Log of the Cruise

Friday, November 18th - Saturday, November 19th

Friday, November 18th
Amazing Amazon
Day 25
M/S Regatta
Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Mostly Sunny
Air Temperature: 80 Degrees
Sea Temperature: 84 Degrees

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos
CANCELLED

We cruised by Turks & Caicos today without slowing down...any further. We are on a slow boat to Miami, still limping along on three-quarter power. The officers of the ship rarely emerged from the bridge, never addressing the "preventative maintenance" that altered our itinerary. We raised the issue on our mid-cruise review and received a response from the Concierge in less than 24 hours. He explained that the fourth engine was down due to mechanical failure, not due to preventative maintenance. The engine actually failed months ago and several attempts at repair had been unsuccessful. When it became clear that a replacement part would not be available in time to restore the engine to operation before our cruise, Oceania notified passengers of the change in itinerary. He could not explain why the cruise line so blatantly mischaracterized the nature of the problem. We can only speculate that Oceania made the decision that preventative maintenance was better public relations than mechanical failure. Maybe so, but lying is even worse customer service.

Still, this resolves the issue for us. Mechanical failure and inclement weather are part of life at sea. They are not within the control of any cruise line, and we are more than willing to accept the consequences.

We could have been swimming with stingrays in Turks & Caicos, but we are just as happy to have a day of rest on board Regatta.

Saturday, November 19th
M/S Regatta
Amazing Amazon
Day 26
Cruising the Atlantic Ocean
Mostly Sunny
Air Temperature: 80 Degrees
Sea Temperature: 84 Degrees

We closed out the cruise in style, with two peaceful days at sea. Flying fish danced in the waves off our bow and seabirds circled above.

We spent this afternoon and well into the evening at the spa in the thalassotherapy pool. This is the only place on board where you can look out over the bow, without the filter of glass, and feel the wind in your face. Tres stayed out on deck until the last ray of light fell into the dark of night, in the final "King of the World" moment of this voyage.

In the 27 days since she departed New York City, Regatta has sailed 1 ocean, 1 sea, and 1 river, traveling 7,434 nautical miles to 9 countries, 9 islands, and 2 continents.

The God of the Sea has been gentle, the God of Weather kind. We have had a safe and comfortable journey, a leisurely cruise, a wonderful adventure.