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

[vickila]

Absolutely loved hearing the fog horn. And the skywalk video. Memories. Thank you. V.

 

 

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[Bimmer09]

Dang it, we missed the Skywalk - although we walked on windows in the floor at a outdoor bar on the ship that was over the water. I thought that was it, LOL! Thanks for showing the video of what we missed! Come to think of it, we really did not explore the ship that much like we usually do as we were off the ship and in port from early morning right until the latest we could be. But what a great cruise it was in every way! On the first night we both had the Prime Rib and it was very good.

 

Indeed Suite Traveler (is that your real name?) it was a port intensive trip with some long stays into the night , which admittedly falls early at this time of year. Much to see and do along the way. I mainly explored the ship in the early morning hours with few people around and there is a lot to explore and too much to take in or savor in 7 days. I would like to do a 7 day, 3 port cruise somewhere warm on the Regal with plenty of time to just explore and delight in what the ship has to offer.

I saw the Prime Rib on the menu that night but here 's the thing about me and Prime Rib- I prefer a seared steak (fried in olive oil and butter in a cast iron pan then finished in the oven) and only eat PR in one restaurant at the insistence of Carol and her Brother who are PR fans and it's called House of Prime Rib in San Francisco and is a beacon for meat lovers. I always have the burnt outside slice as otherwise I don't find much flavor in the meat. I use plenty of horseradish to perk it up and the gravy with mashed taters and a fine Yorkshire pudding and creamed spinach makes for a good meal. Now I have made myself hungry. Damn!

You are probably not a smoker or we would have conversed on deck 17 aft.

Please keep reading as I know there is some good stuff up ahead.

Thanks for the comments!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Norris - I am loving your cruise review. We are doing this same cruise next October. Also saw where you are sailing on the Crown. We will be on her in 5 weeks. Very excited. Also I love 5 Guys. Thanks for your posts.

 

I am always delighted to see new (to me) screen names reading my schtick so welcome indeed.

We are excited to see the Crown again as we last sailed on her January 2012, the day after Costa Concordia was last captained by a Circus Clown.

 

5 Guys - I always have the same bacon double cheeseburger with those fantastic hand cut Idaho potatoes fried to perfection and a coffee milkshake. Soon after a nap is required.

Keep reading!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Sunday, Bloody Sunday....I was thinking as I looked out into a foggy seascape upon waking anchored in the waters of Newport, Rhode Island.

 

Many a cruiser to these here parts has seen the fog and heard the Cap'n announce "bless me barnacles landlubbers, for this is a fog that could take ye all to Davy Jones' Locker afore ye could say Mizzen mast! Sea day! Let's go to sea! Who's with me?

The passengers put down their lattes and cronuts and as a man shout "we all are Captain as we forgot to bring our own tenders!"

This Captain, Tim Stringer has dropped the starboard anchor (clumsy) and by Jehovah's beard we are going to go ashore!

 

The fog is lifting....

 

 

 

Not one of the tenders so don't get excited

[Bimmer09]

 

We don't have to get off the ship until 9.15 or something like that and in the meantime we need fuel for our Cliff Walk and The Breakers excursion. Serving breakfast is the aft MDR called Allegro and that's where you will find us. We both like the MDR breakfasts with the waiter service over the buffet. The food here is served piping hot (not the orange juice obviously)

Our waiter is a Romanian guy called Bogdan who is so proficient at his job and a nice guy to talk to that for each breakfast we will ask (and get) one of his tables from the obliging Head Waiter and hostess. I didn't catch or remember his assistant's name but there's a photo of them on our last day.





Carol loves her fruit -you can take that to the Bank and get me a roll of quarters while you're there







 

 

Carol had enjoyed her cinnamon roll from the pastries tray while I had a butter croissant and marmalade. She was also delighted with her well done English muffin but she really really enjoyed her crispy Hashbrown and Alaskan Scramble which had salmon (not salmonella) in it.







