Ralph, Even though you "watched" the video at on line check in, you'll get another email with the video about 3 or 4 days before embarkation.

We are positively happy as we tested negative; two more days until our flight to Ft Lauderdale!!!!!

Marc

PS Ngaire never be concerned about sending duplicate emails; easy enough to delete.

You guys all have a wonderful cruise! So envious! Please post some sea mail!

Made it to FLL; Jim, what time are we meeting at pool bar? We are not scheduled to board until 1230 so we should be on by 3 or 4.

Marc, You should be on by 1:30. 1/2 hour for Covid test and waiting and a few minutes to complete the check in since most was done on line. It was very efficient getting on the Splendor in Sept.

Marc and Jim
Looked at the bar and did not see any tutus. In 617 pursuant to an upgrade. Touch bases with us for at least a hand shake.

Masks now required.

Marc, did they say why the mask requirement? Does it apply only to the Splendor? Presumably, everyone on the ship should be negative. We have a 16 night cruise coming up in two weeks on the Explorer and I would not want to leave Florida where I can live relatively mask free to spend a vacation wearing a mask.

Thanks.

Tom.

Tom, all NCLH ships. Can’t say why except the three cases on explorer and apparently officers that had to go into quarantine as they were at hosted table with guest that later tested positive. We get tested on 22nd and I am anticipating multiple positive results.

Wonderful way to start.
Arlene, Marc, Jim, Pat, Jan, and I had dinner together last night, after cocktails in Observation lounge.
Jim Bittle was able to get us into Chartreuse, so little more intimate setting.
Meet & Mingle was a bust like usual. Only people that showed up we already knew.
Marc found Sheri and her friend so said hi to them.
Announced this morning we are required to wear masks on board all the time when in public spaces.

scuba diver; I am at pool bar sans tutu.

On my way

Just ran up a few flights of stairs to the pool bar. Only person at the bar was a very nice old lady with a big floppy hat. I asked her if she had seen a man here earlier wearing a tutu. She didn't act surprised, but said no that she hadn't seen anyone matching that description.

I am sure we will meet before this trip is over.

sorry to have missed you. had gone to observation but back at pool. will definitely be at trivia in a while.

Boy! I absolutely love, love, love the Splendor! It is so wonderful to be back on board Regent! I don’t know if we had done so much cruising I had gotten a little jaded, having been away for over two years or the brand new beautiful ship but being back on board is like nothing I’ve experienced before. It is wonderful being back on board and as always with Regent, being pampered and spoiled. I’ve had the biggest smile on my face for three days now.

We have sailed on all the ships now, except for the Song, and I’ve liked them all, but the Splendor is without a doubt my favorite. For some reason I was never that enamored of the Explorer, just kind of thought the decor and atmosphere was a little over the top for me. Great ship but it had a hotel feeling to me (i now that probably sounds silly). Regent calls the Explorer “the most luxurious cruise ship” and they say the Splendor is “luxury perfected”. I totally agree. The hallways and elevator areas have a lot of dark paneling with navy blue and gold carpeting that is really pretty (as Carpeting goes anyway). Very old world, luxurious type of feel that I really like, not sleek and flashy like the Explorer. They have made some real improvements too, the coffee connection is more spacious and even has some outdoor seating. Haven’t been in Compass Rose yet but the decor in Chartreuse, Prime 7 and LaVeranda are all beautiful. The theater is really nice too. Just overall a beautiful feeling and atmosphere.

We have an F2 cabin for the first time and I just love it. The layout is great with the bed facing the ocean, the bathroom is great with two sinks and the closet is big enough to get dressed in. I like having the desk area (for Marc) and the buffet area for me as I don’t have to nag marc to clean up the desk anymore. Wish we could do the world cruise in that cabin…….I would be a very happy “camper”. Luxury perfected indeed!

Off to the spa, more later…

Wow, so good to hear from someone onboard, and I know if Arlene approves, I will as well. Bummer about the mask thing though.

But any day cruising is a great day.

