Live from the Regal

[Host CJSKIDS]

Only on for the 3 day on the Regal, but it's been great to be back on the ship! Happy to find Jonathan who was bartending in Crooners back on board and this time around he is at Vines. Needless to say, this has been my favorite place at night. He truly is such a pleasure and played his Ukalele again for us tonight.

 

Dinner at Sabatinis was great last night. tonight at the Crown Grill was just okay. Once again, my filet came out at the wrong temperature twice.

 

Even though we got the cruise long pass for the Sanctuary, we all did kicked out today at noon due to a wedding take over the venue. We did know it when we booked but they didn't give us a break on the price. This same wedding party took over Sabitinis for the night. There are only about 60 in the group.

 

I have been arguing with the front desk since this morning. Seems my OBC isn't on my account. Even though I brought down proof with both my booking info and emails, they won't give me the credit. For some reason there is a different booking number attached to my name on the ship. I had a friend call Princess today, they said I should have it and would email the ship but nothing has shown up. The Captain's circle host said she has never seen anything like this. I even have an extra copy of my boarding pass and it all shows the same booking number as my husband. So... I wait. They said it won't get straightened out prior to me getting over so their answer appears to be that they will give me a phone number and I can take it up when I get home. It may only be a $115 OBC that I am missing but I just don't see why I should let them have use of my money while I hope that someone on land will fix it. It seems to be that my booking confirmation, my emails and my boarding pass all showing the real booking number and proof of OBC should be enough. The Captain's circle host said that it should be enough as she is baffled.

 

The ship still looks great, the crew is still wonderful and I look forward to a great day at sea tomorrow. I will say that 3 nights simply isn't enough time!!

[Colo Cruiser]

Hope you get it ironed out.

[geocruiser]

I also hope that you get your OBC. I just love Regal and I want to sail on her again.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Beautiful morning at sea with very calm seas.

 

I know there have been questions on some threads about taking life jackets to muster. Yes, you do have to take them again. We were told that the time we didn't was a test. Of course, who knows if that will change again.

 

We are in a suite across from the concierge lounge. The suite is beautiful but a tad smaller than those that I have been in other ships. The lounge is nice but I can see how if we were on another part of the ship I wouldn't go in there. Actually haven't really used it this time around.

 

One of the bartenders showed up pictures from Princess Cay yesterday with the crew. Seems they have a tradition that on the last stop of the year there, they all jump in the water together. Sounds like a fun tradition. They also said that they were looking forward to the transatlantic. The pace on board the ship settles down a bit for them. Where they find the Caribbean sailings to have more people out and about, on the next one it will be much quieter n the evenings.

 

About to head off to Sabitinis for breakfast and then spend the afternoon in the Sanctuary.

[Mom33]

Have an enjoyable cruise. Thanks for the live experience. We once had a credit problem like yours and had our proof with us. They came through before the end of the cruise. I hope yours does too.

Edited April 14, 2015 by Mom33

[cruiseaholic31]

I have a question regarding the "Concierge Lounge". What exactly is it? Our room is just up the hall from this lounge and I was wondering what went on in there? Thanks!!

[Colo Cruiser]

[Host CJSKIDS]

Thanks for the picture of the ship sailing in Colo Cruiser!

 

Happy to report that at 8 pm tonight they finally fixed my OBC! And the wonderful fellow who runs the concierge lounge is the one who left me the message.

 

Today in the Sanctuary was nice BUT way too darn hot to enjoy. Princess tried their best and ran frozen towels all day as well as water and Evian spray but boy... you could fry an egg up on deck!!

 

Dinner tonight in Sabatinis was exceptional again.. If you all want great service then David is your guy. He has served us twice for dinner and every breakfast and we have so enjoyed it.

 

Jonathan was once again a major source of entertainment and enjoyment. He literally had the bar singing and screaming for about an hour tonight at Vines.. So many people close the place, it was crazy! So many of us agreed that this was the best entertainment we had see the entire sailing. I really hope that they know what a treasure he is. Jonathan is sweet and kind and goes out of his way at every step to make you feel special. After 15 cruises, I can honestly say he is one of the kindest crew members that I have ever met.

 

Again, 3 days is just way too short. I know that there are many people on here complaining and bitching at the desk. I stood next to some guy today who cut his tips to $5 each per day for his cabin, so $30 total. And he felt he was being generous at that! So many people have complained about things and cut their tips. I have never seen anything like it! The crew on board has been working so hard.

