Continuing my peregrinations on Deck 10

With a morning at sea, I had a chance to explore another couple of decks, enjoying the artwork and noticing one or two things which had previously escaped me.

I am becoming quite the Goethe scholar, reading these German quotations which are nearly – but not quite – in the correct order.  Once again, I’m starting my route on the forward staircase of Deck 10.

One of the first things we noticed on board Explorer was the Atrium.  Most ships have a light well in this area and here it seems to us to be very un-shiplike, for some reason.  Maybe the sharp rectangular design, maybe the enclosed windows? 

Beyond that point, though, looking towards the stern of the ship, there’s a corridor on either side with suites to the left and service access to the right (vice-versa on the other side, of course)

Along these residential corridors, there are collections of really cute photographs of a bygone age.  As soon as we spotted them, we loved them and have enjoyed making a note of our favourites as we’ve moved about the ship.

We’ve imagined our parents and grandparents in similar poses, even though neither of our families would ever be able to dream of doing such things.  But the fashion, the style and the demeanour of the people is so reminiscent of photographs we have, even if ours were taken at Hornsea or Minehead!

So, at the stern of Deck 10, on the Starboard side (I think!) is the steakhouse, Prime 7.  There’s a small bar at the entrance; perfect for pre dinner drinks and the Maitre D’ is right there on hand to keep everything running smoothly.

The atmosphere is spacious and lighter than previous versions of Prime 7 we’ve known.  We like this one very much indeed and lunch yesterday was a real treat.

This was especially so with the lunchtime dessert, which came in the form of a small carousel of treats – help yourself to Red Velvet, Brownie, Key Lime Pie, Banana something-or-other, Pecan and Caramel sandwich or Pear and Blueberry Cobbler!   Take two if you can manage (we couldn’t!)   What a great way to style small, lunch-sized desserts.

Whilst sitting enjoying lunch, our eyes fell on the artwork in here, much of which was bovine-related (Steakhouse…yes?)   Knowing that a huge sum had been spent on the artwork for the ship and understanding that there were some rather fine pieces here and there, we asked Catherine, our server, if there was anything special we might look for.

She thought there might be a Picasso in the small, private dining room adjacent to our table and suggested we take a look.

This small, exclusive venue has been referred to as both The Study and as La Chambre.  It’s not somewhere we’d choose to dine, so we’d paid no attention to it until now – but if there was a PIcasso in there?  (There wasn’t)

So we asked Sergio, Maitre D’ if he knew where it was.  “Right here, behind me!” he said – pointing out the small plate-sized piece behind his desk.  “Oh, and there’s another one over there”

On the wall of the bar area…

Just next to the drawing by Chagall!

Oooo.

We thanked Sergio for a delicious lunch and the art spotting assistance.  Regent staff are extraordinary and really do go “above and beyond” in every respect.

Next door to Prime 7, on the other side of The Study, is Chartreuse, the French restaurant, occupying a similar sized space but on the Port side of the stern area of Deck 10.

Again, there’s a small bar for pre-dinner drinks.

The restaurant is designed in a slightly Art Nouveau style, with touches of chartreuse green (of course) and specially designed china (as in all the restaurants on board).

We look forward to dining here on an evening shortly, but lunch here the other day was super!

From here, then, it’s a straight walk back along the Port side corridor of even numbered suites, where the collection of photographs continues to make us smile.  Before long, I’m back at the forward staircase and have completed my walk around Deck 10!

What do you reckon so far?

Totally Confused!

I had to return to my last post and make some corrections, for I’m still totally confused about what’s where and even, which deck is which!  OK, so I can find my way “home” on Deck 12, but I totally forgot that the jogging track is right here too and that we go down one flight of stairs for the pool deck.  So, I needed to work that one out in my little brain before I can share an accurate picture!

A good thing is that locations are clearly signed and I’m never lost for long.  I’ve never been good at working out which is the front and which is the back, so can frequently be found going the wrong way, anyway.

