Adventure Part 3

We were already “here” when I opened the curtains this morning.  Already packed and our luggage collected, we simply had to manage our time today.  No point in rushing – we were assigned the last disembarkation code, with no flight to catch, no tour to take.

So we took our time over a leisurely breakfast in the restaurant, enjoying Aras’ company again and appreciating the small details like the little ship-shaped garnish to my blueberry pancakes.

Not to mention the clever carrot garnish on my Hero’s omelette.  I looked closely at that one and might add it to my repertoire!

Though our estimated disembarkation time was 9.10am, it was more than an hour after that when we were finally called and gone 10.30am when we had collected our luggage, gone through immigration and joined the last queue of the day, for a taxi.

Hello Miami.

As we drove through the city, we spotted a billboard for the Harmony of the Seas, the ship we’d passed by yesterday.  OMG.

We checked into our cool hotel, learned that our room wouldn’t be ready for another hour or so, and went out to get our bearings.

I guess we’re not in Kansas any more

We hummed as we walked.

Doing our best to avoid road and building works around and about, we took refuge in a new shopping centre, which the concierge had recommended for the architecture alone.  Built to capitalise on the breezes during the hot Summer months, it made an interesting diversion for a while.

Still awaiting our call to say our room was ready, we mooched around the Brickell Key a while longer.

Had we but got our beachwear with us, we could have settled on the hotel beach for a while.  But everything was still packed up and for now, we must simply be patient.

We seem to have been doing a lot of that today.

As we turned the corner, we spotted a familiar sight.  The Explorer was just over there, awaiting her next complement of guests who would be boarding about now, I guess.

She’ll sail at 5pm for a short, five day Caribbean cruise, chartered to an hotel group for their employees.

Bon Voyage, Explorer!  Hope to see you soon!

Moving along

All good things come to an end and as my Mum would say, we have to leave one good thing in order for the next good thing to begin.

Our last day on board Explorer got off to an excellent start with Sunday Brunch in the restaurant.  The choice was overwhelming, the service was legendary.  Sweet Darle, from Myanmar was there to help us choose and we were glad of an opportunity to say thank you and hope to see you soon!  One thing we really love about Regent is the way young staff are engaged, trained and enabled to progress and it’s so good to meet them time and again and watch their career develop.

It’s good to meet chefs face to face and be able to thank them for their fantastic work.  Even better to see how proud they are when an event like this involves them at the front.

Happy though we were to linger as long as we could over Mimosas and crepes, there was the essential business of packing to consider.

I had the door open as we worked and turned around just in time to see the Harmony of the Seas pass us by.  One of the largest cruise ships in the world, she carries almost 6000 passengers and more than two and a half thousand staff.  Wow.  But you know, I’ll bet everyone on board is having just as great a time as we are enjoying!

All packed and our suitcases locked and put out, we are left with the sweet message that reminds us it’s our last evening.

We have one more dinner with our friends, the Clueless Trivia Team: Sue and Don, Vince and Joyce, my Hero and myself.  We engineer a table for six in our favourite spot and share an evening of fun stories and much laughter.  The wine flows freely, the food is great and the company even better.  Each of the three couples begins the next stage of their adventure tomorrow – all six of us will stay in Florida a little longer before returning to our homes.  But for one last night, it’s great to celebrate our good fortune, our success (one win and several second places) and wish Vince good luck in spending his on board credit before the Boutique closes shortly.

Tomorrow, Part 3 of our adventure begins.  The fun just keeps on coming!

On a warm, sunny afternoon

What better way can there be to dip one’s toes in cool, fresh water and enjoy a little peace and quiet?  That’s exactly what I did when we returned from our walking tour in Cartagena yesterday, making my way to the Infinity Pool in the Spa.

Though I knew there was a discreet entrance to the spa on Deck 6, I chose to use the main Deck 5 entrance so I could exchange my suite key card for a locker key at the desk here.

Once inside, through the ladies’ locker room, there’s a peaceful lobby area with several facilities accessed from here.  There in the room with the glass door is an infrared sauna, and just across from there, the entrance to a glorious experience, the experiential shower!

I pressed one button and stepped inside for a truly amazing and uplifting five minutes.  First, a cold mist descended upon me.  It was aromatic and rather soothing; perfectly calming after a hot and rather bustling walking tour.  After a few minutes, the lighting changed and I found myself in a tropical rain shower.  Cool drips of water splashed on my head and felt exactly like being caught in the rain somewhere warm.  Just as I was getting used to that, a gentle massage shower began with water coming from all directions!  How amazing was that?

Had I been a little braver, I might have stepped inside this next “cold room”,

but as it is, I simply opened the door (as there was noone inside) and snapped a picture of the ice walls instead.  I’m told it is very invigorating to step from the sauna or steam room into the ice room, but for now, I’ll take their word for it.

The wonderfully aromatic steam room is just opposite – and as with everything here, I’m assuming this “women’s section” is exactly replicated on the other side for the gentlemen?

