LIVE from Regal's Inaugaral Cruise

[Mom33]

Observation: Finally saw the water=fouintain/light show. While it looked nice and had good accompanying music, it wasn’t spectacular. I guess if you’ve seen one fountain show, you’ve pretty much seen them all. I’ve still never seen that area used as a Dance floor like I read somewhere, but to be fair, I haven’t been up on that deck for any of the sail-aways. In my opinion, it’s just a waste of space that could be better used as a larger pool or more space for lounge chairs.

…

 

It is used as space for more lounge chairs

 

 

Dance floor for parties

 

 

Splash Fountain for children

 

 

It is also a stage for the singers and dancers to perform on party nights.

 

It actually is a very versatile area.:D

[PescadoAmarillo]

Your account of Santorini sounds very exciting. It's at times like those when I hope there's a bar close to the tender dock.

[Moksha22]

What an adventure... sounded terribly exciting. Thanks for your posts, hope to see more of them

[Av8tor]

It is used as space for more lounge chairs

 

 

Dance floor for parties

 

 

Splash Fountain for children

 

 

It is also a stage for the singers and dancers to perform on party nights.

 

It actually is a very versatile area.:D

 

I have seen none of this on Regal. The steps to access the area are always chained off when I've been up on Lido deck.

[Av8tor]

Day 11 - Katakolon, Greece

 

The ship made up time and we got to port on time despite our late departure from Santorini. We had an Avis car reserved for this stop and everything went like clockwork. The Avis officis right at the exit from the port and the car and GPS were ready for us. We drove to Olympia and toured the archaeological site and the museum; all very interesting. It was an easy 30 minute drive with only two turns so GPS wasn’t necessary, but we planned to explore another area and it really came in handy there. From Olympia we drove to Chlemoutsi Castle north of Katakolon, situated on a high bluff overlooking the ocean and fields. Circa 1220ad, it was in fairly good shape and a distinct change from the ruins at Olympia. Turned the car back in and had about 45 minutes to do some quick shopping in Katakolo and get a quick bite to eat. It was 50 Euro for a little 5-seater, manual transmission car with air including unlimited mileage, insurance and VAT. The GPS was 12 Euro extra and worth it if heading anywhere other than Olympia and back. A quarter tank of gas was 17 Euro. Olympia cost 9 Euro pp for the combined museum and site visit and the castle was 3 euro pp. All-in, it cost 103 Euro to see both sites and not have to deal with the crowd dynamics of a ship’s excursion.

 

Captain’s Circle Club party and casual night with my favorite lobster and shrimp dinner. Comedian in Princess Theater was enjoyable. Noon arrival into Dubrovnik so we were looking forward to a longer than recent night of sleep. Unfortunately, at about 1:30am, they made a ship-wide announcement for the security team to report to the casino, deck 6, zone 3. Talk about a rude awakening! We can’t understand why they made the call into the cabin rooms and not just to the public spaces. It’s not like the security team was in any passenger cabins…

 

More Observations:

 

The play the Love Boat theme on the ship’s horn for departure when the local noise regulations allow it. It was not allowed in Venice, Istanbul and I think Athens.

 

My DW says the in-cabin blow drier works, but takes twice as long to do her hair than when using her own. She wishes that she had brought her own.

 

The track on deck 17 has two lanes. There is at least one small sign on the wall that says the inner lane is for walkers and the outer for runners. It doesn’t appear to be labeled on the track itself. Not sure if that is a change from Royal…

 

The “standard” and “deluxe” side balconies seem to all have two chairs, a foot stool and table. We have a slightly larger balcony on one of the “points” under the sea-walk and our chairs recline to almost flat. Not sure if that’s true on the smaller size balconies. I also noticed that the tables on decks 8 and 9 are small, low cocktail type tables while the ones on the higher decks are larger and taller. I can’t understand why there’s a difference. With a larger “deluxe” balcony, I’d have thought we’d rate a larger table. The one we have certainly is not conducive for enjoying an UBD.

 

The forward and aft elevator areas also have passenger stairs. The four elevators in each bank are all called when any up or down button is pushed. The mid-ship elevator area does not have stairs for normal passenger use. The stairs are for crew and emergency use only. There are four aft elevators and two forward elevators in this mid-ship area. The two forward elevators must be called by their own respective call buttons. The four aft elevators are all called from any of their call buttons. Therefore, to ensure all six mid-elevators are called, you need to push three call buttons. For a new ship, I’m surprised that the elevators “out of service” so often, especially the forward mid-ship ones.

