Well I guess you could say we started off October in a grand way. We boarded the Regen Seven Seas Grandeur, a 735 ft ship that holds 744 guests in 372 suites. The Grandeur has a crew of 548 and Luciano Montesanto was our Captain. She was also Regent's newest luxury cruise ship. This cruise was their Fall Season Colors from Boston, MA to Montreal, Canada.
When arriving in our suite we were welcomed with a welcome back letter, a bottle of champagne, our luggage, and the daily newsletter called Passages. Passages are full of information such as where we were headed with a description of the area, the schedule of onboard activities including special events, all the important times (ie all aboard, arrival, departure, sunrise and sunset times), the dress code for the day, and sales in the boutiques.
After the first day our Passages newsletter is left in the evenings with any other important information. Some passengers bring highlighters to mark the events they are interested in attending or carrying the paper with them all day. I would prefer an app that allows me to see the days events and choose what I am interested in attending.
 |
| Time change reminders |
Laundry -- we are probably the only people who take advantage 🙄 of laundry upon arriving in our suite. Place all items in laundry bag 🎒 complete form and leave on bed 🛌. It is usually returned before 5 pm the next day. Some of the long time cruisers are annoyed because free laundry service was only available to a certain status group. Now it is available to everyone.
Shore Excursions can be chosen in advance, however depending on your status the excursions may already be waitlisted. This trip when we arrived we had a brochure that listed all the excursions with more detail than was available online, I liked this. For excursions that were waitlisted we could go to Destination Services to see if there was an availability.
Our first port stop was Portland, ME. The Portland area is home to six lighthouses, all within 20 minutes of the city center. Our first excursion was the Portland Highlights & Victoria Mansion tour. The tour started with a scenic drive around town.
Victoria Mansion Historic House Mansion 1858
 |
| Grand Entrance Staircase |
Reception Room
Dining Room
Library
Bathroom Suite
 |
| I think the tub is too small for me! |
 |
| Toilet |
Turkish Smoking Room
Red Bedroom
 |
After touring the Mansion we decided to walk back to the ship along the Old Port.
 |
| John Ford Statue |
Our second port stop was St. John, New Brunswick, Canada 🇨🇦 Canada's oldest incorporated city. Saint John is the country's third largest port and the only city located on the Bay of Fundy.
Tidbit of information Canada has a law that allows cruise ships to only have a certain amount of bars opened while docked.
Our excursion was the Harbor Passage Walking Tour a short walk along the waterfront to Place Fort LaTour and back to the ship.
 |
| John-Emile our tour guide |
 |
| The fort defended the mouth of the St. John's River. |
 |
| This is supposed to be interesting 🤔 🤔 |
 |
| Ohhh free samples |
 |
| We must protect our fort |
 |
| Are there Pirates out there? |
 |
| Who aimed the cannon at the Grandeur |
After our walking tour we headed back out on our own to check out St. John's. I was determined to go to the St. John's City Market.
 |
| The Bay of Funday is home to the world's highest tides. |
 |
| There is a 28 ft tide difference |
 |
| Cruise Terminal |
 |
| Change in tide |
 |
| North America's oldest continuing farmers market |
 |
| Lots of food & souvenirs |
 |
| The rafters resemble a ship's inverted hull |
 |
| This metal is from the Great fire of 1866 |
 |
| Kings Square Park |
 |
| Loyalist Burial Grounds |
Our third port stop was Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada 🇨🇦 the sight of the world's largest fiddle. Originally founded by Loyalists spooked by the American Revolution. Our excursion was the Sydney Historical Walking Tour .
 |
| Janice our Tour Guide |
We toured the Jost Family House one of the oldest wooden structures in the North End. The house was purchased by Thomas Jost in 1836 and his descendants remained there until 1971.
