Half-Live: Regal Princess British Isles 27 May 2024

[vickykay]

We were in Brugge a few years ago ( pre Covid). With three other couples, we pre booked a taxi from the port directly to the town center.  It was around $40-60 a couple RT (can’t exactly recall).  There are a few companies.  We love Brugge!

[k9Rulez]

4 hours ago, beltsbear said:

As you can see prices are very high.  We have never done so many excursions on our own. Bruges “on your own” (as princess excursion) is something we would normally do, but at $240 per couple we will Uber to the train with a cost being a fraction of $240. Usually princess would cost $80 each , still much more expensive than a an Uber and train, but more palatable.  

Thank you.  This helps a lot if France is cancelled.

                                                                        Rob

 

Edited June 6 by k9Rulez

[Tom Baker]

On 6/3/2024 at 8:41 PM, Cloudyrain said:

I have been reliably informed by my friend who has been to the port a lot that it's less than 10 minutes on the train, or less than 20 minutes via car/coach (traffic permitting).

My apologies I mixed up Bruges with Brussels

[ellp]

Bruges:

We walked off the ship, and got bussed out to the entrance of the working dock. Once there there is a building where there was someone selling tickets for a return trip to Bruges roughly every half hour for 25 euros return.

 

Since we were a group of 4, we stood in line and weighed our options. UberX was 55 euros at 850am. By 9 am, it was 99 euros!  The line for the shuttle was easily 100 people long, and it would have taken at least an hour to get on a bus.

 

We headed to the taxi line (across the street), and found another group of 4 to share a taxi van. The 8 seater van costed us 55 euros, split between 8, which was a VERY good deal. Many people in the line were working out similar deals. The line went quickly after that.

 

The ride in took about 20 mins, and we were dropped off in a side street just off of the central market. The driver even offered to pick all of us up for the same price. He suggested that we meet up with him at 345 pm, to make it back to the ship for 5 pm, with lots of time left over for traffic.

 

Bruges is very interesting, and we found no problems with speaking English. Tons of chocolate shops, a few bakeries, and lace shops,and of course the ever present fast food and coffee shops. 

 

I went a little nuts on getting chocolate as souvenirs. An example of a typical price is 5.90 euros for 7 pieces of handmade chocolates.

 

 

[MyriamS]

The chocolate in Belgium really is excellent. I used to buy pralines by the kilo and slowly eat them over weeks when I lived there. 

[Cloudyrain]

Sorry for the delay, i have loads to post 😂 I did warn you it was coming not half-live 😂😂

[Cloudyrain]

Sea Day Dailies

[Cloudyrain]

Sea Day weather report 

 

Glorious ☀️

 

The photos tell the story better than I can!

[Cloudyrain]

Zeebruge Weather Report

 

Sunny all day, but the breeze took the edge off. It was still lovely though and not cold 😊

 

In the morning I needed a hoody and jeans, but by the afternoon I was in a dress and had bare legs 😂

[Cloudyrain]

Zebrugge Dailies

[Cloudyrain]

Disembarkation

 

We chose self-disembarkation and left the cabin by about 7.40am. Lifts were impossible so we somehow managed to carry two cases down the stairs, through the gangway, through the terminal, and to the car in the CPS carpark. Loaded up and were driving out by 7.56am 🎉

 

We have never had such a great disembarkation experience: even better than the MSC butler escorted Yacth Club to experience. I wish all cruises were so efficient. 

[Cloudyrain]

Cabin Review B315 Mini-Suite deck 11

 

The cabin was spacious and clean. There were plenty of actual hangers in the wardrobe area (although you can order more on the app).

 

There is a very annoying auto-light in the wardrobe area, but two elastoplast over the sensor stopped that happening! 
 

The location was good for the FWD stairs/lift, and no noise. The balcony wasnt overlooked by the Skywalk, and was big enough for two chairs, a table and a footstool.

 

The 3rd bed was a single sofa bed which was comfy and big enough for most adults (my husband is 6ft 3" and he could fit on it, but not fully stretch out due to the arms of the sofa).

 

There was tea, coffee, and milk, sugar and sweetener. (And a kettel, cups etc).

 

Bernardo our Steward was great and made towel animals, and also left us a little duck.

 

There are plenty of films to choose from on-demand. The TV channels are ok, and Sport 24 is available in the cabin too.

Sorry, no photos this time: I didn't take any - I kept meaning too, but forgot!

 

[AZaTaz]

Thank you for your half-live. Nice pictures and was good to read a balanced review. Safe travels

[Cloudyrain]

Overall

 

We loved out first Princess cruise!

 

The demographic was older than we are used too, and evenings were quieter, but people were friendly and we had a great time. 
 