 

Just dropped anchor at Dubrovnik, heading off now to hopefully tender right into the old port…

[gailjen]

Thanks for the last instalment, It would be a shock getting than announcement in the middle of the night.

Wondering why your tendering at many places, we are on 6th Aug sailing and been told no tenders at any.

 

Enjoy Dubrovnic, my joint fave place with Venice...

[Minoushka]

Thanks for the last instalment, It would be a shock getting than announcement in the middle of the night.

Wondering why your tendering at many places, we are on 6th Aug sailing and been told no tenders at any.

 

Enjoy Dubrovnic, my joint fave place with Venice...

 

We had the captain come on on Emerald at 3 am asking for a certain blood type ..it freaked us out .it went ship wide

Another time they neede another blood type just before dinner ...the hush that came on after that was spooky ....we were around the photo area filled with people leaving or going to dinner .it wasveey unnerving but they did say 75 people showed up to help ...Bravo !

[lfk60]

Day 11 - Katakolon, Greece

 

 

The “standard” and “deluxe” side balconies seem to all have two chairs, a foot stool and table. We have a slightly larger balcony on one of the “points” under the sea-walk and our chairs recline to almost flat. Not sure if that’s true on the smaller size balconies. I also noticed that the tables on decks 8 and 9 are small, low cocktail type tables while the ones on the higher decks are larger and taller. I can’t understand why there’s a difference. With a larger “deluxe” balcony, I’d have thought we’d rate a larger table. The one we have certainly is not conducive for enjoying UBD.

 

Just dropped anchor at Dubrovnik, heading off now to hopefully tender right into the old port…

 

Just an FYI, the rooms above you with the larger tables are mini suites. They get the different set up, whereas the balcony rooms get the smaller tables.

 

Thanks for sharing your cruise with us!! :)

[billco]

We had the captain come on on Emerald at 3 am asking for a certain blood type ..it freaked us out .it went ship wide

Another time they neede another blood type just before dinner ...the hush that came on after that was spooky ....we were around the photo area filled with people leaving or going to dinner .it wasveey unnerving but they did say 75 people showed up to help ...Bravo !

There was a call during dinner last year on the Royal. My wife donated and got a bottle of wine and a nice letter from Princess for her effort. I got to eat dinner alone, but had nice chats with couples on both sides, who I think felt sorry for me. I think several hundred showed up for the call.

[caribill]

With a larger “deluxe” balcony, I’d have thought we’d rate a larger table. The one we have certainly is not conducive for enjoying an UBD.

 

If you have a UBD, they will bring an appropriate sized table to use.

[Mom33]

I have seen none of this on Regal. The steps to access the area are always chained off when I've been up on Lido deck.

 

Perhaps the itinerary of your cruise lends itself to different activities than the Caribbean cruises.:)

[Av8tor]

Day 12- Dubrovnik

 

Woo Hoo! We anchored off the old port and were able to tender right into the walled city! Sure was easy not having to get from the new port to the city proper. Had a nice walk on top of the walls. It wasn’t too hot and there was a nice breeze. Fantastic views! Had a nice lunch in town then had to return to the ship a bit early to take care of some work details on the internet. Should be leaving the anchorage in about an hour for our last 32 hours at sea before Venice. Logging off now to enjoy the last day and a half. Will add more when and if I can during the rest of my trip, otherwise I’ll have more to say and pictures once I get home.

[IECalCruiser]

Day 12- Dubrovnik

 

 

 

Woo Hoo! We anchored off the old port and were able to tender right into the walled city! Sure was easy not having to get from the new port to the city proper. Had a nice walk on top of the walls. It wasn’t too hot and there was a nice breeze. Fantastic views! Had a nice lunch in town then had to return to the ship a bit early to take care of some work details on the internet. Should be leaving the anchorage in about an hour for our last 32 hours at sea before Venice. Logging off now to enjoy the last day and a half. Will add more when and if I can during the rest of my trip, otherwise I’ll have more to say and pictures once I get home.

Thank you for taking the time to post! Enjoy your remaining time on board.

 

 

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[Loonbeam]

The security call was probably broadcast via the emergency announcement channel, which goes to all speakers regardless. My guess is that was a mistake due to a critical situation, more so than intentional.

