blkspy

The 3 for Free with just a $1 deposit to lock it in was a really great deal.

Bad or just plain sad news...The casino rate will only be available during 2 week sales at random intervals. In other words....if you booked and locked in the rate...great..if not youll have to keep asking.

I guess we have been very lucky thus far to have Melissa as our vacation planner. We have used her for 3 years now and she has always responded quickly and provided the best deals and coordination possible. If she ever left that position, we would probably find a TA that could handle our needs, but until then, it's Melissa.

My Consultant is Julie :) She's the Best. She returns my calls. Works hard for me. My last cruise I received 4 Free Upgrades on a sold out 10 day cruise. I went from an Inside Guarantee to a Deluxe Balcony with a sofa. If nothing else she's a lucky charm for me. She keeps me updated with promotions. Im sticking with Julie....Im booked with great deals for 8 future cruises .

I'm glad you enjoy the CC activities blkspy but see for me, I couldn't think of anything worse. I know lots of people like to do the social stuff but on a cruise I don't want to be part of large group meetings etc. I attend the ship's lectures and other activities (if they sound of interest) but otherwise am very happy with my own company doing my own thing. I meet enough people at meal times in the MDR. If you travel as a group it would be different, but again, we have cruised with friends and other family members and it has been more trouble than it was worth IMO.

The great thing about cruising remains the same. Do as MUCH or as LITTLE as you want.

We had non alcoholic drinks and great snacks provided for our group, along with waiter and bar service. A look at the Princess made video on YouTube gives a clearer picture.

The Retreaters cruise attracts cruisers from all over...and ships officers and its fun and as interesting as a lecture to learn what they do. Meeting great people from all walks of life is never alot of trouble, its IMHO, what cruising is all about.

Happy cruising...

Im part of a Cruise Critic group called the RETREATERS.

ON our October Regal Princess cruise we had 215 attend our M&G. For the 2nd year Princess assigned a Video crew to film our activities during the 10 day cruise.

Princess really helps with any thing needed. We had about 8 Department Heads attend. The RETREATERS Halloween Dance is currently on YouTube. The full video made by Princess which includes.

The M&G

Slot Pull

Cabin Crawl

Crown Grill Dinner

St Maarten Beach Day

Halloween Dinner & Dance

Should be posted by Cruise Critic once its on YouTube this week... it was included as part of the ships Reflections video and was shown in the Princess Live

Theater.

On our last cruise we got a free upgrade from an inside to an OV. Do they ever, ever upgrade an inside to a balcony? Just wondering, wishing, hoping, dreaming. :)

I hit the Upgrade jackpot on my October Regal Princess Halloween Retreaters cruise.

I booked an Inside Guarantee

Assigned a Baja deck Inside cabin

Free Upgrade to a Sideways Inside Cabin

Free Upgrade to an Obstructed Balcony

Free Upgrade to An Emerald Deck Obstructed Deluxe Balcony cabin with a Sofa.

My cost was $529 per with $100 per OBC.

Wonderful Cruise :cool:

The upgrade Fairy is alive and well and she likes me :)

Hi,Ive never seen changing rooms without showers before and there are definately changing rooms on deck plans.If there are none this would be another pennypinching exercise from Princess.There are some strange designs.on the Coral,the gym is at one end and the changing rooms and sauna at another end with all the spa rooms inbetween.The only toilets on the whole floor are marked "spa customers only",which I ignored as I wasnt going all the way back to my cabin just to have a wee.Good luck anyway,cheers,Brian.

On this ship its the craziest thing. Ive never been in a locker room without a bathroom .

If there are 3,000 plus cruisers 50's to 70's plus with no more than 10-20 cpls aged 35-49. Is that a cross section of all ages or 10-20 cpls who took the wrong kind of Party (Bingo) cruise :)

No American school age kids 3 weeks before Thanksgiving. Because of this--very few Adults who have school age kids. A sprinkling of honeymooners. Mostly Retirees or Adults with lots of vacation time. My 7th year doing this cruise. Avg age will be 50 plus. Less than 20 kids on the entire ship

My idea of cruise heaven :)

The 'ENCLAVE' on the Regal is limited to 40 Unlimited passes per cruise. Usually NO daily passes are sold. But ive heard stories of them being sold. Ive only sailed 10 day cruises or longer and the 10 day cost for cpls was $299 and $199 for a single. Check as soon as you board. You might find more favorable information.