The staff were amazing: genuinely the best crew in over 10 years of cruising over 5 lines.

 

The ship was nice: it had a traditional feel and was clean, well laid out, and well maintained. The only thing I was't keen on was the over-noisy atrium: that could have been easily remedied if they just had one source of music/sound.

 

Most of our evening dining was in Allegro: we pre-booked our dining on the app before we went, and then spoke to them on arrival and were allocated the same table every evening. This worked brilliantly, and the odd occasion where we dined elsewhere it was easy to cancel on the App. It also meant no queuing. It worked well with a restricted diet due to allergies, and they were able to provide "off-menu" items. 
 

Alfredos: we enjoyed our meals here, I just wish they would add something like a basic lasagne or spaghetti bolognaise to the menu. The staff were great, and we probably would have gone there more often if it hadn't been for the off-putting atrium cacophony, or the occasional adjacent gangway security station.

 

Food in general was ok: it appears to be quite American oriented, so may be unusual to Brits/Europeans. Even the "British/Irish" food wasn't particularly British (generally we like a generous portion of gravy with a yorkshire pudding, and the Irish stew wasn't very Irish). I also can't understand having a baked potato without cheese or beans on it, I don't understand cold soup, and I can't accept creamed spinach 😂 It's not to say I didn't like the food, just that it was mostly good, not great.

 

Drinks were great, the cocktails were nice, and the portions were generous. There was also a massive variety!

 

Gelato: they will sub the giant sundaes with alternatives and allow just plain scoops as part of the package. 

 

 

[Cloudyrain]

If anyone has any questions please let me know 😊

[beltsbear]

On 6/9/2024 at 2:28 PM, Cloudyrain said:

Overall

 

We loved out first Princess cruise!

 

The demographic was older than we are used too, and evenings were quieter, but people were friendly and we had a great time. 
 

The staff were amazing: genuinely the best crew in over 10 years of cruising over 5 lines.

 

The ship was nice: it had a traditional feel and was clean, well laid out, and well maintained. The only thing I was't keen on was the over-noisy atrium: that could have been easily remedied if they just had one source of music/sound.

 

Most of our evening dining was in Allegro: we pre-booked our dining on the app before we went, and then spoke to them on arrival and were allocated the same table every evening. This worked brilliantly, and the odd occasion where we dined elsewhere it was easy to cancel on the App. It also meant no queuing. It worked well with a restricted diet due to allergies, and they were able to provide "off-menu" items. 
 

Alfredos: we enjoyed our meals here, I just wish they would add something like a basic lasagne or spaghetti bolognaise to the menu. The staff were great, and we probably would have gone there more often if it hadn't been for the off-putting atrium cacophony, or the occasional adjacent gangway security station.

 

Food in general was ok: it appears to be quite American oriented, so may be unusual to Brits/Europeans. Even the "British/Irish" food wasn't particularly British (generally we like a generous portion of gravy with a yorkshire pudding, and the Irish stew wasn't very Irish). I also can't understand having a baked potato without cheese or beans on it, I don't understand cold soup, and I can't accept creamed spinach 😂 It's not to say I didn't like the food, just that it was mostly good, not great.

 

Drinks were great, the cocktails were nice, and the portions were generous. There was also a massive variety!

 

Gelato: they will sub the giant sundaes with alternatives and allow just plain scoops as part of the package. 

 

 

This is in contrast to the Royal Princess that would not allow substitutions in December. This caused both wasted time and wasted food on the royal. 

[acutecanuck]

I'm on the Regal in August and have a quick question about docking in Ringaskiddy. For anyone that took the ferry across to Cobh, I'm just wondering how long it took? I can't find a whole lot of information about it and I've booked tickets at the Titanic Museum in Cobh that requires us to be there for noon. I'm trying to determine if we'll have enough time to get there or if I have to change plans. Thanks in advance!

[Cloudyrain]

28 minutes ago, acutecanuck said:

I'm on the Regal in August and have a quick question about docking in Ringaskiddy. For anyone that took the ferry across to Cobh, I'm just wondering how long it took? I can't find a whole lot of information about it and I've booked tickets at the Titanic Museum in Cobh that requires us to be there for noon. I'm trying to determine if we'll have enough time to get there or if I have to change plans. Thanks in advance!

Is your sailing docking at Ringaskiddy? Not all of them do. It was 15/20 mins: but that doesn't include time filling up the seats etc.

Edited June 12 by Cloudyrain

[JFFL]

I am doing this cruise next year with a 6 & 8 y/o. I am not expecting many kids on board but 40 was even less than I imagined. Did your son utilize the kids club? Were there any posted activities for the kids club? Or any other family activities posted? 

