Regal Princess

​Princess Cruises

   

   It was Sundae morning when we boarded our ship. We settled into our cabin on the 16^thfloor forward. Ron and Nancy were assigned a cabin on the 15^th floor directly below ours and one cabin over. The rooms were small but adequate. There is a small shower , toilet and a deep sink. With practice you have just enough room to change your mind. We had a small, two-person couch next to the bed. Next to the sliding glass door was a desk with chair and two electrical outlets for our use. A small refrigerator was to the right of the desk. The sliding glass door went out onto our private balcony. It was only about 3 feet by 8 feet but had two sitting chairs in front of the tinted glass wind screen. It was a good thing to have whenever the seas got rough. 

   During the days when the ship is at sea, the deck chairs go fast. People have people place towels on empty chairs by the dozen, saving them for family, friends or friends of friends. Passengers are not supposed to save chairs but everyone does. Saturday was the first day we actually got chairs because Debby and I were on deck at 6:00. A.M.  when the chairs we’re supposed to be set up; all of the poolside chairs had already been taken. 

   The 100 degree hot tubs should NOT be called a hot tub!

   

   The Princess is not a huge ship. I think it Carrie’s about 3600 passengers and crew. The 16^th floor, the Lido deck they call it, has a couple of swimming pools and hot tubs for the passengers. Lounge chairs and other types of chairs and tables are throughout the ship. The Lido deck has a couple of gigantic food buffets where one can eat most anything all day long!  A huge big screen looms over the pool area where movies under the stars are shown. During the day it usually shows some sort of entertainment. The poolside bars offers not only what you are drinking but you can also order food like pizza or  burgers. 

   Other floors have various restaurants, shops, casinos, parlors and entertainment. Whatever you can think of, these cruise ships offers about everything. The live stage shows are well done with professional quality entertainment. The casino is pretty much like all others. It doesn’t take all week to lose your money!

   If you have never taken a cruise, you should try it. Destinations are all over the world. Pick your place, pay the money and prepare to be pampered. 

   Drawbacks?  Yes, there are drawbacks.  When you dock at some exotic port, you may find there are other cruise ships there.  When we docked at St. Kitts, three other cruise ships also came into port. Two of those ships carried more than 6,800 passengers each!  The two smaller ships were carrying about 4,000 each. So that sleepy little town in the world now has an extra 20,000 tourists shopping, sightseeing and taking tours. It sometimes gets very crowded making your trip to a secluded beach something you didn’t count on. 

   If you are susceptible to seasickness, don’t leave home without the proper medication.  Obtain a prescription from your doctor for the small patches you stick on behind your ear. Or visit your pharmacist and bring along some Dramamine. Rough seas can make the trip miserable. 

   If you don’t like loud music and parties, do your homework and avoid the party boats like Carnival. 

   If you aren’t fond of a bunch of noisy kids running around, ships like Viking often are much smaller ships with no kids. 

   By the way, we still never found the “poop deck”!