Our Honest Regal Princess Review

Princess Cruises told us that every Princess ship is a destination in itself and Regal Princess is no exception. Regal Princess is a magnificent, elegant vessel with a grandiose decor that will make you like royalty the moment you step onto the ship. The embarkation is cleverly done on the 5th deck, so every single passenger must pass through the Piazza en route to their staterooms. Now the Piazza is the wow factor, with its marbles, fountains, spiral staircases and shimmering lights: a truly grand hub of activities, inspired by the most sensational European squares. You’ll definitely want to sit down for a cup of coffee, people watching, just like you’d do it in a bistro in Paris or cafe in Milan.

This was the first time we went on a large cruise such as the Regal Princess. We had no idea what to expect but we were definitely very excited to discover what’s cruising is all about. We want to give you an honest review of the Regal Princess with all its restaurants, amenities and rooms, as well as explain what to expect from a cruise with Princess Cruises. So cosy up and let’s get started.

Regal Princess Summer Seacations

Princess Cruises kick-started their epic return with a really great concept called Summer Seacations. Summer Seacations are UK-only cruises that include short, scenic cruises and voyages with ports of call to UK cities including Liverpool, Belfast, Greenock and Portland.

If you want to book a Princess Cruise somewhere else in the world, with port calls, you can! Beyond Summer Seacations, you can book cruises with ports of call in destinations across the globe. We are excited to go on a cruise around Alaska and the Caribbean as well.

Regal Princess MedallionClass App

To save time when checking in for the cruise, make sure to download the MedallionClass App. We downloaded the app a week before the cruise, filled in all our details and were set to go. Just before embarkation, we claimed our medallions at the check-in desks. The medallions were beautifully engraved, with our names and the date of the cruise. Not only this is an essential accessory which you need to wear on the cruise, but you can then keep it as a souvenir. Beautiful idea from Princess!

The medallion is called OceanMedallion™ and it’s a small wearable device that gives you access to everything from touch-free boarding to locating your loved ones anywhere on the ship, as well as enhanced services like having whatever you need, delivered. For example, if you want to order a cocktail while you are in the hot tub, you can go to the medallion app on your phone, order a beverage of your choice and the staff will deliver it to you anywhere on the ship.

You can order food, drinks, merchandise. And as previously mentioned, if you don’t know where your travel party is, you can quickly find them on the ship and join them. This is something we truly loved during our cruise because using the medallion really is effortless, saves time, helps with contactless payments and reduces physical contact.

Regal Princess health measures

Princess Cruises really took health measures seriously. To join the Summer Seacations one needs to be fully vaccinated. Prior to embarkation, you need to show proof of your vaccination. Make sure you have the proof in digital format as no health cards will be accepted. If you had your vaccination in the UK, make sure to download the NHS app and get a digital copy of your vaccines.

We had our vaccines in Europe so we needed to show our digital vaccine certificates from the EU. The next step was to take a Covid-19 test. We then waited for about 15-30 minutes to receive a text message with our results. Of course, everyone needed to be negative prior to embarkation.

From late September for Princess Cruises’ ex-UK sailings, under 17s can sail if they are not vaccinated as long as they show a negative PCR test taken within 72 hours before the cruise.

On the ship, masks were mandatory everywhere, except for staterooms and in bar/restaurants, or open-air decks. There were hand sanitisation stations at every entrance and some restaurants asked guests to wash their hands before entering the establishment (e.g Horizon Court).

Masks needed to be worn during presentations and during shows in the Princess Theatre.

However, from September, mask restrictions are also easing, with masks only needing to be worn in crowded areas.

Staterooms on Regal Princess

Your room on a cruise ship is called a cabin or stateroom and is similar to a hotel room. Staterooms fall into different categories and Regal Princess is no exception. Before we continue, it’s worth noting that all rooms come with their own private bathroom with a shower. Here are all the staterooms you could expect on a princess cruise.

Interior – This is the smallest and most affordable stateroom. It doesn’t have a window or a balcony. It’s approx. 158 to 162 sq ft.

Oceanview – This stateroom has a window above the bed where you can peek at the ocean. It’s approx. 146 to 206 sq. ft.

Balcony – This is a preferred stateroom because it features floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors and a balcony with 2 sunchairs and a table. You can leave the door open at night and fall asleep to the gentle sounds of the ocean waves. You can have a lovely breakfast or a romantic dinner during sunset on your own private balcony. It’s approx. 179 to 279 sq. ft.

Mini-suite – This is the room we stayed in. It’s a larger room than the balcony room and it features a separate sitting area with a sofa bed and a coffee table. The balcony has 2-4 sunchairs, a table and an ottoman. The mattress has a luxury mattress topper and comfortable pillows. The room features two flat-panel TVs and of course the floor-to-ceiling sliding doors. It’s approx. 323 sq. ft.

