COSTA MAYA BACKGROUND INFO
Costa Maya is a small tourist region in the state of Quinta Roo on the Yucatan Peninsula just 130 miles south of Cozumel. It is close to Chetumal the capital of Quinta Roo which is on the border with Belize. Less that 1000 residents live here.
It is the closest port of access to many of the lesser known Mayan ruins. Some of the ship’s excursions will be visiting a couple of these ruins. There is a new and modern shopping mall in Costa Maya but the nice beaches are located at Mahahual just to the south. Since a large pier was built, now many cruise ships stop here.
Our position today is at Costa Maya, Mexico. About on border with Belize. Mostly sunny and 80 degrees. Only 65% humidity but kind of windy.
Last Evening
At 6pm we made our way to the theater for the Seven Seas Society Cocktail Party. They were also serving canapes and caviar in addition to drinks.
Dean, the Cruise Director, kicking things off.
Captain Saro
Bea is in charge of the Seven Seas Society on board Mariner.
Some awards to four crew members for their longevity with Regent.
Afterwards we headed to our usual evening "watering hole", the Mariner Lounge, for a pre-dinner cocktail.
I had invited Jenn Teegen's assistant, Janay Ford, and her husband, Dionte, to join us in Compass Rose for dinner. They were a delightful couple and we had a lot of fun chatting with them. Pretty sure they really enjoyed the evening also.
Rebecca and I started with escargot and a Mykonos (Greek) salad followed by miso glazed sea bass. I had ordered extra sea bass and Mario brought me A LOT so I shared some with Janay. This is our favorite entree.
For dessert I ordered this white chocolate croissant pudding. Dante ordered cheesecake but when he saw my dessert he ordered it too. It was very yummy.
Janay ordered this Belgian chocolate mousse with cream brulee center. It was a new dessert and not what she expected.
We were late getting out of the dining room so the show, "Tuxedo" had already started.
Today
Every Sunday morning on Regent ships caviar and champagne are served at breakfast in Compass Rose and up in La Veranda.
I went down to Coffee Connection first to get Rebecca's coffee. She had room service deliver her scrambled eggs as usual but I headed down to Compass Rose for breakfast. Irawan is serving me a little champagne. He remembered me from the Grandeur christening cruise end of last year and that I always had Makers Mark put on the ships.
Dennis was my waiter this morning. We have known him for a long time as he always works the world cruises. He has been working at Regent for 24 years.
I asked Dennis for extra caviar. Only time I get caviar is on Regent ships.
This is not a mistake photo. I actually had two orders of caviar. OINK!
I then washed the caviar down with this eggs benedict. Cooked perfectly.
This photo taken from our suite looking forward. You can see the gang plank.
This taken looking aft from our suite.
Taken from the back of the ship. The pier is a very long one and can accommodate several cruise ships.
It is a very long walk on the pier to Costa Maya. We stayed on the ship as usual. I made an appointment for a hot stone massage for tomorrow morning at 8:30. My back has been killing me since we got on the ship. I have never had a real massage so will see if it helps or further hurts my back. Spa treatments on the ship are very expensive. My 50 minute massage for tomorrow will cost $249 but we have ship board credit we need to use or lose.
This is Vipin from India. Yesterday he was busy changing light bulbs. Not sure what he was up to this morning but they sure keep the ship in good repair and very clean.
I had asked Staff Captain Yasen to join us for lunch today. He is from Bulgaria and we have cruised with him before and became friends with him then. We had a great conversation and he talked about his up bringing and how he got into this career. He was raised in communist Bulgaria as it was part of the USSR. He said he was not a good student as a teen but back then military service was mandatory so he "grew up" and became more responsible during his years in the navy. When President Regan made the Berlin Wall be torn down and RSSR broke up. Bulgaria became independent and Yasen said it was the United States that really supported Bulgaria financially to get them on their feet. He said it was not the European Union but USA that helped Bulgaria. We did not realize this. He became a basic seaman but could not get into the marine school. His seaman supervisor thought he had a lot of potential even though his school grades were not good so he got in, studied hard, and graduated. He worked initially on cargo ships but there was an economic downturn in 2008 so he was laid off. His agent said there was an opening with Silverseas cruise line so he took it. Back then only Italian officers could be promoted and he was obviously Bulgarian. In 2010 Regent offered him a job and he took it. He has worked his way up the ranks over the years and now one step away from being Master of a ship. I thought his story interesting so hope you did too. Obviously, he can take over if something happens to Captain Saro but his main duty now is being in charge of the deck crew and making sure the crew is trained and the ship is in perfect condition.
When we got back to our suite after lunch our view was blocked by a huge cruise ship. This looking forward from our balcony. Passengers were pouring off it. Yuk, LOTS of kids!
This looking aft from our balcony.
It is the Norwegian (NCL) Escape which was christened in late 2015. Passenger capacity is 4266.
On top is a water slide.
Can't watch the Cowboys vs Panthers game on tv or computer but can keep up with play by play and scoring online this afternoon. Also watching a documentary on tv showing some of the weirdest looking fish we have ever seen. Not sure how they can film this. Rebecca is paying $10 per day extra to get internet streaming on the ship. So now she is watching the Dolphins vs Texans game streaming on Paramount +. At 3pm I went down to the Horizon Lounge (it opens at 3:00) to have a chat with Peter, my bartender friend. He is also from Bulgaria and has worked for Regent for 17 years.
I don't like to take pain meds but I broke down and took one of these this afternoon to try and calm my back down. It did help.
At 5pm we thought about going down to the conference room for an interdenominational church service but it said it was "non-hosted" so decided not to go. If there was no leader, not sure what use it would be. So we will go down to the Mariner Lounge at 6:00 and have communion. LOL
I have planned a dinner for 8 at 7:00 up in Sette Mari. They have one table for 8 and they are nice enough to hold it for us. Those attending are: Dana & Jamie Logan (retired Cruise Directors on for the Reunion Cruise); Marcia Rector; Jim & Pat Bittle (also Diamond status and lots of cruises with them); Jane; and us. Veal parmesan is not on tonight's menu but I have requested it for the Logan's, Marcia, and me.
At 9:30 vocalist Zoe Tyler will be in the theater for another show. Remember I said she talked too much between songs during her first performance. So I will sit in the back for a quick escape if she does it again.
Tomorrow we will be in Cozumel, Mexico, from 6am to 1:30pm.
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