Both sections open out onto the aft deck, where there are a small number of sun loungers and a couple of the circular beds.

There’s a couple of showers and shelves of towels behind what I think is the best kept secret on board.

The Infinity pool.

It’s not large and who knows what would happen if the whole ship descended upon it at once, but oh my, it’s lovely.  The tilework is spectacular – as it is throughout the spa – and my only comment would be to say that the stairs to access the pool are very steep.  Even using the staircase with the handrail involves a step of 12 inches or so, so those with wonky knees could find it tricky.

But me?  I loved it!  I was tempted to say nothing about it, to keep the secret safe, but you know, I just had to share!

The spa is on two levels on the Explorer, with treatment rooms, a beauty salon and two workout rooms

I’m not a gym bunny so can’t comment on the equipment.

But for sure, there’s a great view from some of the machines!

I think that really does complete my walkthrough.  I’m sure there are corners I‘ve missed and with only one more day to find them, maybe some will have to wait until our next time on board.  I’ll look forward to that!

At last, Deck 4

Though there are obviously further decks below here with staff accommodation and suchlike, Deck 4 is the last general public access level of the ship.  There is one notable exception on Deck 3 which I’ll include here as well.

I’ll begin with the theatre.  Superficially, it’s an attractive space with a clever design of the stage area to create a wide screen effect.  However, as I’ve mentioned previously, there are some practical design issues which only become apparent when the theatre is in use and it will be interesting to see how these are addressed as the ship develops.

At each entrance to the theatre on Deck 4 is one of four variations on this piece of art worked in glass “feathers”.  The aqua coloured one here, is set alongside the same design in opaque white glass.  On the opposite entrance walkway it can be seen in amber and clear, colourless glass.  It’s rather striking I think and reflects the light beautifully.

I’m not so sure I feel as warm towards the next piece of art I come across.  It’s one of a few in this general area which I find a little troubling for some unknown reason.  I’ll share the others in a while.

The main feature of this area of the ship is the Boutique.  We both feel that this is rather better stocked on the Explorer than on the other ships, though there are many who disagree.  Thinking about it, we haven’t seen the “bargain basement” style sales of jewellery or local souvenirs here in quite the same way as on the other ships and that could be a factor.

Generally speaking, we don’t shop here at all, tempting though some of the offers could be.

But for those seeking souvenirs, there’s quite a choice.

Directly across from the general boutique is a fine jewellers with some beautiful and more extravagant souvenirs.

and adjacent to that, a store with rather lovely accessories too.

In stark contrast, the view from those lovely, stylish boutiques are what I regard as the two most aggressive and troubling pieces of art on the ship.  At least they steer my eye in the direction of prettier things.

One thing I very much appreciate about the Explorer is represented here, however.  The marble floors throughout are absolutely stunning and this particular one is a fine example.  The craftsmanship involved in creating the design is first class and in several places around the ship we find ourselves admiring the floor we are stepping or sitting upon.

Standing on the centre of that rose design, then, and turning to look along the length of the ship, here is another expansive lobby area.  The grand staircase comes down from the Reception area on Deck 5 here and there’s a great view.

Since we boarded a couple of weeks ago, there has been a beautiful flower arrangement on this table, but today it has been removed, allowing a clear unimpeded view of that gorgeous Lalique vase.  It’s one of a pair – though I can’t recall where I’ve seen the other one!

There’s a pretty, curved area of seating just along here, with niches containing attractive vases and vessels.  Last evening, as the Captain announced that there would be a heavy swell and high seas overnight, I spotted a fellow passenger checking that those items were all securely placed – they are all fixed in place, she was assured.  The symmetry is maintained with a mirror image of this area on the other side, forming a circular “frame” for the table and flower arrangement.

No area is left unadorned then, and under the staircase is a piece of white sculpture, mirrored by a similar piece under the other staircase.

The next area is punctuated by another marble motif in the floor.

and a pair of paintings, either side of the central walkway.

Turn left into the Casino.

Turn right into the Explorer Bar.

Like the Meridian Lounge upstairs, this isn’t really somewhere best viewed during the daytime.  In the evening it’s a darker, cosier setting for a pre dinner drink, with music played on a small stage to the right.  The chairs here are a strange, squat design – thankfully, comfier than they appear!

There are seating areas outside here to, in the central area, with further niches containing objects of interest and very comfortable seating.  Actually, we prefer to enjoy our pre dinner drinks out here than in the bar, where a little passing traffic offers conversation and occasionally, entertainment

Step straight ahead and here’s the main restaurant, Compass Rose.

There’s actually a table for the Maitre D’ at the point, but my eyes go immediately to the spectacular lighting installation and the lovely atmosphere it creates.

Sadly, this stylish atmosphere doesn’t continue to all four corners of the restaurant and there are areas where I think the decor has been rather overlooked in comparison to details elsewhere.  So we have chosen to request a table in the shiny area each evening we’ve dined here, with our favourite sparky team of lovely staff and have enjoyed some memorable dinners as a result.