The basement had been restored to the original 18th century kitchen with a cooking fireplace and a separate beehive bake-oven.
 |
| I was the only one in the group who didn't have to duck, lol |
 |
| The Fairchild Original Washing Machine patented in 1888 |
 |
| Rob's date she was smitten with him |
Janice took us past several more old homes, everywhere we stopped Janice told us all about all the ghosts/spirits.
 |
| First Market House 1802 |
 |
| Cossit House Museum Built in 1787 |
 |
| Captain John Lorway house 1790 |
 |
| This was where the old jail cell was located. Building was purchased and remodeled, prominently they left the jail cell in the basement intact. |
Saint George's Angelican Church & Graveyard a stone gothic revival style church built between 1785 and 1791. The oldest building in Sydney. The Church is/was an official church for the Royal Family.
 |
After our little walking tour we ventured off to the "downtown" area and finished with a walk along the boardwalk back to the ship.
 |
| D for Duffus |
 |
| Merchant Mariner Monument |
 |
| A Land Of Our Own In memory of immigrants to Cape Breton |
Our fourth port stop was Corner Brook, NewFoundland, Canada 🇨🇦 Located on the Bay of Islands at the mouth of the Humber River. The city is the second largest populated center behind St. John's.
We started the morning with a stroll as we scheduled our excursion for the afternoon.
Our excursion was the Corner Brook Hiking Adventure, this excursion included two different trails along the Corner Brook Stream and was more of a stroll than a hike. We finally get to see some fall foliage.
 |
| Our tour guide |
 |
| Lounge Chairs |
 |
| Where all the kids swim |
 |
| They close the damn and the area fills in for swimming |
 |
| Tunnel under the road to go to another side of park |
 |
| Please return your tickets |
I have to say, there was nothing to do in the town. We took a quick walk and then headed back to the ship.
 |
| We had to use Google Translate |
Our sixth port stop was supposed to be Sept-Îles, Quebec Canada 🇨🇦 however due to weather we were unable to stop and we got an extra sea day. Another excursion missed but we got a bonus sea day.
Our sixth port stop was Saguenay, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦 a former mill town. The city was only formed in 2002 by combining the townships of Chicoutimi, Conquered, La Baie and Laterriere. The city is well known for Saguenay Fjord.
We had another afternoon excursion so we explored on our own in the morning.
 |
| I Love My Signs |
 |
| The Saint Alphonse-de- Liguore Presbytery |
 |
| The Saint Alphonse-de- Liguore Church |
 |
| Those are some big balls |
The above work of art is an invitation to boaters exploring the area to return to home port, or to people strolling along the shore for foreseeable future travels.
Did you know? The combination of blue and yellow is reminiscent of the K in the International Code of Maritime Signals, meaning I wish to communicate with you .
 |
| I think he is pondering life |
 |
| Another Artistic Shot |
Our excursion was Discovery of New France. We toured the Site De La Nouvella France for a look at the daily life of 17th century colony of Quebec.
 |
| At least it's not a short bus |
 |
| Andre |
 |
| Our Trolley |
 |
| The Inn |
 |
| Chapel |
 |
| Church |
 |
| The Fort |
Inside the Governor's house
 |
| The Convent |
At the end of the tour we were treated to a dinner sampling of salmon, bean salad, yannick bread and tea with balsam fir and evergreen.
Our seventh port stop was Quebec City, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦 Old Quebec is a UNESCO World Heritage Site that oozes European charm. Another afternoon excursion so we ventured out on our own in the morning.
 |
| The Fresque des Québécois This fresco tells the story of Quebec |
 |
| I'm picture perfect |
 |
| Flowers were gorgeous |
 |
| Monument by François de Laval |
 |
| Fairmont Le Château Frontenac |
 |
| UNESCO Monument Monument Samuel-De Champlain |
 |
| Boy kneeling on teddy bears |
 |
| Sanctuaire Notre-Dame du Sacré-Coeur |
 |
| The Christmas Store |
 |
| Halloween Decorations |
Our excursion was the Beaupre Coast, St. Anne Canyon & A Winery
 |
| Taking a peek at the grapes |
Nothing like having a wine tasting before taking a hike at Canyon Sainte-Anne. Canyon Sainte Anne had hiking trails, observation points, and Rob's favorite: suspension bridges.