Anyway, here’s what Deck 11 is like.

One of our first concerns on board this ship were the relative sizes of the staircases and the lift lobbies, both of which were narrower and tighter than other ships we’ve known.  We envisaged a bit of a crush when a theatre show ends, for example, but have been proved wrong.  Traffic moves quickly, the lifts handle large numbers of people well and we’ve never experienced a crush at all.

Perhaps now is a good time to say, this ship is sailing full.  There are 700 passengers (and around the same number of staff) but we would never know it.  I didn’t go out of my way to avoid people in my photographs – this is really how it is – or rather, how it was this morning, when I did my walkabout.

On each stairwell there is an artwork from this series.  It’s a quotation from Goethe’s Tales: “Lange hatte man ihr schon versichert, daß diese Erscheinung” and now I’ve identified it I need to follow the set to find out if the sentence continues elsewhere (it translates as “For a long time they had already been assured that this apparition”   ending mid sentence, on a cliff-hanger, so to speak)

(I suspect that’s going to be another project for the trip….find the series!  But I have heard German spoken nearby, so perhaps I can enlist help?)

Anyway, arty friends, it looks as though the text has been applied to the canvas using dimensional medium, before colour was applied – interesting!

OK, so moving right along,  one of the first places I come across is the Culinary Arts Kitchen.  We could take cooking classes here, but unsure of what plans we might make along the way, on this cruise, we didn’t.  I understand them to be very good, however, and could be tempted at some point in the future.

Next door is the Library, previously discussed in an earlier post.  Now I know it’s there, I’ve peeked in the door a couple of times and each time it’s been quiet and peaceful.  Very nice.

The corridor then opens up to a kind of runway entrance to the Observation Lounge.  This large entrance feature is common to several venues on the ship and is something we rather like.

The Observation Lounge, quiet at this time of the day, will be busy later for tea time and Trivia.  It’s probably our favourite place for a pre dinner drink too, with a pianist and a relaxing atmosphere.

This morning, the dance floor is being polished in preparation for a dance class.

Right above the dance floor is a beautiful chandelier with crystal drops changing colour.  the ship has many such chandeliers of different designs – another feature we admire.

Walking back along the other side of the ship, there’s a wide walkway with service entrances on one side

and the Conoisseurs Club room on the other.  Here is where the smokers gather for cigars and so on.

From here, we step outside to the Pool Deck and the bar area, set alongside the most beautiful shimmery tiled wall.

and here are the main, serried ranks of sun loungers, ready for the warm weather.

I like how they’ve been separated with voile curtains, creating an air of privacy and breaking up that line.

At the end of the pool are two hot tubs and a couple of showers

and in the semi-open air, there are tables and chairs for the Pool Grill buffet,

where both breakfast and lunch are served.

For those of us who prefer to eat indoors, or outdoors at the stern of the ship, the main “La Veranda” buffet restaurant is here.

On both sides of the ship, in between La Veranda and the Pool Grill is a rather lovely seating area with chairs of an intriguing design. We rather like the look of these areas, though have yet to sit there and try it out.  But with a coffee machine right on hand and the pool buffet nearby, I imagine it could be popular.

With a symmetrical arrangement of sun loungers along the other side, that completes my walk around Deck 11.  If I go through the doors here, I find myself back outside the Culinary Arts Kitchen and the flight of stairs where I began.

I’ll try to continue my walk around on our next sea day, if only to establish what is where in my own mind!  Meanwhile, we’re sailing on to Acapulco and Team Trivia is calling for my attention.  As long as the question doesn’t concern “on what deck would I find xxxx?” we’ll be fine  

Wish us luck!

Let’s start at the top

I know that many friends are curious about this “most luxurious ship ever built” so I thought I’d take you on a tour, deck by deck.  I couldn’t fit all of that in one post, so this will be the first of a few and hopefully, by the time we get off in Miami, I will have captured most of it.

