bebop bonnie

Hearing your ‘rule’ made me laugh, a lot! When my sister and I were little and our mom gave us something delicious to share, she always said ‘one of you cuts, and the other chooses’! Still laughing about that a zillion years later!

Good late morning from Roma! Small city … yesterday morning, after disembarking, we checked into our hotel, Portrait Suites. We went up to the rooftop for our (second!) breakfast. Sat next to the same couple that sat next to us at dinner in Compass Rose the previous night. Then, at a wonderful lunch at Dilla we sat next to a delightful couple and their daughter. Breakfast this morning back at our hotel, was the same couple from lunch yesterday! So, sail on the Grandeur, then stay at a small hotel in Roma, eat lots of meals frequently, and you’ll continually bump into your new friends! Only an hour or so til lunch, so gotta go 🙂 ps…scale in our hotel too. Going to hide it under the bed!

Yesterday was Firenze … we did the “Florence On Your Own” Tour. I’ve done this tour several times and yes it’s a long hour and half one way, but for me, it’s the best way to spend even a too quick 6 hours in my most favorite city! Weather was absolutely perfect. Today in Rome, not so much 😞 but those tacky plastic rain ponchos do work! CR last night was excellent and I had the beef carpaccio for an appetizer. It was superb. Gave serious thought to ordering a second! I do think it’s mean that Regent provides scales in our suites… Now in Rome for 4 days. It’s weird how your sense of time gets thrown off when you travel. Getting ready for dinner, and it’s hard to believe that we really had breakfast this morning on the Grandeur! Miss it already!!

Hi Z and TB ~ Getting ready for a day in Firenze now and tomorrow Roma for 4 days. Doing my happy dance, even if debark is tomorrow xox

Yesterday seas seemed only a little rough, but clearly it was enough that tendering into St. Tropez wasn’t going to happen. A relatively minor ‘ship happens’ issue. But we were able to dock a little earlier in Monte Carlo and the sun made an appearance ! Dinner last night at P7. The smoked (that really smoked!) salmon was excellent! The only negative on this cruise is that we’re only doing 7 days! Now I wish we had done a B2B! Actually I’d most prefer about 60+ days!

Thanks…and we had the luck of running into Phillip on our way into a late lunch at La Veranda. His smile is as big and his voice is as deep and gorgeous up close 🙂 Provence was cold and windy but the sun was shining and so glad we could walk around in Aix En Provence. It was market day so lots of fun. Those kind of markets make me wish I lived there, could buy a little of everything, and go home and learn how to cook!!

Thanks, Joanie ~ We all know there are all levels of stress. This was definitely a first world problem, and I knew there were multiple later flights to BCN…but still annoying. Dinner last night at Pacific Rim was once again outstanding! I agree with other posters that portions are a little smaller which is just fine!! The duck and watermelon salad and the miso cod were again two of my favorite dishes served on Regent! Oh wait…also the prime rib at Prime7 and the Dover sole served anywhere…and the steak tartar…and the bronzino at CR….and and and…! Definitely glad the portions are a little smaller. Provence today!

Will do, Z and TB!! Thanks for giving us an excuse to meet your favorite bartenders

