We’re Baaaaack!!! Live from the Regal Princess- B2B2B- 11.24.21 to 12.9.21

[TracieABD]

November 28, 2021

Day 7 (Part 2)

Still at Sea... but headed for Fort Lauderdale

 

Hi friends-

 

This is our last night on this leg of the cruise. We ate such a big lunch and then tea in the Sanctuary, dinner had to be a late one.

 

Jon and I started to pack up the cabin... we knew we were being moved out of the CC Mini- down the hall to some new digs. We were asked to pack up everything in suitcases, with the exception of our hanging items. I can be pretty organized (actually, Jon will claim that this is my biggest talent)- so I sectioned out the suitcases, so they could be unpacked systematically. Dorky- I know, but I enjoy this kind of thing.

 

We were almost finished around 7:30- and decided to give it up so we could eat. Again. Again, with the eating.  We had the watermelon and feta (yum, delish) and the meatloaf. Meatloaf can be a dicey thing... especially if it is not YOUR meatloaf... in this case- it was really excellent. Seriously, I would order it again without hesitation... and I probably will- in five days!

 

We met up with PC and P2 to say our goodbyes. Boo. Big BOO. We have loved spending time with them. It really made our cruise memorable. If you get a chance- check our Paige’s blog on Facebook- Fungirl Across America and Beyond. She is such a hoot- and Lee... he seems pretty quiet- until you get him in front of a camera- and then it is game-on! They are disembarking on to bigger adventures- and we are in transit. I am going to miss them. Hopefully, we will get a chance to see them in the near future!

 

They headed up to finalize their 190 pounds of luggage. We attended the Tom Cotton comedy show. He was fast... a little predictable, but fast. And then we returned to our stateroom to manage our 190 pounds of gear.

 

Bedtime came fast, but neither of us slept well... we are wresting with a bit of decision... and maybe we will come to a conclusion in the morning.

 

Anyone want to sing us a lullaby?

 

Thanks for following along-

More Later-

TL

[TracieABD]

November 29, 2021

Day 8

Fort Lauderdale

 

Oops! I Did It Again!

 

Hi friends-

 

We woke to a sunny day in Florida- and Jon waving coffee over me... It is transit day. This is our first ever B2B- and I was a little nervous- I know that may seem weird, but I just did not know what to expect.

 

We did the last minute packing things, and said our goodbyes to Richard, the cabin steward. He was such a helpful guy... I think he will do great a guest steward, for sure.

 

We were told to leave everything in the cabin in suitcases or on hangers... I wrote the new cabin number on our luggage tags- and we headed on to breakfast. We are such rookies- we brought our backpacks with us... Not sure why- We only needed our passports, vaccine cards, medallions, and transit cards. Rookies. Total rookies.

 

We had breakfast in the CC dining room. I had a half a bowl of cereal, which is pretty par for the course for me. Jon had bacon and eggs and hash brown triangle-thingies. No one said goodbye to us... because- we are in transit! Yay!!!!

 

Our next stop was Club 6. We were to meet there at 9 am. There looked to be between 80-90 transit passengers. An officer checked us off on his list and we waited for a bit for a couple of last minute stragglers. They must have zero-ed out the departing passengers quickly, because we were led of the ship at 9:15. In one long line, we were brought down to immigration, had our faces scanned, and were directed to an area off to the side to sit. There was plenty of room, even with the separation in the seats. We waited another 20 minutes or so, and then were brought back on the ship- where we had our medallions scanned.

 

We went up to our new digs... a mid-aft penthouse suite on the Riviera deck. So, did I mind changing cabins after 5 days. Nope. Not one bit. The door was not reading our medallions, so we headed back downstairs to have them “activated”. Sometimes, this is necessary. Sometimes, not. They also gave us the traditional cards- in case the medallions did not read... but they did! The cabin is lovely. Our steward are wonderful. We had no luggage- and asked if we could just grab one or two of the suitcases to get started in the nesting process... They helped us bring it all. It took me a whopping 24 minutes to completely unpack and start a load of laundry. (Not everything can go out for laundry- some stuff you just want to wash yourself).

