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.