“Live From” Z and TB’s Tapas and Sangria Tour

[GOARMY]

I just-posted the following detail on the Roll Call for this segment-- For benefit of others not following that particular Thread:  

 

The Explorer Sunday Brunch "Event" we have experienced before on sea day Sundays did not happen.  Probably COVID-related.  

 

Had the usual Sunday Champagne and Caviar service which is provided on ALL Regent ships on all Sundays whether ships are in Port or at-sea.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

[GOARMY]

Reference Z's Post #175:

 

One of my favorite examples of Regent's attention to detail concerns its version of a Singapore Sling.  Definitely NOT the recipe' for that concoction  I initially enjoyed at the original Raffles Bar at Singapore back in 1980.  That was a different lifetime while a Postal Inspector working an international mail fraud investigation which required travel to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Indonesia.  

 

But, as usual, I digress.  

 

Sunday afternoon at Raffles.  Together with an Assistant U.S. Attorney and another Inspector, sat at the Bar.  Of course, we ordered Singapore Slings.  Cost at that time was around $2.75 US.  Delicious.  I asked for the ingredients, which the bartender provided.  Those included Sloe Gin.  That is the key to the following postscript.  

 

Aboard a Regent ship about 23 years later, ordered a Sling.  Definitely did not the same taste. Inquired as to ingredients.  Noted Sloe Gin was not in the mix.  Such a small matter; but I did mention it, in passing, to a bartender.  No Sloe Gin on board.  

 

Soos---next year, upon entering our Suite for another Regent cruise--there sitting on the counter was a bottle of Sloe Gin.  Together with a Note to take that bottle to the bartender in the Observation Lounge for safekeeping.  It would follow me around the various venues whenever I ordered another Sling.  

 

That--that is what I call attention to customer satisfaction.  

 

Our last visit to Singapore was while aboard Voyager about five years ago.  Another visit to Raffles.  Cost of a Sling had gone up a bit--to around $35.00 US.  Still worth it.  

 

BTW:  That 1980-1981 investigation was successful.  Arrested the culprit about six months later following his Indictment by a Federal Grand Jury at Seattle on about 35 Counts of Mail Fraud.  He went to trial; he was convicted, together with two others.  They spend the next six years in a Federal Pen.

 

GOARMY!

  

[RachelG]

Just now having enough time to catch up.  Thanks so much for all the postings, Z and GoArmy.  Loving the food pics, and glad you are able to self serve food and sit at bar stools now.  

[Zqueeze1]

Good Morning!  First, my apologies for being off the air for a couple of days. I have not been sleeping well and it sort of caught up with me yesterday.  I had my once a cruise cranky day. I stayed in the cabin and actually skipped dinner.  You read that right. No chow for Z. Not even any alcohol. I stayed in and got my comfort food, a grilled ham and cheese sandwich with soup.  I also contacted my doctor, Doctor Vinnie Boombatz and doped myself up and slept about ten hours so I no longer feel like a character from a zombie apocalypse movie

Anywho, we’ve had a couple of quiet and relaxing days mixed in with pool time, walking, and eating.  The food at breakfast and lunch has been phenomenal. Lunch is themed daily to include Asian, Mediterranean, and German food days.  Of course, we have indulged to no end in each one. 

Although I missed last night, TB went to Pacific Rim two nights in a row. Among our band of four, we had this which is served to everyone. It is a sauce similar to thousand island, dark sesame seed bread stick, and edamame beans. 

Alaskan king crab summer rolls

Pot sticker similar to Korean yaki mandu

steak tartare

Sautéed veggies?

black cod fish (awesome)

Asian style ribs

steak with bulgoki sauce

more pot stickers

And TB enjoying a bone

 

Today is Monday and we are heading in a westerly direction towards PR.  The weather continues to be incredible and just as perfect as can be. 

Today is a Regent signature event: the Country Fair to be held at 1100 on the pool deck. More to follow.

Z and TB

[boblerm]

On 11/7/2021 at 5:07 AM, kjbacon said:

Usually Ross is playing piano in the lounge. Any word on him?

Ross will be on the Mariner for the world cruise, and remain until the end of August.

 

[Zqueeze1]

On 11/7/2021 at 4:45 AM, Zqueeze1 said:

I have not, but will find out. Of note, Covid protocols have changed rapidly and we are now allowed to serve ourselves in the Coffee Connection. I assume the same will be for La Veranda.  I am overjoyed to get my stools back at the bars. 
Z and TB

As per my trusty friend Karen, the laundries are open. 
Z and TB

[RJ2002]

Zqueeze1, glad your reset worked and you are feeling better.  Loving all these reports.  Enjoy the rest of your cruise.   Looking forward to reports from the Country Fair.   We always enjoy it very much.

[Gpilon]

Z....great reporting and making us all the more anxious for our Splendor cruise in March. We are also now looking at a Grandeur cruise May 2024.....I'll still be a 17 year old buffoon even at that time. Question....were Block Parties done on Explorer? Enjoy the rest of your days/evenings onboard. 

