Yes, today we are boarding our ship, Regent's Splendor. I was awake last night from 3am to 4:30am worrying about where to find where we are to drop our checked luggage with porters at the cruise terminal. Apparently this terminal is different then others we have cruised out of. I was worried our bags might be put on the MSC cruise ship. But more so, I was worried about an Uber or taxi driver would know where to go. Remember they do not speak English!
So this morning I went down and booked a hotel driver to take us to the port at 11:30. Costing us $45 (taxi or Uber would be $10) but they know where the bag drop is as have done it many times. I feel better now!
We enjoyed a nice breakfast again in the Executive Lounge and said goodbye to the young ladies who have taken good care of us there. Back to our room and got all packed up and ready to go.
I called to have a bellman pick up our luggage in the room and he helped load our bags in the car I had hired.
We left for the cruise terminal right on time at 11:30. It was just a 15 minute ride. All my worries were for nothing. Regent had a guy meet our car and escorted us to where Regent's bags were collected. He then pointed us to another Regent guy who directed us to immigration. No wait there. Then we were directed to stairs or elevator to take us down to board a bus.
This is the bus that took us through the maize of cargo containers. This is a huge container port as well as serving cruise ships. We were dropped off near the ship and had a 100 yard walk to the gang plank for boarding. I was amazed by how Regent had placed guides throughout the huge cruise terminal which was packed with passengers mainly boarding the MSC ship. Bravo Regent!!
We walked on the ship an hour after leaving the hotel. Amazing! As we walked on the ship we were greeted with the traditional glass of champagne and directed to the priority place for Diamonds and upper category suites to check in. There was just a few couples ahead of us. Two of the male dancers checked us in. They were on our August/September cruise so we readily recognized them. Their contract will end in Miami.
After checking in we were directed to check our emergency muster station to check in and have our names crossed off. They just want you to know exactly where to go in case of an emergency.
After doing that we proceeded to our suite. Most suites are not available until around 3m, but as Diamond status, ours is ready upon boarding. By the way, to obtain the "Diamond" status you have had to sail on Regent for over 1000 nights. Folks, that's about 3 years!
Here are some photos before we messed things up.
Nice sized closet.
Very nice double sinks in bathroom. Also a shower and a bath tub.
They put the Makers Mark bourbon onboard just for me. Likewise, they put La Crema chardonnay onboard just for us.
On the table are some of our special Diamond amenities: a nice flower arrangement, a box of Leonidas candies, and a bottle of expensive Veuve Cliquot champagne.
I unpacked my carry on bag to get our International Certificates of Vaccinations. I had to take them down to Reception desk to prove we both had yellow fever vaccinations. We also went to have the internet manager get us signed onto the ship's internet/wifi. Rebecca had her phone signed in for "streaming" so she can watch her soaps. Streaming costs an extra $19.99 per day.
At 1:30 we went up to the pool grill for a bite of lunch. This is Donovan, the Head Bartender, and Grace, the Head Sommelier. We know them both VERY well. I asked Grace to send a bottle of Rombauer chardonnay up to Prime 7 for our 7pm dinner reservation. We fell in love with this fantastic chardonnay last cruise. It is $80 on their connoisseur wine list. We have nearly $1000 of ship board credit to use on this cruise. I will order another 6 bottles tonight. Why, you ask?? Well, good ole Brazil adds another 25% tax to boutique items and special booze orders when in Brazilian waters. We will be in those waters for 14 days of this cruise. So ordering and paying prior to entering Brazil waters day after tomorrow.
I had some pizza for lunch. Rebecca ALWAYS has an Atkins meal bar for lunch.
As you can see, we are in a container port.
I went out on our balcony to see that the ship is "bunkering" (taking on fuel) today. This is a huge bunker boat.
At about 3pm Paul, our steward, came to introduce himself. I have a list of things I brief all stewards about what we like. Paul is from the Philippines and a very nice young man. We will have a great time with him. I asked if he had seen our luggage.
A few minutes later he arrived with our 3 bags and placed them up on the bed for me. Saving my back! We spent the next hour unpacking. What a chore! This was a very bad day for my back. Took extra strength Tylenol. I find the best "medicine" to be my Manhattans. Lounge opens at 6pm!
Reception just called and asked if Rebecca was here. I told him yes but he wanted to speak to her. Apparently they were not showing her to be onboard. That's a first!!
We will be sailing at 6:15 this evening. Our next port is Punta del Este, Uruguay, where we will be anchored by 8:30 tomorrow morning. I have a tour scheduled for 8:30 which I will describe on tomorrow's post. This is a tender port as there is no dock.
This evening we shall be heading for cocktail hour at 6pm in the Meridian Lounge. We have a 7pm reservation in Prime 7, steakhouse.
I bring my own bitters for my Manhattans from home. I usually leave them with the bartender for my use only. Our suite number is on the bottle. I'm also taking the bottle of Makers Mark there for my use only.
There is a "Welcome Aboard Variety Show" in the theater at 9:30. Captain Ubaido said during his departure PA that we'll have smooth sailing tonight.
