DAY 3---ANOTHER SEA DAY

 LAST EVENING

        We skipped going to the Captain's Welcome Reception at 6pm in the theater and went for our cocktail hour in the Mariner Lounge.  I was surprised as it was nearly full but we managed to get a couple seats at the bar.

        At 7:15 we met Captain Abhi, Jonathan (social host), and 3 other couples for dinner at the big Captain's table.  Note the chandelier.  We were leery of dining a such a big table with strangers but we were very pleasantly surprised.  We had a great time and amazingly could hear the couple across the table from us.

        Rebecca sat next to Captain Abhi.  Captain Abhi is a very classy guy and engaged everyone in the conversations.  The gentleman in the orange jacket was a hoot.  He kept the table laughing throughout the dinner.

The couple next to me were fairly new to Regent as only 5 other cruises.  I really enjoyed chatting with the lady next to me.  They were from Orange County, CA.  On the other side of them is Jonathan, the social host.  He was pretty quiet at dinner but nice guy.

          Head sommelier, Kadek, and another sommelier kept our wine glasses topped off. 

                 Wayan, our waiter, was excellent.  Wayan and Kadek are both from Bali.

        We didn't finished dinner until 9:45 and Linda Gentille was well into her show.  We stood in the back of the theater for a few minutes then headed back to the suite.  We have seen her shows many times.

TODAY

        Up and about by 6:45 this morning.  As the Captain predicted the Caribbean is a bit rougher today.  The ship is riding pretty well despite the 45 knot wind from port bow.  I went down and got our usual Americano coffees.

        We request the next day's Compass Rose menu be delivered to our suite by 5pm the day before.  This way we can make a special entree request if nothing appeals to us.  You are supposed to make a special request at least 24 hours before.

        That said, we did not care for today's menu so had planned to go up to Sette Mari (Italian food) IF it was not too rough and the ship not rocking and rolling.  Sette Mari is on deck 11 and higher you go on the ship the more movement there is.  I wanted to request veal parmesan up there for tonight.

        So I went up to La Veranda (this is converted into Sette Mari for dinner time) to have this omelet and ask Mark, the Sette Mari maitre'd, for veal parm this evening.  He told me I had to make the request 24 hours prior so they could not do it.  I said I know but had made many requests on other cruises less than 24 hours notice.  He insisted no way this time.  (by the way this omelet was not so good)

Rebecca had room service breakfast at 7:30.

        I was not real happy so went to the top with my request for the veal parmesan.  I went down to Compass Rose and asked to speak with Vlada (the Restaurant Manager on left).  He was back in the kitchen talking to the Executive Chef Deon.  They both came out to talk to me.  I explained my request with Mark about the veal parm.  Chef Deon said "no problem" you will get the veal parm.  I told him I had a photo of how I liked it prepared and how do I get it to them.  I then gave him a verbal description and he said, "oh, I remember how you like it".  We have cruised with both these guys before!  Vlada is over all the dining venues on board.  The first thing I said to the chef when he came out was, "I have a complaint, your food is too good!"  I always compliment before I make a request.

        Rebecca did her 2 miles (40 minutes) on the treadmill as usual every morning.  I worked on this post and watched yesterday's lecture on Aruba and Bonaire that was recorded for tv viewing.

        Yesterday they delivered a bottle of Ketel One vodka that I did not request.  So I told them to take it back and give me a bottle of Grey Goose.  GG is a much better vodka!  Right Marcia!!!

        During the Captain's noon PA he said since midnight we have had winds at 45 knots with some gusts up to 65 knots.  Despite this, we are getting a fairly good ride.  It is 82F with partly cloudy skies.  The winds are expected to continue today and through the night.

        Our noon position is depicted by the triangle.  We are 2/3's of the way to our first port at Aruba.  We should be docked there around 10am tomorrow.  I hope the strong winds do allow us to dock safely.

In La Veranda for lunch I started with some anchovies, bleu cheese, shrimp, and cured salmon.

There was a seafood buffet out at the pool grill.  I went out and got some seafood paella and pizza.

        This morning I went down to the internet manager, Jose, and had him add "internet streaming" to Rebecca's Iphone.  Unfortunately it costs $20 per day but she needs to watch her soaps.  We have ship board credits to use for it.  

        Speaking of ship board credit, I had to use some of it this afternoon to buy some extra strength Tylenol.  We forgot to pack some.  I usually don't need it but my back is acting up now.  Rebecca is watching her Y&R and B&B soaps being streamed this afternoon.

        This evening at 6pm there is the "Mariner Block Party".  This is unique to all Regent cruises.  At 6:00 a bell on the bridge is rang out over the ship's PA.  Folks are to bring a wine glass out of their suites into the hallways and meet their neighbors.  The stewards and stewardesses  will serve wine and canapes while folks are visiting.  In the meantime, the Captain, General Manager, and Cruise Director will be racing through all the ship's hallways starting on the upper decks and working their way down to greet their passengers.  All that said, I don't think we will be participating this evening.

        This is tonight's Compass Rose menu.  As I said, we do not care for it so going up to Sette Mari for some Italian food.

        This is just part of the menu up there.  I will be having my special order veal parmesan.  Rebecca is planning the penne pasta with bolognese sauce.

        Tonight's show in the theater at 9:30 will be featuring the Mariner production cast of talented singers and dancers.  This show is titled "Divos & Divas".  We have seen it many times on other ships but looking forward to seeing this cast perform.

        Aruba tomorrow!!  We hope.