Regal questions for sharkierools and bdjam

[bayjoens]

Hi, guys. Someone on another thread told me you are the experts on the Regal cruise to Alaska. We just booked for August 2006 and would love any input you can give me.

 

This will be the fourth cruise for our family of four, so we and the kids are really looking forward to it. However, we are traveling with two families new to cruising. One mom in particular is concerned that her husband, college-aged daughter and teen son won't be engaged and will hate it, especially during the four at-sea days.

 

So I am looking for information on what is offered during the at-sea days, besides spa treatments and the shows. How do you think I can sell this cruise to a 60+-year-old retired fireman and his kids? This family isn't very sports-motivated so the physical activities won't be of much interest either.

 

As for the ports themselves, I am expecting them to be filled with natural wonders. Is this reasonable? My 10-year-old son loves natural history and nature and my 15-year-old daughter will go along for the ride and end up enjoying it, so I am not concerned about my own family.

 

bdjam, i understand you have sailed on the Regal a lot. How do you think it is holding up? I am not concerned about our new cruisers because they have nothing to compare it too. However, we sailed on the Golden Princess a couple of years ago and it was the trip of a lifetime. Do you think the Regal will be a disappointment?

 

I love introducing friends to the joy of cruising and at the same time, I always feel so responsible for them and worry about their having a good time. Isn't it crazy? ;)

 

Anyway, thank you so much for any help you can give me and any advice. I look forward to your posts.

[SharkieRools]

If you'd like to see some Princess Patters to get an idea of what's offered, I have some posted here:

 

Regal Princess Princess Patters

 

These are actually patters from a Hawaii cruise (I never did get around to scanning the ones from Alaska :) ), but it should give you an idea of the offerings aboard the Regal Princess. In Alaska they will usually have a naturalist onboard who will conduct lectures about Alaskan wildlife, history, etc.

 

The ports all have a variety of offerings, from the touristy shops near the pier, exploring historical buildings and monuments, to scenic viewings of wildlife, glaciers and the rainforest.

 

I'll be sailing aboard her in a few weeks so I can report more about what's being offered this year then. In the meantime I would seek out those who already have been aboard her this year, such as Deb in Cali and Mommykim (and of course bdjam who has an extensive review of the ship!) I would also seek out BudgetQueen and others on the Alaska board for ideas and suggestions on the ports! :D

[bayjoens]

Sharkie, thank you. This is just the kind of info I was looking for. It must take a long time to scan those PPs. Even with my new printer/scanner, each page takes awhile, so I appreciate the time you took to do all those sheets.

 

I have been reading Deb in Cal, Mommykim and bdjam's posts, and they've been great, but I am trying to get some specific info on what there is to do on at-sea days. I think we tend to gloss over those because, for most of us, the highlights and most active times are the port days. On this Regal cruise, though, there are a lot of at-sea days for length of the cruise and we worry about keeping those first-timers entertained. Personally, the at-sea days are my favorite because I love just hanging out on the ship. I love the ports but I tend to try and squeeze in as much as possible for me and the family and so the at-sea days are a relief.

 

I can't wait to hear your comments when you get back. Enjoy!

[DesrtDrmr]

I'm not the two you were looking for, but I did sail on the Regal to Alaska a few years ago. :) We had a great time with all the activities on board. There were trivia games, Bingo, dance lessons, classes, and lectures about Alaska. We spent time in the library, and on deck just LOOKING! If it was cold, the dome on the top was a great place to sit and enjoy the view. Your 60 year old may also enjoy a little nap every afternoon, as my 60 year old did! :) It was also wonderful just to enjoy our down time with reading.

I think it is much fun just to experience the cruise without knowing EVERY single little thing about it before we go................but that's just us. We enjoyed reading the menus, but did not read the patters until we were onboard. If your friends are taking their first cruise, they will either hate it, or love it. If they love it (I'll bet 95% do), it will have been their very best cruise of all time..................seems that the first one always is.

