Aboard Marina: Docked in Rio de Janeiro

After a fascinating sail-in, even on a rainy and foggy day, we snuggle in to a deck behind Fantasia, a gigantic MSC ship.

We’ll have one more night aboard before disembarking Saturday and flying to Panama City on Copa.

Naval ships, including an aircraft carrier, are parked in this exceptionally spacious harbor.

Aboard Marina: One Last Dinner at Polo

After most of the cruise being on Code Red protocol, it’s positively exciting to see the tables set, complete with salt and pepper shakers and bread baskets.

We order favorites like pork belly again...

Caesar Salad...

Prime steak, including this strip...

Tom orders lobster tails for the table...

Kathy finally gets her Key Lime pie...

That one is actually Ellyn’s. Kathy takes hers back to the cabin to better enjoy in the morning.

Aboard Marina: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Luke Christmas

Decorations magically appear on the last afternoon before we dock in Rio de Janeiro.

Aboard Marina: Big O Points

You can earn Big O points On Oceania ships by competing in activities like organized shuffleboard, golf putting, team trivia, and table tennis...

At the end of the cruise, you stand in line and redeem your points for such prizes as windbreakers, mugs, keychains, and shirts.

Yes, we all now are the proud owners of new moisture-wicking shirts, and Ellyn has a new pair of socks too.

Aboard Marina: Sailing into Rio

That’s Sugarloaf Mountain on a foggy Friday morning, December 6...

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Aboard Marina: Lunch in the Grand Dining Room

A “typical” lunch - pretty darned good, although it’s the Terrace Café that really impresses Tom, with its large variety of quality food.

Sometimes, however, the dining room is quieter and cooler. Today, one day out of Rio, is one such day.

Aboard Marina: ‘Country Fair’

For example, the suite butlers run this booth.

Good fun...

Aboard Marina: Red Ginger Winners and Loser

Tom, Ellyn, and Kathy choose well. Brian doesn’t, but he learns what no to order next cruise.

Tom’s calamari...

Brian’s tempura...

Crispy Duck and Watermelon Salad... even better tonight...

Ellyn’s duck breast special...

Brian’s mushy Malaysian Penang...

All in all, good eats...

Aboard Marina: Dinner in Toscana

Another treat...

Aboard Marina: Red Ginger

It’s back to Code Green on Marina, no new suspicious outbreaks, and the restaurants look dressy with tables set...