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

[beshears]

Looking forward to seeing/reading your review as well. So far I have been able to read a couple that have just happened, or still in the process now. There are 8 of us doing the Regal on the 25th of February (wanting to get AWAY from Missouri weather 😞 ), and I'm trying to read everything pros/cons about this ship. 🙂

[TxTeach79]

[d-lite-n-cruisin]

You know I am along for the ride, Paul.  Love your reviews.  I feel like we could be brothers, at times, the way we think alike.  I'm buckled in.

 

Sidenote:  I just applied to UNT for Grad School.  47 years old and trying to learn new tricks.  Might as well take advantage of the GI BILL in tradeoff for my 21 years of service.  #GoMeanGreen  #IfIGetIn.

 

Back to your travel prep.  Can't wait!

[TxTeach79]

Best laid plans and whatnot, but I'm thinking about where to eat/grab some drinks when I'm on Galveston on Saturday. My go to more often than not is the legendary Gaido's, where I'm been visiting since coming to the island as a kid. But this time I'm thinking about mixing it up a little, something a little more casual/bar-esque (even though I usually sit at the bar at Gaido's when I'm solo. You know what I mean.).

 

One of my coworkers recommended the Black Pearl up close to the Strand and downtown... looks like a pretty happenin' spot, and they don't even have a website, which could be a good sign...  https://www.galveston.com/cuisine/find-a-restaurant/blackpearl/?fbclid=IwAR2K1EMpUXwQcoPwAmPRLdKI82AX0TqJU_UEg8uqgn64pnI7UGITkk-2uNA

 

I feel like a while back someone recommended the Cajun Greek here on CC, looks like less of a vibe but closer to me, and I love both of those things... https://cajungreekseafood.com/

 

Anybody ever hit these places or anywhere else they like to get in that cruise mode? I've been all over Galveston, but there are tons of spots still new to me. 

 

*last time (this summer before Dream) I had these same intentions and ended up picking up Panda Express and watching Triple D with the AC blasting in my hotel room, so consider the possibility this is all for naught...

[TxTeach79]

14 minutes ago, d-lite-n-cruisin said:

You know I am along for the ride, Paul.  Love your reviews.  I feel like we could be brothers, at times, the way we think alike.  I'm buckled in.

 

Sidenote:  I just applied to UNT for Grad School.  47 years old and trying to learn new tricks.  Might as well take advantage of the GI BILL in tradeoff for my 21 years of service.  #GoMeanGreen  #IfIGetIn.

 

Back to your travel prep.  Can't wait!

 

Fantastic!!!! Love to hear it - best of luck to ya! I got Masters #1 at 31 and Masters #2 at 35, so I like the strategy.... believe me, I get tempted by the perfumed inner thigh of that PhD almost monthly, then I see my student loan bill.... #GMG

[TxTeach79]

Lowball upgrade update: Looks like the halfcourt buzzer beater was an airball. Still in ol' 7-11 in my standard balcony. Oh well, it was worth a shot. Somehow I'll manage.

[d-lite-n-cruisin]

24 minutes ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

Fantastic!!!! Love to hear it - best of luck to ya! I got Masters #1 at 31 and Masters #2 at 35, so I like the strategy.... believe me, I get tempted by the perfumed inner thigh of that PhD almost monthly, then I see my student loan bill.... #GMG

student loans will knock the breath out of ya.  Congrats on the 2 degrees.  Way to GO!!  I'm glad you're doing this review immediately after Saint Greg's.  Can never have too many perspectives.  We haven't strayed from Carnival (11x), but I might for the Harmony of the Seas out of "our" homeport. Princess looks nice as well.  ENJOY!

[TxTeach79]

22 minutes ago, d-lite-n-cruisin said:

student loans will knock the breath out of ya.  Congrats on the 2 degrees.  Way to GO!!  I'm glad you're doing this review immediately after Saint Greg's.  Can never have too many perspectives.  We haven't strayed from Carnival (11x), but I might for the Harmony of the Seas out of "our" homeport. Princess looks nice as well.  ENJOY!

 

Thanks! I too have been back to being a Carnival loyalist the last few years, finally hit Diamond last year, i'll be flirting with 300 days by '05... but I'm open to what else is out there and I definitely was a big Princess fan once upon a time! My last sailing was when the Ruby was new, so I'm excited to see the new stuff. 

 

Don't blame you at all for checking out Harmony OTS.. I've sailed a couple times with Royal, but never on any of the new monsters (Empress and Voyager).

[bethfelk]

13 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

Whoa!! You did it!! This totally just worked!!! If we're ever on a cruise together, I owe ya a drink!! Went ahead and locked up Crown Grill for Belize night because it's tight already. Sabatini's is wide open and I have a chunk of OBC, so I'll book that sometime onboard. Thanks again. @bethfelk!!!

Glad you got it worked out!

[CruisinMama2003]

1 hour ago, TxTeach79 said:

 

 

....Anybody ever hit these places or anywhere else they like to get in that cruise mode? I've been all over Galveston, but there are tons of spots still new to me. 

 

 

Ive heard good things about Brewchachos (on the Strand), not sure if you have tried them out yet, if not, might be a good "new to you" place to try 👍

[TxTeach79]

15 minutes ago, CruisinMama2003 said:

Ive heard good things about Brewchachos (on the Strand), not sure if you have tried them out yet, if not, might be a good "new to you" place to try 👍

 

I'll look it up and add it to the list! Gracias!

