Wishing on a star

ldtr, thanks for that insight about the lasagna. The new guy was with HAL for years. I do wonder if that lunch lasagna might still be available?

I want my Fettuccini! One reason it is such a hit, I think, is because most entrees are very very light on starch/potatoes/rice. Why on earth would they do this? Seriously, when the one item on the menu that everyone recommends is a simple fettuccini, and you take THAT away. Somebody is way way way out of touch. And, those new versions of the classic desserts look, well, gross. I do thnk that the red version of the heart might be something that was supposed to go along with the LOVE boat promotions. But, even that. Like, WHY?????

Doesn't sound like your the first! (both non-helpful agent, and that 'dropped connection') Princess should be ashamed. But staffing issues, and all of the changing around Princess is doing. NOT GOOD I know somebody who was not able to get any help with a refare until after final payment finally past, and costed them almost $300.00

There are PR images out there. Yes, there is a a pool. Apparantly it is a split indoor/outdoor pool. And outside there is a lot of forward deck area. In the evening, they are supposed to shut down and cover the pool, cover it to be a stage, and change-over and transform into an evening venue.

They are still showing the Sanctuary and pool on deck 18. So, yes, I can see that being the Aft pool as the adult, since this is aft instead of forward on this new ship. So, that Wakeview Club with the small infinity pool very well could be the exclusive suite/signature area. That is my guess. There had been talk of half of the Sanctuary being exclusive. But, if what is showing, and my guess is right, The Wakeview Club could be exclusive. And the Retreat Pool on deck 18 the adult pool. There would be no direct Wakeview Bar for all access, like on all the other ships. As the Sanctuary would block that. BUT, there would be now be full bow view access in The Dome area on deck 17 forward. So, that would be a switch-off. I think there are a Lot of these things still to be worked out!

The bed should be where there is extra room in the 'jigsaw', where it is wider. The sofa will be where the narrow part of the 'jigsaw' is. A bed is deeper than a sofa! Even though some like the idea of being able to look out from the bed, the design only makes sense to me with the bed first. Otherwise you walk in, and the sofa is like in a narrow walkway. You can also tell whether the bed will be forward or aft facing.

So happy that this worked out!!! Enjoy your cruise! When you get a moment, and maybe after your cruise, please do post the cabin number. And, post a cabin review in that permanent 'sticky' topic at the top of the board here.

I notice the Wakeview Club. That is an exclusive area, right. So I am thinking maybe what is showing on that third level is an exclusive dining room. I do think that there is still a lot to be worked out, and won't be putting too much concern into these plans, just yet.

Thanks! Yes, I guess noise would be possible. But, if it is in the evening, and not late into the night, I thought it might be okay. I haven't looked again at all the current ships. But thinking that surely there are cabins either above or below a similar area for Crown Grill or Sabatini's. I don't remember any mentions of noise, like you would from some areas, like entertainment venues, or setting up the pool deck at dawn... I am wondering if some of the mid-ship cabins nearby which would be great, might open up. The system is not showing any available. Not sure if some might be blocked off or held back for some reason? But I would def. book one of those if I saw one!

They are not always accommodating. But, with the new bidding system, and with SOME sailings with a lot of available cabins, they are probably doing more onboard requested upgrades when possible. I am sure that they are discounted, like bidding would be. People know what the bidding offers were in the bidding email notices they received. The cruise lines need any additional revenue they can get out each sailing! There have been mention here of a chart of upgrade charges for the available categories being available at embarkation. Maybe a search for cabin reviews, and cruise reviews for the Sky would be telling?

We are looking at the new ship. On the Sun Princess, especially with the fares on some of these 'new ship' cruises, I would look into booking one of the Ocean View cabins. They seem to be a pretty big cabin. I thought about Deck 6. You don't know what is below you under most of Deck 5. Plus, 6 is just a little higher. If we had a cabin under the grey area there at Crown Grill, which I am thinking is a kitchen/staff area, does anybody know if that might present a noise problem. Are there any issues that I am missing that somebody here might know about?

Which cabin? Adjoining cabin? Are there cabins (with guests) one both sides of yours, or just the one. Maybe there is actually some issue with the construction and soundproofing with those two particular cabins? And, are you mid-cruise. I am wondering why so many people are moving around? I would def. consider moving, IF they could find another cabin that maybe didn't have people next door? If you request, they should have some staff to help you transfer your stuff. Just kind of halfway pack everything up enough to move it. Tell your husband you know that he is annoyed by the hassle of moving, but you are going to be MORE annoyed if you can't feel comfortable and free from noise from the one cabin.

