oncruisecontrol

On 3/14/2022 at 12:43 PM, luvseaside said:

Just wanted to give some quick thoughts on our recent Regal Princess 5 day cruise.  FYI - we have cruised Regal before and always loved the experience.

 

 Cabin - had aft balcony on Dolphin so balcony was half covered.  My husband's new favorite cabin location - loved it!  However, our steward (young female) was not friendly at all and did the bare minimum.  Asked for ice every day (w/tip) at beginning of cruise & she did that but she would leave used glassware some days and our last day - no ice.

 

Food - Ate at Sabatinis one night.  Service was very good (except he got one of our orders wrong).  The appetizers and dessert were good.  Entrees (chicken/veal) were not good sorry to say.  So a mixed bag.  Dining room meals - forget about reservations. No one cared.  The first night we went down for our 7:20 p.m. table in Allegro and line was up to deck 7.  We ate at buffet instead that night.  From that point, we just went earlier btwen 6:30-7 and were able to walk right in.  Food was okay but I do feel they've lost a step with the quality of food.  Alfredos excellent as always.  Loved the chicken tacos on Lido deck.  Buffet food was fine but I wish i could choose make my own plate with snacks instead of 4 different tiny bowls of things. Minor pet peeve & I understand why.  Ordered room service late night and fries were ice cold one night.  Never ordered breakfast bc they only have one option - breakfast sandwich?! 

Really enjoyed the Platinum/Elite happy hour in Vista lounge.  Food was more plentiful than I remember - nice variety.  Nice perk.

 

Entertainment - I'll preface with we didn't go to shows so can't speak to that.  Heard they were good.  But random music around the ship was not as good as in past. It wasn't bad; just not great.  Wish they had more music around pool for a Caribbean cruise.  They only did for about 2 hrs in afternoon. 

 

Bars - It's not unusual that the Vines bartenders know us by sight by Day 2 (LOL!)  And this cruise was no exception!  Pool bartenders were busy but they tried to keep up.  With all the app ordering, they kept busy with filling those orders too.  (We never once used app to order anything - we found it too easy to get up and get stuff ourselves)  Never visited Wheelhouse and went to Crooners once.  For some reason, I find bartenders at Crooners kinda cranky.  

 

Overall - due to this being a 5 day and recent sales, there were ALOT of first-time cruisers on board.  A more lively and younger crowd than normal.  I didn't mind so much but I imagine it bothered some older cruisers.  Watching 20-somethings order shots of Patron at Vines was odd, for sure.  I didn't see any outrageous behavior though.  I'm sure there was some but when you take shorter cruises, it's always a different experience.  We are feeling that we may want to go back to a Grand Class ship for a change for next cruise.  But for what it was, this cruise was fine and much of the staff was so friendly.

We had been booked on the 3/3/2022 4-day sailing of Regal, but we cancelled back in January for multiple reasons including uncertainty with the Omicron situation, and other practical considerations that had nothing to do with COVID-19. 

I have a couple of questions:

1) Did it seem that your sailing was booked to full capacity? Or only 60%?

2) Did you have to provide a negative COVID-19 test taken within 48hrs of 

     embarkation?

3)  I am 51 yrs-old, and I was on Regal 2 years ago, and it seemed that I was

     amongst the youngest of the guests aboard.  Do you think that the young

     Patron-shooting kids you encountered were there because there was not

     much else to book because of COVID? Or do you think these younger

     folks will be a thing of the future on Princess? 

Thanks for any info you can give.

On 1/6/2022 at 7:03 PM, LadyLion_AP said:

Thanks for sharing. I'm sorry this was such a debacle!  My family cruised with Princess over the holiday and a few of us got sick a day or so after disembarking.  I'm so happy no one got sick while onboard! I can only imagine!

You got sick with COVID a day after disembarking? Like, you know for sure it was COVID because you got tested? Or it was just flu or cold-like symptoms and you're not sure whether or not it was COVID-19? I am asking because I am booked on Princess for a March cruise and now I'm kinda scared to go; thinking of cancelling.  Trying to ascertain the risk. I am fully vaccinated and boosted but still thinking I'm not willing to take even  the smallest risk of getting sick AND possibly being quarantined.

I am enjoying reading your live review. I am booked on Regal Princess in the beginning of March, but I'm starting to get cold feet because of the Omicron cases that have popped up on other lines, namely Royal Caribbean and NCL. I'm really leaning towards cancelling.  Have you heard of any cases of COVID-19 on your sailing? And if so, how has Princess handled those cases?

