What fun pictures Ken. I'm sure Ngaire won't forget that toilet experience anytime soon.

St. Paul De Vence:




A friendly cat in a local cafe.

What lovely pictures. Everything looks so quaint. Now the cat on the bar looks interesting! Was she the bartender?

funny you should ask about the World Cup coverage ... as in 'nyet', 'nada' and 'non'. Mark and I are a little more hepped up about the world cup. We're just down the hall from each other on Port side of Deck 8. I was up at 2 am, locked in the closet, trying to get info on the US-Portugal match. Mark was reduced to reading blog posts. A draw. What an outcome. Then, topic of discussion this morning was just how badly Uruguay's striker is going to get penalized for biting into an Italian. then there's wimbledon coverage ... see comments under World Cup coverage. Glad to see Rafa went through along with Federer.

I made my second shot at walk with the fitness director at 7 am sharp. Yesterday one of us showed up ... so I just walked for half an hour figuring I got the required mile in within that time frame. This morning, rain significant enough to daunt even my attempt at disciplined exercise. Came back down to the room with the blast of an intercom announcement. It could only be one thing .. sea day vs. visiting Antibes. 42 knot winds and swells mean tenders are a no go. Dialed up the Grand Budapest hotel on the on-demand channel, clicked the volume down to 3 and enjoyed a two hour nap.

We chose an 8:15 departure yesterday to get a look at Provence again. that was the good news - a very scenic drive. We arrived at Chateau St. Martin and were treated to a wine tasting. Just couldn't manage it at 9:30 am. after that, we went to the equivalent of the Var area wine appellation chamber of commerce to learn how to taste wine. This area of france produces largely light rose wine varietals. So ... off we trooped, figuring we could tune out the wine tasting directions and see what was on offer.

Instead, the wiine tasting instruction was quite good. We learned a new wrinkly - identifying the 'glint' of the wine color. Their contention is the glint will allow you to gauge the age of the wine. Personally, the vintage on the label generally does it for me, but hey! A new party trick? Why not? The fun part was when we got to the red wine. The instructor was convincing us the glint indicated a more mature wine. Accented english did not do much to enlighten the audience, but we eventually got the point - glint was the color of roof tiles.

another lovely drive back to Cannes. All in all, a much better excursion than I expected.

Have not been back on Mariner since probably 2011. the redo is beautiful. My favorite change is the chairs on the balcony. They are rattan with cushions and a stick shift to recline. Easy enough to grab a pillow, put the back down and take a nap. We are at anchor during the day so it's feasible. They also took a page form Sea Dream and added balinese beds on either side of the bow area on deck 12. Me likey! The executive chef is very good. We've had him on a prior cruise. The company is most amiable and it's a relaxing visit.

Cheers, Anne

Love the pictures of St Paul De Vence....we loved it there when we took a tour.

Enjoying your commentary Anne.

Some trivia:


Rex Harrison had a villa in Portofino called San Genesius, patron saint of actors. But Rex was no saint, married SIX times!

Thanks for the reports and pix! So glad that it looks like you are all having a great cruise!

Tell Mary Ellen the kitty on the bar looks just like my Missy ( who is currently being annoying wanting attention since we have been away so is nipping at my toes). Love St. Paul de Vence!

Hello everyone, a bit behind on my posts.

We did a scenic trip to St.Raphael and the highlight was the drive back. Stunning scenery part of it looked like UTAH, and actually some western movies were shot here. Lots of very expensive homes and a beautiful coastline. In the town the tour guide pointed out a toilet similar to "my toilet" and said that she advised we should not use this toilet as people often get stuck inside for a long time! Big hoots and hollers from our group! Guess I was lucky with just a few minutes in the toilet prison. Overall it was a great tour.

The next day it was too rough to tender so we had a much appreciated day at sea.

Today we cannot tender again at Sanary Sur Mer so we are docked in Toulon and all the tours planned can still operate from here so that was a good solution. It sunny and calm but we are in a protected bay so it may not be so good out in the ocean. We are taking a local ferry to Toulon and just walking around. While we have had some really good tours on this trip we have tours the next two days so decided to relax more today.

