Starting second week on Regal Dec 23-Jan 6

[h-sar]

It’s 6:00 AM, Dec 30th (or it was when I started this post), and we are just docking into Port Everglades on the turnaround day of our two week holiday cruise. This is our 6th time on the Regal during the holidays and I can’t imagine spending this time anywhere else (especially as DD, 19, and DS, 21 are always with us). Last year, I did a live review, but decided against it this time as I figured it would be a repetition of last year’s review. Also, Nee Nee and Biddy did an excellent review of the first week - check out her thread if you haven’t already. So, I thought I’d do some observations rather than a full review. Along with the kids, I’m traveling with DH, 52, and my childhood friend, 51. We go on a two week escape to cruise out of Fort L at Christmas every year to get away from our 4-5 months of winter weather in Edmonton, Canada. It’s truly the only thing that keeps me from poking my eyes out with a rusty spoon when there’s still a foot of snow left in the middle of March!

 

1. Sadly, the priority line at the terminal exists no more (I’d been warned on CC). It did take about 15 min longer to get through at 12:30 pm , so not a biggie, but it was 1 of the two real perks that I enjoy about being Platinum, the other being the internet minutes.

 

2. We booked as a 14 day cruise rather than two seven day ones, so each of us received 250 internet min rather than 150 per week.

 

3. DS needed more internet access for university, so we used obc to purchase the unlimited package; with the $9.99 per day deal offered  on the first day and a 25% platinum discount, we ended up paying $90 for the two weeks, not bad at all. Other than the server being down for 1/2 a day earlier in the week, it’s been running great. Can only be used on one device. You can kick off the current user when you log on. With the kids sleeping in, I take advantage of early morning useage (I’m always up way too early) as I’m doing right now, and get what I need to get done (which usually entails checking the news, sending pics to family, etc). We used it to FaceTime family on Christmas, so that was great. None of us are glued to the internet just because we have access - too much people watching to do, activities to enjoy, food to eat 😀.

 

4. Been on 12 cruises and have never seen so many people wearing lanyards as on this one, due to the fact that Princess gave, to all passengers at embarkation, grey lanyards with the cruise card in a plastic sleeve and the medallion in another plastic sleeve, attached to the lanyard. Medallions are inscribed with our names. The short end of the lanyard can be easily unclipped from the main part for handing over to bar waiters, etc. None of us are into wearing lanyards (I have a weird hatred of them 😁), so we’ve been carrying the short piece in our pockets or purses.

 

5. Speaking of lanyards...Princess, please, please, please order your next batch with the detachable safety clip at the back of the neck. Have read too many horror stories lately of elementary aged kids getting theirs caught somewhere and choking to death. Happened last year in a school in a neighboring city as well. When I watched the little ones running around in the pool area yesterday, with their lanyards swinging around their necks or dangling off their backs, I imagined the absolute worst. Such an easy fix to avert such a potential tragedy. I didn’t think big corporations even considered giving out the old style ones anymore - if only to avert a possible lawsuit. I will be mentioning this on my email survey and I hope some of you will do the same. 

 

5. This is our first turnaround day on the same ship! We are headed to Harbor Shops around 8:00 and the kids will then Uber to Sawgrass Mills from there for some targeted power shopping at 9:30 for a couple of hrs. They have a few very specific stores in mind, so will be on a mission. I refuse to enter Sawgrass anymore - the one and only time, again at Christmas, was enough, and I LOVE to shop. Pretty sure I was a blubbering mess by the time I was able to navigate myself out! 

 

Have to get ready to head out, so will pick up later.

[JF - retired RRT]

Don't forget to tell us more.

You have a very nice writing style.

[Colo Cruiser]

Bon Voyage!!  

[h-sar]

6.  Note to self: let travel agent know to NEVER again book us into cabins with adjoining doors inside the room. You can hear virtually everything from next door, especially if someone is speaking close to the closet or bathroom area as that is near where the door is. I have never had any issues with hearing anything from the next door cabin before, but we’ve never experienced adjoining cabins. 

