Regal Princess

Anything about Princess cruises
User avatar

Stephen
Commodore
Commodore
Posts: 15925
Joined: January 2013
Location: Down Souf. The civilised end of the country :)

Re: Regal Princess

#26

Post by Stephen »

MicheleW wrote: 15 Jul 2021, 19:32
The exact same thing happened to me Gill - put in 11.15, but it changed to 11.45! I didn't want to try and change it in case it disappeared altogether, along with our dinner reservations!

Some people seem to have been able to complete the health questionnaire part now as well, so I am going to have a look at that now and also see if our dinner reservations have turned up. We've booked for the show "Bravo" on the second night, so hoping that if we don't have dinner reservations, we will still be able to get to it - should be OK, as we are going to the 10.00pm performance.

Getting much closer now! Hopefully see you on board.

Michele

PS. Onelife - enjoy the New Forest - we had a week there at the beginning of June.


I bet your accommodation was allot better than Keith’s tree house Michele :D

User avatar

Onelife
Captain
Captain
Posts: 11272
Joined: January 2013

Re: Regal Princess

#27

Post by Onelife »

It will be luxury compared to the leaky caravan we live in most of the year…food parcels welcome! :thumbup:

User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#28

Post by MicheleW »

We stayed in the Thatched Cottage in Brockenhurst for 4 nights - really quaint - and then the Master Builders Hotel at Bucklers Hard for 3 (had quite a good DBB deal).

Going back to the New Forest again at the beginning of September - no idea where we will stay yet - we have to find dog-friendly places, so slightly restricted. Have been going to the New Forest for several years now. Started when my brother and I used to go camping there with my parents every Easter (though my camping days are now over'!) and now my husband and I go every June - just to attend a Mini Cooper event held at Beaulieu (my husband has several original minis in various stages of renovation!)

Michele

User avatar

Stephen
Commodore
Commodore
Posts: 15925
Joined: January 2013
Location: Down Souf. The civilised end of the country :)

Re: Regal Princess

#29

Post by Stephen »

Onelife wrote: 16 Jul 2021, 16:22
It will be luxury compared to the leaky caravan we live in most of the year…food parcels welcome! :thumbup:

Do you mind left overs………..the cat doesn’t always eat all his food :)

User avatar

Onelife
Captain
Captain
Posts: 11272
Joined: January 2013

Re: Regal Princess

#30

Post by Onelife »

Stephen wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 08:40
Onelife wrote: 16 Jul 2021, 16:22
It will be luxury compared to the leaky caravan we live in most of the year…food parcels welcome! :thumbup:

Do you mind left overs………..the cat doesn’t always eat all his food :)
Just send your cat…preferably skinned :thumbup: :)

User avatar

Stephen
Commodore
Commodore
Posts: 15925
Joined: January 2013
Location: Down Souf. The civilised end of the country :)

Re: Regal Princess

#31

Post by Stephen »

Onelife wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 08:46
Stephen wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 08:40
Onelife wrote: 16 Jul 2021, 16:22
It will be luxury compared to the leaky caravan we live in most of the year…food parcels welcome! :thumbup:

Do you mind left overs………..the cat doesn’t always eat all his food :)
Just send your cat…preferably skinned :thumbup: :)


I don’t do food preparation.


Quizzical Bob
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 3951
Joined: January 2013

Re: Regal Princess

#32

Post by Quizzical Bob »

Onelife wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 08:46
Just send your cat…preferably skinned :thumbup: :)
In your experience, what’s the best way to skin it?

User avatar

Stephen
Commodore
Commodore
Posts: 15925
Joined: January 2013
Location: Down Souf. The civilised end of the country :)

Re: Regal Princess

#33

Post by Stephen »

Quizzical Bob wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 11:58
Onelife wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 08:46
Just send your cat…preferably skinned :thumbup: :)
In your experience, what’s the best way to skin it?

