DAY 1---CHRISTENING CRUISE

 LAST EVENING

        The five of us met in the Observation Lounge for cocktails.  Marcia on the left then Barbara and her daughter, Lisa, on the right.  We dined in the Pacific Rim asian restaurant.

                                                              Olana was our sommelier.

                                                             Bernalyn was our waitress.

                                     I started with the soft shell crab tempura and duck spring roll.

                We both enjoyed the Canadian lobster tempura.  I also had some fried rice.

                              For dessert I had coconut tres leches and chocolate ice cream.

        After dinner we headed to the theater for Jesse's show.  He is probably the best entertainer we have ever seen.  Quite a showman and great voice.  Loved his song selections also.

We were sitting next to Marcia and Barbara and he came down and gave them a kiss.  I said where's mine so he gave me one too.

TODAY

 We made it to the Port of Miami at 6:00am.  From Barcelona to Miami we sailed over 4500 statue miles.

                         We docked at terminal J.  Just before crossing the bridge into the city.

        Buses and private cars waiting for disembarkation to begin.  All the luggage must be off loaded prior to any guests are allowed to get off.  Guests started to leave the ship at 8:00.

                                                        Gangway from ship to terminal.

                             Provisioning began early.  The semis are being off loaded.

        All the intransit guests met at the Meridian Lounge at 9am.  All guests disembarking had to be off before we were allowed to clear immigration.  It was about 8:45 before we got off to clear.  That did not take long but had to wait in the terminal until they had a "zero count" meaning everyone except the crew was off and had cleared immigration.  We were back on board by 10am.  Long time friends sitting around the puzzle table.  L to R:  Karl, Patty, Marcia, Milli, and Peggy.

                                                           Trucks off loading liquids.

                                                             Provisioning still on going

                           Just as we returned to the ship the crew had another emergency drill.  

                     Lunch in La Veranda.  Tomato bisque soup to start with.  Very yummy.

        Veal scaloppini with a mushroom sauce, mashed potatoes (very good), and green beans.  Also a couple deviled eggs.

                                                               Looking back of the ship

                  Cargo area.  There are 4 other large cruise ships with us at the port today.

                                                               LOTS more provisioning

        A few more Diamonds and Commodores are boarding today.  Also boarding are some Regent corporate folks and Faberge people.

        On tap for this evening:   5 to 6pm ship's art tour and Faberge Egg preview.  Regent paid $1.2 million for the Egg.  It will be displayed in the Reception area.   From 6 to 7pm there is a cocktail reception for Diamonds, Commodores, Faberge guests, and Winston Art Group guests.  Not sure what this Winston Art Group is.  Anyway, I was told there would be 90 at the cocktail party up in the Observation Lounge.  Going to be very crowded!!!   Dinner in Compass Rose will be at 7pm.  Everyone is assigned a table to sit at.  We are at table #59.  Not sure where that is or who else will be at it.     No guest entertainers or production show tonight.  Just music in the lounges.

        I'm watching the Army/Navy game on Paramount Plus this afternoon.  Wish we could see the Cowboys/Eagles game tomorrow night but we can't get NBC, and besides, that is when the Christening will be.  There has been a lot of equipment for that event brought on board today.

        I was talking to Captain Luciano this afternoon and he said they had a Coast Guard inspection this morning.  Of course they passed it.