Our third port stop was Philipsburg, St. Maarten, the capital of Dutch St. Maarten. A narrow stretch of land between Great Bay and the Great Salt Pond. Founded in 1763 by John Philips, a Scottish captain in the Dutch navy.
Our third free excursion was the Scenic City Drive. We stopped at an overlook, drove through the French side and then dumped at Marigot to explore the downtown and shop.
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| Umm |
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| Back in time for Sunset |
This port and excursion was our least favorite. We would have preferred staying on the ship or just exploring the port area on our own.
Our fourth and final port stop was San Juan, Puerto Rico, the capital and largest city. San Juan was founded by Spanish colonists in 1521, it holds the distinction of being the oldest European-founded city in the Americas.
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Our first time back in the US
in over 13 months |
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| Happy to be back to the US |
Our fourth free excursion was City and Countryside. Our first stop was the Hacienda Campo Rico a classic Caribbean Style Hacienda located on the grounds of a former sugar cane plantation.
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| The Mojito Bar |
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| A quick Pina Colada before tour |
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| Our Tour Guide |
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| Oh Look Stairs |
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| Strike A Pose |
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Look at that handsome fella in
the window |
Next stop Capitol Building and Walkway of the Presidents:
Back on the bus our last stop Castillo San Cristobal.
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US Flag, Puerto Rico Flag &
Spanish Military Flag
|
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San Cristobal Chapel with
Statue of Saint Barbara
The Saint who watches over
those in dangerous death from
lightning and fires
|
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Up to level 2 the main firing
battery |
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| She actually beat me to the top |
We had the option to explore Old San Juan but we stayed on the bus and headed back to the ship.
This excursion was much better than yesterday's in St. Maarten.
Nightly shows
It's Opening Night featuring the Splendor Production Company and the Regent Signature Orchestra.
All guests were invited to the Captain's Welcome Reception. We enjoyed canapés, drinks, and music from the Regent Signature Orchestra while the Captain introduced his senior officers.
Divos & Divas starring the Splendor Production Company a concert style review celebrating some of the greatest singers and songwriters of all times.
Josh Henderson performed two evenings:
Tribute to Queen
Diamond Run starring the Splendor Production Company. A little James Bond music spoof, entertaining.
Lisa Marie Holmes: Iconic Women in Music a little Whitney, Celine, and Adele to name a few.
Comedy Night with Darrell Joyce
Crossroads starring The Splendor Production Company a show where diehard Country folks and Rock 'n Rollers roll together music by Pat Benetar, Garth Brooks, Kiss, Joan Jett, Carrie Underwood, and more.
Captain's Farewell & Krew Kapers
The Splendor Shipwide Block Party:
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Our suite attendant, Chotelal.
He was awesome! |
Two short videos (not very good) of the Captain and crew going floor by floor to greet everyone during the Block Party.
Absolutely Abba Dance Party! Mama Mia! Here We Go Again! The Regent Signature Orchestra and the Splendor Production Company paid tribute to Abba.
Two short videos of Abba music:
Beatles Dance Party featuring the Regent Signature Orchestra and the Splendor Production Company.
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| Honorary Mayor of Splendor |
Iron Chef Cooking Competition hosted by Cruise Director Dru and Senior Executive Chef Dino. A cooking battle between Captain Marco, General Manager Norbert, Food & Beverage Director Mihai and audience assistance.
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| Secret Ingredient Lamb Chops |
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| And the winner is |
Connisseur Wine Lunch was an additional charge but we had on board credits and decided it would be something different. We had a five course lunch paired with champagne and wine.
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| Ready to Start |
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| Sommelier I Kadek |
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Prosciutto Di Parma & Melon
Paired with Champagne |
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Isabel Mondavi, Chardonnay
Paired with Tiger Shrimp
Tempura |
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Craggy Range 2020, Te Muna
Road Vineyard, Pinot Noir
Paired with Artic Salmon Fillet |
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| We are enjoying the event |
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| Legimen pouring Cabernet |
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Legimen & Sharon
Sharon loved the decanter |
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Roasted Black Angus Beef
Tenderloin Paired with
Vina Errazuriz Eduardo
Chadwick Sena Cabernet
Sauvignon |
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Gerard Bertrand Banyuls 2017
Paired with Frangelico
Hazelnut Cake |
It was a fun afternoon.
Bingo
Pool
We didn't spend as much time in the Gym as we had planned. But Rob did make it more than Sharon. Sharon only used the scale.
Who knew you could get excited to do Laundry and we arrived onboard with a full bag. Easy peasy -- complete the form, place in laundry bag and put outside door. Clean laundry arrives the next day.
We did not partake everyday in Afternoon Tea but each day was a different epicurian delight from cupcakes, pies, crepes, cheesecake etc.
Thanksgiving started out with the Splendor Entertainment Team Marching Band parading throughout the ship. After our afternoon excursion we enjoyed Thanksgiving dinner in Compass Rose.
The Country Fair a variety of game booths represented by each of the various departments aboard Seven Seas Splendor. Guests had 45 minutes to play as many games as they wanted in order to win raffle tickets. At the end of 45 minutes a selection prizes were raffled.
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| I know my countries |
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| Human Ring Toss |
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| They called my number |
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Just what Rob wanted:
a Swarovski Bracelet |
Puzzle Tables
Staircase Pictures
Where did we eat and drink?