Once it’s dead unless you don’t mind losing an arm.

User avatar

Onelife
Captain
Captain
Posts: 11272
Joined: January 2013

Re: Regal Princess

#34

Post by Onelife »

Quizzical Bob wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 11:58
Onelife wrote: 17 Jul 2021, 08:46
Just send your cat…preferably skinned :thumbup: :)
In your experience, what’s the best way to skin it?
I don't know Bob which is why I asked Stephen to do it for me :thumbup:

User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#35

Post by MicheleW »

Well here we are sat on our balcony enjoying the sun after a delicious pizza for lunch in Alfredos. Yesterday was a bit of a nightmare - horrendous traffic on M4 caused a big delay and when we eventually got to the Mayfair terminal for coving testing as per instructions, we were then told to go to Ocean Terminal, leave the car with CPS and proceed on foot for testing. Mum and godmother were both told that the phones they had with them didn't match the ones they had registered, so we're given wristbands and we were sent to a seating area where someone would come and give us our results. It didn't take more than 25 minutes and we were soon through security and back on a ship!! Had a quick lunch at International Cafe. Headed to our cabin to find our bags already there, so unpacked a few bits before heading to the sailaway party. Watched the safety video on the TV before heading to our Muster station (Theatre) to check-in, as instructed, to find it was all shut for rehearsal, but a crew member said don't worry! Finished unpacking, met our steward and then got ready for dinner. Got some drinks in one of the bars (can't remember where I was pretty tired), and then went for dinner in the Concerto dining room. Service was particularly slow - we had to wait 30 minutes for our starters & nearly the same foe mains - we did get a complimentary glass of fizz, but we're on the inclusive package anyway! Food was OK- but not particularly hot. Went up to the lido deck then for the Princess fountain fantasy - fountain & light display to music. Then I was ready for my sofa-bed!

User avatar

david63
Site Admin
Site Admin
Posts: 9391
Joined: January 2012
Location: Lancashire

Re: Regal Princess

#36

Post by david63 »

Sorry Michele but that is an incomplete report - there is no mention of shoes!!

User avatar

Stephen
Commodore
Commodore
Posts: 15925
Joined: January 2013
Location: Down Souf. The civilised end of the country :)

Re: Regal Princess

#37

Post by Stephen »

MicheleW wrote: 01 Aug 2021, 15:10
Well here we are sat on our balcony enjoying the sun after a delicious pizza for lunch in Alfredos. Yesterday was a bit of a nightmare - horrendous traffic on M4 caused a big delay and when we eventually got to the Mayfair terminal for coving testing as per instructions ...
Blimey Michele, have they got you decorating ;)
Last edited by Manoverboard on 03 Aug 2021, 10:45, edited 2 times in total.

User avatar

Meg 50
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 2266
Joined: January 2013
Location: sarf London

Re: Regal Princess

#38

Post by Meg 50 »

MicheleW wrote: 01 Aug 2021, 15:10
............Watched the safety video on the TV before heading to our Muster station (Theatre) to check-in, as instructed, to find it was all shut for rehearsal, but a crew member said don't worry! ................
so all you had to do was watch the video - no one to police that you actually did?
Meg
x


Whynd1
First Officer
First Officer
Posts: 1832
Joined: February 2013
Location: Gower, Swansea

Re: Regal Princess

#39

Post by Whynd1 »

It's so lovely to read a cruise report again.
Have a lovely few days Michele.

Lindsey

User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#40

Post by MicheleW »

Sorry about all the errors in report - trying to type on my tablet with podgy fingers!
Re: shoes - 👞final count 9 pairs.
Nobody checked if we'd watched the safety video.
It was a bit of a novelty to order a drink via the app at first, but there are still problems with it - sometimes it doesn't recognise your location, we have found charges for drinks on our account when we have the Princess Plus package including all drinks, you can't always get onto your account - hopefully they will get this sorted for future cruises!

