Just Back - 7 nt Regal Western Caribbean - 3/10-3/17

[bmc alabama]

We are just back from the 7-night Western on the Regal Princess (3/10-3/17).  This was our first Royal Class ship and quite honestly, if we can choose to do this class of ship, we will always pick it over the other ships.  Here are just a few random thoughts:

 

-  I had heard lots of discussion about the small size of the balcony.  Personally, I didn't find the balcony size to be an issue at all.

 

-  I had also heard about the Royal class buffets being "better", however, I wasn't expecting just how much better they are.  The buffet on the Regal was fantastic, especially when compared to the almost inedible buffet we had on the Emerald last year.  The selection and quality was just heads and shoulders better that it was on the Emerald.  I can go into more detail if necessary, but we LOVED the buffet (and, quite honestly, I've never been much of a buffet person...)

 

-  I loved the Medallions.  At first, I though "Meh", however, as the cruise went on, we came to appreciate all of the new technology on the ships.  The best has to be the ability to locate your "shipmates" anywhere on the ship in real time.  I could find my wife or daughter easily.

 

-  I had read an earlier review about the older age of cruisers on that reviewer's cruise.  I had someone comment to me that they had been on the prior cruise and that this cruise (our's) it seemed as if the average age dropped 20-30 years.  We had wondered what the age mix would be, and while the cruise does skew older perhaps, there was a good mix of ages on the cruise.  For instance, the Teen Club (Beach House) had 92 13-17 year olds registered for our cruise.  (My daughter really liked the teen club, BTW.  They have their own lounging deck and hot tub)

 

-  Didn't go to many shows, but they seemed to be well attended.

 

-  Loved the smoke-free nights in the casino

 

-  I had wondered if our stateroom on Marina deck (M702) would be too noisy being right under the back Horizon Court deck, but we really liked the location and only heard the scratching of moving chairs/tables a couple of times.  We would take this stateroom again.

 

-  Yes, chair was gone from the stateroom, but the table is still there.  We had 4 in our stateroom, so it would have gotten in our way, but I think that if there are only 2 in the stateroom, then they should think about putting the chair back in...

 

-  Princess Cays, while fine, could use an update...  Also, since the new Disney Private Beach area will be practically next door, they may want to spruce it up  as you'll be able to see both areas from the ship...

 

-  When we were taking the tender back to the ship on Grand Cayman, the Carnival Vista was in the same area to board as we were.  They had a line probably 1,000 yards long (I am not kidding, hopefully someone else who was on this cruise can vouch for me on this.) and there was LOTS of grumbling, especially as we walked right by to our no wait for a tender with our cold water and cool towels 🙂

[Luvtennis6060]

Thank you for the review of the Regal.  I’m sure the average age on your cruise has to do with spring break.  We are going on the Royal in 2 weeks and look forward to an expanded buffet.  Hope it is as good as Regal.

 

Cindy, Alabama Fan, ROLL TIDE 

[kywildcatfanone]

Thanks for the review.  We board in 2 weeks and I'm ready for a few days off work.

[linkav]

We are going March 30. Thanks for the info.

[bmc alabama]

6 hours ago, Luvtennis6060 said:

Thank you for the review of the Regal.  I’m sure the average age on your cruise has to do with spring break.  We are going on the Royal in 2 weeks and look forward to an expanded buffet.  Hope it is as good as Regal.

 

Cindy, Alabama Fan, ROLL TIDE 

Hi Cindy!  Hope you have a great time!  I am an Alabama fan as well, so a hearty ROLL TIDE! to you as well!

4 hours ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Thanks for the review.  We board in 2 weeks and I'm ready for a few days off work.

 

4 hours ago, linkav said:

We are going March 30. Thanks for the info.

Have a great time!

 

[bmc alabama]

A couple other things I am remembering:

 

- There was sushi in the buffet one day.  It was really good!

 

- The library is a nice touch.  There were people in here playing games the entire cruise.

 

- There is a pot roast Curtis Stone dish that is fantastic.  Can't remember what it was called, but it was one of the best things I've eaten on a cruise.

 

- Lobster was much better on the Regal than the Emerald.  Not sure why.

 

- Pub lunch is a nice touch and it fills up quickly.  You can order as much as you want.

 

- No tumblers for those with the Soda and More package on this sailing.  Not sure why...

 

- They had Skee Ball in the kids club!  (I was sooooo jealous...)

 

- The tech on the ship is really, really good.  I hope all ships go to this...

