The Regal Princess, sister ship to the Royal Princess, debuted on May 20, 2014. It is the second ship of the Royal class in Princesses fleet.
This is the largest class of ships. The ship features 19 decks and carries 3,560 passengers and 1,346 crew members. This ship is also part of the special Medallion Class of ships.
It offers you thirteen different dining options to choose from while sailing on your cruise. As well as, ten lounges and bars that you can relax in and enjoy a drink.
This ship came out in time for Princess Cruises’ 50th anniversary so to celebrate they got the original cast of The Love Boat show back together to christen the ship and sail on the inaugural cruise.
This was an exciting experience for the passengers on the inaugural cruise because they did special events throughout the cruise to celebrate both the show and the history of the cruise line.
Regal Princess sails to many destinations around the world including Alaska and New Zealand. You have many itineraries to choose from when you sail aboard this ship.
Accommodation Choices:
The Regal Princess has six different room categories that you can stay in. They are: interior, balcony, deluxe balcony, mini-suite, club class, and suite.
Please note: this ship does not have any ocean view rooms. The Deluxe Balcony features a sitting area and is what the mini-suite is on other ships.
The mini-suite has the same type of layout as the balcony but is a larger room with a larger balcony. The club class gives you a mini-suite in the premium areas of the ship.
You also get special amenities and perks for being part of the club class. Some of these include your own special dining area in the main dining room for dinner, special menu items, and also table-side cooking options.
You will also get upgraded amenities such as plush bathrobes, evening canopies in your room, and half a bottle each of red and white wine.
We know, that sounds weird to us too. You also get priority reservations for specialty restaurants. There are a lot of perks included when you stay in the club class level rooms.
The highest level you can stay in is the suite. This features the separate bedroom and living room area. The suite guests get all of the amenities and perks of the club class level and more.
One of the perks that they get is to have breakfast in Sabatini’s, which is one of the specialty restaurants onboard the ship. This ship also features connecting rooms, which are great for families, and wheelchair accessible rooms.
Activities on the ship:
Kid’s Club:
There is a lot to do at the kid’s club during the cruise. Princess Cruises has partnered with Camp Discovery and designed the different areas with their own unique themes.
Your kid does have to be 3 years old, and potty-trained, to be in the kid’s club area. The cruise ship does offer babysitting services from 10pm to 1am.
However, it is only for kids ages 3 to 12 years old. The cost for this service is $5/hour per child.
The Treehouse (ages 3-7):
This club area features a bright, whimsical forest theme that allows them to feel like they are hanging out in a treehouse and the wild forest.
The Lodge (ages 8-12):
This theme is inspired by the great outdoors and different sports activities that you can do. There are also Playstations, Xboxes, and Nintendo Wii’s that the kids can play.
They will also do different competitions that the kids can join in on. Your kids will get to play miniature golf, air hockey, and do dance classes.
There is a ton of stuff for them to do while making new friends on the cruise. They also have different immersive hands-on experiences that are unique to specific destinations.
The Beach House (ages 13-17):
This is a special teen’s lounge where they can all hang out and socialize in their own space away from everyone else on the ship.
They throw the teens a special party where they get a VIP invitation, get to dress up, walk the red carpet, enjoy mocktails.
It’s a really fun, unique experience for them to do while hanging out with their new friends they met while on the cruise. The teens club also has different tournaments and dance classes.
One thing that is different for their dance classes is that the crew onboard that ship that are the professional dancers in the shows come in and are the ones that teach them different dances.
1820:
Princess Cruises has created a special area, called 1820, for people who are 18 to 20 years old. This is a hard age because they are too old to be in the kid’s club area, but not old enough to be in the 21+ areas.
So, now they have their own place to hang out and make friends. They will get a special invitation that invites them to join in this special lounge area. It is a private place that only passengers aged 18 to 20 years old can go.
Pool Deck Area:
The Regal Princess has several pool areas that the family can all enjoy together. There is the main pool, the plunge pool which has a shallow side, and the splash zone area which is great for the little ones. There are also several hot tubs in this area to enjoy.
Pro Tip: If you want a quiet pool, go to the Terrace pool on the aft of the ship. Most people don’t realize it’s there so it is usually quiet and uncrowded.
Seawalk:
This is the glass walkway that cantilevers off of the ship so you get the experience of walking out over the water.
The Sports Court Area:
This is the area where you can go if you want to be more active while on the ship. You can practice your golf game using both the driving range and the putting green.
You can also play basketball, bocce ball, and shuffleboard in this area. There is also a running track up there.
Fitness Center:
This has all of the workout machines that you expect to see in the gym. What’s cool is some of the machines have a screen so you can play games as you workout to keep your motivated.
