Cruise MAR240106
on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner
from the Port of Miami, Florida, USA
to San Francisco, California, USA
via the Panama Canal
January 2024
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Date: |
Port: |
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4th
January
2024 |
BoMoH
->
LonDon |
Travelodge
Hotel
Hounslow |
 |
5th
January
2024 |
LHR
->
MIA |
Miami
Princess
Hotel
|
|
6th
January
2024 |
Miami
Florida
USA |
Regent
Seven Seas
Mariner |
|
7th
January
2024 |
Miami
Florida
USA |
Walk
into the
City |
 |
10th
January
2024 |
Cartagena
de Indias
Colombia |
Naval
Museum
tour |
 |
11th
January
2024 |
Panama
Canal |
Daytime
Transit |
 |
13th
January
2024 |
Puntarenas
Costa
Rica |
Aerial Tram &
Zip Lining
tour |
 |
15th
January
2024 |
Puerto
Quetzal
Guatemala |
Iximche
Mayan Ruins
tour |
 |
18th
January
2024 |
Puerto
Vallarta
Mexico |
Tequila
tour |
|
19th
January
2024 |
Cabo
San Lucas
Mexico |
San Jose
& Harbour
tour |
|
21st
January
2024 |
San Diego
California
USA |
Highlights &
Harbour
tour |
|
23rd
January
2024 |
San Francisco
California
USA |
Sausalito &
Muir Woods
tour |
|
31st
January
2024 |
SFO
-->
LHR |
Red Eye
Night
Flight |
|
1st
Febuary
2024 |
LonDon
-->
BoMoH |
Home by
... |
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Date: |
Port: |
Comment: |
Cruise MAR240106
on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner
from the Port of Miami, Florida, USA
to San Francisco, California, USA
via the Panama Canal
January 2024
BoMoH --> Hounslow
Thursday the 4th of January 2024
I got up at 6:25 and left the house at 9:45 in a StreamLine taxi heading for Bournemouth Coach Station.
The driver was Bulgarian so we talked about Nessebar and the Eastern Orthodox church in Parkstone.
I then caught the 10:45 National Express coach, which cost £26 single plus £10 for an extra case.
I managed to bag the front seat just behind the driver.
There was a five minute traffic jam backing up from the A34 junction.
We got to Heathrow on time at 12:35, where I used the loo.
I then caught the Piccadilly Line tube to Hounslow Central, not Hounslow West as usual.
Here I arrived at the Travelodge (£53) at five past one, but I couldn't check in until two o'clock.
In my double room, I dozed for half an hour, before having one mug of their instant decaff coffee.
At three o'clock I walked the 250 yards into Hounslow High Road.
I had to buy some dispersible aspirin and some sarnies in Boots the Chemist.
I also got some pork lunch tongue, a piece of Wensleydale cheese and a pint of milk in the Iceland (formerly Bejam) store.
Unfortunately it started to drizzle, so I high tailed it back to the hotel.
I spent the evening watching television, including a programme on Concorde.
I went to sleep at ten o'clock, having done nearly five thousand steps, equal to only two miles of walking during the day.
LHR --> MIA
London to Miami, USA
Friday the 5th of January 2024
I got up just after six o'clock, having slept for over seven hours, when the planes started passing over the hotel.
I had two mugs made with my own ground decaff coffee bags to drink and two bananas that I had brought from home to eat.
Having abluted, I checked out at nine o'clock.
It was just 100 yards to Hounslow Central tube station, but I had to wait ten minutes for the Terminal 5 train.
In the departure area it said that check-in would open at 11:15, but I only waited half an hour until 10:15.
As usual, the kiosk rejected me and I had to queue for five minutes to be processed manually.
A nice young man helped me attach the baggage label at the self-service drop off.
I then went walkabout outside with a good view of the northern landing runway, but a poor view of the southern take off runway.
Security took ten minutes and I was then able to find a seat with a power supply to update this blog and charge up my phones.
I spent an hour or so updating my Volcanoes lecture.
I had to take the train via terminal 5B to get to 5C, where the New York flight and the Miami flight ($524 one way) were causing congestion.
I got on board the A380 double decker quickly and found that I was at a bulkhead with extra legroom beside an empty seat.
We took off thirty five minutes late and when the seat belt sign went out, I took my stuff out of my carry on case,
including the dispersible aspirin I had forgotten to take earlier.
I then got out my laptop and started updating this blog.
I also continued updating my Volcanoes lecture.
At the first trolley outing I had a small packet of pretzels, a glass of apple juice and a small bottle of Merlot red wine to have with my meal.
The meal that followed was roast turkey, but I shouldn't have eaten the Brussels sprouts!
I gave the tea or coffee round a miss as I slept for half an hour.
I then watched the Barbie motion picture, but didn't really understand much of it!
Disappointingly Danish pop group Aqua's Barbie song was barely audible over the final credits.
At the half way mark, I had a mini Magnum choc ice and a second dispersible aspirin,
before watching a couple of episodes of the BBC's Click technology programme.
Towards the end of the flight, we were given a lovely hot chicken lattice pastry and a cup of tea.
We landed at Miami International Airport (MIA), after a nine and a quarter hour flight.
We had to take a little transit train and then walk a long way.
The huge immigration hall was heaving and it took sixty five minutes of standing in the serpentine lines, before being rushed through.
I picked up my bag and headed for the yellow taxi rank, but was then told I needed the blue airport area taxi instead.
I had a talkative Iranian driver for the short twenty dollar run to the Miami Princess Motel ($122).
I went to sleep at 9:30, but it was 2:30 according to my body clock!
During the day I had done less than nine thousand steps, equal to less than four miles of walking.
Miami, Florida, USA
Saturday the 6th of January 2024
Twelfth Night
I got up at 5:30, which was 10:30 on my body clock, having slept for nearly eight hours.
I plugged my laptop and phone in to charge as I updated this blog.
I finally finished updating my Volcanoes lecture, so I am now all set for my cruise.
I had the piece of Wensleydale cheese with apricots and an oat flapjack, that I had bought in Hounslow, for my breakfast.
At seven o'clock I went down to the lobby, but the breakfast coffee hadn't yet been set out,
so I went for a walk passed the Latin Cafe, but wasn't hungry enough to go in.
It was already awfully hot, I can't wait to get in the ship's pool this afternoon!
Back at the motel, I had a cup of strong coffee with sugar and real Coffeemate whitener.
I spent the next two hours watching the Public Broadcasting System, the American equivalent of the BBC.
They had a young classical musicians contest and a Rick Steves tour of Tuscany and Umbria.
I quit my room at ten o'clock taking a taxi ($53) to the Port of Miami.
There were SIX cruise ships in port including the enormous Independence of the Seas, so it was quite congested.
At cruise terminal J, they were still disembarking guests from the previous Amazon cruise that they had asked me to do.
Apparently the Port is heavily unionised and they had provided just one woman to slowly offload all the luggage!
I sat outside talking to a couple, Misty and Lyn from Jupiter in Florida, who had a whole carousel containing a DOZEN suitcases for the world cruise!
They said that one was empty in which to bring back their souvenirs!
At eleven o'clock we were allowed into the cruise terminal building, where I met Tammie Valois the Regent/Oceania enrichment manager.
He had previously worked for Crystal cruises.
Registration was slow as all the visas for the round-the-world cruisers had to be checked.
Today was just for them, with the part world cruisers joining on the next day.
At 1:55 the last batch of guests including myself were called forward.
They wanted to see my ESTA form, whereas British Airways and the US Immigration official hadn't wanted to see it.
At 2:15 I was on board and found I had a double suite with balcony overlooking Biscayne Bay and downtown Miami.
It had a full sized bath and a walk-in closet.
I touched base with destination services and the IT lady got me online.
Out on the rear verandah, I had the prime rib of beef as a late lunch.
I tried to sleep, but this morning's full strength coffee hadn't worn off yet.
I then touched base with CD John and ACD Dean, who was from Montrose in Scotland,
so we talked about Bamse the Norwegian naval dog.
At five I dipped my toes in the swimming pool, but it was cold, so I spent three minutes in the warm jacuzzi instead.
