Regal Princess October 14 to 21, 2017 New England/Canada

Hi Norris,

Just wanted to thank you for the review and pictures, of this cruise and your others! I'm an avid reader!

We're off on Silhouette for the second time this Christmas and plan to re-read your review to refresh hubby's memory!!

Thanks again!

Lisa, avid readers are doubly welcome!

The Silhouette (sigh)....that's my most-read report so far and was a great introduction to the brand.

Thanks for stopping by to say hello!

Norris

What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding?

(Who sang that?)

Great to see you here!

Norris, with lots of the Food Porn, that I know you like, still to come

Have been reading all along and love the review... just got to answer the question before someone beats me to the punch...,. Elvis Costello

I am cruising on the Regal again in February and this is getting me even more excited. Thanks. I have taken down the names of the photo gurus you mention as I always said I would love to hone those skills.

Bar Harbor awaits in the distance

Isn't it pronounced Bah Hah-Baw.....sorry everyone makes fun of our Canadian accents I couldn't resist......... touche eh!!!!

Norris,

You really need to do a New England road trip some day. We did it back in 2010 and it was amazing. We camped for three days in Acadia. A truly amazing National Park. I'm sure that your shore excursion only scratched the surface. Here's a link to some of the pictures I took in Acadia. Hopefully it will peak you interest in returning for a longer stay:

John

This year October 17th was at least a week and a frosty night too soon for Fall Color

Green is still pretty

 

 



 

 



 

 

 

What's so funny about Peace Love and Understanding?

(Who sang that?)

Great to see you here!

Norris, with lots of the Food Porn, that I know you like, still to come

Have been reading all along and love the review... just got to answer the question before someone beats me to the punch...,. Elvis Costello

I am cruising on the Regal again in February and this is getting me even more excited. Thanks. I have taken down the names of the photo gurus you mention as I always said I would love to hone those skills.

Hi cibaygirls, I know we have met before in one of my things so nice to see you again! Elvis C is correct.

Those "gurus" I came across in the midst of watching videos by dozens of experts over the past year and I mentioned them for their teaching ability. There are many loud, trying to be funny or goofy, hip, boring, droning on in their bedrooms kind of guys. Start with Mike Browne the Englishman first for the techniques and how to take good photos, then Anthony Morganti for Lightroom well-explained A-Z in a calm manner, then Serge Ramelli the French artistic guy for LR and Photoshop tutorials where he ads drama to everyday shots. I would leave Serge until last as you'll get the basics from Mike and Anthony.

Have fun!

Norris

Norris,

You really need to do a New England road trip some day. We did it back in 2010 and it was amazing. We camped for three days in Acadia. A truly amazing National Park. I'm sure that your shore excursion only scratched the surface. Here's a link to some of the pictures I took in Acadia. Hopefully it will peak you interest in returning for a longer stay:

John

John, I know I have to drive there during my retirement years. Thanks for the link. One day my America from the Road book will be put to the use intended (it has maps)

Shore excursions are surface-scratchers indeed but they are the icing on the Cruise cake for me. Carol is Mistress Sea Day. As mentioned I did drive from NJ up to Rhode Island one time and also NJ to Boston in 98 but wasn't hugging the coast along the way. This trip was a reminder of the eye candy out there waiting for us in a few years.

Thank you!

Norris

On board, and anxiously looking forward to this report. Will be on the sister ship, Royal, in January 2019. Looking forward to your review of the ship.

 

Also, just off the Crown Princess from the Oct. 4 - 15 Canada/New England cruise.

Is that your MGTD? I have been a British car nut for 50 years. Just got back fro the UK and the Goodwood Revival meet with 165,000 other people

Is that your MGTD? I have been a British car nut for 50 years. Just got back fro the UK and the Goodwood Revival meet with 165,000 other people

Ken, that "MGTD" is actually an "MGTF". It was only made for two years - '54 and '55. Mine is a '54. After TFs, came the 'all new' MGA. I have an MGA in the garage/shop, about halfway through a restoration/engine and tranny rebuild/paint job. I also have a daily driver '79 MGB roadster.

Hence - the "MGnut" handle. :D

I bought my first MG - the '57 MGA - 1975.

Is that your MGTD? I have been a British car nut for 50 years. Just got back fro the UK and the Goodwood Revival meet with 165,000 other people

Ken, Howard is indeed an MG nut. I remember British cars as well and in fact had a friend who was mechanically inclined who had an MG and we'd enjoy drives around London. Luckily most British cars when I Iived there had stick shifts so that when it wouldn't start which was often in the damp climate with touchy Weber carburetors you could get a push and start it in 2nd gear.

Parking on a hill was always a great idea. No Brit can surely forget Lucas, the auto-electrics manufacturer known as the Prince of Darkness for their products' failure when needed most like headlights on a dark country road suddenly deciding it was nap time.

Buying a used car in the UK in the early 1970's was like Russian Roulette and I got my brains blown out a couple of times.

Fond memories....

Norris

Anything to drink? said Julie, our perky waitress, shortly after we took our seats at the back of the Thirsty Whale restaurant. Um, gimme what a Thirsty Whale would drink!

I didn't take long to decide, nor long for the waitress to return for our orders. They turn the tables fast here due to the demand with 2 ships in port.

Fresh delicious lobster and a bowl of clam chowder each (even though I ordered the lobster variety)

Carol had coleslaw as her side order whilst I had my favorite food and they were crisp and hot

Tummies in Heaven and out the door for $50 plus tip. Let's walk back to the harbor...

