mdunne48

Day 9 / 37 - Porto (continued)

 

Another first world problem. Went to the reception desk to break a 100€ Bank note. They do not carry €’s on this trip only $$.

 

Why!! This segment is almost entirely inside the EU. Why wouldn’t they have €’s….

 

Just the little things but they add up…..

 

Later…enjoying cheese, crackers and port on the balcony in PortO!!!! 
 

🤣🤣🤣

Day 9 / 37 - Porto (Oporto), Portugal

 

Another beautiful morning greets us as we enter the Porto harbor. Sunny skies and mild temperatures will be on today’s menu.

 

The trip into this harbor berth is rather short, probably less than 500 yards to the outer sea wall. 
 

This is the cruise ship terminal.

 

 

Reminds me of the Guggenheim “flower pot” museum in NYC.

 

We are doing the Porto hop on hop off excursion today. We will be concentrating on the Old Town area as we only have 6 hours here. Too rushed in my opinion.  Looks like a great city to invest some time in.

 

Later…..

 

 

Day 8 - 36 Ferrol, Spain

 

We used the shuttle bus from close to the pier to the Center of Ferrol, right next to the Naval museum. Not more than a 5 minute ride. Then on foot from there to explore. 

 

Ok where was I when I was so pleasantly interrupted by our musical send off?
 

Oh yes, today in Ferrol.

 

I’m sure that Ferrol is a great city. However it is August and that means vacation time in Europe. A lot of the city was closed. 

 

After getting off the bus we headed straight to the central market and we were not disappointed. You see immediately the difference in life here. People buy their food for today and maybe tomorrow. They don’t have the large refrigerator that are a common appliance in America. On our journey today we saw an appliance store and got a first hand look at their selection of appliances.

 

A vegetable stand upon entering:

 

 

Great eggplant:

 

 

Heirloom tomatoes 🍅 

 

Some dried fish:

 

 
Lobsters:

 

 

Pigs feet:

 

 

Everyone’s favorite: 

 

 

Yes you guessed it, pigs ears……

 

Mussels, more mussels, and a lot more mussels…

 

 

The market was clean and fresh. I’m sure we looked out of place but no one said a word as they went about their work or shopping. 

 
 

We walked Rua Real from one end to the other. This is the main shopping street in Ferrol, not much open. We crossed over to Rua Magdalena for the walk back and even less was open.

 

 

We did manage to see the sights nevertheless. A pagoda with great iron work around it and on the top.

 

 

Another view:

 

 

A fabulous fountain down by the Naval Museum. Ferrol is a large vase for Spain’s navy. 

 

 

Statues to bygone leaders

 

 

Churches and more churches…….

 

 

People going about their daily lives regardless of our intrusion. 

 

Not sure if he was part of our send off band!!

 

 

Where did 7 hours go? 

 

A few park benches beckoned us to rest the weary feet. 

 

A great send off as we sailed pass this “fort” and were serenaded a second time with a 3 gun salute!!

 

The captain forecasted a great sunset….unfortunately it will not be occurring due to a wall of clouds on the horizon. 

 

The best I can offer…..

 

 
On our way to Oporto, Portugal

Day 8 - 36 Ferrol, Spain

 

Ah!!! A beautiful day awaited us this morning, clear blue skies with moderate temperatures promised all day. It did not disappoint!

 

The view from our balcony. Not shabby in the least.

 

 

We used the shuttle bus from close to the pier to the Center of Ferrol, right next to the Naval museum. Not more than a 5 minute ride. Then on foot from there to explore. 

 

Okay why is that bagpiper practicing, and poorly, OMG!!!!

 

🤣🤣🤣

 

It was this local group, warming up, who are now serenading the Navigator. An excellent end to today’s visit and it is steering my blog off it’s intended course…. 

 

 

Outstanding!!

 

Wikipedia to the rescue!!

 

A Galician “gaita”, a form of bagpipe, is very popular throughout this region of Spain. Here is the full group in their colourful costumes.

 

Bravo Regent for a wonderful addition to this segment. The little things count!!! 

31 minutes ago, 2012_Alaska_bound said:

@mdunne48 are you seeing a difference in service in all venues, or just Compass Rose? There were a couple well deserved promotions that took place on Friday the 12th in CR, so maybe they are adjusting a little. If anyone is lurking...?

 

Because I agree that all service July 23 - August 12 was superb!

Any GVers notice a difference?

My comparison was to the service received on the RSSC Voyager.  IMHO, There have been lapses at the pool grill, LaVeranda & at CR when compared to the Voyager. Nothing dramatic, just noticeable. 

The food though has been GREAT!!! Well worth the occasional wait. Today I got the perfect hot dog at the pool grill when I asked the chef to really BURN it!!! Superb!!!!

