Semi-Live Regal Princess BCN to FLL 11/6 to 12/2

[Denmal]

Monday 11/14...Sea day...we slept in and went to breakfast.  After a nice breakfast of waffles and strawberries,  we decided to try the Enclave.  Enclave comes as a perk with the suite.  It has a large thermal pool, several types of steam rooms, one with aromatherapy.   Also hot stone beds.  It was lovely.  Stayed for about an hour.  Then I went to the casino and cashed out as we have 2 full days of ports coming and I need to cash out prior to the next cruise.  Had dinner at the.crown grill.  Steaks were yummy and then off to coroner's. Kelvin made me a special cucumber martini and I found a duck.  Messina tomorrow 

[GonzoWCS]

Following along, thanks. 
 

Cheers

[Denmal]

Tuesday 11/15 Messina Italy.  We didi not have any tours booked, the ship docks basically right in the city.  The weather was excellent sunny and warm.  We walked off and wandered over to the dumo.  It also has a large astronomical clock tower that is amazing.  The bell chimes every 15 minutes.  Then at noon daily is goes off.  The large lion roars, the rooster crows and the apostles go around.  We took the Hop on hop off to get to the large church way up on the hill.  It is beautiful and the bottom of it is the cript for the WWII soldiers.  We then went to another church and got back in time for the 12 show at the tower.  It lasts about 10 minutes.   Then had the best sandwich for lunch and wine.  Then off to get canoli for desert.   Could not load the video so you might need to look for.it on you tube

[Denmal]

Wednesday 11/16 Naples, Italy.  Well the weather has turned.  It is pouring rain this am.  We have a food tour scheduled at 10 am.  We decided to go.  The rain let up enough for us to do our tour with umbrellas.  1st stop.  Pastry and coffee.  2nd stop, spaghetti omelet ( think spaghetti ,  egg and what ever is in the fridge, sort of a Italian fritatta)   then Buffalo mozzarella with tomatoes and arugula, then margarita pizza. And a choice of wine, beer or soda. Was a walking tour so also along with the food was  history of the city of naples and the food.  Glad I did not eat breakfast..it was alot. But really delicious and a good tour.  It was a princess tour.   We then headed back to the ship for a rest.  We have an all day Rome tour to the Vatican tomorrow.   

[Denmal]

Thursday 11/17...Turnaround day for the cruise and Rome for us.  We were up EARLY..5:30. Had to do breakfast and meet the tour at 7:30.  Off to Rome.  The total bus ride was 1:45 including a rest stop for bathrooms.  Traffic was nuts as we got closer to Rome.  We did a princess tour:  ultimate behind the scenes Vatican.  GREAT tour.  First our guide was a woman who specializes in the Vatican.   Patricia was italian Vatican scholar.  We toured the Vatican gardens...a place that you cannot go without a specific guide...even though it is fall..it was wonderful.  Then to the museums..where she got us into a room with no one else.  The room of animals.  The sculptures were just unbelievable.   Then though several other halls ..more just as impressive as the last.  Then to the Sistine Chappel.   No commentary allowed in the Chapple and absolutely No pictures.  They are strict. Guards uniform and no uniform walking around , so don't even try..Then a special exit for the approved guides into St. Peter's Square.  Then into St Peter's Basilicia...All through out the tour Patricia provided excellent commentary and information.   My goal was to see the Vatican and get a shot.of a Swiss guard!!!  Mission accomplished..I asked one if I could take his picture and he said no but the one outside the Basilicia were no problem.  The total tour inside the Vatican and gardens was 4 hours...totally worth the $$.  We had about an hour and a 1/2 for some lunch and shopping..then back on the bus for ride through/past some sights.  I will not post ALL the pictures I took but will do a few..

 

 

 

[Denmal]

Friday 11/18.  Back to Livorno but no...due to high winds the ship.had to port at LA Spezia Italy.  The ship shore excursions desk had to rework all the tours.  Our winery tour was originally scheduled for 1:15 with oy a 1/2 bus ride but was moved to a 1.5 hour bus ride with the port change.  We decided to go anyway because we really wanted to go to a Tuscan winery.  The winery was wonderful.   We had a nice horse carriage ride, then snacks with tasting of 2 white,  2 red and a desert wine.  All pretty good..also had biscotti with the desert wine and per the owner , dip the biscotti into the desert wine....the vineyard also grew olives and produced oil.  So we purchased a faily large bottle of the oil to take home...also had a small chapel on the grounds.  Then we came out after the tasting and there was a car parked with a large dog right behind the wheel ( our Italian cab driver we joked ).  As we were taking pics , the owner came out with her wine and said, he is going to drive me home now!!! A really enjoyable day

[NownZen]

The Sistine chapel photo ban is because a Japanese company paid for some restoration in exchange for photo rights. However, in my visits, people were taking pictures right and left. The guards would go around saying no photos in several languages but not doing much else. The special group exit is only available to groups and those who say they are with a group, or others who wander through it. The guards are government employees and not highly motivated.