On the other ships we have sailed, this top deck is usually free of deckchairs and suchlike, but here,on all four sides, overlooking the pool, there are the comfiest sunloungers, dressed with terrycloth covers looking very inviting indeed – were it a few degrees warmer.

In the corners are these circular sun beds with canopies which fold back/open up.  Very luxurious – were it not for one thing.

On this deck is also the jogging track.  Please know that I risked life and limb walking around to take these photographs!  People who use the track are serious about their step count and woe betide anyone who gets in the way!

Or goes the wrong way round (several do!)  For me, using the loungers on this deck would be far from relaxing, for not only would the thud-thud-thud of passing traffic become annoying, I’d want to assume the role of controller and say “excuse me, did you realise you were going the wrong way?”! 

Also on this deck is a net for ?golf? practice.

A shuffleboard court with equipment

and instructions!

There’s an enclosed court of some kind – for a variation on tennis, perhaps?

and putting greens for mini golf.

which go all the way around to the other side of the ship.

Here, there’s a Bocce green

and back where we started, a table tennis set up.

Also on Deck 12 are a few suites (including ours!)  There is actually one deck higher still, Deck 14 (there is no Deck 13) where there are a few more suites including the much hyped “Regent Suite”: the one with the grand piano and million dollar hand made bed is to be found. You can read all about that elsewhere!

So that’s one deck done…meet me later and hopefully, the internet will allow a second post about Deck 11.  Right now, I’m off to learn about the news from Central America, from Harry Chittick, our on board lecturer and ace speaker.

Salsa, Salsa

We were not due into Cabo San Lucas until lunchtime today, so we spent a lazy morning doing not very much. 

At some point, however, we heard something going on outside and looked out to find the boats being launched.  We were going to be tendering ashore in Cabo and three of the ship’s lifeboats were being lowered into the water.

As we watched the goings on, the Captain waved from the bridge and our neighbours looked out from their balcony.  It’s always interesting arriving in a new port, especially one we haven’t been to before.

There was added interest here too, because the Seven Seas Navigator was anchored there too.  We’ve not sailed on her before, but have an adventure booked for next year.

Anyway, for those who like a map (that’s me and my Hero, needless to say) this is where we were today.  One of the excursions was to Lands End, though we had chosen something a little different

The view from our verandah was quite interesting and not feeling terribly hungry (it didn’t seem long since breakfast, after all), we decided we’d order a couple of sandwiches from room service for our lunch.

And so, it was with a view of party central that we made ourselves comfortable and enjoyed a light lunch chez nous.  We seldom eat anything in our suite, normally preferring one of the various restaurant options, but seeing a full size table and chairs on our verandah, we thought we’d give it a try.

We could hear the goings on over the water, but couldn’t quite work out what was happening.  Still, we’d be over there soon and be able to see for ourselves.

Our tour wasn’t until 1.40pm, so I did a bit of needlepoint before going down to the theatre to collect our tickets for the tender.

As we made the journey over, we considered how the scheduled number of passengers could be squeezed onto those uncomfortable little boats in an emergency.  OK, I guess we’d not care in those circumstances, but oh my, the lack of legroom makes us very glad indeed when we arrive.

Now, we’d heard of Cabo from watching American TV shows and we always pictured it as a classy sort of place. 

I’m sure there are indeed classy resorts here and there, but in the downtown area it was much like seaside resorts the world over – cheap and tacky souvenirs and T shirts alongside the million dollar yachts moored in the harbour.

We drove for maybe fifteen minutes to a restaurant perched high above the ocean, to spend the afternoon learning Salsa and Salsa –a bit of cooking, a bit of dancing and a lot of fun, we hoped.

Everything was laid out ready; the ingredients and tools all set out for each of us to work in pairs.  Oh, and just to get the ball rolling, Margaritas were handed round. Ayyy!

Now these three had their work cut out, warming everyone up and getting their class into the spirit.  The “ole” bell was their call to order, because when it sounded, we were all supposed to call “ole!” – but this was not a party group at all and to begin with, their efforts fell on stony ground.  I’m sure the hen parties and the groups from downtown are more easily coaxed into letting their hair down that this one and the idea to get everyone to conga around the restaurant was not altogether successful!

