DAY 8--AT SEA

 Last Night:

                                               The ocean was very smooth yesterday evening.

     We tried a different canape last evening.  It's called A Spanish Tribute and includes olives, artichokes, Serrano ham, chorizo, and cheese.  It was ok but will probably not have it again.

     They further relaxed the covid protocols.  First it was masks wearing optional and today they are allowing guests to sit at the bars.  So we christened the barstools in the Meridian Lounge.  Catalin made me a Makers Mark Manhattan and used this special sweet vermouth.

         I saw this bottle of gin on the shelf so had to take a photo of it.  You know why!!

When walking to through the reception area heading to the elevator so as to go down for dinner in Compass Rose, we ran into Andreas.  He is a General Manager and will be leaving the ship in Miami for his vacation.  Evan is the new GM and Andreas is doing the handover now.     

We also ran into Luke, the Destinations Manager.  He is another FB friend of mine and we have known him for years also.  Luke is in charge of a staff responsible for booking tours and getting guests off the ship and in buses for tours when in ports.

This is Peggy Nathan and her son Karl.  Peggy has over 2000 nights cruising on Regent so is a Commodore status.  We will be seeing them again in January for the world cruise.

 

Georgiana, head sommelier, offered me this new red wine to try with my prime rib.  It was very good.
                                        
                                                                Compass Rose restaurant

                                                         We both enjoyed the prime rib.
     After dinner we did go to the theater for the comedian's show.  We were glad we did as she was very good.  Lots of laughs!

     

Today:

     Same routine this morning:  breakfast in suite, gym, the get cleaned up.  Been so long since we have cruised that I forgot about caviar & champagne in Compass Rose and La Veranda on all Sunday mornings.  Oh, well, we'll have many opportunities for it on our world cruise.  I think there is a stow-away on board the ship.  While on the treadmill I saw a bird fly past the windows out the back of the ship.  We're in the middle of the ocean so it must be living on board.

                                         

     This was the view out the window from our table in Prime 7 at lunch.  I ordered the BBQ pork ribs but they were over cooked and tough so I sent them back and ordered something else.  Next thing I know the Executive Chef, Dino, was at our table.  He asked what was wrong with the food I had sent back.  So I told him my thoughts and he took off to check it out.  When he returned he agreed and I know that will not happen again.  I asked him if one evening we might have some French fried soft shell crabs as an appetizer in Compass Rose.  He knew exactly what I was referring to as they used to be on the menu several years ago.  Not now however.  So now all I have to do is let a head waiter know when we want them.

     I also talked to Chef Deon and asked if he could prepare veal parmesan again for us tonight in Sette Mari.  He said no problem.  I told him we would split one as it is so large.  I advised Donald, the Sette Mari maitre'd that we would be arriving around 7pm and that I had already spoken with Chef Deon.

     So in place of the ribs I ordered one of the specials of the day, baked red fish.  I told Gusi, our waiter, that this is the first time I had seen a green fish.  It was a garlic parsley crust with tomato sauce. It was very nice and well prepared.

     Apparently, the Captain's noon PA was turned off in Prime 7 as we did not hear it.  The swells have increased some today so the ship is rolling a bit more.  Not bad yet however.  It is mostly sunny and 77 degrees outside again today.

     Well, the Dallas Cowboys are playing today at 1pm Eastern time which will be 4pm ship's time.  Of course Regent will not pay for the rights to show NFL games  They only televise the Super Bowl.  There is a website that gives a narrative of each play after it happens.  I hope I can find it or Rebecca is not going to be happy.

     At 6pm this evening there is a special performance in the theater featuring Chris Hamilton, an international piano showman.  This is for "top tier" Seven Seas Society members only which includes us.  If I get the game play-by-play Rebecca will not be going.

     Tonight's show in the theater at 9:30 is featuring the international tenor, Shimi Goodman.  He was born in Israel but now lives in London and has performed many times in the West End and musicals in the States.