Royal Princess preview cruise Jun 9-11 - review

[black_velvet]

My wife and I are just back from the first preview cruise on Royal Princess, I thought people might be interested in a review. It was very short - 2 nights - but that was enough to get a feel for the ship, although not to try everything out. Obviously what follows is highly subjective, and also what we noticed and remembered to write down; there's loads more not covered here.

 

First, some context. This review goes into a lot of detail, including about things we didn't like so much, but I want to make it clear that we like Princess a lot, and will definitely be going back as soon as we can. We'd gladly take a longer cruise on the Royal, or on any other of their ships.

 

Positives

 

There's lots to like, and a lot that's beautiful and stunning. Some things that stood out for us:

 

• The Atrium (Piazza). I always love a ship to have what I call a 'wow factor', and many of them don't really do so. I'm delighted to say that being in the Piazza on Royal is every bit as impressive as the photos led me to hope. It's a lovely space. (The ship was only half full on our cruise, but I don't have any concerns about its ability to cope when full.)
  
• Lighting - the ship, especially the public areas, are by far the best lit of any ship I've ever been on - again, especially in the Piazza, but elsewhere as well. It was stunning.
  
• The service - we've found Princess service excellent since we first sailed with them around 13 years ago. It remains helpful, professional and friendly on Royal, with staff always keen to find a way to fulfil requests, rather than telling us it can't be done.
  
• The photos - 1000 competition winning photos on the corridors for the staterooms, and these are wonderful to look at. Granted, I took a childish delight in this, as one of the photos is mine (outside B503 if you're interested), and it's hard to describe the joy and pride I feel at seeing my photo on display on Royal. But selfish pride apart, it's great, and I hope they follow suit for Regal next year. Another competition, perhaps?
  
• iPad info - this is a really good development, being able to see the Patter and all manner of ship info on the free intranet - though it's not working reliably yet.
  
• Bathroom: we had a deluxe balcony. Not sure the extra space in the living area was particularly worth having, but we thought the bathroom was very well done (with one exception, see below). The basin is bigger, the shower is bigger, with shower gel and shampoo dispensers fixed to the wall, the corner shelves are bigger. The floor space overall might be a bit smaller than other ships, but I'd rather have the extra space in the shower itself, where it's needed. We also found the shower curtain was long enough that we could shower without the floor getting wet.
  
• Seating for MUTS - tiered loungers, looks a better arrangement than we've seen before.
  
• Princess Live: a pretty good venue, we saw close-up magic, a lecture, and an enjoyable murder mystery - the first time we've seen something like that on Princess. It's not that big though, not sure if that may sometimes be a problem when the ship is full.
  
• Sea walk - I liked this a lot, my wife doesn't like the idea of looking down at a sheer drop. Two warnings, though - the balconies facing it (and on the other side of the ship) are the most overlooked I've ever seen, I really wouldn't want one of those cabins; and as you can see straight down to the deck below, remember that the people below can see up.
  
• The Chef's Table looked very good with its curtain of light, though it won't be operational until the maiden voyage.
  
• The little exercise stations on the track at the top of the ship - though it would be nice to have instructions or pictures showing how to use each one.
  
• Elite canapés on the formal night: the strawberries surpassed previous times we've had them, I'll say no more.
  

Negatives

 

I've split this into teething troubles, which we were expecting given this is before the official maiden voyage, and more fundamental aspects of the ship.

 

• Teething Troubles - as I said, we were expecting some of these, but not as many as we found. They were mainly organization and communication, rather than infrastructure.
  
  • The room was arranged with twin beds when we arrived, rather than the requested queen. Quickly fixed by our helpful steward (Ivonne from Mexico City), but we were surprised something recorded a couple of months ago hadn't got through.
    
