Splendor! The Pre-Christening Inaugural Transatlantic Cruise! A LIVE Joint Blog!

[victoria81]

Looking forward to this trip.  I will be headed to Barcelona on Monday and am really excited to take a paella cooking class at The Paella Club: https://thepaellaclub.com.  I'm a big foodie and have always wanted to learn how to make paella, so this is a wonderful opportunity.

[JAG2003]

26 minutes ago, Popdog1 said:

Thanks for starting this blog Rich. 

My husband Barry and I will be flying to Barcelona on Saturday, Feb.1 and staying at Le Meridien until we board the Splendor. This will be our first trip to Barcelona so we plan to walk around town (we love walking) and of course take in as many of Gaudi's works as possible.  Really looking forward to our first cruise with Regent - we usually sail with Seabourn.  

Special shout out to JAG2003 (see above) who is also from Toronto. 

Looking forward to meeting everyone aboard.  Haven't started packing yet so I'm getting really anxious.  Off to get started right now!

My photo doesn't looking exactly like me since I've dropped weight since it was taken.

Barb

🇨🇦😊.  See you onboard!  Wow - you haven’t started packing yet?!   Better get going, eh! 😂

[JAG2003]

7 minutes ago, victoria81 said:

Looking forward to this trip.  I will be headed to Barcelona on Monday and am really excited to take a paella cooking class at The Paella Club: https://thepaellaclub.com.  I'm a big foodie and have always wanted to learn how to make paella, so this is a wonderful opportunity.

That sounds so good - I just checked it out on line.  Very central, just off La Rambla.   Enjoy the paella (and wine!) 💎

[Popdog1]

5 minutes ago, JAG2003 said:

🇨🇦😊.  See you onboard!  Wow - you haven’t started packing yet?!   Better get going, eh! 😂

LOL re the "eh."

Yes. I'm getting really anxious. Not leaving the house until Saturday morning!

[JAG2003]

6 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

Just what I have been waiting for!!  Rich and Ginny and all the others with you - bon voyage.  I am so eager to see your photos (which are always great) and finally see something of the inside of the Splendor.

 

For what it's worth I think the reason the 6 Feb cruise is not called "Maiden voyage" is that there is a mini cruise from Ancona to Barcelona before it, maybe for Regent staff so that shouldn't count, and then of course the "Christening Cruise" on 21 February out of Miami.  Whatever it is called you are on it and that is wonderful.

 

Now a job for you Rich if you don't mind -- can you find out once on board who will take over from Serena when she goes off duty.  We were hoping she would be our captain out of San Diego but apparently she won't.   We know Franck will be our GM.  And John the CD.  But the captain ??  

 

Fly safely to Barcelona and enjoy that wonderful city.  Great place for a few nights to get over jet lag and see fascinating things.  Take care both (all!) of you!   Gerry

Rumor has it (no pun intended Rich 😂) Staff Captain Diego (Feb 06-25) will be promoted and take over as Captain when we leave Miami Feb 25.  A great guy, as are all Regent Captains (or gals!). Some of us will have sailed with him before.  

[CruiserFromMaine]

I’ll be following along, we embark in March—our first Regent cruise!

[DeepFreeze63]

7 hours ago, sierrafloridacruiser said:

This is wonderful!  I have never followed a maiden/inaugural voyage and I’m sure this one will be full of detail. We are on our first Regent cruise on the Explorer TA in April and then spending five nights in Barcelona, which is a first visit there for us. Have not planned a lot of that part of our trip yet, except the hotel, so I will appreciate all the Barcelona related content you want to include!  

DW and I have been to Barcelona many delightful times. This visit is only an overnight supplied by Regent at the Ritz Carlton near the Zoo and harbour - have not stayed in this area before. I make extensive use of TripAdvisor for my land trips and especially use their "Travel Forum" accessed under "more" for the latest on-the ground info. I'll post on this blog if I pick up any reliable info about the "protests". 

Much, much to see in Barca; our favorite is Sagrada Familia. I posted my thoughts about my October 2019 visit here on my September 30th thread. We plan to visit the Zoo and Chocolate museum but these are 3rd level attractions and not on a first timer's visit list.

[RachelG]

Tell Ginny she has now joined my broken limb club.  I was able to cross stitch one handed, so I expect she will figure out how to do some crafts.

