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

[Ken the cruiser]

Tonight after treating ourselves to a tasty (complimentary) dinner in the Crown Grill, we went to the theater and were wowed by Shelley Rivers, a wonderful opera singer!

 

And one of the highlights was when Dan France, our CD, came out and sung a duet with her and brought the house down!

 

 

We then headed over to the Piazza to watch a hilarious juggler, David Burlet, who had us laughing the entire time we were there!

 

 

[Ken the cruiser]

Day 6 - July 6 - Genoa, Italy

 

 

Edited July 6, 2022 by Ken the cruiser

[elimae]

On 7/2/2022 at 1:15 PM, Ken the cruiser said:

Day 1 - July 2 - Barcelona Embarkation Day

 

 

What time are you allowed to go on ship on embarkation day? It says we are Blue Lane but no details of time, we sail on 3rd September. Thanks Ken 😊

[Ken the cruiser]

And finally as I’m sitting on the balcony ready to review what has been posted today on the thread, I had to stop and take a picture of the beautiful sunset. 😁

 

[Ken the cruiser]

21 hours ago, TDS549 said:

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!

I checked with the Wheelhouse bartender and they didn’t have a menu with prices of the various whisky selections, but here’s a picture of what’s there if it will help.

 

[elimae]

2 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

I checked with the Wheelhouse bartender and they didn’t have a menu with prices of the various whisky selections, but here’s a picture of what’s there if it will help.

 

Come tour Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 if you are looking for a good scotch menu 😊 we can’t guarantee the weather but definitely the Whisky 🥃 

[Ken the cruiser]

20 hours ago, pamps2801 said:

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 ?

Understand. But because of the pandemic and the required pre-cruise testing, we decided to avoid staying in a hotel and arrive on embarkation day and hope for the best, remembering we booked this flight months ago.

 

But, yes, we arrived on the day of embarkation, which believe it or not went pretty smoothly, as we landed only about an hour later than the scheduled arrival time. We then checked in with the Princess rep at the airport, took their transfer bus to the port terminal, and were in our cabin shortly afterwards. 😁

[Ken the cruiser]

15 hours ago, Carnevale said:

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?

Unfortunately, we have not seen any ballroom dancing on the ship. So your only option might just be what’s listed in the Patter..

[tml1230]

Ken, words can not describe how much I am enjoying your photos, advice, on -ship experiences and incredible responses to each poster on this thread! A perfect example of fine southern hospitality and class.... 

as hard as this may be for you to believe....  and... as a die hard long time Florida gator, I found myself on eBay today looking for an Auburn Tigers t shirt ( used of course) in your honor !

we have been cruising for 30 years (mostly with princess) and I cannot recall a trip report I have enjoyed following more....and DAILY!

all the best, and stay safe ,terry

 

[Ken the cruiser]

13 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

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. 

It’s all part of my cruising addiction! 😁 But, no worries. While my DW is playing online games on her computer, I’m having fun posting to CC. In addition, since we don’t hang out in any of the lounges, we have fun going on scavenger hunts when someone asks us a question requiring us to start a new search! 😂😂

[Ken the cruiser]

3 hours ago, doodlefan said:

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.

My son who drinks Diet Zero and is also onboard tells me there are no “Zero” beverages. They are all “Diet” drinks.

[voljeep]

4 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

It’s all part of my cruising addiction! 😁 But, no worries. While my DW is playing online games on her computer, I’m having fun posting to CC. In addition, since we don’t hang out in any of the lounges, we have fun going on scavenger hunts when someone asks us a question requiring us to start a new search! 😂😂

any chance you have run into Junella on the ship? - we first met hers a few years ago in Crooners where she tossed an amazing martini.  we saw her again on SKY, then looked forward to seeing her on Regal in January, but she was in quarantine until the day we disembarked...

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, Mary loves to travel said:

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

Yes, the seats were quite comfortable. All of the excursions we have booked on this cruise are with Princess. As you can tell, we were towards the back, where we usually sit if possible.

[Ken the cruiser]

50 minutes ago, elimae said:

What time are you allowed to go on ship on embarkation day? It says we are Blue Lane but no details of time, we sail on 3rd September. Thanks Ken 😊

Your first goal, if I might suggest, is to get to the “Green Lane” by loading up all the applicable documents (e.g., proof of vaccination, etc) by using the App, either the one on your phone or via the web interface link provided when you log into your Personalizer. But, to answer your question, when we arrived at the terminal, we just got in the main queue to go through security and got in the check-in line we were told to get in. They never asked what our check-in time was.
 

