Regal need balcony traveling with elderly parent

[plan09]

Greetings all,

Thanks to the contributors, this form is invaluable.

Only my second cruise traveling with elderly mother and trying to understand the massive ship that is the Regal. Planning a Baltic cruise early in spring 2017.

Don't mind any balcony obstruction and weather will probably prevent too much balcony time but need quiet or mom gets cranky. Also being close to elevators as she has some mobility issues. I have looked at the deck plans but can't seem to get a grasp on the coding for cabins and how the decks stack so I can avoid being above a lounge again.

Any suggestion on general areas/ deck to narrow down the choice?

Many thanks!

[cheeseclan]

Does she need a handicap cabin? Where would you prefer to be on the ship? Mid can have bigger balconies but might have to wait for elevators? Do you want a deluxe balcony that has a small sofa in it as well?

[2pbears]

You are right. This is a massive ship. As far as avoiding noise in the cabin is concerned you should look for a room on a floor that has staterooms both above and below (in this case that would be Decks 9 through 15). Look at the deck plans for each floor and avoid being right across the hall from a laundry room or a large blank space on the deck plan that might be used for the crew's cleaning supplies (they tend to make a little noise as they go in and out of these rooms with their cleaning carts). We have never had any noise issues in staterooms located near the elevators. If your mother has mobility issues common sense would dictate that a cabin near the midship elevators would be best. However, I would caution you that the midship elevators on this class of ship tend to be jammed up during peak times and our experience has been that to get on an elevator within a reasonable amount of time we had to walk all the way to the back or to the front of the ship. For this reason if we book a cruise on either the Royal or the Regal in the future we will book a stateroom near the aft elevators. I hope this helps.

[skynight]

Cabins coded with "D" are slightly larger then those coded "B". The "D" or Deluxe, cabins have a two seat sofa which your mom probably will enjoy. If you want a larger cabin select a mini-suite. These are the cabins that start with "M". I would avoid mini-suites in the center of the ship on decks 15 and 14, since the balcony is very visible from the skywalk on deck 16. Pay no attention to the word "Premium". This only has to do with location on the ship and not the furnishings within the cabin. If you want quiet, select a cabin from deck 9 to deck 14. These cabins have rooms above and below. The center elevators get very busy. Suggest you select a cabin closer to the forward or aft elevators.

Hope this information helps.

[plan09]

Thank you all for responding, 2pbears and sknight, very helpful information I really appreciate you taking time to answer. I didn't know that about blank spaces on the diagrams.

Cheeseclan- not in need of a handicap room and that was news about that sofas in deluxe balcony cabins. A sofa would be nice probably more so than the size of the balcony.

So decks 9-15 with a D either forward or aft for ease of elevator access, perfect.

[sunsetbeachgal]

Yes, cabin near forward or aft stairs/elevators would work best. The aft elevator would go up to Horizon Court buffet, probably more convenient than forward for you.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

We were in cabin D614 ( Dolphin Deck) and had zero problems with noise. However- the balcony was puny. We didn't care because I don't really sit out there- but it would have been upsetting if I had planned to. Its so narrow that the deck chairs face each other instead of out.

[Essiesmom]

Is your mother going to be sharing a cabin with you? Balcony cabins have an upper bunk for the 3/4 person, no sofabed until you get to mini-suite. EM

[rebeccalouiseagain]

The deluxe balcony staterooms (and Premium Balcony Staterooms) do have sofa beds. I just sailed in one and both my room and the adjacent cabin had sofa beds- no bunks. We were in D616 and D614. On the Princess website it states " plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger" for deluxe balcony and premier balcony.

[plan09]

Essiesmom,

Yes mom and I will share a cabin. I am looking over all the information again.

Thank you

[TracieABD]

I traveled a lot with my elderly mom. If you can swing it, you may want to consider a mini-suite or a full suite. As my mom got older, she left the ship less and less- so the space and the amenities became her "vacation". I would go ashore and write about my experiences- and take pictures (sometimes)- then I would share it with her over dinner. I found that the more real estate we hadl, the better we both enjoyed the cruise.

 

I actaully blogged about our experiences together. The links are listed below:

The cruises with my mom were:

- Star to South America

- Spirit to West Med/ Africa

- Royal to Caribbean

- Royal to British Isles

 

I wrote a lot about negotiating travel with an aging parent. Maybe you can find some helpful hints in there for you and your mom.

[plan09]

Hi Tracie,

Thanks for the info. I read your posts about your cruise on the Royal Caribbean, had a good laugh. More real estate might be better, for me more wine works too!

[TracieABD]

Hi Tracie,

Thanks for the info. I read your posts about your cruise on the Royal Caribbean, had a good laugh. More real estate might be better, for me more wine works too!