 

everyone have a wonderful time, and I want All the details as we will be aboard in June.

[ronrick1943]

Well I'll be looking forward to reading all about this trip---have a great time and a great cruise.

[Hambagahle]

Rich - in Barcelona the cathedral and the "Barrio Gothico" (spelling?  I don't speak Spanish...) behind it are stunning.  At the cathedral there is a little courtyard with a fountain which is so peaceful.

[Mr Rumor]

Good morning!  I just now had the chance to read all the 33 (!) first day's posts and I'm knocked out that already seven Splendor bloggers--Marcia, Jim, Sandy, Artie, Barb, Victoria (and me)--have posted.  Our number compares favorably to the eight who contributed regularly to the 2016 Explorer MV blog, which I was also pleased to host.  Go Team!!  And thanks and a sincere "We've been expecting you!" to all our guests who have taken their seats at the table.  On behalf of your hosts, we  hope you brought your appetites!

 

Rich

Edited January 30, 2020 by Mr Rumor

[Mr Rumor]

22 hours ago, Hambagahle said:

Now a job for you Rich if you don't mind -- can you find out once on board who will take over from Serena when she goes off duty.  We were hoping she would be our captain out of San Diego but apparently she won't.   We know Franck will be our GM.  And John the CD.  But the captain ??  

 

15 hours ago, JAG2003 said:

Rumor has it (no pun intended Rich 😂) Staff Captain Diego (Feb 06-25) will be promoted and take over as Captain when we leave Miami Feb 25.  A great guy, as are all Regent Captains (or gals!). Some of us will have sailed with him before.  

Ah, Diamond Lil has her sources--I like that!  Gerry, one of us will be sure to confirm once we're onboard.  

[Mr Rumor]

16 hours ago, Bellaggio Cruisers said:

Hi Rich and Ginny

We sailed  with you on the Explorer TA in 2016 and had lunch in San Tropez. Hope you remember. 

Sheila 

Sheila, I might forget why I walked across the house from my office to our kitchen, but I clearly remember our meeting.  Ginny and I were seated at an outside table at a Saint Tropez cafe when you scooted up with a friend.  We moved a few inches so that you could make it to the table next to us.  We had a nice conversation and amazing crepes!  I was surprised with myself that I had the restraint to take this quick photo before devouring this gorgeous thing!

Ha,  the parade of food porn pics has started and I haven't even left the Land of Enchantment!

[Mr Rumor]

19 hours ago, Kwaj girl said:

Oh, yes...., @Gilly - Ernie and Sherwin will likely join the crowd

What, Sandy, no Penny, Robbie or Mickey?  They'll pitch a fit!

 

19 hours ago, Zqueeze1 said:

Rich:  I am so looking forward to reading your excellent posts. They are always entertaining and well written. You have the gift, bro. Have a great time in BCN and have some pan con tomate for us who are left behind. Also, there’s a great restaurant called Caracol just off of Las Ramblas. 
Following this thread will be the highlight of my day. Too bad we are not on the Splendor until 2021☹️.
Fly safe. 

Z and TB

Thanks, Z and TB!  Z,  we've booked a "Private Gourmet Foodie" tour with a Tours by Local guide who operated his own Barcelona restaurant and who is obviously a gourmand.  I'm sure pan con tomate will be among the temptations along our route! That will be a perfect choice for vegetarian Ginny.

 

17 hours ago, gnomie1 said:

Hi Rich!

Will Shauna be joining you on this adventure?

gnomie

Not this time, gnomie.  But we're planning to make a Splendor 2021 Caribbean booking for three while onboard!

[Bellaggio Cruisers]

22 minutes ago, Mr Rumor said:

Sheila, I might forget why I walked across the house from my office to our kitchen, but I clearly remember our meeting.  Ginny and I were seated at an outside table at a Saint Tropez cafe when you scooted up with a friend.  We moved a few inches so that you could make it to the table next to us.  We had a nice conversation and amazing crepes!  I was surprised with myself that I had the restraint to take this quick photo before devouring this gorgeous thing!

Ha,  the parade of food porn pics has started and I haven't even left the Land of Enchantment!

