Do you have an upcoming Regal Princess cruise? I’m sharing everything I learned on my 12-night cruise—from onboard experiences you don’t want to miss, to money saving tips—basically all the things I wish someone had told me before my Regal Princess cruise.
Champagne Waterfall Event
One of the highlights of my Regal Princess cruise was the Champagne Waterfall event. It takes place in the atrium and features a stunning display of hundreds of champagne glasses stacked into a towering pyramid.
The cruise director kicks things off by pouring champagne from the top, creating a beautiful cascading waterfall—it’s mesmerizing to watch.
The best part? Guests are invited to take turns pouring champagne onto the tower themselves, which makes the experience so much fun. My kids loved it, and the ship’s photographers were there to capture the moment.
Honestly, if there’s one cruise photo worth buying, this is it. Trust me—I have a photo of the champagne tower in my home office, and it still makes me smile every time I see it.
Movies Under the Stars
This is easily one of my favorite things to do on the Regal Princess. In the evenings, the pool deck transforms into an open-air movie theater, and the crew really goes all out.
They set up plush cushions on the loungers, hand out warm blankets when it gets chilly, and serve fresh popcorn during the movie.
There’s just something magical about watching a movie outdoors on a cruise ship. It’s relaxing, memorable, and one of those classic cruise experiences you don’t want to miss.
International Cafe
The International Café is my go-to spot on the Regal Princess for a quick breakfast or an afternoon snack. It’s located on Deck 5 in the atrium, right in the heart of the ship, which makes it an easy stop when you’re near the shops or passing through the main lobby.
All of the food at the International Café is complimentary. In the mornings, you’ll find items like egg sandwiches, yogurt parfaits, and pastries—my favorite being the pain au chocolat.
Later in the day, they switch to sandwiches and warm comfort foods, including shepherd’s pie, which Princess actually labels as a beef burger pie.
There’s also no shortage of sweets, from pastries to classic chocolate chip cookies. It’s perfect if you want to avoid the buffet crowds, grab something quick between activities, or get a snack after a shore excursion before dinner.
My kids always go straight for the cookies, and I never pass up the shepherd’s pie.
Laundromats
One thing I really love about cruising on Regal Princess is the self-service laundromats. There’s a laundromat on every deck, which makes it convenient when you are on a long cruise or traveling with kids.
The cost is minimal, and having the option to do your own laundry means you don’t have to spend on the ship’s laundry service.
Kids Club
I have to say, the Princess Cruise Kids Club is one of the best I’ve seen on any cruise ship. It really feels personalized and special.
For example, my daughter won a foosball and drawing competition, and even the captain came by to present her prize! We got to be there and take photos with the captain—it was such a memorable experience.
Honestly, we’ve never seen that kind of personal attention at other cruise ship kids’ clubs, and it really made our cruise feel extra special.
Afternoon Tea
Don’t miss Afternoon Tea on the Regal Princess. It’s usually held around 3 PM in one of the main dining rooms on sea days, but make sure to check the Cruise Planner for the exact times.
And the best part? It’s complimentary, so you can indulge in tea, pastries, and finger sandwiches without spending a dime.
Kitchen Galley Tour and Culinary Demonstrations
Don’t miss the free Kitchen Galley Tour on Regal Princess—it’s a fun, behind-the-scenes experience. It usually happens on sea days at the Princess Theater and starts with a culinary demonstration that’s more playful than serious.
After the demonstration, you’re invited to go behind the scenes in the ship’s kitchen. Don’t expect a fully operational kitchen—most of what you’ll see is clean and prepped—but it’s fascinating to see where your assistant waiter gets your drinks, how the liquor is locked up, and where line cooks do their prep work.
When I went on the tour, the pastry chefs displayed some incredible cakes, which was really impressive.
It’s a fun experience for adults and kids alike, and the best part? It’s free—other cruise lines charge for this kind of tour.
Check the description below for the full video of the Kitchen Galley Tour.
Free Champagne at the art auction
Want a glass of free champagne? Just attend the art auction! On the daily planner, you’ll find it listed as the “Sparkling Wine Art Auction.”
It’s a fun way to enjoy a little bubbly while browsing artwork.
SeaWalk
Don’t miss the SeaWalk on Regal Princess! It’s a thrilling experience—a glass-bottomed walkway that extends over the side of the ship, giving you amazing views of the ocean below.