 

We are in two interior adjoining cabins as the $1100 per person return airfare for Christmas this year limited what we could spend on our cabins. Thankfully, the kids were never really in their cabin at all, so the noise did not become too much of an issue. We were always sound asleep by the time they came back to the cabin and I’m sure they were being as quiet as church mice as they wanted to keep the time of their late arrival under wraps! The last couple of years, we have been able to take advantage of decent upsell offers to balconies from our travel agent, but this year our agent did not receive any such offers from Princess. I can see where the adjoining doors would be good for families with younger kids, but our older ones made it a point to let us know on the first day that they would not be unlocking their side of the two doors 🙄 for the entirety of the two weeks.

 

Definitely something to keep in mind when you’re booking - make sure there isn’t a connecting door on the inside of the cabin unless you need it. Lesson learned.

 

8. My son and I both purchased the soda and more packages. We were only able to get one week at a time; $56 for the week. No sticker was placed on the card, as the information was uploaded to our medallions. When we go get a soda, the waiters either scan the medallion to ensure that we have the soda package or take our card and type in our folio number into their computer system. However, I noticed that most waiters would simply ask us if we had the soda package and when we said yes, they would pretend to examine our card, but then not bother entering any information in. And there is nothing on the face of the card to indicate whether one has a package or not. Princess should really put the sticker back on, because it was such an easy way for the waiters to know if the passenger has a soda package or not. Now, I think it’s just easier for the waiters to ask, but not confirm the info, and many this week did just that. Different, of course, for alcohol, as that has to be rung in every time. 

 

9. So, we ended up leaving the ship at 8:20 this morning. Had we decided to stay on board, we would’ve had to meet in a designated area before 9:30 this morning and be walked off as a group down to the terminal and then be brought back up again to the ship. However, those who choose to leave the ship on their own have to do so before 9:30 and are then not able to get back on the ship until they are ready to start boarding the regular passengers.

 

All five of us walked over to the Harbor Shops and Ross area; it was already blazing hot early in the morning. It was a pretty leisurely 15 minute walk as the Princess terminal is at the end closest to the shops. I have been to this Ross on previous trips in the middle of the day when the ships are in and it can be insane. Early in the morning today, it wasn’t too bad, but by 9:30, hordes of crew members who were coming in on ship shuttles were also doing their shopping, as were many passengers. (Our head waiter had mentioned that there are 200 passengers doing both of these weeks). It was neat to see some of the crew out of uniform, looking far more young and carefree than they are on the ship. It was also bittersweet to see some of the males buying clothing for their little ones back at home. Really gives one pause for thought about the sacrifices most of these workers are making to insure a better life for their families. Please don’t ever take off the daily gratuities. Or I will be forced to unfriend you. 

 

At 9:45, the kids took the Uber to Sawgrass ($23) and around 11:15, the three of us adults were back at the terminal. Had there been a lineup to get inside the terminal, we would’ve had to wait in line with everyone as well. However, at 11:15, there was absolutely nobody in line waiting to get in, but we had to wait in the holding area upstairs as there was some sort of delay with boarding. Never did find out what the delay was. The in-transit people are the first ones able to get back on board and we were not able to do so until about 11:55.

 

So, just some information about the process if you ever have to do in-transit embarkation. There was a letter with information and frequently asked questions provided in our room the night before and there was also a meeting for those who wanted further information, but we chose not to attend. It was all pretty stress-free and easy. 

 

When we left the ship early this morning, it was lovely to be able to use our Nexus cards to get into the Global Entry line and bypass everybody who was leaving with their bags. At that time, there was no separate attendant at immigration for Nexus, so we were simply escorted by one of the attendants to the very front of the line. Always makes me feel bad doing that as I feel like I’m cutting the queue. Would feel less guilty if we had an actual separate line to go through. The bad feeling didn’t last long, though, as within two minutes of stepping off the ship, we were outside the terminal😀. And, yes, I did do some damage at Ross! Just heard from the kids and they’re on the Uber right near the port. All aboard is in 45 min. 