More Margaritas needed then!  The ingredients for two different drinks were on our tables and we quickly followed the instructions to create a fresh Lime Margarita.  Mmmm….tasted good and yes, with two drinks inside, most of us were getting into the spirit.  (I was glad we’d had those sandwiches!)

By now, things were getting a little louder and by the time Barbara was asked to measure some Cointreau for a Strawberry Margarita, the fun had begun. 

 

So creating of three different salsas to taste with a variety of bits and pieces (tortilla chips, quesadillas and chicken corn rolls) went more smoothly, because needless to say, glasses were filled on request and those margaritas just kept flowing for those who had the head for them.

Having completed the salsa cooking lesson with another three, less complicated salsas, it was time for the “other sort”.  Fifteen minutes of “uno dos tres, quatro cinco seis” and the majority of the group were dancing some kind of salsa, though whether or not it would be recognised as such by anyone else is questionable.  Still, it was a giggle and a fun way to spend the afternoon!

The sun was setting as we drove back to the harbour, to make the tender crossing back to the ship.  The Navigator had already left, so there was just one, beautiful white ship there in the bay waiting for us.

A beautiful evening, too, to make a Margarita-fuelled sail away towards our next destination, Acapulco, the day after tomorrow. 

The strange thing is…

Just when I think I’ve seen all of the ship, I stumble across another place; one I haven’t discovered so far.

Today it was the library. 

We were at sea today, sailing from San Diego to Cabo San Lucas, where we’ll arrive around lunchtime tomorrow.  We had nothing much planned, though I had arranged to meet friends this morning, to go to the needlepoint session and begin a new project and would go to listen to one of our favourite lecturers this afternoon, to learn about the Maya.  Meanwhile, my hero would learn one or two new songs for his choir schedule this term.

Oh, and then there was Trivia, of course.

So, we pottered about, chatting to people here and there, discovering people from the East Riding who speak uncannily like I do and meeting some near neighbours of Mary’s, too.  But when I was on my way to the needlepoint group, I spotted a rather lovely, sunny spot which I’d not seen before.  I stepped inside to take photos, admired the books and the artwork in there and made a mental note to come and sit in one of these peaceful, comfy chairs some time and spend a while looking at some of the gorgeous books in here: weighty tomes on fashion, travel and art.

I pottered about a bit, taking photos and generally marvelling that such a nice space was completely empty, when I heard a cough!  Sure enough, in the far corner, a chap was sitting reading quietly.

I guess he’s found his favourite spot already!

Normally at lunchtime, we’ll go to the pool deck, for burgers or grilled fish and salad.  Today, though, I spotted that the French restaurant Chartreuse was open for lunch and taking a quick look at the menu, we decided to give it a try.  How glad we did, for who should bring the menus over to us but Darle, a sweet waitress from Myanmar, who we’ve known since she first started on board Regent ships.  How lovely to see her again!

Delicious leek and cheese quiche!

Of course, the thing is, after a nice lunch with a couple of glasses of wine, going to listen to a lecture in a darkened theatre has inevitable results.

We both fell asleep.

Thankfully, we had woken up in good time for Trivia and with our new found team, we did rather well…

We won!   (Definitely down to the team, however – I mean, we’d never have known Kris Kristofferson wrote Me and Bobby McGee -  would you?  Thankfully, our team mate Don did!)

This evening, then, we were relaxed.  I’d drunk my Aperol Spritz before I even thought to take a photo.  But we miss Gusti and his amazing Hendricks Gin and Cucumber, for sure.

We ate dinner in the steakhouse, Prime 7

where my wish for just two king crab legs as a starter was fulfilled – they were perfect, as was the steak and affogato dessert which followed.

 

Returning to our suite after a funny show in the theatre (comedy + magic, very good indeed) we found our travelling companions have a new little Regent friend.

Sweet!