DAY 1-AT SEA

 Our departure was delayed an hour yesterday due to all the provisions that had to be loaded on board.

                                                             Life boat drill
        Well, I am having problems getting photos downloaded.  Not sure what is happening or what I am going to be doing about it.  Google Photos sucks!!!!  Give me back Picasa.

 This martini toast to our very good friend, Peter Ibbotson, down in Sydney, Australia.  He was my good drinking buddy during our 2012 Circle South America cruise.  Hope to have Peter and Maureen on board this ship when we dock in Sydney on February 28th.  Cheers Peter!!!

                                          "Surf and Turf" last night in Prime 7.
       Last night we had a cocktail in the Galileo's Lounge prior to dining at the ship's steakhouse, Prime 7.  Susanne Peters joined us for both.  They both had filets and I had surf & turf (small filet with small lobster tail).  Great food and service as always.  They showed the movie, "Jack Reacher" in the theater after dinner but we retired.  Slept very well as I usually do when onboard.  Seas have been smooth since leaving Miami.

       View at 7:30 this morning.  It later cleared off and has been sunny day and upper 70's.
       This morning we had room service breakfast and then I went up to fitness center to work out.  Rebecca worked out later in the morning.

                                                 This is Paul, our asst suite steward.

                                            Ice carving up on pool deck at lunch time.
       I wanted to be showered and dressed so I could go listen to the lecturer, Dr Alan Stern.  Dr Stern lead NASA's New Horizon mission to Pluto.  The mission was planned and space vehicle built in just 4 years and was launched January 19, 2006.  It took 10 years for it to reach Pluto and do its fly by.  The lecture was very fascinating.  Dr Stern was just on the ship today as will be flying back to Washington DC tomorrow from Grand Cayman  He has just been named to President-elect Trump's transition team.
       Today we have been sailing about ten miles off the north coast of Cuba and will sail around the west end turning south to arrive at Grand Cayman tomorrow, mid morning.  This afternoon I have been working to get my photos downloaded from my cell phone with no luck so far.  Will use my camera from now on to see if that will work.
       This evening at 6pm is the "block party".  This is unique to Regent ships.  Captain and cruise director will ring a bell over PA from the bridge inviting everyone to bring their wine glass out in hall way to meet their neighbors.  The stewards will serve wine and snacks.  It is a great way to meet folks.  We are planning on dining in Compass Rose, the dining room, this evening.  There is a show in the theater at 9:30.  Group is doing tribute to Abba, late 1970's pop group.
       I finally got some of my photos loaded on blog so went back and edited the posting.  Clicking on photos will enlarge them.