Suite – This is the most luxurious stateroom featuring luxury balcony furniture including 2 loungers, 4 chairs, a table and an ottoman. It has a separate sitting area with sofa bed, chair and 2 tables, very spacious closet. You will receive complimentary use of the Lotus Spa, complimentary laundry and professional cleaning, complimentary dinner in a speciality restaurant, and priority reservations and disembarkation at tender ports. It’s approx. 460 to 1507 sq. ft.

The staterooms are comfortable, with warm wooden decor. The bed was surprisingly comfortable as the cruises feature Princess luxury beds. Even though I have slight motion sickness, I didn’t have any issues on the Regal Princess. I loved sleeping with the door open as I find the sound of the ocean very comforting.

Did you know that a stateroom was a very grand room designed to impress? Staterooms were usually only found in the houses of the upper echelons of the aristocracy.

My husband and I both loved the stateroom as it was comfortable. The closet space was large enough for our suitcases and it has plenty of hangers for dresses and suits.

Very important, every cruise ship comes with different outlets. Make sure to double-check if you need converters prior to your cruise. However, we saw on the Medallion app that some converters were available from the staff, free of charge.

Food on Regal Princess

Cruising is an easy, convenient way to travel. Unpack once and experience a luxurious time at sea or by visiting new locations around the world. Do you know what else is wonderful? Having so much food included in your fare, plus an array of speciality dining options so you can truly have a cruise of a lifetime. During our time on Regal Princess, we made it our aim to try each and every single restaurant on the ship. Since we didn’t need to leave for day trips, it was easier than anticipated to make our way around the vessel and indulge in food and drinks.

Before I continue, I would like to add that we had Princess Plus which includes the Premier Beverage Package, free wifi on board, as well as the gratuity for the staff.

The Premier Beverage Package includes cocktails, wine, beer, spirits, fountain soda, speciality coffees, bottled water, teas and other individual beverages up to $12 USD each. You can get up to 15 alcoholic beverages per guest, per day, so you know you’ll never run out of gin tonics. It’s something we absolutely recommend to all cruisers. Alright, let’s talk about the food! Here are all the included dining experiences. This means you can enjoy them at no extra cost and they are included in your cruise fare.

Alfredo’s Pizzeria

This is the first restaurant we went to, once we checked out the stateroom and unpacked a couple of things. And nothing says lunchtime better than a fresh pizza. We didn’t imagine that the pizza will be excellent but to our surprise, the pizza base was sheer perfection. WOW! Turns out there are real pizza ovens on the ship so you know the chefs will create the most perfect pizza for you.

Main Dining Rooms

The Symphony Dining Room is located aft on Plaza Deck (Deck 5), and the Concerto Dining Room is situated midship on Fiesta Deck (Deck 6). For breakfast or lunch, you’ll want to try Concerto. Both of them are open for anytime diners.

The dinner menu usually contains two sections: an always-available set of items and a list of ever-changing dishes so you never get bored with the food.

The Allegro Dining Room is located on the Fiesta Deck (Deck 6) and it usually offers reserved seats only. However, the menu is identical to the one in Symphony and Concerto. If you wish to book a table, you can do so from your Medallion app. It’s super quick and easy.

Horizon Court

For those who wish to enjoy a buffet experience, Horizon is the place to be. If you like a more varied breakfast, we also recommend the Horizon. We liked it for breakfast and some of the lunches. The food changes throughout the cruise so you will get to experience different dishes. It’s ideal for people who want a more laid back atmosphere for a casual meal.

International Cafe

This is the place to be if you fancy a decadent dessert or a special coffee. The good news is that this cafe is open 24/7 so you’re never at risk of missing a sandwich, salad or custom blend of coffee beans. Grab a freshly baked croissant any time you need a pick me up snack.

Prego Pizzeria

Want to grab a slice of pizza while watching a movie on the open deck? Head over to Prego Pizzeria and get a slice (or the whole thing). The freshly made Neopolitan-style pizza is delicious. While you are there, make sure to use your Medallion app to order a colourful cocktail.

24-hour room service

Don’t fancy leaving your stateroom? Use your Medallion app to order complimentary room service. We ordered breakfast in the morning and a late-night portion of fries, so we can enjoy the carbs while admiring the stars from our balcony. Oh, and you can order cocktails too. We recommend the 24K Gold Margaritas. Yum!

Swirls on Lido Deck

If you fancy a delicious ice cream, head over to the Lido deck and ask for a swirl ice cream. Kids especially love it! But hey, we pretended to be kids for the day and asked for a couple of swirlies while on our way to the hot tubs.