Last night's show, "Dancing In The Streets", was simply wonderful. There's an incentive group on board who is younger and - gasp - flooded the Constellation Theater. Lots of fun.

Had a lot of fun at Prime 7 last night. split a lobster for the table as a starter; left little appetite for the 2 lbs of alaskan king crab. A first for me - asked for a doggy bag. Without missing a beat, room service was summoned to take the extra to our room. The spare ziploc came in handy. Enjoyed crab with eggs for breakfast this morning.

One should see the actual routes of our passage. The distances between some of the ports are very short. therefore, we are paced to allow for stabilizers and to arrive at or near our expected arrival. The result is a very smooth ride. We have just cleared the breakwater in Toulon (french for "naval base and where old French naval ships go to die") and the pilot boat is nudging up to grab the pilot. Tricky business as the swells are picking up, but the pilot skinnied down the ladder with aplomb.

Port seems to be the correct side for this particular sailing. we are told the starboard side is likely to get some wind buffeting overnight whilst we carry on to Minorca, and the southernly route means some ocean swells.

It was - at last - a validated trivia win for the Ngaire team. Nikon Ken was the MVP as everyone grabbed certain rabbits out of certain hats to chip in correct answers - and clever, if not so correct, answers to other questions.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Cheers, Anne

Last night's show, "Dancing In The Streets", was simply wonderful. There's an incentive group on board who is younger and - gasp - flooded the Constellation Theater. Lots of fun.

Had a lot of fun at Prime 7 last night. split a lobster for the table as a starter; left little appetite for the 2 lbs of alaskan king crab. A first for me - asked for a doggy bag. Without missing a beat, room service was summoned to take the extra to our room. The spare ziploc came in handy. Enjoyed crab with eggs for breakfast this morning.

One should see the actual routes of our passage. The distances between some of the ports are very short. therefore, we are paced to allow for stabilizers and to arrive at or near our expected arrival. The result is a very smooth ride. We have just cleared the breakwater in Toulon (french for "naval base and where old French naval ships go to die") and the pilot boat is nudging up to grab the pilot. Tricky business as the swells are picking up, but the pilot skinnied down the ladder with aplomb.

Port seems to be the correct side for this particular sailing. we are told the starboard side is likely to get some wind buffeting overnight whilst we carry on to Minorca, and the southernly route means some ocean swells.

It was - at last - a validated trivia win for the Ngaire team. Nikon Ken was the MVP as everyone grabbed certain rabbits out of certain hats to chip in correct answers - and clever, if not so correct, answers to other questions.

It doesn't get much better than this.

Cheers, Anne

Loving the reports Ngaire and Anne. Sounds like a nice relaxing cruise with interesting ports.

Photos from Toulon, France:

As you can see from Ken's pictures we visited Toulon as the port of Sanary Sur Mer was not accessible by tender. Toulon is only 10 minutes from Sanary Sur Mer so we docked in Toulon and all the tours ran as originally planned.

Not a tourist town like our other ports but fun to walk a really local old town it was interesting. Ken bought me some cherries at the market that I have been really enjoying. Again a stunning day, not too hot and sunny,

Today we went to Minorca what a nice island. Laid back with white houses, old rock walls, green fields and lots of trees. Crystal blue water to top off the scenery. A nice tour with three stops with free time so the boys went nuts with the photography. Lots of old farm houses that can be modernized inside but must retain the original exterior. This island is really protecting their heritage and not allowing huge high rise hotels. A must slower pace than most of the areas we have visited.

Enjoying trivia with the Simpsons, Anne, Gary and Cindy and Mark. We have held our own with a lot of second places and an substantial win as well. They now give tokens for first, second and third place.

This has been a great trip. I have been on tours that I was not thrilled with and happy to be back at the ship. But this trip they have all been pretty good and very enjoyable. This area of the world is wonderful and every port has not disappointed. The food has been good too, fantastic seafood on the lunch buffet each day in La Verandah.