 

[h-sar]

Hmmmm....the font looks really big. I’m copying and pasting from my notes. Will try to adjust that.

[Colo Cruiser]

And here I thought airfare from Den-FLL was steep!  Holy cow!

 

As far as them looking at your cruise card for the soda package I still think they look at the 4 digit number on the front that they will look at and remember to be put in the system back in the drink ordering area in the kitchen or at the bar.

Maybe some don't care and just get the soda.

[h-sar]

4 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

And here I thought airfare from Den-FLL was steep!  Holy cow!

 

As far as them looking at your cruise card for the soda package I still think they look at the 4 digit number on the front that they will look at and remember to be put in the system back in the drink ordering area in the kitchen or at the bar.

Maybe some don't care and just get the soda.

 

And that $1100 return was purchased about 11 months ago and was only available for about two days; quickly thereafter, it went to $1500 and stayed above that. Most years, we’ve been able to do $8-900. Between my job as a middle school AP and the kids’ university breaks, we can only fly at the highest peak season for both cruise and air fare. 

 

Too many of them are simply just taking the word of the passengers that they have the package and are then moving on to the next customer. Doesn’t bother me at all, but I think the higher ups might be perturbed 😀. 

[Colo Cruiser]

2 minutes ago, h-sar said:

 

And that $1100 return was purchased about 11 months ago and was only available for about two days; quickly thereafter, it went to $1500 and stayed above that. Most years, we’ve been able to do $8-900. Between my job as a middle school AP and the kids’ university breaks, we can only fly at the highest peak season for both cruise and air fare. 

 

Too many of them are simply just taking the word of the passengers that they have the package and are then moving on to the next customer. Doesn’t bother me at all, but I think the higher ups might be perturbed 😀. 

I hear ya........

Enjoy! Wish we were back onboard!  

[h-sar]

10.  My husband picked up a bottle of Captain Morgan‘s black spiced rum from St. Thomas as the price was about a third of what he would pay at home. Typically, they return the alcohol to your stateroom the night before the cruise is over. We got ours yesterday. Maybe they forgot we were sticking around for another week? However, it was our steward who brought it to us and he knows that we are here for next week as well. Will do us no good to have it for this upcoming week, though, as none of us drink! Maybe I should auction it off to the highest bidder on our deck,  LOL. 

 

11. Yay! We do NOT have to do a second muster (which is going on as I type this). 

Edited December 30, 2018 by h-sar

[HappyCruiserettu]

18 hours ago, h-sar said:

It’s 6:00 AM, Dec 30th (or it was when I started this post), and we are just docking into Port Everglades on the turnaround day of our two week holiday cruise. This is our 6th time on the Regal during the holidays and I can’t imagine spending this time anywhere else (especially as DD, 19, and DS, 21 are always with us). Last year, I did a live review, but decided against it this time as I figured it would be a repetition of last year’s review. Also, Nee Nee and Biddy did an excellent review of the first week - check out her thread if you haven’t already. So, I thought I’d do some observations rather than a full review. Along with the kids, I’m traveling with DH, 52, and my childhood friend, 51. We go on a two week escape to cruise out of Fort L at Christmas every year to get away from our 4-5 months of winter weather in Edmonton, Canada. It’s truly the only thing that keeps me from poking my eyes out with a rusty spoon when there’s still a foot of snow left in the middle of March!

 

1. Sadly, the priority line at the terminal exists no more (I’d been warned on CC). It did take about 15 min longer to get through at 12:30 pm , so not a biggie, but it was 1 of the two real perks that I enjoy about being Platinum, the other being the internet minutes.

 

2. We booked as a 14 day cruise rather than two seven day ones, so each of us received 250 internet min rather than 150 per week.

 

 

If you had booked two 7-day segments, you would have received 300 minutes  each, and you would be one cruise closer to elite.