On 8/11/2020 at 4:10 AM, Loreni said:

Many here are diehard cruisers who can’t wait to sail. Although I wonder if the volume on these boards is reduced since Covid. When cruising really starts up again, I believe many people who fall into the following groups may think twice. 

 

1. People who had to wait so long for a refund.  Especially those who really needed their money back due to Covid related hardships.
 

2. People who booked after March and had their cruises canceled and are waiting for refunds. These people may rightly or wrongly believe Princess expected to cancel and is effectively using them for a loan.

 

3. Anyone in a high risk group.

 

4. People who have spent the last few months exploring other vacation options such as road trips or visiting family who they will not have seen for a long time.

 

5. People who have committed to other options by buying an RV, boat, or a vacation home.
 

6. People who no longer trust the cruise industry or perhaps Princess in particular.

 

7. People who fear being quarantined either on a ship or near a port.
 

8. People who were financially hurt by the pandemic.

 

9. People who don’t want to be shepherded when ashore having no contact with anyone but their guide.  Many excursions won’t even be possible under these conditions.  For example, how would one tour the Sistine Chapel?

 

10. People who don’t believe the ships have adequate medical facilities.
 

11. People who don’t want uncertainty regarding which ports they will actually visit.  Who wants to buy a pig in a poke?

 

12. People who don’t want to wear masks.

 

13. People who do want to wear masks, but wonder how (if) mask wearing will be enforced.
 

14. People who have never cruised before. They may not be able to get past the stories in the media.

 

15. Frequent cruisers who believe cruising has been going downhill and fear more cuts will be made as cruise lines struggle to become profitable again.

 

16.  People who always believed there were pluses and minuses with cruising, but greatly appreciated the value it offered.  This value may change if prices go up even if service doesn’t go down.
 

17. People who don’t believe social distancing is possible on a ship.
 

I believe cruising will survive in some form, hopefully not too different than we remember.  But I wonder how.

Your list is wholly comprehensive. The points that hit me the most were:

#7-----Fear of quarantine.....I don't think I'll ever cruise again because of this risk.  Even if cruise lines take steps to mitigate this risk and even if there comes along an effective vaccine, I'm not willing to take even a minuscule risk that I might be quarantined on a ship.

#12-------People who don't wear a mask.......I don't like wearing a mask on land but I do it because I think it is a reasonable precaution and protection for myself and others.  But there are way too many people who rebuff mask-wearing that I don't want to be trapped on a ship with them. I also will not consider vacationing until mask-wearing is no longer mandatory (unlike some who would still cruise but break any mask-wearing rule that is in place, daring anyone to enforce that rule).

#15------More cuts. Cruising had already been going downhill even before COVID-19.  I have been cruising for 18 years and the quality of (especially) the food has steadily declined over at least the last ten years. COVID will undoubtedly only make it worse since profits have been down/nonexistent.

#16-------The value.  Which goes hand and hand with #15.  Cruising might likely become elite again, i.e. out of the reach of the many.  This is not necessarily bad as maybe the product will improve if the price is higher and the quality, of especially the food, rises to at least the level it was when I first started cruising. Perhaps the new business model will emphasize smaller ships instead of these super-crowded megaships which really I can't stand.  It may price me out of cruising every year, but maybe that would allow for a better experience even if I can only cruise once every five years or so.

#17-------Social Distancing is not really possible or practical on a modern day mega cruise ship unless the ship is well below capacity.

On 2/27/2020 at 6:40 PM, Husky61 said:

Retreat pool is not part of the Sanctuary, and the Cabanas at the retreat pol have to be rented.

 

I'm sure other posters will repeat what I just told you several times.

This is correct information. Was just on the 2/2/20 sailing of Regal and we really enjoyed lounging at the Retreat Pool. We did not rent a cabana FYI. Just used the regular lounge chairs.

2 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

This is not new.

You should have followed them as they entered the buffet line picking up the shrimp with their fingers and dipping them in the communal cocktail sauce eating them along the way.

Happens all the time........

I know it's not new but........I thought (or had hopes) that with all the reports of coronavirus that people would have been a little more diligent, but alas I was wrong. I guess the only people who thoroughly wash their hands on a cruise are those of us who commit to this practice in our everyday lives whether at home or on a cruise or wherever. Additionally your "shrimp story" is why I shun buffets.