 |
| Mestachibo bridge is 63 meters (205 ft) long and 6.5 meters (21 ft) high |
 |
| This crevice is the original river bed |
 |
| Henry David Thoreau Cabin Henry was an American philosopher known for his essay "Civil Disobedience" |
 |
| Sainte-Anne Falls is 75 meters ( 243 ft) high |
 |
| McNicoll Bridge 58 Meters (190 ft) long and suspended 55 meters (180 ft) above the gorge |
 |
| What goes down must come back up |
 |
| The Laurent Bridge |
 |
| Wow! We were all the way up there. |
 |
| I didn't listen to the warning Warning! The stairway has 187 steps. People with health problems should not go down. |
 |
| Let's go in! |
Did you know? A rainbow is visible only when the light of the sun hits drops of water suspended in the air. This can happen during a storm or, as in this case, close to a
waterfall.
 |
| We found the rainbow! |
Our last stop was an unexpected stop at Sanctuaire Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré
This was our favorite port stop and the canyon was our favorite excursion. I would visit Quebec City again.
Our last port stop was Montreal, Quebec, Canada 🇨🇦 this port stop was a little different from the usual port stops as this included an overnight. It was also our last stop on the cruise.
We were unable to prebook any excursion for Montreal, but once onboard we were able to book A Walk Through Old Montreal.
 |
| Tour Guide Sebastian |
 |
| 1.5 Million $$$$ Condos |
 |
| Grand Trunk Railway Building |
 |
| Piece of the Berlin Wall |
 | ||
| Montreal City Hall |
 |
| Bonsecours Market |
Notre-Dame Basilica of Montreal
 |
| Bronze Alterpiece by Charles Daudelin The Theme is Humanity's Path to God |
 |
| The chair of saint pierre Saint Peter's Pulpit |
Notre-Dame-de-Bon-Secours Chapel the historic chapel is a Roman Catholic pilgrimage site dedicated to the Virgin Mary in the mid 17th century by Marguerite Bourgeoys.
Back to the ship...
Nightly Shows starting with the Welcome Aboard Show, A Taste of Things to Come
 |
| Cruise Director Andrew Galler |
 |
| Onboard Entertainment Team |
We had a guest entertainer Linda Gentile performing Bach to Broadway
 |
| Yes he fell asleep, I love the look on the photo bomber's face |
Icons starring The Grandeur Production Company
Broadway Unplugged starring The Grandeur Production Vocalists
We had another guest entertainer Stand Up Comedian Fred Klett
 |
| He made Rob laugh 😃 😀 |
Another Fred Klett evening
Pasión - One Night In Buenos Aires starring The Grandeur Production Company
Sing Us A Song Em! Starring Emily Jane Ashford
Marauder's Ball starring the Grandeur Production Company
Ignite The Night starring The Grandeur Production Company
We received an invitation to the Seven Seas Society Cocktail Party. The Seven Seas Societyis Regent's loyalty program. The first tier is Bronze and the highest tier is Commodore. You need over 2,000 nights to reach Commodore status. We are only silver. Member count was 309 Silver, 129 Gold, 36 Platinum, 13 Titanium, 8 Diamond and 4 Commodores
A Speaker Series with Dr. David M Plourd the first lecture was H2OHHHH-MY! Our Wonderful World 🌎 Of Water
Our second lecture was Survival Of The Fittest
Our fifth and final lecture Sharks & Rays - Not One Mean Bone In Their Bodies
We really enjoy the lectures.
Pink Party for Breast Cancer Awareness Month with The Power of Two Duo
 |
| Senior Officers |
 |
| Featured Cocktail was the Rose Crush (Pink Gin, Elderflower, Syrup, Lemon Juice, Cranberry Juice & Egg White |
Bingo
 |
| I'm ready for some fun |
 |
| Full House |
 |
| So close I only needed one more number |
 |
| I need G60 |
 |
| BINGO $202.72 Richer |
Another sea day means another Bingo Day
Card Room we didn't play cards but we did find Backgamon.
 |
| I won |
 |
| He gammoned me |
When the community puzzle table gets so crowded you find a puzzle in the card room.
 |
| I guess I was really concentrating on this puzzle when he snap chatted |
Gym they had a gym 🤔🤔🤔🤔
Pool it was actually warm enough for us to get some hot tub time in and lounge around.
