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"LIVE" from Regal Princess - October 24, 2023


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Hello everyone and good morning. Welcome to DAY 4 of "LIVE" from Regal Princess.

Welcome to Tortola, British Virgin Islands. We just arrived at 9:30am. The scheduled arrival time was 8am, but the Captain suggested that we will be staying here until 6pm (instead of 5pm)

 

The forecast for today is partly cloudy skies and a 70% chance of rain, and a temperature of 82f.

 

I will just be hanging out at Tortola Pier Park for a while, to see what I can see. Here are a few pics from this morning.

 

Radio

 

 

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Horizon Court DECK 16

 

 

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Horizon Court this morning (6:30am)

 

 

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The pastries look very good.

 

 

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We pass by Virgin Gorda

 

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We just picked up the pilot.

 

 

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Regal Princess just approached the pier slowly.

 

 

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We have docked and are being secured to the pier.

 

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Welcome to Tortola

 

.

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18 hours ago, redtop101 said:

I see there is a QR code for duty on any liquor bought, either off shore or on board. Any idea what the duty is, and what ever happened to duty free? 🤷‍♂️

 

16 hours ago, hllwdcruiser said:

Is it a Galveston/Texas thing? 

Yes, The TABC charges you tax upon coming back to Texas.  Even on a closed loop cruise.  

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Hello everyone and good day. I really like being in Tortola today. The weather however, was up and down. It was only 83f,  but it felt like 93f. It rained on and off for most of the day.

 

Based on discussion with other passengers, I am glad that I did not book an excursion. Passengers complained of bad weather while they were ashore.

You never know how the weather will be, but the forecast did call for rain throughout the afternoon.

 

I never left Tortola Pier Park to venture into Road Town, the Capitol.

The pricing in the shops was a little high. I am sure that the pricing is much cheaper when not in the pier area.

 

It might be time for me to watch some news before sail away at 6:30 pm.

 

Thanks for tuning in.

 

Radio

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Welcome to Tortola

 

 

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British Virgin Islands

 

 

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Cigar bar and non-smoking on the same sign?

 

 

 

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Loading area for passengers going on an excursion

 

 

 

 

Regal Princess

 

 

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The government of Tortola may need to change some of their signage.

 

 

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There are over 30 places to shop I'm a drink and dine.

 

 

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There were more locals here than I would have thought.

 

 

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The weather was very sunny, very cloudy or rainy.

 

 

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Regal Princess Bow

 

 

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Regal Princess portside.

 

 

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Refill Princess starboard side

 

 

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It's time to get back on.

 

.

 

 

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Hello everyone. Regal Princess has left the pier slowly on her way to St.Johns,  Antigua. It won't take long as we are scheduled to arrive tomorrow morning at 8am.

 

(Antigua became an independent nation in 1981, but it is still British in many of its traditions.)

 

Radio

 

 

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The Pilot is ready

 

 

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We are almost ready to leave.

 

 

 

Regal Princess leaving the pier slowly.

 

 

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We should be in St.Johns, Antigua tomorrow morning at 8am.

 

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Hello everyone and good morning. Welcome to DAY 5 of "LIVE" from Regal Princess.

Welcome to St John's, Antigua.

 

We arrived this morning right on time (8am), but it didn't start pouring down rain until we tied up to the pier. The local forecast doesn't call for rain until later this afternoon, but oh well. Weather predictions are not always accurate.

 

I have been to Antigua several times, and I usually go to Sandals (on the north side of Antigua), but today I may hang out close by. Kings Casino is just steps from the Pier, so I might try things out in there. 

 

Maybe the weather will clear up later, but there were dozens of passengers down on DECK 5 at the Shore Excursions desk. A crew member suggested that they were getting refunds for excursions in Antigua.

 

Here are some pics from last night and this morning. Thanks for tuning in.

 

Radio

 

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Last night I went to Alfredo's on DECK 6.

 

 

 

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I didn't know that this places held so many passengers.

 

 

 

 

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The Pizza was very good 

 

 

 

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 The Antipasto hit the spot

 

 

 

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The donuts looked very good this morning.

 

 

 

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We pick up the Pilot for our approach

 

 

 

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There were heavy clouds but light rain on our approach.

 

 

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We had some very dark clouds as we approached the pier

 

 

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The heavy rain began when we were tied up to the pier.

 

.

 

 

 

Edited by Radio
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On 10/26/2023 at 7:34 PM, michiele said:

Can you check on the Thermal Suites? Someone said they were just on the ship and the thermal area is closed due to renovations. I'm going to be on the Regal in 17 days and am worried I paid for a week long pass and most of the Thermal suites are closed.

We were on the TA that just happened and used it every sea day so if it is closed must be a new thing.

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On 10/27/2023 at 12:11 PM, d-lite-n-cruisin said:

 

Yes, The TABC charges you tax upon coming back to Texas.  Even on a closed loop cruise.  

