22nd October 2016 Depart Lofts du Vieu-Port and board Oceania Regatta

We woke at about 7.15am and the weather whilst remaining overcast is drier than the last 2 days.  We have now brought our suitcases down from the loft bedroom together with our clothes and Jeanette has packed everything in an orderly manner. 

Following showering we are ready for breakfast. We do feel somewhat frustrated by our inability to much at all here in beautiful Montreal, because of the incessant heavy rainfall.

Fortunately, we have visited Montreal previously and seen several museums and galleries, explored the under ground shopping and associated areas.  But there remained much that we had hoped to do. Perhaps the highlight was the superb Basilica Notre Dame, unbelievably beautiful with stunning stained glass windows, a magnificent pipe organ and one of the loveliest Catholic Cathedrals that we have seen anywhere in the world. 

Ken did explore more of the Old Port area and enjoyed what he saw, but everything was just so wet. 

At 11.00am we are being picked up by our Blacklane driver and taken to the Port where we join Oceania Regatta for our cruise from Montreal to Miami.  We are both excited and we will again see several friends along the way. 

The weather conditions continued to deteriorate with constant downpours of heavy rainfall and strong winds. 

The trip to the cruise terminal which is in a temporary structure takes approximately 20 minutes and we are dropped right beside the entrance and ushered to the foyer whilst our luggage is taken aboard independently.  We are through Customs and Immigration in 10 minutes and then given our stateroom cards (8004) and advised that lunch is served in the Terrace Restaurant and our suite will be available at 12.30pm-1.00pm.  We enjoy the lunch and the weather only gets worse.  

Come 12.45pm our suite is available and we are very pleased with the size and the fitout. 

We then meet our butler named Eric, who offers to assist with everything. We decide to defer Our champagne until later in the voyage and then unpack, prepare for the life saving process in muster station A in the forward lounge.  That all goes well and we then change for dinner in the Grand Dining room a stunning dining venue.  We enjoy the whole evening including the first night show in the lounge, which provides a taste of the entertainment to come.  All in all the boarding and departure has gone very smoothly, the ship is lovely and best described as sumptuous in the fit out and furnishings.  There are several staff who we have seen on previous Oceania cruises which we have completed. 

The first dining experience can be a challenge but we have a great night with people from Florida and Toronto.  A most enjoyable first day, but concerns remain as to the strong cold front passing through Canada.