November 24: Dubai to Brisbane
Well, that wasn't too bad, 19 hours door to door. A definite disadvantage not having the aisle seat. We had a very committed sleeper as our companion in the row and only found the courage to disturb her for two trips to the loo.
But we did sleep - not soundly - but enough to help pass a few hours. Add to that meals and a few movies while tracking our flight path, the time simply disappeared.
Sort of like my pizza really - my special meals arrive a little early and as it happened I was sleeping and @Mac accepted and consumed without hesitation! He only realised his mistake 20 minutes later when his serve arrived. Snooze you lose - literally.
Arrived in Brisbane, made the mandatory duty-free shop for bar top ups, collected our luggage and joined the taxi queue.
Pulled into the driveway at 12.10 am and were pleased to see that @Aunty Gail and Paul had left a welcoming light on for us. And just to prove we were home, put on the jug and broke out the coffee and the condensed milk. Found we had Nelson ingredients but refrained from trying it out "just yet."
Ah, it is good to be home. Although the next few days will be wound up with household routines and our amazing adventure will quickly be replaced by the frenzy of the Christmas countdown.
Even found ourselves wandering around, in the dark, with a torch, checking on the pineapples.
Reflecting on our adventures:
A. Great travelling partners with @LoRi - everything so easy - hope there are more in the future
B. Fabulous itinerary with iconic destinations
C. A cruise is just a taster - you never have enough time
D. As one cruiser said "You get what you pay for." Regent's all inclusive model certainly had advantages
E. Nobody cares about co-vid - just do your best to keep healthy
F. Need to remember to specify NO SMOKING room for any accommodation arranged on our behalf
G. American dollars accepted everywhere
H. Ladies should always carry toilet paper for any shore excursion and small coin change for toilet use is an advantage. Try not to be caught short!
I. Suggestions we would have shared with Regent if we could have made the digital feedback form work on board:
i. introduce a "spoil the staff" event - where guests can spend a short segment of time with a staff member sitting on their balcony enjoying a cold drink or a coffee/tea to chat and say thank you. Like the block party .... but guests host a team member. Staff were beyond amazing. Thank you.
ii. create a charity event when there are sea days - offer the guests an opportunity to create something that can be donated to a community (somewhere we visit, or a charity identified by a crew member in their hometown.) Could even be a pre advertised event like bring an unused pair of glasses or an unused electronic device ... a small something that acknowledges our sense of privilege.
iii. Would love a tour of some of the behind-the-scenes areas of the ship. Small group look-see. Even a guided tour of the magnificent artwork of the ship would have been amazing.
iv. Have been on ships where the Lecture series includes on deck guided commentary for entry to significant ports e.g. Suez Canal - this option would have been a valued addition
v. Regent has an audio APP. They need to use it. Was impossible to hear tour guides in many of the popular venues and this was a particular problem when the group size was large
Looking ahead
We are travelled out for 2022 but are looking to land tours in 2023. Finally, going to do our African Safari and going to spend time in Whistler with you know who.
More adventures ahead and I think I can see another cruise on the horizon in 2024.
#RegentSevenSeasExplorer #RegentSevenSeas #RegentCruise
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