Regal Princess Review - Baltic 6/14 - 6/25

[janetcbl]

Thank you again for taking us along. Along with many others, I will miss your daily updates. You have a real talent as a writer...please keep CC posted if you ever decide to publish a book/article, etc. You have a ready made audience, Best wishes to you and your family! Happy travels!

[Steelers0854]

Fantastic review. I can't wait for your next cruise so I get to read more!

[Shelly97060]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I really enjoyed coming along on your travels.

[FraudBroad]

BEST.REVIEW.EVER.

 

 

 

Seriously... thanks so much for the last hour of hilarity and great tips for our upcoming Baltic cruise.

 

 

 

Loved it.

 

 

Thank YOU for taking the time to follow along...just blown away with all of the kind comments!

 

By far the best trip review I have ever read! Please tell me you will be doing trip reports for all of your upcoming cruises!!!

 

 

Hahaha!!! I hope I can manage...although without the entire family in tow I can't guarantee it would be that entertaining! Thanks for you nice words!

 

 

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[FraudBroad]

Two thumbs up! I laughed, I cried, I fell in love!

Thank you for sharing and the best to you and your family.

 

 

Thank you for your kind and sweet words!

 

I am so disappointed that this review is finished. Every morning at breakfast I would check to see if there was more. Your review is the best I have read on this forum. Your honesty and humour is what made this so enjoyable to read. I also cried when I read about your husband, here in Australia we have the highest skin cancer rate in the world and I was of the generation that would smother our body with baby oil to get a better tan [emoji853] Your girls will always remember this trip with you and their grandparents, and yes they will be saying how great Mum was when she took us on this trip. We are a family of 5 and we all went to Italy to visit mine and my husband relatives when they were 21, 19 and 17, 6 years ago. We had dramas but we had the best time, now and again they will mention a part of the trip and what a fantastic time they had. Regarding Berlin you have put my mind to rest, as we are doing the Baltic cruise with Celebrity in August and I have booked a private tour to Berlin for the 4 of us. I was concerned that it was a long way to go for just 6 hours of a whirlwind tour but as my husband said this would be probably the only chance we get to go there and it was very expensive so I booked it and I am happy that I did. Finally I can see why you got on so well well with Trevor as you seem to have the same unique sense of humour of us Australians! Thank you again for this wonderful reviews

 

Sonia

 

 

 

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Sonia thank you so very much...I hope your trip to the Baltic is wonderful! You will not regret Berlin!

 

 

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[FraudBroad]

Thanks for the laughs and great review ! I've never laughed so much. Sounds like a great cruise to do. I'll have to put it on my bucket list.

 

 

 

Diane

 

 

GO TO THE BALTIC!!! I'm telling you...most amazing cruise ever!!! You'll need a vacation after the vacation but it will be worth it!!!

 

 

Thank you so much for allowing us to come along with you through your review. And thank you also for sharing your story.... I currently have my 4th brain tumour and am planning a cruise for my mom and me. Her first and I am so excited!

 

 

Deb my prayers are with you.

 

So glad you have this opportunity with your mother. That in itself will make it the best trip ever!

 

 

 

 

 

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[FraudBroad]

I have certainly enjoyed reading your review of your family's travels to the Baltics.

 

It is a trip that your parents.aunt ,daughters or you will not soon forget.

 

You created memories for all of you,especially your daughters.

 

I am sure,in the years to come, they will remember their Mom who led the whole bunch on quite an adventure with good natured humor and a stick -to-it attitude.

 

But, I think you give your daughters a gift everyday.

 

By your example,you give your daughters a way to cope with the ups and downs of life.

 

That is truly a valuable gift.

 

I wish you and your family many good days ahead.

 

I am sure that some of those days will include cruising for you either solo or with family.

 

You are all set for your next cruise with the packing tips some CCers have given you.

 

Now, set sail and have a great time!

 

 

Thank YOU for your very kind words. I'm the lucky one...I've got two amazing kids and I'm just along for the ride. I am truly blessed to have the most amazing family....

 

So appreciate you following along!

 

I've got to agree that your story is one of the best I have read here on CC.

 

 

 

Its a good thing my boss likes to cruise and his wife is a TA, as I was laughing out loud while at my desk at work reading the end of your story!

 

 

 

You just can't make that up for sure!!:D

 

 

 

Thanks again!!

 

 

OMG...that's hysterical! Please don't get fired for reading my review!!!

 

So glad you enjoyed it!

 

 

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[FraudBroad]

Hi Fraudbroad, loved, loved, loved your amazing, descriptive, hilarious cruise review! We are off 7/13 to catch the 7/17 Baltic Cruise on the Regal. We have booked most of our excursions with SPB, but I now have to look back and contrast and compare to make sure we are seeing the good stuff. We have done multi-generational Alaskan, Hawaiian and Caribbean cruises and they have provided some interesting experiences. We took our 3 boys on a Mediterranean Cruise last Summer. My 13 year old did not appreciate me posting on Facebook that he saw his first "boobs" at a posh beach in Mykonos and that according to his older 20 year old brother, "they were good ones!" Traveling with family makes for amazing memories, though I'm grateful that this trip is just with my Husband. Off to rethink my packing choices for next week!

