Barbara B

Day 1 continued: Being onboard was great! We haven't sailed Princess sing 2009 and it was so much like coming home. Last Princess we did was The Sun. Went up to the mini suite and we were met by our excellent Steward, who showed us how to open the balcony. We love keeping it open unless it's really cold out. (or very windy). Did a meetup with some folks from the cruise FB group in Crooner's, which was fun. Then off to Sabbath services. (In addition to being a novelist and teacher, I'm an ordained clergy member of the Jewish faith, so that was lovely). We did dinner in the Buffet because we were really tired and didn't want to wait for our reservation. The view from our balcony is beautiful and the sail away, we did from our cabin as well. The balcony is small but adequate. The chairs were slightly snug, but not too bad (and I'm a big lady). There's a terrace table, which will be nice for writing. The Cabin (we are M316) in a minisuite. There were two flutes of champagne in our fridge and we took them out on the balcony for our "welcome to the vacation" moment! I look like a wreck after nearly an entire day of travel, but... Anyway... The sofa is roomy, wide and long with four throw pillows. There are two other chairs: one at the long desk and the other is a barrel chair. Two TV screens. The curtain separating the sitting "room" and bed is quite heavy and will block out light, which is not what I expected, but better. The bed, as many people have posted is super comfortable, as are the pillows. (so nice to lay down my head at the end of day 1. I brought magnetic clips and hooks to hang various things (like the Patter) on the wall. We brought with us two non-surge power cubes (small ones) that have both plugs and USB-A and C ports. (I highly advise this, since there are only really two outlets (one each American and European). Scads of drawer space and the closet is substantial with two rows of hangers and more than enough space. In addition there is a closet (where the safe is kept) along with lots of shelves. The bathroom is not huge, but adequate, with a bathtub.

Day 1 continued: Being onboard was great! We haven't sailed Princess sing 2009 and it was so much like coming home. Last Princess we did was The Sun. Went up to the mini suite and we were met by our excellent Steward, who showed us how to open the balcony. We love keeping it open unless it's really cold out. (or very windy). Did a meetup with some folks from the cruise FB group in Crooner's, which was fun. Then off to Sabbath services. (In addition to being a novelist and teacher, I'm an ordained clergy member of the Jewish faith, so that was lovely). We did dinner in the Buffet because we were really tired and didn't want to wait for our reservation. The view from our balcony is beautiful and the sail away, we did from our cabin as well. The balcony is small but adequate. The chairs were slightly snug, but not too bad (and I'm a big lady). There's a terrace table, which will be nice for writing. The Cabin (we are M316) in a minisuite. There were two flutes of champagne in our fridge and we took them out on the balcony for our "welcome to the vacation" moment! I look like a wreck after nearly an entire day of travel, but... Anyway... The sofa is roomy, wide and long with four throw pillows. There are two other chairs: one at the long desk and the other is a barrel chair. Two TV screens. The curtain separating the sitting "room" and bed is quite heavy and will block out light, which is not what I expected, but better. The bed, as many people have posted is super comfortable, as are the pillows. (so nice to lay down my head at the end of day 1. I brought magnetic clips and hooks to hang various things (like the Patter) on the wall. We brought with us two non-surge power cubes (small ones) that have both plugs and USB-A and C ports. (I highly advise this, since there are only really two outlets (one each American and European). Scads of drawer space and the closet is substantial with two rows of hangers and more than enough space. In addition there is a closet (where the safe is kept) along with lots of shelves. The bathroom is not huge, but adequate, with a bathtub. That it for day 1 Day 2 was a bit of an unexpected turn of events (but also really, really nice), but more on that tomorrow.

Thanks!! I have some mobility issues with my knees, so we are doing the trips that seemed doable for my injured, but recovering knees. I will keep an eye!! Tomorrow is our first Shore excursion

