Home Again- June 15

Yesterday went almost according to plan as all the pieces fell into place for a speedy disembarkation and safe travels beyond. Got up about 5:30 AM London time, prepared to leave and then enjoyed a wonderful room service breakfast. Got off the ship right on time, got our luggage but there was none from Luggage Free out beyond Customs as had been indicated. The porter with our two bags said he knew what to do with the bags so we trusted and left them.

Car was waiting and we were off to London Gatwick. The driver was a big tall guy in a small Jaguar so poor Jim who sat behind him had his knees tightly scrunched. BUT we got there safely although I wasn't too happy because he left us out behind the elevators going to the Terminal. We rode the life up and walked a good distance to get to the terminal. He could have taken us right to the front and I have no idea why he didn't. BUT we got there.

I waited on Jim to make a pit stop and noticed a phone with a Help Station sign. Love these British with their orderly and kind ways. We called and before too long a cart appeared and we went to the British Airways desk and then off to the One World Club Lounge. From the window of the lounge we could see so many different airlines represented. Had to chuckle with the Norwegian Air plane with the Danish philosopher Soren Kierkegaard's picture on the side.

The Club Lounge was the biggest I have ever seen with the most food imaginable. We relaxed until assistance came for the next move to the plane. Seating on the plane was like before but the cabin contained many more young people and small children who increased the noise and activity level.

Flight was relatively smooth. Jim watched Hacksaw Ridge and I watched two movies- Moonlight and also Manchester By The Sea. Nothing like a good movie to help the time go by. Arrival was right on time into Orlando.

By the time we were heading out of the terminal Maritza called to say she was in the cell phone lot. She arrived and we were off. We got home a tiny bit after 9:00 PM (which is 2:00AM London time) Was a long day.

The record of the journey is

Flew to London- May 26
Visited Bill and Family May 27-June 3
Saw Central London, Oxford, Warwick Castle, Stratford-on-Avon, Waddesdon Manor, Cotswolds
Sailed from Southampton to Newcastle- 413 Nautical Miles
Sales From Newcastle, England  to Edinburgh, Scotland 102 Nautical Miles
Edinburgh- Belfast, Northern Ireland    539 Nautical Miles
Belfast- Holyhead, Wales- 97 Nautical Miles
Holyhead, Wales- Dublin, Ireland  51 Nautical Miles
Dublin, Ireland to Liverpool, England-  104 Nautical Miles
Liverpool- Dartmouth, England  485 Nautical Miles
Dartmouth- Southampton  105 Nautical Miles
Total sailed   1,896 Nautical Miles

And the luggage follow-up. My bag was delivered this morning about 11:00. Jim's is for some strange reason still in Memphis....but at least they are not by the curb in Southampton.  It is a great luxury to be able to travel without dragging luggage. 

Was a grand but chilly journey on a great ship. Best part was the great visit with Bill, Katherine, Michael, Jack and Ethan.....and it is good to be home......until the next adventure. 

Dartmouth, UK- June 13

Dartmouth Castle

Today is the last day of the luxurious cruise. The ship has gone way beyond my expectations of beauty, excellent service, wonderful food and comfort. Thankful for the placement of our stateroom right at the front elevators because we have had easy access to anything we needed. There are rear elevators but since there is no rear door into the Compass Rose like the Mariner and the Voyager have  being near the aft area is not as desirable for us.  This has been perfect.

We had a wonderful meal last evening at our favorite table…Table # 3 beside the window. Mark the Dining Steward, Arriana his assistant, Joey the Head Waiter and Michael the Wine Steward take really good care of us. Mark has worked with Regent for 15 years- including 2 years when it was Radisson Seven Seas. All four of this team are natives of the Philippines.  Last evening they were having a 10:30 dinner to celebrate Philippine Independence Day. Bet this place was rocking down on deck 3.

Kingswear Castle Keep

We got in a conversation about the oval design of the window beside our table…wondering about its safety. Mark told us that last year on the Voyager in the Compass Rose a window like that which was all glass without a support bar in the middle came crashing in just after a couple had left the table. They were sailing in the Tasman Sea and I sure do remember how rough that water was. 

Watch Tower on the River Bank

This morning we are anchored in the Dartmouth Harbor at the mouth of the Dart River. Sea is still a bit rolling and as we watched the tenders we decided to just stay put for the day. Still about 55 degrees

outside.