  • Huge confusion over formal/casual night. The communication went out to the passengers over a month ago that there would be one formal night, but apparently nobody remembered to tell anyone on the ship: the Patter showed both nights as smart casual. Fortunately Princess reacted well as usual, so the second night was changed to formal and the penguin suits and smart dresses got an outing - but how is it that the ship's company aren't aware of every communication sent to the passengers?
    
  • Several of the clocks had the wrong times. Given that (as I understand it), several of the crew had been on for a month, it surprised me that nobody had time to address something so visible, yet so easy to fix.
    
  • TV on demand - this is a very promising system, but slow and a bit buggy at the moment. It took us about 5 minutes to load up a program, and it froze a couple of times in the first few minutes - but was fine after that. Again, a little communication to set expectations (there was no 'Loading' message or similar) would have made a difference. Also, they recorded the Wake show, but weren't able to broadcast it the first day; they got it working the second day, though.
    
  • The phone system was set up with the wrong names, (possibly contractors who had been in the cabins before?).
    
  • A couple of shower head nozzles were out of alignment. Very minor point, but I would have expected someone to check every shower worked properly as basic QA.
    
  • One of our bedside cabinets was wobbly - didn't take time to find out what the problem was, it wasn't a big deal.
    
  • Finally, more of a gripe on my part. As I said, we were surprised how many little issues we encountered. Why? Because Princess charged full price for the cruise. If you're still getting the bugs out and you want to test with paying customers, that's fine - but the normal thing is to cut them a break on the price e.g. any West End theatre run will have the tickets a bit cheaper in the first couple of weeks before the official opening night. If you're going to charge full price, surely you should deliver your prime-time product and quality.
    

   

  [*]More long-term Issues - some minor, some more important to us

  • The biggest disappointment is that there's no promenade on the Promenade deck - it's no longer possible to walk all the way round the ship. A few bits outside on Deck 7 are for passengers, but most is crew only. I'd not seen any indication of that in the advance publicity (I can understand why), but I wonder if Princess have misjudged how disappointing that will be to a lot of people. Or maybe I've misjudged it, and I'm in a small minority. But I'll miss the walk round the Prom Deck.
    I saw Rai Caluori's response to this point: "We acknowledge this will be a disappointment to some of our loyal passengers but felt the opportunity to optimize the balcony experience could not be missed." The problem with that argument is that the balcony experience is not being optimized - there are more balconies, so there can be more passengers with balconies; but the experience for each passenger is not better. Cruising is still great value, and cruise companies have to make profits, but this one feels misjudged to me. I wonder if it's too late to reconsider for Regal - probably.
    
  • Perhaps related to this, the lifeboats/tenders jut out past the side of the ship, so they're half over the deck (but crew access only) and half over the sea. This spoils the sight lines from balconies on E deck where we were - perhaps not technically an obstructed view, but did cut off some of the view looking aft.
    
  • Also, I couldn't find anywhere where it was possible to lean over a rail and look right down to the sea below. When I compare this to other Princess ships I've been on e.g. when going through the Panama Canal or watch a pilot embark, it's a real shame.
    
  • There are no stairs midships above deck 7 - this was another unpleasant surprise for us, as we offset the over-indulgence by never using the elevators. Not sure if this is to get more cabins in, but we don't like it.
    
  • Cabin
    
    • I could only find one socket - not a problem for 2 nights, but I'd expect more rather than fewer on a newer ship. Also, the positioning is unhelpful for UK passengers needing an adaptor. Nowadays many plugs for iPads, smart phones etc come with a USB connector, and there's not enough room to plug it in. Either there are more sockets we didn't find, or somebody didn't think this through.
      
    • It seemed rather short on drawers space. Again, not an issue for such a short cruise, but not sure about for a longer one.
      

     

    [*]Bathroom - as I said above, generally very good, but:

    • Why no soap drainer by the basin (or moulded in)?
      
