Regal Princess to Alaska

[lynntie]

Just wondering if anyone has cruised to Alaska out of SF recently and what they thought of the Regal Princess and tours, etc. that were offered. Lyn

[jsiegel]

There was a brief review of the first Regal Alaska sailing of the year from DeloresGardella. It's way back at:

Regal Alaska review

 

I'm leaving this Saturday and hope to post a review. Let me know if there is anything you'd like to know.

 

What sailing are you on? The itineraries are different for the different sailing dates.

 

 

Jackie

 

Regal Princess June 5 2004 Alaska

Windstar Tahiti 2003/4

Sea Princess Mexico 2001

Nieuw Amsterdam HAL Alaska 1997

Crown Dynasty Panama Canal 1994

Vistafjord Cunard Mediterranean 1987

[Pam in CA]

We were on the Regal for a 15-day cruise to Hawaii in April, getting back in early May and loved the ship.

 

Yes, it's older but you'll find the cabins a decent size, the storage space more than enough and the bathrooms comfortable. The shower is almost tub-sized.

 

If you don't have a balcony, one of my favorite spots on the ship was Deck 10 aft. You're blocked from the wind, it's half-covered in case it's raining, and people tend to not find it so it wasn't crowded at all.

 

Have a great cruise!

 

Song of Norway & Song of America, 1986-88; Royal Princess 2/99; Sun Princess 1/00; Ocean Princess 12/00; Royal Princess 4/01; Grand Princess 12/23/01; Sea Princess 2/9/02; Explorer of the Seas 12/21/02; Coral Princess 8/9/03; Nordic Empress 12/27/03; Regal Princess (4/20/04)

 

-- Caribbean Princess (12/26/04) -- Roll Call

-- Royal Princess (4/21/05) -- Roll Call

[marjorie lea]

Hello Jsiegel,

Wow you must be very excieted, only a few more days to go. We sail July 5th and will be going to Sitka, have you been or are going?

Just learned Brent will not be on the Regal, I will miss his lectures they were very enteraining and educational. Please give us a review of the new naturalist. Thankyou.

Just got a call from T/A saying our tickets are in and was I excieted. If you run into anyone in D 109 please let us know what the cabin is like. Never been in an inside cabin befor but husband needs the handicap room and it is the largest one.

Have a GREAT trip, have FUN .

Marjorie

[marjorie lea]

Hi Lynntie,

What is your sailing date? We sail July 5th. There is a roll call for that date, please join us.

The Regal is a very nice ship you will have a great time on board. This is my second sailing on her and 3rd time to Alaska.

Marjorie

[2luv2cruz]

Hi JSiegel,

We are leaving on the Regal 6/25--we absolutely cannot wait

Yes, let us know your review of the trip, as well as the new naturalist--we are so disappointed we won't be able to hear Brent Nixon as all reports re him were stellar.

Also, will you be seeing Tracy Arm & Haines? Love to hear your thoughts on those.

Have a blast!!

C&D

[erni]

marjorie lea

You hit the jackpot. We leave tomorrow on the Regal and we are in D109. It is the largest accessible room on the Regal but still smaller than ones on other lines. We were on RCCL last year and had a nice balcony room, which was a lot larger. It will be interesting having an inside room. The past couple of cruises were nice with the balcony and large enough for 6 of us to lounge in and have drinks.

I will let you know what we think of this room. I am in a power chair and bring my manual chair just in case we need it. Then with all our luggage we will see if we have room to move around.

Cross your fingers for good weather.

Ernie

[Jmini]

Erni, take good care of my parent's cabin. They are the next residents of your cabin. We are next door in D111 and D112. I hope you post while you're cruising. Lyn, I hope you check back and let us know what day you are sailing. I'm June 15. Nancy

[erni]

Nancy-

I know we will take good care of your parents cabin. Now your cabin is a different story. Our 2 boys (24,21) will be in your cabin. I'm sure the steward will have stories for you. My in-laws are in 121 and my sister-in-law is down the hall in 137.

I've heard stories about it being loud from The Stage Door in our rooms. We'll see.

Happy sailing.

Ernie

[marjorie lea]

Hello Erni,

We jut got home from a pre cruise vacation at Pismo Beach California. Have to rest up befor I start packing. We are going to pickup our Docs today. My husband uses a walker and a scooter and is worried about both fitting in room. Take good care of "our" room. Thanks for all the info. Are you going to Sitka? Please let us know about getting off ship in Juneau and Skagway,

Thanks, Marjorie

[resoundingjoy]

My family was just on the Regal to Alaska on...May 26th, I think it was. (Summer school--brain fried, sorry). We were on Caribe Deck. It was my first cruise since I was 4 years old, and our family (other than being a little seasick the first couple of days) had a blast! The first two days out of SF, it was a bit rough. It wasn't just us, though, other people on board felt it too! The weather was very nice...only a few sprinkles of rain. Tracy Arm was beautiful! We got up at four in the morning to get good seats in the Dome, then me and my sisters ran down to the open deck on the Dolphin Deck to take pictures.

