Splendor! The Pre-Christening Inaugural Transatlantic Cruise! A LIVE Joint Blog!

[DeepFreeze63]

No plastic bottles on the ship (not sure what I will do if there is "boat building"). Reusable metal bottles in cabins for excursions. Just used the  refill station in Coffee Connection - worked great and sanitary. Will try other stations and watch for any drama during exit for excursions (first tomorrow).

As you can guess from frequent posts, internet is working well.

Finding a few "punch list" items; reporting them to GM but I believe he already knows about them. Some shipyard craftsmen aboard.

Had lunch in La Veranda. It seems so roomy and yet I was told by manager that capacity is same as Explorer.

[sms101]

Thank you all for your posts and pictures.

She looks beautiful.

Can't wait until February 25!!!

 

Sharon

[sms101]

whoops

accidently posted as Steve

I'm sure he agrees

 

Sharon

[Hambagahle]

I love the separated areas (I called them "tea houses" the other day and I think that name fits!) outside at la Veranda.  There are often days when one would sit outside but it might be just a little windy.  These will probably make that more possible...  One thing I care less for is that the tables nearest to the railing (i.e. to the sea) are for 4.  Tables for two further from the views.  I can see breakfasts when two people sit at a table for 4 as a result...

 

I also absolutely ADORE the dragon at Pacific Rim.  How many claws does he have?  That is important in China.    I am also somewhat amazed at how "finished" everything looks.  Very impressive...   

 

 

[Belfast Taxman]

If this super blog is not sufficient to sate your appetite for all things Splendor, then already there are a number of You Tube videos available for viewing. These appear to be mainly filmed by TA’s and Regent staff who were on the pre-inaugural sailing from Ancona to Barcelona. The best one I have seen so far is a review of the Splendor Suite by Francesca Barone - it was she that did all the Facebook stuff earlier this week

[orvil]

Three claws is for lesser folk.  Five claws is an imperial dragon.

 

[JAG2003]

A picture is worth 1,000 words - ENJOY...!!   (I certainly am 😂). 
the dragon has 3 claws!  Oh oh !!!  
Not a bad seat in the theatre  yeah!!

 

[Hambagahle]

Three claws -- "only" a lesser dragon then.  Darn it!  I was hoping for an Imperial dragon!!  Actually I cannot wait to see that dragon...

 

Marcia - I just tried to send you an email concerning our joint 14 March cruise but it bounced back.  IF the internet is up and running would you mind e mailing me ?  I have a favour to ask of you...   thompson "at" verbier  and then dot CH.  Merci! Gerry

 

[Mr Rumor]

And the first question ever asked—by CD John—at Trivia aboard the Splendor:

 

”Which name is shared by the two Popes who were made Saints by the Vatican in 2014?”

 

And the first Splendor Trivia winners, with 15 out of 16 possible points:  “Who Gives a Ship.”  Among the team members:  Kwaj Girl (Sandy) and Dana.  Six Regent Rewards Points between Baggo and Trivia—not a bad haul for the day, Sandy!

 

P.S.  John OK’d my posting his question, which he won’t use again!  

[Kwaj girl]

Diggin' some of these new cocktails in the Meridiam Lounge..."Summer Solstice " and "Gin Made Me Do It"

[boblerm]

21 hours ago, Mr Rumor said:

I just want to give kudos to the terrific Kasia and Boogie, who have been delighting Regent audiences for a decade.  The Polish duo began their six-month Splendor Lounge residency by packing the lounge, and then the dance floor, tonight with their irresistible mix of “Get the Party Started” pop, rock and boogie.  That’s no small feat for the first night of a cruise!  For those of you who are Splendor bound before July 4, you will love K&B, if you aren’t already fans!

 

I'm very glad to hear that you are fans of Kasia and Boogie, they are my very favorite lounge performers, not only on Regent, but on any cruise line.  If the opportunity arises, please tell them that Bob and Jeannie send their love and will be seeing them soon!

 

Thanks to Rich and all others that are posting here, love the preview of this beautiful ship!

