Days 4 and 5 At Sea

The Atrium

As we sail along in such luxury with delicious food, pampering staff, and a navigational instruments that tell us exactly where we are it is easy for me to forget that it has taken centuries for navigational systems to become so efficient. Each day at noon the Captain come on the speaker to give out exact location and tell us how far we have traveled since his last reporting. Lectures on this ship and other journeys have taught us about the risks and uncertainty faced by James Cook, his men and the other early explorers. Our travels have benefitted from the brave people who went before discovering new lands and designing systems to navigate from point to point.

Our ship, the Mariner, is equipped with the latest GPS system and Automatic Radar Plotting Aids, which are fitted for automatic acquisitions of dangerous targets up to a maximum of 20 nautical miles. Having sailed twice in the area of pirates we understand how very important security measures are to a smooth sail.

From the Captain to the Able-Bodied Seaman, all members of the Deck Department run a tight ship under SOLAS (Safety of Life At Sea) conditions registered under BAHAMIAN Maritime authority. A 24 hour watch is maintain on the Navigational Bridge in strict rotation, and apart from when the Captain has to maneuver in and out of port, the Helm is attended under the steely eye (according to the Captain) of an Officer of the Watch and a Quartermaster (Helmsman) at all times. The Navigational Officer attends to the itinerary and coordinates the steaming miles against the required speed in order to keep on schedule.  Together with the Deck Cadets, who are Officers in training from the Celtik Pacific Naval Academy based in England, the Bridge appears busy at all times.

Deck 12- Observation Lounge

The Bosun (also known as the Boss-man) and his team of 12 Abs (Able-Bodied seamen) and 6 OS (Ordinary sailors) wash the outer deck every morning and maintain external areas. Marks are removed from the hull and the front depth marker is repainted each time the ship docks. Twice on these sea days deck crew have come to clean and work on our balcony. Gives a whole new meaning to “ship shape.”

During the night 3 AB Firemen continually patrol the vessel to undertake safety checks reporting into the Bridge as they move about the ship. . No wonder we sleep so good as we sail along.

Light at Mariner Lounge Bar

This ship is designed for people to have lots of places to gather, listen to music and chat. Our favorite spot is the Mariner Lounge just outside the Compass Rose Dining Room. The end of the bar features this really cool chandelier hanging in a brass birdcage. Early in the evening the guitarist plays and after dinner the pianist fills the air with soft tunes. There is also the Stars Lounge, the Horizon Lounge and the Observatory Lounge.

Mariner Lounge

Compass Rose is the main dining room. The entrance floor features a marble compass, the dishes have the same logo and the entrance is graced by the beautiful harp and lovely paintings.

We normally choose to sit at a table for 4 and enjoy meeting new people. Last evening with sat with an interesting couple- Mitchell and Katherine from Ft. Pierce Florida and also Minneapolis.

Floor at entrance of Compass Rose Dining Room

They live about 7 months in Florida. They have traveled a great deal and, like us, enjoy traveling on Regent.

Compass Rose

We have enjoyed the 5 days at sea but I think we are ready for a little time ashore tomorrow in our first port of call in Nawiliwili Kauai Hawaii.