Lumiere - Chef's table on Regal Princess

When we lost out on the chance to experience Lumiere on the Royal Princess, I was bummed. I made a promise the next time we were on Princess, I was making sure we were getting the chance.

So for our trip on the Regal Princess we decided to skip the transfers that were included with our hotel and take a cab over to the pier at 10am so that we were one of the first onboard. The cruise lines recommend boarding after 1pm as they say it is quicker and easier, it is because from this time your rooms are available, but if you want to get your name on the Lumiere's list the sooner the better.

From the time we left the hotel we needed to wait in line as the terminal opened up at 11am and it was worth the wait. Once we were checked in and on board, our room was off limits, but now it gave me the chance to get my name on the list. First stop was the concierge desk, it was not open so we went to the front desk to inquire and the restaurant was not answering. We later found out that one of the restaurants were going to be open from 2pm to 3pm to make any changes, including the chance to request Lumiere.

As hope was slowly being lost and I could see the chance slipping through my grasp while we were at the front desk and I turned over, I saw Sabatini's which was open and I saw the hope. We went in spoke to one of the dining room captain's, he stayed that nothing could be promised, but that he would take down our room info and pass it along to the Maitre D. So now all we could do was wait.

Well we didn't have to wait long and that was the best option and idea that I ever had because coming back from dinner that night, I had the best treat at my door.  Opening the envelope and seeing the words I so desperately wanted to see, we were lucky to be given the opportunity to join the chef and his team for dinner.

There is a cost for this experience and it goes towards the alcohol that is included with the meal, service during the meal by the staff and a few other treats along the way and at the time it was $115 for each of us. Cost was not a factor for us, we wanted the experience and if I have the chance again, I would do it in a heartbeat.