Boarding the Ship, the Regal Princess, July 26, 2024

After a wonderfully long night’s sleep, we awoke, put our luggage in the hall for Princess to collect, and went down to a buffet breakfast in our hotel. It was very good and we met up with Carol and Pam to eat. After breakfast, we went back to our rooms and relaxed for an hour till it was time to gather for the motorcoach ride to Southampton. They told us it was a two-hour ride to the boat, but it ended up being just over three hours. We had about a 45-foot coach on a Mercedes chassis. It was a very new bus and very comfortable with a very smooth ride.  

We arrived at Southampton and there were a few cruise ships in the harbor. We were directed to the Regal Princess and we actually breezed right through check-in. Once on board, we found our rooms on the 9th deck. We have balcony rooms and since we are next door to each other, they opened the divider on the balcony so we can all sit outside and visit. It was actually a bit on the cool side today, so that didn’t really happen. We went and got afternoon cocktails and at 3:30 we attended the “Sail Away” party. They played some good music and got the crowd riled up and ready to go. We left the dock promptly at 4. Afterward we went back to our rooms to freshen up and then went to dinner. Dinner was really good. I had the New York strip, but there were many good things on the menu. We all got something different and none of us were disappointed. After dinner we went back to our rooms and met later for a nightcap. 

Tomorrow is a “sea day” and we will be sailing all day to Cork, Ireland. Sharon and I have an excursion planned there on Sunday. Today was a fun day and we are finally settled in and the stress of traveling, catching planes, etc., is behind us.

Till next time. . .

Dale