Regal timing questions

[pacruise804]

Some background and a few questions:

 

We are sailing in October from Brooklyn to Saint John, NB and Halifax, NS.

 

Princess lists check-in time as 1-4, and the ship departs at 5:00. Our progressive check-in time listed as 3:15, but I understand this a a suggestion and not enforced. The NYCruise website (for the Brooklyn Terminal), says 10-2 is the best time to arrive (we are driving). We plan to arrive as soon after 10 as possible to allow for possible delays and potential early boarding (I have seen reviews where passengers seem to board quite early), but will be sure to have reading material in case they make us wait until 3:15.

 

Once on board we would like to make a reservation for the Winemaker's Table. Would we go to guest services, find the maitre d, or something else?

 

For lunch, we would like to try Alfredo's. I saw they are open 11am-11pm - is this correct? I thought MDR stopped serving lunch by 1:30 on embarkation day and we would prefer to not go to the buffet the first day if we end up boarding after 1.

 

I understand that rooms are to be available upon boarding for Princess, but Regal rooms are typically not available until after 1:30. Is that other's experience?

 

We are listed as dining requested 6:00 PM TD, dining confirmed 6:00 PM. Looking today I also see that we are Dining Time 6:00 PM (Wait list #21) table size 6 persons. I never noticed a wait list time before (we booked back in March). We were really hoping to try traditional dining this cruise. Should we see the maitre d to confirm this also? I have seen posts that 6:00 is not the actual time - is 5:45 when we should show up, or closer to 5:30 (if we get it)?

 

Scheduled time at Saint John is 5:15 am - 5:30 pm. We have an excursion scheduled from 9-1:30 and planned to explore on our own a little after that. What time would we need to be back on ship by (realizing if we have 6:00 dining that may dictate when we come back too)?

 

Halifax is scheduled for 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. We will explore this port on our own by foot, but still curious when we need to return to ship. I suspect this will be the evening we go to the buffet (or Alfredo's again), and if we have TD we will let our waiter(s) and table mates know not to wait for us.

 

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate the information I have gathered on this sight (and will probably have a dozen more questions before the cruise still ;))

[Steelers36]

All aboard is usually 30 minutes before stated departure time. That said, it is Captain's discretion at each port, so you need to check the Patter and also a board is always posted on the pier for the all aboard time, so go by that. Just be aware it may change from what is published now. If you have a tender port, need to allow more time and they may publish an earlier time.

 

If NYC works like FL/PE, and I believe it does, you are fine to show up early and won't be forced to wait.

 

On the dining, if you are "confirmed" you are fine. What the waitlist number means is if you were someone selecting that now is where you would stand.

[Jeremiah On a Cruise]

While I can't speak from experience, I've researched several of these exact questions. Here's my understanding:

 

Boarding will probably start somewhere between 10:30 and 12:00 with priority giving to certain groups. There's no harm in arriving around 10:00, and that would probably get you onboard ASAP, but you'll also probably wait for a bit.

 

Once onboard, your room may not be ready (typically they are, but you'll be on the early side, so who knows). Your bags may not arrive for a few hours later, so be sure that your carry-on in packed accordingly.

 

Alredos is a bit of a insider secret for lunch on day 1 as the buffet tends to be a mad house. There should also be a dining room open, but with a limited menu. It's also possible that some staff may try and politely nudge you away from the MDR and into the buffet on day one. I plan to side-step this and just have (first) lunch in Alfredos.

 

Once onboard, you can speak with the Maitre' D, but most people just call the DINE line from their room.

 

The Patter should say when you need to be back on the ship in each port. And remember that the goal is to be back onboard *before* that time, not *at* that time. :)

 

We have the same ship and trip as you, but leaving on 9/23. We'll try and leave some food for ya :)

[Astro Flyer]

Some background and a few questions:

 

We are sailing in October from Brooklyn to Saint John, NB and Halifax, NS.

 

Princess lists check-in time as 1-4, and the ship departs at 5:00. Our progressive check-in time listed as 3:15, but I understand this a a suggestion and not enforced. The NYCruise website (for the Brooklyn Terminal), says 10-2 is the best time to arrive (we are driving). We plan to arrive as soon after 10 as possible to allow for possible delays and potential early boarding (I have seen reviews where passengers seem to board quite early), but will be sure to have reading material in case they make us wait until 3:15.

We arrive at about 10:30 for all embarkations including Brooklyn & we're on the ship at about noon to eat in the MDR. I've never had the progressive check in procedure enforced & it's recommended but not required. If you want to have a quick boarding process, the later you arrive the faster the process which some passengers prefer to do.

 

Once on board we would like to make a reservation for the Winemaker's Table. Would we go to guest services, find the maitre d, or something else?

