The Crossing-At Sea

Ok so how does one spend 5 consecutive days on the Atlantic traversing from Bermuda to Funchal, Madiera Islands on a dead 90 degree heading averaging 20.4 mph, 24 hours per day,2800 miles in all? Fortunately we have had moderate weather averaging 62 degrees, some overcast days, some broken cloud days; seas have been moderate averaging 6 to 10 foot swells. Even at that the ship has a slight rocking motion which produces an occasional stagger; a great cover for too much time spent in the cocktail lounges.

The cruise staff maintains excellent communications via a closed circuit telecast in the cabins previewing all the entertainment events, informative lectures, lounge acts, dancing lessons, computer lessons,shore excursions plus video tours of the bridge and engine rooms by the captain for the wrench heads. In addition there is a bulletin on ones' door each morning with an hour by hour description of all the options. No excuse for cabin fever.

Entertainment is provided via several methods. The main acts are provided by a PGT a theatrical production company who recruit and assign all talent to the cruises. We have a company of four singers and four dancers. They provide full musical review acts as well as solo productions by solo singers. I attended a "meet the cast" session and there are three from the US, three from England, and two from the Ukraine. They are all graduates of dance or music conservatories in New York or London.The two Ukrainians had attended dance academy since age 3. They work on a contract to remain aboard for 6-9 months. One fabulous artist has done this for seven year! They take 2-3 months between contracts. Injuries, sea sickness and general boredom result in a high turnover.

In addition to the production company there are performers who are direct hires of the Regent who do lounge acts or solo acts in the main theatre. We have "singing puppeteer", an assistant cruise director who does a singing act, a Polish lounge act and five Napa Valley wine producers on board for this cruise who give wine pairing lectures but also have a cover band called Private Reserve.



They have been a great hit on board for their wine pairings as well as their playing in various informal venues. One is the grandson of Louis Martini, the others are smaller vinters. There wines have also been served on board occasionally.


There are seven public decks on the Mariner reached via two stair cases or two elevator banks...one placed in the open atrium forward in the ship the other aft. Here is the atrium elevator bank:












There are four cocktail lounges, shown below are the Observation Lounge up on the bow on Deck 12 with a panorama view forward and the Horizion Lounge on Deck 6 with a panorama view off the stern. Both feature lounge music and singers at various times of the day.










There are five dining areas on board ranging from the poolside grill to elegant dining in the Compass Rose room or two intimate dining rooms by reservation only. Here is a photo of the Compass Rose for open dining and the Prime 7 steak house by reservation.









Add the fitness center, the Swedish sauna, the pool and the hot tubs to all the above and that is how you spend five days on the Atlantic ocean.