Tips for 1st time cruiser on royal princess

We are 1st time cruisers on the Princess line on the Royal for the 12/20 10 day holiday cruise. We got upgraded to an aft balcony on Aloha deck. Any good suggestions or tips for this cruise...thanks

Don't think about saving money or losing weight.

Royal has many dining options without upcharge that offers a variety of food. The location and opening hours can be found on the Patter.

Make sure you find time to have a meal in Alfredo's on deck 6. The Italian food there is really good, the service quick and efficient and the menu is quite complete.

The buffet in Horizon Court/Bistro is a step above most ship's buffet. The layout is really good and our advice is to grab a plate after you wash your hands and then walk the area to scout it out. There are different cuisine areas and something different every day. The food in the evening often rivals the dining room for variety and quality - the atmosphere is lower lighting and beverages available.

The production shows and entertainers are all very good. To make sure you are able to get a place to sit, plan on being there at least 20 minutes before the start of the performance. There is no saving of seats unless there are those that feel they don't have to follow instructions.

If you are an early riser and don't like to eat a big breakfast right away, then go to deck 5 and enjoy some great coffee and freshly made pastries or breakfast sandwiches in the comfort of the beautiful Piazza.

The walking/jogging track on deck 18 is a great way to enjoy the open air and work off the suggestions above.

I'm sure you will enjoy this most beautiful ship and crew. We have never been disappointed during our many voyages on both the Royal and Regal Princess.

*Like espresso drinks, purchase a coffee card.

*Each adult of drinking age can carry on 1 x 750ml of wine for use in the cabin. Additional bottles can be carried on and will be charges a $15 corkage fee. These bottles can be used anywhere on the ship.

*Besides the DR's here are some other free dining choices.

---Very large buffet area. The best on any Princess ship. Horizon Terrace is a nice place to eat your buffet meal. Free coffee prepared from grounds and hot chocolate available all day and evening at locations throughout the buffet and on the Horizon Terrace.

---Alfredo's, waiter served individual pizza and other menu items open every day 11am to 11pm

---International Cafe open 24/7

---Pub Lunch at the Wheelhouse Bar on sea days

---By the Lido Pool, Trident Grill, Prego Pizza and Swirls open 11am to late evening.

*Gelato at a small charge or for a punch on the coffee card

*The Retreat Pool is adults only

*Like wine? Try Vines. Large selection of wine by the glass.

*Specialty upcharge dinning includes, Crown Grill, Sabatini's, Crab Shack, Fondues(last night of cruise) all at $29/pp. Reservations made only on board. Visit the Crown Grill or Sabatini's on boarding day if you have interest or call the DINE line. Crab Shack and Fondues is held in the buffet seating area on some evenings. You will se tables around the ship. There are also special Chef's Table, Wine Maker's and Balcony Dining experiences. If you have interest ask on the first day.

* Review the Princess Patter each day. It shows all the ship's information and activities for the day. Beware of activities that look like sales talks.

*Into ZUMBA? Free sessions on sea days and some port days. Times and location shown in the Princess Patter.

*Lots of trivia if you are into that.

Congrats on the upgrade.

We went on the Royal Princess last year and we liked it so much, we decided to book her again:)

As for tips, I found the international cafe to have the best Egg/cheese muffin sandwich. You won't see it advertised in the morning, but it's available.

We enjoyed having dinner at the buffet most nights. We thought the food there was delicious and much better than the main dinning room (personal opinion).

Make sure to watch the fountain shows... they are beautiful

Someone already mentioned Aldredo's... yes, it's definitely a must!

We had 1 day of bad weather, where we discovered Princess' amazing interactive TV. Lots of newly released movies! you can play one, pause it, take a break, and then go back to it, play it where you left off... very nice feature.

Everyone loves movies under the stars... but it could get windy. Make sure you take a jacket.

Enjoy the Royal, it's a beautiful ship!

We sailed first time with Princess on the Regal, April last. It is all that the folks so far on this thread have said, and we are on again in two weeks. The ship is really beautiful in the Piazza levels and we spend time there....:). I have even learned a few things that I did not know from this thread, too, so thanks for starting it.

Bill

We love the Royal, this will be our 3rd time on her ! Yes try out the different options for dining-

the Horizon Court buffet houses the "Pastry Shop" , and it has more desserts choices than the MDR, so we go there a lot for desserts. ALSO check out the

international café for yummy foods. :):)

Princess does a tea, at I believe 3pm each sea day, if not every day. That was neat trying different teas.

We also love the retreat pool for adults only with the bar!

1st formal night- in the Piazzi, they set up a champagne waterfall very cool !

Kathy

We are 1st time cruisers on the Princess line on the Royal for the 12/20 10 day holiday cruise. We got upgraded to an aft balcony on Aloha deck. Any good suggestions or tips for this cruise...thanks

Lots of good tips. If you enjoy balcony dininf

We are 1st time cruisers on the Princess line on the Royal for the 12/20 10 day holiday cruise. We got upgraded to an aft balcony on Aloha deck. Any good suggestions or tips for this cruise...thanks

Lots of good tips. If you enjoy balcony dining, try the Ultimate Balcony Dinner - wonderful experience with private gourmet dinner, flowers, photo, wait staff, etc.

Winemaker's Dinner or Chef's Table both excellent specialty dining options - sign up immediately upon boarding via DINE line or at specialty dining tables.

All-inclusive beverage package can be a great deal if you enjoy a few cocktails or wines by the glass, sodas, bottles water and /or specialty coffees....on Royal class, it's also good for gelato at Gelato's, and for crepes there when they have them...

Cabin walls are metal, some folks take magnets or magnetic clips to hold/hang things on the wall.

