Live from the Regal Princess: British Isles Cruise July 7-19 2023

[Barbara B]

A few photos from our first Sea Day Saturday. Menus and shots of the desserts (yummy). The piazza and the stage from "Bravo." Enjoy

[1965]

5 hours ago, Lady Meer said:

Thanks for you ‘live’ reports, we were on this trip in June. Did you get a tray with kettle / tea and coffee making facilities? There is usually one in all the rooms - if it’s not there just ask your steward if you want one.

 

Hope the weather is kind to you - it was for us.

Our cruise will be next June. Do you mind sharing how the weather was on your June cruise? Thanks. 😊 

[Barbara B]

Day 3

 

Falmouth

 

Tender Port

 

The day began very rainy. Our shoreX today was to travel down to St. Michael's Mount and Land's End (literally the outermost place in all of England). By the time of our excursion early afternoon, the sky had cleared and it was a warm, sunny 65 degrees. 

 

From the ship, you can see two of Henry VIII's castles on either end of the port on promontories.

 

It's a tender port, which I don't generally mind, but the tenders here (at least the one we took to shore was an open boat in very choppy waters. It involved climbing three very large steps up and across a gap onto the boat. I have a particular fear of falling (life-long). I love heights and have no fear of them (we're on the 15th deck in a balcony, and I love looking down.) But I injured my knee a couple years ago and still have some mobility issues. But I made it. The 20-minute scoot across the bay was very choppy.

 

Getting off the little boat was much easier as it was level with the dock and only a couple steps down before the long gangway up to the pier.

 

 

Our bus was awaiting us and off we went through Penzance and beyond along the Cornish Coast.

 

It was, I have to say, a very long drive on a twisty road through the moors, but the narrator was fabulous and the bus driver really funny! We essentially drove through the mining areas of Cornwall, and there are any fans of Poldark, this is where some was filmed, but more importantly, this is the actual setting for the novels and series. 

 

We arrived at the beach below St. Michael's Mount. What a gorgeous view. (see pix below). The beach is lovely as well. We were there about 25 minutes before boarding again. You can go down a ramp to the beach. People were surfing and flying kits. Crystal clear, if windy, day.

 

Next stop through the heather filled hills to Land's End (literally). The shore there is rugged and really does capture offer wonderful views of the Cornish coast. There was a mall that had shops and bakery stands, where you could get Cornish Pasties (even vegan Pasties), donuts and other goodies.

 

Back on the coach after 45 minutes and home to the ship.

 

The tender coming home was a ship tender and much easier to deal with on both ends 😉

 

We met up with some folks with whom we're sharing a private Normandy Excursion so we could all meet each other. Nicest group ever and dinner was more than two hours! (Our fault not the MDR's).

 

Food was decent, if not remarkable. The salmon was actually quite delicious and perfectly prepared. Caesar salad with anchovies (optional, but I'm an anchovy girl). 

 

Went to the casino where I had decided to spend $20 of the $80 I won the night before. I was up by another $145, but then made the mistake of doing a maximum bet several times in a row (not my intention). Still, I have about $70 still in my bank on the plus side. Oh well.

Pendennis Castle taken from the ship

 

 

 

The Argus, used in the movie World War Z (and shot here)

 

On the beach below St. Michael's Mount (my DH and me)

 

St. Michael's Mount (sister to Mont St Michel in France)

 

And the beach below

 

 

"All around the blooming heather..." We're now at Land's End.

 

 

Perfect ending to the day again

[Barbara B]

16 hours ago, Lady Arwen said:

Following, as we’ll be on this itinerary in September.  We’re also in a mini suite, but on deck 16, Lido….our absolute favourite!  Anxiously awaiting your weather report, as it seems cooler and wetter than expected.  We’re planning on packing for all possibilities!  Have a wonderful time and thanks for sharing your adventures!

Weather cleared this morning, then rain again mid-day, and now partly cloudy, 66 F and just gorgeous. Rain's cleared, which is good because we're going off ship again in half an hour!

