Back to Barcelona

 November 19, 2022

The trip back to Barcelona was fast and easy except for the part where I had to drive in Barcelona! We did pretty well getting close to the hotel despite the traffic and lousy GPS. We stopped to fill the tank and ran into our first problem, how to pay. They did not have any auto pay at the pumps.  Cindy went in and they said to use a card but we couldn’t see anyplace to use a card except a little sign that indicated “tap to pay” which was down on the side of one of the pumps. So I tapped and just then the pump came alive and I filled the tank. We were starting to leave and the man and woman in the station were waving to us so we waved back. He then waved to come into the store and I thought it was to get a receipt. Turns out I tapped a picture of a "tap to pay" just at the same time he reset the pump so I hadn’t paid anything!  We had a good laugh about that as I gave him my credit card!!  Those Embees sure are experienced travelers!!

There was chaos at the Hyatt when we tried to pull in to drop off our luggage. Seems that several bus loads of guests had all arrived at the same time. Added to the confusion was construction taking place in the entry area of the driveway so cars and busses were just stymied. I managed to pull to the side while Cindy sorted the baggage issues and we then were on our way to the train station where we had rented the car. We had walked there to pick it up so we thought we knew how to get back; however, you can walk either way on a one-way street, but you can only drive one way.  It took longer for us to drive there than it did to walk back to the hotel!

We had a lovely dinner at a restaurant not far from the hotel. Great waiter who moved us from one table to another because a large group came and sat right next to us, nice gesture that shows good training. We must have tipped him well since he came back right away and poured two large glasses of the same white wine we had been drinking.  Two Euros goes a long way in Barcelona; it was a very sweet gesture on his part.

Taxi to the ship was fast and easy, which turned out to be the best part of getting on the ship. Registration was a disaster only because few of the people were trained at all and had to keep getting help from the supervisors. Not a good start, but we were on the ship by noon. 

The Regent Splendor is gorgeous, prettiest one we've ever been on.  Our suite is large and comfortable with a huge balcony with a proper table and chairs for dining and a comfy chaise lounge. 

The music is great - they did a Broadway-style show last night that was actually Broadway quality.  Usually on ships it appears they hired those who couldn't quite make the big-time, e.g., singers who can't dance and dancers who can't sing.  This whole crew could check all the boxes for dancing and singing and athleticism - we are most impressed, even though I am not generally a fan of big shows like that. 

The so-called orchestra (actually a band) is a NY-style jazz/ contemporary group with trumpet, saxophone, drums, bass guitar and piano and they are wonderful.  Nice guys and they play swell dance music.  Cindy call me Rubberlegs when I really let loose on the dance floor. 

The food is exquisite although the service is hit-and-miss - we have the impression that too many waiters just got on the ship and training is sorely lacking.  Maybe they'll be fast learners!  A first-world problem for sure.

For all its elegance the ship has one of the most relaxed dress codes we have seen on all-inclusive lines. No ties, no formal nights, and very few sport jackets. The crowd is much older that we expected with lots of mobility issues that hamper efficient off/on experiences on port days. Speaking of mobility, there is an amazing couple that I’ve gotten to know. Both are totally blind and have the most positive attitude you can imagine. They are experienced travelers who don’t seem to let anything prevent them from having a good time.  Very humbling!

Yesterday was Thanksgiving and they were serving turkey dinners in all the restaurants.  We went to the steak house where the well meaning waiter - when asked what the fish special was, said “turkey!”  When asked about the clam chowder he proceeded to describe the Vidalia onion soup.  Did we mention training need to be improved?

Saw a magnificent double rainbow before cocktails that went from horizon to horizon and lasted for thirty minutes. It was the talk of the cocktail lounges.