Speciality Restaurants

On the Regal Princess, there are some speciality restaurants that cost a little extra. They are perfect for special occasions or for those lovely nights when you want to have a more intimate experience with your loved ones. The food is excellent and the service is top-notch. As my husband and I wanted to give you a fair review of Regal Princess, we actually went to experience every single speciality restaurant onboard. Here’s the verdict.

Sabatini’s

Who doesn’t love Italian food, right? Well, what if I tell you that you can enjoy a proper Italian meal in this restaurant for as little as $25 per person. Indulge in a starter, salad or soup, pasta, main and dessert and order in-house Italian cocktails with scrumptious Mediterranean liqueurs and ingredients.

Just know that Sabatini’s was voted “Best Cruise Ship Specialty Restaurants” at sea by USA TODAY. So you can’t go wrong with your dinner there.

Crown Grill

The first incredible thing about Crown Grill was the service. The staff were all so welcoming and kind, prepared to give us not just recommendations for the food but for their extensive wine menu as well. You can order wine by the glass, bottle and just pair it with each main. Of course, if you’d like, you can enjoy fantastic cocktails. I indulged in wines from around the world while G. ordered timeless gin tonics.

Crown Grill is a steakhouse that offers an intimate dining experience in an elegant setting. The menu is rich in steak and seafood options. If you don’t eat red meat, you can always go for their signature lobster tail as a main. The desserts are also truly magnificent, so make sure to leave some room for the after-meal sweets.

Vines Wine Bar

Calling all wine lovers, gather around and indulge in a proper glass of red from Bordeaux, Puglia, or Australia. Vines is the perfect place to try wines from all around the world. It boasts an extensive collection of wines, fine Champagne and sparkling wines and regional offerings for purchase. Gourmet delicacies, such as antipasti and tapas, are complimentary with any wine purchase.

Ocean Terrace

This is a restaurant for seafood and sushi lovers. It’s a small, stylish bar that offers an array of sushi and sashimi options. You can enjoy edamame alongside chilled sake, cocktails or wine by the glass. We recommend it for a light lunch.

Balcony Dining

Sunset with privacy? Yes, please. Have the ultimate romantic dinner at sea in your private dining room. Enjoy a sumptuous multi-course meal, all served right in the privacy of your own balcony. You’ll even have your own dedicated waitstaff. This sure makes for a special moment with your loved one.

Gelato

Did you know that Regal Princess has its own gelateria on board? That’s right, you can get a sweet treat from Italy while cruising around the world. There are so many flavours to pick from and you can mix and match to create the perfect gelato just for your sweet tooth.

Chef’s Table Lumiere

I saved the best for last. The Chef’s Table Lumiere is the most dazzling, luxurious experience on the Regal Princess. This is a perfect culinary journey for any special occasion. You’ll be together with your travel party or a select group of guests to enjoy champagne and hors d’oeuvres, followed by an extravagant multi-course dinner created and hosted by the ship’s executive chef.

While you will be in the main dining area, you’ll be separated by a curtain of delicate sparkling lights. In the middle of the table, there is Murano glass and you will see the mother of pearl on the mahogany table. This is the ultimate experience on the Princess Cruises.

Bars on Regal Princess

I told you all about the food we’ve tried, but what about the bars? Remember that with Princess Plus you will get the Premiere Beverage Package included, which means you will have up to 15 alcoholic beverages a day. Make your way around the Regal Princess and sample all the possible tasty drinks and cocktails. We couldn’t miss the opportunity, so we’ve asked for colourful cocktails, gin tonics and delicious margaritas. Here are all the bar venues to try.

Bellini’s

Bellini’s is a timeless Italian bar with gorgeous views over the Piazza. Naturally, this became our favourite. Comfortable seats and fantastic Bellini cocktails really made us feel at home. Don’t worry if you don’t fancy Prosecco or a Bellini, you can always ask the bartender to make a special drink just for you.

Good Spirits at Sea

Good Spirits is an original bar idea inspired by the tv series Good Spirits that travelled to far-away destinations in search of local ingredients for original cocktails. Good Spirits offers speciality cocktails during show times and you can see how the bartender creates incredible cocktails such as colour changing gin-based drinks. A fantastic pre-dinner location.

Outrigger

We loved Outrigger for two reasons: the cocktails were incredible and super colourful and the location was ideal too. Located at the back of the ship, you can expect a quiet and cosy bar, with comfortable seating and warm blankets. It’s a gorgeous place to admire the blue sky and sea.