I will finish my report when I am back home tomorrow. In the meantime, despite the minor niggles I am really enjoying cruising again - shoes, dressing up, shoes, casino, shoes - Oh and Mum won $200 at bingo!!

Michele

User avatar

Stephen
Commodore
Commodore
Posts: 15925
Joined: January 2013
Location: Down Souf. The civilised end of the country :)

Re: Regal Princess

#41

Post by Stephen »

MicheleW wrote: 02 Aug 2021, 18:25
... I will finish my report when I am back home tomorrow. In the meantime, despite the minor niggles I am really enjoying cruising again - shoes, dressing up, shoes, casino, shoes - Oh and Mum won $200 at bingo!!

Michele
More shoes then :D
Last edited by Manoverboard on 03 Aug 2021, 10:43, edited 1 time in total.

User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#42

Post by MicheleW »

So I am back - and I can't believe it - just typed a lengthy report and lost the whole bl*****y thing! So now you'll all be glad to hear you will be getting the very abridged version!
Sunday 1st:
I started the day with 7 laps around the jogging/walking track up on deck 18, where there is also a sports court and then collected some takeaway coffees from the International Cafe to take back to the cabin. Then after an OK breakfast in the Concerto Restaurant - very watery yogurt and tiny glass of orange juice though a decent mushroom omelette, we decided to explore the ship from the bottom upwards. First though we asked if they could amend our dinner reservation for that evening as we had pre-booked our dining time for the evening (7.40pm) along with the performance of Bravo in the theatre at 10.00pm on the dreaded app. only to find that the time of the show had been changed to 9.00pm and after the horrendously slow service the previous night, we were doubtful of getting to the show on time. They said they would try and if possible would let us know via the App. Anyway, The Piazza (Atrium) is the centre of the ship with lots of bars around the 3 levels - I think my favourite was Crooners, which also had a couple of outside seating areas on deck 7. Another really nice looking area was The Retreat, at the front on deck 17. This is an Adult only pool and sunbathing area, with private "cabanas" to rent along with normal sunbeds. Also in this area was the Sanctuary - the pay-for area for adults - known as the retreat on P&O. (confused yet?). We checked out the Horizon Court for lunch, but I don't know whether is was the small number of people on board or the situation, but I thought it was a very uninspiring choice. Hence we ended up with a delicious fresh cooked pizza in Alfredos - the included pizzeria on deck 6. Whilst eating I noticed (on the app.) that there were still spaces available for the early performance of Bravo at 7.00pm and that it lasted 45 minutes, so we went to the restaurant and asked them how long they would hold our table. When they said until 8.00pm, I changed our theatre booking and told the restaurant to leave our booking the same. We sat on the balcony until bingo. This was in the Vista Lounge. You could go high-tech for this and for something like $39 dollars get a tablet to play several games on. We stuck with the paper version and were glad we did, as there were a few glitches with these crashing every so often and holding up the game whilst the casino staff re-set them. The worst thing was having to listen to the american hostess's calling style - I can't see it catching on in Britain, where people take this quite seriously - it was cringeworthy. Worth putting up for though when Mum won the $200! I offered to take $100 off her (at a very favourable rate), to repay to the casino later via the blackjack table! She bought herself a new handbag with the rest! We then went back to the cabin, and were wondering if it was a "dress to impress" night, as there was no mention of it in the "Princess Patter". I soon spotted the very people who would know the answer - a couple of photographers setting up a back-drop! Yes, tonight they told us. So we got glammed up and after a drink went to the theatre. No drinks are allowed in the theatre and you have to keep you masks on. I also noticed a sign telling you to stay seated once the performance had finished and that you would be guided from the theatre, row by row to avoid crowding. Bang goes the stampede over everyone to make it to dinner on time!! I went and mentioned our predicament to one of the guides and he said he would sort it for us. Sure enough, at the end of an excellent show, when the cast were receiving their well deserved applause, I glanced across at the guide and he gave me the thumbs up and as soon as the lights went up he came to us and took us straight out. We made it to the restaurant with 5 minutes to spare! The service and meal was so much better this evening - I think the first night the crew were all getting back into the swing of things as there was a massive improvement. Then as I mentioned, I made a small repayment to the casino via the blackjack table before retiring for the evening. The casino was much bigger than on the P&O ships and you had to keep your masks on all the time, unless you were drinking. "That's why I drink all night" one gentleman told me!
Right - I'm going to post this before I lose it again!