 

 

Norris loves his pancakes with maple syrup and a bunch of meats-ham , sausage, bacon bring it on! Princess menus now call it the "Cliffwalkers".

 

 



 

* Breakfast photos taken with a Canon SD 880 pocket camera

 

A great start to the morning!



Afterwards for me a cigarette on deck 7 aft where they have 3 ashtrays nailed to the wall and no seats for smokers. At moments like this I miss Celebrity!



I have no problem using the public toilets on ships as it's a trek to the cabin. I tried to wash my hands in one but the water wasn't working nor did the automatic soap dispenser have anything for me so I reported it to a cleaner and came back later to check on him and was happy to see he had taken action...







 

 

It was fixed by the next morning as I always follow-up when I set a task.

[Bimmer09]

We assembled for our excursion in Club 6 which is deck 6 forward and I'll have pics of that much later. We had to walk down a couple of flights of stairs to get to the tender deck. Carol sat downstairs amongst the horde while I squeezed in on the top deck so I could take photos.

 

 

I'd say the ride ashore was about 15 minutes but the weather wasn't too cold and so it was a pleasant trip

Although Boston sang "Don't look back" I had to, to get a photo of the Regal. This involved an almost painful torso twist as I was hemmed in by bodies but I had to get the shot!

 

 



 

 

I'll see you on land.

Norris

[vms]

I've enjoyed your previous reviews and the NE/Canada itinerary is on my bucket list, so I'm excited to see this review!

 

Your sail away from NYC was just beautiful! Looking forward to more (Especially the Lobster porn! ;) )

[Bimmer09]

We met our bus ashore, near the tender drop-off, having enjoyed a sail in past many fishing boats and fine yachts with sails or motors. There are toilets in this building shown. I'm shooting through the bus window with my little Canon pocket camera.

 

We each get a window seat by not being in a hurry to board or sit at the front

 

There is of course a guide who will tell us what we are seeing from the bus and when we get off the bus. It looks like a cool little seaside town but there are an awful lot of people on the streets. You'll see why later when we return to the dock area.

This Newport is a small island so even when you turn inland it's not long before you see the sea again. We are going for a Cliff Walk so the sea will be everpresent which is exactly how I like it!

[Bimmer09]

After 10 or so minutes the bus stops on a leafy side street and the sea is visible up ahead and I am itching to get close to it but first our guide has to tell us about a house across the street owned by a guy who initiated the Ted Talks which I had never heard of. I am not sure of our guide's name. Maybe it was Kathy? Chatty Kathy? Yes I think that was it.

Here's a map. We will be walking to the Breakers which is in the middle. We are at the "You are here" point (red arrow) but....how did they know that??!

 

 

 

 

We will walk along a path which was once the preserve of the rich until the common folk were allowed to enjoy the lovely bracing walk. Let there be a Fanfare for the Common Man!

 

 

It's a twisty craggy coastline and that's my favorite kind

 

 

 

 

We are loving this walk!

[crz4all]

Norris,

Loving the review and photos.

Sunday Bloody Sunday- U2

You are quite the Rambling Man

 

 

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[Bimmer09]

 

We came upon a charming summer cottage, and then another

 

Jane, our guide, would lead us onto the lawns to tell us a bit about each one. The family name who owned it- Lorillard (who made money through cigarettes. I think Pall Mall was one of their brands) Vanderbilt (steam ships and railroads) Berwind (coal) Bell (cotton)-and descriptions of their lifestyles.

 

Go here for more info...http://www.newportmansions.org

Remember these lawns were in use long before the John Deere ride along mowers came into being. Mr Lorillard always cringed when the Missus reminded him "you said you would cut the grass this Sunday. Well-it's Sunday!" Poor schmuck.

 

The "cottages" (LOL) are accessed from Bellevue Avenue if you go up there by car and want to visit. My gaze kept being pulled away from them to my left, and there, the sea.

