Live from the Regal - July 2-23 - Med Cruise - R/T Barcelona

[jy_cruisefan]

16 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

The word I read from recent CC posts is that testing for B2B cruisers has not been required in the Med for the past few cruises. We’re hoping that continues to be the case. 🤞🤞

 

But I’m sure we’ll know more once Friday is upon us. Either way I’ll let you know when we hear something definitive. 

Oh great!. Thank you

[Esprit]

Hi Ken

Thanks for keeping my appetite whetted for our embarkation on Saturday.

Are people encouraged to sit at the bars? I much prefer to get my own drinks and sit on a bar stool.

[phabric]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

The word I read from recent CC posts is that testing for B2B cruisers has not been required in the Med for the past few cruises. We’re hoping that continues to be the case. 🤞🤞

 

But I’m sure we’ll know more once Friday is upon us. Either way I’ll let you know when we hear something definitive. 

I was on the Sky May 28-June 11 out of Southampton.  I asked Guest Services 2 different times if we needed a Covid test for the second cruise, I was told you needed a Covid test to embark on the ship not Britain, you would get tested if the country you are docking  at  needs a test to enter their country.  We were visiting Norway so no test.

Edited July 5, 2022 by phabric

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Esprit said:

Hi Ken

Thanks for keeping my appetite whetted for our embarkation on Saturday.

Are people encouraged to sit at the bars? I much prefer to get my own drinks and sit on a bar stool.

I just went to the Casino bar to get my triple Baileys with 2 cubes of ice and there were plenty of folks at the bar. So yes, they’re quite happy to serve you while sitting on a stool at the nearest bar.  😁

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, phabric said:

I was on the Sky May 28-June 11 out of Southampton.  I asked Guest Services 2 different times if we needed a Covid test for the second cruise, I was told you needed a Covid test to embark on the ship not Britain, you would get tested if the country you are docking  at  needs a test to enter their country.  We were visiting Norway so no test.

According to the Princess FAQs, Greece still requires testing to enter their country. 
 

*For cruises embarking in Greece: The Greek government requires guests to take a PCR test within 3 days of embarkation or an Antigen test within 2 days of embarkation. 
 

However, I “heard” somewhere Greece was going to remove that requirement on June 15, but can’t find any confirming article. So I guess time will tell as to what happens the day before we arrive in Athens. 
 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/eu-cruises/

 

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

According to the Princess FAQs, Greece still requires testing to enter their country. 
 

*For cruises embarking in Greece: The Greek government requires guests to take a PCR test within 3 days of embarkation or an Antigen test within 2 days of embarkation. 
 

However, I “heard” somewhere Greece was going to remove that requirement on June 15, but can’t find any confirming article. So I guess time will tell as to what happens the day before we arrive in Athens. 
 

https://www.princess.com/plan/cruise-with-confidence/cruise-health/frequently-asked-questions/eu-cruises/

 

@jy_cruisefan I just found this July 5th UK article, so again, we’ll just have to wait to see what happens. 
 

 

What Are The Entry Requirements For Greece? 

 

Are you thinking of booking a summer getaway? Now that it has relaxed its border restrictions, you may be considering going to Greece. 
 

Here’s everything you need to know about the rules you should follow before departure and while you are there.

Since 1 May 2022, all travellers have been able to enter Greece without needing to show a vaccination certificate, a negative covid test (PCR or rapid antigen) or proof of recovery from the virus.

 

The requirement to fill out a passenger locator form is also no longer mandatory.

 

https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/travel-insurance/what-are-the-entry-requirements-for-greece/

 

Edited July 5, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[Ken the cruiser]

After another tasty dinner in CC Dining, we went to a magic show in the main theater. DJ Dan France is the person introducing Philip Hitchcock. 

 

 

Then afterwards we went to partake in the We Play, You Say Game Show where they play part of a song, then we guess the next line. 
 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 5 - July 6 - Marseille, France

 

 

 

[Tonsoffun44]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

After another tasty dinner in CC Dining, we went to a magic show in the main theater. DJ Dan France is the person introducing Philip Hitchcock. 

 

Then afterwards we went to partake in the We Play, You Say Game Show where they play part of a song, then we guess the next line. 
 

 

Guess the next line - given choices or had to know the next line on your own?  Assume had to know it yourself and they were rather popular songs. 

[wowzz]

6 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

The word I read from recent CC posts is that testing for B2B cruisers has not been required in the Med for the past few cruises. We’re hoping that continues to be the case.

Testing only requured  for those cruisers doing B2Bs with Athens as the middle port,  on our recent cruise. 