When working the Puzzle Tables you must have a hot chocolate with Vodka it is an unwritten rule.
 |
| Rob working the puzzle table |
Staircase & Venue Pictures
Each evening we had to ask someone to take our staircase pictures 📸 this guy said "no problem".
A small sample of the amazing Grandeur Art Collection:
 |
| Faberge: “Journey in Jewels” The first and only Fabergé Egg to reside permanently at sea |
 |
| Walter Goldfarb: “The Enchanted Tree” 40 Feet Tall |
Balcony Views
 |
| Sunrise in Sydney |
 |
| Corner Brook |
 |
| Sunset in Corner Brook |
 |
| Good Morning Saguenay |
 |
| Good morning Quebec City |
 |
| Good Evening Quebec City |
 |
| Until next time |
The depressing last evening when receiving out last tickets, Bon Voyage mat, and suitcases on the bed.
On this cruise we traveled 1,874 nautical miles.
We decided to spend a few more nights in Montreal since we were already here. Just a few more pictures from around town.
 |
| Amphitrite Sculpture |
 |
| Hommage to Marguerite Bourgeoys |
 |
| Interesting |
 |
| Sculptures |
 |
| H Anima A tree that will never shed its leaves |
Time to fly back to the United States, spend one night in Arlington before taking the AutoTrain to Florida.
The AutoTrain was an experience that I am glad we tried. We booked a deluxe suite which included meals and turndown service.
 |
| We enjoyed lunch while waiting to board |
 |
| Our car is loading |
We are Pulling Away from the station:
We had to check out the Bar Car!
We were prepared. We brought a bottle of wine and cheese and crackers (which could be consumed in our room).
The rooms are very tight, especialy once the sofa is converted to a bed. The rails are not the best which makes for a very bumpy uncomfortable ride. Our suite attendant, Taylor, made up our bed while we were at dinner. We opted to not use the top bunk.
 |
| I'm not sure where he is sleeping |
 |
| Everyone waiting on their vehicle, 322 on board |
 |
| Here she comes #347 |
Pro tip: Arrive early, check in, obtain dinner reservation and then come back at 2pm. This gets you your preferred dinner seating. Pay for priority unloading to get your vehicle as soon as possible.
Would I do the train again? Maybe
We returned home to see the damage that was caused by the tornados during Hurricane Helene. We were very fortunate.
 |
| There were so many downed trees that Rob made several dump runs to get rid of just our debris |
It's October, we have to check out Oktoberfest.
 |
| Bratwurst |
 |
| Potato Salad |
 |
| Band was really good |
We ended October by celebrating Halloween with Zach, Brianna, the boys, and their neighbors.
 |
| He wasn't a happy clown |
 |
| Lots of sugar |
Where did we eat and drink?
Coffee Connection
 |
| He is patiently waiting for our Hot Chocolate with Vodka |
 |
| Iced Mocha |
 |
| Frozen Coffee Crema |
 |
| Mocha |
 |
| Cappuccino |
Compass Rose is the main dining room, a sophisticated venue with chandeliers and Versace dinnerware. On the CR's menu the left side is dedicated to the all time favorites and the right side is dedicated to the executive chef's daily specials.
 |
| The Best Salted Breadstick |
 |
| Alaskan Crab & Avocado 🥑 with a Bloody Mary Sauce |
 |
| Roasted Red Beet Carpaccio |
 |
| Garden Green Salad |
 |
| Filet Mignon |
 |
| cooked perfectly 👌 |
 |
| Brazino Filet with Caper Butter Sauce |
 |
| Rob's idea for dessert is a Port Wine |
 |
| Mine is a Kahlua Coffee Souffle With Caramel Cream Sauce 😋 |
 |
| Mulligatawny |
 |
| I got the Breadstick again |
 |
| Parmesan Pecan Crusted Chicken |
 |
| Lobster 🦞 Tail |
 |
| Lobster Bisque |
 |
| Oven Baked Truffle Meatballs |
 |
| Grilled Fresh Swordfish Steak |
 |
| Brazino, Rice, & Mixed Veggies |
 |
| Cointreau Strawberries 🍓 |
Our last evening onboard I feel like we had one of everything.