Call the DINE line to request it & they'll contact you later if you will attend.

For lunch, we would like to try Alfredo's. I saw they are open 11am-11pm - is this correct? I thought MDR stopped serving lunch by 1:30 on embarkation day and we would prefer to not go to the buffet the first day if we end up boarding after 1.

Alfredo's will be open all day & only the MDR has the limited noon to 1:30 time.

 

I understand that rooms are to be available upon boarding for Princess, but Regal rooms are typically not available until after 1:30. Is that other's experience?

The Regal & Royal were the only Princess ships we've experienced with rooms unavailable until about 1:00 but even then the cabin attendant allowed us to drop off our carryon bags before going to lunch.

We are listed as dining requested 6:00 PM TD, dining confirmed 6:00 PM. Looking today I also see that we are Dining Time 6:00 PM (Wait list #21) table size 6 persons. I never noticed a wait list time before (we booked back in March). We were really hoping to try traditional dining this cruise. Should we see the maitre d to confirm this also? I have seen posts that 6:00 is not the actual time - is 5:45 when we should show up, or closer to 5:30 (if we get it)?

Never seen a confirmed dining time & a wait list number...odd. The 6:00 time can actually be 5:30 or 5:45 but whatever time shows on your cruise card, if you arrive early you're standing in a line until the MDR opens at the scheduled time. We arrive at the scheduled time or a couple of minutes later to not unnecessarily stand in line for our assigned table. If you'd like to modify your assignment, the maître d'or a headwaiter will be available to take requests around 3:00 usually in a dining room.

Scheduled time at Saint John is 5:15 am - 5:30 pm. We have an excursion scheduled from 9-1:30 and planned to explore on our own a little after that. What time would we need to be back on ship by (realizing if we have 6:00 dining that may dictate when we come back too)?

Our "all aboard" port times have been a minimum of 30 minutes prior to scheduled sailing time. While everyone in Canadian ports are very friendly, those in St John were the best we've ever experienced...anywhere. Walking around town, residents would stop to ask if they could help us.

Halifax is scheduled for 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. We will explore this port on our own by foot, but still curious when we need to return to ship. I suspect this will be the evening we go to the buffet (or Alfredo's again), and if we have TD we will let our waiter(s) and table mates know not to wait for us.

When the ship is in port later sometimes they make all dining rooms open seating. We always inform our waitstaff & tablemates the day before when we won't be at dinner the next evening so they don't wait for us.

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate the information I have gathered on this sight (and will probably have a dozen more questions before the cruise still ;))

These have been my experiences which could vary on other cruises...have a great cruise & hopefully you'll enjoy the Regal as much as us. :)

Edited September 14, 2017 by Astro Flyer

[skynight]

Some background and a few questions:

 

We are sailing in October from Brooklyn to Saint John, NB and Halifax, NS.

 

Princess lists check-in time as 1-4, and the ship departs at 5:00. Our progressive check-in time listed as 3:15, but I understand this a a suggestion and not enforced. The NYCruise website (for the Brooklyn Terminal), says 10-2 is the best time to arrive (we are driving). We plan to arrive as soon after 10 as possible to allow for possible delays and potential early boarding (I have seen reviews where passengers seem to board quite early), but will be sure to have reading material in case they make us wait until 3:15.

If you arrive around 10:30 you will check in, be shown to a waiting area and grouped by time of arrival. Boarding normally begins around 11:30/noon with priority boarders, then general boarding by group. You should be on board by 12:30

 

Once on board we would like to make a reservation for the Winemaker's Table. Would we go to guest services, find the maitre d, or something else

Call the DINE line or visit the DR and speak with the head waiter or maitre'd. One DR is open for lunch from noon to 1:30.

 

We would like to try Alfredo's. I saw they are open 11am-11pm - is this correct? I thought MDR stopped serving lunch by 1:30 on embarkation day and we would prefer to not go to the buffet the first day if we end up boarding after 1.

Alfredo's is open from 11am to late evening. It is waiter served, walk in. Excellent choice. The International is also open, as well as the extensive buffet and the pool deck options.

 

I understand that rooms are to be available upon boarding for Princess, but Regal rooms are typically not available until after 1:30. Is that other's experience?

On every Princess ship that I have been on cabins were ready. There has been some past reports that the Regal's cabins were not ready.

 

We are listed as dining requested 6:00 PM TD, dining confirmed 6:00 PM. Looking today I also see that we are Dining Time 6:00 PM (Wait list #21) table size 6 persons. I never noticed a wait list time before (we booked back in March). We were really hoping to try traditional dining this cruise. Should we see the maitre d to confirm this also? I have seen posts that 6:00 is not the actual time - is 5:45 when we should show up, or closer to 5:30 (if we get it)?