 

 

OMG...we didn't see nearly enough BOOBS on this trip...I obviously need to go to the Med before I write my next review!!! It will be the "BOOB CRUISE!"

 

Thanks for the awesome idea...and thanks for following along!

 

I couldn't agree with you more, and it is truly priceless. When our youngest graduated from college, her dream itinerary was the Med (maybe we should have swapped kids?). So off to Rome, the Med, and Venice we went. When her older sister (who went back to college when the younger one got her degree... not to be outdone... and they both now have their Masters - got to love sibling rivalry) graduated, we took she and her husband on a two week cruise to Alaska (their choice, as neither wanted to fly to Europe). Both trips were fantastic and wonderful memory builders. You won't ever regret your decision to give "memories" as a gift!

 

 

Amen to that! There's nothing better or more important than family. This time together, while at times trying...was so priceless and I'm incredibly grateful for the memories!

 

 

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[FraudBroad]

Thank you again for taking us along. Along with many others, I will miss your daily updates. You have a real talent as a writer...please keep CC posted if you ever decide to publish a book/article, etc. You have a ready made audience, Best wishes to you and your family! Happy travels!

 

 

 

Fantastic review. I can't wait for your next cruise so I get to read more!

 

 

Thank you both so much! I can't tell you how blown away I've been by all of the kind words and nice comments! I'm always looking for my next cruise so you never know when I'll be back!

 

 

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[FraudBroad]

Thanks so much for sharing your journey. I really enjoyed coming along on your travels.

 

 

Thank you for taking the time to read what I think became a novel! I do appreciate all of the kindness from everyone!

 

 

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[JC168]

Very entertaining from the beginning to the end. Being a parent with 2 teenage boys, I can really relate your situation with your daughters when you are on the cruise. Thank you for all the valuable info so that we can be prepare for our Northern Baltic cruise on the NCL Breakaway in June of next year. Looking forward for more of your review on future cruises.

 

 

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[Cruising Italians]

Hi! I am interested in a tour with Heidi! What day are you in Berlin? Do you have room for 2? Thank you. Susan

[DubbyLee]

Thank you for your great review. I want to thank you for saving us from the HOHO bus! We planned on going on it in Oslo! Now we're signed up for a tour.

Thanks again!

[muggo11]

Spent the evening watching TV, reading this thread, laughing, pausing the TV to read parts to my husband's ailing prostate and then laughing some more. We are on this cruise in August, the 5th or 6th cruise of a lifetime for us. For as you well know, nothing changes your perspective more than the words Stage 4 coming from a doctor's mouth. Live your life. live your life. And keep on cruising!

 

 

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[kaycee17]

Thank you for the review. We'll be on this cruise in a few weeks with our 2 elementary age children and while our styles of travel are a bit different, reading what you did was helpful. I'm definitely adding a couple of umbrellas to our luggage!

[bcnvcanada]

Thanks for taking us along on your journey. As one cc said, we could

see, smell and taste your journey. It was a wonderful review and with your

outlook on life I am sure that there will be many more to come. To Trevor, we enjoyed reading about your issues and how they were solved. We have know people that have lost passports, and credit cards and money on their

journeys, and have always wondered if they had problems and how they solved them. You, truly have a travel angel with you, keep traveling.

Again, thanks to all for a wonderful writing, travel journey.

[pattiemc]

I'm loving reliving our cruise. Your review is still making me laugh! Say hi to everyone.

 

Pattie

[FraudBroad]

Very entertaining from the beginning to the end. Being a parent with 2 teenage boys, I can really relate your situation with your daughters when you are on the cruise. Thank you for all the valuable info so that we can be prepare for our Northern Baltic cruise on the NCL Breakaway in June of next year. Looking forward for more of your review on future cruises.

 

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You will have an amazing time next year...and in 50 years your kids will appreciate the trip :)

 

Thanks so much for following along!

 

Thank you for your great review. I want to thank you for saving us from the HOHO bus! We planned on going on it in Oslo! Now we're signed up for a tour.

Thanks again!

 

NO HOHO!!!! NO HOHO!!! NO HOHO!!!!

Oslo is super easy to get around using public transportation...you can find detailed information on the Europe/Northern Europe port threads.

If you don't do public transportation then for sure take a tour!

 

Have a great trip and thanks for reading my review!

[FraudBroad]

Spent the evening watching TV, reading this thread, laughing, pausing the TV to read parts to my husband's ailing prostate and then laughing some more. We are on this cruise in August, the 5th or 6th cruise of a lifetime for us. For as you well know, nothing changes your perspective more than the words Stage 4 coming from a doctor's mouth. Live your life. live your life. And keep on cruising!

 

No...the words "stage 4" suck like no other.

 

I'm glad I was able to laugh...and I WILL keep on cruising!

 

You will have an amazing trip! The Baltic is spectacular!

 

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Thank you for the review. We'll be on this cruise in a few weeks with our 2 elementary age children and while our styles of travel are a bit different, reading what you did was helpful. I'm definitely adding a couple of umbrellas to our luggage!

