On Our Way

We had priority embarkation on the Regatta at the Canada Place pier in 

Vancouver. Once past the line at USA Customs & the check-in line 

where we got our Oceania ID & room cards, we were steered toward 

the Terrace Restaurant to enjoy our first meal on the Regatta. Around 

3PM we were able to go to our stateroom where we sat on the sunny 

verandah and watched other passengers board.

At 5 PM when everyone was on board, we had to grab our life jackets 

and head to our assigned muster station which in our case was the Regatta 

Lounge where evening entertainment usually happens. Crew with numbered 

signs herded passengers and took attendance then guided us to the lifeboats. 

About a dozen passengers failed to show up for the practice. I wonder what 

happens to them? You'll be happy to know that as we are with Mum who is 

riding in her transporter/wheelchair we'll be in the first line to board the life 

boats if anything should happen. 

We've learned that there are a few impediments to wheelchairs, mostly at the 

thresholds or small ramps between decks and hallways. A person in a 

wheelchair would be better to have someone pushing or pulling them 

over these spots, as Mum does. 

Once settled we headed to the large windows in the Horizon Room to 

watch the departure from Vancouver, under the Lion's Gate Bridge and 

out into the bay. As we watched, we visited with couples on either side 

of us, both of whom had been on this ship previously, same as us. 

And once in the strait, we gave Mum a tour of the ship. 

We packed it in early and slept well. We worried needlessly about Mum 

getting up at night on her own. Turns out, we all had to get up in the night 

so it was a coordinated event.

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We spent time in the lovely library yesterday and today. Mum and I have 

already finished one book each.

Harry went for a workout and a jog around the 9th level short track. He's 

also been using the stairs at every opportunity. 

Today, our second day out, we attended a lecture on the biology of the ocean. 

Even though Mum snoozed quietly through some of it, we found it to be very 

informative.  In the late afternoon, we went for high tea featuring scones with 

fresh preserves and clotted cream. Tonight we're going to skip the Captain's 

welcome reception complete with hors d'oeuvres and cocktails. Instead, we're 

sipping wine in our room and relaxing before dinner.  We're thinking it would 

be a good idea to attend the show tonight as we napped between chapters this 

afternoon.

Tomorrow - Ketchican, Alaska.