It’s 4:20 pm and Rachel has arrived to escort Mark and me from our suite on Seven Seas Explorer to a very important date we’ve lined up with Captain Rosario. Rachel, I should explain, is Seven Seas Explorer’s social hostess; the date with Captain (call me Saro) is to renew our wedding vows after notching up 18 years together.
As we got hitched at sea, it seemed only fitting to keep the nautical theme going when we decided to celebrate our milestone (all to do with my long and frequent absences on cruises, Mark likes to tell people!)
We’ve gone upmarket this time, repeating our vows on the Regent Seven Seas Cruises’ ship dubbed the world’s most luxurious before it was even built. All to do with its all-suite accommodation, apartment-style Regent Suite, art-deco looks and charming crew. Seven Seas Explorer is also one of the world’s most inclusive ships with drinks, excursions and almost everything you could ever want on holiday included in the price. Talk about a spoil!
You’d think that the second time around we would have a good idea of what we were doing, but we arrive on board seriously unprepared so thank goodness for Rachel, who has everything under control.
She has booked Captain Saro for the ceremony, chosen a venue, lined up a red carpet, put the galley on standby to bake a cake and ordered a bouquet for me, a boutonnière for Mark and a bottle of Champagne to pop once the deed is done. She also gives us a choice of vows (non-religious, please) and the option of penning a few words of our own to say to each other once we have done the ‘till death us do part stuff.
All that (and a box of Leonidas chocolates delivered to our suite) is included in a renewal of vows package that couples on Regent can buy into. For those just starting a life together, there’s a honeymoon package that includes a letter of congratulations from the Captain, as well as cake, Champagne, caviar, canapés and chocolates. Or, for those marking a big birthday or anniversary, there’s a letter of congratulations, rose petals, Champagne and chocolates.
As our vows ceremony isn’t until late afternoon, I’m treating myself to a makeover in the spa. After all, it’s only, err, twice that you do this marriage thing. Well, to the same person, anyway. First up, Ruby is painting my nails, then it’s over to Ivy for an age-defying facial and finally, hairstylist Daryl tries to bring order to my wayward locks. Nails and face shining and hair grips in place, I race back to my suite. It’s time to get changed!
Rather than worrying about what to wear when renewing one’s vows, I am going with the dress I go hitched in, while Mark is in the same suit. It’s a neat bit of recycling, and I am more than a little proud that after 18 years and heaven knows how many cruises, my dress fits as well as the day I bought it. And they say cruising is all about overindulging!
Just in time, we’re ready. It might not be the actual wedding, but I am just as nervous as Rachel escorts us downstairs and the first notes of Pachelbel’s hauntingly beautiful Canon in D Major float up from the atrium. It’s the music we chose for our first wedding and accompanies us as we walk down the grand staircase, turn towards the red carpet and, wow!
When Rachel said some officers were attending as stand-in guests, we expected two or three but 10 or more have turned out, all in full uniform. We walk the red carpet, Captain Saro takes his place at the podium and we are off. Cruise Director Dru talks about love and marriage, the Captain takes our vows, we read the few words we’ve penned and it’s all over. Cue glasses of fizz all around because this, of all days, is one where cruising really is all about overindulging.
