TxTeach79's LIVE Regal return to Princess Solo Thanksgiving - 11/19/23

[bethfelk]

11 minutes ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Boarding is all based on the readiness of the ship.  Could be anywhere from 10:30 to 1pm generally before they start boarding.

Ya I'm fairly familiar with how it normally goes in Galveston but I was just wondering how much the usual process of actual boarding once through security is being affected by the current CPB mess

[TxTeach79]

28 minutes ago, bethfelk said:

Just went back and looked at your embarkation bc that's the only part I'm worried about, after getting through the security and green lane did you have to sit and wait or did you walk right on? Can't tell from your pictures. On Ruby last year we got through security and green lane quickly but then had to sit for a long time before boarding

once I was through security I never stopped walking. Green lane, scan my medallion, right up and onboard. That part was a complete piece of cake. Outside was the mama bear. 

[LatinaInTexas]

Whew looks like you dodged the crazy madhouse debarkation the previous few cruises encountered.

Really enjoy your happy, fun, humourous reviews. Safe travels home, until next time....

 

[minniegidget]

Safe travels  home. Can't wait for your next cruise.   

[TxTeach79]

1 hour ago, kywildcatfanone said:

Well, not that much, but our favorite area is the retreat pool which on the newer ships they put cabins outside and makes that area sit down in a hole, which ruined the ambiance of the space, for us anyway.

I’m super interested in this. It seems like a super polarizing change in Princess World. I loved the physical layout of the retreat on Regal, but it was also a virtually unusable wind tunnel a lot of the time we were at sea. Sanctuary adding a pool is a big deal for sure. 

[TxTeach79]

 

[TxTeach79]

Halfway home. Reloading at Centerville. 
 

[kywildcatfanone]

1 hour ago, TxTeach79 said:

I’m super interested in this. It seems like a super polarizing change in Princess World. I loved the physical layout of the retreat on Regal, but it was also a virtually unusable wind tunnel a lot of the time we were at sea. Sanctuary adding a pool is a big deal for sure. 

I don't really disagree with this, but my experience is the wind tunnel that is created can be just about as bad as the open deck on sea days.   I guess for me, I prefer the openness of the Regal, there are a lot more chairs around the pool itself, and the layout is just better IMO.  

[VictorWI]

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Looking forward to the next one! You have a unique way to keep us entertained AND informed. 

[Slainte57]

Thanks for taking us along on your cruise. Safe travels home.

[TravelGirlinDallas]

4 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

There is still no facial recognition in place. Customs blaming Princess and Vice versa

What the heck?? It worked just fine for us yesterday getting off Breeze.

[TxTeach79]

3 minutes ago, TravelGirlinDallas said:

What the heck?? It worked just fine for us yesterday getting off Breeze.

yeah, it’s a princess thing at the moment. They don’t even have the equipment out. It’s straight old school debark. Went smoother than last week by most accounts, so coulda been worse 

[WhiteOptima]

On 11/20/2023 at 5:52 AM, TxTeach79 said:

MT selection 

 

Saw a picture from Horizon P&A bar from last week.  Great Bourbon selection-ER, EH Taylor and more.  Was on Venezia last week and barely got Buffalo Trace.

[TxTeach79]

1 hour ago, WhiteOptima said:

Saw a picture from Horizon P&A bar from last week.  Great Bourbon selection-ER, EH Taylor and more.  Was on Venezia last week and barely got Buffalo Trace.

the P&A is always a strong bet for bourbon. I’ve also always found Blanton’s in Carnival steakhouse bars. Blanton’s was listed on the menu in the Regal’s bars, but I don’t think they actually had it this week. 

[BlerkOne]

2 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

yeah, it’s a princess thing at the moment. They don’t even have the equipment out. It’s straight old school debark. Went smoother than last week by most accounts, so coulda been worse 

But Carnival also uses that terminal, so the equipment must be there. Someone did correct me on the old school thing - there aren't any custom forms to fill out.