Have a great time!

[Deb in Cali]

Bayjoens,

 

There was so much to see and do on the Regal that one couldn't begin to do it all. Even tho I tried.:p

 

They had the typical bingo along with the art auction. I never buy but it is fun to see who is buying what.

 

I am reading from the Platter:

 

there are meeting of various groups that are of special interest, Family Feud, Outburst, Golf Tournament??, TV trivia, afternoon tea, indoor games ?, Self enhancement series, trivia, pottery classes, Sea day bruch, the daily movie showings, the nighly lounge shows, computers at sea classes, swimming, various exercise classes in the gym, shuffleboard, beautfy classes in the Spa, jazaccuzi, bridge, various dancing classes, karaoke and don't forget the casino. Oh I forgot, there is also a libary and an iternet cafe. Somewhere in there you need to rest and eat, but those are optional. :p

 

The way I look at it, if someone is bored or hungry it is their own fault.

 

Deb

[Pam in CA]

A suggestion is to bring a highlighter so that they can highlight the things in the Patter they want to do or attend.

 

Something else not mentioned above are movies. There are movies on the in-cabin TV every day as well as a movie feature every day. They're not first run but are usually pretty good. On our Regal cruise, we also had a guest lecturer who every day gave a different lecture on finances, managing your money, managing your portfolio, etc. Last but not least is meeting other people and getting to know them.

 

I agree with Deb... if someone is bored or can't find something to do, it's their own fault. There are some people who always look for someone else to entertain them.

[mii]

I also have a suggestion. If there is nothing that interests me I just find a lounge chair and just people watch and then if people are sitting near them you start a conversation. I have met some terrific people that way.

 

Marilyn

[bayjoens]

Thanks, all, for the information. I think I need to just stop worrying about it and let him find his own way. I doubt he will participate in any games or watch any shows or movies or go to the gym, but the people watching sounds great and hopefully the naturalist lectures too. Still, you have all given me great suggestions. Keep them coming if you think of them. Thanks again.

[bdjam]

Thanks for the post – I’m not sure how much of an expert that I am, but I think I can give you some information. Since others have talked about what there is to do, let me talk about how Regal Princess holds up.

 

My personal opinion is that she holds up fine. If you read my review, you’ll see that I thought that quality wise, she’s tops in the fleet. Her smaller size allows a closer relationship with staff and passengers and this can be a good thing as you get to know one another. When I was on board in August 2004, she looked great – she’s obviously been well taken care of. Being a smaller and more traditional ship, she doesn’t have all the amenities that Golden Princess does, but she holds her own quite well – I’m not sure I understand Princess’ decision to move her from the fleet, but what do I know. If your first time cruisers aren’t quite enamored with her, you can figure that if they choose a newer and bigger ship, they’ll get more of what she offers, and so that can be a good thing. But I think that Regal would be great for a first cruise in that she’s not overwhelming and yet offers a great cruise experience. And she rides extremely well, so worries about motion should be less.

 

Have a great time on Regal Princess – I certainly have!

[bayjoens]

Thanks, bd, you even answered a question I had but hadn't asked. I'm glad you mentioned that she rides well, since I have heard that the at-sea days between San Francisco and Victoria can be rough.

 

I can't wait to see Alaska next year, but first we have a 7-day So Carib on the Adventure of the Seas in August.

 

You guys are the best. ;)

[bdjam]

Thanks, bd, you even answered a question I had but hadn't asked. I'm glad you mentioned that she rides well, since I have heard that the at-sea days between San Francisco and Victoria can be rough.

 

I can't wait to see Alaska next year, but first we have a 7-day So Carib on the Adventure of the Seas in August.

 

You guys are the best. ;)

You’re right about the northbound journey...when I did it on Pacific Princess 2, we had two days of very rough (think barf bags taped to the hall railings) at sea...Regal Princess would have taken them like nothing!

Anything else...just holler -