However, if you’re App does not show you’re in the Green Lane when you arrive at the terminal, you’re ushered to another line, depending on the reason why.

[Ken the cruiser]

21 minutes ago, voljeep said:

any chance you have run into Junella on the ship? - we first met hers a few years ago in Crooners where she tossed an amazing martini.  we saw her again on SKY, then looked forward to seeing her on Regal in January, but she was in quarantine until the day we disembarked...

Unfortunately, I’ve only gone to 4 different bars to get my triple Baileys with two ice cubes before the show and have only been served by male bartenders.
 

However, as a side note, the bartender in the casino gives me three fulls shots where as the other bartenders stop about 1/8” from the top of the measuring cup on each shot pour. So I’ll probably just be going to the casino bar for the rest of the cruise. But if I can remember, I’ll ask them if Junella is onboard.

[elimae]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Your first goal, if I might suggest, is to get to the “Green Lane” by loading up all the applicable documents (e.g., proof of vaccination, etc) by using the App, either the one on your phone or via the web interface link provided when you log into your Personalizer. But, to answer your question, when we arrived at the terminal, we just got in the main queue to go through security and got in the check-in line we were told to get in. They never asked what our check-in time was.
 

However, if you’re App does not show you’re in the Green Lane when you arrive at the terminal, you’re ushered to another line, depending on the reason why.

Thank you, I will upload our documents and see if it changes , I was waiting till nearer time.  Thanks for taking time to respond and thank you for all of your information on your cruise, very generous of you 😊 

[Manderius]

I knew I couldn't wait to follow your live for a reason.. im depth review so far! I and we appreciate you doing such a comprehensive review... waiting with baited breath on the 2 big ports coming up Rome and Athens and any testing that may be involved 

[Sunny_li21]

Really enjoying to watch the post.  When you mentioned "CC"dining, what exactly is that? Main dining room?

[Steelers36]

13 minutes ago, Sunny_li21 said:

Really enjoying to watch the post.  When you mentioned "CC"dining, what exactly is that? Main dining room?

Club Class dining, which is located in the Deck 6 Mid-Ship DR and is restricted to guests in Suites and designated Club Class Mini-Suites.  It is setup for "on demand" dining (Anytime - you just show up and be seated).

 

ETA:  https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/food-and-dining/club-class-dining/

 

Edited July 7, 2022 by Steelers36

[Carnevale]

21 hours ago, Esprit said:

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! 

We’d really appreciate it if you would post about your opportunities to dance onboard Regal next week.  As much as we are looking forward to our cruise in October, we are a little concerned that we won’t get a lot of dance time.  Hearing from fellow dancers will be very helpful.  Have a great cruise!

[Ken the cruiser]

We have arrived in Genoa, Italy! 
 

[mauiluver]

47 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We have arrived in Genoa, Italy! 
 

Thank you for this great post. Please let us know what you do in Genoa.  We are thinking when we go on this cruise in August to take the train to Santa Margherita and then the ferry to Portofino. Any information you can give me about these 2 villages would be helpful.  

[phe8800]

9 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Your first goal, if I might suggest, is to get to the “Green Lane” by loading up all the applicable documents (e.g., proof of vaccination, etc) by using the App, either the one on your phone or via the web interface link provided when you log into your Personalizer. But, to answer your question, when we arrived at the terminal, we just got in the main queue to go through security and got in the check-in line we were told to get in. They never asked what our check-in time was.
 

However, if you’re App does not show you’re in the Green Lane when you arrive at the terminal, you’re ushered to another line, depending on the reason why.

 

We are “green lane” for our cruise (Regal/July 16th) .. but we haven’t yet uploaded our COVID documents, as I can’t really find out how to do so through the app? 
You say there’s also a way to upload documents by a link on the web personalizer? I haven’t found this .. 

 

 

 

[mauiluver]

14 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

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!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Will be taking this tour in September and was wondering about the restaurant that Princess uses.  How was the food and service?  Variety of choices?  Hoping that we will have about 2 hours to just walk around town and "shop".  Were there options for those who had difficulty in managing all the stairs?  

[Ken the cruiser]

18 minutes ago, phe8800 said:

 

We are “green lane” for our cruise (Regal/July 16th) .. but we haven’t yet uploaded our COVID documents, as I can’t really find out how to do so through the app? 
You say there’s also a way to upload documents by a link on the web personalizer? I haven’t found this .. 

 

If you launch your Personalizer and go to your upcoming cruise. You will see an area with where you can download your app, depending on the type of device you have. Below the 2 “pictures”, you’ll see a link to also launch the web interface on your computer. Click on it.