 

[h-sar]

4 hours ago, HappyCruiserettu said:

If you had booked two 7-day segments, you would have received 300 minutes  each, and you would be one cruise closer to elite.

 

 

I originally had the travel agent price it out as two segments as well and it came to about $1500 cheaper for the two cabins for 14 days. My cruise personalizer shows two credits for this cruise, so, win-win 😀. After my two credits on Sky next Christmas, one more week to free laundry - YES! 

[h-sar]

12.  Since my first cruise on the Golden in 2006, I have had an addiction to Princess poolside pizza. I will eat at least two slices a day. In fact, I’ve been known to stand to the side and wait for a fresh one to come out of the oven, because nothing beats that! Imagine the shock and dismay of my entire family when we tasted our first slice Christmas and discovered for ourselves what had been reported on CC - that Princess had messed with the cheese and the dough. Anyone old enough to remember the grocery store ‘pizza in a box’ kits? Think Chef Boyardee had one. Yup, last year’s pizza brought back memories from the 70’s, and they weren’t ones that made me wax nostalgic. 

 

So, it was with some trepidation that I tried my first one last week on embarkation day, I’m ecstatic to report that Princess pizza is back (at least on Regal)!! Whatever cost cutting measures they employed with the pizza recipe must have garnered enough complaints that they went back to the tried and true. Thank you for listening, Princess.

Edited December 31, 2018 by h-sar

[h-sar]

13. The Mongolian grill in the buffet - one of the best things in the best buffet at sea. Made to order fresh; choose from tons of veggies; two different kinds of noodles, rice; mussels, chicken, beef, calamari, tofu; 4 sauces. My husband goes vegetarian on Tues/Sun for religious reasons and heads to the buffet on those days rather than the MDR with us. Between the Mongolian grill and the buffet’s daily 3-4 Indian veg dishes, he eats far better than he would off the MDR veg menu. 

 

Most nights (maybe all nights?) they’re also doing a fresh pasta station in the buffet. Last night had the most delicious creamy rose sauce with cheese tortellini. I had only one course in the MDR last night (Basa fillet), so was able to indulge in small tastes of both the Mongolian and pasta stations later at night. Both were still operating when we walked through at 9:20 pm.

 

14.  We have done anytime dining exclusively up to this cruise simple because I found the early dining time too early and the late one too late. We prefer to eat round 7:00. Imagine my delight when I saw that Princess was changing the dining times and 7:15 was now the late seating. I signed us up right away. Imagine my disappointment when I got on board and discovered that the 7:15 time I selected online was actually 7:45. I had read on CC that this was the experience for others, but was hopeful for this sailing. Why is Princess advertising one thing and delivering another? We stuck with 7:45 and have lovely waitstaff. Zsa-Zsa is the head waiter in our section of Allegro and is an absolute delight.She’s been taking good care of my gluten free friend.

 

15.  Not sure if this is a cost cutting measure, but Princess seems to be doing less Norman Love in the MDR. Last week, we had only the pistachio dome and no Norman Love cake pops at the Captain’s champagne waterfall as I’ve seen in the past. Perhaps they’ll have the cake pops tonight for New Yrs. My all time favourite dessert on land and at sea is the Norman Love coconut mousse with the crunchy cookie. Am hoping it shows up this week.

[h-sar]

30 minutes ago, h-sar said:

12.  Since my first cruise on the Golden in 2006, I have had an addiction to Princess poolside pizza. I will eat at least two slices a day. In fact, I’ve been known to stand to the side and wait for a fresh one to come out of the oven, because nothing beats that! Imagine the shock and dismay of my entire family when we tasted our first slice Christmas and discovered for ourselves what had been reported on CC - that Princess had messed with the cheese and the dough. Anyone old enough to remember the grocery store ‘pizza in a box’ kits? Think Chef Boyardee had one. Yup, last year’s pizza brought back memories from the 70’s, and they weren’t ones that made me wax nostalgic. 