Much has been said about the Versace designed tableware here, too, so let’s not continue without capturing one of those beauties!

Unlike the other ships, the restaurant on Explorer has no aft entrance and so we return the way we came, paying attention to a couple of small points such as these beautiful cushions.  They are fine examples of the soft furnishings throughout the ship, elegant and beautifully made of high quality fabrics and trimmings.  They definitely add to the luxurious feel and I hope they will withstand careful use!

The other aspect which is so easily overlooked is the spotless condition of every area of the ship I have explored.  Continual maintenance, cleaning and polishing, quietly done throughout the day ensures that every surface is immaculate.  Of course, it doesn’t magically happen but is as a result of a team of staff whose eye for detail and dedication to the task in hand is reflected in every glass tabletop.

That, I think, completes my walkthrough of the Explorer, with just two notable exceptions.  The first is the Spa, which I’ll share in a shorter post later today.  The other is a place on deck 3 which we all hope we won’t need to visit.

The clue on the design of the door.  It’s the Medical Centre.  I have it on good authority that it’s well equipped and staffed by a team of capable and very experienced people.  I’m thankful for that, but here’s hoping their skills are not challenged too frequently.

Time for coffee, I think!

Cartagena today

We’d been here before and stayed overnight, so when choosing what tour to reserve this time, we tried to choose something new.  Except there wasn’t really anything new on offer, so we simply booked the walking tour, thinking that at least we’d get some exercise.

We arrived to find another of our sister ships in port.  We last saw Mariner in Buenos Aires a couple of years ago and it was good to see her again.   Actually, the last time we were here in Cartagena, it was on board that very ship.

Cartagena hadn’t changed a great deal, though the main thing which we noted was the difference between this South American city and those we saw in Central America.  In a different league, I’d say.

Bearing in mind we’d tried to avoid places we’d been to previously, our hearts sank as we pulled up by St Philips Fortress.  It was already hot and the thought of climbing to the top of the structure didn’t appeal one bit.

So I began to take photographs and make a few observations.

Paying particular attention to the statue, really doing my best to avoid the constant stream of vendors selling everything and anything.

With two cruise ships in town, there were plenty of potential customers but some returned to their shady spot to wait for the next group to appear.

Thankfully, our guide M C Victor (!) had no intentions of spending long at the fortress and we were soon on our way again.

As soon as we started to walk, we recalled how much we enjoyed being here in the small, colourful streets, full of flowers.

Offset by that clear blue sky, the colours sing.

The fruit vendors were doing better business than the tourist tat lot.

I was just wishing I could spend longer composing better shots, to capture the colours and the atmosphere more effectively.  But Victor kept on walking and we just had to follow.

Even the pavement goods were colourful.

It’s just that sort of city.

Before long, we reached another familiar place.  Please, no visit to the Palace of the Inquisition.  (I hated it last time)

Thankfully not.  We walked through the Square, paid homage to Simon Bolivar up there with a bird on his head and joined in a jolly Salsa lesson.

Well, you know, we seasoned salsa dancers

I admired the bicycle being used as a kind of shop window.

and the row upon row of fabric shoes.  But no time to try, or to buy.

Now, we were near the Cathedral.

Well, there was quite a large clue, even if we didn’t go inside.

Instead, we admired the artwork outside.  I guess you can tell what you need to rub for good luck?

A few more streets and I had totally lost my bearings.  A good job my Hero has an inbuilt compass (and we had Victor to follow)

Next stop was Colon Square, with the statue of Columbus up there, shining white in the sunshine.

And just as we were thinking that we’d done well to avoid the inevitable shopping opportunity, we were led into the Emerald Museum.  Hah!  As if.

As we walked about the city, we noticed a pair of “painted” statues.  you know the kind of thing; they paint themselves all over and then stand still for a while, hoping to gather some money in their pot.  Well, two black statues were following us around a bit – they’d pop up here and there and were quite recognisable since one had a fish on a stick and the other, well, he was just the other half!  Of course, as soon as we’d noticed them in one place, we spotted them everywhere.

The thing is, they’d discovered a bit of a trick. They’d stand in front of a popular tourist location and then expect money from those taking a photograph.  I’m pretty sure that had this sweet family not posed in front of the statue of the Pope as we passed, one of them would have been draped over or around it.  They were certainly by the statue of St Francis de Claver – so I’m afraid I just kept on walking.  I don’t like being pressured.

Anyway, our walking tour at an end, we jumped on the minibus and drove along the seafront back to the ship.  I recalled making a note of these individual sunshades previously.  No common or garden umbrellas here!

As we neared the port, we could see the two ships side by side.

Mariner was preparing to leave, and as we got off the bus, we waved goodbye to her.  Bon Voyage!

As for me, I had one activity in mind for when we returned.  I was going to head straight for the infinity pool!

As I enjoyed the fresh blue water and admired the beautiful tile work, I took a few more photos to share in a post tomorrow. 

It was utter bliss!