Sea day on Regent Seven Seas Mariner
Highlight: We woke up and took a stroll on the top deck and immediately noticed the bursts of mist in the distance. Our ship was going extremely slowly in the calm water as our captain took his time taking us past a pod of whales. What a fantastic way to start the voyage. We're hoping for more whale sightings in the days ahead.
What else: We got in a good workout at the small gym amid several other passengers who had the same idea. Also, we enjoyed an al fresco lunch on the pool deck, which was a funny mix of cruisers in bathing suits enjoying the sun and hot tubs and others decked out in winter jackets in the sunny but indeed brisk conditions.
We joined the afternoon trivia, which I think will be a daily ritual now, and made a couple new friends. Dinner at the main dining room, Compass Rose, was a nice way to end the relaxing day. I had a delicious steak, and Colleen enjoyed the lobster and entire Canyon Ranch Spa menu items (a lower-calorie meal design).