 

So, it was with some trepidation that I tried my first one last week on embarkation day, I’m ecstatic to report that Princess pizza is back (at least on Regal)!! Whatever cost cutting measures they employed with the pizza recipe must have garnered enough complaints that they went back to the tried and true. Thank you for listening, Princess.

 

First paragraph should have been “when we tried our first slice at Christmas of last year”.

 

was too late to edit

 

[mj]

18 hours ago, h-sar said:

6.  Note to self: let travel agent know to NEVER again book us into cabins with adjoining doors inside the room. You can hear virtually everything from next door, especially if someone is speaking close to the closet or bathroom area as that is near where the door is. I have never had any issues with hearing anything from the next door cabin before, but we’ve never experienced adjoining cabins. 

 

 

I agree with that.  Booked a balcony on another cruise line and the door was near the bed.  You could hear almost everything they said.    Thanks for the review.

[geoherb]

Thanks for posting. Have you tried the pizza at Alfredo's? I love eating there for lunch on port days. I do "Meatless Mondays" and have always found enough to eat from the menu in the dining room.

[h-sar]

22 minutes ago, geoherb said:

Thanks for posting. Have you tried the pizza at Alfredo's? I love eating there for lunch on port days. I do "Meatless Mondays" and have always found enough to eat from the menu in the dining room.

 

I would be embarrassed to tell you how many times we’ve gone to Alfredo’s for lunch! I know for a fact that my husband has had 4 calzones (which are about as big as my head!) in the last 8 days. He gets them to put in chicken instead of ham and on his meatless says, has them load it up with every veg they have. It’s become our traditional embarkation day lunch (we completely avoid the buffet mayhem). I am addicted to the two small pasta appies and the caprese style salad with the thin zucchini and the roasted bell peppers (Assortito vegetarian). 

 

Horror of horrors - the recipe for the agnolotti (the creamy veal ravioli) in Alfredo’s has been messed with! It is no longer the luscious velvety cream coloured sauce. Now, it’s sort of a brownish pumpkin colour and the taste is not the same 😢😢. Anyone else experience this? I had it twice and it was the same both times. 

[h-sar]

16.  DH and I were probably the 10th passengers to set foot on Princess Cays this morning as we got on the first tender at 8:50. Rest of fam will follow around 11. The views are absolutely breathtaking this morning. It’s one of my favourite places on earth - and that’s not hyperbole. 

 

Tiny (like minuscule) flitty little bugs are attacking me! Forgot the bug spray in cabin. Just messaged the kids, so hopefully they bring it. The free wifi (on as many devices as you want) is fantastic on P Cays. There is no pop available here if you gave a soda card, just cans sold individually. I can get the mocktails through my card, however.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Bon Voyage again!  Looking forward to hearing about your week as I'm doing this itinerary in two weeks.

 

Enjoy Princess Cay!!

[tartan cruiser]

 

Great review. Looking forward to your port reviews also as this is the itinerary we will be doing on our Regal cruise end of January. I was wondering about the 25% platinum discount. I don't see it listed under perks of the Captain Circle. Is this new? Do you have to ask? I was thinking of booking unlimited internet but will wait until onboard if an additional 25% is available. Thanks for your help. Enjoy your 2nd week!

[beachmets]

Re internet minutes.  I just had a response from a Princess re our 14 day booked on Regal for Jan 13 (booked as a 14 day, not two seven days)

As platinum do we receive 150 min internet for the first 7 days and then 150 min the second 7 days or 250 min total? Thank you

 

PRINCESS RESPONSE

Yes, you do receive the internet credit for each segment of 7 days on your cruise.

[1emerald1]

23 hours ago, h-sar said:

Hmmmm....the font looks really big. I’m copying and pasting from my notes. Will try to adjust that.

No, I like your larger font!