At 5:30 I went to the Horizon lounge to hear the Polish duo Kasia & Boogie.
She thought that she knew me, but I didn't recognise her.
One couple danced superbly, but the only two single ladies present didn't dance when I asked them.
At 6:30 I adjourned to the Sette Mari Italian restaurant alongside the Verandah.
Here I sat with Cuban American Javier who now lives in Davie in Florida near Miami.
He is a music roadie and was on the ship to support the Commodores who were performing on board that evening.
We talked about Cuba, America and Britain.
I pigged out on the antipasti brought out first, before having the lovely lamb chops.
I asked for medium, but got medium rare, so I must ask for well done next time.
Nevertheless I knawed them to the bone.
I forewent the dessert, but did have TWO glasses of Italian Valpolicella red wine.
I had to do six circuits of the incomplete promenade deck in order to reach my daily step quota,
as the top deck jogging track was bepuddled after a heavy rain shower.
At nine o'clock I went to hear the Commodores in the Constellation Theatre.
They are three singers and five musicians playing funk and soul, not my favourite musical genres.
I knew Easy (like Sunday morning), Three times a lady, Nighshift & Lady (you bring me up),
but didn't know or like Brick house & Too hot ta trot.
Like the Drifters, they have changed members many times over the years.
They had had their heyday when Lionel Ritchie was their lead singer.
The American audience loved the hour long show.
I went to sleep at 10:40 having done nearly eleven thousand steps, equal to over four miles of walking during the day.
Miami, Florida, USA
Sunday the 7th of January 2024
I awoke at 6:30 having slept for nearly eight hours and my jet lag was now over.
Just after seven o'clock I had the daily special Eggs Florentine to eat alfresco on the Verandah.
I had one glass of tomato juice and one decaff cappuccino to drink.
I gave the caviar and champagne a miss!
At 7:30 I got off the ship and started walking into the City.
I found myself walking along the hard shoulder of the divided highway (UK: dual carriageway), hoping a police car didn't come passed.
I explored the Miamarina and the Bayside park, before finding the Challenger disaster memorial.
I went in the impressive Intercontinental hotel, before catching the free MetroMover elevated railway from the Bayfront Park station.
I alighted at the Government Centre interchange and headed off to find the new Brightline railway station.
This was actually one more stop down both the MetroMover and the Metrorail lines,
at Ferguson and Lyric stations respectively, both formerly named as Arena stations.
Inside the new Brightline, formerly Virgin, mainline station you couldn't see the trains or the five platforms without buying an expensive ticket.
Brightline is not high speed and is not cheap!
I rejoined the MetroMover at Ferguson station and went all the way to the southern terminus in the Financial centre.
I stayed on as it reversed and headed north again going nearly all the way to the northern end.
Here I got off at the Museum Park, formerly Bicentennial Park, station.
I photographed the outside of the Frost Science Museum and the Perez Art Gallery, before walking back to the ship alongside the park.
I found the footpath or sidewalk on the north side of the divided highway (UK: dual carriageway), but this did involve a circular detour to cross under the road.
Back at the ship, I touched base with John & Dean in the office,
getting to meet the Social Hostess Claire from Bristol as well.
At noon I lunched alfresco on the Verandah, having the lentil soup and the veal cordon bleu with ratatouille.
Afterwards I slept for three quarters of an hour,
only to be interrupted by my stewardess Elsa who needed to retrieve the cushions from the balcony as we headed out into the Atlantic Ocean.
I then sat out on my balcony for the first time this cruise, to watch us sail passed the southern end of the Miami beach peninsula,
which looks similar to the sail out from Port Everglades further up the coast.
At three o'clock I went to hear Dr Barbara Udell's forty minute talk on Miami: the Magic City.
I took copious notes, as I will be giving the same talk on the RSS Splendor in three month's time.
Back in my cabin, I sorted out my paperwork, updated this blog and downloaded my morning's photography.
I then started work on my Miami presentation, ready for my return here on the turnaround day on the 31st of March on board RSS Splendor.
At 6:15 I went to the first dance set, where I did my first waltz with Polish singer Kasia.
At 6:45 I went to the solo travellers social get together, where I sat with Nellie from Vancouver & Sandy from Ontario
plus speaker Dr Barbara Udell & her husband Bartin, not Martin.
At 7:15 I led Susan, Cindy and Dennis through to the Compass Rose Main Dining Room (MDR) to sit at a table for four.
I had the cauliflower soup, the Caesar salad and the tenderloin of beef with jacket potato and asparagus.
I finished with the no sugar added caramelised banana dessert.
I had just one glass of the red wine from Washington state.
At 9:30 I went to the Taste of Things to Come introductory showtime.
This included the five piece band, the cocktail pianist and the twelve person production company.
I went to sleep at 10:30 having done nearly twenty thousand steps, equal to nearly eight miles of walking, during the day in Miami.
First Sea Day
Off the coast of Cuba
Monday the 8th of January 2024
I got up at six o'clock to update this blog and continue with my Miami presentation.
At 7:30 I took my damp laundry to the tumble drier,
followed by the full English breakfast out on the aft verandah.
At 9:30 I went to Nicholas and Megan's cha cha class, where I danced with Dusty.
He taught the basic and the New York(er)s.
I had to slip out at 9:55 to attend Terry's amusing forty five minute lecture on the Panama Railway.
At eleven o'clock I was set up by Jaume (pronounced Howmay) from Chile,
before I gave my forty minute lecture on plate tectonics.
I had a few questions to field at the end.
For lunch I had a cheeseburger with chips, but no bun, sat with Lynne from Port Canaveral.
She had been a US coastguard, but was now suffering from the after effects of a stroke.
I then slept for two hours.
When my flight home from San Francisco came through, I was able to book my one week AirBnB at Hunter's Point.
I had a lot of trouble authenticating my credit cards as I am only allowed one wi-fi device at a time.
Santander wanted me to use their app on my mobile phone, but it wouldn't accept my fingerprint.
Then Halifax wanted to send me a one off pin number by text, but I had aeroplane mode switched on.
Eventually their text message came through and I was able to validate the transaction.
I then did 18 circuits of the top deck jogging track, equal to one and a half miles of walking.
At 6 pm I went to the Captain's welcome cocktail party in the Constellation theatre.
After the senior officers had introduced themselves, one of the singers sang Sailing,
whilst the dancers Nicholas and E-J did a super Latin American dance routine.
At 6:45 I adjourned to the solo travellers meet up.
Just after seven o'clock I led Judy from Rochester in New York state
and Lola & Betty from Arlington, Washington DC into the Compass Rose MDR.
I had the asparagus soup, the sorbet, the Tournedos Rossini with jacket potato and more asparagus, followed by the no sugar added cake to eat.
I had just one glass of the red wine to drink.
At 9:30 I enjoyed the Rave-Ons, who were a Buddy Holly & the Crickets tribute group.
All the famous hits were here, but there were a couple of numbers I didn't know.
The lead singer spoke movingly about the Day the Music Died, before singing Don McLean's American Pie with those famous lines.
At the end, they received a standing ovation from the mainly American audience.
I went to bed at 10:30, having done just ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking during the day.
Second Sea Day
Crossing the Caribbean
Tuesday the 9th of January 2024
I got up at six o'clock and had my first bath, as opposed to shower, of the cruise, using the provided foam lotion.
I then finished off the first forty slides of my new Miami presentation, ready for giving it at the end of March on the Regent Seven Seas Splendor.
At 7:30 I had the breakfast special of a fried egg on a tortilla to eat, with a glass of tomato juice and a decaff cappuccino coffee to drink.
When Elsa the stewardess came at 8:55 to service the suite, I did eighteen loops, just over one mile, around the swimming pool in the hot sunshine.
The top deck jogging track was roped off owing to the strong winds.
At 9:30 I went to Nicholas and Megan's line dance class.
They taught three one wall dances, as it was a bit rocky, to eight guests.
First Nick taught a dance to "Boot Scootin' Boogie" by Brooks & Dunn.
Then Megan did another one to the "Cotton Eyed Joe" track.