My body feels good and my mind at rest having had my first lobster roll ever but it also told me that what I need in my life from here on in is more. No-not more cowbell, that's a given but rather more lobster and a whole one all to myself. That would be remedied the very next day.

As we walked I had to stop occasionally, distracted by something pretty, and there was plenty of that to go around in Bah Habbah.

Carol had walked on, not knowing I had stopped but I caught up with her by the harbor not far away. While she tested and evaluated a new bench I poked around taking photos

Just as beautiful as The Breakers in Newport

 

 



 

 

A Bridge too Far

Now, many of you cat lovers have written in asking about Little Snowy and how can we go away and leave her for 11 days? Rest assured we had a fine cat sitter, Chris, from a reputable company visit her everyday to feed and scoop. She mostly hid from him in the boxspring under the bed, but she did take some treats from him. He sent us daily e mails to assure us all was well.

 

We had gotten to the point where we were fixin' to return to the ship but only one thing remained-the quest for the Fridge Magnet! Surely the gift shop on the dock would have one?

 

 

Score!



 

 

Back to the ship!!

Hi Norris;

Super long time lurker; I've read all your reviews and really feel the sense of awe in your writings/musings/reportings. I was so happy when you enjoyed yourself on a Celebrity Ship, and read with interest to see how our experiences compared.

DH and I are booked on the Regal for next year, and are having second thoughts due to pricing. We are in one of the corner afts on Dolphin Deck, (for shade purposes) and until now have been quite happy for the booking. Well, I got to browsing around, and found an Eastern Carrib itinerary on the Equinox for the same time period with the price almost the same as the Regal for a Royal Suite. Wow! I said, that can't be right. I called my TA and indeed the price was within a few hundred dollars of the aft corner suite on the Regal. We have the Sip n Sail on the Regal, but received the 'all four perks' on the Equinox.

With what you know from cruising Princess, and accounting for itinerary, what would you do? We have been on the Sapphire, the Emerald and the Grand on Princess and have received super service, but with the Suite perks from Celebrity, we just are twisted and tied at the moment. Any wisdom or advice would be appreciated.

Thanks, Scanditaly.

Norris I know it's an old review but how do I find your Coral cruise

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Norris, after several days of working on it I am finally caught up! Having grown up in New England, it has been a wonderful trip down memory lane for me. I heartily agree with those who have suggested you take a road trip through New England when you are able. I know, so much world to see, so little time. I have the same problem, and I seem to keep adding to the list of places I really want to visit! :eek:

Your little Snowy is adorable! :D

Now that I'm all caught up, I will be here until the end. I've saved some pillow chocolates from our wonderful cruise on Koningsdam to enjoy as I follow you and Carol along on the rest of your journey, so no need to send me any. :p

Norris I know it's an old review but how do I find your Coral cruise

 

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Bill it's in my signature at the bottom of each of my posts, just underneath the Regal url.

Maybe you have Signatures turned off in your profile page?

If so....

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1850609

Norris

Hi Norris;

 

Super long time lurker; I've read all your reviews and really feel the sense of awe in your writings/musings/reportings. I was so happy when you enjoyed yourself on a Celebrity Ship, and read with interest to see how our experiences compared.

 

DH and I are booked on the Regal for next year, and are having second thoughts due to pricing. We are in one of the corner afts on Dolphin Deck, (for shade purposes) and until now have been quite happy for the booking. Well, I got to browsing around, and found an Eastern Carrib itinerary on the Equinox for the same time period with the price almost the same as the Regal for a Royal Suite. Wow! I said, that can't be right. I called my TA and indeed the price was within a few hundred dollars of the aft corner suite on the Regal. We have the Sip n Sail on the Regal, but received the 'all four perks' on the Equinox.

 

With what you know from cruising Princess, and accounting for itinerary, what would you do? We have been on the Sapphire, the Emerald and the Grand on Princess and have received super service, but with the Suite perks from Celebrity, we just are twisted and tied at the moment. Any wisdom or advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks, Scanditaly.

Hi and thanks for coming out of the shadows! I'm glad you like my reviews.

Comparing the Suite experience Princess vs Celebrity I would take the Royal Suite for Luminae, Blu, Michael's Club and the Butler plus better Room Service experience (hot food with all items arriving at once), reserved seating at the shows plus all 4 perks. The Royal Suite won't be aft (which is our preference) but the X Suites experience is superb.

I would have to go to the X website to remind myself what all 4 perks are but I know that Gratuities and a free Beverage package (the classic ) and Unlimited and useable Internet are included. We have never stayed in a Royal Suite so I imagine you get complimentary specialty dining in some great restaurants.

Hope this helps!

Norris

Norris, after several days of working on it I am finally caught up! Having grown up in New England, it has been a wonderful trip down memory lane for me. I heartily agree with those who have suggested you take a road trip through New England when you are able. I know, so much world to see, so little time. I have the same problem, and I seem to keep adding to the list of places I really want to visit! :eek:

 

Your little Snowy is adorable! :D

 

Now that I'm all caught up, I will be here until the end. I've saved some pillow chocolates from our wonderful cruise on Koningsdam to enjoy as I follow you and Carol along on the rest of your journey, so no need to send me any. :p

Nancy, no pillow mints are on their way to you.

I hear you regarding the road trips. There's just no time as long as we are working.

Sigh.

Norris