Yippee, so happy to know how happy you and Marc are with the Splendor. Have a fabulous time. Please TAKE US with you via your postings. Happy Cruising Marc and Arlene.

Met up with Marc at the pool bar this afternoon. Solved many of the world’s problems over a couple drinks. Still looking for Jim.

I know you guys are busy having fun, but we are craving some sea mail!!

We are having a wonderful time. Marc and I are enjoying the ship so much we still haven’t gotten off in any of the ports so far. We are loving the couples lounges by the pool and just relaxing. I had a facial today that was probably the best I have ever had. On the Splendour the pizza is out by the pool grill. Marc asked today if they ever used anchovies, she said, sure, what do you want on it, and made a half pizza just for him in only about 10 minutes. Now that is Luxury cruising! The food has been wonderful. We’ve eaten dinner at Prime 7, Chartreuse, Sette Mari, the pool grill and compass rose , every meal has been superb and the service excellent. The service staff is all excellent, can’t seem to do enough for you. We are feeling a little ignored (although that is probably too strong a word) by the officers. None say hi, or recognize you by name at all. We were told that on another cruise some officers had gotten COVID, and it was difficult to operate with them in isolation, so that the officers would not be socializing with passengers as an abundance of caution, and I completely understand that, but seems strange to be on Reagent and not even be greeted by any of them. A minor complaint for sure and not really a complaint, more of an observation.

I can’t begin to tell you all how much we are enjoying being back on board a Regent ship. Everything just feels so luxurious after being stuck at home for so many months. It is wonderful to be back on board.

Pat & I have had the opposite situation with officers and staff greeting us by name. Officers can't join tables or sit at the same table for a drink so some officers we haven't met before don't know our names yet Dining outdoors at night at the pool grill and Sette Mare has been great and the weather has cooperated.
Unfortunately many of the ports we've visited we're not getting good dockage and there isn't anything to see or do on your own without a long taxi ride. Excursions are so so, but that's the Caribbean where everything is oriented towards the younger crowd and not us older folks who don't spend time in the sun. However, the ship is the Destination so we're thoroughly enjoying ourselves.

Well I agree with everyone the Splendor is a wonderful ship. So superior to the Explorer.
Arlene & Marc are next door to us, and Pat & Jim are just a couple of doors down so we have are little area together.
If they were doing the captain run through the hall ways we would have this area secured.
1st night dinner with Arlene, Marc, Pat, & Jim. Third night with Sherie & her friend Tammy, night before last Pat & Jim.
Last night Arlene & Marc.
Tonight all 8 of us are together for Christmas Eve at Compass Rose at 7 pm Cocktails at Observation Lounge at 6 pm.
Jan and I have cancelled some of our excursions. Mostly because staying on the ship is enjoyable, and the one we had on Christmas Day
we had not done a very good job of reading what it was. 30 minute drive, 45 minute ATV, 3 hour at a beach, and 30 minute drive back.
Look forward to Carol & Bing Cherry joining us on the 2nd half of the cruise, but going to miss, Sheri, Tammy, Pat, & Jim
since they will be leaving.

MERRY CHRISTMAS EVERYONE!!

Thank you guys for the updates! Wishing we were there!

Thanks for the reports. We are supposed to board Jan 6. I am starting to have panic attacks about the cruise getting canceled or one of us testing positive at the port. And George is terrible about not wearing his mask.

John barron positive and taken ashore. No captains welcome, sss, or cruise director. Franck doing baggo and trivia. This should be an interesting cruise. Hopefully ray solaire shows up by San Juan. I sure hope they don’t cancel New Year’s Eve.

Rachel, Marc has been sweating it all too. Was so worried one of us would test positive this morning and be put off the ship on our anniversary. We didn’t and all is well.

All of the “in transit” passengers tested negative this morning and a loud cheer went up when it was announced as we were all sitting in the theater waiting to go through customs. Don’t have any idea if any new guests tested positive at embarkation this morning.