 |
| Gratinated Escargots |
 |
| Caesar with Anchovy |
 |
| Mixed Garden Greens |
 |
| Baked Salmon Fillet |
 |
| Thai Red Chicken Curry |
 |
| Old Fashioned Apple Pie |
 |
| Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate Sauce |
Grandeur Lounge
 |
| Champagne & Aeperol Spritz |
La Veranda is the buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
 |
| Blueberry Yogurt with Chia Seeds |
 |
| Gravlax with Mustard Dill Sauce Gravlax is a Nordic dish of salmon cured with salt, sugar & dill |
 |
| Cookies & Cream Verrine |
 |
| Gravlax, Tuna, Shrimp |
 |
| Our weird lunch creations |
 |
| Eggs Benedict |
 |
| Cronut- cross between a donut & a croissant |
Meridan Lounge Unforgettable Drinks in the evening , Bonanza Bingo (Sea Days), daily Afternoon Tea.
 |
| Star Martini Vanilla Vodka, Passoã (passion fruit liquer), Presecco, Juices of Passion Fruit, Lemon 🍋 & Pineapple |
 |
| Cinco De Mayo Mezcal, Cointreau, Pineapple & Lemon Juice, Basil |
 |
| Different flavored bitters |
 |
| Smoked Old Fashion |
 |
| The Regnt Signature Orchestra playing Disco hits |
Afternoon Tea in the Meridan Lounge where you can enjoy an elegant afternoon tea daily with different teas, sandwiches, desserts and music.
Observation Lounge was our favorite lounge this cruise. The room with a view the perfect place to watch entering, leaving ports or just the ocean views. Trivia is held in the lounge daily and it is very competitive, we like to watch.
 |
| He's not very interested In the sail away |
 |
| Shaken not Stirred |
Observation Lounge's Caviar & Champagne 🍾 we did not partake in the caviar
Pool Bar & Grill
Seafood Extravaganza including shrimp, scallops & fresh fish 🐟 at the Pool Grill.
 |
| Sushi 🍣 |
 |
| 1/2 Reuben |
Due to an early morning excursion we pre-ordered Room Service nothing extravagant just coffee, bagels, and juice.
In the evenings the buffet restaurant transforms into an Italian restaurant, the Sette Mari at La Veranda. No reservations are necessary but it is a small venue and fills up quickly.
We did have to share a table one evening with two other couples, Don & Sally and Bill & Salle we had a great time.
 |
| Dinner with a view |
 |
| A Boat in my Wineglass My Artistic Picture |
 |
| Carpaccio Di Tonno, Caprese, Salad |
 |
| Peppadew, Zucca Arrosta, Squid Salad, Carpaccio di Tonno, Octopus 🐙 alla La Risacca, Roasted Garlic |
 |
| Carbonara |
 |
| Biscotti & Lemoncello's |
 |
| Grilled Fish & Shrimp |
 |
| Chicken Parm |
There are 3 specialty restaurants on board, no extra charge but reservations are required. Chartreuse and Prime 7 also open for lunch and no reservations are necessary.
This cruise we were unable to book a dinner at each in advance. However, once on board we could book but in order to get the timing we wanted we needed to share a table.
Chartreuse is the French inspired restaurant.
