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Once you go Regal, can you ever go back?


hllwdcruiser
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We're going on the Royal next month, but I'd gladly have booked the CB if it was doing the same itinerary and was $400 less. You can buy the coffee program for the two of you for around $70 to have all the brewed coffee you desire. Plus I love the extra large balcony of Caribe Deck cabins. Our suite on the Royal last year did not have as much room on the balcony.

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We enjoyed the Royal (we have enjoyed every cruise we've been on) but there were some things we did not like; no full promenade, difficulty with getting from place to place due to lack of stairs (I think this has been changed after dry dock?) and small balconies--even though we had a large balcony, I would hate the others.

 

We did like the buffet, the on-demand tv and the shows. Otherwise, just ok. We would go on other Royal class ships, but don't mind the older ships--except ones without on-demand tv.

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It's a shame the Regal itinerary does not include the ABC islands. I would have a hard time going back to an older ship. I enjoy the Regal & Royal so much. Unfortunately the Royal will be moving to the West coast when the Sky comes to Ft Lauderdale. Princess it's time to change the itinerary's for the newer class ships!!!

Linda

 

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We were dying to visit the ABCs as well, that's why we grabbed the one and only Royal Princess visit there, this November. Can't wait :D

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I’ve done 23 cruises with Princess. Have been on several different ships, including Royal several times. The entire staff just seemed so happy on this ship. They couldn’t do enough to help us. Waitstaff, bartenders, room steward, room service. Everything was outstanding.

 

 

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Your post/response is one of the reasons I still haven't booked - our last two cruises were on the Regal and we've never been on the CB. I can't say that the staff on the Regal were overly friendly and certainly no-one went above and beyond except for the bartenders in the Elite Platinum lounge.

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We were dying to visit the ABCs as well, that's why we grabbed the one and only Royal Princess visit there, this November. Can't wait :D

 

 

 

Thanks for letting me know! I will check out the Nov sailing. I was on the Royal in April & loved it! Maybe I'll see you on board!

Linda

 

 

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We enjoyed the Royal (we have enjoyed every cruise we've been on) but there were some things we did not like; no full promenade, difficulty with getting from place to place due to lack of stairs (I think this has been changed after dry dock?) and small balconies--even though we had a large balcony, I would hate the others.

 

We did like the buffet, the on-demand tv and the shows. Otherwise, just ok. We would go on other Royal class ships, but don't mind the older ships--except ones without on-demand tv.

 

I agree with your points of things you didn't like in regards to the Regal. I really do miss the full promenade and the placement of the lifeboats on what remains of the deck. The small balconies are a deal breaker for me that is why we are looking at the aft cabin.

 

There are pros and cons for both classes - that is why I am having such a difficult time choosing!

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We're going on the Royal next month, but I'd gladly have booked the CB if it was doing the same itinerary and was $400 less. You can buy the coffee program for the two of you for around $70 to have all the brewed coffee you desire. Plus I love the extra large balcony of Caribe Deck cabins. Our suite on the Royal last year did not have as much room on the balcony.

 

Actually, I still have one of the old cards with all the punches so we can just use it for specialty coffees, but I definitely have been thinking of what we can do with an extra $400 in our pockets.

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I have also sailed Regal many times (12 times) Royal (1 time). I have three more booked on Regal and one more booked on Royal. I guess you can tell that I like the ships.

Would I go back on one of the older ships. Yes I would. I have enjoyed them too .

 

Looking at your signature, I would be sailing in between two of yours, I'm going in February but doing the Western. 12 times on the Regal is impressive!

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We had booked E405... that would be my favorite, for the larger, non-angled, more forward facing balcony.

I would also prefer that side of the ship, as Crooners is below the Port side.

Check out all of the deck plans!

 

Thank you!

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Your post/response is one of the reasons I still haven't booked - our last two cruises were on the Regal and we've never been on the CB. I can't say that the staff on the Regal were overly friendly and certainly no-one went above and beyond except for the bartenders in the Elite Platinum lounge.

 

 

 

I should have been more clear. I meant the staff on the Caribbean Princess were all outstanding. I’ve often heard it starts with the Captain and works it’s way down. Just disembarked the Caribbean today and could not have been happier. We literally are going to rebook the Caribbean Princess before most of the staff leave in February just so we sail with them again. They truly were that wonderful.

 

 

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I have done more than 30 Princess cruises. I have not been on every ship in the fleet. I liked everyone I have have been on.....perhaps I am easy to please. I have been on all the Royal class... including the 49 day maiden voyage of the Majestic from Rome to Shanghai. I loved that one but my favorite of all is the smallest and one of the oldest...the Pacific Princess with a capacity of around 650. Regal, Royal, and Crown this year...Regal twice by chance. My most important factor is the itinerary, not the ship. Mike

 

 

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I should have been more clear. I meant the staff on the Caribbean Princess were all outstanding. I’ve often heard it starts with the Captain and works it’s way down. Just disembarked the Caribbean today and could not have been happier. We literally are going to rebook the Caribbean Princess before most of the staff leave in February just so we sail with them again. They truly were that wonderful.

 

 

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Apologies - I should have been more clear - I did understand your post. I was referring to my experience in regards to the poor service on the Regal as opposed to your experience of excellent service on the CB. Alas! We are sailing in February so if we do pick the CB there will be a staff turnover. Thanks again for all your feedback!

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I have done more than 30 Princess cruises. I have not been on every ship in the fleet. I liked everyone I have have been on.....perhaps I am easy to please. I have been on all the Royal class... including the 49 day maiden voyage of the Majestic from Rome to Shanghai. I loved that one but my favorite of all is the smallest and one of the oldest...the Pacific Princess with a capacity of around 650. Regal, Royal, and Crown this year...Regal twice by chance. My most important factor is the itinerary, not the ship. Mike

 

 

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Thanks for your response, Mike.

