restaurant about a 10 minute walk. Wish I could remember the name.
Also, if you are not ballooning one day, do rise early & watch the hoards of balloons over the mountains! Simply to die for!

Doug

The balloon ride this morning was fantastic. It was clear & comfortable and the sights were spectacular. We also visited an underground city and a pottery before having a Turkish lunch at a restaurant on the river. Ken will have some great photos to post.
Jim

Glad to hear you are having such a wonderful time in Cappadocia. Enjoy your day in Istanbul and safe travels home, Everyone! We really enjoyed spending time with such a great group of people and are anxiously awaiting your pictures, Ken!

Mariner in Mykonos
webcam

Karen, how could you regisiter before you were born???????

Ted, I can always count on you to make me laugh!!!

hello from crete

i have been very remiss in not posting but one day i explain

the entire trip through greece has been warm and fantastic

tomorrow is santorini which is my favorite island

there are lots of kids on board and some groups as well


so the pool deck is busy


i have yet to try sette mari but am being told that there is always a
wait to get a table so we will be trying soon

the casino also has not been my friend either

so i am off to get ready for dinner


pronise to update from the island of santorini!!!

Santorini is always good for stalking the ship, I will try to remember to catch you.

we left santorini last night

we have 3 more days in grece then we get to venice

still fighting the smoking and also cut back a lot on drinking

the mornings are not nice

i wish the older lct people had warned me what happens at 60!!!

it has been hot every day since we boarded july 3rd

the new resataurant sette mari has line ups since it opened

i guess since new everyone wants to try it they may have to expand and add staff as people dont like waiting on this ship


in truth not a hwole lot different the la veranda just new menu and tableware etc the food was good before in any case but i guess
someone decided to make changes and now see what happens!!

the crew as always are fantatstic
have orange juice waiting as i go to read morning newspapers

as to passengers they seem fairly quiet rosanne has only been up late twice on this cruise

she has been coughing at lot at night which doctor says is probably air conditioner in room so whe wakes tired!!!

we are in port today until 6 pm and then sail to corfu another new port
and it is expected to be sunny for next week at least !

back later

i must say this weather is great

a little hot but better than rain or other

cant wait till we reach italy

Victor, Thanks for your updates. You are so right that Greece can be hot, but not much different from parts of North America. Enjoy the beautiful islands and those breezes.

Looks like you have a pretty good parking spot!