52 minutes ago, Gilly said:

Absolutely!  Fully agree with @briar14 here.  In fact, I'd go as far as to say the service on Navigator was what made it so special.  We too disembarked in Amsterdam and noted there were some staff changes, which perhaps made the difference?  But I believe most of the key people are still on board which makes it all the more surprising.  

Maybe we are being too critical? Both of us feel the same way. The service on Voyager was hands down better than we have received on Navigator, a noticeable, measurable difference. In any other environment it would probably be judged as very good but our vantage point is a comparison to the service provided on Voyager last month.
 

However and again it is unanimous, the food on Navigator, except for the pool grill (DH), has been much better on Navigator. 
 

We sit and linger over every dinner….I think this sums it up best. The DW, while we were at lunch yesterday, remarked “I wonder what’s for dinner tonight” priceless….

 

Off to see Ferrol…….
 

 

 

Day 8 / 36 - Ferrol, Spain

 

Good morning Galicia!! Entering the estuary leading to Ferrol. Enjoy!!!

 

 

 

What a gorgeous morning!

 

 

 

So many beautiful vantage points

 

 

Entering Rio de Ferrol

 

Day 7 / 35 (continued)

 

A bit of housekeeping…..

 

There are 394 passengers aboard this segment. That equates to about an 80% occupancy rate. 
 

We were surprised Regent added crew in Bordeaux. We counted at least 6 onboarding. 
 

The prohibition against crew dining with passengers seems to have ended as the captain hosted 4 couples at his table in C R tonight. Also the cruise director had dinner with guests as well.

 

Crew are still wearing face masks whenever they are in contact with guests. 
 

So being a sea day not much happened!  We enjoyed doing nothing. Cards, games, etc filled our day until, of course, dinner time. Then the fun began…….

 

A ship with two souls can best describe the Regent Navigator. The dinners, food quality, in Compass Rose have been consistently EXCELLENT!!! The presentation has been EXCELLENT!! There should be nothing to complain about……however.
 

The service has been lacking unfortunately.  

 

In both LaVeranda and CR the service just hasn’t been what we have grown accustomed to a Regent vessel. We actually timed it at lunch today and it took 20 minutes before a drink order, for water, was taken. I know a first world problem……The Voyager was on the ball…. The Navigator is behind the ball.

 

Service at dinner was equally non-descript. Long waits between courses but outstanding food once it arrived….

 

The DW gad the miso glazed sea bass…..

 

In her words a get again TONIGHT!!! 
 

 

I had the fettuccine pasta :

 

 

Followed  by the soon to be forgotten Caribbean Seafood and curry dish:

 

 

The DW chose well!!!

 

For desserts the chocolate soufflé for DW and the NY style cheesecake for me.

 

Again the DW chose the better…..

 

 

Not bad but not great:

 

 

All in all a good sea day. We are looking forward to a full day tomorrow in Ferrol Spain. Adventures on our own or A-O-O-O!!!

 

Enjoy your evening wherever you are….

Day 7 / 35 - At Sea 

 

A partly cloudy morning with temperatures in the upper 60’s, low 70’s. We are sailing east to west across the Bay of Biscay. The seas are rolling but not rough. Pretty strong winds from the east are buffeting the Navigator. 

 

Our next port of call will be Ferrol, Spain. This is located in the upper northwest corner of the Iberian peninsula. We have never been there so a new adventure awaits. 

 

We will be arriving about 4 hours earlier than planned due to today’s cancellation. Hopefully that will give us some more exploration time. We are finding that adventures on our own work better for the two of us. 

 

I think it is time to visit the onboard cruise consultant.  We have already booked for 2023 & 2024 but 2025 just came on line 😊😊

 

Last night was the pool grill. DW had the lamb chops (slightly overcooked) while I had the very unimpressive special hamburger. But we found a very nice Shiraz wine to enjoy the rest of the cruise with. Back to CR today for great meals. 

 

Later everyone……..

 

 

Day 6 / 34 - Last entry

 

Before leaving Bordeaux last night I was experimenting with my camera. I hope that you like the results. This is the Pont Jacques Changan Delmas which the Navigator will sail under.

 

Daytime view

 

At 10:00 p.m. — level

 

 

At 10:05 p.m — 10%

 

 

At 10:08 p.m. — 25%

 

 

At 10:10 p.m. — 50%

 

 

At 10:12 p.m. — 75%

 

 

At 10:15 p.m. — 90%

 

 

At 10:16 p.m. — 100%

 

My favorite:

 

 

Day 6 / 34 —— 

 

Another sea day tomorrow!!! We have not left Bordeaux and the captain announced that we would be skipping our next port, Saint Jean de Luz, (Barritz).

