Bravo Pizzeria & Characters Bar on Regal Princess

The copy for a current Princess ad reads in part: "i want to turn lunch into pizza al fresco." A photo showing a couple sitting along the edge of a pool, feet dangling in the water while feasting on Pizza accompanies the copy. Appealing as it sounds, in fact, it's a complete LIE!! While the placement of Bravo is ideally suited to provide take out service to passengers relaxing around the pool, removing pizza from the pizzeria is not permitted! A sign at the entrance prominently informs passengers of this fact. Missing this, the notice is repeated on every menu. THERE IS NO CARRY OUT PIZZA ON REGAL PRINCESS!

On my cruise, I specifically questioned the policy, inquiring first as to the reason behind it. The responses varied, not only in content, but in believability as well. None were convincing!

"Sir, you can't remove the pizza because we want you to enjoy it at its very best quality. If you remove it, you'll be allowing it to cool, and thus, it will no longer be at that level of quality!" Complete BUNK!

"Sir, you can't remove the pizza because it's too hot, and carrying it around the ship would create an unacceptable safety hazard!" Do they think we're stupid, or what?

"Sir, we don't have the capacity to serve everyone on the ship at one time. If we permitted carryout, then we'd be swamped with more requests than we are prepared to handle!" Bravo's has four pizza ovens, greater capacity than that of most high volume pizzerias. This, too, was a bold faced LIE!

When I inquired as to what would happen if I DID decide to remove the pizza to enjoy outside or in my cabin, the response was: "Sir, I'd be forced to call the manager!" "DO IT NOW! Because, this is not going to go untested over the duration of the next three weeks of the cruise!"

The manager, when he arrived, stated that he nor his people, ever, would prevent a passenger from removing pizza from the pizzeria. Instead, he would provide them with one (or all) of the before mentioned lies, and, failing to convince them, would permit them to continue on their ways, pizza in hand. He then continued, threatening, if that did occur, that he may be forced to "close the pizzeria for the duration of the cruise!" I suspect, yet another fabrication!

From conversations about ship, it appears take out pizza is a hot issue on board Regal Princess. Even my butler, who, earlier, had welcomed us on board, promising the "world", noted that he too was unable to obtain pizza for his guests. "Captain's orders!"

Does anybody in Princess management realize, PIZZA IS NOT A FORMAL MEAL!? In fact, pizza, probably is one of the least expensive meals that can be prepared on a ship. If passengers are willing to fill up on an item costing mere pennies a serving, why would they ever consider limiting it? Somebody at a corporate level needs to take a serious look at what's going on here!

That said, Bravo's pizza is TERRIFIC! Every bit as good or better than that I get from neighborhood pizzerias at home. Prepared with a crispy thin crust with a spicy, fresh tomato flavor, this is food, on land, for which I'd pay! That is not something I've often said about any food served on board a ship! Sure, it's junk food, but it's quality junk food!

When we first boarded Regal Princess in Japan, we used the forward bank of elevators to access our cabin on Aloha Deck, one deck below Bravo Pizzeria. When those doors opened, wow, what a heavenly aroma, and mere steps from our cabin too! Dropping off our carry-on's in the cabin, we rushed up to sample what was causing that wonderful aroma wafting around the corridor. The above related encounter, occurring a mere minutes after boarding, was our introduction to Regal Princess. A rather inauspicious beginning! Whatever is Princess problem??

Bravo's menu includes a variety of pizzas, all freshly prepared to order on a hand tossed dough crust. The selection includes:

Located forward on Lido deck, the decor is typical Italian Bistro, and benefits from the wall of glass overlooking the passing sea. Although a door does open directly out to pool deck that door rarely is used due to the almost hurricane force winds passing through the restaurant when it's opened. Guests are forced to enter via the corridor next to Characters and follow the corridor back and along the elevators leading to Bravo.

Characters is Bravo's companion bar located in the corresponding position on the ship's port side. Noted for its specialty drink creations, Characters too provided excellent views of the sea passing far below. Mine being a cool weather sailing, I never did see much passenger interest in this pool area bar, a fact I'd expect to differ once Regal Princess enters warmer waters.