Finally Nick taught Stroll Along Cha Cha as a one wall dance, which we did to "Tell Me Ma".
At ten o'clock, I snuck into Barbara's forty five minute lecture on Caribbean pirates.
At the start she had had some technical difficulties, when I saw it on TV later.
This talk featured Drake, Morgan and Blackbeard as expected, but also some female characters I didn't know about.
At eleven o'clock, I went to Terry's seventy five minute long lecture on the Panama Canal.
At noon he was interrupted by the Captain & Cruise Director's announcements, but he ploughed on for another quarter of an hour afterwards.
At 12:30 I lunched on the sweet potato (?) soup, the roast lamb and the butter pecan ice cream.
I was sat with Dennis the architect from Pittsburgh.
I then slept for an hour and a quarter.
When I awoke, I watched my first talk on the TV as I updated this blog.
I did another nine loops around the swimming pool in the hot sunshine.
I then worked on my Panama Canal talk ready for delivery the next day.
At 6:15 I went to the first dance session, but there were no single ladies present.
At 6:45 I hosted at the solo travellers cocktail party.
I dined with Betty from Arlington, social hostess Claire from Bristol and two of the Cricketer musicians: the drummer and the bass player.
I had the parsnip soup and the spinach salad to begin.
At this point Australian Mal (aka Johnny Walker) joined us.
I continued with the rack of three lamb chops cooked well done with a jacket potato and asparagus.
Luckily Betty wanted to gnaw her bones, so I was able to as well!
I had the no sugar added Black Forest brownie with one scoop of sugar free ice cream.
When I went to check if I had been allocated a tour to escort, they told me to come back in half an hour.
However back in my suite I had already been allocated a complimentary guest ticket for my preferred Naval Museum tour in Cartagena de Indias.
I headed back to the office to tell them that I had already been taken care of.
At 9:30 I went to see the excellent Divos & Divas production show
with five musicians, four female dancers, four male dancers, two female singers and two male vocalists.
They sang classic songs by lots of great artistes like Tony Bennett and Elton John.
I then had to do just two circuits of the pool to reach my daily quota of ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking.
I went to bed at 10:30, after a relaxing day at sea.
Cartagena de Indias, Colombia
Wednesday the 10th of January 2024
I got up at 5:30, half an hour before my alarm, to see the sail into Cartagena de Indias in Colombia.
At 6:30 I had the full English breakfast alfresco on the aft verandah, as the sun rose and we berthed next to the new MSC Explora.
At 7:10 both my steward Rolly and my stewardess Elsa came to service the suite, so I went and sat in the Observation lounge.
At eight o'clock I went to the Constellation theatre to get my bus number ticket for my first choice Naval Museum tour.
We left at 8:10 for a photostop at the enormous St Philip's Castle (Castillo de San Felipe).
Here I recorded a piece to camera with the ladies in national dress behind me.
We parked the bus just outside the city wall and went through to the Naval Museum building.
Here we were offered bottles of water, whilst we watched a troupe of four musicians and six dancers performing.
The two bongo drummers and the manic dancers looked more African than South American.
I gave them a one dollar bill as a tip.
We then had ten minutes to peruse the naval displays, use the loos and access the free wi-fi.
The best exhibit was a reconstruction of part of a Spanish galleon.
We then began our city walk to get to the Houses of the Inquistion (Las Casas de la Inquisicion).
This was three town houses with courtyards, where the Cartagena Court (Tribunal de Cartagena de Indias)
sentenced just five people to death over 211 years!
We had another dance interlude when half a dozen young men did some street dancing in the roadway.
Again I gave them a dollar bill as a tip.
Next we had five minutes inside the impressive cathedral.
Our final stop was at the St Peter of the Key monastery.
This had a tropical garden, a church, a museum and an art gallery.
Back at the cruise terminal, I took pictures of the free roaming parrots.
Back on the ship, I had a bowl of sweet and sour egg drop soup and FOUR BBQ pork ribs with rice and veg.
Back in my cabin I sat out on my balcony for the second time this cruise to watch the two o'clock sailaway from Cartagena.
At 2:40 Jaume set me up ready for my forty minute talk on the Panama Canal at three o'clock.
I had just a few questions to answer at the end.
I then slept for half an hour only to be awoken by a clerk asking to see my visas.
I explained that I was getting off in San Fran and so didn't need any visas, they having photographed my US ESTA visa waiver on check-in.
At six o'clock I gave the block (or corridor) party a miss and went to the Horizon dance floor instead, but it was only the cocktail pianist playing,
as Polish Kasia's accompanyist Boogie was off sick.
At 6:45 I moved down to the Mariner lounge to join Dennis at the solo travellers.
Then Susan arrived followed by Elizabeth, who had been on my tour that morning.
Social hostess Claire appeared with two of the dancers: Michael from Switzerland and Nicholas from Austria, who had taken the dance classes.
Then speaker Barbara and husband Bart(in) arrived.
Finally the bridge couple also appeared, but were surplus to Claire's requirements.
Eight hosts for just three guests!
In the Compass Rose MDR I sat with Susan, Bart(in) and Michael.
The latter was wearing a reversible Japanese kimono gown and a selection of very expensive jewellery on loan from the on board shop.
I had the lobster bisque, the chicken Kiev and the no sugar added summer pudding.
I had two glasses of Californian merlot red wine to drink.
Michael had to slip away before the nine o'clock bewitching hour, in order to hand back the jewels, before the shop closed for the night.
At 9:30 I went to hear the amusing Irish comedian, who was only a tiny bit naughty, but I had trouble staying awake.
I went to sleep at 10:30 having done over fourteen thousand steps, almost equal to six miles of walking during the day.
Panama Canal Transit
Thursday the 11th of January 2024
I got up at 6:15 to watch the sail passed Colon at the northern end of the Panama Canal.
At seven o'clock I had the special breakfast of Eggs Provencal to eat and one glass of tomato juice
and one cup of decaff cappuccino to drink alfresco on the aft verandah.
At eight o'clock we arrived at the Gatun Locks, but didn't get through until ten o'clock.
I then had a brunch of smoked salmon on pumpernickel rye bread and on half a bagel, but the latter was rather tough.
At 10:30 I slept for two hours as we traversed the Gatun Lake.
I awoke to the Culebra Cut through the Continental Divide.
I spent most of the afternoon on my balcony watching my third passage through the Pedro Miguel and Miraflores locks,
taking lots of photographs.
At 4:15 I went to the afternoon tea for the first time this cruise.
I had two cups of tea and two small savouries: lovely tuna and roast beef.
Back in my suite, I uploaded my photography from the last two days of the cruise.
At six o'clock I went to the first dance session, where I had my first cha cha with Polish singer Kasia.
She asked me if I could teach her the ballroom tango!
At 6:45 I hosted at the solo travellers meet up, firstly with Sandy then Judy, Barbara and Elizabeth.
Claire was hosting Dennis, Bart(in), Cindy, Beth and Susan.
We had one table allocated in each of two of the speciality restaurants.
Claire led her people including Judy and Barbara into the Chartreuse French restaurant and then came back to collect my group.
We then went into the Prime 7 steak restaurant, which suited me.
I was sat with Susan from Florida, Beth from North Carolina, Elizabeth, Bart(in) and Claire.
Sandy sat with some friends in the same restaurant.
I had the crab fish cake to begin, followed by the harvest salad.
My main course was the excellent surf & turf combination of lobster and filet mignon steak.
I had side orders of green beans and asparagus, but no potatoes.
Bart(in) and I both ordered medium rare, but both got rare steak, so he sent his back.
I enjoyed my rare steak as I do eat steak tartare which is completely raw.
Unfortunately we didn't have time for desserts including the famous popcorn sundae.
At nine o'clock Claire had to slip away for theatre door duty, meeting and greeting the guests before show time.
Gradually my guests left the table, until I was left with Bart(in) who was slowly eating his replacement steak.
At 9:25 I had to abandon him to get to the Constellation theatre for the excellent Fifties Rock & Roll show by the Rave Ons.
They played lots of great numbers by artistes like Elvis, Buddy and Chuck, no need for surnames here!
