Princess Cruises – Regal Princess • August 25 – September 4, 2025
The Beginning of an Enchanting Journey: Arrival in Southampton
In August 2025, we traded the everyday rhythms of Cincinnati for the historic coastal charm of Southampton, England. After a restful overnight flight from Cincinnati to London Heathrow aboard British Airways Flight AA 7020, we breezed through customs and security in just ten minutes. We had booked the 2:15 PM National Express coach to Southampton, leaving the recommended three-hour cushion, but with time on our side we managed to swap into the nearly full 12:45 PM coach before its arrival.
This put us on course to arrive by 2:20 PM, at the National Express Coach Station in Southampton, just a ten-minute walk from our hotel. Our base for the next four nights was the Premier Inn Southampton City Centre (West Quay), Premium Room #508, a modern room with comfort and convenience just steps from the city’s attractions.
Southampton’s rail station was a fifteen-minute walk from the hotel, which allowed us to turn our pre-cruise stay into a three-day adventure. Each day brought a new historical gem:
- Aug 22: Bath Spa, with its Roman baths and Georgian charm.
- Aug 23: Salisbury, crowned by its soaring medieval cathedral spire.
- Aug 24: Portsmouth Historic Dockyard, home to HMS Victory and the hauntingly preserved Mary Rose.
Embarking on the Regal Princess
On Monday, August 25, we wheeled our luggage about twenty-minutes from the West Quay to Dock #4 at Southampton Cruise Pier. We arrived around noon but waited until 2:00 PM to board, ensuring our stateroom would be ready.
Our home for the voyage was Dolphin 730, a Deluxe Balcony Stateroom at the aft of the ship. The balcony stretched wide over the ship’s wake, offering endlessly cinematic views. While there was noticeable vibration from the thrusters during maneuvers, it soon became part of the background rhythm at sea.
Cruise Itinerary: British Isles with Belfast
Monday, August 25
Embarkation – Southampton (for London), England
Departure: 4:00 PM
With the white buildings of Southampton’s Ocean Terminal behind us, we set sail into the Solent and beyond. Soon after departure, the captain announced that a tropical storm was churning in the Atlantic. To stay ahead of the weather and keep our arrival in Ireland on schedule, Regal Princess would run at maximum speed through the night.
That evening we dined at the Crown Grill Steakhouse, where perfectly cooked filet mignon set the bar high for the voyage—tender, flavorful, and easily a 10 out of 10. It was the perfect first-night specialty dining choice, one we would return to later in the cruise. Entertainment followed with The Voice Boys, an energetic vocal group whose harmonies filled the Princess Theater and who would return for an encore performance mid-cruise.
Tuesday, August 26
At Sea – Celtic & Irish Waters
Our first full sea day allowed us to explore the ship at leisure. We were enticed by the Iris photography experience in the photo gallery—an unexpectedly beautiful keepsake that now hangs above our bed. That afternoon, the captain hosted the traditional Champagne Waterfall Ceremony in the atrium, where we heard from officers and toasted with fellow travelers.
Evening entertainment was the first ship production show, Bravo!, staged in the Princess Theater. With soaring vocals and orchestral grandeur, it set a high bar for nights to come.
Wednesday, August 27
Port: Cork, Ireland (Ringaskiddy – for Blarney Castle)
Arrival: 7:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: West Cork’s Scenic Wonders (Extended Tour)
Our Irish adventure began in the charming port of Ringaskiddy. From there, we embarked on a full-day scenic tour through the lush countryside of West Cork. Narrow lanes wound through storybook villages, wild hedgerows, and dramatic headlands. Although we didn’t kiss the Blarney Stone, the region’s coastal beauty spoke volumes on its own.
Thursday, August 28
Port: Holyhead, Wales (Water Shuttle Required · Wheelchair Access Limited)
Arrival: 7:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: Caernarfon Castle & Snowdonia Mountains
Crossing from Anglesey into North Wales, we explored the massive fortress of Caernarfon Castle before venturing into Snowdonia National Park, where glacial valleys and rugged peaks showcased the country’s wild beauty.
That night, rising star Nate Simpson captivated the Princess Theater with his soulful vocals.
Friday, August 29
Port: Belfast, Northern Ireland
Arrival: 7:30 AM | Departure: 8:00 PM
Event: Ultimate Giant’s Causeway
The UNESCO-listed Giant’s Causeway delivered on every expectation: thousands of basalt columns rising from the sea, wrapped in myth and legend. The Antrim Coast added its drama with windswept cliffs and castle ruins.
That evening we returned to the Princess Theater for the high-energy production show Fiera!.
Saturday, August 30
Port: Glasgow (Greenock), Scotland
Arrival: 7:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: Culzean Castle & Largs
Perched above the Firth of Clyde, Culzean Castle combined elegant interiors, manicured gardens, and dramatic sea views. Later in Largs, we stumbled into the Viking Festival Village, where a man working the gate revealed he was originally from Cincinnati and had been living in Scotland for eight years—a surprising connection across continents.
That night, the Princess Theater featured From Me to Freddie, a Freddie Mercury tribute headlined by Hannah Stearne.