[AF-1]

Thanks for your review.  I as on CB last month and the tech and medallion program was in full swing.  I look forward to a cruise on the Royal Class ships.

[Ngraham54]

Thanks for your review!  We leave 3/24 on the Regal for a Western also. Looking forward to the medallion experience and we can always find great food somewhere on the ship!!  

[lindsaygal]

Thank you for the review! We board the Regal on Sunday and are really looking forward to a fun family vacation.

[USCcruisecrazy]

Thanks for the awesome review!

 

What were your Ports and can you give a little breakdown of each (besides Princess Cays)?

 

Thanks in advance.

[c-boy]

 

Yummy   👍

[sherman931]

Thanks for the review. I too was on this sailing and enjoyed the cruise. Embarkation and disembarkation were great. Food was good in all venues. Watched some great movies. Lost my a** in the casino.  

[AF-1]

was the Curtis Stone pot roast served in mdr or buffet?

[bmc alabama]

58 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

was the Curtis Stone pot roast served in mdr or buffet?

MDR

[AF-1]

got it; thanks

[pedirn]

We too were on this cruise.  Great weather.   This is not my favorite Princess class but price was right.  One thing I have not seen posted (but it may have been and I missed it)  was the cost of MedallionNet .    We had received an offer pre-cruise for unlimited internet for 59.99.   We almost took it but thought we would just manage with 150 minutes each we receive for being Elite.   Once on the ship we went to log in and too our surprise we had the option of our free 150 minutes or unlimited internet for $49.49.   So they are discounting price for those who receive free minutes.

[bmc alabama]

26 minutes ago, pedirn said:

We too were on this cruise.  Great weather.   This is not my favorite Princess class but price was right.  One thing I have not seen posted (but it may have been and I missed it)  was the cost of MedallionNet .    We had received an offer pre-cruise for unlimited internet for 59.99.   We almost took it but thought we would just manage with 150 minutes each we receive for being Elite.   Once on the ship we went to log in and too our surprise we had the option of our free 150 minutes or unlimited internet for $49.49.   So they are discounting price for those who receive free minutes.

Which class do you like better?  We much preferred the Regal to the Grand class ships we've been on (Grand, Star, Emerald), though the Dawn/Sun hold a place in my heart as the Dawn was the first ship I ever cruised on...

[pedirn]

bac alabama....As for class of ship we much prefer the Crown, Emerald or Ruby.   Our all time favorite was Diamond and Sapphire Princess but have not been on them since their remodel for Asian cruises so I am not sure we would like the changes.   Next would be the Grand, Star, and Caribbean Princess.   Not a fan of Sea Princess.   

But back to Royal/Regal....we love the buffet area .   We do not like theater layout not the Atrium.   The atrium seems to have too many noises/sounds coming from the three different floors that it makes it less than enjoyable.   We also miss Skywalkers.  The layout of Club 6 just doesn’t work for us.   But this is why Princess has different type ships....something for everyone.

 

 

[AF-1]

I did not know that Royal and Regal do not have skywalkers.  I thought that was Princess trademark lounge.  Or maybe Explorers lounge is their trademark

[Flowergirl56]

I am on the Regal now.  Had the pot roast dinner last night and it was delicious.  

[AF-1]

Was that the Curtis Stone pot roast dinner?

[Colo Cruiser]

8 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

Was that the Curtis Stone pot roast dinner?

It is an entree (photo above) in the MDR. As posted above the last night.

[Colo Cruiser]

59 minutes ago, AF-1 said:

I did not know that Royal and Regal do not have skywalkers.  I thought that was Princess trademark lounge.  Or maybe Explorers lounge is their trademark

Also the Grand had Slywalkers removed a few years ago.

[kywildcatfanone]

On 3/21/2019 at 10:08 AM, pedirn said:

 We had received an offer pre-cruise for unlimited internet for 59.99.   We almost took it but thought we would just manage with 150 minutes each we receive for being Elite.   Once on the ship we went to log in and too our surprise we had the option of our free 150 minutes or unlimited internet for $49.49.   So they are discounting price for those who receive free minutes.

I did the early adding of this, but this is the 2nd time I've seen someone post that it's cheaper to purchase onboard.  Maybe I should cancel and wait till I board?  Would save about $10. 

[c-boy]

33 minutes ago, Colo Cruiser said:

Also the Grand had Slywalkers removed a few years ago.

My nickname for her is "BobTail" .... Look "Bobtail is in port ...