I just hope that the reports are correct and since I left my tips in place that all the cash I handed over get to be had by those crew members who helped to make this short cruise exceptional

[timetravler]

Thanks for your live from. I have found way too many people are nit pickers on a cruise and always want something more. Seems you enjoyed the cruise completely and I think that is wonderful. Nice to see someone so positive.

[Pia1913]

We just got home and I agree, everything was great. No Sabatini's for us, but buffet served us well. Too well. ;) This cruise was just enough to tide us over until our next one at the end of May.

 

Carolyn: sorry we didn't run into you. I only managed to meet one person from the roll call and most likely because we spent most of our leisure time on the balcony. Good that your OBC got straightened out. We fortunately had all of ours with no problem.

[Host CJSKIDS]

We just got home and I agree, everything was great. No Sabatini's for us, but buffet served us well. Too well. ;) This cruise was just enough to tide us over until our next one at the end of May.

 

Carolyn: sorry we didn't run into you. I only managed to meet one person from the roll call and most likely because we spent most of our leisure time on the balcony. Good that your OBC got straightened out. We fortunately had all of ours with no problem.

 

I had looked for your in the elite lounge on Embarkation day but didn't see you.

 

I never enjoyed made it to the buffet.

 

Glad you also enjoyed your cruise. There were just so many people complaining about lack of service, even on the line this am getting off the ship. I guess we were fortunate to have had great people taking care of us so I can't complain.

[Aquahound]

I was also on this cruise and I had a great time. There were some things about Regal I did not like, but there were also several things I loved. Service, I thought, was excellent. Once I get my photos uploaded, I'd like to do a small review from my perspective. It'll be well balanced...not scathing or glowing. Mostly good though. :)

 

There were some very "interesting" characters on that ship!

Edited April 15, 2015 by Aquahound

[R&S]

We just returned from the Regal today as well and loved it. What a great ship and crew. We were in D121, front facing suite. The room is really nice and has plenty of room. Especially the bedroom! We thought the food was some of the best we have had on Princess and the staff made us feel like we really had come home.

 

We look forward to cruising on the Regal Princess again soon.

 

(Now it is time to fly back to San Antonio...)

[Mapu]

We arrived home around 11:30 after stopping in Delray to pick up our parrot who spent his vacation at Brenda's Birds. We had a great time and did not have any complaints and luckily weren't around anyone who did.

At 11:45 on Sunday (after being ushered to the buffet because cabins weren't ready) we had the escort take us back down to 7 so we could make reservations at the Crown Grill for all 3 nights with the friends we were traveling with and from there to the dining room for lunch. We had a ton of onboard credit and decided to spend some of it at the Crown Grill so that way we could set our own dinner time. In November we could not get reservations at the Crown Grill or Sabatini's even boarding early. We did get to Sabatini's once as a fluke in November but there were too many VIPs on for the Inaugural to get much of anything then. We had great service in the CG and great meals on this cruise. We find the "dine line" to be a waste of time for getting reservations. I have suggested (but no one listened) that with the great intranet onboard Princess might go to an "Open Table" online system for reservations.

Since we were in the Crown Grill each night, I have no idea if "anytime" dining was the fiasco it was in November.

[SRQfireman]

Thanks for the picture of the ship sailing in Colo Cruiser!

 

Happy to report that at 8 pm tonight they finally fixed my OBC! And the wonderful fellow who runs the concierge lounge is the one who left me the message.

 

Today in the Sanctuary was nice BUT way too darn hot to enjoy. Princess tried their best and ran frozen towels all day as well as water and Evian spray but boy... you could fry an egg up on deck!!

 

Dinner tonight in Sabatinis was exceptional again.. If you all want great service then David is your guy. He has served us twice for dinner and every breakfast and we have so enjoyed it.

 

Jonathan was once again a major source of entertainment and enjoyment. He literally had the bar singing and screaming for about an hour tonight at Vines.. So many people close the place, it was crazy! So many of us agreed that this was the best entertainment we had see the entire sailing. I really hope that they know what a treasure he is. Jonathan is sweet and kind and goes out of his way at every step to make you feel special. After 15 cruises, I can honestly say he is one of the kindest crew members that I have ever met.

 

Again, 3 days is just way too short. I know that there are many people on here complaining and bitching at the desk. I stood next to some guy today who cut his tips to $5 each per day for his cabin, so $30 total. And he felt he was being generous at that! So many people have complained about things and cut their tips. I have never seen anything like it! The crew on board has been working so hard.

