happy42cruise Posted July 27 #1376 Share Posted July 27 7 hours ago, YVRteacher said: I think the ship is full. Even full there are available cabins. Full means passenger capacity not room capacity. They can only have so many people as the life boats only hold so many people. GO to guest services! If nothing else they should have air cleaners to remove the smoke. Please go ask & escalate if needed. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
happy42cruise Posted July 27 #1377 Share Posted July 27 When you are at Guest services politely requesting a non smoking room, also tell them about the casino smoking problem AND the loud Piazza music! If you talk to the Cruise Director they CAN ask the entertainers to tone it down. If enough people complain it will change if nobody says anything they assume we are all ok with it. You are not being pushy asking for a comfortable cabin. And it could be health affecting. Please give them the opportunity to make it right for you. Also throw in how much you enjoyed the ship you just transferred from - your review will reflect the difference! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1378 Share Posted July 27 Thank you to everyone for the advice. Last night while I was out and about I did go to Guest Services. I reported the loud music and the concern with my cabin. While I was at Wheelhouse listening to Emma on the piano the deck supervisor brought a team into my cabin. They neutralized the smell and it is 90% better. When I returned to the cabin Guest Services phoned to follow up. Part of the smell is coming from the bathroom (it really stinks!) and a plumber is going to come today. I slept well last night in a comfy bed with the feather bedding swapped for non-bird part pillows and quilt. 22 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1379 Share Posted July 27 We might as well call this next leg cruising with Princess “The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.” The Regal has issues. They are abundant and serious. The moment I boarded I could tell the crew was stressed. My room steward snapped at me yesterday and I told him to relax. He did come to the cabin and apologized later. All the room stewards on my deck appeared frenzied and stressed. This tells me they are understaffed and overworked. The bars are understaffed and the bartenders have no system for taking guests in order. Yesterday all 3 drinks I tried were perfect but there were wait times (this is not at all a big deal. My point is they are understaffed and it shows.) This morning I went to Princess Live to get a Vanilla Bean latte. It was handed to me with hot coffee all down the outside of the cup and the paper hand protector. I asked the bartender to fix it and instead of just pouring it into a new cup he remade the drink. He slammed and banged his equipment then gave me a drink that was dangerously hot. It was definitely not a Vanilla Bean Latte. He clearly had no pride in his work and no attempt was made to make a customer happy. He didn’t smile or say good morning. I went to the International Cafe and ordered a Vanilla Bean latte and it was good but not great. It took three tries this morning to get the coffee I ordered. At the Horizon Court there is no one asking passengers to wash their hands and people are streaming in without handwashing. Passengers are coughing. Buffet waitstaff are coughing without covering their mouths. As I was sitting eating my eggs this morning waiters kept placing trays of dirty dishes on my table. This happened three times. The first two times I gave “a look.” The third time I said something and the waiters gave me dirty looks. This is not acceptable. I went to the Shore Excursion presentation today and the Shore Ex manager made zero attempt to pronounce the place names properly or learn which attractions were in which country. It was so unprofessional. If you are being paid to do a job, do your research and be prepared. 7 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted July 27 #1380 Share Posted July 27 My cruise on the Regal was not at all like yours. I am so sorry for you. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dog Posted July 27 #1381 Share Posted July 27 At Guest Services you can get a feedback form to fill in right now and they might act on your complaints right away. Do not let it go on, don’t wait until the end of the cruise- put it in writing and hand it to staff at GS, now. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1382 Share Posted July 27 42 minutes ago, dog said: At Guest Services you can get a feedback form to fill in right now and they might act on your complaints right away. Do not let it go on, don’t wait until the end of the cruise- put it in writing and hand it to staff at GS, now. I have done this. 7 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
latebloomer56 Posted July 27 #1383 Share Posted July 27 So sorry you came from such a marvelous cruise to this substandard journey. My hope is that things improve greatly for you. Until now Regal was in our top three favorite ships but glad we are waiting a while before returning. Thank you for the excellent review of the Island, looking forward to the crew issues leveling out so you can enjoy this one as well. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1384 Share Posted July 27 There are big swells and I’m so seasick. I just went to Good Spirits where I was ignored by two bartenders. They don’t even acknowledge you. When I did order I asked for a small amount of ginger ale with bitters. The bartender gave me a whole can of ginger ale. I said no. Then I ordered a small amount of ginger ale with bitters. He filled the glass full and I said again a small glass of ginger ale with bitters. It took three tries to get what I ordered. No smile, no greeting. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tyskie Posted July 27 #1385 Share Posted July 27 @YVRteacher I feel so bad with all the problems you are having. I have found there is no comparison between the smaller ships and the larger ones. Smoking in the casino is a big negative for Princess. We were on the Enchanted Princess and I said never again. Until Princess makes the casino non-smoking, things won't change. I do hope things will improve. 😌 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare vickykay Posted July 27 #1386 Share Posted July 27 Looking forward to following along as we’re on the Regal British Isles next July 8. W e usually cruise with Celebrity and they banned smoking in the casino years ago. Princess needs to catch up. I hope these issues ( and service) get resolved soon. 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
