In all respects-a success! Covid did not prevent any of us from going (or coming home)! Planes were on time. We got to travel with old friends and meet new ones. We ate (too much), we drank (too much), we laughed a lot and I think everyone had a good time. For the most part the weather was phenomenal- not too hot and hardly any rain. What more can one ask for?

The ship was elegant, the food spectacular and the entertainment, entertaining! A big question might be is it worth the premium you pay to sail with Regent?  It is certainly more expensive then sailing on more modestly priced lines like Celebrity, Princess or Holland America. But the rooms are significantly larger, the food is more elegant, there are fewer people, you are flown business class and you sign for nothing (well, not quite true as the spa and shops are extra $). At our stage in life we choose to indulge a bit and treat ourselves by sailing with them.

My biggest complaint, as I said earlier, was the trip was almost TOO busy-too many ports of call!  Part of that is my fault as I will always go on an excursion when in port; I do not want to miss anything! With only two days at sea we missed appreciating some of the amenities offered on the ship. We laughed in that no one ever went to the 12th deck to see, let alone, play any of the outdoor games offered there-no time. No one lounged by the pool. I think only Dave Romoser visited (and actually used) the fitness center!  It was a busy 15 days! We never made it to the afternoon tea, which I recall from previous cruises are really good.

Biggest disappointment: Not getting into La Sagrada Familia in Barcelona to see what has happened since the last time we saw it. Biggest surprise: Bilbao and the Guggenheim museum. Worst meal: the Mexican luncheon buffet on the ship. Best meal: dinner at Arcada in Bordeaux and the meals in the specialty restaurants on the ship. Not that the rest of the meals were bad; food was above average at all meals.

I am thankful we had the opportunity to travel once again!

Thought for the day:  “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer”  (Anonymous). Very, very true!