I just hope that the reports are correct and since I left my tips in place that all the cash I handed over get to be had by those crew members who helped to make this short cruise exceptional

 

You must be referring to Haffner......the best concierge in the fleet ! He is such a nice gentleman

[Pia1913]

Carolyn: we didn't stop in the lounge

 

Gail: I saw you on day 2 (fleetingly) in the Atrium, but couldn't get your attention. Way too crowded to get us across the area.

[Mapu]

Pia, sorry I missed seeing you. We had a great time and I can honestly say it was a nice break from our normal routine.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Just wanted to mention the new dining times at the specialty restaurants.

 

They are now doing 1st and 2nd seatings at both Sabatinis and Crown Grill on the Regal. For the first you can have 5, 5:30, 6 or 6:30 and for the 2nd it starts at 8 pm.

[carib]

We just got home and I agree, everything was great. No Sabatini's for us, but buffet served us well. Too well. ;) This cruise was just enough to tide us over until our next one at the end of May.

 

Carolyn: sorry we didn't run into you. I only managed to meet one person from the roll call and most likely because we spent most of our leisure time on the balcony. Good that your OBC got straightened out. We fortunately had all of ours with no problem.

 

Pia, I wish we knew you were on the ship. We missed a chance to see you and Mike. Hope Mike is doing well. We should be in touch more often.

[Pia1913]

Pia, I wish we knew you were on the ship. We missed a chance to see you and Mike. Hope Mike is doing well. We should be in touch more often.

 

Are you still on for the crossing? Will email you.

[Mapu]

Just wanted to mention the new dining times at the specialty restaurants.

 

They are now doing 1st and 2nd seatings at both Sabatinis and Crown Grill on the Regal. For the first you can have 5, 5:30, 6 or 6:30 and for the 2nd it starts at 8 pm.

 

We were at the Crown Grill at 11:45am just after we got onboard and wanted to make reservations for 7:30 and were given reservations for 8pm but told if a table opened up earlier we would be seated, there were 4 in our party. The first two nights we were there at 7:45 and seated immediately the last night we were there at 8. We had the same table and waitstaff each night (which was our choice) and they were great.

We also had great meals each night. The lobster tails were small but they brought as many as you wanted. We were also brought a dish for the table of something new to try. We unlike many had a very positive experience.

[Guest arowe6]

Just wanted to mention the new dining times at the specialty restaurants.

 

They are now doing 1st and 2nd seatings at both Sabatinis and Crown Grill on the Regal. For the first you can have 5, 5:30, 6 or 6:30 and for the 2nd it starts at 8 pm.

 

What do you mean 1st and 2nd seatings at the specialty restaurants?

 

Please enlighten this young grasshopper.

[Host CJSKIDS]

What do you mean 1st and 2nd seatings at the specialty restaurants?

 

Please enlighten this young grasshopper.

 

That's how it was explained to us by the Crown Grill. We had asked for 7 pm and were then told we could chose from 1st or 2nd seatings and that those seating had various times.

 

They said 1st seating had the dining choices on every half hour up until 6:30 and then 2nd seating was from 8:00 pm on. You were not able to make the reservation for 7 or 7:30.

[Host CJSKIDS]

We were at the Crown Grill at 11:45am just after we got onboard and wanted to make reservations for 7:30 and were given reservations for 8pm but told if a table opened up earlier we would be seated, there were 4 in our party. The first two nights we were there at 7:45 and seated immediately the last night we were there at 8. We had the same table and waitstaff each night (which was our choice) and they were great.

We also had great meals each night. The lobster tails were small but they brought as many as you wanted. We were also brought a dish for the table of something new to try. We unlike many had a very positive experience.

 

I'm glad you enjoyed your meal in there. It's the service that can make or break it. Many tables around us were complaining because there wasn't much service in our section. For instance, I ordered a cup of ice and it took 20 minutes for it to arrive. The poor people who sat next to us didn't see the waiter for about 20 minutes. The table next to us had all 4 of their courses and were done before we were given our 2nd course.

 

It was a first for us to not have great service in the Crown Grill. There were a lot of large parties so that may have made it more difficult for the servers. All the tables near us for tables for 2.

It didn't ruin the cruise nor did we complain to them. It's the only night where the meal disappointed us so it wasn't a big deal!

[Guest arowe6]

That's how it was explained to us by the Crown Grill. We had asked for 7 pm and were then told we could chose from 1st or 2nd seatings and that those seating had various times.

 

They said 1st seating had the dining choices on every half hour up until 6:30 and then 2nd seating was from 8:00 pm on. You were not able to make the reservation for 7 or 7:30.

 

Interesting. I have never heard this before. Thank you. Do you know anything about the "vouchers" that we kept hearing about?