schmoopie17 Posted July 27 #1387 Share Posted July 27 @YVRteacher YIKES! I'd keep an eye out for that idiot from the previous cruise who bumped you at the buffet. Having him follow you onto the Regal would be the icing on the cake for this cruise from 'ell. By the way (and you probably know this)...there is virtually zero ginger in most ginger ale. Maybe search out some actual ginger (or even ginger candy) at your next port stop. 4 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1388 Share Posted July 27 So much of cruising is attitude. I am absolutely going to continue sharing my observations and experiences but please know I am doing great and am excited for all the ports on this cruise. I just went to the Lotus Spa and enjoyed a truly wonderful Fire and Ice Pedicure. The nail technician, Natasha, was lovely, caring and skilled. I highly recommend a pedicure with her on the Regal. Thank you to my WTA (wonderful travel agent) for the spa credit and for the cheese plate. Ocean view from the spa (my anti seasick medication and the ginger ale with bitters kicked in!) I appreciate the curtain dividers hot towel wrap I got to try green cheese! Can someone tell me what this is, please? It’s yummy! 11 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Happy fool Posted July 27 #1389 Share Posted July 27 Sorry to hear the Regal is a let down after your wonderful experience on the Island Princess. Last year, we sailed on the Norwegian Star and I said no more NCL for me. Then this spring we sailed on the Jewel and it was better. It seems that cruise lines vary from ship to ship. Your review of the Island Princess had me wanting to book a Princess cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1390 Share Posted July 27 3 minutes ago, schmoopie17 said: @YVRteacher YIKES! I'd keep an eye out for that idiot from the previous cruise who bumped you at the buffet. Having him follow you onto the Regal would be the icing on the cake for this cruise from 'ell. By the way (and you probably know this)...there is virtually zero ginger in most ginger ale. Maybe search out some actual ginger (or even ginger candy) at your next port stop. I think it has a placebo effect! 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1391 Share Posted July 27 1 minute ago, Happy fool said: Sorry to hear the Regal is a let down after your wonderful experience on the Island Princess. Last year, we sailed on the Norwegian Star and I said no more NCL for me. Then this spring we sailed on the Jewel and it was better. It seems that cruise lines vary from ship to ship. Your review of the Island Princess had me wanting to book a Princess cruise. I will NEVER set foot on the NCL Star again! Cruise ship food shouldn’t make me cry. 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1392 Share Posted July 27 (edited) Now my sparking toes and I are at the Sparkling Wine Art Auction. The art auctioneer on the Regal is a joy to watch. I don’t even like art auctions and I’m having a great time! Plus I’m in the Vista Lounge which is far away from the smoking casino. Edited July 27 by YVRteacher 8 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DeclanJohn Posted July 27 #1393 Share Posted July 27 That is Sage Derby (pronounced "Darby") cheese! Makes great sandwiches, too. 1 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1394 Share Posted July 27 @cruiseny4life I took a flip flop photo for you! This is in the line for afternoon tea. Look at all these flip flops! 7 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1395 Share Posted July 27 6 minutes ago, DeclanJohn said: That is Sage Derby (pronounced "Darby") cheese! Makes great sandwiches, too. What do people put in a sandwich with Derby cheese? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
phabric Posted July 27 #1396 Share Posted July 27 Green apples are good for seasickness. See if they have any ginger tea bag, maybe at International Cafe coffee place or where you get coffee/tea. My friends got a ginger tea bag on the Sky at the bar outside Princess Live. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1397 Share Posted July 27 So was the casino on the Island Princess a non-smoking casino? Do some Princess ships allow smoking in the casino while other ships are non-smoking? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare YVRteacher Posted July 27 Author #1398 Share Posted July 27 Afternoon tea This didn’t start out well. Afternoon tea is scheduled at 3:00pm on sea days. There were two long, winding lines on each side of deck 6. No signs. At 3:00pm a crew member came and moved the whole Starboard line behind the whole Port line, putting people at the front of one line at the end of the other line. We are not talking about a little line. Big line. 300 people deep line. The complaining was rampant, especially from the couple behind me. I asked them if they needed to go ahead of me just to try to appease them a little but they seemed to enjoy complaining. I was on the Starboard side so was one of the people who was moved. What a stupid way to manage the line for afternoon tea. I lined up at 2:50pm and was seated at 3:17pm. There was a group of 4 in front of me, myself and the complaining husband and wife behind me. The hostess told us all to follow a seater. He wound us to a section where there was one free table then looked absolutely puzzled. A maître d directed seating man to a different location where he proceeded to try to put us all at a table for two. I said no, I am just one and I want to sit by myself. The maître d snapped at me “ok” in a very rude voice. I have never been on a ship where crew are so rude to passengers. It’s awful. Afternoon tea staging area The waiters were going full tilt and trays were constantly replenished. I am wondering how many sous chefs it took to prepare all the scones, sandwiches and treats for such a large number of passengers. The first sandwich tray didn’t have any egg sandwiches and when I asked if they had any the waiter went back and got me one. Thank you, I Made! Guess who is thrilled that they offer scones with raisins and scones without raisins on the Regal Princess? Me! I am an equal opportunity jam and cream applications person so did one half with cream first and the other with jam first. They both tasted equally good to me. 10 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lazydayz Posted July 27 #1399 Share Posted July 27 OP, I loved your live from the Island Princess and am feeling your frustration on this one. Not sure it would help talking to Hotel Director, but it couldn’t hurt. And make friends with a bartender then patronize that person the whole cruise. At least that’s what I do on less than stellar cruises. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare azbirdmom Posted July 27 #1400 Share Posted July 27 40 minutes ago, YVRteacher said: So was the casino on the Island Princess a non-smoking casino? Do some Princess ships allow smoking in the casino while other ships are non-smoking? No, sadly they all allow smoking. Some are just nastier than others as you've found out. I'm so sorry that you're experiencing the worst on the Regal. We've had lovely experiences on her but the understaffing / stress issues pop out on different ships from time to time. I'm glad you are taking the time to tell them about it. They need to hear all of this. Hope it gets better for you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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