 

So this decision I have been hinting at... we are having a great time, like a really GREAT time... and we started batting around the idea of staying on for a third lap around the pond. We knew it wouldn’t be the stellar deal we got from CAS- but it also was pretty doable. There were a couple of barriers to work through- primarily the puppy (Remember Luca? I refer you to page 1 for pictures of the little mess) and a couple of social obligations. We started chiseling away at the To Do list- and then pulled the trigger on booking. By 12:30, we were fully unpacked, booked another cruise and changed flights, squared away our land lives for an additional 5 days- and had ordered lunch in the CC MDR. Mischief Managed!

 

And finally, we could relax and lean into the next 10 days. There will not be a fourth cruise- it just won’t work with our schedules. So there are no more decisions to work through- unless you count whether or not to have one or two desserts in the dining room.

After our busy morning... Jon headed to the Sanctuary and I folded laundry. If you have ever read any of my other blogs, you will know that laundry is a preferred activity for me. I love all things laundry- including ironing. We even customized a laundry “center” in our new home! This was my way of relaxing.

 

Once I was finished, I brought a drink to Jon up in the Sanctuary. We have a favorite mock tail called “Strawberries on Fire” or something like that. It is really delicious and refreshing. WeD toasted our good fortune- and watched the ship move through the canal. We were following behind the Celebrity Millennium and the Emerald Princess. And just like that... we were fully immersed in Leg 2!

 

We opted out of specialty dining- as we knew they were having shrimp and lemon risotto in the CC MDR. I had a small portion of the risotto for my app and a lovely pork dish. Jon had a big old portion of the shrimp and yummy rice. We have got to cut out the bread. But it is sooooo good. I am worried my clothes will shrink.

 

I went back to the cabin and Jon wandered around the ship. We have heard that there are 887 on board for this twirl. It is a veritable ghost town. But I don’t mind. It works for me.

 

I guess this is where I will leave it.

 

Anyone like laundry as much as I do?

 

Thanks for following along.

More later-

TL

[Coral]

Tracie - you can come to my house and "relax" anytime you want 🙂 

 

Enjoy your next 10 days!

[JF - retired RRT]

8 hours ago, TracieABD said:

We went up to our new digs... a mid-aft penthouse suite on the Riviera deck. 

 

So this decision I have been hinting at... we are having a great time, like a really GREAT time... and we started batting around the idea of staying on for a third lap around the pond. By 12:30, we were fully unpacked, booked another cruise and changed flights, squared away our land lives for an additional 5 days- and had ordered lunch in the CC MDR. Mischief Managed!

 

Yeah, but...where is your "next" cabin? And will the Live From continue?

[TracieABD]

24 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

Yeah, but...where is your "next" cabin? And will the Live From continue?

Who knows?!?!   We consider this a big old adventure!  And yes, the plan it to continue.  

[TracieABD]

2 hours ago, Coral said:

Tracie - you can come to my house and "relax" anytime you want 🙂 

 

Enjoy your next 10 days!

Sounds like a plan!

[TracieABD]

On 11/23/2021 at 11:05 AM, Host CJSKIDS said:

Can't wait to follow along on your sailing.   Congrats on all the good news and enjoy every moment!  

 

Hi Carolyn…

This is a weird question… and I can totally live with a “no”…

 

We are staying on for another cruise-  can the title of this thread be changed to reflect that?

The departure date is now 12.9.21.  And this is now a B2B2B.  
 

Thank you!

Tracie-Lynn

 

PS- Looks like C and B had a great time on the Emerald!

Edited November 30, 2021 by TracieABD

[KLM3164]

8 hours ago, TracieABD said:

Anyone like laundry as much as I do?

I love doing laundry too! I like the feeling when the basket is full and then when you are done you’ve got something to show for your efforts. We moved to a new home last year and we have an amazing laundry room now. The previous owner had the laundry in the garage (boo) and I don’t know what the actual laundry room was used for. We changed this before we moved in an turned it into a proper laundry room.