 

Bob

[Mr Rumor]

It was a totally unexpected and emotional moment on the Constellation Theater stage.  After 13 Regent officers and staff members took their usual turns introducing themselves at the Captain’s Welcome Reception tonight, Captain Serena surprised the lot by walking up to each and addressing each face to face.  She made a couple of teasing comments (i.e., saying of Staff Captain Diego:  “I knew him when he had hair!”).  But she mainly spoke in specific terms of her love and appreciation for each. All had spent weeks to months in Ancona helping give birth to the “Splendor Baby,” and it was clear the team had grown extraordinarily close during their journey together.  As HR Manager Maria had said when introducing herself minutes earlier, “We’re like a United Nations up here, except everybody gets along!”

 

I hope you won’t mind that the photos below aren’t the sharpest.  I just felt lucky to have my camera with me to record this moment, unique among the 21 Captain’s receptions we’ve attended on the various Regent ships over the last decade.

 

Captain Serena is a Regent treasure not afraid to wear her emotions as well as her four and a half stripes on her sleeve.  She is a gift to all of us.

 

Rich

 

Pausing to praise

 

With GM Franck

[ronrick1943]

32 minutes ago, Mr Rumor said:

 

 

Captain Serena is a Regent treasure not afraid to wear her emotions as well as her four and a half stripes on her sleeve.  She is a gift to all of us.

 

Rich

 

Pausing to praise

 

 

With GM Franck

Captain Serena is one of the personable people on the ship----I've never met a Ship Captain like her.  I still remember the day she walked up to our table in the Coffee Connection and asked if she could join us.  Most enjoyable conversation, a few days later we were asked to join her for dinner.  You're lucky to be cruising with the Captain and her crew.

[Mr Rumor]

Good early foggy morning from Cadiz, one of the oldest cities in Europe.

 

But we won’t be seeing much of it, as we are on the longest excursion of the day, the eight hour “Seville on Your Own.”  Meeting in the Constellation  Theater in minutes!

 

Edited February 8, 2020 by Mr Rumor

[Hambagahle]

The more I learn about Captain Serena the more I regret that she won't be on board for our 14 March cruise.  What a shame!!  But she certainly deserves some leave.   Enjoy Sevilla Rich and Ginny!  Look forward to some photos when you come "home" to the Splendor.

Gerry

[GrJ Berkshire]

Great posts from the Splendour.

Question, what is the theatre like? Has it eradicated the poor seats with no stage view especially upstairs ( found in the Explorer ) We thought the sight lines were poor, Ray Solaire agreed with us on this.

We often eat later 7-45ish so got into  routine on the other ships, of slipping in at the back of the theatre 9-25ish, this is not possible on Explorer  where many of these seats don't give a view or you are under the balcony overhang.

I do hope this has been addressed.

Like the look of outside seating, also not yet sailed with Captain Serena, look forward to this.

[Hambagahle]

Look at post #157 from Marcia - "not a bad seat in the house - yeaaah!"

[DeepFreeze63]

Daneila (spell?) my favorite F&B Manager (former) is aboard until the 25th acting as Corporate "snoop" (my word). She has been taking lots of photos (and dressed in beautiful "civies") and observing like a mother hen. Told her that DW and I would love to sail with her as a GM.

We love our E609 cabin. Same layout as we have had 4 times on the Explorer. It seems slightly smaller (others have the same opinion); perhaps narrower by a few inches. The new fabric colors; a blend of beige, brown and gray with mauve accents really works for me. The bath is a clone of the wonderful Explorer's F1/F2s. The walk-in closet has been reconfigured by double hanging some of the former full length hanging area and adding a built-in of 7 "cubby holes" with each being great for storing 4 or so sweaters or polos - the safe and 5 closed drawers still there. We travel with 4 large suitcases and 2 roll-ons; yet we have at least 4 empty good size drawers in the cabin. This cabin is my dream cabin for along cruise.

Ps: The contraversial black and white modern art painting over the sofa on the Explorer is GONE from the Splendor!

[DeepFreeze63]

23 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

I love the separated areas (I called them "tea houses" the other day and I think that name fits!) outside at la Veranda.  There are often days when one would sit outside but it might be just a little windy.  These will probably make that more possible...  One thing I care less for is that the tables nearest to the railing (i.e. to the sea) are for 4.  Tables for two further from the views.  I can see breakfasts when two people sit at a table for 4 as a result...

 

I also absolutely ADORE the dragon at Pacific Rim.  How many claws does he have?  That is important in China.    I am also somewhat amazed at how "finished" everything looks.  Very impressive...   