At 10:30 I went to the second dance set in the Horizon lounge with the five piece orchestra, but it was very sparsely attended.
After a few pop songs, no one was dancing and so I went up to the top deck to see the stars
and to reach my daily quota of ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking.
I went to sleep at 11:30, but it was now only 10:30 on Costa Rican time.
Third Sea Day
Friday the 12th of January 2024
With my curtains open, the dawn awoke me at 6:45, but it was now only 5:45 on Costa Rican time.
I checked out the early continental breakfast by the pool, before descending to the Coffee Connection lounge,
where I had one Danish pastry and one decaff cappuccino.
Back in my suite, I updated this blog.
At 7:30 I had the full English breakfast alfresco on the aft verandah accompanied with a glass of cherry sangria.
At eight o'clock I took my brown trousers, which I had washed in the shower, to the tumble drier.
At 9:30 I went to the Latin Fusion dance class, where Jamira and James, two of the dancers, led a Zumba like class.
It was the usual walking on the spot, cucarachas, rocking chairs and vines to Latin music.
At 9:45 I went to Terry's interesting forty minute lecture on the Mayan civilisation,
with particular reference to two Spaniards who went native.
Back in my suite, I updated this blog.
At 11:30 I lunched on an applewood smoked bacon and gorgonzola cheese burger with fries by the pool.
I then slept for two hours, thus missing Barbara's class on personal communications.
I spent most of the afternoon working on documentation for my next two cruises.
At 3:35 I did six circuits of the top deck jogging track in the hot and humid sunshine.
At four o'clock I went to the chocoholic afternoon tea, where I had just one small smoked salmon sandwich and no chocolate cakes with my two cups of tea.
Afterwards I did another six laps, but I was still only halfway to my daily quota, so I did another eight circuits as it clouded over.
At six o'clock I went to the first dance session where I led Polish singer Kasia through the ballroom tango.
At 6:45 I moved down to the solo travellers get together where I sat with the usual suspects.
Just after seven o'clock Claire led six of us through to the Compass Rose MDR.
I was sat with Judy, Mal (aka Johnny Walker), Nellie, Sandy, Claire & Dennis.
I had the sweet potato soup, the Mykonos Greek salad, the roast veal and a rich chocolate mousse to eat.
I had two glasses of the Californian red wine to drink.
Claire had to slip away at nine o'clock to meet and greet the guests at the door to the theatre.
I stayed until 9:15 when the table broke up.
At 9:30 I went to the Irish comedian's second show, but fell asleep towards the end.
I went to bed at 10:30 having done only seven thousand steps, equal to just under three miles of walking during the day.
Puntarenas, Costa Rica
Saturday the 13th of January 2024
I got up with my alarm at six o'clock, ready for a decaff cappuccino by the pool at 6:30.
I then sat in the Observation lounge to watch the sail-in to Puntarenas, the Sandy Point port.
At seven o'clock I had the breakfast special of scrambled egg and smoked salmon on half a bagel to eat.
I had just one small glass of tomato juice to drink out on the aft verandah in the warm sun.
Back in my suite, I updated this blog.
I checked in at the theatre at 8:15 for my first choice Aerial Tram and Zip Lining tour.
We had an hour and a half's run out to Jaco, pronounced Haco.
At the Rain Forest Adventures site we donned out harnesses and hard hats, before taking the aerial tram or cable car up the mountain.
We then descended via nine zip lines and one abseil drop back to the bottom.
We had to lean back, bend our knees and cross our ankles, as we zoomed above the tropical rain forest.
I had one heavy landing which hurt my left knee, but the pain soon faded.
One lady ground to a halt before reaching the end of one of the zip lines and the attendant had to slide out to haul her back to safety.
Zip lining was another thing I was able to tick off my bucket list, but I won't be doing it again in a hurry at my age!
At one o'clock I had Costa Rican chicken with various vegetables and salads to eat for lunch sat with Dr Warren Wolf the Scout Master from San Antonio in Texas.
I had one glass of the punch and one glass of the pineapple juice to drink.
The final part of the tour was the short nature walk with an informative young man.
The most amazing site was the 'camping' bats who had fashioned a tent out of Panama hat palm leaves to shelter from the sun and rain during the daytime.
We finished in the beautiful butterfly house.
I slept most of the way back to the ship and then slept for another hour in my suite, thus missing the first dance session.
At 6:45 I sat with Nellie from Vancouver, Betty from Arlington and Elizabeth from Las Vegas at the solo travellers meet up.
I took these three ladies through to the Compass Rose MDR, whilst Claire hosted a table with just Dennis and Mal (aka Johnny Walker).
I had the lobster bisque, the salad of the day, the prime rib of beef with asparagus and green beans, followed by the strawberry ice cream with no sugar added.
I had two glasses of the lovely South African pinotage red wine, which took me back to my tour of the vineyards of Franschoek, Paarl and Stellenbosch.
At 9:30 I went to hear the English singer Nicola Ward who covered songs by Adele and Celine amongst others, but I had trouble staying awake.
I went to bed at 10:30 having done under six thousand steps, equal to only just over two miles of walking during the day.
Fourth Sea Day
Sunday the 14th of January 2024
I got up to the dawn at 6:15, ready for my first decaff cappuccino of the day.
I then did sixteen circuits of the pool, equal to one mile of walking, as the top deck jogging track was too hot in the strong sunshine.
At 7:45 I had my first Eggs Benedict of the cruise to eat for breakfast, with tomato juice, buck's fizz and another decaff cappuccino to drink.
I gave the caviar a miss!
Back in my suite, I worked on my laptop.
When Rolly and his assistant came to service the suite,
I did twelve lengths of the shady side promenade deck, equal to one more mile of walking this morning.
At 9:30 I went to Megan and Nick's salsa dance class.
She taught the basic figure, cucarachas and the change of place.
I danced with Dusty again, whose husband only dances the (Texas?) two step.
At ten o'clock I attended Barbara's relaxation class, where she covered meditation amongst other techniques.
I was sat with Cindy and Susan also contributed to the class.
Back in my suite, I received a phone call from reception to say that my $195 Miami expenses (two taxis and one motel) could be collected from them in cash.
I am so glad that I didn't draw out any more dollar bills before this cruise.
At 11:30 I lunched on the applewood smoked bacon and gorgonzola cheese burger with fries, but no bun, by the pool.
At noon I slept for an hour and a quarter.
At two o'clock I went to Terry's interesting forty minute lecture on the Aztecs and their conquest by Hernan Cortes.
Back in my suite, I worked on my Volcano presentation, before collecting my smalls from the tumble drier.
At 4:30 I had one small salmon and cheese sandwich with a cup of tea in the Horizon lounge.
At six o'clock I went to the first dance session in the Horizon lounge, where I did one waltz with Polish singer Kasia.
At 6:45 I sat with Elizabeth, Dennis, Abbe, Sandy and Lola at the solo travellers meet up.
Just after seven I led the first three into Chartreuse, the French speciality restaurant, where we had a table for four,
whilst Claire led Mal (aka Johnny Walker), Nellie and Sandy, but not Lola, into the Compass Rose MDR.
We each had a glass of champagne to begin with, along with various breads.
I had the thick smoked salmon to start, followed by the thick mushroom soup.
I continued with the Tournedos Rossini with haricots verts & pate de foie gras.
I disapprove of the way they make the latter, but that doesn't stop me eating it!
I had the creme brulee to finish.
I drank two glasses of Bordeaux red claret with the meal.
At 9:25 the table broke up, as we headed off for show time.
This was the English tenor Paul Baker, who had won an Olivier award for his performance in Boy George's jukebox musical Taboo.
He sang mostly famous musical theatre numbers, like Music of the Night from Phantom and I have a Dream from Les Mis.
I went to sleep at eleven o'clock, having done over ten thousand steps, equal to over four miles of walking, during the day.
Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala
Monday the 15th of January 2024
I awoke to the dawn at six o'clock, having slept for seven hours, with some vivid dreams caused by the rich food.