Coffee Connection
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| Hot Chocolate with Vodka |
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| Iced Mocha |
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.
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Alaskan Crab & Avocado 🥑 with
a bloody Mary sauce |
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Beef Carpaccio
|
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Dover Sole, Pasta of the day,
Creamed Spinach |
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| Beijing-Style Roasted Duck |
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| Souffle |
Sharon and I both chose the Chef's Special Thanksgiving Menu
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Deviled Egg & Dill Marinated
Salmon |
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| Curried Butternut Squash Soup |
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| Assorted Greens & Roasted Beets |
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| Ligonberry-Orange-Thyme Sorbet |
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Roasted Thanksgiving Turkey
Giblet Gravy, Vegetable-Sausage
Stuffing, Green Beans, Sweet
Potatoe Mash Mango-Cranberry
Relish |
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Honey-Pumpkin Pie with
Soft Marshmallow, Vanilla Sauce |
La Veranda is the buffet restaurant for breakfast and lunch.
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Soupe au Pistau
Vegetable Soup, Peas, Pine
Nut-Basil Pesto |
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| Bloody Mary Bar |
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Kelvin with a Cronut
A cronut resembles a doughnut
and is made from croissant-like
dough filled with flavored cream |
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| Caviar Breakfast |
Pool Grill as you can imagine very casual dining.
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| Spicy Buffalo Chicken Wings |
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| Lobster Nachos |
Tex Mex Lunch Theme
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| Seafood Stew |
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Vanilla Ice Cream with Chocolate
Syrup |
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.
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| A little of this and a little of that |
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| Spaghetti Alla Carbonara 😋 |
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Le Scaloppine Di Vitello Al Limone
Veal Scaloppine with Lemon Sauce |
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| Cioppine |
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Marscapone & Raspberry
Chocolate Marquise |
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| Tiramisu |
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If you had the right table you could
watch your meal being created |
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| Spaghetti Allo Scoglio |
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| Filleto Di Manza Alla Pesarese |
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Ossobuco Alla Milanese
|
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| Beef Tenderloin with Carbonara |
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Why yes, we would love a
Lemoncello 🍋 |
There are 3 specialty restaurants on board, no extra charge but reservations are required. We were able to book a dinner at each in advance and book additional once on board.
Chartreuse is the French inspired restaurant.
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Salade de Betteraves et
Vinaigrette aux Truffles
Beetroot Salad, fresh goat
Cheese cream, black
Truffle dressing |
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Velouté de Champignons à la Truffe
Mushroom Veloute, Truffle, Garlic Confit |
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Soufflé aux Fromages
Emmenthal-Blue Cheese Soufflé
with Soubise Sauce |
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Filet de Canard aux Navets et Cerises
Seared Barbary Duck Breast,
Glazed Turnips, Candied Morello
Cherries, Sour Cherry Mustard |
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Sole Grenobloise
Dover Sole with Lemon, Capers,
Beurre Meunière, Parsley Potatoes |
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Floating Island of French Meringue,
Pink Praline, Creme Anglaise |
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| Tom Kha Gai |
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| Chinese Barbecue Short Ribs |
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| Lobster Tempura |
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| Aromatic Duck |
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Side dish of Fried Rice
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Prime 7 is the steakhouse restaurant.
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| A cute little bar |
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These are famous paintings
worth over a $million each. |
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| Tomato Soup Shooter |
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| Tuna Poke |
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| Jumbo Shrimp Cocktail |
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| Our Sommelier Nyoman |
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Prime Filet Mignon 6 oz
Served with bearnaise sauce and
creamed spinach |
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Surf & Turf
6 oz Filet Mignon 6 oz Lobster 🦞 Tail with
Onion rings |
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| Photo bombed by our photographer |
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Caramel Popcorn Sundae
This was a 1/2 order |
Occasionally Prime 7 is open for lunch and we decided to give it a try. So glad we did.
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| Soup |
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| Tartare |
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| Shrimp & Grits |
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| Ahi Tuna |
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Heavenly Mini Desserts
Popcorn Sundae, Banana Pudding,
Cheesecake, Key Lime Pie |
Room Service - Rob managed to get sick (we think the flu) which put a slight damper on the cruise. We decided to eat dinner in our room one night. We had miso glazed sea bass! It was phenomenal!
Where did we stay? At the recommendation of Kelvin, we chose the Superior Suite F1 category with a private balcony, 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.
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| Deluxe bed |
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Champagne 🍾 🥂
Monopole Blue Top |
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| Stocked refrigerator |
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Walk-in closet and all our
luggage |
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We did a pretty good job of
filling the closet |
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| Double sinks |
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| Separate shower from tub |
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| Our balcony |
Balcony Views
How did we get there? Again at the recommendation from Kelvin, we hired a driver via Blacklane to take us from the Intercontinental Hotel to Barcelona Cruise Port Terminal B -- about a 20 minute drive.
When did we sail? 20 November - 4 December 2023
According to little Ms. Google we traveled over 800 miles by walking, driving, bus, and by taxi. Little Ms. Google failed to log our sailing miles.
A sad evening but we will definitely be cruising again on Regent.
What did one ocean say to the other?
Nothing. They just waved.
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