Dartmouth was of strategic importance as a deep-water port for sailing vessels. The port was used as the sailing point for the Crusades of 1147 and 1190, and Warfleet Creek, close to Dartmouth Castle is supposed by some to be named for the vast fleets that assembled there.

Dartmouth was a home of the Royal Navy from the reign of Edward III and was twice surprised and sacked during the Hundred Years’ War,  after which the mouth of the Dart was closed each night by heavy chains. The earliest street in Dartmouth is Smith Street which derives from the smiths and shipwrights who built and repaired ships here.

A friend asked me what we learned yesterday about the Laundry Department so I thought I wold share that as we prepare to fill our suitcases with dirty clothes that never got to experience that Laundry system. I cannot imagine how many sets of sheets, table clothes, napkins and duvet covers are washed each day. They are all so clean, white AND crisply pressed.

The Laundry Master and Laundrymen overlook an endless operation in the Main Laundry. In addition to the bed and table linens they launder  crew uniforms and personal laundry of the passengers. We learned on a Holland America cruise years ago that there is one person whose only job is to attach those tape to each piece of laundry indicating to which cabin they belong. Can’t imagine a worse job. 

Even after the day crew and staff and passengers are all asleep the Night Supervisor takes over with a team of cleaners who pick up shes to shine, deliver newspapers, and see that the common areas enjoyed all day are clean and shiny for the following morning.. It is a 24 hour operation.

During the day the Chief Housekeeper’s responsibilities extend beyond guest suites. She is responsible for the overall cleanliness of the public areas, as well as providing a cleaning service for the Officer’s Quarters. The Senior Housekeeping Utlity is responsible for the crew area.

While housekeeping is important, so is the ambiance : fresh flowers are chosen and displayed to set the mood in every suite, restaurant, bar and office. Mostly around the ship are medium sized pots of white orchids. Actually the one in our suite is beginning to look like it needs a little care. The Explorers Lounge has large vases of white lilies. The Compass Rose Dining Room has Versace vases that match the china filled with purple carnations- a color of purple I do not think God intended ….so they must be dyed by someone in the flower staff. The overall effect is one of elegance and beauty. The Explorer has lived up to the hype of "the Most Luxurious Ship Ever Built."

Being aboard has been a joy. And as we prepare for tomorrow's surprises I share with you a Swahili expression my friend Susan Kamau in Kenya told me  "tembea ujionee" meaning "travel and see what the world has to offer." Certainly is good advice!

Unplanned Day At Sea- June 12

Today we were to be docking in Cork, Ireland, but last evening we learned that life would be a bit different on this Monday in June. We had had a lazy afternoon reading and watching a bit of news on the TV. We watched the flags at the port flapping in the breeze- actually standing almost straight out. The shrubbery planted around the buildings waved so wildly we began to talk about them breaking.

We were to sail from Liverpool at 5:00, but at about 4:30 the Captain came on the speaker to  announce that the wind was stronger than they had anticipated and  we were actually pinned into the dock with their force. He said it would take two tug boats to get us free and reminded us Liverpool is a busy commercial and military port. Tug boat requests are honored on a first come first serve basis….got to love those British and their orderly queue process….even for tug boats. We were not going to be able to  be on our way until 10:30 PM.

The Captain

In addition to leaving late, we would not be able to make the 250 nautical miles to Cork in time for any activities ashore so we would have an unexpected day at sea. Plus the Captain said the winds would make for a rough ride during the night- even with the slow pace he would be able to take heading to Dartmouth.

The Captain is a Frenchman who speaks English with a heavy French accent, so just to be sure everyone understood he had the Cruise Director come on the speaker and restate what he had said.  The Captain reopened the gangway and said all aboard was now 9:30 PM for those who wanted to go ashore to sample Liverpool night life. As we headed down to dinner we talked with a couple who were giving that a “go” and heading out into the wind and chill hoping taxis would still be available. Brave souls!

Captain Stanislas "Stan" Mercier de Lacombe joined Regent in 2001. He met his wife aboard the Mariner and he as the first commander of the Explorer he spent 7 months in the shipyard in Sestri-Genova, Italy as the ship was being built. He has also commanded the Mariner and the Navigator. His home is leMans, France. He and his wife have three children. 