[Lady Meer]

1 hour ago, 1965 said:

Our cruise will be next June. Do you mind sharing how the weather was on your June cruise? Thanks. 😊 

We missed our first port, Guernsey, as it was too rough for the pilot to get on, but it was warm on deck out of the wind (around 68 to 70 degrees). Cobh, Dublin and Liverpool were all about the same temperature which, for us Brits, was nice and definitely shorts weather. Belfast and Greenock were cool around the mid 60s (but still in shorts)! Orkney was the coldest - probably mid 50s and no shorts. Fleece jackets and hats were in evidence. Edinburgh was sunny, in the mid 60s but windy - we had lunch on the deck in shorts and t shirts. Le Havre was drizzle and misty first thing but warm and sunny (mid 60s) by lunchtime.

 

In summary, British weather is a lottery - be prepared!

 

 

[blackfly]

Have read from others who have blogged about this cruise that the temperature on the ship is on the cool side.  We are on this cruise sailing July 31 and I had planned on wearing short sleeve shirts to the MDR’s.  Would sweaters be a better choice.

[azbirdmom]

On 7/8/2023 at 3:32 PM, Barbara B said:

We did dinner in the Buffet because we were really tired and didn't want to wait for our reservation.

 

We disembarked the ship the day you embarked.  We had a standing reservation for 6:30 at Concerto dining room for our party of 4.  The first night was such a mess (waited a half hour to be seated and didn't get our private table - took 3 hours to finish dinner at our shared table for 8!).  So after that we just ignored the reservation and went down to the Symphony dining room on deck 5.  Edna took good care of us.  Rarely were there lines down there of course with the port intensive nature of the cruise I think a lot of people opted for the buffet.

 

Looks like the good weather has returned.  We expected it to be a little warmer and drier on our cruise but the cool temperatures and rain (sometimes torrential such as when we were in Edinburgh) returned.  We packed a variety of clothes but I had to send our warmer stuff off to the laundry a lot more than I expected and most of the short sleeved stuff didn't get worn.  So for those planning future trips make sure that you plan for all options because you may be lucky and get the warm dry weather or 50's and rain!

[Barbara B]

3 hours ago, blackfly said:

Have read from others who have blogged about this cruise that the temperature on the ship is on the cool side.  We are on this cruise sailing July 31 and I had planned on wearing short sleeve shirts to the MDR’s.  Would sweaters be a better choice.

I would go for the sweaters in general. A pashmina is nice to have--and a windbreaker and a hoodie. You'll. be fine. I have mainly capris, so I'm good. Haven't worn my sandals yet except on the formal night.

[Barbara B]

2 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

 

We disembarked the ship the day you embarked.  We had a standing reservation for 6:30 at Concerto dining room for our party of 4.  The first night was such a mess (waited a half hour to be seated and didn't get our private table - took 3 hours to finish dinner at our shared table for 8!).  So after that we just ignored the reservation and went down to the Symphony dining room on deck 5.  Edna took good care of us.  Rarely were there lines down there of course with the port intensive nature of the cruise I think a lot of people opted for the buffet.

 

Looks like the good weather has returned.  We expected it to be a little warmer and drier on our cruise but the cool temperatures and rain (sometimes torrential such as when we were in Edinburgh) returned.  We packed a variety of clothes but I had to send our warmer stuff off to the laundry a lot more than I expected and most of the short sleeved stuff didn't get worn.  So for those planning future trips make sure that you plan for all options because you may be lucky and get the warm dry weather or 50's and rain!

We also have a standing reservation in the Concerto. Haven't had to wait so far. Concerto for breakfast and when we're on ship, Horizon for lunch. international cafe for coffee (which is just across the piazza from the gelato bar, which was absolutely delicious BTW)

[Barbara B]

I'll be posting our Cobh (Cork) report later today, but here's a recap of the weather so far:

 

Day 1: Embarkation: Upper 60s. Deck was comfortable, balcony comfortable

Day 2: At sea: 60s during the day. Nice day to sit on the balcony and do activities--and explore the ship!!

