Wishing on a star

I am happy to hear of those who have had good food in the Regal. But, I still note that these all seem to be before these latest Caribbean sailings. Good reports do not always mean excellent quality at this time. I see other threads here. And would love to see more very recent or current people on Regal chime in! Our last two sailings, the first one the food was just awful. It just was. It wasn't the menus or the ingredients, It definitely was the bad management and preparation. The second one, was MUCH better. Anybody who likes to think that any reports of bad food on Princess ships are not valid, or are from 'haters' who should be put on ignore, might not be right.

Ohhhh, I agree that craziness, espescially during the busy times can be a mess! it is the location, and the so called 'shared seating', that I was mentioning. Last time we ever did the buffet was one time, on formal night, when we decided to skip the MDR and didn't have other reservations. We do not usually go there either. You know, it was like 'dead' up there. It was incredible! We didn't have to be around one other person at the counters, or seated in our area. In fact, the ED and the CD and whomever else also had one whole seating section there to themselves, without worrying about a bunch of passengers around to interrupt or disturb them. Now, it was Beef Wellington night, and there was a beautiful Wellington there at the carving station. Went ahead and got our starters, so things wouldn't be getting cold. Went back a few minutes later, and it was GONE. Maybe to meet orders in the MDRs. Replaced by a beef roast. But, that is a whole other story!!!

I agree! The Caribbean Princess would def. not be my first choice!

Not true.... There are still some of these open, a year out now. These will be showed when you select to book for more than 2 people in the cabin.

Again, I think that there is a lot to still be worked out. I see a lot of negativity that might not really turn out to be an issue. Yes, it is very different to have the Buffet on the lower deck, and not up on Lido. So, I am not sure how that would work out for me. I am not the type of person who has to have a pool and a huge buffet simultaneously! And, while the IC and the Buffet are close together. I guess I don't see the problem there. The current IC in the piazza does not have any specific dining seating area. So, what is the problem if there is some crossover in where people choose to sit??? Yes, they are close, but I am wondering if the actual access to the IC is there at the public area, and thus would have to go down the hall or walkway to the entry to the Buffet. I really don't see these as being truly one single extended thing. Yes, one could do similarly to it is now, and partake of their coffee or breakfast or lunch or snacks from the IC there in the public area, or walk around down to the seating at the Buffet (which should have more outdoor seating on both sides. Or, take stuff back to their room. Any way you slice it up, it adds to the convenience to have both in the same proximity. I am excited about some of the good things that the new ship might hold. I am going to reserve any judgement or complaint until we know a lot more than we do now.

Wow.... has this board declined to, this.... More than just one person has reported some pretty bad food on the Regal and a couple of other ships recently. I am glad for all feedback.

I have heard Princess reps, as well as some TAs, say that they don't see any of these Deluxe Balcony Cabins. This could apply to any Deluxe balcony. Not just those Premium Deluxe Balconies. Try telling them that they WILL see them if they pull it up, with more than two passengers if needed. If this is still the only answer you can get, then you would really have to do your own research... Do supposed bookings for 3 or 4 passengers. Choose one that you do see available. Then find a rep or TA who knows how to help you. This might also be done by booking the GTY, and then requesting that the booking be assigned one of these cabin numbers. (would then not be GTY, once assigned) OR: On your own, you could book that cabin, online, with the so called extra passenger. (could be anybody) And then turn around at some point, and cancel that person. The real problem with booking as a GTY is far greater that you would be assigned to a non-Aft facing deluxe balcony, on ships where those are on the deck plans. Then, there is the lessor chance that you could be assigned an upgrade to a mini-suite. Maybe one that is not in a great location. Odds are that by the time Princess gets around to assigning GTYs, those few aft facing deluxe minis are all taken, by people who do not want to be moved. They are very popular. NOTE to Christy, or to anyone: IF YOU DO HAVE A SPECIFIC CABIN THAT YOU REALLY WANT TO KEEP, DO MAKE SURE THAT YOU OR YOUR TA HAS THE BOOKING MARKED AS 'DO NOT UPGRADE'. Unwanted changes or so called micro 'upgrades' might not be as common with the new bidding for upgrade system now in place. But it seems to be reported that this can still happen. Check your booking frequently.

Thanks Christy! I hope this is helpful and you can get this worked out. I don't know for sure if this is more of problem when booking from outside of the U.S. (just noticing that) This is not a short notice upcoming booking. Nearly a year out. This has nothing to do with those cabins being booked up. This has nothing to do with holding cabins back for Back-2-Back bookings. Christy should see that some of these Aft facing Deluxe Premium are available. They do show up when selecting to book for 3 or 4 passengers. NOTE: Do be aware that these balconies are deeper/bigger on some decks than on others. So also pay attention to that when choosing. And, you might not want that upper deck, just under the pool deck, as it has less cover, and is seen by those looking from the pool deck above. This booking issue is a problem that has existed with Princess for quite some time now. She should be able to get an Aft facing cabin by using one of the two ways that I mentioned. A good TA or good Princess Rep might be helpful. Yes, this is a pain. It is a problem for those booking for two. It simply isn't right. But, I don't know if Princess really knows or cares. I would do whatever 'hokey pokey' dance necessary if I were booking and really wanted one of those.

