JAG2003

8 minutes ago, Kwaj girl said:

They are ready to join Stowie for cocktails...herring wine for the penguins, of course. 😂

Martinis for Jay 🍸🍸🍸

It is snowing hard in Toronto today.  Fingers crossed my flight is able to leave safely Tuesday evening.  

British Airways to London, and on to Barcelona Wednesday for an overnight before finally boarding the Splendor for lunch on Thursday!

Safe flights to everyone and see you all on board.  💎

Well, the SPLENDOR does indeed set sail today January 31 from Ancona to Dubrovnik.  Here is the first "Passages" courtesy of Francesca who is onboard.

1 minute ago, Hambagahle said:

JAG - I checked the website of the Port of Ancona.  It has Splendor sailing on Sunday for Dubrovnik.  Marine tracking still shows her in the port at Ancona...   That photo was just fabulous especially because we have a stern suite and were - finally! - able to see our actual balcony.  Thank you!

 

The Costa ship at was quarantined at Civitavecchia has been cleared.  The two passengers had an "ordinary" flu not the Coronavirus.  Good news all round.

You are correct, it sails Sunday February 02 from its new docking location in Ancona.  
Glad you can see your balcony!!  

Yesterday the SPLENDOR was briefly at sea as she left the "construction dock" (there must be a more correct name than that?!) for a "passenger dock". 

Today is the BIG day as the SPLENDOR sets sail from Ancona.

Photo and comment courtesy of onboard Executive Concierge Jeff:

                          'SHOWTIME'

2 minutes ago, boblerm said:

 

 

I must confess that I am a bit confused (ok, more or less my usual state, but that aside).....

This cruise ends on Feb 20 and the next begins on Feb 25.  JAG2003, do I understand correctly that you are on both of these?  Are you staying on board between the 2 for special christening events?  Or do you have to disembark and come back on for these events?

And you are also staying on for the San DIego to Miami?

Sorry if I am being dense😳🥴😵

Bob

Hi Bob, You are not confused at all...  The Pre & Christening cruise are 20-25 by invitation only.  I am fortunate enough to be on this.  So, in this instance I do not have to disembark in Miami.  And yes - I am still on SD - MIA and look forward to seeing you then.  Albeit - I shall be disembarking for 2 days in San Diego!!  Marcia

Splendid!  We will make sure everything is ship shape for you ...... 

I too will be onboard - albeit - and this one is for my good friend Sandy - I also stay onboard for the christening events......YEAH !!!  🤣💎

6 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

Just what I have been waiting for!!  Rich and Ginny and all the others with you - bon voyage.  I am so eager to see your photos (which are always great) and finally see something of the inside of the Splendor.

 

For what it's worth I think the reason the 6 Feb cruise is not called "Maiden voyage" is that there is a mini cruise from Ancona to Barcelona before it, maybe for Regent staff so that shouldn't count, and then of course the "Christening Cruise" on 21 February out of Miami.  Whatever it is called you are on it and that is wonderful.

 

Now a job for you Rich if you don't mind -- can you find out once on board who will take over from Serena when she goes off duty.  We were hoping she would be our captain out of San Diego but apparently she won't.   We know Franck will be our GM.  And John the CD.  But the captain ??  

 

Fly safely to Barcelona and enjoy that wonderful city.  Great place for a few nights to get over jet lag and see fascinating things.  Take care both (all!) of you!   Gerry

Rumor has it (no pun intended Rich 😂) Staff Captain Diego (Feb 06-25) will be promoted and take over as Captain when we leave Miami Feb 25.  A great guy, as are all Regent Captains (or gals!). Some of us will have sailed with him before.  

7 minutes ago, victoria81 said:

Looking forward to this trip.  I will be headed to Barcelona on Monday and am really excited to take a paella cooking class at The Paella Club: https://thepaellaclub.com.  I'm a big foodie and have always wanted to learn how to make paella, so this is a wonderful opportunity.

That sounds so good - I just checked it out on line.  Very central, just off La Rambla.   Enjoy the paella (and wine!) 💎

26 minutes ago, Popdog1 said:

Thanks for starting this blog Rich. 

My husband Barry and I will be flying to Barcelona on Saturday, Feb.1 and staying at Le Meridien until we board the Splendor. This will be our first trip to Barcelona so we plan to walk around town (we love walking) and of course take in as many of Gaudi's works as possible.  Really looking forward to our first cruise with Regent - we usually sail with Seabourn.  

Special shout out to JAG2003 (see above) who is also from Toronto. 

Looking forward to meeting everyone aboard.  Haven't started packing yet so I'm getting really anxious.  Off to get started right now!

My photo doesn't looking exactly like me since I've dropped weight since it was taken.

Barb

🇨🇦😊.  See you onboard!  Wow - you haven’t started packing yet?!   Better get going, eh! 😂

17 minutes ago, Popdog1 said:

Jag2003 what part of Toronto are you from?  We live in a house just north of Eglinton and just east of Mount Pleasant.  Wonderful to have another Torontonian on our cruise!

Barbara

I am on The Collegeway in Mississauga.  Nearer to the airport for quick exits!  Look forward to seeing you at the M&M 🇨🇦

12 minutes ago, boblerm said:

Looking forward to joining you for dinner, breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour, Sunday brunch, cocktail hour, midnight snack, cocktail hour..... you get the idea.

 

I wish Mr Rumor, JAG2003,  Kwaj girl ,DeepFreeze63,  cohner, popdog1, and all others on this trip a fabulous cruise.  The 55 CC members that will be boarding for the San Diego to Miami cruise are counting on you to see that everything is A OK on this new ship!

 

Bob

Everything will be ship shape Bob 😂.  Btw I will also be on board SD-MIA.  See you then 💎

What a splendid start to the maiden Splendor joint live blog!  Well done Mr. Rumour!  Glad you are doing better Ginny.

I leave Toronto for Barcelona on Tuesday Feb 04 overnighting Feb 05 before the exciting embarkation on a brand new Regent ship!  Much more to follow from several of us - just 6 more sleeps to go......💎

Thanks for the great blog Rich.  Glad Shauna had such a great birthday trip.  See you on Splendor Feb 06 ! 🤗🍷

What a great picture.  Regent sure is TOPS!

happy birthday 🎂 again Shauna.    

Marcia.  

Happy Birthday Shauna x.  What an amazing way to spend your 38th birthday.   LUCKY YOU. 

HUGS AND GREETINGS 🎂🌎🚢

Embarking Explorer in Rio and hoping captain Serena is still on board...  see you all then. 

Thank you Rich (and Ginny). It was great to also be on this amazing cruise with you, and I so enjoyed your excellent blog and photos. Good to meet up with you again. Wish us luck as we proceed across the Bass Strait trying to avoid two low depressions / developing cyclones in the area..... Safe onward travels. Until the next time ........

I'm not GIlly but that is Massimo!

Actually it most certainly is Captain John! He was a great Captain.

Really not a poster, more a lurker.... Been looking for you on board though, hint, three of us - we all have mutual very good Texan friends! We'll connect soon for sure.....

Looking forward to you being on board.... Been on since January 17 Singapore-Singapore. All excellent.