Yesterday they announced an employee in the entertainment department tested positive during their routine testing. So, yesterday before trivia all entertainment was canceled completely as all entertainment crew was in quarantine until the contract tracing was done. We watched a bit of embarkation this morning and it was different as they usually rely heavily on the entertainment staff to help welcome passengers, etc. No entertainment or games or trivia today, but about 5 when we left port, they announced that the person who tested positive was taken off the ship. John who usually does welcoming and muster was notably absent. The passages tonight lists no cruise director or assistant cruise director, so we are assuming it was John. They did have the duo playing tonight, but no show and was announced there will be no captains welcome or seven seas party. They are really trying to keep the gatherings to a minimum

Rachel, my guess is that your cruise will be fine if there are no more cases, and we have been told there aren’t so far. As for the masks….we are wearing them in hallways and walking around indoors, but not outside at all, especially not while relaxing on loungers by the pool. Like back home wearing them when walking thru restaurant but once seated, not at all. The crew are all wearing theirs always. Interesting, yesterday I came to room after lunch and it hadn’t been done yet, understandable because they had had testing during the morning. When she came to do the room, I asked if it was ok to sit on the couch while she cleaned, with my mask on, and she said she couldn’t clean unless I went on the balcony, which was perfectly fine with me. All this is to say that the staff and officers are, I think, trying to do their best to keep everyone healthy and are not being “hard nosed” about it. Rachel, I completely understand your worry with George as Marc is much the same with regard to masks. Really had to talk him down a few times! It is just a fact of life

We have been on since the 17th and haven’t been off the ship yet. None of the ports really interested us enough to take the chance going off, and we are enjoying the new ship so much, we have happily stayed on board, where things are a “little” more controlled than going ashore and not being sure who is vaccinated, or not, who is healthy or not etc. We have had an absolutely wonderful time, even with the staying on board, masks, etc. I think, Rachel that if you get tested two days before and are negative, are careful while flying, you should be fine. I actually feel safer on board in this controlled environment than I probably would at home

Thanks for the reports Arlene. I agree with you. We are exposed here to people in restaurants, grocery stores etc all the time. Many probably not vaccinated. There will be cases on ships it is inevitable, but we are all at risk of getting Covid no matter where we are. At least on a ship you are amongst vaccinated people and when there is a case it is handled well.

On my last trip I got off twice. Once to see the two of you and once to go to see animals. I love being on the ship and it is not like we are missing much in the ports that the ships are visiting now. Even without the Covid issue I usually seem to end up staying on the ship a lot. I enjoy the ship and after cruising all these years we been on so many tours. I have a tendency to repeat the ones I enjoyed the most or just walk into town if I want to get off. We are about to go on a Panama Canal trip where the highlight is going through the locks. Do not get off the ship for that and it is an outdoor activity so this is one "tour" we can all enjoy within our controlled environment.

Good news is this new variant is weaker and has less symptoms and now the CDC are saying 5 days quarantine is long enough, so all that helps as well. One of these days this will be over.

Thanks Arlene for reporting the no covid cases among passengers. That bodes well for the cruise going. now it just have to keep George muzzled. our cofid tests are scheduled at CVS on Monday afternoon.

Latest update.
On the PA they informed us that everyone will need to be tested again before we will be allowed to dock in Puerto Rico
So from 8 am to 10 am we all get to do it again to satisfy their requirement.
Carol & Bing Cherry made it on yesterday. Nightmare trip for them.
Drive 150 miles to Billings. 7:30 am Delta flight to Salt Lake was delayed or canceled because of high winds in SLC.
Had to drive another 150 miles to Bozeman to catch a flight. Ended up flying all night and arrived in MIA and boarded the ship
at 12:30 pm Missed their overnight stay in Miami before boarding, so pretty much said hi to us and went to bed.
Have not seen them yet today.

Poor Carol and Bing!! That sounds like a nightmare. We all appreciate your posts and taking us along on the crazy ride with you. Flights are coming into airports constantly with people that do not have to be vaccinated to fly and who probably have tests older than the one you just took. The focus on cruise ships is more extreme than on flights for sure.