[canes20]

[TxTeach79]

55 minutes ago, BlerkOne said:

But Carnival also uses that terminal, so the equipment must be there. Someone did correct me on the old school thing - there aren't any custom forms to fill out.

yeah, it was strange. In the big open spot right before the stalls where the customs agents sit, and where the facial recognition cameras were when I was on Dream this summer, there was nothing. Just empty space. The customs agents ahead weren’t in the booths, they were standing in front of them casually, and as you said no forms at all, they just glanced at our passports and sent us along

[satxdiver]

We were on the Ruby in early April going out of and returning to Galveston.  They had the facial ID working when we debarked.  We were on the Dream last year when they had the facial ID working out of the same terminal.  So what is the problem?  Sounds like Princess in Galveston has really fallen on their face and will impact their bottom line in this port.

[snoozecrooze]

@TxTeach79 it was an absolute pleasure to have you on the Princess boards this week. I mean no exaggeration when I say that I genuinely looked forward to your day-to-day recollections and meanderings to get me through the week. There is always such a raw and palpable excitement in your energy and it is so, so contagious. Thank you for sharing all your experiences with us. I also wanted to add in another salute to you for mentoring our next generations; role models like yourself deserve all the praise and then some. And I really look forward to following along on everything coming up! Hope to see you have your socks blown off on that Northern Lights cruise (crossing my fingers you get to pull it off!)

[TxTeach79]

30 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

@TxTeach79 it was an absolute pleasure to have you on the Princess boards this week. I mean no exaggeration when I say that I genuinely looked forward to your day-to-day recollections and meanderings to get me through the week. There is always such a raw and palpable excitement in your energy and it is so, so contagious. Thank you for sharing all your experiences with us. I also wanted to add in another salute to you for mentoring our next generations; role models like yourself deserve all the praise and then some. And I really look forward to following along on everything coming up! Hope to see you have your socks blown off on that Northern Lights cruise (crossing my fingers you get to pull it off!)

 

Aww, you're the sweetest! This made my day! Thanks so much - it went by in a flash! Believe me, I have my fingers cost big time to get that cruise in next summer, hopefully I'll be back then!! Have a great night!

[pcrum]

Really enjoyed your take on Princess. I have only sailed this line once, 2010, on Emerald Princess, but I am so intrigued by the medallion and being able to order drinks wherever you are, that I wouldn’t hesitate to try the line again! I know you had glitches, but if they can get this to work properly…what a game changer! 
 

Looking forward to following your NYE cruise. Dec 31 is my birthday, so have always wanted to cruise then. I will make it happen one year!

 

I hope the remaining weeks of school go by quickly for you. I tried my hand at teaching 6th grade science once upon a time. You are a true hero, my friend, because I did not last long in middle school! I think that is the toughest population of kids to work with! Kudos to you and all the best to @HelloItsMeB

Edited November 27, 2023 by pcrum
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[TxTeach79]

Dumb and premature question for Princess vets... what do you need to do to see any deals - either linked to your CC or casino account - on the Princess site. For instance, when I log in to Carnival's site and search for sailings, I see all my promos and casino comps already applied on the search, Does Princess work that way, because right now i'm showing all the same rates as my better half who has never sailed at all and doesn't even have an account...

[SenatorsFan]

Thanks for this amazing review. I loved following along and loved all the ship pictures.😊 Princess has never been on my radar, but now, who knows! 😉

[HBCcruiser]

14 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

Dumb and premature question for Princess vets... what do you need to do to see any deals - either linked to your CC or casino account - on the Princess site. For instance, when I log in to Carnival's site and search for sailings, I see all my promos and casino comps already applied on the search, Does Princess work that way, because right now i'm showing all the same rates as my better half who has never sailed at all and doesn't even have an account...

I can't answer the Casino question but any OBC or FCC should appear when you log into your account. Any loyalty perks (discounts) will show up either when you book a cruise or purchase the discounted item (Shore excursion, ect..) The price is reduced for you when you go to pay your deposit or pay in full for your cruise. I had the educator discount, for example, and the discount appeared when I went to pay for the cruise. I hope this helps answer your question. 

Edited November 27, 2023 by HBCcruiser

[iramack]

9 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

Dumb and premature question for Princess vets... what do you need to do to see any deals - either linked to your CC or casino account - on the Princess site. For instance, when I log in to Carnival's site and search for sailings, I see all my promos and casino comps already applied on the search, Does Princess work that way, because right now i'm showing all the same rates as my better half who has never sailed at all and doesn't even have an account...

Do they cross over from one line to another under the CC umbrella?  I would think that benefits and promos are cruise line specific?..............Even if they are all part of Carnival.....?  Not positive however.