At seven o'clock I had the full English breakfast to eat alfresco on the aft verandah with one glass of tomato juice and one decaff cappuccino to drink.
I sat on my balcony to watch the sail-in to Puerto Quetzal.
At nine o'clock I checked in to the Constellation theatre to get my bus ticket for my first choice Maya Phenomenon and Ancient Ruins tour.
We departed at 9:30 for the nearly three hour run into the Guatemalan interior.
The coastal plain was given over to sugar cane and bananas.
The volcanic foothills had luxuriant coffee plantations shaded by small trees.
Fire mountain (Volcan de Fuego) was erupting as we drove passed and there were reports of ash falls back at the port.
At the Maize Tree (Iximche) Mayan site we had two hours of a guided tour around
the four squares (Plazas), the three grand palaces (Gran Palacios),
the two ball courts (Juego de Pelota), one defensive ditch (Foso) and one museum (Museo).
The site was a little disappointing as all the pyramids were degraded and we weren't allowed to climb them.
I have been spoilt by my four previous Mayan sites:
Chichen Itza & Tulum in Mexico and Lamanai & Altun Hal in Belize.
The two best sites in Guatemala, Tixal & El Mirador, are in the inaccesssible north of the country.
At 2:50 we had an hour long lunch at the Royal Village (Pueblo Real) Garden Centre.
We had chicken with rice, beans and cheese, followed by creme caramel (Flan).
Everyone was given a pint glass of orange or lemon squash, so I didn't get to try the coffee.
I was sat with two couples who thought that I was the previous night's singer, Paul Baker!
We left at 3:50 getting back to the ship at 6:20 just ten minutes before all aboard time.
I rushed to get changed to join the solo travellers.
Claire led Abbe, Mal (aka Johnny Walker), Nellie and myself through to the Chartreuse French restaurant.
Here I had the lobster bisque, the cheese soufle and the lobster main course.
I forewent the dessert as I was full for the first time this cruise.
Claire had to slip away at nine o'clock, so I held the fort until the table broke up at 9:15.
At 9:30 I went to Nicola's second show time, Sounds of the Divas,
with famous songs by Whitney, Dolly and Tina.
I went to sleep at 10:40 having done nearly eleven thousand steps, equal to over four miles of walking during the day.
Fifth Sea Day
Tuesday the 16th of January 2024
I awoke to the dawn at 6:10 and worked on my Volcano presentation until breakfast opened at 7:30.
Here I had the scrambled egg tortilla special breakfast to eat, with one glass of tomato juice and one cup of decaff cappuccino to drink.
Back in my suite, I uploaded my photographs from the previous few days.
I was able to incorporate a few topical ones from Guatemala into my Volcanoes lecture.
At 9:30 Jaume hadn't arrived to set me up, so I popped to reception, but he had turned up when I got back to the theatre.
At 9:45 I gave my forty minute talk on Volcanoes with a few questions to answer at the end.
Terry gave his fifty minute lecture on Mexican Emperor Maximilian at eleven o'clock, but I had trouble staying awake.
At noon I lunched on the Tandoori pork spare ribs with Indian cuisine accompaniments.
I finished with ice cream, I ordered rocky road but got chocolate instead.
I then slept for forty minutes.
I squandered away the afternoon on my mobile phone.
At 3:40 I did twelve circuits of the top deck jogging track in the hot sun, but cooling Pacific breeze, equal to one mile of walking.
At four o'clock I had two cups of tea and just one small salmon sandwich on black pumpernickel bread.
At 5:15 I did another twelve laps of the top deck as the sun was going down.
At six o'clock I went to the first dance session, where I did my first rumba with Polish singer Kasia.
When she sang Achy, Breaky Heart I started dancing the California Frieze line dance,
but when I turned around a lady had started the Electric Slide line dance instead,
so I joined in with her and then Kasia started dancing with us whilst still singing!
At 6:45 I adjourned to the Mariner lounge for the solo travellers meet up.
Here I sat with Sandy and Betty.
I then led Abbe, Dennis, Judy and Betty into the Compass Rose MDR,
whilst Claire hosted Sandy, Nellie, Mal (aka Johnny Walker) and guest vocalist Nicola Ward.
I had the corn & coconut soup, the Chateubriand beef with extra asparagus, followed by the pina colada sorbet.
I helped finish off Abbe's rich chocolate dessert, which kept me awake later.
At 9:30 I went to Paul Baker's second show with some more musical theatre numbers including the Starlight Express theme song.
He announced that he would be playing the lead role in the forthcoming Anthony Newly bio-show and finished with a song from that show that I didn't know.
I went to bed at 11:15, having done just over my daily quota of ten thousand steps, equal to four miles of walking, during the day.
Sixth Sea Day
Wednesday the 17th of January 2024
I awoke to the dawn at 6:45, having slept for seven and a half hours.
At 7:30 I had the full English breakfast to eat out on the aft verandah.
I had one glass of tomato juice and one cup of decaff cappuccino to drink.
I then did six laps, equal to just half a mile, of the top deck jogging track, but it was already getting warm in the bright sunshine.
When Elsa arrived to service the suite, I did another half dozen circuits, but this time in the shade around the pool.
I then sat in the cool observatory lounge as we sailed passed Acapulco, which had recently suffered storm damage.
Back in my suite, I worked on my Elvis presentation.
At 9:30 I went to Megan and Nick's next cha cha class.
She recapped the basic, the New York(ers) and the ladies under arm turn.
She then taught what we would call the hand to hand figure, but which she called the shoulder to shoulder.
I danced with Dusty as usual.
At eleven o'clock I had an early lunch of a bacon and cheese burger with fries, but no bun, by the pool.
I then slept for half an hour interrupted by the noon annoucement and a call from Rachel at the Shorex desk
to say that my three choices for the next day were all full and would I be happy to go on the Tequila tour instead.
I went back to sleep until my alarm woke me at 1:15 needing to get ready for my next lecture.
At 1:30 the production company were still rehearsing in the theatre, so I had to wait for them to finish.
At 1:45 I was all set up and ready to meet and greet the guests by the main entrance.
At two o'clock I gave my forty minute talk on Elvis Presley: King of Rock & Roll.
At the end one lady told me about John Wilkinson, who was a guitarist in Elvis's later TCB band.
Afterwards I sat and chatted to Dr Warren Wolf the scout master and attorney from San Antonio in Texas for an hour and a half.
He was keen to find out about Brownsea Island in Poole Harbour, where General Baden-Powell held the very first scout camp.
At 4:45 I had one small cheese and ham roll with THREE cups of tea.
I then did twelve circuits of the top deck jogging track with one of the Mexican volcanoes, probably Colima, steaming on the horizon.
As it had clouded over for the first time this cruise, I was able to wear my white shorts, exposing my white legs!
Back in my suite, I was able to watch my Elvis talk on the telly.
At six o'clock I went to the first dance session, where I did a cha cha with Polish singer Kasia,
but thus missed Paul Baker's audience with CD John in the theatre.
At 6:45 I adjourned to the Mariner's lounge for the singles gathering.
Here I chatted to both English singers Nicola Ward and Paul Baker.
The latter explained to me why the Boy George musical Taboo had been a success in the West End, but not on Broadway.
He had his Olivier award, which he had won for Taboo, with him!
Just after seven o'clock the bridge couple led Sandy and Dennis into the MDR.
I hosted Nellie, Judy and Mal (aka Johnny Walker), also at a table for four,
as social hostess Claire was at an officers' dinner party.
I had the tomato soup, the New York strip (sirloin) steak with asparagus and the no sugar added rhubard crumble to eat.
I had two glasses of claret to drink.
At 9:30 I went to the excellent Tuxedo swing production show, where I knew most of the songs.
However I had trouble staying awake.
Puerto Vallarta, Mexico
Thursday the 18th of January 2024
My alarm woke me at six o'clock, but it was still dark.
At 6:30 I had the special salmon fritata omelette for breakfast, with one glass of tomato juice and one cup of decaff cappuccino coffee.
At 7:45 I got bus ticket number three from the Constellation theatre for my fourth choice Tequila tour.
The bus departed at eight o'clock, heading for the old city centre.