Different strokes for different folks, I guess. I grew up in both the US and Europe and had the opportunity to travel extensively throughout my life. Because of this IMHO I just don't feel as if traveling on a cruise ship and perhaps visiting one tourist venue per port really exposes one to a country, their people, culture and traditions. So for us we prefer to travel to different places via land. However, that being said, DH and I absolutely love cruising and it definitely has its place in our lives. Alaska was great on the Coral and we did do a land tour plus stayed on our own in Anchorage and Vancouver for a few days. We did say, however, that we would like to go back one day on our own to fully immerse ourselves and see more of that beautiful state than cruising allowed.

So in short, for you the most important factor is itinerary but for us it's the ship! :):):):):):)

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I too travel extensively. I lived in Europe 5 year. Being on your own is by far the best but as age sets in being around others and a doctor becomes important, at least to me. I have been in most counties. As you say individual circumstances are important but change with time. Mike

 

 

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We were dying to visit the ABCs as well, that's why we grabbed the one and only Royal Princess visit there, this November. Can't wait :D

 

 

 

So excited for you! Great itinerary! If I didn't have a B2B booked on the Regal in December I would joining you.

Linda

 

 

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So excited for you! Great itinerary! If I didn't have a B2B booked on the Regal in December I would joining you.

Linda

 

 

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Thanks Linda, the planets really aligned on this trip for us for sure. Sorry you would not be able to make it as well. We booked it over a year ago on the Sip and Sail, and I even managed to snag utterly perfect airline flights down and back despite using Frequent Flier points, which is a miracle. We're very much looking forward to this trip both for the itinerary as well as the ship, as we adore the Regal and Royal. We've been to Aruba before, on a land trip, but have never been to Bonaire or Curacao.

 

Now if my wife would only hurry up and choose our excursions :D

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Food question on Regal: have been on both Regal and Royal and taking Regal 11/1/18 NY/Ft. L and 11/11/18 Regal out of Ft. L.

I know on Royal earlier this year they served chicken fajitas in Horizon Bistro but seem to recall last year on Regal only Beef Fajitas. Can anyone tell me of they had Chicken fajitas recently on the Regal.

Thanks (not a beef fan)

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In my opinion, everything has gotten worse on the Caribbean Princess...food, service, entertainment, and general cleanliness. Something is just off with that ship. We cruise with Princess very often to notice. Stick with the Regal.

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Food question on Regal: have been on both Regal and Royal and taking Regal 11/1/18 NY/Ft. L and 11/11/18 Regal out of Ft. L.

I know on Royal earlier this year they served chicken fajitas in Horizon Bistro but seem to recall last year on Regal only Beef Fajitas. Can anyone tell me of they had Chicken fajitas recently on the Regal.

Thanks (not a beef fan)

 

My husband doesn’t eat beef and has had chicken fajitas for lunch every Christmas cruise on the Regal for the past 5 yrs. I prefer them over the beef, too :).

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I've been on both the Regal and Caribbean several times. The Caribbean just a couple months ago. While the Regal is lovely, the Caribbean Princess is still my favorite!! I love the wrap around promenade deck, the larger balconies, Crooners right outside the casino, and Skywalkers (Club 6 is not a large enough venue or dance floor for that size of ship).

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I've been on both the Regal and Caribbean several times. The Caribbean just a couple months ago. While the Regal is lovely, the Caribbean Princess is still my favorite!! I love the wrap around promenade deck, the larger balconies, Crooners right outside the casino, and Skywalkers (Club 6 is not a large enough venue or dance floor for that size of ship).

 

Thanks for your input - I laughed at myself when I posted the query - because I knew I would get answers both pros and cons for both ships.

 

I do miss all the things you mentioned from the Grand Class when we sail Royal class but in addition,how was the service on the CB on your last sailing? It's been a few years since we sailed on a Grand Class and maybe I'm yearning for something that has disappeared fleet wide, but the service on the Regal was just lacking all around. From our steward, to the wait staff, to the bartenders to the baristas at the International Cafe....We used to strike up banter with all, especially if we were regulars at their venues but gave up on both sailings. The first time we thought it might be a one off but the second time we realized that it is probably the ship. It's sad. I remember the days when we would walk up to the International Cafe and we would be greeted with a "Good Morning Ms Sharon and Mr Steve" and our favorite coffees would magically appear without having to be asked.

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Thanks for your input - I laughed at myself when I posted the query - because I knew I would get answers both pros and cons for both ships.

 

I do miss all the things you mentioned from the Grand Class when we sail Royal class but in addition,how was the service on the CB on your last sailing? It's been a few years since we sailed on a Grand Class and maybe I'm yearning for something that has disappeared fleet wide, but the service on the Regal was just lacking all around. From our steward, to the wait staff, to the bartenders to the baristas at the International Cafe....We used to strike up banter with all, especially if we were regulars at their venues but gave up on both sailings. The first time we thought it might be a one off but the second time we realized that it is probably the ship. It's sad. I remember the days when we would walk up to the International Cafe and we would be greeted with a "Good Morning Ms Sharon and Mr Steve" and our favorite coffees would magically appear without having to be asked.

 

The service was excellent! I was greeted by name everywhere I went. The bartenders at Crooners were amazing! My waiters at dinner (I always do traditional late seating) were very attentive and always anticipated my needs before I even knew what they were. The food was excellent. My room steward was thorough. This last cruise on the Caribbean Princess was actually the most fun cruise I've done so far and a lot of that had to do with the staff.

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