Regal: Alaska from San Francisco

[Sharkin]

My wife and I are considering a 10 day Alaska cruise out of San Francisco on the Regal Princess next May. Has anyone been on this itinerary, or sailed the Regal? We are wondering about the entertainment, passenger demographic, and this personal choice/traditional dining issue. We have always enjoyed traditional, but are willing to try something different. If you choose one or the other, is that it for the whole sailing, or what? The Princess web site didn't really clear it up for me. Thanks for any info you Princess veterans will offer.

 

[CruiseAholic]

Haven't done that particular itinerary, but did sail on the Regal Princess this past January (Australia / New Zealand ).

We absolutely loved the Regal, she is well laid out, with the exception of where they have the casino, takes up too much valuable vantage points. She is an older ship, but has a great feel to her.

I am a traditional choice diner, late seating, large table. Unless with a group, I don't think I would like Personal Choice. I would not like introducing myself all over again every night.

 

[AnnW]

If you choose the traditional dining (early or late), you choose that for the whole cruise.

And if you choose "personal choice", it's for the whole cruise.

But you can change your mind from traditional to personal choice once you're on the ship...the usual way...going to the dining room and talking to the people there.

I've not done the personal choice yet -- I will be sailing at the end of August on the Island Princess, and am considering it. We'll be a party of four -- and I'm hoping that might mean that if the four of us show up for dinner together, we'll get seated by ourselves, rather than at a larger table.

As CruiseAlholic suggested -- with the personal choice thing, not only do you have to introduce yourself to new tablemates every night, but you'd also have different servers. If you like having the very personalized service that the traditional dining offers, then this might not be a good choice for you.

You won't get very far into Alaska, sailing and returning to San Francisco, I wouldn't think. What -- two days up to Vancouver, then partway up the coast, and you'd be turning around and heading back, on a 10 day. I'd prefer the 7 day minimum, Vancouver to Seward, or back, myself (which is what I'm doing in August.).

 

[Sharkin]

Thank you for your responses. We are choosing itinerary, then line/ship and there aren't a lot of alternatives. There is Crystal, but that isn't an option for us.

 

[spindrift]

We sailed the Regal to Alaska last year in Sept. from San Fran. The trip was wonderful. The ship is lovely.

We found that we preferred traditional dining. We have tried personal choice a number of times, but since you have to make reservations anyway, the convenience of our waiter knowing our needs made everything a much more pleasant experience. We ended up with a wonderful group at our table (after changing once), and we all still are in touch with one another.

There is an opening on to a small deck at the very front. That is the warm location to look toward the bow. Not many people found it. It was right up the passageway from our stateroom. I believe it is on deck 8 (Baja). Good location. We had a balcony and enjoyed every "warm" moment watching the scenery, but the front location was nice also.

You will love her. Nice ship. I understand she will be transferring out of the Princess fleet soon, but I hope my info is wrong. Happy sailing