Crooner’s

Located near the Atrium, this bar has a comfortable and familiar feel. This is one of the most popular places on the cruise and it was almost always full. It’s a great place to relax with your travel party and indulge in a martini. Great music as well, so you won’t want to miss this one!

Mermaid’s Tail

Mermaid’s Tail is located on the open deck so this is the bar for you if you want to watch a movie in style. There are pools and lovely hot tubs as well, so why not grab a blue curacao cocktail while relaxing in the bubbly water.

Sea View Bar

The Sea View Bar is located on the same deck as the Mermaid’s Tail, the only difference being that the Sea View Bar is right next to The SeaWalk® on Princess Cruise. If you are wondering, the SeaWalk® is a dramatic over-the-ocean glass walkway where you can admire the waves beneath you. Did you know that before SeaWalk® was invented only the Captain can look through glass panels on the floor of the bridge? As a passenger, you can know to share the same breathtaking experience. Needless to say that this is the first of its kind at sea. The SeaView Bar has a glass-panelled floor so you can enjoy it all while sipping a delicious cocktail.

Wheelhouse Bar

If you love the classy elegant decor, then Wheelhouse Bar is the place for you. Think dark wood, painted scenes of 18th-century seas and model ships. Grab a whiskey here and spark a conversation with a fellow cruiser. Enjoy the casual atmosphere and join the afternoon trivia.

The Wheelhouse Bar is meant to replicate a traditional British pub with famous pub lunch, great pints of ales and leisurely chats.

Relaxation on Regal Princess

I’m sure you can tell by now that we really enjoyed our summer seacation on the Regal Princess. Not only did we eat and drink a lot, but we’ve also found plenty of ways to relax on the cruise. Since we’ve called at no ports, we found ourselves spending time in hot tubs, pools, at the spa and of course, at the Sanctuary.

Our favourite wellness part of the cruise was by far the half-day we spent at the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary is a top-deck retreat for adults only. Enjoy plush lounge furniture, attentive steward service, refreshing beverages, spa treatments, open-air massages, afternoon tea, delicious lunch and even a private cabana! That’s a lot to pack in just half a day, but trust me, it’s soooo worth it.

We went to the Sanctuary in the afternoon at 1pm. We enjoyed a delightful lunch in our private cabana, then chilled with cocktails on the comfiest lounge chairs. The cabana also features its own fruit bowl, nuts and dried fruit and a minibar. The minibar has either spirits and mixers or a bottle of prosecco. Your choice!

Want cocktails instead? No worries, your Serenity Steward is there to help. Don’t forget to enjoy the Afternoon Tea at the Sanctuary. You’ll get sandwiches, cakes and of course scones, alongside tea or coffee. Such a treat!

Before our afternoon Sanctuary session, we were in the hot tub for a couple of hours. That’s right, we took a whole day to just relax and rejuvenate. But even though we were cruising on British seas, the sun was shining and the skies were blue. We even got a tan!

If you fancy a massage, a haircut or a manicure, Lotus Spa is the place for you. We booked in for a couple’s massage on the Regal Princess and let me tell you, it was divine. Now, my husband is not big on massages but even he enjoyed the experience. The staff was very attentive and we came out of the treatment all relaxed and ready to start the day.

Fitness enthusiasts, note that there is a fantastic fitness centre on the ship where you can book classes if you so wish!

Formal Night

As with every cruise, the epic culmination is the so-called formal night when every guest on the ship dresses to impress. The formal night on this Regal Princess was more relaxed, with a smart attire rather than bow tie.

We really enjoyed dressing for the occasion and got the chance to snap some lovely pictures on the spiral staircases. It was so nice to admire people’s dresses and suits and feel all made up while cruising the seas. We felt like elegant merpeople.

After the formal dinner, we made our way to the Princess Theatre for the night’s entertainment. Speaking of which, note that every night there’s something going on whether you fancy trivia, casino, live music, art galleries and auction, watercolour fantasy shows, movies under the stars, musical productions, festivals and special guests.

Conclusion

Needless to say that we loved our time on Regal Princess. We are very glad we got to enjoy Princess Cruises on this short seacation. We’re excited to book for a bigger trip next year. Besides, all our family and friends have been alerted that they must join us on a proper cruise around the world.

We would not hesitate to recommend Princess Cruises to anyone as we know there’s good food, great service, activities and entertainment.

You now know everything we know about Regal Princess but we have no doubt that there’s much left to experience still. For now, we are very excited to have had the opportunity to explore the British seas with such a fantastic cruise company and we very much look forward to cruising with Princess again.

This article was sponsored by Princess Cruises who kindly invited us to experience their Summer Seacations on the Regal Princess. All opinions in this article are ours based on our own experiences on board. Book your Princess Cruise by clicking here!