There are also the free weights. You can also sign up for the different fitness classes, just be aware that some have a fee to do them.
Lotus Spa:
The perfect place to relax after a long day in port. Make a reservation for one of the spa treatments that they provide.
They also have the enclave area where you pay a fee where you get to relax on heated stone beds, therapeutic pools, and steam rooms.
They also have a Turkish steam bath for you to enjoy.
Pro Tip: On embarkation day take a tour of the Lotus Spa to see if there is anything that you would like to do. Then watch for special deals that pop up for those services.
Princess Casino:
There is a huge casino with all of the different game tables and slot machines. If you don’t know how to play, they have lessons where they will teach you how to play.
The Shops:
There are many stores in the atrium area such as the jewelry store, perfume store, and clothing stores. They also will have the store that carries all of the essential items that you may need and forgotten to pack.
Just be aware that they will be more expensive on the ship than at your local store.
Throughout the Ship:
There are many activities that are done throughout the ship, especially on sea days. You can go to different lectures and seminars, cooking demonstrations, wine tastings, art auctions, trivia games, dance classes, Bingo games, and more.
The ship has so much to do that you will definitely not be bored. You also have the library where you can borrow books and board games to enjoy during your cruise.
If you need to use the internet, but didn’t bring your laptop or device you can use the internet café.
Adults Only Area:
Retreat Pool & Spa:
This is the 18 and over pool area on the ship that includes the Retreat pool and spa, as well as a bar where you can get a drink.
The Sanctuary:
This is the adults only area that charges a fee to use where you can rent private cabanas to enjoy during the day.
Entertainment Options:
Princess Theater:
This is the large theater where they showcase all of their Broadway-style shows throughout the cruise. They also play a lot of movies during the day so you get the movie theater experience. Some of the port talks will also be held in this theater.
Vista Lounge:
This is where they showcase some of the smaller shows. It features a more intimate style show experience. They also do the comedians and magicians in this lounge.
Some of the live music performers will be in here. There are a wide variety of entertainment options that are held in this lounge in the evenings.
Piazza/Atrium Area:
They do short, 10-15 minute, performances. This is more like street performers such as jugglers, acrobatics, live music, etc. These are great to just stop and enjoy as you walk around. You don’t need to show up early, unless you want a seat.
Princess Live:
This is a live television studio where you get to experience what it’s like to be a live audience member and see behind the scenes what it takes to put on a live show. They film the morning show in this room.
The Voice of the Ocean:
They brought the TV show, The Voice, to the sea. They go through the whole process of the show as a new karaoke competition throughout the cruise.
It will start with the blind auditions and will crown the final winner at the end of your cruise. This competition takes place in the Princess Live studio.
Fountain Pool:
They feature a dazzling light and water show that is synchronized to music. This is like the Bellagio fountain show in Las Vegas.
There are four different shows that take place throughout the cruise for you to enjoy.
Movies Under the Stars:
This is an entertainment show that Princess Cruises pioneered. Now most of the cruise lines do it. This is where you can relax in the lounge chairs around the pool in the evening and enjoy a movie outside under the stars.
They will show different movies throughout the cruise for you to enjoy. This is a great experience to enjoy with the whole family.
Wheelhouse Bar:
On the Regal Princess, this bar is attached to the Crown Grille. You can go in and enjoy a drink before or after dinner.
Bellini’s Bar:
This is a bar area that features a variety of Bellini options that overlooks the piazza area, making it the perfect spot to people watch.
Crooner’s Martini Lounge:
Enjoy a nice martini while you enjoy live music in a relaxing, calm environment.
There are also several other lounges and bars where you can enjoy a night out with friends. Some have dance floors and others are more relaxing where you can just chat.
Pro Tip: Many of the bars and lounges have happy hours where you can get ½ off or BOGO drinks. Be sure and check the times for those to save money.
Club 6:
This is the nightclub on the cruise ship where you can let loose and dance the night away.
Seaview Bar:
This is a great bar that is right off of the Seawalk where you can enjoy a drink with a great ocean view. The staff create your drink with a little flair show.
They like to throw the bottles around and put on a show while creating your drink for you.
Dining Options:
Now we get to our favorite part of any cruise experience, the food. There are ten different dining options that you can enjoy on the Regal Princess.
Complimentary Options:
Main Dining Rooms:
This is where you can do your traditional, set dining time or you can choose to enjoy Anytime Dining which is more flexible. You make your choice before you leave home.
Horizon Court & Bistro:
This is the buffet area on the ship with all kinds of different options for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. They have a create your own salad and sandwich area.
You can also go to the Pastry Shop which is the dessert area of the buffet to get fresh baked bread and pastries.