    • Positioning of the toilet paper holder. Did anyone actually try this arrangement out. Unless I'm missing something, it would have been so simple to put the holder next to the door in front of where a person is sitting when they need it, instead of behind them. That just looks like poor design. I don't know if it's just a few of the cabins, but a maintenance person could probably fit it to the opposite wall taking just a few minutes per cabin. It seems such an unnecessary mistake, I hope Princess can fix it, and get it right for the Regal.
      

     

   

Overall

 

There's lots to like, and we look forward to taking a longer cruise on Royal. But I'm not sure if it will become my favourite ship. For me, that's Island, where I can walk all the way round the Promenade Deck without even needing to climb stairs at the front.

 

I hope Princess can sort out the teething troubles, and perhaps a couple of the other issues (move the toilet paper holders, guys!). As for the bigger issues, I suppose no ship's perfect.

 

Regards

 

Rod

[ofthesea]

Wow! Great and thorough review! Royal Princess looks like a beautiful ship and as with every ship has flaws here and there (but don't we all)!

 

Loved the review! Thanks for sharing! :)

[Keith1010]

Rod, thank you for the very well written and balanced review.

 

Keith

[antsp]

Such a shame that Princess couldn't get this ship design right, the feeling of being at sea seems to have been lost some how by having no promanade. Apart from a biiger Atrium I am begining to wonder what benefit this dhip bring to the average Princess cruiser. We decided to sail the Ruby this summer on price but I'm glad we didn't pay that little bit extra for the Royal. All the reviews I have read so far have not been that positive.

[black_velvet]

I don't think there is a 'right' design. There have to be compromises and judgement calls, and as I said above, there's a lot we like about the ship. But I agree there seems to be pretty universal disappointment about the promenade in the early reviews, and I wonder if Princess will look back in future and conclude they simply got this call wrong.

 

Such a shame that Princess couldn't get this ship design right, the feeling of being at sea seems to have been lost some how by having no promanade. Apart from a biiger Atrium I am begining to wonder what benefit this dhip bring to the average Princess cruiser. We decided to sail the Ruby this summer on price but I'm glad we didn't pay that little bit extra for the Royal. All the reviews I have read so far have not been that positive.

[Woobstr112G]

Great review, thanks for posting.....:):):)

 

Bob

[dmwnc1959]

Hi Rod!

 

THANK YOU for a well balanced and thoughtful review. :D

 

You mentioned the mounted dispensers in the shower? Is this a picture of one of them?

HERE

 

 

And for the toilet paper, I think this is what you where talking about?

HERE

 

Did you get a chance to make it to the aft promenade deck outside of Vista Lounge? Or the midships one off of Crooners and Facets?

.

[HRPro]

thanks for the detailed and balanced review. After months of waiting, it's nice to get feedback from a person on board. I think the biggest disappointment for me will be the lack of the promenade deck, but there are many things to like as well. She's a beautiful ship.

[kikki21]

Thanks for your review and that's so fab about your photo being onboard! I wish I had known about the competition!

 

I think the promenade deck thing is a common theme for all cruise lines building new ships that seems to go by the wayside for the planners if you read other boards!

[chamima]

Thanks for the detailed, thorough review!

Others have commented on the balconies being smaller than on other Princess ships.

Did you notice that?

[black_velvet]

Thanks for the positive comments. Yes to both photos, exactly as shown. With the toilet paper dispenser, it seems to me they could just as easily have mounted it under the basin unit in front next to the door, rather than behind. I have to wonder if anyone ever went for a test-drive, as it were.

 

Yes, I walked onto the Promenade desk outside Vista on both sides. The doors are in the usual place, and it is a really nice area from the door round to the stern (though it's a smoking area on the starboard side) with comfortable loungers - but it's pretty small, and I imagine it will fill up quickly. You can't get all the way round at the back, though - you have to come back in through the door you used to come out. Didn't try walking out midships, but I think it's similarly small.

 

Hi Rod!

 

THANK YOU for a well balanced and thoughtful review. :D

 

You mentioned the mounted dispensers in the shower? Is this a picture of one of them?