Day 3 Falmouth: Started rainy, but cleared and by the time we left at noonish it was warm and sunny

Day 4: Cobh: same as Falmouth--rainy, then gorgeously sunny and in the mid 60s

Day 5: Dublin: mid 60s and pleasant. took raincoats but it did not rain on us.

 

[Joy_K]

On 7/8/2023 at 1:57 PM, Joy_K said:

@Barbara B Thanks for doing this LVIE from thread and I look forward to following along and sailing the British Isles in September on the Regal.  If you would please, will you check with dining room staff to see which versions of the winemakers dinners they are offering on the Regal.  There is a new "Caymus family of wines" version offered in the Crown Grill starting this summer and I am curious to know if they are still doing the $45 Silverado wines Winemakers version in the Concerto dining rom.

 

Have a great cruise!

If you get a chance when in the dining room, could you ask about this please?

[MikieF]

Barbara B...thanks for your commentary...We will be on this cruise 8/24 leaving Southampton.  We also have a Princess transfer from LHR to Southampton the morning of 8/24.  You said it was a bit difficult finding the Princess rep...I assumed you meant for the location for pick up of the transfer bus..?  PLEASE tell us where we will find the Princess bus and rep. to Southampton. We've been told we will need to 'sign in' with the Princess rep before boarding the bus, but uncertain as to location!  We will be at Terminal 3, which may be different from your arrival terminal, so info might not be the same as ours.  Thanks much!

[1965]

2 hours ago, Barbara B said:

I'll be posting our Cobh (Cork) report later today, but here's a recap of the weather so far:

 

Day 1: Embarkation: Upper 60s. Deck was comfortable, balcony comfortable

Day 2: At sea: 60s during the day. Nice day to sit on the balcony and do activities--and explore the ship!!

Day 3 Falmouth: Started rainy, but cleared and by the time we left at noonish it was warm and sunny

Day 4: Cobh: same as Falmouth--rainy, then gorgeously sunny and in the mid 60s

Day 5: Dublin: mid 60s and pleasant. took raincoats but it did not rain on us.

 

This sounds very good to me. I don't do well in hot weather. Much prefer cool.

[Scottygirl1]

5 hours ago, MikieF said:

Barbara B...thanks for your commentary...We will be on this cruise 8/24 leaving Southampton.  We also have a Princess transfer from LHR to Southampton the morning of 8/24.  You said it was a bit difficult finding the Princess rep...I assumed you meant for the location for pick up of the transfer bus..?  PLEASE tell us where we will find the Princess bus and rep. to Southampton. We've been told we will need to 'sign in' with the Princess rep before boarding the bus, but uncertain as to location!  We will be at Terminal 3, which may be different from your arrival terminal, so info might not be the same as ours.  Thanks much!

 

I see you are not on the roll call for our cruise on 24th?  Come on over, lots of us there 🙂

 

[Barbara B]

Good morning! We are now in Greenock. Last night, when I would have updated Monday's adventures, the internet went down for a bit, so I couldn't write my Cobh report. I will get that posted this morning after breakfast. See ya in a bit.

[Barbara B]

Monday, July 10

Cobh, Ireland (the port gateway to Cork)

 

No tenders today. Yay!

We decided to explore Cobh (pronounced "Cove") in the morning as we had an organized excursion planned later this afternoon.

 

We walked off the ship and a very short distance away was the Emigration museum, which was a bit of a hidden gem. Didn't know what to expect, but it was really interesting to walk the path not only of immigrants who embarked on the many ships embarking from Cobh, but some of the pirate history as well. I've always been fascinated with Anne Bonny (if you watched Black Sails you'd know who she was) so there was a statue of her and a bio. As well as the interesting story of the very first immigrant to come to Ellis Island.

Although we are not Irish, our grandparents' generation came to the U.S. (from Eastern Europe) across the Atlantic, so the stories were evocative for me as well.