[JF - retired RRT]

10 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

I love doing laundry too! I like the feeling when the basket is full and then when you are done you’ve got something to show for your efforts. We moved to a new home last year and we have an amazing laundry room now. The previous owner had the laundry in the garage (boo) and I don’t know what the actual laundry room was used for. We changed this before we moved in an turned it into a proper laundry room.

In one of our houses, we moved the washer/dryer from the garage to what used to be the kitchen. Moved the kitchen to what used to be the living room.

[TracieABD]

44 minutes ago, KLM3164 said:

I love doing laundry too! I like the feeling when the basket is full and then when you are done you’ve got something to show for your efforts. We moved to a new home last year and we have an amazing laundry room now. The previous owner had the laundry in the garage (boo) and I don’t know what the actual laundry room was used for. We changed this before we moved in an turned it into a proper laundry room.

 

32 minutes ago, JF - retired RRT said:

In one of our houses, we moved the washer/dryer from the garage to what used to be the kitchen. Moved the kitchen to what used to be the living room.

I just love when people get the whole laundry thing!   In honesty, I really like laundromats.  I like the energy and efficiency.  But on 5 day cruises, we will not see that in the laundry rooms on the ship.  

[Sea Emerald]

10 hours ago, TracieABD said:

November 29, 2021

Day 8

Fort Lauderdale

 

Oops! I Did It Again!

 

Hi friends-

 

We woke to a sunny day in Florida- and Jon waving coffee over me... It is transit day. This is our first ever B2B- and I was a little nervous- I know that may seem weird, but I just did not know what to expect.

 

We did the last minute packing things, and said our goodbyes to Richard, the cabin steward. He was such a helpful guy... I think he will do great a guest steward, for sure.

 

We were told to leave everything in the cabin in suitcases or on hangers... I wrote the new cabin number on our luggage tags- and we headed on to breakfast. We are such rookies- we brought our backpacks with us... Not sure why- We only needed our passports, vaccine cards, medallions, and transit cards. Rookies. Total rookies.

 

We had breakfast in the CC dining room. I had a half a bowl of cereal, which is pretty par for the course for me. Jon had bacon and eggs and hash brown triangle-thingies. No one said goodbye to us... because- we are in transit! Yay!!!!

 

Our next stop was Club 6. We were to meet there at 9 am. There looked to be between 80-90 transit passengers. An officer checked us off on his list and we waited for a bit for a couple of last minute stragglers. They must have zero-ed out the departing passengers quickly, because we were led of the ship at 9:15. In one long line, we were brought down to immigration, had our faces scanned, and were directed to an area off to the side to sit. There was plenty of room, even with the separation in the seats. We waited another 20 minutes or so, and then were brought back on the ship- where we had our medallions scanned.

 

We went up to our new digs... a mid-aft penthouse suite on the Riviera deck. So, did I mind changing cabins after 5 days. Nope. Not one bit. The door was not reading our medallions, so we headed back downstairs to have them “activated”. Sometimes, this is necessary. Sometimes, not. They also gave us the traditional cards- in case the medallions did not read... but they did! The cabin is lovely. Our steward are wonderful. We had no luggage- and asked if we could just grab one or two of the suitcases to get started in the nesting process... They helped us bring it all. It took me a whopping 24 minutes to completely unpack and start a load of laundry. (Not everything can go out for laundry- some stuff you just want to wash yourself).

 

So this decision I have been hinting at... we are having a great time, like a really GREAT time... and we started batting around the idea of staying on for a third lap around the pond. We knew it wouldn’t be the stellar deal we got from CAS- but it also was pretty doable. There were a couple of barriers to work through- primarily the puppy (Remember Luca? I refer you to page 1 for pictures of the little mess) and a couple of social obligations. We started chiseling away at the To Do list- and then pulled the trigger on booking. By 12:30, we were fully unpacked, booked another cruise and changed flights, squared away our land lives for an additional 5 days- and had ordered lunch in the CC MDR. Mischief Managed!

 

And finally, we could relax and lean into the next 10 days. There will not be a fourth cruise- it just won’t work with our schedules. So there are no more decisions to work through- unless you count whether or not to have one or two desserts in the dining room.