HERE

 

 

And for the toilet paper, I think this is what you where talking about?

HERE

 

Did you get a chance to make it to the aft promenade deck outside of Vista Lounge? Or the midships one off of Crooners and Facets?

.

[big al]

I don't think there is a 'right' design. There have to be compromises and judgement calls, and as I said above, there's a lot we like about the ship. But I agree there seems to be pretty universal disappointment about the promenade in the early reviews, and I wonder if Princess will look back in future and conclude they simply got this call wrong.

 

Great review, Rod...nice to hear someone who thought the Royal was nice..many early comments were mostly negative...a few questions: what did you think of the pool deck & did you see the water show at night? Many have said cabins & balconies are definitely smaller than other Princess ships, do you agree? Funny how the biggest complaint about Royal Caribbean's Oasis & Allure of the Seas is the lack of a promenade, so you can walk around the ship..passengers said also that they had to go to the pool deck to see the ocean- sound familiar? This seems to be a trend in newer, bigger ships...NCL Breakaway is reporting similar reports, although a good friend just got off Sunday and said both the ship & cruise was fabulous ( and he just got off the Ruby Princess 6 months ago..) Thanks, and cheers to the Oxford Apollo theater,a great place for a concert!

 

Big Al

[black_velvet]

I'd say they're a similar size to the balconies on Aloha and Baja on other ships we've cruised on, i.e. quite small but manageable. But as far as I could see, all balconies are that size; I didn't see any of the double depth ones you often find on Caribe, for example.

 

Thanks for the detailed, thorough review!

Others have commented on the balconies being smaller than on other Princess ships.

Did you notice that?

[TorontoTL]

Thanks for posting your review! It's nice to hear about people's impressions on this lovely new ship.

[black_velvet]

I liked the look of the pool deck very much, enjoyed watching the fountains during the afternoon but didn't get up there for a night show. Our deluxe balcony cabin felt about the same size as a standard balcony to me, but having read the reviews, I'd not bother with deluxe again - either go for standard balcony, or push the boat out and get a mini-suite.

 

Yeah, someone else said there seems to be an industry trend to lose walkaround prom decks: sad, but if people keep coming, I guess the companies reckon it's worth it.

 

I've been to the Apollo in Oxford many times - it's now called the New Theatre.

 

Great review, Rod...nice to hear someone who thought the Royal was nice..many early comments were mostly negative...a few questions: what did you think of the pool deck & did you see the water show at night? Many have said cabins & balconies are definitely smaller than other Princess ships, do you agree? Funny how the biggest complaint about Royal Caribbean's Oasis & Allure of the Seas is the lack of a promenade, so you can walk around the ship..passengers said also that they had to go to the pool deck to see the ocean- sound familiar? This seems to be a trend in newer, bigger ships...NCL Breakaway is reporting similar reports, although a good friend just got off Sunday and said both the ship & cruise was fabulous ( and he just got off the Ruby Princess 6 months ago..) Thanks, and cheers to the Oxford Apollo theater,a great place for a concert!

 

Big Al

[sunnyv]

Great review, Rod...nice to hear someone who thought the Royal was nice..many early comments were mostly negative...a few questions: what did you think of the pool deck & did you see the water show at night? Many have said cabins & balconies are definitely smaller than other Princess ships, do you agree? Funny how the biggest complaint about Royal Caribbean's Oasis & Allure of the Seas is the lack of a promenade, so you can walk around the ship..passengers said also that they had to go to the pool deck to see the ocean- sound familiar? This seems to be a trend in newer, bigger ships...NCL Breakaway is reporting similar reports, although a good friend just got off Sunday and said both the ship & cruise was fabulous ( and he just got off the Ruby Princess 6 months ago..) Thanks, and cheers to the Oxford Apollo theater,a great place for a concert!

