Wonderful cruise but I have issues with the changes Princess has made.

Item: Regal Princess
Rating: 4.4
Author: Hmicc

Regal Princess Cruise Review to Caribbean - Western

Hmicc

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 3

Helpful Votes: 70

Overall rating:

4.4 out of 5

Verified Review

7 Night Western Caribbean With Mexico (Galveston Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 03, 2023

Ship: Regal Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: R236

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 11 months ago

Review summary

Excellent cruise but Princess is making changes try to push you to buy Princess Plus or Premium with additional charges for things that used to be included.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Very smooth as lng as you already have your medallion

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

Main dining was excellent but buffet seemed to be the same things over and over.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5

The Born to Dance show in the theater was excellent. two of the three comics were very good but one was so-so.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Dining room waiter (Michael) and asst waiter (Milferd) were excellent, Stateroom attendant (Ryan) was super and always very friendly when we would see him in the hallway. In the buffet area, it often took too much time to get iced tea or coffee.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Elegant ship and well cared for given its age.

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5

Could be tight at times. One side of the bed is very close to a wall.

Ports of call

Galveston, Texas

5 out of 5

Parking was a breeze.

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Coxen Hole, Roatan, Bay Islands, Honduras

4 out of 5

Did a glass bottom boat tour of the worlds second largest coral reel and it was very good albeit the seas were rough. The guides were excellent on Aqua Boat Tours.

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Costa Maya (Mahahual), Mexico

3 out of 5

Typical small port.

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Cozumel, Mexico

5 out of 5

Always good.

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Disembarkation

5 out of 5

Smooth and easy.

10 Comments

Marne0001 11 months ago

Alcoholic drinks have never been free. Ocean liners replaced by resort mass market cruise ships. I noticed premium restaurants started in the early 1990s. Shortly after that "daily gratuities" started. I miss the elegance of true ocean liners, single MDR (only other meal service was noon on the pool deck and limited free room service) with outstanding meals and service, and handing my gratuities directly to the server and shaking their hand. We had more self directed activities aside from the pool (learn another language, crafts, enrichment lessons) and parties! Favorite being The polliwog/shellback whilst crossing the equator. My first cruise was in 1967, officially making me 'old'. Saying from ocean liner days, the worst day at sea is still better than the best on land.

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willwork4cruz 11 months ago

Glad you had some fun. Agreed Princess made a mistake in starting to charge for the sit-down pizza restaurant. I think that was the only thing they started charging that used to be free. They should have changed the name and menu of the restaurant so people couldn’t complain that it used to be free. Luckily their speciality restaurants are still the cheapest at sea. The one thing that hasn’t changed in my 25 years of cruising is hearing people complain how much better cruising used to be.

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ppplllo 11 months ago

Glad you had a good time overall. I think the changes and cost cutting are what all the cruise lines are doing…my mom was shocked to learn that not all the restaurants and drinks were free! She last went on 2010…

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Gwbigdog 11 months ago

Thanks for sharing

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TwisterSister86 11 months ago

Glad to hear that most things were fine for you! May your next cruise be even better!

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cruising2004 11 months ago

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. We were on board the week prior and found the buffet had lots of options, just had to walk around to find. Thank you for sharing.

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Ruby13 11 months ago

Thank you for the review

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AFE8Ret 11 months ago

All cruise lines are doing it, charging more, cutting quality and charging for things that were included. Can't believe I actually saw advertising that actually said accommodation, dining and entertainment were included. As if this was a selling enticement.

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javawoody 11 months ago

Appreciate the review

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Niavlys 11 months ago

... Anything to obtain more moner from cruisers...

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Other reviews of this sailing

It was pretty nice.