Traversing our way up the Pacific coast of Panama and Costa Rica
Heading to the Gulf of Nicoya and Puntarenas, Costa Rica
A lazy day at sea. Even as an early morning riser, and getting to the gym just after it had gone seven, all the treadmills, and most of the other equipment, was occupied. The ship changed the time zone ahead one hour during the night, yet that didn’t seem to detour anyone from getting up and getting going. First a quick bite in the coffee connection on deck 6. The obligatory morning cappuccino and brioche. Then it was up to the Sports Deck (12) and the jogging track.
There is nothing wrong with being out in the open air. The sea was calm, so it wasn’t necessary to rebalance with every step, thank goodness. The jogging track is a 400 meter, just slightly over a quarter mile, oval around the center of the ship. It runs the around the opening looking down into the pool on deck 11. The goal is three miles a day either here or on the treadmill, so that meant twelve times around the course.
It is early, for some people, and the crew was out sweeping the water off the deck surface. There were a few other hearty individuals walking. It was a good feeling to lap one individual a couple times. The feeling ended after about eight laps, when a trim and fit grey-haired woman lapped me. Once was bad enough, but she probably lapped me two or three more times before the twelve laps were up. Well, I got the three miles in just as an hour passed. Success in any book.
Mary was just awaking upon my return to the suite. A quick shower and change. There was a Terry Bishop was delivering the speaker series on “The Conquest of the Maya”, from natural and imposed decline to conquest: the end of an amazing empire, at 9:45. He is a fairly good speaker, but it would have been good to have a little more in depth history.
After the talk, we went to the La Veranda for breakfast. Keeping with the healthy attitude it was just some fruit for me. After breakfast it was time for a short nap. At three we had appointments at the Serene Spa for the seventy-five-minute Restorative Salt Stone Message. Like a regular stone massage but with Himalayan Salt Stones. There isn’t much difference between the two. After the message there was a short stent in the sauna and a shower for me. When that was over, Mary had already headed back to the room.
At 6 PM there was a reception for the Seven Seas Society Members in the Constellation Lounge. So, we got dressed up and headed there. We have the honor of having now reached the Gold Level. Which it turns out isn’t such a big deal. There are, apparently, 415 Steven Seas Society members on this cruise. There are seven levels in the society. Bronze for 7 to 20 nights, Silver for 21 to 74 nights, Gold for 75 to 199 nights. They didn’t make any announcements concerning these levels. They did announce the new Platinum members, people with 200 to 399 nights, of which there were about 25. They also announced Titanium members, people with 400 to 999 nights, of which there were 3. They also gave special notice of one member who had previously reached The Commodore level with more than 2,000 nights.
It was hard to believe there are people with more than 400 nights aboard Regent Ships. But then it was hard to believe that the vast majority of the people on board this ship were World Cruise travelers. And, not to repeat myself, many have gone one more than one world cruise. It appears that many people are using cruising as their retirement home. It makes sense. The cost of a retirement home can be $10, 000 or more a month per person. Two people is therefore about $20,000. A month on a cruise, depending on the cruise, can be pretty close to that. Over it yes, but close. However, everything is taken care of. All your meals, which are probably much better than any assisted living or retirement home. Your laundry. Changing the sheets and towels daily. There are lots of events on board, just like you would find in aa assisted living community. There are also excursions in exotic places all around the world. So, why not?
We sat near Steve and Cathy from Ohio during the awards ceremony. Cathy has just had surgery on her ankle. When asked how she was doing she said fine. When inquiry was made into why she didn’t use a cane to help relieve the stress on her ankle, she admitted she left it at home. Since I have an extra cane, always planning ahead, I offered to lend her my spare. She was very grateful and accepted it.
Apparently, she uses a HurryCane at home. We suggested she can order one online and have it sent to the office and when we go there next week, we can pick it up for her and deliver it to the ship. She was again very thankful. We then went to dinner with them in the Compass Rose.
After dinner I went and had a cigar and Mary went back to the room. It was time to call it a night.
Buonanotte, Ciao, Enrico
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