Hi all, I will be live blogging the cruise. For now, here's my first post--Day 1 Cruise Journey Journal: British Isles July (Live) Ship: Regal Princess Cabin: Mini Suite on the 15th deck, midships-fore, Ports side Please be sure to ask any questions in the thread below! We opted for the Premium package ($80/day), which includes up to 4 wifi devices, all the drinks, cocktails and very fancy desserts you can muster, all gratuities, 2 dinners at the specialty restaurants, and other assorted amenities. This is our fourth cruise on Princess (we’ve been to Alaska twice and the Caribbean once. First cruise to the British Isles (and Ireland). July 7 Our cruise embarked yesterday. With a crazy schedule and a bit of rushing around, I didn’t get a chance to put my thoughts together until today (Saturday), our first full day on the cruise. Initial thoughts about traveling here and our embarkation Our flight from Pittsburgh was late Thursday night and we arrived, more or less on schedule at about 10:15 a.m. Friday morning. We’d been warned about flying in day-of, but undaunted and having booked our air and transfer through Princess, we were not really worried, because Princess would make good on getting us to the ship (even if in a different port!). The cruise line has the reputation of really making good on this promise, and fortunately, we didn’t need to test the system. We flew British Airways in Premium Economy (World Traveler Plus). The seats were 2x2 and very comfy. I’d promised myself I’d sleep, but (of course) I could not. Half of me wished we’d done business class, but I’m not sure if it would have been worth it TBH. The food on British Air was good, with a glass of wine and a delicious Vegetarian dinner. Arrival at Heathrow was less insane than I thought it would be. Immigration was super, super fast and easy, and customs was walking through an empty hall and exiting (this was the “nothing to declare” option. We were not sure exactly where to meet our Princess agent except for “outside customs,” and we had a bit of a struggle finding her, but we did. We waited for the bus to take us to Southampton (yes, where the Titanic embarked!). It was pretty terrible traffic and an hour and a half, but we got there in plenty of time. What I like about taking the cruise line’s transfer is that once the driver has your bags, you don’t see them again until they are brought to your cabin. You walk the short distance to the terminal and go through a very quick check-in procedure, and off you go to the ship. Very painless. More later about Day 1. Again, if you have questions or comments, thread them below! A little shot from day 1 from our balcony. This is the Royal Resarch Ship (I think) The Discovery taken at Southampton Port.

The timing is perfect, we couldn't go a day earlier. I think there's enough of a buffer so it will be fine. No connecting flights and taking the Princess transfer to the shp. All book through the cruise line.

Flying nonstop Pittsburgh to London. We're going directly to the ship. Unless we are very, very late in taking off, we should be ok

We are doing the same on Thursday. Taking an overnight flight from Pittsburgh direct to London and transfer to the ship (Princess transfer) in the morning at when we arrive Friday at 10:00 a.m.. Ship sails at 5:00. We did EZAir, which was a great way to go because of the flexibility, ability to cancel--and the guarantees that Princess offers. Would do it again in a heartbeat.

Ours too. It was second day delivery. Shipped Monday--received Wednesday.

Oops, didn't finish my message. I'm basically packing the same way we did for Alaska if that makes some sense 🙂😍

Thanks so much for posting these. We board our flight Thursday evening! Three days to go till we leave! Packing for chilly weather and warm weather--and rainy weather. Ya just never know! We are too! July 7! Regal.

We are too! July 7! Regal.

Question: Our cruise is Friday. We are set. Ocean Ready says Green Lane. Medallions received. Yet, while my lane on the boarding pass says "Proceed to Green lane" my husband's says Proceed to Blue Lane. One thing is that for his medallion it says pick up at Port. However, we have both of our medallions. They were delivered earlier this week. Help!! I did call Princess. The inept rep told me that it says Green Lane and to reboot the app. Which we did and no change. Advice? Answers? Thanks everyone!

I could almost understand if both were at the port. But for one to be shipped and the other not...? Weirdness for sure.

So weird. Now my app says mine has shipped, but my husband's status is "pick up at port." Why would that happen, she wonders, scratching her head.

Well...The guy told me first: it is expected on the 23rd (today). But I said, the app says "not shipped." So he checked into it (he said) and said it has gone out via FedEx and I should have it either by end of business today or tomorrow. I asked him why the app doesn't say that, so he said that it probably hasn't yet been updated. Which tells me I may have jostled the system (and him and now --??-- they've sent it out). Maybe I should call and verify that information after what you've just said. OY.

Hmm. They told me wednesday on the phone they had been shipped. But no email. But that I would receive on June 23. I just looked it up in the app and showing not shipped. I'm on hold with Princess now to see what the problem might be.

Question: the medallions come via what sort of shipping: USPS (in the US), FedEx, UPS, DHL??? Expecting mine today for our July 7 cruise. Just curious.

We won an upgrade from a midships/fore-ish balcony on Riviera to a mini suite (about the same spot, midships (fore-ish) on Marina deck. It was 230 pp (it's a 12-day cruise)

We don't eat meat or shellfish. I've seen the delicious Sabatini's menus and that's cool. We've made reservations for our forthcoming trip. Question is for the Crown grill. Do they have straight-on fish mains? (without the shellfish add-ins?). We have the Premiere and two specialty dinners. Would love to try Crown if they have fish. Advice, anyone? Or are we better off with Sabatini's both evenings?

Thank you so much for your wonderful posts from sea. We're on the July 7 cruise (very slightly different itinerary -- No Guernsey, but a different port).