Mary Ann 2

I had wondered when you arrived as I didn't see if when I read your LIVE, but may have missed it. The week before the line went all the way to the other terminal. I'm guessing if it only took you an hour, it wasn't that long?

It was pretty full in March. I agree that last week would have been much fuller, but the week before was a puzzle why it took so long. I think it also may be the difference between passenger size of the Ruby in March and now the Regal which I believe holds more passengers, but Galveston has big ships sail out regularly on RCC and CCL so they should know how to handle it. Just rumor, but there are rumors of port versus Princess personnel at odds.

Yes, I saw both of those and read them. That's why I am asking as both reported long lines and waits to board. When we went out of Galveston in March this year, there was nothing like what is currently being reported. I would like to think it would be sorted out, but hasn't been since returning. It is supposed to be raining the coming week, so I'm wondering what it was like this week and how to possibly prepare for that situation with rain.

Anyone that can report what embarkation on the Regal in Galveston was like today? What time did you get there? Did the line go all the way back to the other terminal this week? How long did it take to get on the ship? Did you leave on time at 3pm? There have been really long lines since it got to Galveston, and I am just hoping that they worked on improving that this week as we board soon.

How was the traffic leaving Galveston? A friend knows that I will be sailing on the Regal out of Galveston soon. and she sent me a story she saw online about huge delays on 45 going north out of Galveston. Hoping that isn't a long term problem.

Those round swirls are the best!

I'm very surprised that you didn't get individual or couple pictures as well as the group pic. We have always had both for the Chef's Table (we've been to 4 in the last 2 years). They used to have the first course and champagne in the galley before COVID. It didn't look like you did even though you had a galley tour (which has been added back in since we last went in May)?

They are on the Princess website with pictures of the Crown Grill and Sabatini's. It even has a sample menu that is pretty close to what it usually is. Scroll down this page: https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/ships/gp-regal-princess

I hasn't been on either of the cruises we took this year. One was on the Ruby out of Galveston and one was a California coastal on the Emerald. I can't remember the last time I saw one. It may be because Princess is not doing the store anymore ;some other company is in charge.

I've seen pictures of amazing charcuterie boards with accompanying veggies/fruit and truffles at Vines for the Casual Dining option. I can't wait!!

Thanks! We go to Roatan first which is different than we have previously done on Princess out of Galveston. And they are not calling Friday night a formal night. In over 30 cruises, I don't think I've seen a 7 day cruise without 2 formal nights! It hardly makes it worth it for hubby to bring a suit or tux for only one formal night.... I'm gonna have to think about this.

Has anyone looked at the Medallion app to see when the first formal night might be? We don't sail until December, but I thought for sure the second sea day would be formal night and my app is showing the Champagne Waterfall the first day on Monday night? I need to rearrange some things if it is on Monday and would rather do it now than on the ship. Thanks for any help!

We love Elua and Dave! We've been on two cruises with them. They have moved stateside from what I gather from Dave's Facebook posts. Occasionally he posts about a cruise, but not often anymore. You can search on FB for Tiki Dave.

So happy to see that they have a Nobile di Montepulciano by the glass!! It's one of our favorites. So much so that we often bring a bottle onboard to have at Sabatini's. That will save us some room in the suitcase! We get the Premier package, so prefer by the glass.

Wow! Lucky you! I've done the same thing and not had any luck.

Most ships are back to sailing full these days. It's not like 2 years ago when they were sailing at 50-60%. I doubt that you would be successful asking for an upgrade upon embarkation. Even in May 2022 when we asked, they had apparently had no rooms because they said they would let us know, and we never heard from them. You should look for a sign that says sailing full (or something like that) during embarkation to see if it is. You ask at the Passenger Services desk upon embarkation.

I have asked about the sugar free desserts on the buffet. They had to go find one of the chefs that made it. He had to go find the box/bag with the ingredients on it. Seems that they all have one of the sugar alcohols (not common ones either) in place of sugar. This was 3-4 years ago, but I believe it's probably the same now. I have to limit sugar alcohols as they can cause intestinal distress depending on type and amount, but I have one if it looks appealing a couple of times a cruise.

I wish that we had figured this all out before we booked our room, but we booked right after they opened up availability so we just picked our room for location. I would have preferred having the sofa near the cabana rather than the bed, and never even realized that you could figure out direction of travel to match the room until you mentioned it. By now, it's too late to change our room as there are few Reserve Cabana Mini-suites and none left.

tiggerr, Thanks. It's funny that I've seen that picture before and never thought about the fact that the balcony would be open to all the decks above. We are also booked into a Reserve Cabana MiniSuite next fall on deck 9. We generally have avoided the Dolphin mini suites on Grand class ships for this very reason. I guess I was so excited to have one of these rooms that I overlooked this. I do think that we will end up spending more time in the Cabana part especially during the transatlantic part. Hopefully the other perks of the Reserve room and location will make up for the open balcony.

Hmm.. I hadn’t seen that they were exposed except for maybe the ones that open on to the Reserve sun deck. Where did you see that they were all open to higher decks? It’s hard to find info on these new rooms.

The email was specific to the new ships, Sun and Star Princess, which will have Signature suites I believe.

I'm not convinced that what we see on Princess.com is the total availability all the time. So if someone above you gets an offer above them which opens up one above you. All move up one game! LOL!

I would guess it's for the Chef's Table which on the newer ships is round and has a crystal curtain surrounding it. Looks like here they have a wall for privacy. Or maybe some new kind of dining experience like Chef's Table?

Have you looked at the Roll Calls? There is an active one for the maiden transatlantic for the Sun Princess and the cruise just before that. They already have a dinner planned before boarding for each and a large spreadsheet with everyone's info plus plans for various game groups and some early planning for excursions. It has more activity than my next cruise leaving in 3 months!

Online at the Cruise Personalizer on one of our cruises, it lists us having both Plus and Premier benefits, but I am sure that just means that we have Premier. Make sure you scroll down far enough as they list Plus first and it freaked me out at first when I saw that.