[Cloudyrain]

15 hours ago, JFFL said:

I am doing this cruise next year with a 6 & 8 y/o. I am not expecting many kids on board but 40 was even less than I imagined. Did your son utilize the kids club? Were there any posted activities for the kids club? Or any other family activities posted? 

Hello! Our son lasted 20 minutes... He is 7 and the top age for his group (and quite an "old" 7) and he said they put on Cocomelon and that the place was for "babies". It didn't help that the only children at his session were 3 girls aged 3/4 who were playing games which were not really in his area of interest. He refused to try again, although we did go down a few times and there was often only 1 or 2 children in the room, or sometimes they merged two groups in to one room.

 

The room itself was good, and the facilities were varied, but there were very few children actually in it. Your children will be in seperate age groups so different rooms, but it's worth talking to the staff and checking what sessions have combined age groups.

What date are you travelling: school holidays start in Britain around mid-July (earlier in Scotland, later in England and Wales) so I would expect more children in August. Although on our sailing it was mostly American and Canadian customers.

 

I have attached the kids club itinerary for you.

 

There weren't any specific family activities, but most events were family friendly, and kids were made very welcome around the ship. 
 

There were a good selection of childrens films in the room on demand, and they did sometimes put films on in Vista or at the pool that were child-friendly (although not necessarily aimed at children).
 

The only caveat about the ship to be aware of is that they show films on the screen in the day over the pool that aren't always very child friendly! We tried to avoid being around the pool when things like The Hunger Games was on due to the fact I have seen it and know it's violent!

 

 

Edited June 13 by Cloudyrain

[JFFL]

Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It has been difficult to find these answers online regarding kids on this itinerary. Our trip is early June 2025. I suspect the amount of children onboard will be similar. 
I have been searching for the kids activity calendar without success. I am so glad there will be organized activities in the club. I would like the girls to go but I personally don’t like the idea of feeling like I’m just leaving for them to be babysat and play with toys. I guess I will do the same as you, take them to check it out but won’t make them stay if they are uninterested. 
this information has been very helpful. 

[Cloudyrain]

On 6/13/2024 at 10:33 PM, JFFL said:

Wow! Thank you so much for taking the time to reply. It has been difficult to find these answers online regarding kids on this itinerary. Our trip is early June 2025. I suspect the amount of children onboard will be similar. 
I have been searching for the kids activity calendar without success. I am so glad there will be organized activities in the club. I would like the girls to go but I personally don’t like the idea of feeling like I’m just leaving for them to be babysat and play with toys. I guess I will do the same as you, take them to check it out but won’t make them stay if they are uninterested. 
this information has been very helpful. 

Yes early June is a week school holiday in Britain, but taking children out the extra week would often result in a fine (in England, I don't think the other countries actually fine) so lots of English families wont book then.
 

I'm glad I could help: any kid-questions about the ship or ports let me know 😊 The craft activities and games did look good, but my son isn't in to crafts or games so I am sure your children will have a better experience than my son did 😊

[insidecabin]

22 hours ago, Cloudyrain said:

Yes early June is a week school holiday in Britain, but taking children out the extra week would often result in a fine (in England, I don't think the other countries actually fine) so lots of English families wont book then.
 

I'm glad I could help: any kid-questions about the ship or ports let me know 😊 The craft activities and games did look good, but my son isn't in to crafts or games so I am sure your children will have a better experience than my son did 😊

Loads take their kids out of school for holidays.

 

Some schools are sensible and allow it and many just accept the fine cost for the savings on holidays.

 

We did Oct 1/2 term week 2022 the cruise covered an extra week 1500 kids on the ship most taken out of school.

(Free kids places helped)

 

A lot of UK school holidays are staggered now.

[Cloudyrain]

On 6/15/2024 at 9:23 PM, insidecabin said:

Loads take their kids out of school for holidays.

 

Some schools are sensible and allow it and many just accept the fine cost for the savings on holidays.

 

We did Oct 1/2 term week 2022 the cruise covered an extra week 1500 kids on the ship most taken out of school.

(Free kids places helped)

 

A lot of UK school holidays are staggered now.

I'm from the UK, I take my son out, I agree that lots of people do, but lots also dont. In my experience less do so at Whitweek: we always do it, but even P&O and MSC have fewer kids after Spring Bank holiday than before Summer or around October Half-Term. May and June is also SATs and GCSE and Alevels Mocks/Exam time so it's a lot less popular for families, especially those with children in different years. Plus October half term is two weeks for some areas, and more heavily staggered than the other half-terms. 
 

Also Princess is predominantly American and an older demographic: there were 40 on this cruise. Don't get me wrong I have encountered 1500 kids on P&O at Easter and our term-time on an MSC in October (although the week after whit on P&O last year was very quiet on the kid front) but they are also larger ships and more family oriented than Princess I think.