 

Thanks! I loved traveling with my girl... but space definately was a life-saver on some occasions!

[skynight]

Plan 09 –

There is some misleading information that has been posted regarding your questions about cabins on the Regal Princess. See my comments

 

Ouote: “ Is your mother going to be sharing a cabin with you? Balcony cabins have an upper bunk for the 3/4 person, no sofabed until you get to mini-suite”.

Correct, Balcony, “B” cabins do not have a sofa. But on the Regal there is a sofa in Deluxe Balcony “D” cabins. You do not have to get a mini suite to get a sofa.

 

Quote: “The deluxe balcony staterooms (and Premium Balcony Staterooms) do have sofa beds.”

Premium balcony staterooms, “B” cabins, do not have a sofa. Only Deluxe Balcony cabins “D”, mini suites and of course full suites have sofas. As I posted previously pay no attention to the word premium. This ONLY has to do with location on the ship and not the interior of the cabin.

 

One other bit of information. Except for a few cabins, which you can locate on each deck by looking at the deck plans, all balcony cabins “B”, deluxe balcony cabins “D”, and mini suites "M" have the same size balcony which is approximately 9x4’

[rebeccalouiseagain]

This is from the Regal Princess website

 

Larger than our Standard Balcony staterooms, Premium Deluxe Balcony cabins provide approximately 233 square feet of comfort, and an approximately 41 square foot balcony and includes all the same features of the Balcony stateroom, plus an additional sofa bed for lounging or sleeping a third passenger.

[plan09]

Thank you sknight appreciate the clarification

[myfuzzy]

I have sailed both the Regal and Royal, and in your situation, you should look for a deluxe balcony aft, its less distance to the aft elevators, that literally let you off in the buffet areas, and if you are doing traditional dining those elevators take you directly to that dining room as well.

[easyboy]

Only my second cruise traveling with elderly mother and trying to understand the massive ship that is the Regal. Planning a Baltic cruise early in spring 2017.

Don't mind any balcony obstruction and weather will probably prevent too much balcony time but need quiet or mom gets cranky. Also being close to elevators as she has some mobility issues. I have looked at the deck plans but can't seem to get a grasp on the coding for cabins and how the decks stack so I can avoid being above a lounge again.

Any suggestion on general areas/ deck to narrow down the choice?

Many thanks!

We were on the Baltic cruise on Regal in May2015. We were on Marina (deck 15), just below Horizon Court.

We stayed at cabin M507, a de luxe balcony with sofa. Not a large balcony but was covered so we can laze without worry of even rain shower.

There were no noise, nor rolling carts heard for us to be bothered while in bed.

Enjoy your cruise!

[plan09]

Myfuzzy,

Thank you. Mom does prefer traditional dining and I wasn't aware that it was offered in specific restaurants. Saving even a few steps just makes a difference.

[plan09]

Easyboy,

Thank you. I would have dismissed being below Horizon Court because of exactly those concerns. The weather probably won't permit too much balcony time but a covered option would be nice.

[rebeccalouiseagain]

If your mother does traditional "fixed" dining then you should be by the "aft" elevators. If you do "anytime" you will want to be near the midship elevators because you can only access the anytime dining rooms from midship. Also we loved the Interntional Cafe for light snacks. The sushi, Alfredo's pizza, and Sabatini's are also off or part of the Atrium area (midship)

[plan09]

Rebaccalouiseagain,

I have observed Mom seems to move better when sushi is an option :)

Is the Symphony dinning room the option for traditional dining then?

[plan09]

Rebecca...

Sorry forgot to thank you for the info:o

[easyboy]

I have observed Mom seems to move better when sushi is an option :)

Is the Symphony dinning room the option for traditional dining then?

Symphony on mid ship deck 5 is traditional for first seating only. Allegro on aft deck 6 has traditional for 1st and 2nd seating.

Your mom's sushi is available everyday at the Ocean Terrace on mid ship deck 7, but on a pay-per-order basis. Horizon court buffet also includes sushi on some days

[myfuzzy]

Myfuzzy,

Thank you. Mom does prefer traditional dining and I wasn't aware that it was offered in specific restaurants. Saving even a few steps just makes a difference.

 

It is a pleasure to help someone with mobility issues, I can share from experience.

 

The aft elevators are convenient to take you to most venues on the ship. From aft going forward to midship atrium would be all the distance you need, except for the casino and theatre. Don't forget you can also exit to the "promenade" deck from the atrium area as well.

 

A good TA should be able to help you get the most convenient cabin you will need. Just check the deck plans ahead of time to see what venues you would be most interested in and have the cabin booked accordingly, good luck