After our busy morning... Jon headed to the Sanctuary and I folded laundry. If you have ever read any of my other blogs, you will know that laundry is a preferred activity for me. I love all things laundry- including ironing. We even customized a laundry “center” in our new home! This was my way of relaxing.

 

Once I was finished, I brought a drink to Jon up in the Sanctuary. We have a favorite mock tail called “Strawberries on Fire” or something like that. It is really delicious and refreshing. WeD toasted our good fortune- and watched the ship move through 

 

Anyone like laundry as much as I do?

 

Thanks for following along.

More later-

TL

A kindred spirit.  I love doing laundry too!  I do wish we had a laundry center.  A dream if we ever move.  Currently laundry is in a half bath with access to the garage. Not ideal.  I need hanging space.  I hang a bunch of stuff to dry so that ends up in another bathroom.  🙃 

 

I love reading about your adventures.  Keep having a ton of fun.  

[PescadoAmarillo]

A change of plans mid-cruise?  We would never do that. Never ever! 😆

 

Enjoy it, and the laundry!  I am loving following along (just can’t often post on CC to tell you so). 

[TracieABD]

1 minute ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

A change of plans mid-cruise?  We would never do that. Never ever! 😆

 

Enjoy it, and the laundry!  I am loving following along (just can’t often post on CC to tell you so). 

Hi J-  

I was telling Jon all about you and G… and you B2B2B2B2Bs.  You are most definitely a role model for me!  
 

wish you were here! 
💗

[PescadoAmarillo]

Just now, TracieABD said:

Hi J-  

I was telling Jon all about you and G… and you B2B2B2B2Bs.  You are most definitely a role model for me!  
 

wish you were here! 
💗

Awww, thanks!  We were supposed to be at one point in time. Ten B2Bs on the Regal until mid January, and we would have loved cruising with you and Jon and Fungirl and PC. Instead, I’m a spectator at 2 to 3 high school basketball games each week. And couldn’t be happier. 

[TracieABD]

Just now, PescadoAmarillo said:

Awww, thanks!  We were supposed to be at one point in time. Ten B2Bs on the Regal until mid January, and we would have loved cruising with you and Jon and Fungirl and PC. Instead, I’m a spectator at 2 to 3 high school basketball games each week. And couldn’t be happier. 

Perfect!  Are the twins old enough to be playing HS basketball?!?!?

[PescadoAmarillo]

25 minutes ago, TracieABD said:

Perfect!  Are the twins old enough to be playing HS basketball?!?!?

They are SENIORS!  This is their last year at home. 😢 One plays varsity bball, the other is a runner. 

[Host CJSKIDS]

3 hours ago, TracieABD said:

Hi Carolyn…

This is a weird question… and I can totally live with a “no”…

 

We are staying on for another cruise-  can the title of this thread be changed to reflect that?

The departure date is now 12.9.21.  And this is now a B2B2B.  
 

Thank you!

Tracie-Lynn

 

PS- Looks like C and B had a great time on the Emerald!

 

All done!  And lucky you, a 3rd sailing.  At least I get to live vicariously through you.

 

And yes, it looks like they did.  I've got to reach out to "our family member"! 

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

[TracieABD]

2 hours ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

They are SENIORS!  This is their last year at home. 😢 One plays varsity bball, the other is a runner. 

Holy cow! Where does the time go???

[TracieABD]

1 hour ago, Host CJSKIDS said:

 

All done!  And lucky you, a 3rd sailing.  At least I get to live vicariously through you.

 

And yes, it looks like they did.  I've got to reach out to "our family member"! 

 

Enjoy the rest of your trip.

Thank you! I appreciate it!

[TracieABD]

November 30, 2021

Day 9

Somewhere Headed East- Sea Day

 

Sailing into the Sun

 

Hi friends-

 

Another day, another day at sea... It is going to be very easy to lose track of time. Is it Tuesday? Wednesday? Is it November? December? Sea day? Port day? Who knows?!?! Who cares??? We made a decision at the beginning of this adventure that the destination is the ship... not the ports. And while we may get off the ship for a few minutes- we are not doing any excursions or beach stops.