Sunday, August 31
At Sea – North Channel & Inner Hebrides
After a week of ports, this day at sea offered rest and reflection. We returned to the Crown Grill for a second dinner. While excellent, it couldn’t quite surpass the perfection of our first visit.
The evening paired powerhouse performers Nate Simpson and Hannah Stearne, followed by the Extravaganza Duo in Vista Lounge, where violin met rock with an unforgettable flair.
Monday, September 1
Port: Orkney Islands (Kirkwall), Scotland
Arrival: 7:00 AM | Departure: 6:00 PM
Event: Ultimate Orkney
We walked among the ancient ruins of Skara Brae, older than the pyramids, and marveled at Orkney’s windswept landscape and Norse legacy.
Dinner was at Alfredo’s Pizzeria, where simple flavors shone brilliantly. Evening entertainment was the final ship production, Born to Dance, celebrating Broadway’s greatest choreography.
Tuesday, September 2
Port: Edinburgh (South Queensferry), Scotland (Water Shuttle Required · Wheelchair Access Limited)
Arrival: 8:00 AM | Departure: 7:00 PM
Event: Inchcolm Island Landing Cruise
Instead of a ship excursion, we met up with our Scottish friends Miller and Carol. Together we enjoyed breakfast at Down the Hatch Café, then sailed with Forth Tours to Inchcolm Island, where Abbey ruins and seabirds made for a magical setting. Lunch at the Railroad Bridge Bistro capped a day of food, conversation, and friendship.
Back aboard, we caught Magika, a magic show that blended sleight of hand with theatrical flourish.
Wednesday, September 3
At Sea – North Sea & English Channel
Our final day at sea was filled with onboard highlights. The Master Chef cooking demonstration showcased culinary artistry, and that evening the Voice of the Ocean competition brought passengers to the stage.
Dinner at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria was a splurge outside the Princess Plus package. The food was fantastic, but in hindsight not quite worth the cover charge for pasta.
The cruise’s last performance, Lisa Lottie, combined hula hoops and jaw-dropping flexibility in a finale that wowed the theater.
Thursday, September 4
Disembarkation – Southampton (for London), England
Arrival: 7:00 AM
We disembarked with Group Silver 14 at 7:50 AM, smoothly transferring to London Heathrow for our 2:20 PM flight home. Everything went off without a hitch, closing our journey with seamless precision.
Life Onboard Regal Princess: Elegant Discovery at Sea
Shipboard Serenity & Design
From soaring atriums to the glass-floored SeaWalk, Regal Princess exuded an elegance that felt more refined than any other Princess ship we’ve sailed. Our aft balcony became a quiet retreat—by day and late at night we watched the ship’s wake trail endlessly into the horizon, sometimes joined by pods of dolphins or playful seals near port. Every corner of the vessel felt impeccably cared for, a testament to the pride of her crew.
Entertainment & Evening Escapes
This cruise delivered a robust lineup:
- Production Shows: Bravo!, Fiera!, Born to Dance
- Guest Performers: The Voice Boys, Nate Simpson, Hannah Stearne, Magika, Lisa Lottie
- Special Events: Captain’s Champagne Ceremony, Voice of the Ocean competition
Every night felt distinct, blending ship artistry with visiting stars.
Dining & Daily Rituals
Our culinary highlights included two dinners at the Crown Grill, an indulgent stop at Alfredo’s Pizzeria, and a splurge at Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria. Poolside pizza, International Café chai lattes, and white-glove afternoon tea on sea days rounded out the daily rhythm.
Relaxation & Refined Service
From relaxing manicures and pedicures at the Lotus Spa to evenings of laughter at the Vista Lounge’s comedy acts—and the occasional offbeat game show that seemed almost made up on the spot—Princess created the perfect balance of comfort and cultural enrichment. Our stateroom attendant cared for every detail with quiet grace, keeping the room immaculate and welcoming each day.
Reflections on Regal Elegance
The Regal Princess impressed with her blend of modern luxury and timeless elegance. Among the many highlights, the volcanic drama of Giant’s Causeway stood out as the ultimate bucket list experience—anticipated for years and finally crossed off, it proved to be the most scenic and rewarding tour of the voyage. From that pinnacle moment to the quiet mystery of Inchcolm Abbey, the journey blended natural grandeur with centuries of history, while shipboard evenings of music, dance, and camaraderie deepened the adventure.
From start to finish, this voyage celebrated castles, coastlines, and a few remarkable coincidences—like meeting a fellow Cincinnatian at Scotland’s Viking Festival and, at Culzean Castle, crossing paths with a Scotsman and his wife who had once worked at GE in Cincinnati. The British Isles unfolded as a rich cultural tapestry, and the Regal Princess provided an elegant stage from which to experience it all.
Cruise Port: Southampton, England
Itinerary Name: British Isles with Belfast
Cruise Line/Ship: Princess Cruises / Regal Princess
Duration: 11 Days (Aug 25 – Sep 4, 2025)
Stateroom: D730, Deluxe Balcony (Category D4)
© OceansAfoot
