Day 54 - Mangalore: Red Carpets, Quiet Gyms & A Winning Day for Joe

Today we arrived in Mangalore nice and early once again. With our tour not leaving until 9am, I made the most of the calm morning and headed to the gym, which was blissfully empty. Having the whole space to myself felt like a real treat. Afterwards, I grabbed some fruit, nuts, and a veggie juice, then headed back to shower and wake Joe.

Joe, unsurprisingly, was not impressed with another early start, but we just about made it through immigration and onto the bus in time.

A Warm Welcome to Mangalore

Our ship was the first to arrive in the new port, which made the welcome feel extra special. A red carpet had been rolled out, musicians were playing, and the captain and senior officers were given an official reception in the new terminal as we all passed through to reach our buses.



We had a wonderful guide named Leo, who works in the cashew nut industry. He shared fascinating insights into cashew production and the other key industries that sustain Mangalore. He also gave us a great overview of the city’s history and character. Mangalore is a major education hub, attracting students from all over India, and it boasts one of the highest literacy rates in the country.

Homes, Markets & Modern India

Our first stop was a visit to a family home, where we were welcomed with refreshments. This experience was completely different from the family visit I had in Mumbai — the house was modern, spacious, and fully equipped, even with a lift to move between floors.

We then headed into the town centre for a walk around the market. I have to admit, I think I may now be officially done with markets for a while. From there, we stopped briefly at a shopping mall before boarding the bus to return to the ship, passing churches, temples, and schools along the way — a reminder of the city’s diversity and everyday life.



Back Onboard & A Big Win

Once back on the ship, we dropped our things in the room and headed to Compass Rose for lunch. After lunch, Joe went up to the pool deck to listen to his audiobook, before heading off to what is now a non-negotiable daily event — the quiz.

And today was a big one.

Joe’s team WON.
First place.
25 out of 27 — and Joe insists it would have been 26 if they’d listened to him.

He’s now proudly collecting his Regent points, and without question, this was the highlight of his day.

While Joe was celebrating, I did my crossword and sudoku, enjoyed a cheeky snooze, and then got ready for a special invitation for Grand Voyage guests — a kitchen galley tour.

Behind the Scenes

We were welcomed into Compass Rose with a glass of champagne and canapés while Ray introduced the Executive Chef and his team. They spoke about their work, answered questions, and then split us into two groups for the tour.

It was absolutely fascinating. Seeing the scale, organisation, and sheer effort required to feed guests 24 hours a day really deepened my appreciation for what happens behind the scenes. The dedication and teamwork are remarkable.

Dinner & Early Night

After catching up with family, we got ready for dinner at Prime 7. The service was excellent, though Joe was unimpressed with the French onion soup, declaring that Leon’s or Sam’s is 100 times better — high praise indeed for home cooking.



With an even earlier start tomorrow, we headed back for an early night, ready for whatever the next day brings.

Daily Reflection:

Some days are about discovery, others about celebration — and some quietly give you both.

Highlight of the Day:
🏆 Joe’s quiz team coming first — undisputed champion of the day.

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