What do you think about the Regal Princess?

[spongerob]

I really didn't think Regal Princess lacked for anything, unless of course you are someone who enjoys the Anytime dining option. In fact, one thing I really liked about the ship was the large selection of public areas, from the Dome to the many different lounges on board. The ship felt more spacious compared to the newer ships.

 

That being said, I'd have loved to take a crack at re-designing the ship. Take the casino out of the dome, for example, and make better use of that space. One thing I wouldn't touch is the dining room, I thought it was rather elegant and a nice change from the dungeon-like interiors that are the hallmark of the Princess standard design.

[T&J]

I really didn't think Regal Princess lacked for anything, unless of course you are someone who enjoys the Anytime dining option. In fact, one thing I really liked about the ship was the large selection of public areas, from the Dome to the many different lounges on board. The ship felt more spacious compared to the newer ships.

 

That being said, I'd have loved to take a crack at re-designing the ship. Take the casino out of the dome, for example, and make better use of that space. One thing I wouldn't touch is the dining room, I thought it was rather elegant and a nice change from the dungeon-like interiors that are the hallmark of the Princess standard design.

 

Well you have your wish and allow me to book you on a P&O Australia cruise after October as they are moving the Casino from the Dome to the Stage Door!

 

She may have been once a "elegant ship" before I ever sailed on her she but certainly isn't in anyway in that current state of elegance today. Can't take a pizza out of the Pizzaria, EVAC toliet problems from HELL, Air Conditioning that can't supply A/C beyond 23 degrees Celcius or 74F in a pax cabin (I like it as an igloo in my cabin) sporadic drycleaning (when it isn't broken with maintenance issues), and don't forget the all important "hockey Pucks for Cookies onboard!...just my opinion of course....

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

[bdjam]

The nice thing about Regal Princess – as demonstrated in some of the posts above – is that she doesn’t appeal to everyone. She doesn’t offer the same mass-market experience as some of the Grand Class ships. For those of us who prefer a higher quality, more intimate and more traditional cruise experience and who can do without the bells and whistles present on the bigger ships, Regal Princess is just fine. If this type of experience doesn’t suit the original poster, they should choose another ship.

Except for the fact that Regal Princess does not have a dedicated specialty restaurant (but she does have alternative dining venues) she’s really not much different than the former R-ships that Princess has brought into the fleet when it comes to offered amenities. No, you can’t take pizza from Bravo, but you can’t do that on any of the ships that offer more than counter pizza service. It’s obvious that some people don’t like the ship and will try to apply issues that are common across the fleet to her specifically to denigrate her.

[coiran]

She may have been once a "elegant ship" before I ever sailed on her she but certainly isn't in anyway in that current state of elegance today. Can't take a pizza out of the Pizzaria, EVAC toliet problems from HELL, Air Conditioning that can't supply A/C beyond 23 degrees Celcius or 74F in a pax cabin (I like it as an igloo in my cabin) sporadic drycleaning (when it isn't broken with maintenance issues), and don't forget the all important "hockey Pucks for Cookies onboard!...just my opinion of course....

 

Tony

 

 

Strange - we were on the Regal last February BA to Santiago and experienced just the opposite - toilets worked, AC was excellent, drycleaning was just as I ordered and on time and the cookies were soft and chewy like I make at home - perhaps you had some of the leftover cookies from our cruise. I don't know why anyone would want to take pizza out of the pizzeria, it has a nice atmosphere there. The dome was an excellent place to observe going around the horn as it waSs rather cold ouitside. But - you can't please all of the people all of the time.

Ron

[Ethel5]

I will have to send out the 'tini club to kidnap you and make sure you get on the ship. LARGIN, are you reading this?

 

What's that wayward kid of mine doing now? BD, you behave or no 'Tinis for you!

[bdjam]

What's that wayward kid of mine doing now? BD, you behave or no 'Tinis for you!