 

Princess has “stolen” an hour from us as we sail east. Neither of us slept well last night- too much late afternoon coffee. We slept til 9:00 which was actually 10. By then Sabatini’s was closed and we were left scrambling. Well, sort of... this was actually a gift.

 

Some personal notes- at home, we normally only eat one big meal, one small meal, and a protein shake. We also do IF- which has been really effective. In doing this, we both lost weight durning the pandemic lockdown. We brought all of the stuff we would need to continue this practice, but we have been totally distracted by shiny things- like menus and glass serving counters. I have spent the last day or two trying to reset. Missing breakfast this morning gave us the opportunity to have a protein shake and coffee... which is our norm.

 

After that, we planted ourselves up in the Sanctuary for the day. It is lovely and quiet. We have a preferred corner... and it is just perfect up here. There a enough people to remind us that we are not on a ginormous private yacht, but there is so much space and distance between passengers.

 

Jon headed to the Buffy for lunch. I ordered from the Sanctuary “spa” menu. Gazpacho, chicken salad, and pineapple with granola and cottage cheese... except the cottage cheese is really different- in texture and taste- more like ricotta cheese. We have started calling it “ricottage” cheese. I like it. Jon does not. I absolutely inhaled my lunch and promptly fell asleep. Gotta love a day in the Sanctuary.

 

And this is where I will leave you. Tonight is formal night- with Jon’s favorite menu. And Bravo! In the Princess Theater- one of my favorite performances. We shall see what the sopranos sing for us tonight!

 

Anyone want to sing the “Flower Duet” with me?

 

Thanks for following along-

More later-

Tracie-Lynn

[beach bunnie]

We're doing a B2B2B2B on the Regal in Jan/Feb.  Did you book the Sanctuary once or do you have to book at the beginning of each cruise?  TIA

 

[Purple Gallinule]

We sail on the Regal on December 13th - 8 days. Do you have any insight as to which nights will be formal nights? We have sea days on Tues and Wed and the on Sat we leave San Juan at 5pm, the earliest we leave any port. Monday is a sea day, but we disembark the next morning. I don't see them having a formal night when we have to pack and put out our bags, but I could be wrong. Any help would be appreciated.

[JF - retired RRT]

2 hours ago, beach bunnie said:

We're doing a B2B2B2B on the Regal in Jan/Feb.  Did you book the Sanctuary once or do you have to book at the beginning of each cruise?  TIA

 

Each segment.

[TracieABD]

November 30, 2021

Day 9, 2021

Still Out There Somewhere

 

Rendered Speechless

 

Hi friends-

 

Welp, I don’t think there is anyway that Princess can top today. This one goes down in the books as the perfect example of the Consummate Hosts.

 

A brief moment of background— I may have mentions (like 20K times) that we are newlyweds. Our original plan was to get married on April 10, 2020 and then immediately leave for a 34 day Princess cruise from Fort Lauderdale to Europe and around the Baltic. Well, we all know how that story went. The world shut down and Jon and I found ourselves in a very long holding pattern.

 

Late this July, we finally were able to get married- there was a vaccine, there was no Delta just yet- so we had this little window of time to finally make the day happen. The wedding was everything and more.

 

I put on the Personalizer that this cruise was our honeymoon, hoping for a little chocolate celebration cake and a balloon or two!  Not quite a TA and Europe but better than I could have ever hoped for! These cruises have been charmed.

 

Today, we returned to the cabin from the Sanctuary and we were rendered speechless. Upon entry, there was a lovely message written on our mirror. Our cabin stewards surprised us with rose petals, and towel swans. We received fun T-shirts and chocolates, and the sweetest note from the two of them. There are no words for how much gratitude we have for the staff of the ship... particularly our cabin stewards and the concierge.

 

But wait... There’s more... while dressing for dinner (It’s formal night)- the concierge send a beautiful flower arrangement via our cabin steward. That’s it. I’m done. They cannot possibly top this. We are so grateful. Thank you to the staff of the Regal Princess for making us feel so special.

 

Anyone want a lovely chocolate?

 

Thank you for following along-

More later-

TL and Jon

[Coral]

Wow! How cool!