A nice thing about this ship is the Pastry Shop is separate from the buffet area so you don’t have to wait in line again when you are ready for dessert.
Trident Grill:
This is the pool deck food area where you can get burgers and hot dogs. It also turns into a BBQ place in the evenings. You can get chicken wings, BBQ brisket, pulled pork, and more.
Don’t worry, they will still have burgers and hot dogs too.
Prego Pizzeria:
If you get a craving for pizza, you can stop by the pool deck area and pick some up whenever you want.
Swirls:
Stop by here anytime for your complimentary soft-serve ice cream by the pool.
International Café:
This is a 24-hour café where you can find all of your gourmet coffees and teas onboard the ship. You will also be able to enjoy soup, salads, sandwiches, and pastries throughout the day.
The gourmet drinks are at an extra charge, but all of the food is included in the price of the cruise.
Pro Tip: If you are like us and need your gourmet coffee, purchase the drinks package for the coffees and use it throughout your cruise. It’s a great way to save money and make the cruise hassle-free.
Alfredo’s Pizzeria:
This is a sit-down venue where they freshly make personal pizzas for you. Many people think this is a specialty restaurant, but it’s not.
It is included the price of your cruise. They also have beer and wine that you can order at an extra cost.
Room Service:
Most of the items on the menu are included in the cost of your cruise. However, there are some that you pay an extra fee for so you want to pay close attention to the menu when ordering.
You can also have breakfast delivered to your room in the morning if you want to sleep in and have a lazy start to your day.
Specialty Dining Options:
A la Carte Choices:
Vines:
This is a wine bar where you can buy your drinks by the glass or a bottle at a time. You can also order wine flights if you are wanting to do a tasting of several different wines.
They also have tapas that are complimentary for you to enjoy when you order your wine.
Pro Tip: If you order a bottle of wine and don’t finish it, they will either send it to the Main Dining Room for you or hold it and you can enjoy it another day.
Ocean Terrace:
This is a small, intimate lounge area where you can enjoy fresh seafood and oyster shooters. You can also get sushi, lobster, and king crab cocktails.
They have all kinds of fresh small-plate seafood options for you to enjoy.
Gelato:
This is your old-fashioned, classic ice cream parlor. They have a wide variety of both gelato and sorbet for you to enjoy.
Fixed-Price Dining Options:
Crown Grille:
This is the most popular specialty dining restaurant on the Princess ships. Crown Grille is the steakhouse on the ship. You will get to enjoy deliciously prepared steak just the way you want it.
They also have a variety of seafood options that you can also order.
Sabatini’s:
This is an Italian restaurant where you can order different pasta options. They also feature a wide variety of Italian wines and exquisite desserts for you to enjoy.
The Crab Shack:
This is a casual seafood experience that is available on select nights during your cruise. The food is really delicious. However, we were not impressed with the ambiance.
They rope off an area in the buffet to do the dinner. This specialty dining experience is not as good as some of the other ones where they have the own restaurants for you to dine in.
However, the food itself is really good so if you don’t care that it takes place in the buffet area and just want to enjoy the food you will love it.
This gives you a chance to try some Cajun-style seafood dishes.
Winemaker’s Dinner:
A multi-course extravaganza that is hosted in an intimate area of one of the dining rooms. Each course is paired with a wine.
The dinner is created by different winemakers each night so the menu and wines change throughout the cruise. This is a really unique fine dining experience that comes at a very reasonable price point.
Chef’s Table Lumiere:
The Chef’s Table is a whole dining experience rather than just a dinner. It starts off with a tour of the galley kitchen hosted by both the maitre d’ and the executive chef.
During the tour you will get to sample appetizers and enjoy some champagne. Afterwards, you get to have dinner in a gorgeous setting in one of the dining rooms.
The privacy curtain is known as the “curtains of light” and made of crystals. The dining table is made of Murano glass. The whole ambiance is elegant and classy.
The meal itself is created with a special wine pairing menu for you to enjoy. This dining experience is pricier than the other specialty dining options, but totally worth it.
If you are celebrating a special occasion while on the ship this is a great place to do it.
A few other dining options that you can do is a private multi-course dinner on your balcony. They also do a pub lunch in the wheelhouse bar several afternoons during the cruise.
Also, an afternoon tea that you can enjoy with sandwiches and pastries along with tea and beverages.
The Regal Princess ship offers an elegant and comfortable atmosphere for you to enjoy. We hope our guide has covered all of the details that you need to know so that you can decide if this is the right ship for you.
Please let us know if there is anything that we have missed so we can be sure to add it in.
Don’t forget to read our Ultimate Guide of Princess Cruises to learn everything you need to know before sailing with them.
Have you been on this ship? What are your thoughts? Let us know if the comments below.