June 8 – AT SEA, Cruising the Atlantic Ocean

just to the boarder

Weather – 21º clear

Steps – 3,961, woah!

Humidity – low

On vacation you often lose track of what day it is. However, I always know when it’s Thursday – Pantry day, and when it’s Sunday – Caviar Sunday!

It was so busy in the breakfast buffet this morning that we had to sit outside of the main restaurant area. Initially, we were a bit bummed as it’s a bit further to get to the buffet, in the end it was peaceful – plus…more steps, and I still got less than 4,000!.

Long Beach Island

We started with a made to order juice – grapefruit, spinach, ginger, and pineapple. Next was caviar and then the usual breakfast fare. Breakfast rarely has unique offerings. Regent is famous for a few food items, one is a cro-nut (cross between a croissant and donut). Everyday is a different flavour, I’m glad the hype is lost on me. Last week I did however try their version of a Kouign-amann (northern France pastry) – the Regent version is très délicieux! Sadly, there were none on the pastry bar this morning.

The cruise segment since Cape Town has 200 new-to-Regent passengers. That is a LOT of newbies. Not

Chris' back, my hand

necessarily a bad thing…no pool chair hogs! Not sure if I can attribute the lack of chair hogging to newbies, or the 18º temp, but whatever the reason we had our pick of chairs after breakfast. Last segment, this would have been impossible.

I found it comfortable in the shade, but Chris sat in the sun for a bit. I would have been happier to be in a bit of sun, but working on my computer is a no-go anywhere near the sun.

The drink of the day was a “Long Beach Island”– tequila, triple sec, cranberry. This is Georgio’s creation. We remember him from our last cruise with him for making ‘drinks of the day’. Something different, FUN!

Captain and staff

It was a very smooth day of sailing. There were 3-meter swells, but we couldn’t feel them. I think much of what we feel is due to a combination of wind and the seas and today there was very little wind.

Lunch was Asian BBQ themed. I typically don’t get excited about any particular theme…however…Asian BBQ means nam sod. Nam sod is a Thai pork salad (ground pork flavoured with (lime, ginger, fish sauce, and chili.) Regent makes it every time during Asian BBQ and I love it!

may never change

The evening excitement was the once-a-cruise Block Party. We met neighbors from the UK, Indonesia, Germany, Australia, Switzerland – no Americans, this is very unusual. There are obviously Americans on board, but to meet a group of about 10 people on here and not one American…unusual.

We finally got an entertainer with all throw back material – we knew it was coming; it was just a matter of time. By throw back I mean…old. I’ve made no secret of my feeling that Regent needs to strike more of a balance between ancient music and more modern selections. I don’t think people here only want to hear music from the waaaay back machine.

I also think that if oldies are played and people (and by people I mean one or 2 couples)
dance, well, of course the musicians will keep playing what people seem to enjoy. However, at the recent dance party lots of more current (70’s and 80s) music was played and the dance floor was packed, so…

Anyway, tonight’s guest performer sung “Ol’ Man River” from 1927’s Showboat. This guy’s voice was pretty fantastic, and he obviously selected this song to showcase his low range, but sheesh…a balance, all I suggest is a balance. He also sung medleys from Tom Jones, Tony Bennet, Neil Diamond, and Rod Stewart. As I said, he had a great voice and I like the oldies too (I love ‘Quando, Quando, Quando’, just throw in a newy now and again.

After the show Chris hit the casino and I het the hay. He wasn’t gone long, but by the time he returned I was long out…that is until he grabbed my foot as he passed the foot of the bed to keep from falling. He claims it was because of the motion of the ocean…OK.

I also spent time today changing my phone background…I may never get rid of this one!