[TDS549]

I love all the photos! Thanks so much for posting. We are currently deciding between a few ships, our main requirement is a good scotch menu. 🙂 Any chance you could post the photos from the Wheelhouse bar? It would be much appreciated!

[pamps2801]

Ken, after reading the beginning of your blog, did you arrive in Barcelona on the departure day of your cruise ? Coming from the U.S. that was a Biiiiiiig risk. You were very lucky that no interruptions occurred in your flight departures. We always feel safer, and less stressed, arriving one or two days before the cruise, this way it gives us time to fall into their time zone, and enjoy the city for a few days. But you made it, which is good. Have a great cruise. We're doing the same cruise in May 2023.

  Hows the masking on board, people wearing them ?

Edited July 5, 2022 by pamps2801

[kml246]

16 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Just showed Luis your picture and he got a big smile on his face 😁 and the baby is doing great! Unfortunately, his contract ends Aug 6 and begins again Oct 8. 

 

Thank you very much, Ken. We have a big smile on our faces, too. We'll be on Regal until Oct 15, so if he is back on Regal, we'll see him our last week. 

 

Thank you again for this!

 

Kevin

[karabear15]

4 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

 

Then afterwards we went to partake in the We Play, You Say Game Show where they play part of a song, then we guess the next line. 
 

 

These game shows/trivia are always my favorite thing to do after dinner. Can't wait!

[Carnevale]

Loving your blog Ken!  You are passing along such useful info - many thanks.

 

 We love ballroom dancing and will be on Regal in October.  From the Patters you have posted it seems that the dancing is usually from 7 - 8pm in the Vista Lounge.  That will be a challenge given the time that the people we are cruising with want to eat.  Have you seen any ballroom style dancing elsewhere?  I see there is often music in the Piazza.  Does anyone ever dance when the musicians are there?

[Ken the cruiser]

We have arrived in Marseilles, France and are now off to Avignon to see the Palace of the Popes! 😁

 

[Ken the cruiser]

8 hours ago, Tonsoffun44 said:

Guess the next line - given choices or had to know the next line on your own?  Assume had to know it yourself and they were rather popular songs. 

They gave you 3 options to pick from. 

[Steelers36]

39 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

They gave you 3 options to pick from. 

I applaud you with keeping us informed.  If I spent this much time on our voyage posting, I'd be getting the stink-eye at least. 

[Esprit]

2 hours ago, Carnevale said:

 I see there is often music in the Piazza.  Does anyone ever dance when the musicians are there?

We ballroom danced in the Piazza on our Royal cruise and hope to be doing it again on Regal next week. The music was varied enough for us to Tango, slow Foxtrot, Cha Cha and of course Jive and Salsa. Not so much Waltz though! 

[Esprit]

Ken, well done for keeping us informed of your cruise experiences with great pictures. Makes a pleasant change not to see loads of plated food pictures!

[jy_cruisefan]

17 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

@jy_cruisefan I just found this July 5th UK article, so again, we’ll just have to wait to see what happens. 
 

 

What Are The Entry Requirements For Greece? 

 

Are you thinking of booking a summer getaway? Now that it has relaxed its border restrictions, you may be considering going to Greece. 
 

Here’s everything you need to know about the rules you should follow before departure and while you are there.

Since 1 May 2022, all travellers have been able to enter Greece without needing to show a vaccination certificate, a negative covid test (PCR or rapid antigen) or proof of recovery from the virus.

 

The requirement to fill out a passenger locator form is also no longer mandatory.

 

https://www.forbes.com/uk/advisor/travel-insurance/what-are-the-entry-requirements-for-greece/

 

Thanks again. We'll wait and see.

Seems strange though that you would need to test again before your Athens stop, given that Greece seems to have dropped all restrictions, and you will be visiting Crete and Mykonos before Athens without needing a test. 

[Ken the cruiser]

Here are some of the pictures we took on our excursion to Avignon which included a 90 minute drive each way, spending a couple hours in the old city after a tasty lunch, and of course a tour of the Castle of the Popes. One note. Be prepared to walk a lot as well as up and down a bunch of statues!!

 

On the way 

 

 

 

We have arrived!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited July 6, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[AF-1]

Avignon, is a nice city in the south of France.  I spent three days there touring.  Ken your pictures of Avignon and the Popes are excellent

[doodlefan]

Hi

Thanks so much for your review.  We are on the Regal in August and loving all your information.

If you have a chance next time you're at a bar or getting a drink, can you check to see if they have Sprite Zero on board.  Thank you.

[Mary loves to travel]

hi Ken,

 

was Avignon a Princess excursion?   the bus looks comfy 🙂

 

pix & reviews is great!    appreciate you taking the time to update us all.

 

Best,

Mary