[h-sar]

17.  It’s been a glorious 5 hrs on P Cays, involving a whole lot of laying around, with the occasional foray toward the buffet or the bathrooms. Getting off the tender, we always head left and then about half way up and park ourselves under some gazebos just before the first set of picnic benches for the buffet. Close to bathrooms, food, and the largest part of the beach. At 9:00, we had our pick of loungers and it was a glorious 90 min of very few bodies, not many clamshells up obstructing our view, and morning light that reflected all the colours back in the most glorious way.  By 11:00, about 3,000 of our newest friends came visiting and it allowed for some people watching. Have to say, the first couple of quieter hours really are the best. The weather has been a steady 26-27 Celsius (80 F) and there’s a light breeze making for a pleasant afternoon. 

 

Food in the island buffet is ho hum for me. It fills the stomach, but I’d rather be eating on the ship. Princess has its standard island menu consisting of bbq ribs, fresh burgers, hot dogs, grilled chicken, bratwurst, corn salad, beans, warm potato salad, coleslaw, cookies, and brownies. There’s also dispensers for water and iced tea. I try to be one of the first in line for the buffet as I need to get my food before the flies descend upon it...and there are a lot of flies. This is one of the reasons I stay away from the food truck on the other side of the tenders that has jerk chicken and some fajita style Mexican. The one time I went, there were flies all over the food in the containers as they weren’t covered. You have to understand that I come from a climate that keeps all insects in check for much of the year and if I see something living resting on my food, I’m not eating it 😁. 

 

This morning we walked a little further than we normally do and ended up by the cabanas (the ones just before the Santcuary area). There are some lovely palm trees and lots of empty chairs in this area. It’s much quieter and prettier, better views, but not as much shade and the beach is not really the best. That’s where DH and I spent some time this morning before the rest of the family arrived. It was lovely in the early part of the day, but became too hot by noon.

 

It’s always interesting watching the newbies, asking how much the lounge chairs are, who they go see to get one, try to open the clamshells only to realize they can’t without paying, and marveling at the size of the buffet. I have to say that the only place Royal Caribbean wins out over Princess in terms of food is their private island buffet. Everywhere else, Princess has all lines beat, hands down, for food, of the ones I’ve experienced anyway. Don’t get me wrong. There’s nothing wrong with the bbq at all. It’s just not that exciting. Even some spicy jerk chicken would liven it up. The huge bowls of cut up fruit at a number of different stations are delicious and refreshing. Again, I went as soon as they put them out 😁. The fly thing again. The pineapple was incredibly sweet and there was watermelon, cantaloupe, and honey dew as well. 

 

The bathrooms are in multiple areas and are well attended by island workers who clean constantly. There are a few huts at the back and some kiosks in the middle that sell souvenirs, etc or do hair braiding. Bring some cash if you wish to make a purchase. For everything else, rental of water sports equipment included, you will use your room card (or medallion, I assume, but not sure). 

 

Why must people smoke (especially cigars) on a beach? Why not find a back corner somewhere? Just my little vent of the day. Other than that, it was a slice of heaven today. 

 

It is 2:45 and we are about to head back. A truly blissful day. And what a fantastic final memory of 2018! 

 

If you have any questions or want me to investigate anything, don’t be shy. With all that I’ve been eating, some walking around on the sea day tomorrow will not be a bad thing 👍🏼. 

[hllwdcruiser]

Thank you for this fabulous review and Happy New Year!

I definitely agree about the flies and the food on Princess Cays. We usually just save our appetites for when we are back on the ship due to the quality of the barbecue and those flies! 😦 I've never made it to the island as early as 9 but you've inspired me to get up and going on our trip in February. 

I'm a little frustrated with the 7:45 late dining time. Like you, I changed to the 7:15 time and felt that it was ideal although I would have preferred 7. We've always had Anytime on all our other sailings and this was the first time we were going to try fixed. What time do you usually get done with dinner? Do you find the service better with the fixed dining as opposed to Anytime?

Are the game shows in Princess Live during your dining time? What about Voice of the Ocean? We've always eaten late and have never made it to any of those shows and I'd really like to try to see them this next time. 

Thanks again for taking us along ~ enjoy the sea day tomorrow!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Any idea who is playing in Crooners?  I’m hoping we have someone great there in 2 weeks.