I had a visit from a Regent executive yesterday and I asked about this issue of food and wines.

He explainted that Regent is now outsourcing the food and beverage through a different source with the purpose of improving the overall quality and increasing the standards. This is NOT a cost savings move it is a definite increase in the budget. Florian may share some of this with you when you visit with him again, ask him about it.

There may be a few quirks initially as there can be with any new system (like yellowtail) or maybe not having a wine we have come to enjoy in the past but maybe there will be new wines we like even better.

The expectation with this new outsourcing is a far superior product.

The Prime Seven venue I am now very excited about trying. I do think that this is going to be a winner. On the Mariner there is not a full kitchen for Latitudes and they are building a whole new kitchen to service this new restaurant. A big expense and undertaking. There is a lot of thought and energy going into this new concept and if it turns out half as well as they expect it is going to be a very popular addition.

The focus truly is bringing Regent standards UP on the ships in all aspects. With all the refurbishments planned for the ships I do feel we are going to have some wonderful improvements. The Mariner and the Voyager should be completed by the time they start the two world cruises. So looking forward to boarding and seeing the changes on the Mariner in February.