Lunch with a view
 |
| Onion Soup |
 |
| Quiche Poire, Noix et Roquefort Pear & Walnut Quiche with Mixed Greens |
 |
| Salade Landaise Smoked Duck Breast |
A shared dinner table with Greg & Terri
 |
| Our formal invitation |
 |
| Blue Cheese Souffle |
 |
| Always get the souffle |
 |
| Wait for it! |
 |
| Mushroom Veloute 🍄 |
 |
| Poissons soup |
 |
| Halibut Filet |
 |
| Duck |
 |
| Floating Island |
 |
| You always leave Chartreuse with a box of macaroons |
Pacific Rim is the Asian inspired restaurant, this is our favorite specialty restaurant. This was our first shared dinner. Greg & Patty were our dinner partners, I know I'm pretty quiet 🤫 but this couple had me beat, very awkward.
 |
| Welcome Cocktail |
 |
| Miso Soup |
 |
| Edamame with Peanut Butter Dipping Sauce |
 |
| Tom Kha Gai Thai Chicken Coconut Soup 🍲 |
 |
| Tuna Tartar Sushi Grade Tuna with Carrot 🥕 Ginger 🫚 Sauce |
 |
| Thai Red Chicken Curry 🍛 |
 |
| Assorted Sushi Platter Maki spicy tuna, smoked salmon, lobster, California crab roll, & gunkan octopus 🐙 |
 |
| Hamachi, Salmon & Tuna Sashimi 😋 |
 |
| We didn't order dessert but they brought us macaroons & chocolate 🍫 yum 😋 |
Prime 7 is the steakhouse restaurant.
 |
| Yes I caught you on your phone |
 |
| Shrimp & Grits |
 |
| Mediterranean Bowl |
 |
| My artistic picture "Rob in a wine glass" |
 |
| All American Grilled Beef Burger |
Another shared dinner, we had a much better time with Mark & Susan.
 |
| Tomato Soup Shooter |
 |
| Creamed Spinach, so good |
 |
| Yes I tried the Crabcake at least the menu didn't say MD style |
 |
| Surf & Turf Filet & Lobster |
Culinary Arts Kitchen this was our first time taking a cooking class and we chose Farmstand Fabulous. This was our "excursion" There is an extra fee for the coo king class but we'll worth it.
Our chef was Linda Miller from Lewes DE, class size is 16 people each with their own station.
 |
| Prepped and ready to go |
 |
| Aperol Spritz |
 |
| He is paying attention |
 |
| Rob's Bruschetta |
 |
| My Bruschetta |
 |
| Hummus |
 |
| Pasta with Cauliflower |
 |
| This was the chef's dishes |
 |
| We even made dessert |
Kinton Ramen - Montreal Quebec, Canada
 |
| Chicken Original Ramen |
 |
| Pork Spicy Garlic Ramen |
Osco - Montreal Quebec, Canada
 |
| Marinated Atlantic Salmon Fillet |
La Cage Sports Bar - Montreal, Quebec, Canada We had to find a place to watch the Redskins and enjoy pizza & wings.
 |
Potomac Social - Arlington VA
 |
| Grilled Faroe Island Salmon |
 |
| Prime Burger |
Makchang Dodook K-BBQ - Springfield Va we stopped on our way to the autotrain and placed a to go order.
 |
 |
| Cheesecake |
 |
| Bacon, egg, & cheese Soufle |
Creperie at Maison Martinique - Vero Beach, FL this is our favorite brunch spot so far.
 |
| Crab & Artichoke Dip from leftovers |
Where did we stay? Same Superior Suite F1 category with a private balcony as our last cruise, a spacious living room, marble & stone bathroom with double sinks, a walk-in closet with a safe and a European king-sized elite slumber bed.
 |
| Our Walk In Closet |
 |
| We borrowed real suitcases from my niece Brianna |
 |
| The bed was extremely comfortable |
 |
| The view was amazing |
 |
| Good Evening |
 |
| Good Morning |
Crowne Plaza Crystal City, Arlington VA
AutoTrain Accomodations
 |
| After turndown |
 |
| All in one shower like living on a boat |
How did we get there? Planes, Trains, Automobiles & Cruise Ship (not in that order)
According to little Ms. Google in October we traveled 3,373 miles by walking, driving, sailing, and flying ✈️.
"Travel is not a reward for working, it's a celebration of living!"