We had a short guided walk along the prom, with the old lighthouse and several statues.
We were then given some free time to go in the 1920s brick cathedral, where a service was on going.
I went in the free loo in the brick built city hall, but I didn't find the tourist information office or have time for the naval museum.
Our next stop was at a small, upmarket shopping mall, which I opted out of.
Instead I walked around the block to find the big Canto del Sol hotel with a fine pool and a nice beach.
I stumbled across an estate agent who was given away free books, where I nabbed a booklet and DVD on US aircraft carriers.
We then drove out passed the obsolete bull ring and the international airport to the Dona Engracia Hacienda in the countryside.
On arrival we were given a welcome glass of orange squash.
Then we had a short tour of the tequila distillery, followed by a tasting session.
The huge agave hearts, looking like giant pineapples or pine cones, were originally roasted in ovens,
but are now steamed in an autoclave.
The first three shots we tasted were pure tequila of increasing ages.
The last three shots were tequila liqueurs flavoured with coffee, peach and almond.
I preferred the latter, which was like Italian amaretto.
Surprisingly, after six shots of spirit, I didn't feel drunk.
I then shelled out seven dollars for three tasty tacos: beef, pork and chicken.
I recorded my first piece to camera in the ornamental garden of tropical plants.
Back at the cruise terminal, I gave lunch a miss and walked back along the prom to the huge shopping mall with the Liverpool (!) department store.
I wandered back taking photographs of the Walmart hypermarket, the artisan market and the flea market.
I recorded my second piece to camera in the square outside the cruise terminal.
I found the footpath to the beach, but didn't have time to venture down it,
getting back to the ship at 14:10 ready for the 14:30 all aboard.
The rich ladies on my tour had greatly enjoyed all the retail therapy on offer!
I then slept for three quarters of any hour.
At 16:15 I had two cups of tea and just one small ham and cheese sandwich.
Warren and Teresa told me about their harbour cruise, where they had seen lots of whales in action.
At six o'clock I went to the classical music session in the Horizon lounge, but the pianist was late arriving.
At 6:45 I sat with Sandy, Abbe and Nellie at the singles meet up and then led them through to the Compass Rose MDR to a table for four.
Claire led Betty, Dennis and Mal (aka Johnny Walker) to another table for four.
I had the wagyu beef pastry, the rack of lamb well done and the no sugar added apple crumble with vanilla ice cream.
The ladies gave me permission to gnaw my bones!
Abbe again gave me half her rich chocolate dessert.
At 9:30 I went to hear the British/Canadian ventriloquist Don Bryan with his alcoholic dummy Noseworthy.
He also had a lady dummy and was very funny when we worked with a guest from the audience.
I went to sleep at 10:35, having done over fourteen thousand steps, nearly equal to six miles of walking, during the day.
Cabo San Lucas, Mexico
Friday the 19th of January 2024
My alarm woke me at seven o'clock, having slept for eight and a half hours, but it was now only six o'clock on Mexican Mountain Standard Time (MST).
At seven o'clock I had the full English breakfast out on the aft verandah as the sun came up.
I had just one glass of tomato juice and one cup of decaff cappuccino to drink.
At eight o'clock I was on dispatch duty for the first time this cruise, to escort my second choice harbour cruise tour.
I led my group down to the tender and then up from the dock to the large pleasure boat moored nearby.
We were given a plastic tumbler of orange squash to drink as we sailed out of the harbour.
We viewed the famous natural arch from both the Sea of Cortez (aka the Gulf of California) and the Pacific Ocean sides.
Back in the harbour after three quarters of an hour, we were led out to our coach with driver Ivan and guide Rudy.
Our first stop was at the Sunset Mona Lisa restaurant where we were given a can of beer, soda or water.
I had the local Pacifico beer as I chatted to Dr Warren at the viewpoint over the huge bay with the ship anchored in the distance.
Our second stop was in the old town of San Jose del Cabo, where we were given over an hour of free time.
The 17th century mission church has been heavily restored over the years.
I walked around the pretty streets of the old town centre.
Our third stop was at a glass blowing factory where we had a demonstration of the making of a turtle with a sombrero drinking a bottle of beer!
Back at Cabo San Lucas, I walked back towards the town centre, but it was awfully hot, so I only got halfway before doubling back.
I snuck into the dolphinarium where two dolphins were performing, but I don't approve of keeping intelligent creatures in captivity.
I went a little way passed the tender dock to the Naval base, before doubling back again.
I caught the 2:35 tender back to the ship sat with Dennis.
Back on the ship, I deposited my escort's report.
Walking along the corridor, Dr Warren called me over to share in his French pastries with his wife Teresa.
I had several slices of the delicious cakes, bought in a French patisserie in San Jose del Cabo.
I had one cup of decaff cappuccino from my favourite coffee machine.
We sat and chatted for some time.
Back in my suite, I sat out on my balcony awaiting the sailaway,
unfortunately the ship did a 180 degree turn, so I was going to miss the rounding of the cape.
I rushed down to the rear Horizon lounge and nabbed one small salmon sandwich and two nut Florentines.
Outside on the rear verandah I spoke to Abbe,
but we were distracted when a humpback whale started slapping the water a little way off,
as we rounded the cape.
Back inside the lounge, I had two cups of tea to drink.
At five o'clock, when the pianist stopped playing, I returned to my suite to continue updating my blog and uploading my day's photography.
At six o'clock I returned to the Horizon lounge, where I did one waltz with Polish singer Kasia.
Towards the end of her set, I moved down to the Mariner's lounge to sit with the solos.
Here I met violinist Claire for the first time.
Unfortunately the other Claire, the social hostess, had important business elsewhere,
so I led Abbe, Susan, Cindy and newcomer Eddie, originally from the Phillipines, up to the Chartreuse speciality French restaurant.
Violinist Claire led Betty, Nellie, Dennis and Mal (aka Johnny Walker) into the Compass Rose MDR.
We began with a glass of champagne before perusing the menu.
I had the mushroom soup, followed by the beetroot salad, but most of the others had this pairing in reverse order.
I continued with the tournedos Rossini with asparagus for the third time this cruise.
I was too full to have dessert to eat, but I did have three chocolate truffles and two glasses of claret.
When the table broke up, I returned to my suite to brush my teeth.
At 9:30 I went to hear virtuoso painist Linda Gentille's excellent Bach to Broadway showtime.
I went to bed at 10:30 having done over fifteen thousand steps, equal to six miles of walking, during the day.
Seventh Sea Day
Saturday the 20th of January 2024
My alarm went off at 7:30, but it was actually only 5:30 on Pacific Standard Time (PST),
so I dozed until just after six o'clock.
I luxuriated in a foam bath for only the second time this cruise, but had trouble getting out of the bath.
I am Spider Man!
At seven o'clock, I had the special breakfast of scrambled egg and ham in a croissant to eat.
I had just one glass of tomato juice and one decaff cappuccino coffee to drink.
Back in my suite, I worked on my Elton John presentation.
I then did twelve circuits, equal to one mile, around the pool as the top deck was too windy.
When Rolly and Elsa came to service the suite, I did another twelve laps, making another mile.
At 9:30 Neville, who had newly arrived the day before, Jean and Jaume set me up.
I then gave my forty minute talk on Elton John with one extra slide on Bluesology.
Judy wanted to see the Circle of Life video again, so I set it running, whilst I answered some other questions.
At 11:00 I listened to Terry's interesting talk on the history of California, which also included the history of Texas.
At noon I had an apple smoked bacon and gorgonzola cheese burger with fries, but no bun, for lunch by the pool.
I had just one glass of sparkling water with ice to drink.
Back in my suite, I slept for an hour and a half, before rushing to the theatre for two o'clock.
Unfortunately Barbara's next lecture wasn't billed until three!
She spoke for forty five minutes on her top ten hints for healthy life, ending with dancing at number ten!
At four o'clock I chatted to Abbe at the bar in the Horizon lounge, before having two small savories to eat and two cups of tea to drink there.
I frittered away the rest of the afternoon, my contract having been completed.