 

We didn't take any of the tours, just explored the ports a bit. Having not been to Alaska before, we were a bit overwhelmed, and really wished we could have stayed longer.

[marjorie lea]

Erni,

Welcome home although I guess you would still rather be on board. How was the trip, room and Sitka. Did your Victoria tour work our? Only a few more days til we sail (July 5th) can hardly wait.

Marjorie

[Venture]

Just had a peek at Regal Princess bridge cam- a little 'lumpy' off the California coast.

 

Weather here in Victoria very clear and warm with light winds- going to be great for the next six days, we hope!!

[erni]

Marjorie,

The trip was great -- I was able to get off the ship in Victoria and Juneau. Sitka is a tender port and since I use my power chair 100% of the time, I could not get in the boat shuttling everyone to shore. Your husband may be able to get on the tender boat. My father-in-law who also uses a walker was able to go ashore at Sitka. In Haines I was not able to depart because the ramp could not accommodate my chair because the ramp was too steep due to tides. Everyone else was able to get off using the steps provided.

 

We hired a private taxi in both Victoria and Juneau to take us to various sites. Both the van (Victoria) and bus (Juneau) were able to accommodate me in my power chair. By doing private tours we were not restricted to a fixed time schedule. This was helpful especially in Victoria, because we spent over an hour at Butchart Gardens.

 

Our cabin had plenty of room for me in my power chair as well as a manual wheelchair we brought just in case something happened to my power chair.

 

I hope you have a great time

Ernie

[marjorie lea]

Ernie,

Thanks for the info, glad you had a wonderful time. We still have a few more days to wait (19) til we sail but I have started to pull things together. We have a private tour planned for Skagway and will play the other ports by ear. You did not find the cabin to confining regarding its being an inside? How about noise from the elevator. Jow were the shows, two years ago they did a last night risque review that was side splitting. Who was the ship shopping expert. Anything on the menue you would reccomend seconds of? I always enjoy the cold soups and desserts the best. Have you signed up for next year? We do do a open booking while on board for the following year that way I can start planning early. THANKS .

Marjorie

[DesertDaisy]

Hi Lynn,

Just got off the Regal yesterday. On the whole we had a really nice time. There are many things I like about this ship, starting with the staff. Any request was granted with a smile. Thought the food was very good, the lobster was the best I have ever eaten. My husband had 3. We had some problems with our cabin B-274 inside. My brother did also B-232 inside. It was very noisy on 4 nights. I requested earplugs from the Purser's desk and they did help. The noise was very unusual, something like being inside a popcorn machine. We didn't make a fuss since we knew the ship was totally booked. I talked to many people and the problem is pretty isolated. Outside cabins did not seem to be affected at all, nor did mini-suites. It is a real problem though because there were shims installed in our room and my brother's. Also we saw crew installing more in other cabins. Do I still love the ship, yes. We took the Butchart Gardens and Tea, The Wildlife Quest by Jet-boat in Haines & The Whale Watching Tour in Juenau. They were all great! Highlight was the Red Dog in Juenau. We have been there 3 other times and it always surprises us. This time the Stroller White Pipes & Drum Corp came in off the street. Drums and Bagpipes. It was spine-chilling! Especially Amazing Grace in honor of Regan & Ray Charles. The ship, my favorite place is the Dome and also the Pastiria. We found them both to be quiet, even with the Casino, and nice places to read a book. The dining room is pretty and we also enjoyed the Bistro. I think Jackie (jsiegel) will be posting more and I will add to her thread. I will be happy to answer any questions. Phyllis

[jsiegel]

Phyllis, I knew it wouldn't be long before you were back on the board. I got home before you so I was able to get online quicker. Terrible addiction we have, isn't it? Great meeting you in person and what a great family you have.

 

Marjorie, yes the cold soups are very good and many of the desserts are great. Most portions were a good size so I never wanted to order seconds.

 

Regarding room in the cabin for Ernie's wheelchair, the question should be was there room for all the luggage and clothes? I saw the porter struggling under your mountain of luggage as you were leaving Ernie and Sue. You weren't kidding when you said your family was bringing their entire closets. Great meeting you and your family.

 

We had an inside cabin (B262) and noticed shims in the ceiling. There were little noises all the time, the fan from the air conditioning system blew continuously, but it was a white noise. Did kind of notice a light popcorn sound that Phyllis mentioned, but in our cabin it wasn't too annoying. Our cabin was next to a service area and when the ship was really rocking I could hear carts rolling around at night. That was annoying. Most nights I had to take a sleeping pill, but I have trouble sleeping no matter where I am, home, away, doesn't matter.

 

I've posted my review of the June 5th cruise at:

Review - Regal Princess Alaska

 

Jackie