Maratime history was also highlighted in the small, but spacious museum, with displays, short films and artifacts from the Titanic, Lusitania, and other famous and infamous sailings.

 

There is a small gift shop adjacent. 

 

Returned to the ship for lunch and a bit of a rest, some gelato, and then was time for our afternoon adventure.

Gelato bar menu. I had 1 scoop each of nutella and pistachio. Really, really good gelato!!

 

The Irish Heritage and Cultural show. The description in the cruise planner is a bit deceptive, as it suggests there is a great deal of walking and stairs. Neither is the case. The Commodore Hotel is perhaps a third of a mile away from the port, slightly uphill, but nothing terrible. A few steps into the charming old hotel and then a long flight up, but there is an elevator for those that need it.

 

Again, not knowing what to expect we sat in a cozy salon with a small table. We were told the show cannot start until everyone had a drink in hand (the drinks, we learned, were included!). Soon everyone had a pint of Guiness, beer, wine or soft drink and we were ready. The room was full with about 50 guests.

The group was fantastic, with a singer/guitarist, a Ulliean Piper (who also played the whistle, flute and recorder) and a piano player (who had an excellent fiddle emulator). They were joined by three step dancers who entertained us with reels, jigs, slipjigs and more. 

 

The show was really fantastic, and if you want to get a feel for Irish music, dance and a bit of the culture, I highly recommend it! Well worth it.

 

 

 

. .   

 

Came back to the ship fairly late and just enough time to dress for dinner. We generally ate in the Concerto MDR because we were slightly forward amidships. The Allegro is a bit trickier to get to from where we are (at least for us). So if you are aft, opt for the Allegero--Fore, opt for the Concerto.

 

We went to the Princess theater show. Scouse standup comic John Evans. I did not stop laughing for an hour. He was really, really good to my very picky sense of humor 🙂

 

Time for bed, but before I do, I have to say how much I love the bed! It's like a crade, from the topper to the duvet to the pillows. I have vowed to get some of those pillows for our bed at home!! They are that good.

 

 

[Barbara B]

Day 5

July 11

Dun Loaghaire/Dublin

 

Before I start, let me say something about the weather thus far. As much as the forecast has been for rain every day since we left Southampton, we have mainly experienced relatively clear skies and pleasant temperatures in the 60s.

 

First, the town is pronounced Dun "Leary." Gaelic is not phonetic so you can't sound anything out.. Another tender port today. But we were in the orange Princess tenders, so no terror of the seas getting on or off. 

 

The ship decided that tickets were not necessary in the morning so people could come and go as they like, which worked out just fine until just before noon. The tenders were all out and the lines to the gangway was at a standstill  So we were quite delayed getting off the ship. MInd, we were on our own, so if you were on an excursion, you did get off the ship timely.

 

Instead of exploring Dun Loaghaire, we decided to go into Dublin. So after a 20 minute tender over to the dock, we opted to do the DoLondon hop on hop off. €30 (more or less $30) to get a return train ticket and the hop on hop off double deck bus. 

 

The train was ok, but the signs for the next stops were all in Gaelic and no English. We knew we were getting off at Pearce Station, so we knew where we were going, and everyone was incredibly nice. 

 

The train takes about half an hour or so. We hopped on the bus and decided to go to Dublin Castle, the Book of Kells and to have lunch). By the time we got into Dublin it was 1:00, and we went to the castle (first). The courtyard is impressive, but we couldn't get into a tour until it would be too late to make the trek back to the ship (and this was also the case for everything else by that time). 

 

Dublin a bit city, and like any downtown is quite congested. So as lovely as it was, it was not the best choice. We had lunch at the Bar Temple (which was excellent, and just across the castle)--and if you are vegetarian or pescatarian, it has a large selection, for which were thankful. I had a seafood c chowder, which was quite good. 

 

By now it is 2:00 and we decided to get back on the bus and stay there till we were back at Pearce station so we could get back to the ship in time for a 6:00 dinner reservation.