Any one remember the....

Ja-making-me-Dance Deck parties with Caribbean food on deck? At least 5-6 years ago. Great food, lots of dancing, lots of fun.

Would be nice to have something like this again.

We normally share a card for punches. I am the only one who uses it for tea or hot chocolate. My husband does not drink fresh brewed, tea or hot chocolate. I love that you can use the card's punches on any cruise.

 

To the OP and other newbies- when you purchase a coffee card, the barista may write the name of the ship and the date of sailing on the back of the card. While you may use the punches for as long as they last, the "free" part will be available only for that specific sailing.

 

Also, I keep trying to "start a trend"... Whilst standing in line, if I am standing behind a person on their first Princess cruise and they are paying with their cruise card- I always give up a punch for them. It is my little "Welcome to Princess" moment.

Hi Traci, I have been doing this for a cpl years now. It's my way of making their cruise memorable .....I have about 3 full cards... I try to do something good or someone each day.. This gesture allows me to do this first thing in the morning :)

Sailaway Seafood buffet ended a few years back...replaced with Prime Rib in the MDR on Sailaway night.

Great Video....Made by Princess.....looks like a good time. Shows Princess supports CC.

Haven't seen it in awhile. ...at lunch...The Chicken Pot Pie was always very good.

I just spoke with Cust Svc rep from the company that manages the Regal and Royal Enclave. She confirmed directly that the BEDS ARE DESIGNED TO BE HEATED AND SUPPOSED TO BE HEATED and that if they are not it means that something is wrong.

 

She said that she has never had any complaint about the beds being unheated reach her ears before mine. She also said that internal inquiries have been sent to their operations department, and that she was eager to get to the bottom of the situation so it would be corrected.

 

Let's all pray that this actually results in the problem being corrected!

Its been 3 weeks.....wondering if you were able to get to the bottom of the heated/unheated tile chair issue. Your 3 threads showed you had a real interest in this issue. What reply did you receive from the management company you contacted..if any? Would like to know what to expect before next Regal cruise.

No need to rehash this issue---just wanted the result the OP received........promising to get answers. :)

Yes' date=' I could not agree more. Why can't they put a few single cabins on the new builds or on the older ships when they go to dry dock?

 

You cannot believe how many 'free' cruises I have offered friends, with them just having to pay the port fees, grats and whatever they spend. So far I have not had a single taker!!!

 

What a bunch of duds! They would rather travel with their SO than get a free cruise. :rolleyes: I need to find more single friends. :)[/font']

My DW isnt too keen on the TA crosings...Shes meeting me in Rome and we will tour for 2 weeks after the cruise.....it AMAZES me also that I have to twist arms to give away a Free cruise......:)

I shop around and book with whomever gives me the most for my money.....ive been lucky...I tend to be

upgraded 80% of the time.

The bottom line for me...Ive found my retirement fun--cruising. Its nice to share with my DW, brother or friends. ...But I will cruise solo at the first sign of a decent deal:)

IMHO I believe it changed around 2011-12. At one point you could find a solo cruise at around 130% for some sailings. Now it seems the only discount a single can get is if you are eligible for something like the Casino rate add on.

Since my retirement....ive offered Free cruises to my brother and best buddy--DW still works. Because with no discount. ..all that is needed is the additional taxes :)

Next April my brother is sailing on a 17 day TA for Airfare and $135 in taxes......he's loving it.

How about some single cabins on the New builds.