 

 

 

 

The temperature was a lovely 64 degrees (18C) with very little wind, registering on the Beaufort scale as a "puff". We had been lucky today. It was cloudy and overcast yes, but that beats a full sun when walking and taking photographs.

Jane would talk at great length but I kept my distance as any questions Carol, a keen architecture lover, would ask, stumped her. Carol started to keep her distance too. The houses weren't the most compelling part of the scenery anyway as the natural setting was so pleasant and we could see why they built here. They had to escape the hustle and bustle of late 19th Century Manhattan or Washington etc for a couple of fun months in the sun and tranquility of Newport where they could be alone and host picnics on the lawn for 2,000 guests and be amused by Harry Houdini doing tricks.

[Bimmer09]

 

This is the biggest house, The Breakers and we'll go inside this after our cliff walk.

 

 

 

 



 

We turn off the Cliff walk to make our way around to the back of the Breakers at this point and in doing so I'll actually see a house that appeals to me.

I'll continue later as I am driving over to Michigan now. Ciao!

[fishin' musician]

"We will walk along a path which was once the preserve of the rich until the common folk were allowed to enjoy the lovely bracing walk. Let there be a Fanfare for the Common Man!"

An Aaron Copland composition, but the ELP cover brought it to youngsters like me in the mid '70s.

Edited November 1, 2017 by fishin' musician

[PghCruiseGrrrl]

I mainly explored the ship in the early morning hours with few people around and there is a lot to explore and too much to take in or savor in 7 days. I would like to do a 7 day, 3 port cruise somewhere warm on the Regal with plenty of time to just explore and delight in what the ship has to offer.

 

Come join us January 20, 2019 going to Princess Cays, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten!

[Jase0581]

I absolutely love the Cliff Walk, one of my favorite places in Rhode Island. During my 4 years living in Providence I walked the entirety of the Cliff Walk more times than I could count.

I love the pictures, they are bringing back great memories.

[Bimmer09]

Come join us January 20, 2019 going to Princess Cays, St. Thomas, and St. Maarten!

 

Thanks for the invite but we'll be in Cuba on our first Azamara cruise!

Cheers!

Norris

[silkismom]

Seeing Governors' Island brought back memories, we stayed there several nights (DH was AF) in Dec.1983 for our anniversary. We had dinner at the top of the World Trade Center and there was low clouds so it looked like we were in an airplane. I remember riding the boat back to the island singing Christmas carols. A very fun weekend.

[Bimmer09]

Well you can ignore my puff of wind assertion judging by these flags! LOL. It was calm at ground level. I blame El Nino. Or the DEMS

 

 

I stayed away from the group listening to Jane's voice on this quiet little street and I enjoyed a cigarette far away enough not to annoy anyone in our small group-our bus party of 34 or so were split between 2 guides

This house had a fence to keep snoopers out.

 

 



 

 

From a different epoch-but a beauty!

 

 



 

 

The famous "Mossy wall of Newport"







 

 



 

 

NEXT UP- A tour of The Breakers.

[pa247]

Well you can ignore my puff of wind assertion judging by these flags! LOL. It was calm at ground level. I blame El Nino. Or the DEMS

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I stayed away from the group listening to Jane's voice on this quiet little street and I enjoyed a cigarette far away enough not to annoy anyone in our small group-our bus party of 34 or so were split between 2 guides

 



 

 

This house had a fence to keep snoopers out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

From a different epoch-but a beauty!

 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

The famous "Mossy wall of Newport"

 



 



 



 

 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

 

NEXT UP- A tour of The Breakers.

 

 

 

Being new to the CC forum I am thoroughly enjoying your writing! Reminds me of the dry humor my parents had, both being British. We'll be on the Regal Dec.10 for our 50th Anniversary. Can't wait to see this beautiful ship.

 

 

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[PghCruiseGrrrl]

Thanks for the invite but we'll be in Cuba on our first Azamara cruise!