We began to talk about all the things that had to quickly change…everybody would be aboard all day for meals, sea day type activities had to be arranged, staff and crew assignments had to be changed. No doubt the Monday edition for Passages had been printed so something different with a different schedule had to be created. But as the Captain said at least three times, “Safety is our first concern.”

We went down to the Explorers Lounge for wine and some music and then to the Compass Rose Dining Room for a delightful dinner- just the two of us. We sat at a table by the window on the port side so we could watch the people returning to the ship being thankful for the comforts offered by the Explorer.

Sure Enough, the nightly issue of Passages contained a generic piece explain how the Housekeeping and Laundry Departments work. Schedule wasn’t really much different- lecture from Sunday evening was moved to Monday morning.

Jim went to about 10 minutes of the evening show. It was a Broadway-like production that was too loud and music was too modern for him to enjoy. When the newsletter said the production included strobe lights and lasers I decided to pass the whole thing. Jim went at 9:20 and was back by 9:45.

Sleeping last evening was great given the slow movement of the ship and the rolling action of the sea. It has continued on this morning making moving around the suite and the ship a surprising affair.

Dr. Ferraro

The lecture this morning by Dr. Joan Ferraro was entitled “ Sexual Unions and the Union of Crowns.” Basically she said the sex lives of the Kings and Queens played an important role in the formation of sovereign states, for royal succession could determine the difference between political stability or civil war and whether a country was Protestant or Catholic. We heard- in a fact-filled and boring way- the story of the English and Scottish crowns and the formation of the United Kingdom via the bed chambers of the Tudor and Stuart monarchs, whose dynastic lines, like those of all mortals, were vulnerable to infertility, illness and childhood mortality. She does know her facts but she certainly delvers them in a most boring and unexciting way. Really too bad!

Mid-morning the Atrium was the scene of a  “Walk Around the World of Wines” with the Wine Sommelier Team presenting a great opportunity to explore the Old and New World Wine collection on the Explorer. 

This beautiful area is filled with art of all kinds, a marble area which was used as a dance floor the other evening and the open area that adapts for events like this wine tasting.  Later this afternoon there will be bowling in the Atrium- can’t imagine.

I guess this sudden sea day causes each department to have to pull out from their bag of tricks something for guests to do. What a great life for the passengers with nothing to do but pick and choose the activities that suit us. 

So grateful to be here!

Liverpool, UK - June 11

Lazy Afternoon reading. Even tried to sit on the balcony comfy chairs but lasted about 5 minutes. The sky did finally turn blue but the breeze was too cold for me. Went to the Explorers Lounge and then to dinner in Compass Rose. We sat at our favorite table for two in the corner where Mark and Adrinna do a wonderful job of taking care of us. Chatted a little with one of the Head Waiters, Joey, whom I remember from cruises on the Voyager.. I asked about the iPad system for taking orders being used by servers in the dining room. He said it was now in effect on all 4 Regent ships. Joey said the kitchen gets the order right away so the food comes up faster and it hotter. He also said it has eliminated the confusion caused by bad handwriting. Food is certainly a cut above past cruises.

Tonight’s entertainment was a young man who played a lovely 14k solid gold flute. Made us think about Ethan and his dedication to learning the flute….although not a sold gold one yet!

Jim was in bed early and I watched most of Beauty and the Beast. Great day all around! The Captain had announced during dinner that the night would be rocky because of high winds….and he was absolutely correct. Sounded like someone banging on the side of the ship for most of the night.

First view of Liverpool

This morning under grey skies we sailed into Liverpool. We are docked at the Cruise Terminal that is about two blocks away. Part of the walkway is covered but most is open to the chilly breeze.

Liverpool is located on the eastern side of the Mersey Estuary.  Liverpool was listed as a borough from 1207 in the patented letters of King John- very important documents in history. The borough remained with a population of about 500 for several centuries.  Because of an increase in population it was classified as a city from 1880. In 2015 the city proper had a population of 478,580 people and the metropolitan area 2,241,000. The city is

within the historic county of Lancashire. Its urbanization and expansion were largely brought about by its status as a major port, which included its participation in the African slave trade.