[LunaSeaRetreat]

Thanks so much for your live report. We'll be on the Regal in October. Glad you are having a good time. Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Cynthia

[sunsetbeachgal]

Thanks for the last instalment, It would be a shock getting than announcement in the middle of the night.

Wondering why your tendering at many places, we are on 6th Aug sailing and been told no tenders at any.

 

Enjoy Dubrovnic, my joint fave place with Venice...

 

Are you going to Santorini? It is always a tender port. We did not tender on a cruise a few years ago when at Dubrovnik...BUT...it required a shuttle bus to get into town which took time and there was a charge for...as OP said, the tender dropped them off right in town and was preferable.

Edited June 1, 2014 by sunsetbeachgal

[gailjen]

Are you going to Santorini? It is always a tender port. We did not tender on a cruise a few years ago when at Dubrovnik...BUT...it required a shuttle bus to get into town which took time and there was a charge for...as OP said, the tender dropped them off right in town and was preferable.

 

No Santorini I'm afraid, just curious why they are not tendering at Dubrovnik & Mykonos in the summer, would just love to try a tender :) either got to be cost or the amount of people on board in the summers months.

[caribill]

just curious why they are not tendering at Dubrovnik & Mykonos in the summer, would just love to try a tender :) either got to be cost or the amount of people on board in the summers months.

 

Docking is always preferable to tendering.

o Quicker for all who want to go ashore to get to shore

o No long waits (in the hot sun or rain) for tenders to return to the ship

o No possible rough rides in choppy water

o Less use of fuel for the cruiseline

[Jasperdo]

Docking is always preferable to tendering.

o Quicker for all who want to go ashore to get to shore

o No long waits (in the hot sun or rain) for tenders to return to the ship

o No possible rough rides in choppy water

o Less use of fuel for the cruiseline

Not to mention there's less chance of the Port being missed.

[Denali2003]

Thank you for posting about your trip and the ship. I do have a few questions:

 

Does the smoke from the casino drift upstairs?

 

Do they have Milk Shakes at Swirls (or anywhere else on the ship)?

 

The photo gallery - are the photos pre-printed or are they digital and only print what is wanted?

 

I notice in a picture on the Royal that there are only 2 dispensers in the showers. Which 2 things are they?

 

In the States when you buy any drink card on Embarkation day, you are charged a local sales tax - on top of the 15%. Do they do that in Venice?

 

I also saw a picture (not sure which ship) that they have Power Hours (like Happy Hour) and the drinks are $3.99 each (from 2-4pm and 10p - 12a) Is this available on the Regal?

 

Thank you!

[Jasperdo]

I notice in a picture on the Royal that there are only 2 dispensers in the showers. Which 2 things are they?

Here's a close up of what Princess now has in all their showers:

 

Star Princess - Hawaii Cruise by Jasperdo, on Flickr

[Denali2003]

Thank you Jasperdo!

[Av8tor]

Back home now after 24 hours of travel from Venice. Sure was nice to sleep in our own bed again! I've got a business trip starting tomorrow, but will try to answer previously posted questions and post photos as soon as I can...

 

All in all, we had a great trip and the Regal is a beautiful ship. Only problem we had was not enough "down time" and rest and that, of course, was self-induced since this was our first time to any of the ports and there was just SOOO much we wanted to see!

[anteaters]

Back home now after 24 hours of travel from Venice. Sure was nice to sleep in our own bed again! I've got a business trip starting tomorrow, but will try to answer previously posted questions and post photos as soon as I can...

 

All in all, we had a great trip and the Regal is a beautiful ship. Only problem we had was not enough "down time" and rest and that, of course, was self-induced since this was our first time to any of the ports and there was just SOOO much we wanted to see!

 

Hi! When you have time for questions....Does the Regal do the same kind of afternoon teas in a MDR as do the other Princess ships? Also for excursions...Do you know if cruisers who did the Princess excursions got of the ship any easier/faster than those getting off on their own or for non-Princess excursions? Welcome home and thanks for a wonderful review!

[kwahl1]

There was a call during dinner last year on the Royal. My wife donated and got a bottle of wine and a nice letter from Princess for her effort. I got to eat dinner alone, but had nice chats with couples on both sides, who I think felt sorry for me. I think several hundred showed up for the call.

 

Got a call for O Pos while on the Crown in 2009, in the middle of Texas Hold em. Gladly donated. Don't remember if there was a gratuity in the deal. I was just in amazement of the facilities in the med clinic. They airlifted the recipient guy off in the middle of the night.