So happy you're joining us Frank & Carla ! It will be a great time....come visit us in SoCa when you've had enough snow !! You're always welcome.

OK, we are in, cabin 721. Decided after looking at all the 2012 options, we liked this one best.

Love the Monte Carlo to Rio, and I suppose there might be a remote possibility of doing that too, but probably not. Kids want to do a family cruise in 2012, and its only fair that now and then Frank doesn't have to deal with being on a cruise during College football season, and especcially for the BAMA-Auburn game, which would happen if we did that. LOL. Looking forward to seeing everyone.

Yipeeeee JoAnn and Frank!!!! :app:

We did the identical itinerary last December.....you all are going to love it!

We did a similare one for our first Regent Kathy, in 2003 FLL to LAX on Mariner and we did love it. Frank was disappointed though that because the ship did a day stop at Gatun Lake Yacht Club, which I too thought was sort of a waste, we did not get to do a full daylight crossing thru the canal and he said that we would have to do it again and be sure to have the full daylight crossing, so he is getting that.

I remember you just did that last December. Also, sailing to SFO is a bonus.

Karen, shouldn't this be moved to the 2012 Roll Call section?

JoAnn, the 2012 forum is for Ngaire's escorted cruises.

Oh right, sorry.

Folks: We decided to do a March 2012 transatlantic on Mariner instead of FUN3. We've done the Panama Canal so many times and while it's surely very interesting the first three times it's not the 7th! Besides it's very, very hot and humid for this gal. We'll be seeing many of you on WINES and CANADA. So please take our names off the roll call.

Clyde is doing better but I guess he'll have to live with some angina. He'll probably wear a nitro patch.

Jean, bad news about the cruise but I am glad to hear that Clyde is doing well!

Sorry you won't be with us Jean, we will just have to have a couple of dinners on CANADA with you to make up for it. WINES will be great and the group on there is really great, so I'm sure you will have a wonderful time.

See you in Oct.

I was watching the Panama canal cams today and was wondering how long it takes for a ship to pass through the canal. Does it go the whole width of Panama and then come out into the ocean?

Well there are locks at both ends that you go thru, but in between you traverse Gatun Lake and some other things, I don't quite remember, but it takes the better part of the day and sometimes you have to wait for your turn to go thru various locks.

It takes between 6-8 hours, if memory serves me correctly....You'd think I would know exactly since I've done it 5 times and each time was wonderful.....hot and humid, but wonderful.

Jean so happy Clyde is doing better! Keep booking cruises it is good for your health!! I don't blame you for going for the TA on Mariner - you've see the canal so many times - sure your weather as beautiful as ours lately

Pat, I am glad to hear that you enjoyed all your transits!

Woo hoo, we are less than a year away now! :rolleyes:

We are soooo excited about this cruise - PC first time and SanFran OHHH MYYYY - love it! Hope we can stay in SF for 3 nights

Flights open soon so what's everyone doing pre and post? I don't know how many more days Mark can get off so I don't think we will be able to do more than one day on each end :(

we can get down on SW and back on one way tix on American - we'll go in day early and meet you - sure we'll spend 2 or 3 nights in San Fran want to eat at the restaurant you and I loved can never remember the name!!!

Jeanne d 'arc, I remembered the name! If Mark and I only spend one night, we will definitely have to make reservations there!

Expect to arrive FLL late on 4/10. When going east to catch cruise always give myself a day extra incase of problems. Less stress that way.

Not sure about SF, nor worried. It is so easy to get from bay area to LA that can do that almost last minute. Southwest from Oakland is a good option, althought getting to Oakland from the city could be a bit of an issue, not sure what a taxi would cost not how challenging the metro would be or even if it is an option.

Ralph, I do that SF-Oakland trip frequently. A taxi from the Financial District to OAK airport is about $60+. I have had hotel limos do the trip for less. The BART is always an option however be warned that to get to OAK airport, you take the train, then transfer to a bus which costs an additional $2. I have never done it with luggage but would likely be a pain. BART to SFO is direct and the stop is right there at the terminal.
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Helen

That is great info about BART. I tried to dig the name out of memory earlier and just could not do it. Did not think metro was correct but thought all would know what I was talking about. Your info should really help those that go east as SF would be the natural airport for them. I could see looking at the SF schedule just as it should be easier than Oakland due to the cost to get to Oakland.

The good news for me is that no matter what SF to So Cal is a breeze. One of the reasons I liked this cruise, Other than the three main reasons, the people, the people and of course the people.

"One of the reasons I liked this cruise, Other than the three main reasons, the people, the people and of course the people."

DITTO RALPH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Would love to join any and all for dinner in SF!!

Oh how I wish we could go on this cruise! Ending up with dinner in SF with Mark and Suzanne... that would sure be the cherry on the top of the sundae! Alas, there is no way to do it and still keep CANADA and ZODIAC, but we will be with you in spirit!

Whatever, Wherever in SF...Count the Matassa's in!

Arlene & Marc you will sure be missed :mecry: :mecry:

Suzanne, me too!

Putting it on my calendar now! :app:

put us down, too

Doug & Andi

Yeah..Us too!

I'm up for a group dinner!

put us down for the party.

The Navigator starts her Panama canal trip today which is identical to FUN3 so I will stalk her as she goes :)

Good idea, Karen. That will be FUN!

The Navigator is in Grand Cayman today, is that her in the background?

Three ships in port now

Pencil us in for a group dinner on Tuesday May 1st. J d' A is a great restaurant. Here is a link to their site.