Regal Princess test cruise 27/28 July - done!

[anji]

Hi all Princessers! We did the Coronavirus Test Cruise for procedures on the Princess line yesterday, so I thought you'd like to hear about it.

Embarkation was much smoother than the P&O Britannia one a few weeks ago. We did have an earlier time slot but far less waiting around. We had our virus tests after providing our NHS proof of 2 vaccinations via the app and proceeded into the Ocean Terminal.

Then our passports were checked and we were issued with our medallions which held all our details and acted as room keys and payment makers. These were brilliant and saved a step when boarding the ship for cabin allocation etc.

We waited about 15 minutes then for our test checks to come through via their computers rather than our phones and proceeded to checkin and security. Then straight onto the ship with no waiting at all.

Everyone was mega pleased to see us - genuinely overjoyed and we were told 'welcome onboard' so many times. They'd waited a year for this!

The medallion activated our cabin door when we got within about 6 feet of it, so the door was open when we touched it. Our photos came up on the screen outside too! Cabin was beautiful and the bed was sooo comfortable, especially the pillows. Lovely balcony and view of Southampton docks - shame we wouldn't be sailing anywhere.

One thing though - the plug sockets were American and we'd not brought adapters with us. Never mind as was only for the night but if you're going on the ship, TAKE ADAPTERS!

Our friends were lucky to get a suite so we went to have a look at it - very nice with sofa and more room - before going to lunch in Horizon restaurant. Served buffet. Good choice and lovely food served by happy people.

We explored the ship and had cocktails on the pool deck - all our drinks were free for the whole stay! Then it was down for afternoon tea - lovely but tiny portions so don't be afraid to pick lots off the menu! More exploring and another cocktail before getting ready for dinner.

The phone app is really good for booking in dining, entertainment and even lets you know where your friends are (you join your parties up) and the quickest route to find them!

We opted for dinner in the Crown Grill steak & seafood restaurant for an extra $29 each as our friend was dying to try it as it's voted the best cruise ship steakhouse. I had onion soup (meal in itself), filet mignon and an amazing desert. Beautiful food but it did take 40 minutes for the starter to arrive. After that it was pretty quick. We have since been charged £72.64 for the meal though, so trying to work out if the drinks we had were charged for or if it was a service charge? As we were both paid £50 each to do this night though we are still in profit

The Show was next - Sweet Soul Music - excellent singing and dancing. Other friends on board went to the Fountains show on deck and really enjoyed that too - can't do it all! We did the music lyrics quiz but didn't win - good fun Then it was a Baileys before bed!

The bed was super comfortable and I could have stayed in it a lot longer. We could basically disembark at leisure before 10am (not like 7.10am before!) so we went for breakfast in the Horizon again. Not that hungry after last night! Then off the ship with everyone saying goodbye.

The cleanliness, procedure, distancing etc. was absolutely 100% and they were right on it. I knocked my mask off the table at one point and immediately it was picked up and I was given a fresh one in a packet! Everyone had to wear masks when walking around anywhere and were reminded if we forgot. We all felt totally safe everywhere.

Overall the ship was wonderful and the crew were too. The standard of food and service was significantly better than we'd experienced on P&O previously. Princess has gone to the top of the vote but Cunard is next with Queen Elizabeth on 10 August (postponed due to virus a couple of weeks ago)

Here's a few photos - not many so not to spoil it for anyone going on the ship. Hope this helps. Do have this desert though if you can!

[Just_Pete]

Great info thanks!

I have Crown Grill booked on the Sky in September specifically because I want to try the Black & Blue Soup!

[Omega1]

Great review thanks. We have sailed about 260 days on Princess and your description matches our experience, obviously there are minor hiccups every now and again, but food, service and entertainment are consistently very good. We’ve never sailed Disney but of the seven cruise lines we have been on, Princess, Holland America and Celebrity are our favourites. Thanks again.

[anji]

Originally Posted by Just_Pete

Great info thanks!

I have Crown Grill booked on the Sky in September specifically because I want to try the Black & Blue Soup!

See more...

It was wonderful - be warned that it's very filling

[anji]

Originally Posted by Omega1

Great review thanks. We have sailed about 260 days on Princess and your description matches our experience, obviously there are minor hiccups every now and again, but food, service and entertainment are consistently very good. We’ve never sailed Disney but of the seven cruise lines we have been on, Princess, Holland America and Celebrity are our favourites. Thanks again.

See more...

Only 'proper' cruise we've done was Royal Caribbean out of Tampa. That was also excellent in every resepect, but I think Princess edge it.

[FloridaAnn & Co]

Thanks so much for taking the time anji !
Great review 😀

[Ladyshopper]

Sounds great, thanks for the write up!

[Danex]

That all sounds great thanks for the review.

We’re on Regal Princess next week and we’ve booked to see the Sweet Soul Music show and the fountains show on different nights so good to know they’re enjoyable.

We’ve booked the Crown Grill for the second night, just can’t wait to be on a cruise ship again.

We’ve only cruised with P&O so far I’m looking forward to trying a new cruise line 😊

[LRMD]

Sounds great, looking forward to trying Sky Princess in August! Disney first then Princess first time yay!

[1972]

That's great news - thank you for taking the time to review your time on the ship.

We are cruising on Saturday all being well.

Any cocktails you can recommend?

What was breakfast like?