That's OK - I drink scotch, remember? ;)

[Colo Cruiser]

Actually the Regal needed to go years ago or the Company should have updated her in being able to provide the proper facilities and services onboard that ship that meet and adhere to on other Princess ships in the Fleet. My experience was sub par at best overall while onboard the same run I am currently doing in South America last year on the Regal. IMHO, They (The Company) made the same mistake with the Old Old Old Royal drove it into the ground once they new she was leaving the Fleet and didn't pump a nickel into her for over 28 months and even skipped a full drydock in 2004.

 

Tony

:cool: :eek: :cool:

 

 

Thanks for the backup Tony! ;)

[NSWP]

Well folks, some very interesting comments there on Regal, we are on her last voyage as Regal leaving San Pedro LA on 31 August and arriving Sydney on 2 October, this year where after repaint, alterations she will sail as Pacific Dawn from around 2 November with 2050 pax (extra beds going in) as opposed to 1500 or so at present, plus the casino will move to Stage Door tavern area.

 

You take the good with the bad I suppose, but if the ship is that bad and the cruise is that bad on 31 Aug..then there will be a lot of cranky Princess customers. TONY, I take it you won't be on board with us then?

I could bring some Aussie Bikkies (cookies) for you to make you happy.:)

 

We will just go on board with a positive attitude and take it from there.

 

Thanks anyway..look forward to some more good points on rhe Regal, but give me the bad ones anyway.

 

Best wishes from OZ.

[Jaymuxman]

After reading all the comments on the Regal and the reader's reviews on the ship, I have determined that the Good Lord himself couldn't please some of the people on this board. If you expect perfection, then pay for perfection!!!!

Take a cruise on Seaborne or Crystal. When you pay the prices Princess or similar lines charge, you don't always get perfection! Deal with it or move on to the BIG BUCK SHIPS!! A cruise is what you make of it.

Emily

[Colo Cruiser]

After reading all the comments on the Regal and the reader's reviews on the ship, I have determined that the Good Lord himself couldn't please some of the people on this board. If you expect perfection, then pay for perfection!!!!

Take a cruise on Seaborne or Crystal. When you pay the prices Princess or similar lines charge, you don't always get perfection! Deal with it or move on to the BIG BUCK SHIPS!! A cruise is what you make of it.

Emily

 

 

 

No the problem is when someone airs there opinion if it does not meet the standards of a certain few then you will be crucified!!!! :rolleyes:

[spongerob]

I'm just back from the Regal yesterday and if you're looking for activities I think you're going to be very disappointed. The list of daily activities in the Patter usually took up less than 1/2 page and they were repeated daily with little if any variety. Brainteasers, trivia, shuffleboard, boardgames, cards, golf putting/chipping, art action, ping pong. Bingo added on sea days. Then the evening entertainment.

That's pretty much what you get on any Princess ship on a sea day. The thing that is missing compared to newer ships is extensive, dedicated facilities for children and teens.

[NSWP]

Well we are not children or teens, a shade under 60.so no kids/teens facilities, no worries for us..so we will be amongst the younger set on board I reckon. All we need is a good bed, shower, cold beer, good tucker and a bit of entertainment, easily pleased, eh?

 

I would think the majority of cruisers on Regals last cruise will be Regal cruisers of old, on her last majestic, nostalgic voyage with lots of exciting ports on the way, i.e. Honolulu, Lahaina, Kirabati-Christmas Island, American Samoa, Tahiti,Cook Islands, Papeete, Moorea, Fiji, New Zealand and then to the best harbour in the world to her new home - SYDNEY for a few changes and a coat or two of dulux, thence to cruise out to Noumea, Papeete, etc, for many years I would expect as P&O Australia ship - Pacific Dawn.:eek:

 

I do agree Princess is middle of the road so nothing will be perfect but then again a cruise is a cruise and we are in countdown, got our cabin.

 

:cool: Thanks again folks..keep this thread alive, the good, the bad and the ugly. Best wishes from OZ.:)

[spongerob]

The only thing I regret about our cruise on Regal Princess, NSWP, was not being able to find time to have an evening meal at the pizza restaurant. The menu is limited but looked interesting. If the pizza we had for lunch was any indication of quality, the rest of their menu would probably be outstanding. The reason we didn't try an evening meal there was the fact that we didn't want to miss out on the dining room. The food and quality of service were as good as anything we've had before, including the old Royal Princess, and in some ways might have been just a notch better than the best of our twelve previous cruises on Princess.

