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| where we are |
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| breakfast |
Ahhhh, sea days…my favourite of all cruise
days. Do as much or as little as you’d like. Yesterday we planned our itinerary
for breakfast and pool time. Today being Sunday means…caviar for breakfast. Do
I like caviar - definitely yes, I’d never turn it down, but the fact that it is
not always available makes it more desirable - scarcity increases desire.
A couple of servings of caviar, a glass of
champagne and a few of the other usual breakfast suspects and we were
satisfied. I’m happy Regent’s breakfast pastries never thrill me. They’re fine
and if they were all there was to eat, I wouldn’t starve, but I’m glad not to salivate
over them. That is except for their kouign-amman (pron - queen a mon). These
are about the size of a hockey puck, are croissant-like dough soaked in sugar
syrup and baked until the sugar caramelizes…yum!
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| where we are headed |
Regent has a bit of cult following for their cronuts (a cross between a croissant and a doughnut). I definitely don’t get the hype. I’ve tried a couple and am glad to not be part of the cult. Each day There is a different flavour – I’ve tried the maple bacon, which should be right up my alley, but nope…not for me.
After lunch I spied panettone at the self serve coffee/cookie station…recently I’ve become obsessed with panettone. Last year, I was ‘influenced’ to try a particular one labelled as the best one of the many, many available at one of the Italian
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| after lunch chill time |
markets in Calgary. This year I was on it again and finished one all by myself before we left. Regent’s version did not disappoint.
Anyway…to the pool for after breakfast reading and blogging. We are shade lovers, if I lived the rest of my life in the shade, I’d be happy. Luckily, we found
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| Caribbean sunset |
a perfect spot under cover. We also found one of our trusty pool guys Dipak from our last trip – it’s always nice seeing a familiar face. The drink of the day was a Chum-Chum…blueberry, raspberry and rum…yum-yum!
Speaking of familiar faces, I’m convinced that
Regent staff studies guests
photos. Of course, there are some staff who we
spent a lot of time talking with, but some not so much and even these folks
come up to us and say hi, nice to see you again and refer to us by name. I
mentioned this to a cruise director once and he was adamant that they didn’t
study, but I’m still not convinced. I figure they must be incentivized to seek
out repeat guests – otherwise…wow!
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| almost gone |
Eventually the shade shrunk and we moved to the pool bar for our pre-lunch
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| panna cotta caviar |
Aperol Spritz. Lunch was the usual, at La Veranda (deck 11), the indoor buffet. We tried for an outdoor spot, but all that was left was in the sun…nope, did I mention I’m a shade lover.
After lunch we made our way down to deck 6 and
the outdoor space in the Horizon Lounge. This spot is a hidden gem. As far as I’m
concerned, anytime you can get a spot on the wake of the ship is a score – it’s
loud (I don’t have to hear what the neighbours have to say) and extremely relaxing.
The room we had for our Africa cruise on the back of the ship is by far the
absolute best location.
Today’s breakfast was there and now our post lunch
reading spot was there too, just down 6 floors – I’m completely spoiled, give
me the ship’s wake, some shade, a drink and a book…ahhhhh. I say this is a hidden
gem, because no one is here which is pretty typical. Save for 1 smoker (this is
one of 3 smoking spots) we were alone. It there were more smokers it wouldn’t
be as much of a gem, but today…only 1. Ships go on and on about how fire is the
biggest enemy at sea, but still allow smoking.
The Horizon Lounge is where they hold afternoon
tea which they were setting up for, but beyond that and a couple at the bar…it
was a ghost town.
The evening activity was same ol’…a cocktail poured
by Nyoman (he didn’t study us, we know each other) while listening to Ross, the
piano guy and us waiting at the next lounge for a ‘table by the window’.
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| another delicious dessert |
Speaking of Ross the piano guy. We’ve sailed
with Ross before and he’s not my favourite. As with all ship musicians, he’s definitely
talented but his selections leave much to be desired. We’ve all but given up hoping
for music from the last 50 years. Can’t say we’ve heard Lady in Red yet,
so there’s that.
Next, we meandered down to the Mariner Lounge, outside
the Compass Rose, the main dining room. This is where we ALWAYS put our name on
a list for a table by the window and wait. Tonight, this place was PACKED. There
was the Captain’s Welcome event in the theatre at 6 (we didn’t go), so maybe
that’s why, but who knows. The Bop to the Top duo plays here which we like listening
to, but tonight they were having trouble with their sound system. I could see
guitar strumming but couldn’t hear it.
We were sat in Dennis’ section – second night
in a row. Dennis is a Regent fixture. I’m not sure if we have really gotten to
know him but know him to see him. No one on Regent is assigned to an eating
time or section…you just go when you want. I’ve heard of people asking for
certain waiters, but we never do. A table by the window is all we ask for.
Potato panna cotta topped with caviar was one
of the appetizers tonight. This was extremely delicious. I would order it every
night if I could. Most of Regent’s dishes are the same as they’ve been since we’ve
sailing with them – all good, but same ol’… panna cotta with caviar is NEW, caviar
2x in one day…not bad.
I almost passed on tonight’s show because my
belly wasn’t great, but I’m so glad I did. Charlotte Maltby…a young Broadway
singer, she was fantastic. I have low expectations for ship shows…I don’t think
this is why I was impressed, she was really, really good.
Chris ended the evening losing his shirt at the
casino and I went back for a tea and some alone time.
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