User avatar

Topic author
MicheleW
Second Officer
Second Officer
Posts: 262
Joined: January 2013
Location: Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#43

Post by MicheleW »

Sorry- that wasn't so abridged after all!!

Monday 2nd: started the day with my 7 laps of the track (= 1 mile) and took coffees back to the cabin from the International Cafe again. As it seemed such a busy day on Sunday, we decided to have a more chilled day today. We breakfasted in Concerto again (the only restaurant open for breakfast apart from the Horizon Court (self-service except that they served you with what you wanted) and the International cafe where you could get croissants, pastries, muffins, etc. along with specialty teas and coffees included in the premium drinks package (which we had) or chargeable otherwise (food free) There was an English breakfast on the menu today,with English bacon and sausage, baked beans, tomatoes and mushrooms, which I had, but without the sausage and bacon. Mum had the full version and said the sausages were "strange" and the bacon and bit chewy. (Yesterday the bacon was American/streaky). We had a wander around the shops for Mum to spend her winnings and then sat on the outside area of Crooners in the sun for a while. I tried to order some coffees on the app. but it couldn't find my location, so I went down to the International Cafe and asked for 3 coffees to go and a waitress followed me all the way up 2 decks with them! We then went back to the cabin and sat on the balcony before heading to Concerto for lunch. Then back to the cabin for more lazing before heading to the theatre at 3.00pm for the 'Enrichment Discovery Presents Eddie the Eagle.' We had booked to see a talk with Shaun Wallace, but this had changed as well. Still quite entertaining and passed an hour. Then went to find some cookies, as I had heard they were supposed to be very good. Had to go all the way to the Horizon Court (deck 16)to find any and there were 3 types, so I had 1 of each (for testing purposes) and carried them all the way back down to the International Cafe (deck 5)to enjoy with a pot of Earl Grey Tea. And they were only OK - I've tasted better! I then went all the way back up to deck 16 to take some photos of the Seawalk, which I completely forgot to mention. It is a glass bottomed walkway that curves out over the side of the ship, so you can see the sea below you as you walk along it - a bit unnerving! The opposite side there is the Seaview Bar, with bar stools along the glass bottomed bit - though you weren't allowed to sit at any bar due to the current restrictions. We sat and watched the Eddie the Eagle film in the cabin before going for drinks and dinner and a last visit to the casino. Then an earlyish night, as we had registered for self-disembarkation which was from 7.30am this morning. Can't believe I was sat in the restaurant having breakfast at 6.30am this morning.

