Embarkation Day- Updated

Saturday the 1st of February was embarkation day.  We got up and headed to Starbuck's for tea and muffin.  Then we returned to the hotel for packing.  We stopped at the Regent desk to tell them we would be taking a cab to the ship.  We wanted to avoid the crowds.

Taxi ride was okay.  The terminal is a little out of the way but we were some of the first ones to check in.  We had to sit and wait and spoke with a couple from CA who are doing the first leg only.  Also got to speak with Franc, The General Manager.  Franc was GM on the Mariner when we went around SA.

When we got on the ship, we headed up to the aft deck for some lunch.  This aft deck is smaller than we remember.

A nice cheese plate and a glass of wine.  What could be better?

We then went to the Observation Lounge until the suites were ready.

Our suite is smaller than we remembered.   Maybe our memory is going.  Luggage had not arrived yet. So we settled in with what we had and waited for the luggage.  Muster drill was at 4:15 and only after that did we get all the luggage.  The bags that we shipped were encased in heavy plastic.  Thank goodness I had scissors.  Finally everything is in its place.

The bed is comfy.  Bob and I found plenty of space for everything so maybe it is not as small as I thought.  Or after the Owners Suite, anything would be small.

Suite has a nice sitting area that is just fine.

And Bob set up his computer at the desk.  I use the sofa and table to work on my computer.

They have walk in closets which are big enough.  Maybe we just bring too much stuff.

The bathroom is very spacious.  Has both a tub and a separate shower.

The shower.

We went up to deck 12 for the sail away.

This area of Sydney will be their Wall Street.  Should be completed by 2016.  Will have three high rise condo buildings plus others.  I think it is all reclaimed land.

As we passed under the Sydney Harbor Bridge, you can see the people who elected to walk it.

This is like the ferry we took from Manly.

We went up to the Observation Lounge where we were meeting Marilyn and Bob from CA.  I had been "talking" with her on Cruise Critic.  She made reservations at Prime 7 for the four of us.  We had a nice dinner with them.  I had crab legs which I could not finish and Bob had a fillet.

After dinner, we returned to the cabin and read for a bit.  We turned the clocks back one hour.

During the sail away, I saw Enzio.  He is from Corporate Headquarters and oversees both Regent and Oceania.  We have sailed with him several time.  A really nice man from Italy.  During sail away they had a nice array of canapés on the deck plus several different drinks to try.  A good way to start this cruise.