 

Big Al

At least on RCCL's Allure and Oasis you can walk, jog or run all the way around the promenade deck. Doesn't sound like you can even access some areas of the promenade deck on the Royal, much less walk all the way around:(

[big al]

At least on RCCL's Allure and Oasis you can walk, jog or run all the way around the promenade deck. Doesn't sound like you can even access some areas of the promenade deck on the Royal, much less walk all the way around:(

 

True, we could jog or walk around the jogging track on deck 5, but I think most passengers like the traditional promenade, where you can stroll and sit leisurely on those lounge chairs and gaze at the sea, or put your elbows right on the divider ( or whatever it's called, forgot the proper term..)..I love taking walks around the ship after dinner, helps digest the 6000 calories I ate at dinner,LOL....

 

Big Al

[chamima]

I'd say they're a similar size to the balconies on Aloha and Baja on other ships we've cruised on, i.e. quite small but manageable. But as far as I could see, all balconies are that size; I didn't see any of the double depth ones you often find on Caribe, for example.

 

 

Based on analyses done by others we booked an aft deluxe balcony on the Baja Deck which is reported to have the old 9 x 9, half-covered, half-open balcony from the Caribe decks on the Grand Class.

I think the aerial photo attached confirms that.

[homeinboca]

Thanks for posting your detailed review. I enjoyed your observations, and thanks for providing both positive and negative details on the ship.

 

I think with the changes to the promenade they are going for mass public appeal, many of whom don't care about the actual being at sea experience, and that is too bad.

[chamima]

Based on analyses done by others we booked an aft deluxe balcony on the Baja Deck which is reported to have the old 9 x 9, half-covered, half-open balcony from the Caribe decks on the Grand Class.

I think the aerial photo attached confirms that.

 

Sorry that the picture came out so small.

I don't know how to post full size pictures - they all come out as those small "thumbnail" photos. :o :confused:

[cristine]

Thank you for taking time to write a honest review.. Many of us are anxiously waiting to hear first hand details.. Thanks again

Christine

[iloverags2]

Excellent review...thank you for posting. We are not fans of the bigger ships, and had little desire to sail Royal although we were intrigued by the videos shown during our Ruby sailing. Most likely we will skip it though and continue to sail on a bit smaller ships.

 

Did you take any photos?

[black_velvet]

Thanks. I took a few photos, not sure when I'll find time to post them, but I'll see what I can do.

 

Excellent review...thank you for posting. We are not fans of the bigger ships, and had little desire to sail Royal although we were intrigued by the videos shown during our Ruby sailing. Most likely we will skip it though and continue to sail on a bit smaller ships.

 

Did you take any photos?

[JimmyVWine]

• 
  
  • The biggest disappointment is that there's no promenade on the Promenade deck - it's no longer possible to walk all the way round the ship. A few bits outside on Deck 7 are for passengers, but most is crew only.
    
  • There are no stairs midships above deck 7 - this was another unpleasant surprise for us, as we offset the over-indulgence by never using the elevators. Not sure if this is to get more cabins in, but we don't like it.

Thanks for posting your thoughts. A question about this first point, and a comment on the second.

 

Question: Can you describe for us what portions of the Promenade are open to the public? In looking at the deck plan, is it just the two sections (on each side) that are "bumped out", meaning the areas outside of the Vista and the areas outside of Crooners and Facets with no access anywhere where you see a lifeboat?

 

Comment: What were they thinking by discontinuing the staircase beyond Deck 7? Isn't that a serious safety concern? Rule number one in an emergency: Don't use the elevators. So are mid-ship passengers supposed to walk all the way down the hallways to access the stairs? That would be bad enough when they are just walking at their leisure. But in a real emergency, clogging up the thin hallways with all the midship passengers trying to get to the fore or aft stairs would be a nightmare. I'm really surprised that this design passed muster, pun intended.

[Drews_Cruise]

Very nice review. Thanks for taking the time to do it. We hope to be on the Royal next year.