Regarding restrictions: you have to keep your mask on whenever you are moving around inside the ship, but can take it off when you sit down to eat or drink. You don't have to keep it on when moving around outside. Lifts are limited to 4 people per lift, but there never seemed a problem getting a lift and there were lots of signs asking people to use the stairs as much as possible. There were signs indicating a one-way traffic flow system (keep to the left when moving around and there were lots of "footprint" marking at the guest services area for people to queueing, but they seemed to be all over the place!! Several chairs and tables and seats in the theatre and Vista Lounge have crosses on them so you cannot use them, though there doesn't seem any logic in how they have decided which ones you can or cannot use! Plus in the dining room, there weren't any tables out of use and I don't think they were spaced out any more than usual. There were only 2 main dining rooms open - 1 for fixed dining and 1 for anytime dining, and the Crown Grill, Sabatinis Italian Restaurant (extra cost) were open, but I think they were limiting capacity. Alfredos pizzeria (free) was also limited capacity and there were some tables were blocked off in the Horizon court and most of the bar areas. You have to sanitise your hands before entering any restaurant, bar or entertainment facility and actually wash them for 20 seconds in a sink with somebody watching over you at the entrance to the Horizon Court, though you still use chips for gambling in the casino and I didn't see those being sanitised at all, but I wasn't there at the opening or closing times. Casino was open from 9.00am til late and shops were open from 9.00am -11.00pm. There seemed so much space when walking around the ship with only 1000 or so passengers on and most of the sunbeds all stacked up still and I can imagine how different it is with full capacity. Having a drinks package, I think I definitely drank more than I usually do on a cruise. We don't have a package on P&O as I can't imaging drinking £40.00 worth in one day - and I certainly gave it a good try on Princess with a couple of glasses of prosecco at lunch and in the evening and a glass of wine with dinner and then a glass of port or dessert wine followed by a little "nightcap"! I also brought some bottles of water, some specialty tea and coffees and a couple of soft drinks, but I don't drink that much on cruise normally.

Our cabin was serviced both morning and evening, though I don't know if this was standard, as we had to have the sofa bed got out and put away every day. Also there were flannels in the bathroom!

It was so nice to be back cruising again and I really enjoyed it and would cruise with Princess again. I honestly didn't notice a huge difference between Princess and P&O - apart from the annoying bingo caller which would definitely stop me going to bingo on a Princess ship!

Can't wait til the next one now - New Year on Ventura! (hopefully)

User avatar

Kendhni
Ex Team Member
Posts: 6520
Joined: January 2013

Re: Regal Princess

#44

Post by Kendhni »

Thanks Michele, fantastic to be reading these reports again.

User avatar

Jan Rosser
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 2406
Joined: January 2013
Location: South Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#45

Post by Jan Rosser »

Thank you Michelle - loved reading your report too - thank you 👍
Janis

User avatar

Onelife
Captain
Captain
Posts: 11272
Joined: January 2013

Re: Regal Princess

#46

Post by Onelife »

Without doubt the best cruise report I’ve read in 16 months :thumbup: :)

User avatar

GillD46
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 3364
Joined: January 2013
Location: Gower Peninsula, South Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#47

Post by GillD46 »

My thoughts on our Regal trip are not as well organised as Michelle’s but nevertheless……

Well our journey, that normally takes between 3 1/4 hrs and 3 1/2 hrs, took 5 hrs 50 mins - for 160 miles! Traffic was worse than I have ever seen - ever! Bridges and roads were closed, diversions that seemed to take us back to where we started and our sat-nav didn’t pick up on them. Eventually we got to Southampton and were far too uncomfortable to go shopping for the kitchen things I wanted, but we went out for our Greek meal. The Greek place was frenetic, but the staff were friendly and efficient and the food was very good. I really, really wanted some bougatsa afterwards but a calorie content of 958 made me realise I really didn’t want it that much after all and a fab bitter Greek coffee would do!

The PIG in the Wall was very comfortable - a really great bed and amazingly powerful shower - and they were so friendly and helpful, and have fantastic secure parking. But this sort of very traditional hotel with shabby chic furniture, beams etc just doesn’t do it for me, though Tony loves it, so I am glad we are booked at the Harbour for our next few trips. Though I will say I would stay there again if necessary, as it was this time. I just couldn’t pay nigh on £400 at SHH - without any breakfast!

Breakfast was very good, an unlimited buffet bar at £10 or a “Piggy Pan” full cooked plus the buffet at £14, we both opted for the buffet bar, which had a great array of good quality foodstuffs and reasonable juice.

We arrived at the test centre a few minutes early and queued in the car for quite a time, were tested and got to the Ocean Terminal where we handed over the car and then waited inside along with many, many others - rather silly I felt as we may have tested positive. My test results took 40 minutes Tony's took another 10. Both negative, we were clear to board.

