crusinpeg

The buffet on the Royal/Regal is in my opinion the best at sea!! A whole section entirely for desserts!

Sailing is Sept...can't wait for your review!

I don't know if it's expected, but I think it's a nice gesture.

I agree...I'd feel funny getting a free drink and not tipping something.

Exactly. We grease the skids with a cash tip on the first free drink and in no time, the bartender is making us anything we want on the vouchers. :D

Isn't it automatically expected to tip for the 3 free drinks..just like you would tip in the DL?

We didn't experience that at one of our Meet & Greets, but we did experience it on the roll call threads. We did go on a private tour with some from the roll call, and I must say, we'll never do that again. Also, the leaders of the M&G spent a lot of time and money on getting it all together. Only a handful of people showed up. Fifty people signed up for the lunch and only 12 people showed up. I don't particularly enjoy M&G and have decided not to participate in the actual M&G. I'll chat on the roll calls but that's about it. I'll only book Princess tours, the private one was a disaster.

We had the exact opposite experience..booked tours with those on our roll call and have become best of friends as well as cruising buddies!!

I've gone to a couple M&Gs and enjoyed actually being able to put the faces with the messages on CC board. Conversations can evolve to sharing a tour with another couple or two but I wouldn't go there to meet up with planned tours outside of the original CC roll call topics.

 

What usually puts me off from attending these M&G are the often added gift swaps that are included with the M&Gs. They take up valuable time since the meetings are generally only for one hour. I'd rather my time is spent meeting with people than playing a game.

 

I will attend a sail away if one has been planned but that can also be difficult for many who have early dining plans.

 

We've met a few really wonderful people who we've traveled with and kept in touch with in the meet and greets but they were also of the type of M&G that allowed us the time to meet and get to know rather than selling excursions or playing games.

Personally we've had some gift exchanges that were alot of fun.....they've always been optional and held at the end of the get together so if someone doesn't want to take the time to participate they can leave early....its nice exchanging gifts from ones hometown.

Just of the Regal Princess and most cocktails were 8.25 to 8.95 ( 6 something for alcohol on the rocks)

If you think Princess pizza isn't that good ..you should try RCL.....UGH!!!!!!!

Hi Leslie,

Peggy and Ernie here.....we will be on this cruise with you....have you checked out the roll call? We have a get together planned for sailaway at the outrigger bar and a meet and greet 10:00 Club 6 the first sea day.

It's always fun to read a review of a cruise you're on from someone elses perspective.

Looking forward to a great cruise week!!!

Anyone know what an acceptable tip would be for the Ultimate Balcony Dinner?

Thanks so much for your reply..we leave on the Regal this sunday and Crooners is one of our favorite places..glad we have a good performer to look forward to.

oops...see he is on the Royal not the Regal....anyone know who is currently on the Regal?

Thanks so much for your reply..we leave on the Regal this sunday and Crooners is one of our favorite places..glad we have a good performer to look forward to.

Can't believe no one thats been on the Regal knows if the pools are heated...guess I'll just have to wait and see next week!

Can anyone tell me if the pools on the Regal are heated or not?

I remember being on one of my cruises and seeing the Oscars on the big screen...so it is possible.

how lively was Crooners.?

Maybe you will luck out and get someone like Kory Simon, this is who we had on the Royal right after she came out and he was an excellent entertainer. We did the Regal in January, and the guy was an Irish singer who had a nice voice but not nearly the personality as some of the other Crooners entertainers we have had. As a result, we never saw many folks in Crooners except during 3-4 PM when they offered two for one drinks!

I totally agree.... we had Kory on the RCL Freedom and he was great! The only one better in my opinion is Bert Stratton!! (Yaah I know..love him or hate him)

Anyway I just hope its someone lively and up to date and not snoresville like some have been!!

Great review Marla....loved the pics of our merry band of cruisers in Schooners!!

We really did have a fabulous cruise and made some great friends...thanks for bring back so many fond memories!!

Peggy and Ernie

Hi Marla..Peggy (and Ernie) here! We met up with Steve and Donna yesterday in Orlando for lunch

after a cruise they were on (yes we had Man Sized Beers) and Steve mentioned you were doing a review( don't know how I miised it..I live on CC) anyway I found it and am enjoying reliving our cruise so much!!

Will we ever live down the beer story!! I was only looking out for Ernie and worrying about the bathroom shortage and drinking big beers!!

Anyway your review is awesome and brings back so many great memories can't wait to read more.

We're Elite on Princess and Celebrity and there's no comparison.

We get 90 minutes (no matter how long the cruise) on Celebrity and, because we tend to take longer cruises, at least 250 on Princess.

We get one item each dry cleaned and one bag each washed for laundry on Celebrity and unlimited on Princess.

I like the mini bar because I can drink when I want on Princess. The free cocktail lounge on Celebrity is from 5 -7 (when we're either still at the pool or getting dressed) and they have a closed-toe shoe policy for their lounge (No joke, I was asked to leave once in my sandals) and I only take sandals on warm cruises.

 

Also, recently, the crew on Celebrity seems to have been cut, (as has live entertainment) making each crew member stressed and rushing around while Princess still retains the relaxed, smiling service we love.

 

And, as Pam said, we can combine all kinds of benefits on Princess and cannot on Celebrity.

So, why do we keep going back to Celebrity? Itinerary! Usually wins out every time. :o (The service issue may trump itinerary if it doesn't change in the future)

"Closed shoe policy"....are you serious?! I live in Florida and don't think I even own a pair of closed shoes! Just dressy sandals.

There is a thread in the section for people to post the CD. It may have the info you seek

It has not been updated as yet.

What a great review! It is so refreshing to read something positive like this instead of reviews full of complaints. I share your feeling about being soooo blessed to be able to take the vacations we do and never sweat the small stuff.

So glad you had a good time as I'm sure we will this coming Feb.

Thanks so much for sharing!

Does anyone know if eggs benedict are available the first morning in the dining room?

Here we go again. More rules no one knows about for others to try to make someone else happy.

I don't think its about "making someone else happy" I think its about common courtesy.