Fantastic pin!!!

I am going to really truly enjoy this trip!

Oh wow, fantastic. Don't know how they consistently do it, but every pin is a winner. Love it.

Like most people on this thread, we have our documents, and are excited about the upcoming trip. We even bought a new suitcase today to replace an old hard sided case.

The one thing we're not excited about is the cancelation of two of our excursions, in Salvador and Cape Verde. We haven't found a good replacement for the Salvador excursion, and will probably take the Regent highlights tour, even though we like something more focused.

Fortunately, Susan Walsh of B & K hooked us up with Tim Harwood, who used to work as excursions manager for Radisson Seven Seas. He was able to suggest excursions for Cape Verde and Recife (but not Salvador).

For Cape Verde, we were able to get a quote for a replacement with the same name as the canceled tour: Mindelo, the cultural capital. At $330 for the two of us, it's more than we want to pay. If we get one or two other couples, the price goes down: 6 people cost $390, or $130 per couple.

Here is the description:

Departing from the pier, you'll first drive through downtown, stopping at Praca Nova, a beautiful colonial square
that offers a glimpse into the city's casual social life. Still, Mindelo is known more as the island's cultural heart.
You will experience this first-hand at a handicraft exhibition and then at the esteemed Cultural Center, a historical
colonial building that hosts different cultural activities such as a theater, one of the very rare book shops on Cape
Verde, cultural events, and a changing exhibition of local art.

Continuing on, you'll notice the streets are lined with well-preserved colonial buildings and monuments
commemorating key historical events. Mindelo even boasts a replica of Lisbon's famed Belem Tower, an homage
to the Portuguese naming the island Sao Vicente after discovering it on Saint Vicente's Day in 1462.

The Praca Estrela marketplace is another landmark, where the predominantly West African merchants display
wares ranging from handmade crafts to fine jewelry. Even more cultural and architectural treasures await you in
the historic quarter, ever deepening your understanding of life in Cape Verde.

Enjoy a complimentary refreshment such as a glass of "pontche", an island cocktail made with sugar-cane
molasses or "grogue", the national liqueur of Cape Verde. Afterwards, you'll return to the pier.
18-Nov-2012
$165.00 per person 3½ hours The Cultural Capital of Mindelo 2 guests, Cape Verde 8:00 AM 6:00 PM

Please note:
Entry fees included. This tour includes approximately 2-hours of easy to moderate
walking/standing and includes uneven surfaces and stairs to negotiate. As this is a private tour, you can modify
to meet your interest and requirements.

If anyone is interested, please post to this thread, and we'll find a way of exchanging emails.

Tim also offered a private tour for Recife that includes the Jewish museum and Jewish quarter. At $530 for two, it was beyond our price range. If anyone is interested, let us know, and we'll post more details. The cost would be $680 ($170 per person) for 3, $780 ($130 per person) for 6.

We're in Southern Bavaria on our way (eventually) to Grand Prix. The weather is delightful, sunny and in the mid 70s during the day. I hope it holds up until the Mariner heads out into the Atlantic.
Jim
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have fun

anyone on gty get any cabin assignments yet? I know.....it could be the day of embarkation, just wondered having not done a gty before. If we are going to get lifeboats, hope its a covered one!!! LOL.

Bring a jacket for Grand Prix. A cold front has hit Europe and we had about 3 inches of snow last night here in Munich. Temperatures are supposed to hover around freezing for the next few days.

Yikes thanks for the heads up Jim. Putting one out now with all the other stuff to organize.

The packing has begun. Since we are stuck inside today with rain, more rain, wind, more wind and it is just plain miserable outside, good day to start the process.

Now if I could just find the seasick pills and ginger that I got out and put somewhere to pack.

We leave Sunday, getting excited. Just hoping we don't have any Sandy issues, and hoping and praying for all our friends in the path, take care everyone.

Anyone else besides Arlene and I still awaiting cabin assignment?

We leave one week from today!

We only did GTY twice Marc but ended up with great cabins - bet you do too

And so it begins. Sitting in the Air France Lounge waiting for our flight to Paris and three nights there. Then on Thursday we will fly to Nice. Really excited, cant wait to see everyone.

Hope everyone has a safe and uneventful trip to Monte Carlo.

JoAnn and Frank, have a great time in Paris! We will see you in a few days.

Enjoy Paris, JoAnn and Frank! I am so envious!!!

LUCKY Ridolphi family!!!!

We"re now staying in a B&B above Eze. It rained all day on Sunday but today is beautiful. The good weather is supposed to last through at least Nov. 10. Here's a photo I took this morning from our room looking southwest with Eze in the foreground: Eze

See you all in Monte Carlo.

Gorgeous view, Dave!

So excited for all of you. I know you will all have a great time. Can't wait for your SeaMail.
Pretty view Dave!

I noticed this morning that we finally have a suite assigned for the cruise--974.

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

Eugene and Gail

Eugene, we are a couple doors down in 968. Quick access to La Verandah and Pool Grill.

WOW Dave great view.

Yesterday we were so wiped out from the flight, which other than lack of sleep because I just cant on a lane, was propbably the nicest biz class flight we have ever had. Friendly and very professional crew and flight attendants, reasonably good food, nice wine. We were on a new AB380 and biz is in the upper deci, we had the small section of only 4 rows and the seats were great, the plane was spotless, and the cool thing was the camera on the tail, while we were taxing and taking off they had it on and it was so cool, the plane is very quiet and we hardly even noticed we had lifted off but for the camera, they also have a nose camera and one that points to the ground, unfortunately it was too cloudy for either of those, but they turned it back on as we were coming in yesterday. After a nap, which wasn't very successful we took a walk to clear our heads, rained on and off and we walked back in a steady rain. Hot shower perked me up.

Had a wonderful dinner at a place about two blocks away, Le Encratote. When you sit down there are two questions, they only serve one thing steak and frites, so they ask you how you want your steak, rare, medium or well done, and those are the only choices, and what you want to drink. The steak comes sliced with a peppercorn sauce on it and they bring you a second helping when you finish. It was amazing and the place was packed. Again pouring rain walking back, but it was only about two blocks so not too bad. Crashed into bed about 9:00.

Today we walked and walked, over to the Champs Elysee and to the Arc de Triomphe, back down, thru the Tuillres garden, past the Louve and all the way to Notre Dame, then lunch at a charming little place, then the very long walk back to our hotel, where we are having some wine. Tonight we have reservations at a place I found on Trip Advisor, to which we will cab it since its back near the Cathedral and I'm not walking that far again, LOL

Tomorrow another day of walking, we have reservations to go into the Eiffle Tower, and plan to take a Seine boat ride, as well as wander around the Rue Cler area.

JoAnn, sounds like you and Frank are having a marvelous pre-cruise in Paris.
Bonjour Mes Amis !!!

The steak place made me remember my favorite place in Georgetown back many years ago. Was le steak and was the same idea. Great steak with peppercorn sauce and great fries. Le steak had a great BA BA rum desert . Enjoy I am envious.

Jack and Laura and the departure lounge at Dulles.

And me and Mona. We are ready to leave.