On 2/22/2020 at 6:08 PM, Daniel A said:

Most health departments emphasize that one does not get Norovirus from someone coughing or sneezing.  Noro is contracted by touching a contaminated surface with your hands and then placing your now contaminated hands in your mouth.  One of the best preventative techniques in addition to the other very good precautions (frequent hand washing, avoiding contact with handrails, door handles, elevator buttons etc...) is to be conscious all the time about placing your fingers in your mouth. Norovirus is consumed orally by the victim. 

Regarding the bit I highlighted in purple:  I absolutely agree, but I go a bit further to protect myself.  I press elevator buttons only with my elbow or my pinky finger knuckle. I am fastidious about never touching my mouth, eyes, nose or ears with my fingers while on a cruise. If I must touch my face, then I first use one of my individually wrapped Wet Ones wipes that I carry in my purse. I use the public restrooms but always scrub my hands vigorously with soap for 20 seconds and then rinse well with warm water.  I even eat my sandwiches from the International Cafe with a knife and fork.  One final thought:  I was on the 2/2/20 sailing of Regal Princess and I was shocked at the number of women who exited the public restrooms after doing only a VERY cursory "washing" of their hands or not washing them at all!  I even had one woman who gave me the "stink-eye" complete with a few huffs and puffs, I guess, because she thought I was taking to long to wash my hands and she was next in line for the sink I was using.  With fellow passengers like that, no wonder people get sick.  And no wonder why I go to the great lengths I go to in order to remain healthy.

1 minute ago, talbotj344 said:

Everything: full legal name, address, date of birth and phone number. I also believe they have your passport number too. 

And you know this for sure, how? I find it difficult to fathom that Princess would allow a dining room server to see a passenger's passport number and home address.  Birth date I can understand for alcohol purchases.

7 minutes ago, talbotj344 said:

The wife and I just got off the Caribbean Princess for a ten day Panama Canal itinerary. We are Platinum level, two short of making Elite. Sadly we will not reach Elite. This was the worst cruise experience of our lives. Be careful with Medallions, when you order a drink, service or speciality restaurant because servers have ALL your personal information. Please be careful.

When you say the servers have ALL your personal info, what does "ALL" include? 

26 minutes ago, Daniel A said:

Not to worry, I am parking at Terminal 2 for the same cruise.  We are due to return to the same terminal on February 9.

Thanks. I was a little concerned there for a minute.

25 minutes ago, Steelers0854 said:

 

Yes, we embarked at terminal 2

Yikes.  We board the ship this Sunday 2/2/20, and are planning on parking at the port.  We don't want to park at Terminal 2 for embarkation only to disembark at Terminal 21---how would we get back to our car?  Do you know if the different Terminals for embarkation/disembarkation was just for your sailing?

On 1/26/2020 at 11:45 AM, Steelers0854 said:

Well it’s the day no one every wants to see, the day of disembarkation. Fort Lauderdale was it’s usual quite port. 
 

 

 

 

 

We had Cream 3 and were called around 8:15, walked right off and grabbed our luggage. Terminal 21 has a Global Entry line and we had our cards so we walked right up to the customs official. 
 

 

For disembarkation you docked at Terminal 21?  Isn't that a different terminal than what was used for your embarkation?

Enjoying your review.  Thanks for the info regarding allergies----my sister and I both have food allergies and will be doing this itinerary on the Regal in February.  Glad to hear that your wife's allergies were handled so well.  The last time I cruised on Princess was back in 2013, and that was before my allergy diagnosis.  Enjoying your photos too.

32 minutes ago, oncruisecontrol said:

How were you able to set both yourself and your husband up on one phone?  My sister tried to put my info on her phone and wasn't able to do it. We will be on the same account btw.

Nevermind.  We just figured it out.

21 hours ago, ecs66 said:

I have a similar-but-not-matching question. Hubby has flip phone and I've set both of us up in my smart phone. Process seemed to go well. 

How were you able to set both yourself and your husband up on one phone?  My sister tried to put my info on her phone and wasn't able to do it. We will be on the same account btw.

On 11/14/2019 at 10:41 AM, 1965 said:

I am the techy in our family & that isn't saying much. I downloaded the medallion app to my phone only for our last cruise & managed everything for DH & myself. 

How were you able to manage everything for DH from your phone?  My sister downloaded the app to her phone and she was able to upload  her information.  I want my sister to be able to manage everything for me from her phone because I am definitely NOT a techie.  But she didn't see any way that she could upload my info thru the app on her phone.  We'll be on the same account btw.  