[Zqueeze1]

2 hours ago, Gpilon said:

Z....great reporting and making us all the more anxious for our Splendor cruise in March. We are also now looking at a Grandeur cruise May 2024.....I'll still be a 17 year old buffoon even at that time. Question....were Block Parties done on Explorer? Enjoy the rest of your days/evenings onboard. 

We did not do a block party simply because they are usually done earlier in a cruise and at that time we were following the more stringent European covid protocols. 
Z and TB

[GOARMY]

Gpilon:  

 

No Block Party on this segment.  No M&G or M&Mingle. 

 

GOARMY!

 

 

 

[GOARMY]

One interesting Note as to how Regent is prepared--if necessary--to deal with a COVID issue which may require on board Quarantine of a Guest or Crew Member.  Now, this is my surmise.  An educated guess, or as we would say in the Military:  A SWAG.    

 

Deck 6, aft.  Normally, this is the route one takes to the Exercise venue.  Nope.  Blocked off.  Appears the last six or eight Suites on either Port or Starboard have been kept vacant.  Sign posted advises NO Entrance.  Soos--those of us transiting to the Exercise area simply deviate (no additional charge) to Deck 5, aft.  Entrance to Spa.  There is a staircase in the rear via which one walks up to Deck 6, allowing access to the Exercise rooms, stretching area, and such.  same blockage for departing Deck 6 Exercise area.  Walk back down those stairs to Deck 5.  

 

Hopefully, no need to activate this particular venue.  

 

Otherwise:  continue to enjoy incredible wonderful weather.  So-much so that we are now booked on Grandeur's Inaugural November, 2023 segment from Barcelona to Miami.  Same itinerary.  Our Dance Cards on Regent ships are now filled-up for 2022 and 2023.  

 

Hope to see some of you fellow travelers aboard Mariner at Tokyo in about five months for transit to San Francisco.  

 

GOARMY!

 

 

  

[Zqueeze1]

Today was the day for the wonderful block party. It was a total hoot. There were games set up by different sections of the ship and one would compete for raffle tickets.  I competed on the one arm glass raising contest, but the cruise director said “NO” to our request fir raffle tickets.  This was the liveliest event so far on the cruise and it was a total blast. 

[Zqueeze1]

The Boss at the pool and the best drink onboard:

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

Are Jackie and Dennis onboard?

[Zqueeze1]

4 minutes ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Are Jackie and Dennis onboard?

Yes!

[UUNetBill]

1 hour ago, Zqueeze1 said:

Yes!

Z, would you please tell Jackie that UUNetBill says "Hello" (we were supposed to cruise to Tokyo with them last month but the Covid gods got us...)

[bebop bonnie]

2 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Z, would you please tell Jackie that UUNetBill says "Hello" (we were supposed to cruise to Tokyo with them last month but the Covid gods got us...)

Me too!!  Hi to J and D ... and I was supposed to be on the same Tokyo to Tokyo also. Huge disappointment .... but we  substituted for Istanbul to Athens on Splendor.  It was an outstanding cruise Just got home and loving this blog.  Drooling over the food porn!!!

[BNguy]

Z, you continue to amaze and delight with you commentary and photos of your cruise, appreciated as always and GO ARMY, you too have given us some good insights.  Now as I understand it your cruise will be calling at San Juan.  They mention there is some sort of health screening as you get off the ship.  If you could elaborate on that when you get there, it would be greatly appreciated.

 

That picture of best drink on the ship was good stuff, may have to try that when on board next month.

 

Thanks again for all the help.

[Zqueeze1]

2 hours ago, UUNetBill said:

Z, would you please tell Jackie that UUNetBill says "Hello" (we were supposed to cruise to Tokyo with them last month but the Covid gods got us...)

Will do!

[pingpong1]

4 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

The Boss at the pool and the best drink onboard:

Hi Z...A "Sidecar"?? Or...??

[Zqueeze1]

1 minute ago, pingpong1 said:

Hi Z...A "Sidecar"?? Or...??

Nope it is Thomas’ twisted sour!  

[Turn 8A]

12 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

As per my trusty friend Karen, the laundries are open. 
Z and TB

Thanks to Karen!

[daetchief]

3 hours ago, BNguy said:

... That picture of best drink on the ship was good stuff, may have to try that when on board next month.

 

That's the cloudiest Old Fashioned I've ever seen! 😉

[Jimmcdaniel]

Z, thanks for all the great posts. We are joining Explorer in Miami on 11/15. Currently on Splendor where the Meridian Longe has a very cool craft cocktail menu available only in that lounge. They said there were plans to also offer it on Explorer. Can you tell us if that is happening yet?

[Zqueeze1]

22 minutes ago, Jimmcdaniel said:

Z, thanks for all the great posts. We are joining Explorer in Miami on 11/15. Currently on Splendor where the Meridian Longe has a very cool craft cocktail menu available only in that lounge. They said there were plans to also offer it on Explorer. Can you tell us if that is happening yet?

Yes!  We tried it yesterday and will see if I can get pics of the menu. 
Z and TB