 

This is due to forecasted weather in that area. Bummer!!!! Bummer!!!! Bummer!!! 
 

This was going to be a tender port so I guess it makes sense if the weather is going to be that poor. 
 

Late breakfast 😊😊😊

Day 6 - 34 Bordeaux (continued)

 

What a difference 12 hours makes and a bit of rain to clear the air. The same bridge that I shot this morning and again a few minutes ago.

This morning with overcast…..

 

 

This evening basking in sunshine

 

 

A few more photos:

 

Manhattan over Bordeaux 

 

 

Sunset in Bordeaux 

 

 

The Ferris wheel lit
 

 

Monument aux Girondins

 

 

Another sunset:

Day 6 / 34 (Bordeaux continued Jardin Park)

 

After leaving the tour group we continued our exploration of Bordeaux. The first major place we encountered was the Monument aux Girondins. 

 

 

 

The Ferris wheel in front of the Girondins. 
 

 

We decided to have lunch at Paul’s cafe near Cours de Verdun. It was a quite fortunate stop as the heavens opened not more than 5 minutes after being safely seated under an umbrella eating lunch. 

 

Our next stop was Jardin Park!!! Much to our surprise we spent a few hours there. It is a magnificent property right in the heart of Bordeaux. We can’t recommend this place high enough as a stop for you. Tranquil, gorgeous, well developed, exquisite!!!! Gardens, pools, winding rivers, museums, children’s play area featuring a carousel.  I hope that you enjoy the pictures…..

 

Jardin…….

 

 

An inviting entrance

 

 

A basket of flowers

 

 

Purple tomatoes 

 

 

Squash

 

 

 An enormous tree with a succulent directly behind

 

 

A series of beautiful buildings

 

 

 Ponds and winding waters throughout the park

 

The carousel 

 

 

Our grand finale was some retail therapy.  However there was a purpose. DW wanted to see some antique shops. Wouldn’t you know that only a short distance from Jardin were 5 - 6 therapy inducing locations. We ducked into one shop and the rains started. Then they stopped as we meandered to another. On and on…… lots of smiles. When DW had enough therapy she asked to go back to the Navigator. To the corner we went, turned left and presto right in front of us……

 

 

 Had a great day…. Pool grill here we come.

Day 6 / 34 (Bordeaux continued)

 

The major part of the official tour was Bordeaux’s Cathedral, Saint Andre Primatalie Aquitaine, a very impressive structure. This was definitely worth our time.  At the conclusion of this part of the tour we bid our adieu’s and continued on our own. I will do the same and continue the blog on a separate entry.

 

 

The left spire:

 

 

The main altar:

 

 

Love pipe organs:

 

 

Stained glass everywhere (example)

 

 

Ornate gates:

 

Day 6 / 34 (Bordeaux continued)

 

The city of Bordeaux tour….. or how to waste a few hours. Regent has an app that allows all guests to hear a tour guide within a reasonable distance. Why won’t the tour guides use this feature? We brought our iPods with us for this express purpose and haven’t used them once!!!! The guide would stop holding her Regent signage and wait for half the group to be around her. Then she’d start whatever explanation as the 2nd half of the tour group was still approaching.  WHY????

 

Of course the “schedule”!!! Gotta be here by X and there by Y. 

 

It will be a large negative for my end of cruise survey. 

 

Enough pontificating…….

 

What did we see? Part was on a bus….

 

A German u-boat facility from WWII:

 

 

A crane from the 40’s ???

 

 

Will continue….

Lost day 6 blog in Bordeaux due to an IT issue. Bummer!! Will need to recreate. 
 

 

57 minutes ago, ICT lineman said:

After Barcelona, Navigator is sailing onward to New York with a stop in Bermuda.

 

The following is a quote from the RSSC Pre-cruise and Onboard Health & Safety Requirements for passengers boarding in Barcelona.  https://www.rssc.com/voyage-health/NAV220824

 

“For cruises that visit Bermuda, all guests are required to complete Bermuda’s required Travel Authorization application, regardless of if they intend to go ashore or not, prior to arriving at the terminal in Barcelona on August 24, 2022, to board the ship.

 

During the embarkation process, guests must provide a printed or digital copy of the email confirming that their application was approved or received and pending review from Bermuda authorities.

 

Failure to start the application process will delay your embarkation and possibly the ship’s departure from Barcelona.

 

Please note, as part of Bermuda’s Travel Authorization application process you will need to upload a negative COVID-19 PCR (NAAT) test up to 4 days before embarkation or supervised COVID-19 Antigen test up to 2 days before embarkation AND present evidence of the negative test at time of embarkation in Barcelona.”