Cheers!

Norris

 

:hearteyes: I can't wait for the report on that cruise!!!

[Bimmer09]

Being new to the CC forum I am thoroughly enjoying your writing! Reminds me of the dry humor my parents had, both being British. We'll be on the Regal Dec.10 for our 50th Anniversary. Can't wait to see this beautiful ship.

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As you are new to the forum and sailing on the Regal December 10 th would it help if I put up some photos of the ship interiors soon? I took most of them on our last two days but it won't interrupt my chronology. Let me know and if anyone else is panting to see the ship give me a holler.

I do like dry humor and am British and my dad was very dry and droll. Zack Galifianakis is my favorite stand-up comedian. I can't tell jokes as I can never remember them. I like observational comedy best and we have seen Jerry Seinfeld live a few times and that is a treat.

I'm glad you are enjoying this as I enjoy writing it.

Norris

[SuiteTraveler]

Indeed Suite Traveler (is that your real name?) it was a port intensive trip with some long stays into the night , which admittedly falls early at this time of year. Much to see and do along the way. I mainly explored the ship in the early morning hours with few people around and there is a lot to explore and too much to take in or savor in 7 days. I would like to do a 7 day, 3 port cruise somewhere warm on the Regal with plenty of time to just explore and delight in what the ship has to offer.

 

I saw the Prime Rib on the menu that night but here 's the thing about me and Prime Rib- I prefer a seared steak (fried in olive oil and butter in a cast iron pan then finished in the oven) and only eat PR in one restaurant at the insistence of Carol and her Brother who are PR fans and it's called House of Prime Rib in San Francisco and is a beacon for meat lovers. I always have the burnt outside slice as otherwise I don't find much flavor in the meat. I use plenty of horseradish to perk it up and the gravy with mashed taters and a fine Yorkshire pudding and creamed spinach makes for a good meal. Now I have made myself hungry. Damn!

You are probably not a smoker or we would have conversed on deck 17 aft.

Please keep reading as I know there is some good stuff up ahead.

Thanks for the comments!

Norris

 

Norris,

No I don't smoke - I'm asthmatic so it's never been an option for me. I haven't been to House of Prime Rib, but it sounds like it would be good. I'm a big fan of Yorkshire pudding and lots of horseradish straight up with a Medium rare slice of prime rib.

 

I like seeing what you did compared to us. We went to Breakers and Marble House, saw the church where JFK married Jackie, also the house that was used in the TV soap opera Dark Shadows as "Collinwood" (Seaview Terrace AKA the Carey Mansion), and several other famous homes. It was interesting to see Marble House - particularly Consuelo Vanderbilt's room (which her mother decorated for her) and the room where she got engaged to the Duke (which her mother arranged for her and forced her into as both were in love with and secretly engaged to others.) Afterwards we went to The Moorings for clam chowder and lobster. It was GREAT!

Edited November 1, 2017 by SuiteTraveler

[Bimmer09]

THE BREAKERS

Our excursion included a tour of one of the homes-the biggest one, formerly a Vanderbilt home. The families of wealth in Newport dialed back on the extravagance once income tax was introduced.

 

 



 

 

We couldn't go straight in, even though the guide had our tickets, as there were already enough people in there poking around, so I had a cigarette by the garden while Carol tested one of the benches under a tree. It passed muster.

Nice outdoor lighting which would have been gas powered way back then

 



 

 

With ornate detailing

[need2cruisesoon]

Norris, Jamie and I rode “upper deck”on the Regal tender as she gets cluster phobia from being down below. Little chilly on top when got to town we enjoyed a couple hot toddy’s.

 

Hopefully you didn’t get caught in the tender line returning to the ship.

 

This is our view entering Newport:

 

 

 

 

 

 

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[G&Gcruisers]

Would love to see ship interior photos.

I loved the lighthouse photo too.