2 minutes ago, esprsso said:

 

NCL didn't wait until the 11th hour (as bad as that would have been).  They actually posted on the website at 4pm yesterday, saying that the 9/1 sailing would actually depart early. Guests were told to be at Port of Miami no later than 11am today. My frustration is: if NCL knew about the noon ET port condition change to Yankee, why in the world did they update the website telling guests to go to the port early?  What exactly transpired in that four hour gap?

 

I read the 4pm notice about getting to the port no later than 11am----it was after I read that notice that I packed my suitcase.  So my frustration is the same as yours:  NCL knew about the noon decision to close the port but advised us at 4pm that the cruise was a "Go" and then hours later at, what I am calling, "the 11th hour",  finally stated that the 7-day cruise was cancelled and that a 4-day cruise beginning Wednesday was being substituted.  This final announcement was made way too late in my opinion.

6 hours ago, mjkacmom said:

And there are folks saying it’s a beautiful day in Miami and the port should’ve been left open. I assume those who want to cancel can, and those that want to take a shortened cruise can. No cruise line is going to cancel a cruise due to a hurricane several days in advance, 99.9% of the time they sail anyway, somewhere else, maybe early, maybe late, shorter cruise, longer cruise.

I am saying that NCL should have canceled the 7-day Sept 1st sailing as soon as the Coast Guard made the noon announcement yesterday about closing the port the evening of Aug 31st.  At that time NCL could have announced a shortened sailing that would begin on Wednesday and affirm that anyone not able/willing to take a revised cruise would get a full refund.  But NCL waited until the 11th hour to make that announcement even though they must have known many hours earlier of the coast guard intention to close the port Saturday night. This is what I take issue with.  

9 minutes ago, mjkacmom said:

But folks are upset that NCL made the call to stay in Mexico for extra days, and then changed plans to disembark today, and then change plans to not disembark (because they can’t). This storm changes by the minute.

And because of the rapid changes, NCL should have cancelled the 9/1 sailing the moment they realized they could not give travelers reliable concrete information.  Instead they strung us along trying to wait to the last possible minute before deciding to cancel the cruise----an effort whose sole purpose was to try to mitigate NCL's losses. Then at the 11th hour they cancel the 7-day and convert to a 4-day after many passengers had already traveled to Miami for fear that they might miss the Sunday departure. 

10 hours ago, Heronymous said:

Not accurate, that was changed and we have indeed left cozumel.

Heronymous.......has the captain given you anymore info that you can share with us about your arrival time in Miami.  Any help you can give us is appreciated since NCL isn't giving us timely updates.

Would be nice if NCL gave us a concrete update by now.  How can they justify leaving the 9/1 passengers hanging for so long? 

6 hours ago, Heronymous said:

Not accurate, that was changed and we have indeed left cozumel.

What time did you depart Cozumel?  Is the Captain saying that Breakaway will dock on time (7AM) Sunday in Miami?

On 8/19/2019 at 4:30 PM, PoohUnderstands said:

I have a credit card sized RDIF case.  I put just the quarter sized medallion in it. I just open the case when I want to use the medallion.  Closed, no one can charge me or know where I am!

 

Pooh 

Where did you purchase your RFID case from? I think I want to get one for my upcoming Princess cruise.

I loved Food Republic on the Escape in Fall 2017.  The menu likely has changed since then.  But, my favorites were the burrata with cherry tomatoes and balsamic reduction, and there had been an Asian-style dumpling that was filled with corned beef (and cabbage I think), sort of like a Reuben dumpling with a 1000 island dipping sauce on the side.  

I usually don't reply to topics such as this because I feel that the premise is to solely to call out the negative.  However.....I witnessed something on an cruise a couple of years ago that I think is worth recounting here.  On a crowded elevator the first day of the cruise, there was a passenger on the elevator who was hyperventilating and was obviously was petrified of elevators. Her friend was trying to calm her down when another passenger purposefully jumped up and down resulting in the jolting of the elevator.  The jumping obviously did nothing to negatively affect the safe operation of the elevator, but this already terrified woman seemed  to go into a panic attack and go faint.  I thought it was very rude (and cruel) of the man who jumped and I scolded him.  He scoffed as if I was butting in to where I did not belong. And then he shrugged it off as if it was his right to take advantage of a person who was already in distress. Talk about rude.