 

Yes, they feel like "tea houses"! Therer are three with the two ends each having three 2-person tables and the middle having two 4-person tables. Well protected from wind and sun yet with great views. The tables near the railing are 4 person tables except near the port/starboard sides.

Posting from the "expanded" Library. Splendor Library got widened by taking one of the two entrance corridors to Explorer's Observation Lounge. Beautiful; seatng. Still just 2 computers (without a printer),

 

[cr34102]

On 2/6/2020 at 3:17 AM, Hambagahle said:

Thinking of you all this morning!   Enjoy every minute!

 

From what I can see she is moored near the entrance to the port - off the huge roundabout and not far from the bottom of la Rambla...  great location and really easy and quick to get to.

Gerry

 

I just wanted you to know this post was really appreciated, Gerry. I read it just before we left the hotel.  As we left, our taxi driver said the only cruise in town he knew of that day was an MSC one.  He didn't know which port to head for, but he was able to nail it based on your comment.  I told him our friend from Switzerland could see it ("from her house?" 😉) and to look for the new, shiny ship. We all applauded the internet. Thanks again.

[Hambagahle]

That's funny!!  (and glad to have been of help!). I have been tracking Splendor for the last week on Marine Tracker and saw where she was berthed in Barcelona -- we've sailed in and out of there several times so I know the harbour.  It's always nicer to be close to the city and not far out on the mole.

Hope you have a wonderful cruise.   I am green with envy - and just waiting for 14th March!!

[taxare]

Daniella is fabulous and it is great to see Regent promoting women to captain and other significant roles. Deep Freeze, when you report back on the water filling on an excursion day could you post a picture of the bottles and the filling stations? Also, please let us know if they are using the new app for the excursions. This sounds very exciting for all of you on this inaugural voyage, ENJOY!!!

[JAG2003]

I can surely endorse Rick's excellent account of Captain Serena's touching individual recognition of each officer on the stage - it was emotional and heartfelt, very special indeed and I have never seen anything like it before either.

BTW there is 1 Commodore on board (Nancy F.) and 4 diamonds (Chuck & Joan, Ronnie and Moi!!) Unfortunately a lot of the other "long time cruisers" are presently on the World Cruise on the Mariner, otherwise they would all be here for sure.  More numbers to follow on Seven Seas Society night.

Cadiz today - most people out on tour.  I took a "Tapas" cooking class, which we then enjoyed washed down with lots of sangria. 🍷

[Mr Rumor]

On our way to Seville (about one hour and 45 minutes, by the way) our bus guide, Barbara, estimated we’d have time to cover two of Seville’s world famed attractions, plus some shopping and snacking, in our 4.5 hours on our own.  She nailed it!

 

The Alcazar was our must of musts, so we made a beeline for it.  Our early arrival ensured a short wait in line to buy tickets.  By 10 a.m. we were inside and letting fly our first  “Wow’s!”

 

After we exited, the line at the Cathedral of Seville looked a little too long so we decided to trek to Plaza Espana.  Even with the morning overcast skies (rare for perennially sunny Seville), the Plaza and neighboring areas proved to be a photographer’s dream.  

 

Rounding out our lovely visit, as the sun broke through the cloud cover, was a sandwich and chips “takeaway” from a taberna and some shopping that put a fresh spring in Ginny’s step.

 

I’m so glad we stretched for this full day excursion. Our Barcelona intensive + our Seville appetizer has whet my appetite for mas Espana.  I’ve already floated the motion of a Spain land tour to Ginny.  She didn’t say no!

 

At the Alcazar:

 

At Plaza Espana:

 

[Zqueeze1]

Rich:  thanks for posting the pics on Seville as well as others contributing to this thread. El Alcazar is on my Iberian bucket list as well as the Camino De Santiago. If you recall, The Boss and I were not able to do the Seville tour in Nov 16 when we were all on the Explorer’s TA due to both of us getting very sick. Consequently, we missed all the Spanish ports except for Malaga. 
Does the Splendor have an infinity pool like the Explorer?  How is the chow onboard?  We need food porn. 
Hammie: homework for you:  food porn pics during your Panama Canal cruise!  
All of the comments about the Splendor and the wonderful time all are having has us contemplating cancelling an Oct cruise and booking the nine day Splendor cruise departing Miami on 28 Nov!  Karen and John better book this, too. 

Enjoy the rest of the cruise and peg the fun meter!

Z and TB

Edited February 8, 2020 by Zqueeze1