Good afternoon from the gorgeous Grandeur! I’ve on occasion written a summary at the end of a cruise. For years I’ve loved reading so many of your Live reports, so will attempt to start one now. Good chance it won’t be finished until after we’re back home. But heads up, I can’t possibly come close to the humor of Squeeze. Please know, however, Karl took my picture at the Pool Bar. Third seat from the right. No surprise, the bartender remembered him! Flew American Miami - Madrid - Barcelona. Miami to Madrid was (after 2 weather related hours on the tarmac) very good. Madrid was supposedly an easy transit. Not. After a stairway to bus to terminal to train, immigration took seconds. Security seemed to take hours, with tedious inspection of every liquid carried by every passenger in front of us. We did just make our connection to BCN. Phew. Excellent car service by Blacklane Limo to hotel. Only problem was a holiday causing intense traffic and lots of streets blocked off. As a result, driver could only get within 2 blocks of our hotel. Lovely. Fortunately we only did carry on (yup!) but an almost laughable experience navigating cobblestone streets with wheelaboard luggage! We booked our own hotel at the Majestic which was once again wonderful. Front desk felt our pain upon arrival and upgraded us to an even bigger suite! Arrival at the ship was early and seamless. Probably the fastest Regent checkin ever! Didn’t take long to find a table and more champagne at La Veranda. As others have said, the photos and videos don’t even do it justice. The ship is magnificent and the attention to details is astounding! Yeah, the egg is perhaps underwhelming, but everything else is a perfect combination of stunning, elegant and calming. Compass Rose is breathtaking. Will get there eventually. Dinner first night was at Prime 7. The changes from Splendor and Explorer made P7 even more beautiful! Service and food were excellent. Last night we had dinner at Chartreuse. It had previously not been my favorite. I changed my mind! Steak tartar was the best ever, as was Dover Sole. And the service could not have been better! The show last night featured Phillip Browne. It was probably the best show I’ve ever seen on Regent. And I was always blown away by David Niven. Still am, but I really recommend Phillip if he’s ever an option for anyone. Seems like a lot of the staff is new. But relative to some of the cc posts, I think they all got their ‘sea legs’. Welcoming, warm and professional. I have seen some staff from previous cruises and it’s always so fun to see familiar faces! GM is Stephane and he is quite visible and charming. I’ll skip land/shore excursions as you all do such a great job describing those experiences and sharing photos! Pacific Rim tonight. More later. XO Bonnie

Welcome home Z and TB! I'll be in food porn withdrawal until be board Grandeur April 23. Speaking of food porn, your Katz's Deli photo almost did me in! And even though you won't be on board with us, I know your energy and humor will be!! xoxo Bonnie and Karl

We’ll soon be able to book our Tokyo cruise excursions for April 2025 on the Explorer. Any suggestions about your Regent excursion experiences in Japan will be appreciated!

Z and TB …love all your posts! Only thing better would be sailing with yous guys xoxo

And hi to them from Bonnie (from Boca)!

Loving your food porn, flower porn and most of all your incredible humor!! The best is being on a cruise with you both…second best is sharing your cruise here!! Love yous guys!! B and K

And they get off when we board in Barcelona! So glad you’re now on board!!!

Z, you haven’t even boarded yet and we’re already laughing at your posts!! Love to The (beautiful) Boss and you xoxo. B and K

Just made the decision and booked the Majestic for a too short pre cruise stay in Barcelona. Also booked Blacklane. Thanks everyone for your great input and suggestions!! Bonnie

No, I’m pretty certain there’s no switching option. I’m fine about taking the hotel credit and booking my own….just not sure, as I said, if it’s worth it. Had stayed once at another Regent pre cruise hotel (Juan something?) that was waaay out of the way. Guess I just prefer to be in “the middle of things” even if only for one night???

I just received notification that our pre cruise hotel in April will be the Intercontinental Barcelona. It appears to require taxi/uber to city center. Since we only have the one night in Barcelona, I’m wondering if the hotel is worth the trade off for better location. We intend to use our own transportation to the ship regardless. Have previously stayed at the Majestic. The hotel was good and loved the location. Thanks!

Hey, Socky Sunshine….we are in 785 in April. Have a sensational cruise. Pictures, please !

Just to add to the above, the zip code is irrelevant IMO. My travel agent is based far away from me. First time I actually met her and others from her company was years after my first (of many many ) bookings with this great agency!

Who did you use for port to FCO? Thanks for your info !!

Again, thank you Joanie, for taking us with you! Your comments, descriptions, photos and Humor are fantastic. Except, I’m not certain I’ll ever look at a zip lock bag the same again!!

Next April we will be flying ITA Rome to Miami non stop. I’m also not too optimistic about the ITA flight, but being non stop makes it (hopefully) worth it! Loved every moment on the Splendor and look forward to hearing about your flight, hotel and of course the Splendor!!