 

In October, we are doing a similar cruise on Oceania Sirena [ Portsmouth to Miami ].

 

I am curious as to how Regent will be meeting this Travel Authorization requirement for passengers who boarded in Amsterdam and are continuing on to New York.

For those boarding in Amsterdam who are going to NYC a negative COVID test within the required timeline was required prior to boarding. Regent had testing available at the pier for those passengers. 

Day 6 / 34 - Bordeaux (day 2)

 

An overcast day greeted us this morning and poor visibility, again I think due to the wind direction and fires that were recently extinguished. 

 

I was able to capture a river boat going under the Pont de Pierre bridge. This would only be accessible during low tide on the la Garrone.

 

Approaching the bridge:

 

 

I was not sure of the span that their captain was navigating for.  The Center???

 

 

No, it was 2 spans to the left of Center. As you can see there is not much vertical clearance. 

 

 

Fully through and on their way to …….

Day 5 / 33 - Château de Pressac

 

Beautiful grounds and buildings on this large winery / Château (45 acres). 

 

A view of the buildings:

 

 

Another showing the depth of their wine making facility.

 

 

The tour of the winery itself was rushed and the guide was difficult to understand, probably my hearing. 

 

 

All the barrels used were of French manufacture. Last year they produced 140,000 bottles of wine. This Château is on its way back in the Bordeaux region. It has been in disrepair prior to the current owners.

 

 

A wine tasting followed the tour and that removed all previous disconnects. We had a 2nd order wine followed by a 1st order. There was a considerable difference in the two wines. Double the price, double the enjoyment!!!! 

 

A last look at the Château walls that date back many centuries.

 

 

Some art that graced the front lawn:

 

Reminds me of a tool used for taking the foil off a bottle of wine……

 

5 minutes ago, sassyw said:

those look like mussels--they don't serve raw oysters on   Regent

I’ll check…..

Day 5 / 33 - Bordeaux (continued)

 

 

A visit to St Emilion was today’s main agenda. This included a winery tour at Chateau de Pressac and our own “escape” with some wine and cheese at the Amelia Cafe. 

 

All in all a good day. St Emilion has some very steep cobblestone streets so be careful if you venture there. You can hire a Tuktuk vehicle to take you around town but I don’t think you will get to see the small alleyways that are all over St Emilion.

 

The best view:

 

 

Another vantage 

 

 

The main church:

 

 

The courtyard inside the church walls:

 

 

It took me 6 photos to get a halfway decent picture:

 

 

of course I was originally on the other side🤣🤣

 

 

Part of the old walls of St Emilion:

 

 

This town’s history dates back 1,500 years

 

More later on the winery…..

Day 5 / 33 - Bordeaux (continued)

 

Ate lunch and had a massage at the same time this afternoon aboard the Navigator.

 

 

Enjoy

Day 5 / 33 - Bordeaux (continued)

 

Lunch today in LaVeranda was very good.

I had a German themed lunch that was excellent. Pork tenderloin, potato salad, and sauerkraut with dumplings!!! So good

 

 

The DW has a seafood theme…..oysters, breaded scallops and shrimp plus some German style turkey dish…. All very good!!

 

 

 

Day 5 / 33 - Bordeaux (the approach)

 

A cloudy morning greeted us today. Visibility is not the greatest. I think that the recently contained fires in the Bordeaux region is effecting the air quality. 

 

The approach to Bordeaux is made from the Bay of Biscay via the river, la Garrone, a very brown water tidal tributary. The river is wide but not deep. 

 

Here are some photos from this morning’s sailing:

 

 

a small town as we entered the la Garrone

 

 

 

 

a dilapidated farmhouse

 

 

apartments ??

 

 

a passing tanker

 

 

Ore being loaded

 

 

The Pont d’Aquitane

 

 

 

50 foot clearance under the Pont d’Aquitane

 

 

 

The Pont Jacques Changan Delmas open for our arrival.

 

and now closed

 

 

The Bordeaux version of the Bean or an Old Woman and the Shoe

 

later everyone…..

Day 4 - 32 (continued)

 

The string of great dinners continued this evening at Compass Rose. 
 

I had the Shanghai dumplings:

 

Then an artichoke risotto:

 

 

The entree was a lobster tail with spinach and mushrooms. 
 

 

Although I ordered the lemon purée sauce for the lobster tail it was not used. Personally I recommend that you order the lobster slightly undercooked. The entire meal was prepared and presented perfectly.

 

The DW had a pecan Parmesan crusted chicken dish that was outstanding. Moist, tender, chicken with gobs of flavors. 
 

 

No great sunset last night in the Bay of Biscay. Reading up on and preparing for our adventures in Bordeaux. Should be a great time…..