 

Yes! Don't forget the umbrellas...and waterproof jackets! Enjoy your trip and thanks for following along!

[FraudBroad]

Thanks for taking us along on your journey. As one cc said, we could

see, smell and taste your journey. It was a wonderful review and with your

outlook on life I am sure that there will be many more to come. To Trevor, we enjoyed reading about your issues and how they were solved. We have know people that have lost passports, and credit cards and money on their

journeys, and have always wondered if they had problems and how they solved them. You, truly have a travel angel with you, keep traveling.

Again, thanks to all for a wonderful writing, travel journey.

 

Thanks so much...appreciate all of you kind words! I can't wait to cruise with Trevor again...He's the man...the main dude...we LOVE Trevor!

[jlf1]

We did this cruise in 2014 on the Royal. We too got to do the canal boat trip in the pouring p...ssing rain with fogged windows.

 

All of us wanted to skip it but were told "that is the itinerary and can't be changed"

 

Likewise we were all (with the exception of 2 ) tired and wanted to go back to the ship instead of seeing tombs at Peter and Paul. But the 2 people that wanted to go (they both were wearing jackets with the logo of a funeral home) won the day.....because they had paid to see it so the other 14 of us stayed on the bus.

 

But seriously, your review is one of my all time favourites. I hope that there will be many more in the future.

 

Thanks for all the time and effort.

Edited July 6, 2016 by jlf1

[FraudBroad]

We did this cruise in 2014 on the Royal. We too got to do the canal boat trip in the pouring p...ssing rain with fogged windows.

 

All of us wanted to skip it but were told "that is the itinerary and can't be changed"

 

Likewise we were all (with the exception of 2 ) tired and wanted to go back to the ship instead of seeing tombs at Peter and Paul. But the 2 people that wanted to go (they both were wearing jackets with the logo of a funeral home) won the day.....because they had paid to see it so the other 14 of us stayed on the bus.

 

But seriously, your review is one of my all time favourites. I hope that there will be many more in the future.

 

Thanks for all the time and effort.

 

That doesn't surprise me one bit that they didn't let you change the itinerary...I found Russia to feel very "controlled" the entire time...or that may have been just me with my pre-conceived notions of how it would be! None the less...not shocked by this!

 

And OMG...LMAO...that is the FUNNIEST thing I've ever heard! Seriously? Funeral home jackets? THAT'S EPIC!!!!

 

And thank you for taking the time to read the review and leave such nice comments. I so appreciate the kind words from everyone!

[pjrockman]

Hi, FraudBroad.

 

Wonderful review. I tend to avoid reviews on this board, but you hooked me with your first post. Loved it all. We have two DDs that were 3 and 6 when my parents (in their 50's) took us on our first cruise on The Big Red Boat. That's when we caught the cruise bug. Since then we have taken many cruises together until my parents finally had to hang up their sailing hats several years ago in their late 70's due to their health. Daughters are in their 20's now and none of us would trade any of our many family cruises with "Nana and Pappy" for anything.

 

We still cruise and my parents are still anxious to hear our sea tales. Baltics is on our list for next year, so we appreciated your insight. We have two cruises scheduled on the Regal this year. She and the Royal are our faves. Amen to your comment on the central stairs already!!

 

One question as I am the one who responded to your casino credit thread that never was answered. Are the pre-purchased casino credits still delivered as vouchers in your cabin? That's what I prefer, as well. I love that 3 Card poker table and that is where we will meet if ever on a cruise together!

 

Thanks again and Safe Journeys. Paul

[FraudBroad]

Hi, FraudBroad.

 

Wonderful review. I tend to avoid reviews on this board, but you hooked me with your first post. Loved it all. We have two DDs that were 3 and 6 when my parents (in their 50's) took us on our first cruise on The Big Red Boat. That's when we caught the cruise bug. Since then we have taken many cruises together until my parents finally had to hang up their sailing hats several years ago in their late 70's due to their health. Daughters are in their 20's now and none of us would trade any of our many family cruises with "Nana and Pappy" for anything.

 

We still cruise and my parents are still anxious to hear our sea tales. Baltics is on our list for next year, so we appreciated your insight. We have two cruises scheduled on the Regal this year. She and the Royal are our faves. Amen to your comment on the central stairs already!!

 

One question as I am the one who responded to your casino credit thread that never was answered. Are the pre-purchased casino credits still delivered as vouchers in your cabin? That's what I prefer, as well. I love that 3 Card poker table and that is where we will meet if ever on a cruise together!

 

Thanks again and Safe Journeys. Paul

 

 

Hi Paul!

Thanks so much for your kind comments!

 

I do hope you get to go to the Baltic next year...simply amazing!!!

 

YES!!! They are still delivered to your room and you just take them to the cashier in the casino to get the cash. Super duper easy!!!

 

And YES!!! I'm meet you at the 3 card poker table!!!

 

 

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[Regan]

Great review; thank you so much for posting! One quick question: Would you please let me about the passenger mix on the ship; i.e., American, European, Russian, Asian? Thanks.