Regal Princess Review
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After 2 weeks on the Regal (Jan 8 and 15 2017), our preference for a bit smaller ships is reinforced. The Regal is lovely and her crew are great. However, the entertainment (ranging from game shows to Trivia to big theatre performances to the great music in the Piazza) hasn't been adjusted to suit the number of passengers. Some games (Liars' Club as just one example) just aren't fun when you have 300 instead of 100 people. Venues are jammed full and you have to go 1/2 hour ahead to get seats in most cases. Several times we stood for long periods to hear the great music in the Piazza. Fun stuff, but too many people trying to enjoy it all.
We were in Aft Penthouses both cruises. They were wonderful but the balcony furniture was broken, stained, and not up to Princess standards. If you are a light sleeper in the mornings, you may want to avoid any aft cabin on Marina (Deck 15) as they drag the chairs around on the aft smoking deck on 16 early in the morning for cleaning.
For our first week we had fixed traditional dining in the Allegro. We had a very noisy table near the entrance and asked to be changed but didn't have much success. This was a bit of surprise since we've found a little perk of being in a suite and also a loyal Captains Circle member usually means you get some influence in table selection. The dining service was slow and disappointing, and we were sorry that Princess has decided to serve good wine in juice glasses instead of giving a proper red wine glass in the dining room. However, if you go to Sabatini's or the Crown Grill you can get proper glasses and of course awesome food. The second week we dined in the Club Class section of Anytime Dining and it was a world of difference: great service, hotter and it seemed to us better food, though it all comes from the same kitchen.
Cabin Review
Penthouse Suite with Balcony
We enjoyed this cabin very much. Quieter than M723 which we had the week before, and a little more private as you don't have people on the smoking deck above looking over (and dropping ash) on you. Though people on the aft end of Promenade deck can see into your bedroom, but just right by the patio door since they are looking from below. The layout is great and provides more privacy between bedroom and seating area than the midship suites, though it is not as open. The aft balconies vary in size but I think all are bigger than the midship penthouse balcony. We really enjoy having the side section, as you can seek or avoid sun nearly all the time. As mentioned, the balcony furniture needs to be all replaced and is less comfortable than the 'mini suite' furniture. Rusty, dirty, cushions torn, lounges won't recline and 'dining' table too small to use (cocktail size). The only other thing with the suites is that they have a heavy toilet paper roller that is mounted down below and behind your hip. If you just pull the paper, the weight of the holder and its cover are such that you get little tiny bits torn off. The only way to use it is to get both hands to one side below your hip, hold the holder cover up and the roll away from the wall with one hand and pull with the other. Acrobatic certification required. Now this seems a petty thing, but after 2 weeks what I was most looking forward to in going home was to use the toilet WITHOUT a battle to get toilet paper...
Port Reviews
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Not much choice but to sail out of FLL or MIA. Hotel rates in FLL have gone up to astronomical levels... $300 for a 3 star.
Princess Cays
Nice beach and only ship there so not too crowded. 50 minute wait for the tenders was out of line, though. They should have had people with ice water or iced tea to ease the wait.
Grand Turk
A friendly and safe island. We were treated so well by the taxi drivers and others after a pair of lost glasses caused us great dismay. We went to the little history museum in the town and it was very interesting with tons of fascinating information, even if a little musty and old-fashioned.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Safe and walkable down town.
Cozumel
Went to SkyReef to snorkle, and if you buy some food they don't charge for the facility and lounge chair. More fish than we expected, but the entry is coral rocks and rough on the feet so be sure you have water shoes if you aren't going to use fins. Fairly crowded.