Two problems with Regal Princess

[winter11]

We just left the Regal Princess. We took the same cruise in Feb. 2016 and have two complaints.

We really like Princess in general and specifically the Royal and the Regal. My problem is that

we had the same three production shows and the same comedy magician both years. For the most part, good entertainment, but a re-run on four of the seven nights. A fifth night was the "Voice of the Ocean" both years. While I don't mind karaoke, this is a pretty cheap way for Princess to save one night of entertainment cost. Even the strings concert in the smaller theatre was identical to the show they did last year. If Princess wants us back, they need to provide some new entertainment.

The above may be irrelevant, however, as the new casino blackjack payoff may put us back on Celebrity. There is no reason that Princess should have to squeeze out every nickel from their casino patrons. Cruise ships already have the worst blackjack players in world. They shouldn't have to lower the payout to 6 to 5 for blackjacks just because they can. Although I had no run-ins with the casino staff, I witnessed one particular pit boss abuse

a number of players who questioned the 6 to 5 payouts.

Food continues to be great on Princess, particularly in the Horizon Café. Much better than Royal Caribbean.

[exbiologist]

Didn't know anybody went to those shows. Might have to check one out one of these days.

Agree on the casino. Hate the max odds of 2x at craps

[beg3yrs]

The reduced blackjack payout isn't just on the Royal and Regal, it's fleet-wide. I agree it is just another example of squeezing passengers for more revenue. Fortunately, while I like blackjack, it's an option I can live without.

 

The "Fun 21" game, similar to Spanish 21, is a good alternative if you truly want to just have some fun without it costing a lot.

 

You might not get away from repeat guest entertainers by switching cruise lines either. Those folks typically go from ship to ship without regard for the line. Whatever their agent books. Sometimes they stay with a particular line and other times they're all over the place.

[TwoCruisers]

I stopped playing Blackjack on the ships years ago when they started using continuous shuffle machines. I couldn’t count on them having straight decks in the machines.

[Colo Cruiser]

We just left the Regal Princess. We took the same cruise in Feb. 2016 and have two complaints.

We really like Princess in general and specifically the Royal and the Regal. My problem is that

we had the same three production shows and the same comedy magician both years. For the most part, good entertainment, but a re-run on four of the seven nights. A fifth night was the "Voice of the Ocean" both years. While I don't mind karaoke, this is a pretty cheap way for Princess to save one night of entertainment cost. Even the strings concert in the smaller theatre was identical to the show they did last year. If Princess wants us back, they need to provide some new entertainment.

The above may be irrelevant, however, as the new casino blackjack payoff may put us back on Celebrity. There is no reason that Princess should have to squeeze out every nickel from their casino patrons. Cruise ships already have the worst blackjack players in world. They shouldn't have to lower the payout to 6 to 5 for blackjacks just because they can. Although I had no run-ins with the casino staff, I witnessed one particular pit boss abuse

a number of players who questioned the 6 to 5 payouts.

Food continues to be great on Princess, particularly in the Horizon Café. Much better than Royal Caribbean.

 

 

I agree, the entertainment along with many other things being watered down and disappearing.

Would love if Princess would just spend the $$$ and charge the cruise fare accordingly, but alas it's a cutthroat market and staying competitive is paramount. :(

[Colo Cruiser]

Didn't know anybody went to those shows. Might have to check one out one of these days.

 

 

Really?

 

Better get there early. :rolleyes:

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

The reduced payouts started a couple of years ago, I believe between my cruises in June 2014 and March 2015. I don't play in the casino at all anymore, except for the blackjack tournament. I'll stick with trivia and sunbathing.

[diane.in.ny]

Have things changed since November?

 

On the Island, there was the reduced payout at the $5 table. But the $10 table paid 3 to 2.

 

And I agree about the continuous shuffle machines. Don't like them at all.

[lstone19]

I was in two cruises on Regal last year and blackjack was 3:2 except at the Fun 21 table which was 6:5. Are you saying all are 6:5 now? If so, I've played my last hand of Blackjack on a Princess ship.

 

 

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[diane.in.ny]

Interesting.

 

The 'Fun 21" table paid 3 to 2 on a natural BJ when I played in November.

[winter11]

Last week was the first week of 6 to 5. The only exception was the sole $25 table which is still 3 to 2..

I can't speak to "fun 21" as I have never played it.

The pit boss told me "we are just going to try the 6 to 5 payout for a few weeks to see how the players like it".

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

The pit boss told me "we are just going to try the 6 to 5 payout for a few weeks to see how the players like it".

 

 

My guess is somewhere between "Not at all" and "I'm going to trivia instead, it has better payouts."

 

 

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[riclop]

Cruise lines generally don't change there entertainment for many years. You don't have to go to the casino if you don't like the odds.

[joeyancho]

Casino odds:

Vegas...good

Indian casino...bad

Cruise ship...ugly

[Micahs Grandad]

Good reason to keep going on different ships

[easyboy]

We really like Princess in general and specifically the Royal and the Regal. My problem is that

we had the same three production shows and the same comedy magician both years.

We had 3 productions shows last Oct 2016 on the Regal; Sweet soul Music, Bravo and Fiera. There was no Bravo and Fiera on the Regal in our Nov 2015 cruise.

[caribill]

Princess usually keeps a production show on a ship for about five years.

 

Not every ship has the same production shows, so cruising on different Princess ships will get some variety into the production shows offered.

 

If you really want repetitious entertainment, do a B2B. The second segment will often have exactly the same performers as on the first segment. And the various ship bands will play the same music each segment.

[Micahs Grandad]

Princess usually keeps a production show on a ship for about five years.

 

Not every ship has the same production shows, so cruising on different Princess ships will get some variety into the production shows offered.

 

If you really want repetitious entertainment, do a B2B. The second segment will often have exactly the same performers as on the first segment. And the various ship bands will play the same music each segment.

 

That is why a B2B is not for us. Would either do longer cruise or second week on different ship

[long cruiser]

After spending 30 years in the casino business, i can only tell you one thing---don't play.The odd are always in the casino's favor.What bets you is time.

The only purpose of a casino iOS to take everything you have.

long cruiser

[asctony]

Same shows are a norm on all the cruise lines. We cruised NCL, Princess, RCI and Celebrity within the past year and saw the same shows on each line from the previous year. Maybe a different cast.

[Jersey42]

There was no Bravo and Fiera on the Regal in our Nov 2015 cruise.

We had both of these shows on the Regal in July 2015 and October 2015. I am surprised they were already gone in November 2015 as the production shows usually stay for years.