At six o'clock I went to the first dance session, where I did a cha cha with virtuoso pianist Linda Gentille.
At 6:45 I led her to the solo travellers meet up, where we sat with Abbe, Bart (not Bartin) and Mal.
Fellow speaker Terry & his wife Julie sat with the others.
Just after seven, I hosted Abbe, Linda and newcomer Bart from Scottsdale in Arizona.
He was an amateur clown and ventriloquist.
Hosting a table is easy when you have guests like that!
I had the artichoke soup, the lamb ragout Provencal and the cheese plate to eat,
with two glasses of the Californian red wine to drink.
Hosts Terry, Julie and Claire sat with Mal and another guest at a table for five.
At 9:30 I went to hear the excellent English virtuoso violinist Claire Gobin.
She played a snippet of Monte's Czardas and finished with a Phantom medley.
I went to bed at 10:30, but I hadn't quite reached ten thousand steps, or four miles of walking, during the day.
San Diego, California
Sunday the 21st of January 2024
I awoke at 5:30 having slept for seven hours and got up at six o'clock.
At 6:30 I had a full strength cappuccino, which I drank in the forward facing Observatory lounge,
as the dawn broke and we passed the islands just offshore.
At 7:30 I had the Eggs Florentine special breakfast and a Danish pastry to eat, sat with Dr Warren.
I had one buck's fizz, one tomato juice, one decaff cappuccino and one glass of sparkling water to drink.
At 8:30 I adjourned to the Observation lounge to watch the sail-in to San Diego, but it was overcast.
At nine o'clock I returned to my suite, which had already been serviced, awaiting the clearance annoucement.
At 9:30 I descended to reception, where I chatted to Eddie and Elizabeth.
At 9:45 we were cleared and I whizzed through immigration with no waiting.
The officer took my fingerprints and photograph, but didn't want to see my ESTA visa waiver.
Out at my bus, for my first choice Highlights & Harbour Cruise tour,
I met guide Linda and driver Teresa.
They proceeded to fill the coach with 52 people, but then 22 volunteers had to get off and walk to the harbour boat instead!
In the end, we departed at 10:30 with 30 guests on board.
We began with a drive around Coronado island, passed its famous hotel, where "Some Like It Hot" was filmed.
We circled around Balboa park and then drove through the Old Town.
Back at the quayside, we watched the boat pull in with the other half of the guests.
We got on and had a one hour circuit of San Diego harbour, with a running commentary from Raphael.
At the end, our guests dispersed, some walking back to the ship and some heading along the promenade.
Back at the ship, I had an apple wood smoked bacon and gorgonzola cheese burger with fries but no bun as usual.
At 2:30 I forewent my siesta and headed out, first going north to the exterior exhibits of the maritime museum.
This included the Star of India tea clipper, a large ferry, a reproduction galleon and a submarine.
I then doubled back south along the promenade to the Seaport shopping and dining village,
similar to those in Cabo San Lucas and Miami Bayside.
I climbed up over the convention centre to find the entrance to the old Gaslamp district.
Fifth Avenue was closed off for a small but noisy Palestinian demonstration.
They were followed by eight smart policemen on bicycles.
When I got to the Light Rail Metro I turned west passed the city hall.
At the Santa Fe railroad station, the Amtrak assistant took my picture in the grand departure hall.
Back at the ship again, I had a decaff cappuccino from the machine and spoke to social hostess Claire.
She said she would try to get us in to the Italian speciality restaurant that night.
Back in my suite, I saved my afternoon's walk map and updated this blog.
At six o'clock I did one waltz and one Electric Slide with the Polish singer Kasia in the Horizon lounge.
At 6:40 I rushed up to the top deck to photograph the San Diego skyline, as we hadn't left at six o'clock as planned.
It later transpired that two crew members had absconded from the ship,
to become illegal immigrants in the USA!
I then rushed back down to the solo travellers cocktail party.
At seven o'clock social hostess Claire led Sandy, Abbe, Elizabeth, Claire the virtuoso violinist and myself up to the Sette Mari Italian restaurant.
We all shared the antipasti and then added to it from the buffet with things like the air dried ham.
I had the escalope of veal for my main course, followed by tiramisu and a little blue cheese with just one cracker.
I had two glasses of prosecco bubbly and one glass of chianti red wine to drink.
After some revealing conversation, the table broke up at nine o'clock, when I updated this blog.
At 9:30 I went to hear virtuoso pianist Linda's second show, but I had trouble keeping awake.
I went to sleep at 10:40, having done nearly twenty four thousand steps,
equal to nearly ten miles of walking during the day, if I can believe my Honor smart phone pedometer?
Eighth Sea Day
Monday the 22nd of January 2024
I got up at 6:10 ready for my morning's shower which sets me up for the day.
I then worked on my laptop uploading my photographs and updating this blog.
At seven o'clock I had the full English breakfast in La Verandah buffet with one glass of tomato juice and one regular cappuccino.
Just before eight o'clock I got a call from ACD Dean to say that it was too rough to tender into Santa Barbara,
and so we would be having another sea day, with a possible earlier arrival into San Francisco.
He asked me to give my Freddie Mercury talk at ten o'clock.
When Rolly and Elsa came to service the suite at 8:15, I did twelve lengths of the sheltered landward side promenade, equal to just half a mile of walking.
Back in my suite, I did a quick run through of my Queen lecture.
At 9:30 Jean set me up in the Constellation Theatre.
I then stood at the main entrance with Swiss dancer Michael, who was on meet and greet duty.
He said he would be on until May when he returns home to Rotterdam.
At ten o'clock I gave my forty minute talk on Freddie Mercury to an appreciative audience.
I had a few questions to field at the end.
At eleven o'clock I listened to Terry's interesting forty five minute talk on Alcatraz, but I had trouble keeping awake.
At noon I lunched on the seafood salad and the cookie dough ice cream in La Verandah buffet restaurant.
I then slept for two hours.
At four o'clock I had two cups of tea and one small crab sandwich in the rear facing Horizon lounge.
I then did eight lengths of the sunny side promenade, equal to half a mile of walking, until the sun went in.
Back in my suite, I updated this blog, before donning my red formal wear.
At six o'clock I gave the Captain's Farewell and Crew Capers cabaret a miss, going to the dance session in the Horizon lounge instead.
Here I did the Texas Waltz line dance and a salsa with Polish singer Kasia.
At 6:45 I met up with the solo travellers meet up, but I actually sat and chatted to a couple from Denver, Colorado.
Just after seven, Claire asked me to host a table for six in the Compass Rose MDR.
I had Eddie, Sandy, Abbe, Elizabeth and Mal (aka Johnny Walker) with me.
I had the mushroom soup to start, but it wasn't as good as the thick mushroom soup in the Chartreuse French speciality restaurant.
I continued with Caesar salad with just one anchovy.
I ordered medium rare beef Wellington for my main course, but all our BWs were overcooked.
I had the lovely baked Alaska for dessert.
I had two glasses of Cotes du Rhone red wine to drink.
At the end I got one of the waitresses to take photographs.
At 9:30 I went to the excellent Blazing Boots country and western production show, but Nick seemed to be missing from the troupe?
I only knew two songs This Kiss by Faith Hill and Man I Feel Like a Woman by Shania Twain.
I am obvously out of touch with the latest new country music!
I went to sleep at 10:45, my old mobile phone saying I had done fourteen thousand steps, but my new phone said only half that.
San Francisco, California
Tuesday the 23rd of January 2024
I awoke to the dawn at seven o'clock ready for the full English breakfast at 7:30 in La Verandah buffet.
We went under the Golden Gate bridge in glorious sunshine at eight o'clock and berthed at nine,
but it took ages to get the ships demountable gangway installed.
Eventually I was one of the first guests to get off at 9:45.
I walked three quarters of a mile along Fishermen's Wharf, taking lots of pictures in the sunshine.
Unfortunately in my excitement I dropped my newer mobile phone which cracked the bottom of the screen just like my old one had.
It was still serviceable and will be two years old this spring so already almost obsolete!
I got back to the ship at 10:45 having walked one and a half miles.
I had a decaff cappuccino coffee from the machine and sorted out my escort outfit.