How is it unfair? My daughter has been Elite for 2-3 years and I've paid for every single one of her cruises. That's my choice and my gift to her. It never occurred to me to take credit for her cruises. If you want credit for what you've paid for, book more cruises and leave those you've paid for in the past at home. :)

Ill say it :)

This is why you're so respected on this forum. You make sense in what at times is a scratch your head world:)

Thank you :cool:

Four stone beds are on an upper platform on one side of the spa approx 2-3 steps up from the main floor, and then the water beds are on the lower tier right below and off to the side. On the opposite side of the spa are four more stone beds which are on the same level as the waterbeds. The four tile beds on the upper tier are behind panels of glass which obfuscate the view of the pool

 

 

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Ive been to the Enclave during all 4 of my Regal/Royal cruises. I know the layout. There are only 2 'waterbeds in the whole room in the same place on Both ships. Listing them as lower tier to me suggest there are uper tier water beds. :eek:

MY BAD for looking at it that way.:)

We were on Regal 04/17/16 we paid quite a bit for the Enclave (14days) the beds were not heated. We watched the on demand video in the cabin which clearly stated the bed were heated, I even pointed this out to my husband as we were disappointed with our Enclave experience. The beds were heated Thanksgiving 2014 when we sailed Regal

The OP started 3 threads on this subject, with the promise to get to the bottom of things. Waiting for his response about what they told him. He must be busy, he's not posted since starting the threads?

I sailed the Regal October 2014 Repo--NY to Fll....they were NOT heated during our cruise, nor have they been heated on our 2 cruises since that time. You are one of only 2 cruisers who've felt them working that ive heard of :) you're lucky......

Going to wait anxiously for the OP to give the findings if he has any.

oddly or not (?) a year ago we purchased the package (not via a suite) and never got to enjoy the 'heated' or otherwise beds. They were always full.... for 10 days.,.... We did use the 'water' beds on the lower tier, and they were heated. And, of course the pool was awesome. But, never once got to enjoy the 'stone' beds heated or not. We have been on the Royal once since that and did not purchase the package - as it's way to expensive, especially if you don't even get to nap on the stone beds. This was one of our 'luxury' purchases over about 20 Princess cruises - but we will not be partaking in the future - too expensive and .... what? Cold stone beds......? nope.

Lower tier water beds ? On the Royal? What lower tier in the Enclave?

The beds aren't for napping.......but ive seen people leave robes, towels, books etc in an attempt to Hog them like pool lounge chairs on deck.

It was at a M&G and people were complaining about how long the laundry was taking to be returned and that was given as one of the reasons. They weren't trying to bad mouth, it was just part of the answer to the question.

I wasn't trying to start anything either, just passing on info I was given.

Makes sense....thanks :)

I haven't done a World cruise (yet), ive done some B2B.....10 and 7, 7and 7, 10-5-5.......longer ones are coming soon, we'll see how things go. Thanks again.

Update: I just spoke with Cust Svc rep from the company that manages the Regal and Royal Enclave. She confirmed directly that the BEDS ARE DESIGNED TO BE HEATED AND SUPPOSED TO BE HEATED and that if they are not it means that something is wrong.

 

She said that she has never had any complaint about the beds being unheated reach her ears before mine. She also said that internal inquiries have been sent to their operations department, and that she was eager to get to the bottom of the situation so it would be corrected.

 

Let's all pray that this actually results in the problem being corrected!

Was wondering what reason the management company gave you as to why the tile chairs and water beds haven't been heated, Also what explanation you were given that they never heard about this problem when they got back to you with their explanation.

Very interested in the response you received.

When you befriend crew members they tell stories and share frustrations about unkind and inconsiderate passengers.

Thanks for answering my question. I've 'befriended' crew members. Have found out things like where they live, family, kids, how long have they worked the cruise line and when they expect to go home. Im polite, appreciate the job they do. Tip VERY well. But ive never gotten into a long conversation about there frustrations about laundry.

Im kind and never inconsiderate. I dont talk to people too much about their jobs beyond the basics. Heck, since I no longer have a job, I don't think about any kind of work :)

Ill wish everyone smooth seas and happy cruising

Get over it? I actually couldn't care less...I was just telling what the crew told me....they think it's abusive too. They were not talking about a few items, they said large bags of laundry.

None of this affects me since I do my own laundry. ;)

Not trying to start anything, just a question ok :) Why and under what circumstances would you have a conversation about laundry with crew members ? And what amounts to an employee bad mouthing top tier paying customers. Just curious to know....Thanks.