Cruising makes it easy to see the world
By Eileen Ogintz
Impressive! Of the nearly 700 passengers aboard the new Regent Seven Seas Grandeur on this transatlantic sailing, 497 are returning guests.
Six passengers on board will be honored because they have sailed 1,000 nights, said Cruise Director Lorraine Weimerskirch. She is a 27-year veteran of the company and responsible for planning activities that will please the passengers, no matter how many times they have cruised Regent. Almost 300 on board have cruised over 200 nights. “They have the time and the means and they don’t want to fly. This makes it easy to see the world.”
Wendy Tait, like many on board, already has the next cruise scheduled. She said she prefers the port-intensive itineraries. Her husband Steve loves the days at sea—the lectures, the relaxation, “looking at the ocean without being in it,” she said.
New Yorkers Sheelia and Bill Matts will be on board this trip for 40 days—from New York to Barcelona like us — then to Rome, back to Barcelona, and on to Venice by Memorial Day weekend. “You get into the rhythm,” said Sheelia Matts, a retired school principal. “You don’t have to do laundry, make dinner or anything,” she said.
“They feel like they are part of our family,” Weimerskirch said. “Sometimes I spend more time on board with guests than I do with my family.”
“We see a lot of familiar faces,” said Pedro Bandeira, the assistant cruise director who oversees the entertainment staff — 11 performers and wardrobe mistress on board.
On Regent, unlike on larger ships, he said, the performers usually do five different shows and also lead games and other activities, like the especially popular trivia game each afternoon. On larger ships, they may do two shows a night. In a normal operation, it will take 5-7 days of rehearsal plus weeks working in Tampa on the new shows beforehand.
“Pasion” is a new show on this ship set inside a Tango Club in Buenos Aires. There is “Ignite the Night,” a dancing show; “Broadway Unplugged,” with popular Broadway tunes, and “Icons” showcasing songs by Adele, Celine Dion. and the Pointer Sisters. There is also Danny Buckler, a comedian and magician.
It’s not easy getting hired. Auditions are held around the world, Bandeira said. “We are able to do what we love and make a living without paying for rent or food.” Typically, contracts are for six months. “The not knowing what is next is normal for a performer,” he said.
Some guests don’t make it to a single show. After all, on this crossing, there are many passengers in their eighties and older.
“You can be as active as you like or not,” said Weimerskirch. She said some opt for activities all the time. Others come to relax and be pampered, whether in the spa, at the pool, or five-star service in the restaurants and cabins.
“Part of the tradition of cruising is meeting people,” she continued, and that is no different on board Regent where guests are encouraged to join other diners or play games together.
She laughs when she sees guests arrive with piles of books that she knows they won’t read. “You start talking to people. I don’t know any other vacation experience where you really get to know people…and enjoy the experience.”