It’s perfect if you want a little adventure or are looking to conquer a fear of heights. My kids loved walking on it, and it’s a fun way for the whole family to take in the scenery from a unique perspective.
Prego Pizza
Be sure to grab a slice at Prego Pizza, right by the pool on Deck 16. The best part? It’s complimentary!
Embarkation day lunch
Lunch on embarkation day is a lot more relaxed than on other cruise lines. Unlike ships where lunch is only at the buffet, here some dining rooms are open, and the International Café is also available if you just want a quick bite.
Check the daily planner or ask a crew member to see what’s open. It’s a great way to avoid the crowds and start your cruise stress-free.
Bartender Competition
The Bartender Competition on Princess Cruises is a lively event you don’t want to miss. It usually takes place in the atrium on a sea day and features the ship’s talented bartenders competing to craft the best cocktails.
Like the culinary demo, this event is all about entertainment rather than instruction. A few lucky audience members are often chosen to sample the cocktails for free.
It’s a family-friendly activity, so bring the kids—they’ll love watching the bartenders show off their skills.
Formal Night Dinner
Don’t miss Formal Night Dinner in the main dining room. Princess really goes all out with amazing food, lively waitstaff performances, and even parades through the dining room.
It ended up being one of the best meals of my entire cruise. You’ll find premium dishes like steak and lobster—all included in your cruise fare.
Just be sure to check with your waiter when formal night is, so you don’t accidentally end up at a specialty restaurant or, worse, the buffet. On my cruise, it was on the last sea day.
Medallion
Princess Cruises has replaced the traditional cruise keycard with a medallion system. At check-in, every guest receives a small, elegant medallion—about the size of a quarter—that acts as your key to the ship.
The medallion is beautifully designed and color-coded to reflect your loyalty tier. It’s also personalized with your name, the ship’s name, and the date of your cruise.
This little medallion does it all: it gets you into your cabin, lets you buy items in the gift shop, make purchases on board, and even embark or disembark the ship. A lanyard is provided for free, so no need to pack one.
The medallion also allows the crew to track your location on the ship. This means you can order food and drinks to be delivered right to wherever you are, whether it’s the pool deck, your lounge chair, or a quiet corner of the ship.
Free Ice Cream at Swirls
Don’t miss Swirls on Deck 16, right by the SeaWalk, where you can get free ice cream with toppings! It’s the perfect afternoon treat.
Free Breakfast Room service
One of my favorite little perks on the Regal Princess is that breakfast room service is completely free. All you have to do is fill out the order card and hang it on your door the night before.
And the best part? Every passenger can use it—you don’t need Princess Plus or Princess Premier.
Unlike many cruise lines that only include a basic continental breakfast, Regal Princess also offers hot items at no extra charge.
You can order a hot egg, bacon, and cheese breakfast muffin along with your complimentary breakfast, which makes it perfect for a relaxed morning in your cabin or on your balcony.
Outdoor Basketball court, Jogging Track and Table Tennis
Looking to get some exercise outdoors on the ship? Head to Deck 18! Regal Princess has an outdoor basketball court—which is pretty rare for a cruise ship—and it’s a lot of fun for both kids and adults.
There’s also a jogging track if you want to go for a run while enjoying ocean views, and table tennis. It’s a great way to stay active while enjoying the fresh sea air.
Free Towels at Towel Stations
You don’t need to pack towels for your cruise—Regal Princess provides them for free! Just get what you need from the towel stations on the pool deck.
Open Balcony Partition
If you’re traveling with family or friends and have booked adjacent balcony cabins but don’t have a connecting door, there’s a great trick: you can ask your cabin steward to open the balcony partition between the two rooms.
This lets you share the balcony space and move between cabins without having to go outside.
Trident Grill
If you’re looking for the best burger on the ship, head to Trident Grill on Deck 16. Burgers are cooked to order, they are so much better than what you’ll find at the buffet.
Cruise Essentials to Buy Before Your Cruise
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Travel Must-Haves
Passport neck wallet – Keeps your passport and travel documents secure and accessible. It also has RFID protection.
Cruise lanyards – A super convenient way to keep your cruise card within easy reach. No more digging through your bag every time you need it! I recommend getting one lanyard per person in your group and choosing different colors so it’s easy to tell them apart.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with anti-pickpocket clip – Genius anti-theft clip and versatile enough for both port days and evenings in the dining room.
Anti-theft crossbody bag with RFID – Padded shoulder straps with RFID lining to safeguard against identity theft.