Liverpool was the port of registry of the RMS Titanic that sank in April 1912. Liverpool’s status as a port city has contributed to its diverse population, which historically, was drawn from a wide range of peoples, cultures and religions, particularly those from Ireland. The city is also home of the oldest Black African community in the country and the oldest Chinese community in Europe.

Natives of Liverpool are referred to as Liverpudlian- from a long-standing joking alteration of Liverpool as Liverpuddle.  A more local nickname for people from this city  is “scousers”, a reference to “scourse” a form of stew. The word “Scourse” has also become synonymous with the Liverpool accent and dialect. The city celebrated its 810 anniversary this year.

Beatles statue at the port

Labeled the “World Capital City of Pop” by Guinness Book of World Records, the popularity of the Beatles, and other groups contributes to Liverpool’s status as a tourist destination. Since Liverpool gave birth to the Beatles there are many landmarks related to individuals in the group or words in their songs. Cavern Club is where they played before they were such a smash hit. Strawberry Field is actually a former Salvation Army children's home in the suburb of Wooton. There is a popular Beatles Center nearby showcasing their music and career.

Since this is Sunday there is not much action on the streets or in the port. We seem to be the only game in this downtown area Would love to see the difference tomorrow morning would bring. There is a large ferris wheel at the port and in the city itself there are some spectacular glass office buildings. Only a few bikers and joggers- hearty Liverpudlian

souls can be seen on the streets. Still is a city with an interesting history. Glad we stopped by!

Dublin, Ireland- June 10

Flag of Ireland-Green for Catholic
and Orange for Protestant
with White for Peace

Last evening we went to hear the Holyhead Male Chorus sing. It was a wonderful concert given by about 24 elderly men. Man behind us said quietly he hoped there would be a cardiologist present in the audience. As the assembled on stage a The Director looked to be about 85-90 years old, and he had such a funny dry sense of humor. As he announced the first two songs he said, “If you are tempted to clap or sing along just don’t. It messes them up.”  They did a beautiful rendition of  something to the tune of “All Through the Night” and also a Welsh march. After the applause ended the Director said that we were nice to clap- much nicer than the audience the night before. He also said this was such a lovely ship he’d just like to stay. Their voices blended  perfectly as they sang “Let The Lower Lights Keep Burning.”

They did a funny take on the VERY long names of towns in Wales using cue cards for about a dozen names of towns just around Holyhead. Llanfairpwllgwyngyllgogerychwyrndrobwllllantysiliogogogoch is the longest town name in the world.. The song "Red Cave" by Brooklyn-based indie rock band Yeasayer references the English translation of the village name with these lyrics: "Mary's house in the hollow of the white hazel rapid whirlpool at the church of the red cave." How's that for an address. The Director said people who lived there had to buy extra long envelops to get the name of the town on it.  They concluded with a medley of American songs. The Director said we could sing along "as long as you do it quietly so as not to disturb the men." Delightful performance.

We headed out to dinner and shared a table with a couple from Kerrville, Texas. In the category of the world is small, the woman, Kathryn Loeffler, knows the only person I have ever known from Kerrville- Judy Ferguson. Judy is a friend from years serving together in leadership in The Association of Presbyterian Church Educators. Amazing! As you might expect- once again politics was not a topic of discussion.

This morning we awoke to cloudy and drippy skies in the busy port

of Dublin, Ireland. For the first time buses were right outside the ship but the 54 degree weather is still too cold for us. This is a much colder trip that the cruise way up above the Artic Circle we took several years ago. Sure called this one wrong- weather-wise.

Looks like the only blue sky we’ll be seeing on

this cruise is the lovely glass ceiling in the Compass Rose Dining Room. But then again there is always tomorrow.

Dublin means “town of the hurdled ford” and is the capital and most populous city of Ireland. The English name for the city is derived from the Irish name Dubhlinn, meaning “black pool.” Dublin is situated near the mid-point of the eastern coast of Ireland at the mouth of the River Liffey.

Last time we were here we had a great cruise on the Liffey seeing statues of people escaping to America from Ireland because of the potato famine. Never forget the look on the faces!

We also walked down the street and saw the statue of Molly Malone with her cockles and muscles- alive alive OH!

 Another time we were here we went to the Guinness Brewery at about 9:30 AM and tasted Guinness Ale. My favorite visit was years ago to Trinity College to see the school and especially The Book of Kells.

Charming city full of really friendly people- inspite of the rainy weather.