There are two early TD times normally, 5:45 and very early 5:30. Check the Princess Patter when you board. If you don't like what you have visit the maitre'd. His hours will be shown in the Patter. There will be a line so get their early.

 

Scheduled time at Saint John is 5:15 am - 5:30 pm. We have an excursion scheduled from 9-1:30 and planned to explore on our own a little after that. What time would we need to be back on ship by (realizing if we have 6:00 dining that may dictate when we come back too)?

Almost always 30 minutes before sailing. The time is shown in the Princess Patter and is on a sign by the gangplank. The business area of St. John, NB is small.

 

Halifax is scheduled for 10:00 am - 7:00 pm. We will explore this port on our own by foot, but still curious when we need to return to ship. I suspect this will be the evening we go to the buffet (or Alfredo's again), and if we have TD we will let our waiter(s) and table mates know not to wait for us.

Again almost always 30 mins before sailing, 6:30.

 

Thanks for the input. I really appreciate the information I have gathered on this sight (and will probably have a dozen more questions before the cruise still ;))

See Above

[pacruise804]

All aboard is usually 30 minutes before stated departure time. That said, it is Captain's discretion at each port, so you need to check the Patter and also a board is always posted on the pier for the all aboard time, so go by that. Just be aware it may change from what is published now. If you have a tender port, need to allow more time and they may publish an earlier time.

 

If NYC works like FL/PE, and I believe it does, you are fine to show up early and won't be forced to wait.

 

On the dining, if you are "confirmed" you are fine. What the waitlist number means is if you were someone selecting that now is where you would stand.

 

Thanks for the quick reply. I understand everything is subject to change and I will need to go by what is on ship/at port that day, but I like to research and know as much going in as possible. Even if it is false security;)

 

The dining makes sense. Thank you for the explanation.

[pacruise804]

While I can't speak from experience, I've researched several of these exact questions. Here's my understanding:

 

Boarding will probably start somewhere between 10:30 and 12:00 with priority giving to certain groups. There's no harm in arriving around 10:00, and that would probably get you onboard ASAP, but you'll also probably wait for a bit.

 

Once onboard, your room may not be ready (typically they are, but you'll be on the early side, so who knows). Your bags may not arrive for a few hours later, so be sure that your carry-on in packed accordingly.

 

Alredos is a bit of a insider secret for lunch on day 1 as the buffet tends to be a mad house. There should also be a dining room open, but with a limited menu. It's also possible that some staff may try and politely nudge you away from the MDR and into the buffet on day one. I plan to side-step this and just have (first) lunch in Alfredos.

 

Once onboard, you can speak with the Maitre' D, but most people just call the DINE line from their room.

 

The Patter should say when you need to be back on the ship in each port. And remember that the goal is to be back onboard *before* that time, not *at* that time. :)

 

We have the same ship and trip as you, but leaving on 9/23. We'll try and leave some food for ya :)

 

I hope you enjoy your cruise - thanks for trying to save us something;). We will likely aim for an hour back before requested time:halo:

[pacruise804]

These have been my experiences which could vary on other cruises...have a great cruise & hopefully you'll enjoy the Regal as much as us. :)

 

Thank you for the clarification on dining times. I've been places where as you said if you show up early you are waiting, and others where if you are on time you are late. I'm trying to be respectful while not wasting time.

[pacruise804]

See Above

 

Thank you for the reminder about IC. I think we will want something sit down and relaxing after the drive, but plan to stop there for a late snack.

[Astro Flyer]

Thank you for the clarification on dining times. I've been places where as you said if you show up early you are waiting, and others where if you are on time you are late. I'm trying to be respectful while not wasting time.

That's also our goal & after the first night which requires being escorted to assigned tables the backup is reduced. I've seen lines on the stairs between the deck 6 traditional dining room up to deck 7. I don't have any mobility issues so leave the elevators for passengers who have limited mobility & I use the stairs...it even burns off a few calories before dinner. ;)

 

Unfortunately some passengers are rude & refuse to arrive on time because they were assigned 6:00 in their reservation. If it's an earlier time (5:30 or 5:45) they'll still arrive at 6:00 even though it adversely affects their tablemates & service by arriving up to 30 minutes late. :(

[klenklen]

Regarding Alfredo's our experience shows it's more crowded and a bit slower service as I assume some of the crew is elsewhere during embarkation. Nonetheless the food is good, it's somewhat peaceful compared to the buffet and a good start to a cruise.

[pacruise804]

Astro Flyer - we always take the stairs too.

 

Klenklen - thanks for the heads up about Alfredo's service time. We will plan to expect a longer lunch and be pleasantly surprised if we get quick service.