At 11:15 I had my final applewood smoked bacon and cheese burger with fries but no bun by the pool of this cruise.
Back in my suite, I updated this blog.
At noon I was on dispatch duty in the Constellation theatre ready to escort my second choice Muir Redwoods & Sausalito tour.
I met guide Greg and driver Charles in the huge old wooden warehouse where the coaches were parked.
We had 27 guests to look after and I sat at the back of the bus with the lovely Elizabeth.
We drove out over the magnificent Golden Gate bridge to the quaint bayside town of Sausalito.
Here we had an hour and a quarter's free time to explore.
The several marinas were very photogenic and I used the free wi-fi in the library.
Our final stop was at the magical and mystical redwood forest of Muir Woods.
I walked up the side of the bubbling brook, before coming back down the valley on the higher level valley side walk.
Back at the ship, I started to pack.
At six o'clock I did a social rumba and two line dances, California Frieze and Texas Waltz, with Polish singer Kasia,
thus missing the ventriloquist's early show time.
At 6:45 I met up with Claire the social hostess and just three of the solo travellers.
I led Abbe, Sandy and Dennis through to the Prime 7 steak restaurant.
I had the clam chowder, the Caesar salad and the enormous prime rib of beef on the bone.
Dennis gnawed his lamb bones, so I was able to gnaw my big beef bone.
I was too full to order the famous popcorn sundae that Sandy ate.
I had two glasses of the red wine to drink.
When the table broke up, I returned to my suite where I received a thank you card and presents from Claire.
These included a black polo shirt, a silver key ring, a brown baseball hat, a luggage belt and a rucksack.
I finished my packing and put my large case out.
I then updated this blog, but didn't have time to back up my photographs.
I went to sleep at 10:45, having done twenty three and a half thousand steps according to my old phone,
but only twenty and a half thousand steps according to my new phone.
Disembarkation Day
San Francisco, California, USA
Wednesday the 24th of January 2024
I awoke two minutes before my alarm at 6:30 ready for my final full English breakfast in La Verandah.
I vacated my suite at eight o'clock.
Sitting in the Observation lounge, my blue tag was called forward at 8:30.
At the gangway I said goodbye to the lovely social hostess Claire Fear.
I walked from the old cruise terminal passed the new cruise terminal.
I bore right into Battery Street and then right again into Washington Street.
Unfortunately the Rose Pak Metro station in Chinatown was closed because of a power failure.
I spent two dollars on the alternative trolley bus, which took me to the CalTrain depot, which was actually the mainline railway terminus in San Francisco.
Here they told me to buy a MUNI Metro seven day pass for $44 from the Walgreens supermarket next door.
This covers the cable cars as well as the light rail Metro trams.
I caught the T line tram going all the way south to Sunnydale.
I then doubled back to Williams Avenue, where my AirBnB is located.
Here I had a cheeseburger in McDonalds for lunch and used their free wi-fi to find out that my room was now ready.
Here I slept for one hour, before walking out to the nearby bayside.
Back at the Williams Avenue tram stop, I caught the next one going back north to the city centre.
I alighted at Union Square, before catching a vintage cable car going up over the steep hills.
At the Fishermen's Wharf, I had to stand in line and wait a bit for another car going back.
I then retraced my ride on the T line back to Williams Avenue.
Here I bought a frozen macaroni cheese ready meal to microwave in my AirBnB.
I spent the evening working on my laptop and watching TV.
During the day I had done fifteen thousand steps equal to six miles of walking.
Social Hostess Claire Fear wrote:
"A very big 'thank you' from me for being such an active participant in my solo travellers program!
Really appreciated your support, and I will certainly miss my 'walking encyclopedia'!
It was a joy to have you sail with us, thank you so much for all your support - till next time!"
Lectures Given
on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner Cruise MAR240106
1) "The Story of the Panama Canal"
Martin, who has degrees in geography, geology and theology,
will share his knowledge of this great waterway.
2) "Continents Adrift: The Story of Plate Tectonics"
Martin, who has degrees in geography, geology and theology,
will give an illustrated talk on this great theory of earth science.
He has given this lecture on two previous cruises.
3) "Volcano: the Story of Volcanology"
An illustrated talk on the geology, geography and history of volcanoes.
He has given this lecture on five cruises,
including on Silversea's Silver Wind:
SS2934
4) "Elvis Presley: King of Rock & Roll"
Martin will share his love of music with you.
He has given this lecture on one previous cruise:
Arcadia
5) "Elton John: Rocket Man"
Martin will share his love of music with you.
He has given this lecture on one previous cruise:
Arcadia
6) "Freddie Mercury: Queen of Rock"
Martin will share his love of music with you.
He has given this lecture on one previous cruise:
Arcadia
Lectures NOT Given
on the Regent Seven Seas Mariner Cruise MAR240106
7) "Michael Jackson: King of Pop"
Martin will share his love of music with you.
He has given this lecture on one previous cruise:
Arcadia
Score card:
183 Cruises
44 Cruise ships (see below)
31 Solo travellers
18 Dinner tables hosted
14 Cruise lines (see below)
10 Beef dinners
9 Storey atrium
9 Full English breakfasts
9 Special breakfasts
8 Days in San Francisco
7 Nights in an AirBnB
7 Cheeseburger lunches
6 Enrichment lectures (PT, PC, V, EP, EJ & FM)
5 New ports (PQ, PV, CSL, SD, SF)
5 Elevators
4 Speciality restaurants (Italian, French, Steak & BBQ)
4 Lamb dinners
3 Panoramic elevators
3 Transits of the Panama Canal
3 French restaurant dinners (Chartreuse)
2 Included BA flights
2 Lobster dinners
2 Veal dinners
2 Italian restaurant dinners (Sette Mari)
2 Steak restaurant dinners (Prime 7)
2 Chicken lunches (both ashore)
2 Pork lunches
1 Tacos lunch ashore
1 New country (Guatemala)
0 BBQ grill dinners
0 Pizzas
Good points:
- HDMI with no separate audio cable
- Large two tier theatre
- Five new ports
- One new country
- Fly / Cruise
- Eating in the Compass Rose MDR
- Eating in the French, Italian and Steak speciality restaurants
- Balcony
- Bath
- Luxury dressing gown / bath robe
- Free mostly first choice tours
- All inclusive
- New ship for me
- New cruise company for me
- Free wi-fi
- Free laundry
- Free launderette
- Efficient stewards (Rolly & Elsa, $20 tip each)
- Recorded lectures
- Evenings: 6:00 Dancing 6:45 Solos 7:15 Dining 9:30 Show (10:30 Dancing)
Fourteen Cruise Lines:
* Fred. Olsen Cruise Lines
* Saga Shipping Company
* Voyages of Discovery
* Seabourn (Carnival)
* Princess (Carnival)
* Cunard (Carnival)
* P&O (Carnival)
* Celebrity (RCCL)
* Silversea (RCCL)
* Regent SS (NCL)
* Oceania (NCL)
* Marella (TUI)
* Ambassador
* Crystal
Forty Four Cruise Ships:
Silver Whisper
Silver Spirit
Silver Wind
Silver Muse
Silver Moon
Silver Dawn
Black Prince
Black Watch
Boudicca
Balmoral
Braemar
Bolette
Celebrity Silhouette
Celebrity Solstice
Celebrity Eclipse
Celebrity Edge
Celebrity Apex
Saga Rose
Saga Ruby
Saga Sapphire
Saga Pearl II
Quest for Adventure
Spirit of Adventure (Old SofA)
Spirit of Adventure (New SofA)
Spirit of Discovery
Queen Elizabeth 2 (QE2)
Queen Elizabeth (QE)
Queen Victoria (QV)
Queen Mary 2 (QM2)
P&O Arcadia
P&O Aurora
P&O Oriana
P&O Iona
Crystal Symphony
Crystal Serenity
Seabourn Odyssey
Seabourn Sojourn
Ambassador Ambience
Ambassador Ambition
Regent Seven Seas Mariner
Marella Explorer
Oceania Sirena
Sapphire Princess
VoD Discovery