 

If you have a chance, there are very early morning tours (extra cost) that get you to the Sistine chapel when it opens. When we did this there were about 20 of us for the first hour so we could sit in various places and look in detail. Later in the day there were maybe a thousand people and you could move through by just lifting your feet and letting the crowd pull you along.

 

The other fabulous thing to do there is to tour the crypts under St Peter's. It was an old Roman cemetery and there are wonderful tombs to tour. Narrow passageways in the excavations but you can see what is supposed to be the grave of St Paul (directly under the altar). Those trips generally need to be reserved up to a year in advance and only small groups are allowed.

[In Toronto]

Wonderful review.  Thank you so much for doing this.

[h20cruzer]

Enjoying every word and picture, thanks for making the effort to post.

Norma

[Denmal]

Saturday 11/19...my 60th Birthday.  Genoa Italy.  Was alittle chilly today only high in the 50s.  We walked off the ship and into town.  Genoa is the home of pesto.  So we were planning on having some.  Walked from the terminal no problem to view several churches and head to a food market for lunch.  We found the old town area of Genoa and wandered through the small streets.  Found a local pesto shop. Bought a piece of foccacia with pesto OMG..tried to buy a jar of the pesto but the shop owner told me unless it was in the fridge with 2 hours it would be on good it was that fresh.  Now she could have just sold it to me but cared so much about her craft she would not.  More churches and the to the market for lunch.  The had all types of food stuffs and a sort of food court.  We each got a pasta dish , husband gnocchi and me pappardell both with pesto and glasses of wine of course .  After eating and drinking,   we took the local bus back to the ship.  Pretty easy to take the bus..got the ticket on the bus. 2.50 euro each.  Got back to the ship to flowers, prosecco and chocolate covered strawberries in the room for my birthday from Princess concierge.   Nice birthday!!

[Denmal]

Sunday 11/20. Corscia France.  Home of Napoleon...Beautiful harbour.   Ship docks right at the city. Easy walk off.  Went into town.  Small open air market right near the port.  Walked thought it. Love a French market. Vegetables and meats and pastries.  And fresh olives.  Yum..  walked around the city to the catherdral.   Unfortunately no church pictures today as mass was being said.  We are very respectful and do not enter while mass is happening unless we plan to attend.  Walked some more..some stores and restaurants open but not many as it is Sunday.   We decided on a early small lunch. Found a sidewalk Cafe and ordered 2 glasses of wine and arancini (rice balls) to split.  Enjoyed to beautiful sunshine for a while. Then back to the ship for a rest.  We were invited to a 1 year old birthday , she is the daughter of the entertainment director on the ship.  Alexander.  We had previously met him on the sky, and he and his partner and the baby are on the ship.  I had purchased a present for Zara in Genoa..and embroidered bib and small bag.  The party was very nice stayed for alittle while then off to dinner.

[boone2]

Really enjoying your descriptions. Especially the local food ones.  And the photos. Thank  you 

Terry

[Denmal]

Monday 11/21. Sea Day...got up alittle later and off to breakfast.   Saw the captain,  Paolo...he is the captain from the  remake show 'Love Boat'...so we are on the ship where it was filmed and have the captain too.  After breakfast , off to the enclave for a steam and soak.  After about an hour. I went to the gym and hubby to the cabin. Did some stretch and treadmill.  Then back to the cabin.  Was not too interested in lunch..so we just went to the suite lounge for a snack.  More reading and a nap..then cocktails at crooners and dinner.  Made it an early night as we want to be up early for the sail I to Gibraltar.   A few pics from crooners..