Maybe somebody onboard now can help? Maybe post this thread with a new Title ANYBODY ONBOARD REGAL NOW?. I am thinking that all lost-and-found has already been offloaded and sent off to 'wherever'. But, might help if you could somehow relay some information.

Didn't some of the Princess PR mention a TWO level main dining room? Anyhow, if it comes out anywhere as nice as the PR image, with those huge windows, it will be amazing!!! Just hope it doesn't have that 'dining in a huge Mall food court' feel.

I agree with wildcat, a pool deck should be a pool deck, not closed in. I have enjoyed the adult pool deck and the Sanctuary. That change is one reason I would hesitate to book these ships that have closed it in for more cabins/passengers per square inch. Now, the new Dome is different. I would love to experience that before I would have an opinion. Hopefully, this means that there will be an AFT adult pool area and Sanctuary. Not sure how this will play out, along with the 'special access' areas. Not sure if I will like an Aft Sanctuary (probably limited public area with side views) as much as I have enjoyed the forward Sanctuaries!

Great minds think alike!!!

First, I would consider which ports seem the best to you all. Ports seem limited on this Regal itinerary. Just from what I have seen, Ocean Cay is more beautiful than Princess Cays. But, as you said, MSC would be a third choice on many levels. Aso And, which dates. Would this include the Easter timeframe? Princess usually will have fewer kids, except for times like Holidays and Spring Break. And, with a one-week itinerary, there will be plenty of kids. But, I don't think 'mobbed' would be the word. Princess used to limit the number of kids onboard, with a cap based on ship capacity, kids club capacities, etc. I have heard of people with children having a problem finding availability with kids over a busy Holiday cruise. But they are marketing heavily to families with kids now. More cabins with 3 and 4 occupancy seem to be being held back for those sailing as family/friends. Entertainment on Princess might be a little different than you have had before. The Princess theater will have actual Production shows. I believe that the shows on the Regal right now are what many Princess cruisers would now call 'dated'. But, you haven't seen them. They do seem to be geared for an older audience. There will be other singers/bands/entertainers onboard. And, of course at least one comedian. The main Piazza on the Regal is also an entertainment hub in the evenings. There will be the ships band, other musical entertainment, and the Crooner's piano/martini bar. Crooner's will alternate with the entertainment scheduled on the main level of the Piazza. For the kids, the pool will be the center pools on the main pool deck with the huge MUTS screen, always going, always something playing. I have never seen any of the pool games type of stuff, but they do seem to have some of this kind of thing. Once noticed a 'sexy legs' contest that in the end was all men, acting silly and strutting their stuff. (acting like chippendales or pole dancers....) The forward Retreat Pool is adult only. And, I am not sure if or how many kids are usually at the small AFT pool, as we do not usually cruise during the busy family times. I understand that food will not be as good as Celebrity, especially the specialty restaurants. But, I am sure you all would be happy and well fed! Afredos Pizzaria and Italian over the main Piazza, is included and is great. Soft Serve ice cream and burgers and dogs and tacos, and quick serve pizza (which is good, but not Alfredo's) are always there. Huge buffet. Plenty of choices there. And, the Gelato in the main Piazza. The coffee and specialty coffee drinks at the coffee bar should be great. (one iffy review lately for some reason?) And the foods and snacks and desserts there at the International Cafe are good too! Hope this first quick run-down might be helpful !

I am not putting a lot of stock into these deck plans. I think a lot is still to be worked out. One thing I question is the location of the kids and tween areas. Makes NO sense. Especially right next to and at the entry to Adult areas. I am sure there will be hits and misses. Princess, like other companies, are good to have the 'suits' come up with some bad ideas. (lack of Aft pool, big fountain taking up valuable deck and pool space, etc. The change in the Buffet is not convenient for those who like to have the whole buffet available while swimming, but I do not mind the change in the location for the buffet. I am one where swimming, sunning, and sit down dining, do not mix. Standard poolside fare is good enough for me. If buffet dining is what I am wanting, then I have no problem going the Buffet for that. There is one thing that looks to be all set that I do not like. I just DO NOT like the whole 'theater in the round' thing at all. Makes me wonder where Princess is going with their production shows. For me, getting away from the setup for staged shows with sets and backdrops, into funky theater in the round productions would be a mistake. There are other venues on the ship for entertainment, without giving up an actual traditional staged theater.

