The Regent Mariner is an interesting dichotomy. Consistent with what you’d expect from an ultra-luxury small ship there are less passengers, more personalized service, no crowds. Not consistent with what I’d expect for a luxury experience are the outstanding main theater singers and dancers, a lesser focus on onboard shopping, smaller more controlled dining portions (no one could possibly starve however), towel control – although I’d imagine it is a “green” move and I applaud it – and less than stellar dining service.
My second day is spent at Princess Cays in the Bahamas. It was an absolutely beautiful sunny day and I didn’t have to fight for a lounge chair by the ocean. This island beach getaway, owned by Princess and built to accomodate three-thousand passengers was for us an island paradise with only 300+ guests who ventured to come ashore for the afternoon. It was like having your own private island complete with a beachside BBQ. Aside from the usual BBQ chicken and ribs, there was a very tender cut of steak, baked potatoes and several cold salads. Wine, pina coladas and soft drinks were never out of reach. The water was warm, especially for this time of year and of course I spent at least an hour just happily floating and paddling back and forth close to the shoreline. The last tender back to the ship was at 3:30, but by then I had enough sun and water to call it quits. But I was still one of the last ones to head back. Some of us just hate to leave.
For the second dinner, we opted for the main dining room, Compass Rose. I could be happy with simply two or three appetizers and forego the main entrée. But I never pass up the entree. Instead I ordered what I thought would be, as always is for formal night, generic lobster tail. Not hardly. These were smaller tails, lightly sautéed and served on a slight bed of angel hair pasta topped with a delicate tomato mixture. Unlike Italian cuisine this was more Continental in flavor and texture.
Tonight's entertainment was a piano raconteur with a familiar name from my past life in Chicago: Stanley Paul. He played Cole Porter tunes along with his narration of the life of Cole Porter. It was different for shipboard entertainment, again being more of the edutainment variety. I enjoyed it.
Another one o'clock nights with an early wake up by room service with morning coffee and danish. If asked, your room service person will set up your order on the balcony. It is done with a tablecloth over a large board balanced on the small end table between the balcony lounge chairs. A very lovely beginning to the day.
More tomorrow!
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