Yes- - ‘‘Twas a lovely day!
Love “food porn” photos! Love your blogs and will be closely following it. We are sailing on Splendor in November. Barcelona to Miami. Love to Ginny. Hope her hand heals quickly. 

sheila

[Boats07]

Thank you to all bloggers.  We will be boarding the TA 4/16 till 5/12 and so looking forward to our first time with Regent. We will be following along and are looking forward to it all.

Safe travels to all of you and enjoy the beautiful new lady!

[Kwaj girl]

2 hours ago, Mr Rumor said:

What, Sandy, no Penny, Robbie or Mickey?  They'll pitch a fit!

 

 

Oh...I'm sure they've learned something from Stowie....and may just stow away themselves!  We shall see who we find in the rollaboard once we get to Barcelona......little troublemakers that they are!

[1teach53]

Rich, John and I are SO looking forward to you taking us along on this cruise! Your reports & pictures will be the highlight of our day! Hope Ginny continues to heal and will be back to 100% ASAP. 
This report will be of special interest to us as we will be on the February 25th sailing Miami to San Diego. 🥂🎉🥂 Rich, please make sure you have them work out all the “kinks” for us!  LOL! 💗

Best , Karen & John 

Edited January 30, 2020 by 1teach53
Spelling

[Kwaj girl]

26 minutes ago, 1teach53 said:

Rich, John and I are SO looking forward to you taking us along on this cruise! Your reports & pictures will be the highlight of our day! Hope Ginny continues to heal and will be back to 100% ASAP. 
This report will be of special interest to us as we will be on the February 25th sailing Miami to San Diego. 🥂🎉🥂 Rich, please make sure you have them work out all the “kinks” for us!  LOL! 💗

Best , Karen & John 

 

Karen & John -

We will sail with you on that one, too! Have a few days in Miami between the cruises while RSSC does the christening events.

See you onboard!

 

Sandy & Dana (and 'the kids')

[JAG2003]

Splendid!  We will make sure everything is ship shape for you ...... 

I too will be onboard - albeit - and this one is for my good friend Sandy - I also stay onboard for the christening events......YEAH !!!  🤣💎

[Mahogany]

On 1/29/2020 at 12:22 PM, sierrafloridacruiser said:

This is wonderful!  I have never followed a maiden/inaugural voyage and I’m sure this one will be full of detail. We are on our first Regent cruise on the Explorer TA in April and then spending five nights in Barcelona, which is a first visit there for us. Have not planned a lot of that part of our trip yet, except the hotel, so I will appreciate all the Barcelona related content you want to include!  

Make sure to book Sagrada Familia tickets on line to avoid the long line.

[Kwaj girl]

26 minutes ago, JAG2003 said:

Splendid!  We will make sure everything is ship shape for you ...... 

I too will be onboard - albeit - and this one is for my good friend Sandy - I also stay onboard for the christening events......YEAH !!!  🤣💎

 

Paulie says "PFFFFTTT!"

[PinkMEB]

So excited about the joint blog. I have to wait until April 1. Enjoy!

[boblerm]

 

51 minutes ago, JAG2003 said:

Splendid!  We will make sure everything is ship shape for you ...... 

I too will be onboard - albeit - and this one is for my good friend Sandy - I also stay onboard for the christening events......YEAH !!!  🤣💎

 

I must confess that I am a bit confused (ok, more or less my usual state, but that aside).....

This cruise ends on Feb 20 and the next begins on Feb 25.  JAG2003, do I understand correctly that you are on both of these?  Are you staying on board between the 2 for special christening events?  Or do you have to disembark and come back on for these events?

And you are also staying on for the San DIego to Miami?

Sorry if I am being dense😳🥴😵

Bob

[Mr Rumor]

1 hour ago, 1teach53 said:

Rich, John and I are SO looking forward to you taking us along on this cruise! Your reports & pictures will be the highlight of our day! Hope Ginny continues to heal and will be back to 100% ASAP. 
This report will be of special interest to us as we will be on the February 25th sailing Miami to San Diego. 🥂🎉🥂 Rich, please make sure you have them work out all the “kinks” for us!  LOL! 💗

Best , Karen & John 

Karen and John, wonderful to have you at the table, and thanks for the sweet Ginny wishes.  She said to send Karen and John a hug (can you feel it?).

 

Tell you what, I'll see to it that 97% of the Splendor kinks are worked out by the time you board.  But you want there to be at least one or two residual kinks--it'll make the cruise more interesting!😄