Royal Questions -- Deck 4 and kids

[kusscate]

My in-laws are wanting to do the 14-day Alaska cruise on the Royal with the whole family in August .

 

1. They are suggesting oceanview rooms, all on deck 4. Does anyone know anything about this deck? (We have been on the Tahitian, so we know the ship layout, but we were in an aft balcony on a higher deck.)

2. We have a 13-year-old and a 14-year-old in our party. Will there be anough for them to do?

3. We have 11 people. Will we be able to get a table for that many people?

[Toto2Kansas]

Please keep one thing in mind about this smaller class of ship. There are no dedicated kids or teen areas onboard. If there are enough children/teens on your sailing (which I am sure there will be since it is summer vacation) they will have organized activities onboard. But they have to have a minimum number or they will not. They meet in one of the public rooms if they organize any activities.

 

With only one uncovered pool, no arcade, no specific teen area, I hope your kids enjoy the actual cruise part of this, as there just isn't all that much for kids or teens to do on these smaller ships. Good Luck!

[Druke I]

We've been down on deck 4 on the Oceania ships, which are of the same Renaissance class, and the cabins are fine, as long as you are not right next to the Purser's Office, where the slamming door might "drive you nuts".

 

I don't really think the R-class ships are a good one for children or teens - there are no dedicated facilities for them, and as Toto points out, only one small pool. The youngsters might be bored stiff.

[apeller]

Regarding the question about table size, I do not think there is any seating for 11 people. Usually the largest table they will guarantee is for 8, and on occasion you can get one for 10.

[California Native]

I believe the largest table is for 10, so you will need to break the party up. However the tables are very close together..maybe each night rotate your places between the 2 tables.

We did have a few kids on our 14 day cruise to Alaska on the Pacific Princess this past June.

There was nothing for them to do.

However, these kids were long time cruisers and very savvy travelers they were comfortable interacting with adults...and doing their own thing

the 3 kids I talked to were 9, 11, and 14. They had ipods or a portable DVD for entertainment. The other 2 were much younger and under 4.

In Glaciar Bay they offered a small program for them that was put together with the park rangers in the card room

If your kids are not well traveled and don't feel comfortable entertaining themselves this is not the cruise ship for them

On the other hand if they are there for the destination and family bonding time being on the Royal Princess is a perfect ship for them as the itinerary is fabulous.

Depending where you are on Deck 4 you might be under the Casino or Lounge which could have more noise.

If you would like to see my pictures from the 14 day cruise, get an idea of what the ship offered on this itinerary and also my suggestions on locally owned stores I recommend to shop at ...

You can see it at the link below on our personal travel journal website

http://ourpassportstamps.com/Pacific_Princess_Alaska.html