 

Of course, for us, a cruise is more than just the ship. I can understand that those who view the ship as the destination might find some things lacking, but shouls also consider the fact that the ship was built when cruising was a different ball game than it is today.

[NSWP]

Thanks SPONGEROB for those comments, we are foodies so your comments were well received. Actually last year on Pacific Princess we too, intended to have an evening pizza at the alternate dining area, but did not want to leave the fine company and food, wine in the main restaurant. But as you found, the pizzas at lunch were good.

 

I know many of you good folk on CC have sailed on Regal over the years and have differing comments about her and no doubt she is past her 'use by date' with Princess, hence Carnival transferring her to P&O Australia and basing her in Sydney where she will be a lower grade ship, more pax, you will pay for room service and the gym probably, the cinema is going and the casino down stairs etc.

 

Best wishes from OZ:cool:

[lvdave]

I've read with interest this thread as my cousin and I will be doing the 24 day SA cruise on the Regal staring on 3/1.

 

This will be my 17th or 18th cruise over the past 27 years. I know the Regal doesn't have all the "bells and whistles" of the newer ships. It would be nice if there were a Sabatini's or sushi bar on board or a spa/gym that overlooked the ocean.

 

However, I think back to my first Princess cruise about 15 years ago on the Regal's sister ship, the Crown Princess and remember being in awe of the design and features built into the ship. Of particular note were the cabins that actually had balconies and a pizzaria that you could go and order as much as you want without paying extra. And that was before 24 hour lido deck buffets, 24 hour room service, movies in your cabin or an internet cafe.

 

Because of that cruise and that ship, I have always felt Princess to be a better quality and more enjoyable cruise experience.

 

So, do I have high expectations for my upcoming cruise? You bet, even though I am sure not everything will be perfect. However, where else can you get your room, gourmet meals, entertainment and transportation to some great and interesting ports for less than $50 per person per day (military rate). For my cruise on the Crown we paid almost $1800 pp for a one week cruise in a balcony cabin, and that's in 1992 dollars.

 

I'll let you all know if this cruise met or exceeded my expectations or not.

 

Dave

[NSWP]

Ivdave..good post that. Boy, you sure do get some good deals in the US of A on Princess, in OZ we do not get offered those deals for police, fire, military etc., we cannot book direct with Princess, we have to book via a T/A. US$50 a day? We are paying around US$125 a day each for the 32 day cruise on Regal (forward outside cabin on Plaza deck) and we are supposed to be getting a deal, not any more.!!

 

ANYWAY..you enjoy your cruise on Regal my friend and we await your report.

 

Best wishes from OZ:cool:

[jimbob44]

I am amazed at how many people think that "age" has anything to do with this question. We cruised out of San Francisco for 11 days on the Regal, my first impression of the ship was that it looked a little dated from the outside. My impression of the ship, after several days of cruising was very different.

 

The Stage door did not smell, it is a great dance venue, a larger floor than most of the newer ships. The dining room was elegent and the food was excellent. The show lounge, because of the balcony, sat more people than a lot of the newer ships. Having a seperate theatre was great, no competition with all the bingo and horse racers. Cabins were LARGER than most of the new "Modern" ships. More room for your clothes and a larger bathroom.

 

I was absolutely pleased with everything on this ship except for the gym, it is in the bowels of the ship, and the steam room was a small closet.

 

I would love to cruise the REGAL anywhere in the world, if they leave it alone, adding more passengers, moving the casino into the stage door lounge, all bad ideas. It will ruin the ambiance and best parts of this grand old ship.

[judyjudy56]

We will be on the Regal in June to Hawaii. I can't see on the deckplans where the burger grill is. Is it near the pool? Do they serve salads in the Pizzeria. I also read in a review that there is no hot food available on the room service menu. Is this true? Boy, you'd think from my questions all we care is about is eating. We are looking forward to the sea days and just relaxing before hitting Hawaii.

 

Judy