BOARDING EXPLORER DAY--OCT 31st

      Well, the day is finally here.  We enjoyed a nice breakfast at the hotel after a nice sleep (after duvet was removed from the bed).  I called down for the bellman to come get our luggage at 11am.  He loaded it into a taxi and off we went for the port.  The Explorer was docked at the World Trade Center pier so away for all the other mega cruise ships.  We arrived just before noon and got in line to have our carry-ons x-rayed by security.  Next was to small booths for a rapid covid test.  You can see the booths in back of the room.  Then we had a seat to wait for the results.  BTW, we passed!!!

     They said our results would be posted on the screens but that was not working too well so they finally came to us and manually checked results on their hand held devices.  It was nearly an hour total before we were allowed to proceed on board.

     We were directed to the theater for final check-in to receive our suite key cards.  No lines once we boarded.  It was now 1pm and our suite was suppose to be ready since we were Titanium status, and it was so that's where we headed.  Following are some photos I took after entering before we messed it up.

                                                       Taken from entry door.

Makers Mark bourbon and Grey Goose vodka waiting on me!!  Oh, yes, and a coffee maker.

In other room was our nice bed.  There is a mat on it so our luggage will not get it dirty when we unpack.

                                                        TV in our bedroom.

                                 Small walk-in closet.  Very nice.  Of course we filled it up!

     Looking back at entry door.  This is my computer table.  Plug conveniently next to it.

                                                         Bathroom with double sinks.

                                                                       Shower

                                                                    Soaps and lotions

                                                            TV in living area

As Titanium members we get fresh flowers, a box of Leonidas candy, a bottle of Veuve Cliquot Champaign, and very nice gift--small world globe paper weight with the name of ship on it.

                                         Here are a couple photos of our large balcony.

      They are loading all the food and "stuff" we will be needing for the next two weeks.

This is our butler, Shogun.  He arrived at our door shortly after we arrived to introduce himself and ask what my special requests were.  I had a few items for him.  I always ask for the Dallas Morning New newspaper be delivered every day.  They download and print it off.  Another perk we receive!

This is our suite steward, Rodelo.  We knew him and he remembered us.  He has been our suite steward before.

     Before unpacking and me working on this blog post we went up to La Veranda, the breakfast and lunch buffet, to grab a cold sandwich and return to the suite to get to work.  At night they turn half of La Veranda into an Italian restaurant (no reservation required).  It is really good!!  

     We have already ran into many crew members we know and they certainly seemed glad to see us again.  We know the Restaurant Manager (over all dining venues), the maitre'd in Prime 7 and Sette Mari.  It was great to find out the Executive Chef is also someone we know well, Dino.  We also know the ship's General Manager, Andreas, and Executive Concierge, Janina.  I'm sure we will know many more of the staff.  OOPS!  I forgot the most important man, Captain Saro.  He was pictured with us on with him on his bridge for our Christmas card 2019.  He calls me Captain!  I'll have photos of all these folks on the blog later on during the cruise.

     Well, I think we are now unpacked and it's 4pm.  Shogun will be bringing us some evening canapes at 5pm.  We have 7pm reservations in the steakhouse, Prime 7.  So after getting dressed for dinner we will probably head down to the Meridian Lounge for pre-dinner cocktails.  Ah, the good life has begun again at long last.

     This is a rare treat for us to have a penthouse suite.  But when we booked this cruise a long time ago they were offering a two category upgrade so I took advantage of it.  This will certainly spoil us!

Oh, my, Shogun brought our canapes.  I asked if we could get some jalapeno poppers, and sure enough, they appeared.  "No" is not a word used by Regent!!!  Rodelo just came and secured the furniture on our balcony.  That is a sign that it will be windy and probably rough seas tonight.  We'll see what Captain Saro says in his PA just prior to sailing in a few minutes.