Ohhh,, yes there are the two forward CC Minis! Oooops. I was assuming that you either knew about Club Class, and that was what you were considering, or that these were the only available mini's offered for you to bid on. Anyhow, I would assume that those front forward Mini Suites would be possible to be assigned. I would go in, and look at the cruise, like you were making a new booking, and see what Mini Suites are still showing available. That might give a bit of an idea on what cabin you might get. But, you might know that a LOT can change as Princess assigns guarantee cabins, upgrade bids, etc. So, hopefully the availability you are seeing is not too misleading. NOTE: If you bid and get the upgrade, and the cabin assignment, if there are any others in that exact category available then you should be able to do a simple move if you see one you like better. If you look at the availability on your cruise, and it does not seem to be full, and there are a lot of Mini Suites available, then I might start with that minimum bid you see offered. Supply and Demand...

The location isn't a big factor on bidding for a CC Mini, because they are all mid-ship and mid-deck. From what category are you bidding from. How much of an upgrade. If the better cabin, plus the convenient dining would be really nice to you, and be worthy of that bid, then yes, by all means. You can't get a bad location with that category. PS: I don't think I have ever heard of anybody declining a winning bid. Is that possible. At best, it seems like if you decline, you could lose the cabin you have already booked, if it becomes filled once they process your bid.

Which ship and itinerary? That could make a difference in the tips and advice! What do you hope to enjoy on the cruise? What type of cabin have you booked. Do you have a drink package? Food is subjective, of course. But, I would say that that it is mostly about the same level on these similar mass market lines. Not as good as the more upscale lines. On Princess, the Piazza, the International Cafe, and the coffee shop there, are something you should check out. Everything from the breakfast, coffees, food, snacks, bars and entertainment in the main Piazza might be a different thing than you have experienced before. The Aft (wakeview) bar, (and small pool area) on most ships, as well as the Adult Retreat Pool area and bar might be more to your liking than the central pool deck, and the MUTS screen. Depending on what ship you are on, some of the alternate dining might be different. So, people can give you their thoughts on that if they know which ship. Most would say definitely check out the Alfredo's/Gigi's pizza italian. NO upcharge for that. Some ships also have some different food options, The same goes for the main shows in the Princess Theater. Some ships have newer and different production shows.

I don't even know how to book the special lunch! Maybe you have to call Princess, or do this once you board? Have you seen this video? A solo cruiser booked a Sanctuary Bungalow and the special lunch. And, I am assuming that she could do it just for her. It turned out to be a rainy day, so not the best video of the Island, but she does show the lunch. The lunch is at about 12 minutes in. This was a year ago, but I don't think Princess is known for changing up to food on Princess Cays. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N0tfExW-m8w&t=616s

Yes, I would think that there would be less service in a regular bungalow. I think you might take the time to talk to the staff when you get there, and let them know you would be happy if they stopped by and brought drinks, etc. You might attract more attention with honey (and tips might not hurt) There is a small bar not far from there. There is no service to bring food from the buffet, or anything other things. You will visit the buffet if you want lunch. If the ship seems full and there are a lot of people at Princess Cays, the lines will start early and be long at the beginning of the lunch service. So, might plan on getting there early, or going when the lines start to ease up.

I have always understood that, yes, your EZAir tickets must actually be 'ticketed'. Until then, they are bulk 'Princess' tickets. YOU can't access or change them. There seems to be some real confusing going on with that right now! Odd that Delta is sending out upgrade emails to people, when the ticket is still under Princess control? The thing is, on many flights, especially to Europe, ALL of the better category 'Comfort Plus', etc, will be filled way before Princess processes your individual tickets. I had looked into this and, in the past, you could request to have Princess go ahead and 'ticket' your EZAir. This seems to be what DallasGuy posted just above. Yes, you will be locked in at that price. No more access to Fare Drops. But, once you have YOUR ticket, then you can use your miles, or money, to pay to upgrade. This would be helpful if you don't have enough miles to buy your tickets, EZAir has a decent price, and then you use your available points to upgrade. I have heard that there are good EZAir deals on upgraded ticket categories. But, if you want to also use miles you have sitting our there, going thru this process could possibly be a good deal.

Did you book a regular bunaglow, or a Sanctuary Bungalow? I believe the Sanctuary Bungalows do have more service available. Which might be good, because there is not a bar in that area. You can read reviews there where you see this rental 'excursion' on your booking. And, you could do a quick search here on this forum. Also, since these cabanas are the furthest out, you might want to try to take advantage of the golf cart. I also believe you should get priority tender tickets to be the first tenders off the ship that morning. The description says, "Additional amenities may be included for a supplemental charge, such as a gourmet picnic." So, if you want extra food, this would be an add on. I think the food has some things that are not at the Princess Cays lunch set up. But, we have never reserved one, as we want to be close to real beach, and the Sanctuary Bungalows do not have sandy beach access. (and fewer palm trees with shade)