Definitely eat at Alfredo's at least once...the veal pasta is outstanding. Pizzas are very good and if you don't see toppings you like, just ask...

Buffet is excellent and the outside seating area is a nice touch.

Lots of live music all over the ship.

Don't miss the club on deck 6 next to the casino - easy to overlook, called Club6...(go figure).

Read and reread the Patter for info on what's happening where.

If you carry your mobile device around with you, you can access Princess @ Sea via your browser using ship's intranet - no charges. You can access your onboard account, see the Patter, log onto Internet and it has a messaging service to contact others you're with.

Have a great time - she's a beautiful ship.

And, we'll keep our eyes out for you - we board the 20th also...We'll be at Crooners (martini bar), or upstairs on Lido Deck near the Seawalk bar for sailaway!!

Enjoy!

We are 1st time cruisers on the Princess line on the Royal for the 12/20 10 day holiday cruise.

And, we'll keep our eyes out for you - we board the 20th also...We'll be at Crooners (martini bar), or upstairs on Lido Deck near the Seawalk bar for sailaway!!

Enjoy!

Thanks to all for the wonderful tips!

I'm on the 12/20 sailing too. :)

nmv1222 I saw you on the 12/20 cruise roll call. How fun to find a few more folks.

Going on the Royal for the first time on the 2017 TA... planning on going to the Crown Grill.... for those who have been on the Royal... understand the area has a bar near by wonder if you enjoyed the Grill just the same or too noisey?

We spend most of our days at the Retreat pool.

Congrats on the upgrade.

 

We went on the Royal Princess last year and we liked it so much, we decided to book her again:)

 

As for tips, I found the international cafe to have the best Egg/cheese muffin sandwich. You won't see it advertised in the morning, but it's available.

 

We enjoyed having dinner at the buffet most nights. We thought the food there was delicious and much better than the main dinning room (personal opinion).

 

Make sure to watch the fountain shows... they are beautiful

 

Someone already mentioned Aldredo's... yes, it's definitely a must!

 

We had 1 day of bad weather, where we discovered Princess' amazing interactive TV. Lots of newly released movies! you can play one, pause it, take a break, and then go back to it, play it where you left off... very nice feature.

 

Everyone loves movies under the stars... but it could get windy. Make sure you take a jacket.

 

Enjoy the Royal, it's a beautiful ship!

Agree with all that was said. We love this ship and make sure you find our photos mounted in the passage ways.

Great information! Thanks everyone!

I know people have already said go to Alfredo's. I just think it's a must for lunch on the first day. Stay away from the HC it's crazy there on the first day.

Tony

We like to walk a lot and one day when the sun was really blistering we walked the halls on each deck that had passenger cabins and enjoyed the photography that was posted...so many of those pics are simply spectacular!

Also, we drink a lot of water and like a tall glass rather than the ones they use in the HC. Mermaid's tail bar between the trident grill and pizzeria on lido deck had larger glasses and would give us one whenever we were walking past and asked nicely.

Some of the best staff at sea is on this ship!!

Do take the time to walk the public areas once or even twice just to see everything and get a feel for the Royal. It will make locations in the Patter seem more familiar and you will feel at home much quicker.

If you drink a lot of soft drinks, soda water, non alcoholic drinks consider the soda and more package. It is reasonably priced, convenient and all in all we found it to be a savings. They will make you almost any combination of frozen drink...we would often get soda water with a splash of juice..passion fruit, orange, pineapple, etc...they will also do any virgin drink..it's a great package for non-alcoholic beverage drinkers!

The dining room was effcent and accommodating, my hubby has a few minor dietary needs that were met with such ease it was a real pleasure. We had anytime dining but really loved waiter Julian, so we began requesting his section and would happily wait a short while if needed. He was truly wonderful!

Like others said, read your Patter, there is a lot going on daily, even on port days!

Mostly relax, be pampered a bit, and have fun!

We are heading back to the Royal,at the end of March...we really loved her!

I know people have already said go to Alfredo's. I just think it's a must for lunch on the first day. Stay away from the HC it's crazy there on the first day.

Tony

I'm with Tony on this one.

I don't think anyone has mentioned it yet on this thread, but there will be a dining room open from noon to 1:30 on embarkation day, and that sure beats the first-day crowd at the Horizon Court.

But I found Alfredo's to be even better, because we were in and out in 45 minutes and could get to the unpacking and exploring. You can linger longer if you want to, but you don't have to spend an hour or more as you probably would in the MDR.

Jim

This information is wonderful! We will definitely go to Alfredo's for lunch on Embarkation Day.

If anyone has links to a "live from" Royal Princess, please post them. They would be helpful as well. I've searched and can't find any recent threads.

Thanks!

We are cruising with Princess on Dec 20 as well. Do you know if anyone is planning any excursions on the islands that are not through the cruise ship? Thanks.

We are cruising with Princess on Dec 20 as well. Do you know if anyone is planning any excursions on the islands that are not through the cruise ship? Thanks.

Lots and lots and lots of people are doing excursions on the the different islands not through the cruise ship - it's pretty easy to arrange in most islands. There's a ports of call forum here with each port listed, lots of great info there. Also your roll call may be a good place to check.

That said - Christmas Day, St Lucia - do a ship's tour. Most independent operators will be closed for Christmas...Dec 26, Boxing Day, is a holiday in Barbados also, so be prepared there too. Taxis are great for heading to the beach, if that's what you want to do....

See you onboard!

Make sure you bring ear plugs on the cruise with you. I have been on two different 14 day cruises on the Royal in the past two years and the shows in the Princess theater as well as entertainment in the Piazza are beyond loud. I have not experienced this sound level on other Princess ships.