November 18: 🚢 Cruising the Arabian Sea
This didn't really happen - he was pretending - but he wanted to!
Our last sea day and nothing new to report - we just did more of the same in almost the same rhythm. Breakfast at La Vernada complete with vegemite, sangria, eggs every which way, crazy crispy bacon and my favourite goat's cheese. Stayed so long at breakfast this morning had to move from an outside setting as the sun heated up to an inside airconditioned location. The breakfast extends because we all arrive in "shifts" - our scout @Richard usually sets up after gym and enjoys his first round of brekkie while reading tha paper and then we sort of do a relay baton exchange and arrive post snoozing and showers at our convenince.
We have missed @Morne each morning for about the last 8 days. Other than being a wonderful host and manager at La Veranda he is also the "keeper of the vegemite" so his absence was heightened in our consciousness. Asked after him this morning only to learn that he hasn't been well and has been in isolation - and was hoping for a return "tomorrow." Fingers crossed he does enjoy a full and speedy recovery.
Not that it is a "big thing" - but today was the first time we have had staff "requesting" we sanitise hands as we enter the dining space. Maybe it has been happening previously and we just haven't run across it. Will admit though, that we haven't been back to the jigsaw table - the only place really that we have been cheek to jowl with other passengers - opting instead for the in-room solution from the library. This ship is so spacious - with ample options for outdoor dining and relaxation, with hand sanitising stations in so many locations. No sickness in our group - touch wood - and the regulars that we smile and chat to have still been around and visible.
Starting the day right with plenty of fluids
Last lecture today in the Speakers' Series was the post breakfast commitment and entertainment - and for the record, this started at 11 so it gives an idea of the commitment to breakfast venue.
And then regrouped at the Pool Deck for LUNCH! A seafood sensation today and it was busy busy busy with lots of new choices and new tastes to explore. Even when you do your best to have just a small sampling of a few little bits - the plate quickly fills.
Had to change our drink of choice for lunch today. We usually enjoy a deliciously chilled smoothie - a "mango sensation" - but alas, today, no mango left on board. Think we have been a little overzealous in our patronage. Do hope new friends boarding in Dubai get a top-up. It is a little refresher not to be missed. No worries, plenty of other choices - swapped it out for a TROPICAL sensation which was just as delightful.
And on the home front - looks like we underestimated in a few areas - we have run out of dental floss, down to our last two cotton buds and absolutely no glucosamine left. First world problems. Oh, and should mention, @Mac commented today that he thinks his shorts have shrunk either in the wash or hanging up in the cupboard. Should I be the one to tell him I don't think it's the laundry?
New tastes and new mango-less smoothie
Decorations for seafood lunch
I tried a few different angles on the balcony in the warmth of the sun and @Mac chose indoor options beofre joining @LoRi and toddled off (in his shorts that were a little tight) to the afternoon tea with Banana Foster Flambe and piano entertainment with @Ed Kelly - I believe they went as groupies support for the music - they weren't there for the food.
Deck delights on smooth seas
Afternoon tea Banana Foster Flambe - something special every day
KrewKapers - multi talented team
There was an early 6 pm show on today featuring the KrewKapers and the anticipation for this one got the passengers out early. We arrived at the doors to the Constellation Theatre at 5.40, ready for 5.45 door opening and 6 pm start to the show and fellow show goers were lined up done the hallway outside both entrances. Talk about enthusiastic support for this wonderful show.
Good luck for us, everyone else was headed to the front rows - but we were only interested in those high ones right at the back so scored a winner. Canapes, preshow drinks, and live music kept the crowd engaged until the curtain lifted on a fun filled and sometimes cheeky line-up which showcased the hidden talents from around the crew. Lots of favourites, but I did love @Salty in the clever send up of passenger requests and we were the number 1 cheer squad members for @Mary Joy who danced up a storm.
Confessing that it took me the first three acts to settle myself down - got a little emotional with the "old lady tears" - I couldn't help thinking of the challenges that this career must bring to the families of the crew members - how a life of working on a cruise ship takes them away from home for the extended time of their contracts. And how, day in day out, the crew that we have come in contact with have been so warm in their interactions and so thorough and dedicated in the services they provide. We have been on board for 19 days and have been greeted and acknowledged by every staff member we pass in every hallway and every venue. This cumulative upbeat, happy, welcoming, inclusive and caring environment is a "culture." Definitely "well done" team Regent.
Post show there was a little rush and subsequent line up outside of Compass Rose. But we had opted for something different. We moved a little furniture between suites and @LoRi hosted champagne pre dinner drinks - complete with cheeses for started and then ordered dinner from Room Service. So easy, just had to bring up the menu on the TV, collate our order and ring it through. We ordered from the Compass Rose menu and were delighted once again with our lobster choices and @Mac went solo in his choice and tried the Beef Wellington.
Had the lights on, the music playing and unexpectedly found ourselves joined by two fast approaching speed boats. Now that was disconcerting. Almost as soon as we heard the thump and drone of the speed boat's engines a large spotlight from our ship highlighted them in the water and tracked their path. And within a minute, the speed boat had changed direction and rendezvoused with a second small vessel a little further away. It was all over in 5 minutes but, funny enough, we did relocate in doors, closed the curtains and turned out the balcony lights. It couldn't have been anything serious because there was no announcement over the speakers.
Didn't dull our enthusiasm for continuing the evening. Put in our order for coffees, assembled various chocolate treats from our stash and settled into the comeback meet of Sequence. We are BACK. Not sure how we managed to pull that one off, but the girls took it out 3-1 tonight despite being smashed from every corner of the board by the boys' strategy. They are ruthless - somehow manage to dominate the board - @Mac sets up in the middle, @Richard takes the edges and before we know it - we don't have any opportunities to make 5 in a row. Thank goodness for strategically played one-eyed Jacks, they saved our bacon and restored a little of our pride.
We were so thrilled with the wins tonight that @Loraine even threw in a couple of fist pumps. Of course none at this table is competitive. That has to be the funniest statement of the trip.
Apart from that little 5-minute heart stopper, did love our "private party."
Quick, before the pirates eat it
Doing it all on the balcony - until the speed boats appeared
Not in port until around midday tomorrow ensuring another leisurely start to the day. Might need to overdose on the liquids tomorrow morning - think that things are going to be heating up a little as we approach the UAE.
Weather: 29 and glassy conditions
Steps: 3650 - tried to take stairs rather than lift to add a few more steps - not much impact though
#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise
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