Restrictions keep being added; eg no beverage service in theater so no excuse not to keep mask on. Masks on when dancing. No real activities except pool eating and drinking. Not exactly a luxury cruise; good thing they promised us a credit. Will see how mandatory testing goes tomorrow.

Marc

PS On second thought, I think the promised credit was in my dream and not something from Regent.

Still doing trivia? Our trip was SO NORMAL in every way except for the crew wearing masks. Lets hope this does not last long and normalcy returns.

Franck doing trivia, I will never complain about a dancer’s accent again. Will see if handed over to the dancers tomorrow.

13 out of 15 today, second to KLT diamonds team.

They announced at dinner that we will not be going to San Juan due to the testing requirements. A cheer went up in Prime 7 with that announcement. I feel bad for those who were looking forward to it, but as we’ve been there so many times, we weren’t planning to go ashore anyway. I think most were happy not to have to get tested again. We are, instead, going to St. Thomas, which we both like. They told us they would have a shore excursion arrangements tomorrow, but if we go off, and that is a big if, we will just walk around for a while.

I love this ship so much, that I think it will take some doing to get me off! I am with you Ngaire, and Jim B said when he was on, that those of us who have been nearly everywhere, sometimes it is not the ports, it is the ship that is the destination. I am really feeling that on the Splendour. It is most definitely a top tier, 5 star resort in and of itself.

Jim and Jan and Marc and I sat up in observation a while this afternoon. There are alcoves built into the front at both sides where there are views of the sea in three directions. A very special place to sit and relax. On Christmas Eve, there was a family of about 15 or more who used one of the alcoves as a place for a gift exchange before dinner. Such a perfect place for that, and I see many LCT gatherings in there in the future!

I can’t tell you all how much I am enjoying this ship and this cruise!

Boy am I glad Jan and I are not home in Miles City.
Been like -12 below nights 4 above days, strong winds, and about 3 to 4 inches of snow.
82 and sunny is much more enjoyable.

If anyone is interested John is posting on his Facebook page from Miami. Ship still hasn’t acknowledged that John is ashore and we are sailing without a Cruise Director. Anyone ever experienced sailing without a CD in last 50 years?

Edited to add: the cruise consultant has also left the ship.

I read somewhere that they were likely removing some of the positive cases and putting them in quarantine onshore so they can keep the ships positive cases percentage under 1%. At least John says he has no symptoms and feels fine..

All these situations are affecting the World Cruise on the Mariner. The Gala at the Fairmont has been cancelled and we'll get out pre-ordered dinner in our room along with a bottle of wine.
One port has been changed to a day at sea, Grand Cayman will now be Montego Bay and Hamilton will be replaced by Great Stirrup Cay (which we will also visit 5 days before - that will be 2 sea days.) I'm sure there will be more to come.
Jim

Reception indicated two cases on Splendor and both now off the ship. I really hesitate to think that the second case could be cruise consultant as I spent a lot of time with him (both of us masked). Franck said he talked to him on phone later yesterday and he sounded good although had lost his voice.

I also heard that four bar staff are in isolation.

Marc

PS Reports from Explorer now say they are up to 11 cases.

Edited to add: regent has arranged for orange, rose, fiesta, and sugar bowls to be shown onboard.

Just had the most phenomenal, romantic dinner in Sette Mari. We are in St. Thomas and docked so we can see the island lights. The temp is perfect and a very mild breeze blowing in my hair. The ambiance just cannot be put into words! Probably the nicest dinner I have ever had on board. I could have sat there for hours, but wanted others to have the opportunity. It was shear bliss …..I am one very happy, very blessed lady. Life just doesn’t get better!

Marc and I sat today and went over the excursions for the rest of the trip. We are enjoying the ship, and our “controlled” environment so much we turned in all tickets and plan to just enjoy the ship. I must say I am not looking forward to the end, and being around “civilization “ again. I could just stay here for months (or years) until this all passes.