 

The bus loops around and is narrated, so that was quite nice, as we passed significant buildings and squares along the way.

 

It was the most disappointing day for us so far, but not terrible. Nice lunch, beautiful weather and ac for a glimpse of the castle tower. We chatted with locals and got back to the ship around 5:15 with an hour to spare before the "all aboard."

 

Castle Court

 

Princess from the water, approaching in our tender:

 

Had a nice dinner--Atlantic salmon, caesar salad, mushy peas, and a delicious pavlova for dessert. I forgot to photo the menus. I will do them for Wednesday's July 12 report.

 

Phil ordered from the Vegan menu, which was excellent and varied (and changes nightly as well)

 

We did not go the Princess Theater show (A Queen retrospective). I love Queen--my favorite band of the period, but I'm a bit of a snob when it comes to their music. I was also tired and a bit grouchy, so I think there will be a second one later in the trip.

 

The sunset is rather late and there was still light in sky past 11:00 p.m. These were taken around 8:30 p.m., I think. From our balcony.

 

 

 

 

I actually think I am caught up. Phew! Nice to have a morning to do that. This afternoon we are off on a tour of the Scottish Lochs.

 

If you have questions about anything on the ship or something I've omitted, please mention below.

 

I am so thrilled that so many are finding these blogs interesting and helpful (and thank so much for the wonderful Badge!!) See you tomorrow.

[1965]

Thank you for the great reports. We cruise the BI on the Regal next June so your blog is of special interest. Right now (5:45 AM) I'm on my couch in Texas, coffee in hand, reading Barbara's blog. 💝

[barbara barnett]

16 hours ago, MikieF said:

Barbara B...thanks for your commentary...We will be on this cruise 8/24 leaving Southampton.  We also have a Princess transfer from LHR to Southampton the morning of 8/24.  You said it was a bit difficult finding the Princess rep...I assumed you meant for the location for pick up of the transfer bus..?  PLEASE tell us where we will find the Princess bus and rep. to Southampton. We've been told we will need to 'sign in' with the Princess rep before boarding the bus, but uncertain as to location!  We will be at Terminal 3, which may be different from your arrival terminal, so info might not be the same as ours.  Thanks much!

You will be escorted to the bus. The princess representatives are right as you come out of the customs area. there’s a little café just to the left where people gather after they’ve touched base with the wrap. we were a little late getting out of customs because of a party stop and she had vanished momentarily but we found her.
 

When the bus is ready, everyone is escorted together. Bags are taken and stowed below and you don’t see them again until they magically appear at your cabin door sometime later in the afternoon or early evening.

Edited July 12, 2023 by barbara barnett

[Nextcruise42]

I would love to do this cruise next year and your  review is really helpful. Regarding Dublin would a cruise excursion be a good option or just not enough time to enjoy the city?

[barbara barnett]

34 minutes ago, Nextcruise42 said:

I would love to do this cruise next year and your  review is really helpful. Regarding Dublin would a cruise excursion be a good option or just not enough time to enjoy the city?

I would do an excursion if I had to do over. For Dublin proper, you need days, not an hour or two. Excursions are very directed and scheduled ahead of time for access to the location. This was the only port that we did not pre-schedule a shore excursion. But this is my opinion as a person in their 60s.

[Camberley]

Thank you for these wonderful posts: I love reading them. We’re on Regal one week today for the BI cruise - will be so nice to get to visit so many places around my country in a short time like this,

 

[Scottygirl1]

I would also like to thank you for these posts!  We cruise on 24 August and have organised mostly Princess excursions and two private.  

[MikieF]

Thanks much, Barbara...

[tgsul09]

On 7/9/2023 at 7:04 AM, sabrefan said:

Thank you for this review, we are doing this cruise as well on August 24th. We are also doing the Ireland land for 4 days through Princess before our cruise. We too have previously have been on Princess 3 times and will also be in a mini suite on deck 15. Will be looking forward to your upcoming reports.

We are doing the pre-cruise Ireland trip next June.  How was it?