Regal Princess was a beautiful ship and I think when the many, many glitches are ironed out, the medallion app will be a great system. Mine actually refused to identify my location after the first day, meaning I could only order via a waiter, which was easier said than done, nor would it open our door. The Front Desk claimed to have fixed it, but in fact it was no better. We just decided we’d manage without mine, relying on waiters.

The meals we had were excellent, Sabatini’s especially, as was breakfast there. We didn’t actually get to the MDR at all. All the crew were friendly, happy and smiley, but the Concierge was exceptional, and gave us a freebie in the Crown Grill on the first night, usually only for trips of 6 nights or more. We felt the drinks menus were very reduced, but it wasn’t a problem as there was plenty of choice for us.

Our cabin was very nice indeed, portside aft corner suite (S3), with a huge if rather shallow wraparound balcony. There was a kettle but no coffee machine which was surprising - Tony just ordered in. The bed was the most comfortable I have ever slept in, with a vast puffy duvet, bedding was changed daily for some reason. We had no turndown the first night, but did on the second and third. The only niggle was that both full days we had to ask for the cabin to be serviced when it got to 1pm. That we felt was below the standard we would expect. The Concierge Lounge was very good indeed, better than any others we have been lucky enough to use.

The production show was excellent, with good singers and dancers, and a really good guest opera singer. The second night we had Andy Abrahams runner up from the X-Factor in 2005. His singing was very good, but his “chat” felt terribly awkward. Nevertheless we still enjoyed it, and it’s a nice theatre to watch in.

Masks were strictly enforced, all seats/sunbeds etc were well spaced, and hand washing was enforced before entry to the buffet was permitted - not that we ate there, but we did walk through for a look see! It all felt very safe on board. Despite much being said by Southampton about a “Dress to Impress” night, all evenings were Smart Casual - and there were many different interpretations!

Several times we were charged for drinks when we shouldn’t have been, but a message to the Front Desk sorted that out, however the Medallion bangle I bought did not show up and it apparently took a lengthy search through mountains of paperwork to get it added to my account.

Yesterday we chose to walk off with our luggage at 7.30 and were home just after 11.30, it was all very smooth. So we enjoyed the Princess experience very much, just as well as we are booked on Sky in September 😆 We still feel the Cunard Grills suits us more overall, but this now offers us a pleasing alternative.
Gill

User avatar

Manoverboard
Ex Team Member
Posts: 13014
Joined: January 2013
Location: Dorset

Re: Regal Princess

#48

Post by Manoverboard »

A cruise and a ' PIGGY ' :clap:

It doesn't get much better than that ;)
Keep smiling, it's good for your well being

User avatar

GillD46
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 3364
Joined: January 2013
Location: Gower Peninsula, South Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#49

Post by GillD46 »

Manoverboard wrote: 04 Aug 2021, 15:35
A cruise and a ' PIGGY ' :clap:

It doesn't get much better than that ;)
No piggy for me - I am strictly vegetarian. But believe me, I did not go hungry :lol:
Gill

User avatar

GillD46
Senior First Officer
Senior First Officer
Posts: 3364
Joined: January 2013
Location: Gower Peninsula, South Wales

Re: Regal Princess

#50

Post by GillD46 »

Michelle Have you by any chance been pinged today? I have been told I was in contact with someone on August 2nd (so when on board) who has since tested positive! I now must have a PCR test tomorrow and must isolate for 9 days. Worst of all, my daughter and her family, who were coming on Sunday to spend a little beach holiday staying with us, now can’t come! Loads have been pinged according to the forum I am a member of.

I wish we hadn’t gone now as my daughter and her family will miss the only opportunity they had to get away from London.
Last edited by GillD46 on 04 Aug 2021, 21:40, edited 1 time in total.
Gill

Return to “Princess”