[TxTeach79]

Oooh I forgot about the Huli Huli Hut. That place is incredibly up my alley and I've never been. May have to start there. #pandaexpresscurse

[TxTeach79]

I was just thinking of how long it's been since I sailed Princess... the big draws everyone talked about were freshwater pools (24 hour i think) and I wanna say Horizon Court might have been 24 hours or close to it too. Also, when that first MUTS screen rolled out. Been a long time!

 

Also, anybody have any hot sports opinions on the Regal casino? I'm a video poker first slots second player... anybody have any opinions or suggestions? Also, this may be getting too deep in the casino weeds, but I doubt they have Bonus Poker Deluxe on their VP machines since Carnival doesn't, any confirmation of that? I make do and play plenty on Carnival, but that's my favorite game.

Edited November 16, 2023 by TxTeach79

[avonlady6390]

When it comes to food the international cafe or the IC is open 24 hrs it's on deck 5 mid ship no extra charge has breakfast bites then for lunch small sandwiches soup and pastry.  Also the specialty coffee is next door.  The horizon court buffet is open for breakfast thru late night snacks until around 10 pm.  Slice and salty grille on lido also is open late as well. Your casual dining choices are Alfredos, ocean terrace sushi, and vines wine for your plus package.

 

[cajun-crazy]

Always love following your reviews.  Most times it is a ship I am going to sail on or ports I am going to go to (except the Europe one!)  I'll be on this cruise too with my daughter and granddaughter (10).  She enjoys playing Elevator Lady and pushing the floor numbers for guests.

 

Earlier in this thread you mentioned eyeing a Summer cruise that went from (was it BCN?) to MSY.  Where does that cruise leave from? 

[TxTeach79]

13 minutes ago, avonlady6390 said:

When it comes to food the international cafe or the IC is open 24 hrs it's on deck 5 mid ship no extra charge has breakfast bites then for lunch small sandwiches soup and pastry.  Also the specialty coffee is next door.  The horizon court buffet is open for breakfast thru late night snacks until around 10 pm.  Slice and salty grille on lido also is open late as well. Your casual dining choices are Alfredos, ocean terrace sushi, and vines wine for your plus package.

 

 

Thanks! Right now I'm planning on using my two casual dining credits on Alfredo's and that charcuterie at Vines, but I haven't ruled out Ocean Terrace. I love sushi, but that menu seems kind of meh for what you get. Could be wrong! We'll see how my mood goes. I could see myself doing Alfredo's twice too (or even paying once), because I kinda want a pizza and some pasta from there. We'll see. 

[TxTeach79]

18 minutes ago, cajun-crazy said:

Always love following your reviews.  Most times it is a ship I am going to sail on or ports I am going to go to (except the Europe one!)  I'll be on this cruise too with my daughter and granddaughter (10).  She enjoys playing Elevator Lady and pushing the floor numbers for guests.

 

Earlier in this thread you mentioned eyeing a Summer cruise that went from (was it BCN?) to MSY.  Where does that cruise leave from? 

 

Yes!! It was a Carnival Valor TA (i think 15 days?) from BCN to MSY. Just a thought for now, but I've got my eye on it!

 

I also mentioned having my eye on a 14 night Sky Princess Land of the Midnight Sun RT Southampton cruise to Norway next June, but a lot of that depends on how this test run on Regal goes and the offers, etc.... but I'm definitely leaning toward pulling the trigger on that Valor cruise. 

 

See ya onboard! It's almost time!!!!!!!

[Essiesmom]

In reference to your flags thing…I was on MSC Seaside in August and one day they had Visual Trivia: flags.  I didn’t go, but I’m back on MSC in December (different ship) and if they offer it again I’ll check it out.  EM

[Stallion]

Hey Teach:

You gonna have any Bears eating Salmon pics from the Caribbean in this thread?

[TxTeach79]

1 hour ago, Essiesmom said:

In reference to your flags thing…I was on MSC Seaside in August and one day they had Visual Trivia: flags.  I didn’t go, but I’m back on MSC in December (different ship) and if they offer it again I’ll check it out.  EM

 

I played flag trivia on the Voyager OTS once! 

[TxTeach79]

26 minutes ago, Stallion said:

Hey Teach:

You gonna have any Bears eating Salmon pics from the Caribbean in this thread?

 

I mean, if I wanna get my YouTube channel off the ground I better!

[TxTeach79]

Almost four hours of middle school basketball later, finally in the door back home at 9:03. That was a 13 hour grind of a day, but we are one day closer…. I can almost taste it!

 

[Mrhubbabubba]

Excited to follow along. Sorry the year has been rough. This year has been interesting for sure. As for your bathroom issues at school…we had a backed up toilet “leaking” into the room below it and had a freshman literally playing in the brown water running down the wall. 

[TxTeach79]

4 minutes ago, Mrhubbabubba said:

Excited to follow along. Sorry the year has been rough. This year has been interesting for sure. As for your bathroom issues at school…we had a backed up toilet “leaking” into the room below it and had a freshman literally playing in the brown water running down the wall. 

I get it. Sadly, I get it. Never a dull moment….

[onlyano]

13 hours ago, TxTeach79 said:

Fantastic!!!! Love to hear it - best of luck to ya! I got Masters #1 at 31 and Masters #2 at 35, so I like the strategy.... believe me, I get tempted by the perfumed inner thigh of that PhD almost monthly, then I see my student loan bill.... #GMG

 

I graduated with my Masters from UNT at 42, in 97. I thought about a PhD, then I "un-thought" about it.