Friday, Day 14 - Jan. 19 - Cruising the Pacific Ocean

Our bed rocked all night again. We are not bothered by rough seas as a rule. In fact, we like the motion and complain when we have a smooth ride. We have sailed in the Pacific on various itineraries over the last 30+ years and have always had a few days of rough water and a bouncy ship. The size of the ship doesn’t make a lot of difference. The wind and stormy conditions are what count.  We are having a lot of wind this trip. So if you are not a good sailor be prepared on a cruise in the Pacific.

Today is a lazy day on the ship. Dick spends most of his day playing computer games. His legs are complaining about all the crazy walking!

Carolyn goes to the card making class and learns how to make cats. Only a few people finish their card so Sarah says she will come before time for the next class and give those of us who are slow learners a chance to catch up. We will learn how to make birds the next time we meet. After lunch together in the La Veranda, the special is sushi today, Carolyn spends the afternoon reading and napping.

The noon announcements have us located at 149: 52. 92 N and 10: 3. 04 W; getting close to the Equator. The ocean floor is 16,700 feet down there. We are having rough seas with waves at 8-10 feet and winds at 35.6 knots, lots of banging head on into the waves. It is a mild 80 degrees. The Captain says things should improve after midnight and the ship’s company cheers!! 

At 6PM we go to the Seven Seas Society Party mainly to learn who on this voyage has sailed the longest with Regent. One gentleman has sailed an incredible 4,400+ nights with Regent! Several are over the 2,000 night mark and six are over the 1,000 night mark! We also learn that there are 450+ repeat cruisers on this 490 passenger ship. The rough seas are having their effect as the turn out at the Party is rather light.

We head to dinner a little before 7PM to beat the rush. We don’t really like to eat late anymore, There is plenty of room in the dining room and there never seems to be a wait for a table regardless of the time but the waiters seem a little less rushed earlier in the evening. Dick has sea bass and Carolyn has a tasty fettuccine with a creamy citrus shrimp sauce. We both have the chocolate souffle for dessert.

The shows are usually at 9:30PM which seems to be past our bedtime, so we haven’t made one yet. But someone might be interested in what is on offer. Tonight’s show is featuring music from Vivaldi to Led Zeppelin, Queen and more by electric violinist Jane Cho.

There were two morning lectures.  One or Robert Lewis Stevenson and the other on the Paris Opera House and the Phantom of the Opera story. The afternoon offered the usual daily Trivia and Tea Time plus Bridge for several levels. There are plenty of different things to occupy one’s time including some more exercise related activities like yoga, dance classes, right now it is Polynesian dancing. and outside games, seas permitting. It is just plain hard to be bored on the ship. The bored ones generally gather in the bar or the coffee shop and talk. We just like to watch the sea and follow quite pursuits.

                       Sun setting over a stormy sea!