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!