You must be 21 at least.  TABC charges everyone regardless of your home residence.  TABC sits outside the baggage claim area just inside the terminal and watches returning pax.  Many conceal their alcohol (illegal) and just walk by the table.  This is the taxes they charge:

 

Liquor
Half pint (200 ml)…..$3.25
Pint (500 ml)…..$3.50
Fifth (750 ml)…..$3.50
Quart (1 liter)…..$3.75
Half gallon (1.75 liters)…..$4.25
Gallon (3.79 liters) …..$5.50

Beer
6, 12 oz……$3.25
12, 12 oz……$3.25
24, 12 oz…..$3.50

Wine
Fifth (750 ml)…..$3.25
Gallon (3.79 liters) …..$3.75

Cigarettes
Pack …..$1.50
Carton (10 packs)…..$15.00

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Hello everyone, and good day. Well now . . . Things were a little different today than yesterday. Today it rained all day.

 

"Radio, how could it rain all day?" Well it rained from the time I left the ship, until my return. Yikes. . .  It is still raining. There's an important quote that was mentioned by someone that states " A rainy day on a cruise is always better than a sunny day at work" I agree with that comment.

There were many excursions that were cancelled, but many passengers still ventured ashore. . . just like your "intrepid reporter"

 

I heard so much about Kings Casino in Antigua, so I thought I would give it a try. I tried it for about 10 min . It was very dirty, with a lot of clutter and broken machines. The only thing that was good was that I was able to get out of the rain for a few min.

 

There were 100"s of passengers in the many  straw markets in St.John. The vendors were also plentiful and they were intent on making your day in Antigua memorable. A simple "no thank you" was all that was needed and passengers were not pressured. A better Casino choice was Boardwalk Casino, that was very clean and very professional. 

 

I came back to the ship around 2pm and enjoyed lunch at the Trident Grill. I am hoping for better weather in Curacao, and Aruba.

Here are a few pics from today.

Thanks for tuning in. 

 

Radio

 

 

 

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Welcome to Antigua

 

 

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Good looks like some crew was getting trained on painting

 

 

 

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Downtown St.Johns

 

 

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Passengers trying to avoid the rain

 

 

 

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Cat Bus?

 

 

 

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Kings Casino

 

 

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A small break in the rain.

 

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Regal Princess Bow

 

 

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The police station looked broken. . .

 

 

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I walked over the the Heritage Cay shops

 

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This where the original Cruise ship pier is.

 

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There were lots of vendors to choose from.

 

 

 

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Boardwalk Casino

 

 

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Regal Princess from Heritage Cay

 

 

 

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The rain continues as I start my walk back to the ship.

 

 

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Watching football was popular back on Regal Princess.

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I went on Regal and April and doing it again in December.  I had a good time, no real complaints besides the internet wasn't very good. couldnt even listen to a baseball game radio feed.. I heard it recently got a starlink internet upgrade.

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2 hours ago, Pinballs83 said:

I went on Regal and April and doing it again in December.  I had a good time, no real complaints besides the internet wasn't very good. couldnt even listen to a baseball game radio feed.. I heard it recently got a starlink internet upgrade.

Yes, Regal Princess internet access seems to be doing well. It surely is not the fastest Starlink, but I can make Wi-Fi calls, upload pics and vids with no worries.

 

Radio

 

.

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There was a Princess Patter notice on DAY 3 about the Galveston, Texas. (QR Code) with some interesting details.

Texas requires an import tax on all Alcohol or Tobacco brought into the state.

 

Several other passengers suggested that this is on the honor system at debarkation.

 

Radio

 

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.

 

 

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For a fun time go to the Mermaid Bar at the pool and watch Yu, William and Rollie as they work. Great team and they have a good time while doing it. Tell em Tim says Hi and Thanks! Ajay at the Good Spirits Bar puts on a good show while making his televised drinks.

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Hello everyone, and Good Morning. Welcome to DAY 6 of "LIVE" from Regal Princess.

 

I woke up this morning to something very nice. Sunny skies. Yes there are a few clouds, but it's nice to see some blue skies and sun.

The forecast for today will be the same, with sunny skies, and warm temps (85f). The seas are very calm as well. 

 

Today will be a delightful day at sea, as we sail toward our next Port of call, Willemstad, Curaçao. There are many activities inside and up on the pool deck for passengers today.

They're also having the Halloween costume registration for those on board who brought a costume.

 

I may step down to the Princess Theater for the Curaçao destination expert. I realize that Princess would like to sell excursions, but I would like to know a little more about this port if I can. I am a Curaçao virgin.

 

Here are a few pics. Thanks for tuning in.

 

Radio

 

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I'm happy for sunny skies today

 

 

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You don't have to check out a pool towel because they were already on each lounger on board.

 

 

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If you need an extra one or a blanket for watching movies they can be found on the pool deck.

 

 

 

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The water is very blue today.

 

 

 

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The SeaWalk feature is pretty cool.

 

 

 

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This walkway extends over the ocean 17 Decks up.

 

 

 

 

 

It is quite exhilarating to walk across the SeaWalk.

 

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I tried some Bangers and British bacon this morning.

 

 

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Princess LIVE Cafe had some great Iced Americanos

 

 

Princess LIVE

 

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