Insulated water bottles –I don’t like spending money on bottled water, and I always want fresh water in my cabin. I’ll fill my bottle at the buffet or ask my server at dinner, then bring it back so I have water at night. This is my go-to water bottle—I prefer ones without straws since they’re much easier to wash in the cabin sink.
Pashmina – This multi-purpose wrap always earns its spot in my luggage. Use it as an evening wrap, a lightweight plane blanket, or a cover-up when visiting places of worship that require modest dress. I never cruise without one—you’ll be surprised how often it comes in handy.
Cruise Planning Essentials
Day Passes to Resorts– Booking private beach resort access in advance guarantees a comfortable beach experience at the cruise port.
Travel Insurance with CFAR Coverage– CFAR travel insurance gives you flexibility to cancel your cruise for any reason and recover part of your costs if plans change.
Last Minute Cruise Deals– Search for last minute cruise deals.
Cabin Comfort & Organization
Non-surge Cruise power strip– Cabins never have enough outlets (check cruise line rules first).
Magnetic hooks – Super-strong magnetic hooks that attach easily to your cabin walls. They’re perfect for hanging hats, cruise lanyards, goggles, swimsuits, and towels. I personally use the 85+ lb hooks—they’re incredibly sturdy and can even hold backpacks!
Small portable fan – Improves airflow and keeps Inside Cabins from feeling stuffy.
Motion sensor night light – Perfect for Inside Cabins, for when you get up at night to use the bathroom. It also has a magnetic base, so you can easily attach it to your cabin walls.
Toiletries & Laundry
Hanging toiletry bag – Keeps your essentials neat and accessible.
Fabric freshener spray – Fights wrinkles and refreshes clothes between wears.
Travel-size detergent – Handy for washing swimsuits, underwear, and quick-dry clothing in the sink.
TSA-approved travel containers – Easy to pack your lotions, creams, and other liquids without worrying about TSA rules.
Health & Wellness
Anti-seasickness medicine – My go-to meds for anti-seasickness. I take one in the morning on sea days (bring chewables for kids).
Acupressure bands – A natural alternative for seasickness relief. I use this with the anti-seasickness meds.
Packing & Storage
Cruise travel planners– Check out my travel planners, they help you stay organized before and during your trip.
Packing cubes – I never travel without packing cubes! They make packing and unpacking so easy—you can simply slip the entire cube into the cabin closet or drawer. I like to assign a different color to each person so there’s no mix-up.
Foldable duffel bag – I always pack a foldable duffel bag in case I bring home too many souvenirs or do some extra shopping. It doubles as an extra carry-on and barely takes up any luggage space.
Foldable shopping bag – Perfect for shopping at cruise ports, these bags fold up small enough to keep in your purse. I always carry one with me—you never know when you’ll need it! Plus, many countries charge a fee for shopping bags, and I’d much rather use my own than pay extra.
Foldable backpack – Perfect for cruise port days when you need an extra bag. I love that these backpacks are lightweight and fold down small, so you can toss one in your luggage without taking up much space.
Travel luggage scale – I always keep one in my suitcase so I can weigh my bags before heading to the airport. It’s a simple way to avoid overweight baggage fees.
Apple AirTags – I pop one into each of my bags so I can track my luggage for peace of mind. They’re especially helpful if you have a short layover and worry about your suitcase getting left behind.
Beach Essentials
Towel Clips – A simple must-have for pool and beach days! They keep your towels from slipping off lounge chairs, and I never cruise without brining a few in my luggage.
Waterproof phone pouch – Protect your phone from water and sand while still being able to snap photos. I always bring one when cruising the Caribbean or Mediterranean—it’s a lifesaver for beach and pool days.
Striped beach bag with zipper – You’ll need a beach bag with zipper to keep your things secure. I like this one because it’s stylish, has a water bottle holder, keeps belongings secure and has a lot of pockets.
Kid-Friendly Cruise Essentials
Magnetic toys – Cabin walls are magnetic, making these toys perfect for fun, mess-free entertainment. They keep kids busy when you’re in the cabin, especially since cruise TV options for kids can be limited. It’s always best to bring your own toys.
Collapsible beach buckets and toys – You’ll definitely want to bring beach toys if you’re going on a Caribbean cruise! This collapsible set includes foldable buckets, shovels, and sandcastle molds, all packed neatly in one bag. They’re easy to fit in your suitcase without taking up much space.
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