Edited November 22, 2022 by Denmal

[Denmal]

Tuesday 11/22.  Gibraltar,  England.  We were supposed to dock at 9 but due to head winds and rough seas. We were going to be an hour late.  No problem,  we had a princess tour booked and they just adjusted.  Our tour took up to the Europa point, lighthouse at the point were the Mediterranean. Atlantic  and the straight of Gibraltar meet. Then to St Michael caves within the rock of Gibraltar,  and the to the Apes den.  Tour was in a small mini van as the roads up to the Rock cannot take large busses.  It was a great tour , the limestone caves were amazing, saw all the monkeys of course.  No lost items for us as we did bot get too close.  One interesting item on the tour is you can drive across the airport runway in Gibraltar,  Green light means you can cross and red means a plane is landing.  Additionally,  the the other side.of the runway is the boarder of Spain.  Another item is in Gibraltar,  they drive on the right like europe vs the left like England. After the tour. We could either go to town or back to the ship.  We opted for town.  Went in for some lunch. Fish and chips of course...and a small jug of Sangria..a little shopping and then back to.the.ship.

[Denmal]

Wednesday 11/23. Sea day.  Got up alittle later and off to breakfast.   The best perk of the suite is breakfast..you get a separate restaurant for breakfast and they will pretty much are what you want.  Then we went to the enclave for a soak and steam.  With all the walking on this cruise the muscles needed it..we then went back to the suite to read..it was a beautiful sunny day on the deck.  Later I tried my luck casino..no joy...more reading and then off for cocktail and dinner. 

[Denmal]

Thursday 11/24 Santa Cruz De Tenerife,  Canary Islands.  Not named for the bird but a breed of dog.  American Thanksgiving as the crew calls it.  We did not have a tour , we planned to walk around and have a nice lunch.  Beautiful morning and forecast is beautiful day.  We found another church and the pedestrian street.  We also went to the local open air mercardo...it was very interesting.   We found a nice restaurant and ordered tapas.  A glass of wine each. Tomato bread, Pappas arrudgus ( boiled small potatoes in salt water served with two different salsa..green and red..and croquettes and DH ordered sardines (not.me )  the potatoes are called wrinkled potatoes in English and are a local favorite...and we agree...we then walked backed to the ship..6 miles of walking .  We are off for turkey dinner..I will post the menu pics too in case you are wondering what they serve on a ship for turkey day...

[Denmal]

Upcoming 7 Sea days.  I will not post much more from the trip.  We will be at sea until 12/2 arrival in FLL.  We do not really do shows, we might  do some trivia.  We will go to the gym and excerise.  Read and relax on our beautiful deck.  And possibly watch movie or two.  If you have questions please ask.  We love the Regal and of course her crew.  Thanks for following along.

[GonzoWCS]

2 hours ago, Denmal said:

Upcoming 7 Sea days.  I will not post much more from the trip.  We will be at sea until 12/2 arrival in FLL.  We do not really do shows, we might  do some trivia.  We will go to the gym and excerise.  Read and relax on our beautiful deck.  And possibly watch movie or two.  If you have questions please ask.  We love the Regal and of course her crew.  Thanks for following along.

If you have the time, and it has not already been answered who are the folks bartending/serving @ Vines!  

 

Thanks & Cheers

[Mittens101]

Thank you for allowing us to tag on your vacation. Photos were incredible and food looked lovely. Happy birthday 

[Denmal]

GonzoWCS...will go to vines tonight to get the names.   It is a young woman and man , just did not get their names previously..will post answers later.

[Denmal]

On 11/26/2022 at 4:12 PM, GonzoWCS said:

If you have the time, and it has not already been answered who are the folks bartending/serving @ Vines!  

 

Thanks & Cheers

Vines Bartenders are Gauresh and Layla...

[Gorilla Girl]

Could you share what movies are being played at MUTS?

Thank ou for sharing your trip with us.

[milogurd]

The "Live" and the "Semi-Live" threads on this cruise are kind of quiet all of a sudden. Perhaps they are in the dreaded Princess Internet Dead Zone in the mid-Atlantic.

[milogurd]

I think it's funny that Marconi could get a message clear across the Atlantic from Massachusetts to the United Kingdom in 1903, but Princess can't get an internet connection from their ships to the rest of the world in 2022.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Guglielmo_Marconi#Transatlantic_transmissions

[whogo]

On 11/26/2022 at 8:03 AM, Denmal said:

Upcoming 7 Sea days.  I will not post much more from the trip...

 

On 11/28/2022 at 9:03 PM, milogurd said:

The "Live" and the "Semi-Live" threads on this cruise are kind of quiet all of a sudden. Perhaps they are in the dreaded Princess Internet Dead Zone in the mid-Atlantic.