	Bravo Pizzeria & Characters Bar on Regal Princess A PARNAMI Cruise Page The copy for a current Princess ad reads in part: "i want to turn lunch into pizza al fresco." A photo showing a couple sitting along the edge of a pool, feet dangling in the water while feasting on Pizza accompanies the copy. Appealing as it sounds, in fact, it's a complete LIE!! While the placement of Bravo is ideally suited to provide take out service to passengers relaxing around the pool, removing pizza from the pizzeria is not permitted! A sign at the entrance prominently informs passengers of this fact. Missing this, the notice is repeated on every menu. THERE IS NO CARRY OUT PIZZA ON REGAL PRINCESS! On my cruise, I specifically questioned the policy, inquiring first as to the reason behind it. The responses varied, not only in content, but in believability as well. None were convincing! "Sir, you can't remove the pizza because we want you to enjoy it at its very best quality. If you remove it, you'll be allowing it to cool, and thus, it will no longer be at that level of quality!" Complete BUNK! "Sir, you can't remove the pizza because it's too hot, and carrying it around the ship would create an unacceptable safety hazard!" Do they think we're stupid, or what? "Sir, we don't have the capacity to serve everyone on the ship at one time. If we permitted carryout, then we'd be swamped with more requests than we are prepared to handle!" Bravo's has four pizza ovens, greater capacity than that of most high volume pizzerias. This, too, was a bold faced LIE! When I inquired as to what would happen if I DID decide to remove the pizza to enjoy outside or in my cabin, the response was: "Sir, I'd be forced to call the manager!" "DO IT NOW! Because, this is not going to go untested over the duration of the next three weeks of the cruise!" The manager, when he arrived, stated that he nor his people, ever, would prevent a passenger from removing pizza from the pizzeria. Instead, he would provide them with one (or all) of the before mentioned lies, and, failing to convince them, would permit them to continue on their ways, pizza in hand. He then continued, threatening, if that did occur, that he may be forced to "close the pizzeria for the duration of the cruise!" I suspect, yet another fabrication! From conversations about ship, it appears take out pizza is a hot issue on board Regal Princess. Even my butler, who, earlier, had welcomed us on board, promising the "world", noted that he too was unable to obtain pizza for his guests. "Captain's orders!" Does anybody in Princess management realize, PIZZA IS NOT A FORMAL MEAL!? In fact, pizza, probably is one of the least expensive meals that can be prepared on a ship. If passengers are willing to fill up on an item costing mere pennies a serving, why would they ever consider limiting it? Somebody at a corporate level needs to take a serious look at what's going on here! That said, Bravo's pizza is TERRIFIC! Every bit as good or better than that I get from neighborhood pizzerias at home. Prepared with a crispy thin crust with a spicy, fresh tomato flavor, this is food, on land, for which I'd pay! That is not something I've often said about any food served on board a ship! Sure, it's junk food, but it's quality junk food! When we first boarded Regal Princess in Japan, we used the forward bank of elevators to access our cabin on Aloha Deck, one deck below Bravo Pizzeria. When those doors opened, wow, what a heavenly aroma, and mere steps from our cabin too! Dropping off our carry-on's in the cabin, we rushed up to sample what was causing that wonderful aroma wafting around the corridor. The above related encounter, occurring a mere minutes after boarding, was our introduction to Regal Princess. A rather inauspicious beginning! Whatever is Princess problem?? Bravo's menu includes a variety of pizzas, all freshly prepared to order on a hand tossed dough crust. The selection includes: Margherita Tomato, mozzarella cheese and oregano Pepperoni Tomato, mozzarella cheese, pepperoni and green peppers Quattro Stagioni Tomato, mozzarella cheese, ham, mushrooms artichoke and oregano Napoletana Tomato, mozzarella cheese, black olives, anchovy fillets, capers, garlic and oregano Marinara Tomato, anchovy fillets, garlic, black olives and oregano Vegetarian Mozzarella cheese, black olives, mushrooms, onions, and green peppers Calzone Rolled pizza dough filled with tomato, mozzarella cheese, mushrooms, artichoke hearts, ham and oregano There, also, is a daily special! Located forward on Lido deck, the decor is typical Italian Bistro, and benefits from the wall of glass overlooking the passing sea. Although a door does open directly out to pool deck that door rarely is used due to the almost hurricane force winds passing through the restaurant when it's opened. Guests are forced to enter via the corridor next to Characters and follow the corridor back and along the elevators leading to Bravo. Typical operating hours begin at 11:00 in the morning and until a half hour past midnight. Characters is Bravo's companion bar located in the corresponding position on the ship's port side. Noted for its specialty drink creations, Characters too provided excellent views of the sea passing far below. Mine being a cool weather sailing, I never did see much passenger interest in this pool area bar, a fact I'd expect to differ once Regal Princess enters warmer waters. There is no charge for pizza, only for drinks, although tips for servers are suggested. Copyright © 2001 Mel Litzenberger. 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