Those available in the image are not PREMIUM DELUXE balconies. Christy needs to make sure she has selected the PREMIUM DELUXE category. it will show GTY. If she acts like there will be three or more passengers, she will see that some of those are still available. As mentioned above.

Yes, if you put in a GTY for a PREMIUM balcony, then you will get a premium balcony. But on the sky, there are premium balconies that are not AFT facing. This is problem that Princess needs to address, for sure. This is not right. Contact your TA, or whoever you are working with at Princess, and ask about this. There are two ways that you can try. Go ahead and book the GTY, then have them give your booking a cabin assignment, to one of those AFT balconies. Or - Book, with a supposed third passenger to get the cabin, and then cancel that third person. Good Luck!

Okay, I just checked.... Those AFT facing balconies are the PREMIUM DELUXE BALCONY category. Make sure you are searching for those. I just acted I was booking for 3 and 4 passengers. Some of them do show available. As suspected... when you search for 2 passengers, it will only offer GTY. Good luck!!!

Are you booking for two passengers? The problem could be that the Princess system, in all of it's infinate wisdom, has flagged all of these cabins (Deluxe Balcony, including those AFT) for 3 passengers. You could try acting like you are booking for three and see what shows up. If these do show available, to book this for two might take some real efforts by you or your TA.

I am all for free speech and a variety of opinions. If somebody does post an opinion that I do not really agree with, that doesn't make it any less valid. It is easy enough to just ignore. Simple, really. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays everyone!!!!

And could you please let us know who is the head executive chef onboard now?

I believe that I am still seeing a pattern on good, or not so good (horrible) food based in the ship and the timeframe. Regal was getting good reviews coming from Europe. But seems to be getting reviews of a really negative change in the last couple weeks. Gonzo, if you get the time, later or after your cruise, please do post more details on the food, and what you thought was good. But, reall, the lack of the fettucini Alfredo and the lack of the better signature desserts. As well as reports of low quality meats, are enough for me to hear.

That is good! I hope you can relax now and enjoy your cruise!

Yes, Good example! Unless somebody has a few more libations and specialty coffees juices, etc, then it could come out less than the Plus Package! But, if somebody is wanting to indulge, and try a few different things, then Plus would be the way to do that! It isn't too hard to break even. Some cruises, I might really want the Plus Package, but others, that are more destination and Port heavy, (less 'day drinkin'!) I would not do the Plus Package.

Thanks! I was seeing 'If passenger misses the departure'. Which does sound different than "If flight, booked thru Princess, is delayed." And, I might be wrong, as I guess I am not familiar with the loop - vs - one way. And of course Hawaii back to LA is a one way, IF the flight to Hawaii is not able to be counted as part of the trip/passage. Are all the Canadian Northeast cruises round trip? In any case, this seems to be a complex situation, and I would be elevating this to higher levels to get some good answers, and document everything!

Food is always subjective. And I suspect that Citrus was being a bit expressive. But, yes, the newest comments coming in from Regal do not seem good. I think I am noticing that you can almost see the patterns coming in from the different ships.

Yes, you should be fine, with most anything you want to be covered! I don't know when you sail, but the price of the drinks, and the amount covered by the Plus Package are going up. Either way, it all works out for you. If you do want a high end special drink or wine, you would simply pay the difference. With the package, do not be afraid to have a few more drinks and enjoy! Try different ones. Remember, you can get coffee drinks at the International Cafe, included. Seeing your username, you should try the Butterfly at Good Times one evening! (I haven't had one, but it is on my list)

Here is my guess. There would be no problem with the international port requirement, as that would be covered by the stop at Ensenada, on the return. In which case, you would not need to worry about any violation fee. And, you ARE returning to LA. You begin your cruise at a U.S. port, and end the cruise at a U.S. port. and the international requirement is being met. I hope that you have fully documented permission and arrangements to board a cruise after embarkation. That might be a whole different thing. Good luck with Princess on that. I would be looking for contacts at the highest levels on this one. Some generic rep or Princess Planner clearly isn't enough. I would want absolute, in writing, authorazation for boarding in Hawaii. (We once considered ending a Hawaiian cruise early, to skip the sea days home, stay in Hawaii and fly home on our own. That, of course, would require pre-authorization and paying that fee.) Otherwise in general. I would think that, If 'passenger' misses flight, or if 'passenger' chooses to take their own flight. then 'passenger' is the one responsible. Now, if an EZ air flight, booked thru Princess, does not make it to LA, then that would become a Princess issue. If transfers booked thru Princess cause a problem, then again. this would be Princess' responsibility. In short, general advice to anyone for any cruise like this. Do not cut any flight times too close. Do not miss any flights. Have good insurance. I believe the Princess insurance will have coverage for this kind of 'meet the ship' scenario. Nationwide, I believe has specific Cruise Insurance that has coverage for these kinds of things.

Here are two avid Princess cruisers, who dined last month at Crown Grill. Discovery Princess. Interesting thoughts at the end of their experience. This was before there was any hint of the announced price increases. NOTE: One of them had a steak that they liked much better, later on Italian Night, in the MDR. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmcLkKZR7rU

Thank you! keep posting! The Lasagna does sound 'heavy' for me. But, yes, the imported deli meats on Princess are great! Good to hear that is still the case!

Telecheck, I totally agree! Sometimes the changes and differences are just too obvious.

I never got the whole fried/hard/cooked cheese thing anyhow!