Last day tomorrow - off to a wine tasting at 9.30 am in the morning. It has passed so quickly.

Ngaire & Anne,
Thanks so much for your postings. You know how much we all love seamail, especially with photos, and you haven't disappointed. So happy you're doing well at Trivia ! GO TEAM LCT

Pics by Ken, narrative by Anne & Ngaire; enticing, wish we were there. Missing Europe, hearts and trivia.

The expanded description of the US v Germany WC match is this; Germany has the ball, US defends, repeat. So strange to be excited for a close US loss.

Looking forward to US v Belgium Tuesday. We'll be cheering in the crowd at City Hall in San Francisco.

Safe travels all,

Maddy & Paul

Good to hear from all of you. Maybe we are NOT doing quite so well. I've been puzzling as to why I can't reply for a good 10 minutes. Duh ... log in required.

All righty then

I'm hoping USA can take Belgium on Tuesday. Our friends have already forewarned us NOT to bring up football as part of conversation. They are beyond despair with England's early exit.

Yesterday was all about finding as many places as possible to fall asleep. First up was our highlights of minorca tour. 3 separate naps in the space of 4 hours. Grabbed the back row of seats and stretched out. Back to Home Base Mariner. Time to change up my exercise routine to include water workout. It was like playing dodgeball with parents bouncing about with children wearing water wings, interspersed with people jumping in head first on the deep end. I've never seen the pool that busy. No matter - this is what hot tubs are for. Dry off, then find an empty balinese bed off Deck 12. Conk out for another hour. Time to speed change into suitable attire and report for trivia. Yesterday we scored very high in the 'close but no cigar' category.

gold, plat and titanium party yesterday off the Horizon Lounge. Sushi and tempura shrimp. We got there with about 10 minutes to spare. Enjoyed a conversation with Michael, the general manager. Also managed to get future cruise deposit info to the other Canadian Michael. Sweet!

Dinner at compass rose. Thinking of you, marcie, as featured entree was wiener schnitzel. After dinner, we relaxed to the piano music in mariner lounge. Jim and Mary Ellen joined and we chatted until the pianist packed up for the Observation Lounge. I left the suite for dinner with 2 earrings and 2 earring backs. I came back with 2 earrings and one earring back. Gary hit the floor looking for the missing equipment. I hit the mattress. He actually found the missing back this morning buried in the upholstery at Mariner Lounge. Good thing - I'd figured it had a new home in a vacuum cleaner bag.

Tour did not depart til 9:30 am; breakfast in compass rose for swedish pancakes was in order. more wine tasting opportunities. The guide today said hello and nothing more til we arrived at the winery. Charming proprietor and a nice set up. Nice introduction to the wine process, complete with all kinds of engineering details, held Gary's interest. Then it was on to the tasting area. Four wines to taste, a selection of cheese, sausage, bread and olives. In no time, the house dogs (old labrador and not so old shepard/rotweiler mix) joined the party. Both dogs look like they bat clean up for uneaten snacks offered to tourists. Extremely relaxing atmosphere.

Ibiza not as charming as minorca; livelier atmosphere.

Packing is mostly complete. Flight is checked in online. Time to print off boarding pass. trivia will be underway in about 50 minutes. signatures for dinner tonight. Compass rose menu also outstanding. It may be time for a progressive dinner for us.

Cheers, Anne

Cheers, Anne

Catching up on Photos:


Lots of boats in Portofino, Italy.




Hotel Splendido.


Cindy & Mark between St. Raphael and Cannes, France.




Wine tasting at Sa Cova Winery in Ibiza, Spain.






Walled city in Ibiza.

Photos from the island of Minorca, sister island of Mallorca:










Our sail away from Minorca.

Bravo ! Everyone and ever place looks fabulous.

You guys are making me sad that we had to cancel this week of the trip!!

But new computer system at the hospital made another week off impossible.

I am jealous though!