Live From The Royal Princess

[Bentley5700]

Dave you've outdone yourself with those sail away pics.

Thanks.

[CK57]

Royal Princess before she departs Venice...

 

 

In these photos is the ships bow facing towards Venice? Will you be able to have a balcony dinner the second night in Venice before she sails the following morning when your cruise originates in Venice?

[dmwnc1959]

In these photos is the ships bow facing towards Venice? Will you be able to have a balcony dinner the second night in Venice before she sails the following morning when your cruise originates in Venice?

 

Here is a quick map with an arrow showing the orientation of how she was docked over the past couple of days. Assuming she will always dock 'bow out' that would put Venice off of the port side. Depending on which berth she is at and what other ships are in port you may be having your balcony dinner looking at another ship. The webcam image in your post shows the camera pointing aft in the direction of the train station. You can also see the MSC Divina (a ship of similar length) next to her docked 'bow in'.

 

[sunsetbeachgal]

Wonder why the colors on the recent bridge cam shots are so dull?

[TorontoTL]

Thanks for the sail away cam shots Dave! The Venice sail away is my favourite!

[CSloan]

This answer posted yesterday when you asked on another thread...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=39020535&postcount=5770

 

I'm curious to hear the answer first-hand from someone who has done it, and their perspective also...

[Sunviking]

We used the People Mover last September when we ended our cruise in Venice. Depending on which dock your ship is at, the walk can be close to half a mile. The walkway is flat. We didn't do this with luggage. We had an overnight on board and we made the walk to get to Piazzale Roma to catch a vaporetto. We wouldn't do this with our luggage. Also, the vending machines for tickets were all out of order at the terminal end of the line, hence the automated turnstiles wouldn't open. Everyone, us included, ducked under the railing to go up the escalator. We asked an attendant about paying at the other end and he basically told us to forget about it.

[DoulaAnn]

Dave, thanks for the sail-away pics. I meant to look and then forgot. :( You had my back. Great views. Can't wait to do it myself.

[triviaplayer7425]

I know this seems a bit strange, but after looking at the pictures of the bathrooms, I'm now wondering about SOAP! We are in a mini-suite (if that matters), but all I've seen in pictures is the bath gel in the pump in the shower. I am a bar soap gal and can't get myself to effectively use the gel. Is there bar soap provided in the Mini-suite bathrooms or just the gel.

 

Thanks for indulging my idiosyncrasies.

 

Ann

 

Hi,

 

I just disembarked the Royal Princess on July 5th and was lucky enough to be upgraded to a mini suite for the whole cruise from June 14th. You will love it. There is bar soap in addition to the gel and shampoo in the bath/shower. I was on Marina deck and Joseph was my room steward, so if you are lucky enough to get him, he was wonderful as they all are. If there is anything you need, just ask for it. There is plenty of storage and a nice curtain divider to separate the sitting area room the bedroom, two tv's,a large desk area. The balcony is approx 3x6 but adequate. All in all, I think you will enjoy it immensely. Ron Goodman is the cruise director and he will be there until October. When are you going? Any questions, let me know.

 

Joyce

[TorontoTL]

Joyce, are you sure about the dimensions of the balcony? I thought that it was closer to 9x4 ft.

[kool kruiser]

We used the People Mover last September when we ended our cruise in Venice. Depending on which dock your ship is at, the walk can be close to half a mile. The walkway is flat. We didn't do this with luggage. We had an overnight on board and we made the walk to get to Piazzale Roma to catch a vaporetto. We wouldn't do this with our luggage. Also, the vending machines for tickets were all out of order at the terminal end of the line, hence the automated turnstiles wouldn't open. Everyone, us included, ducked under the railing to go up the escalator. We asked an attendant about paying at the other end and he basically told us to forget about it.

 

We ended our cruise in May in Venice.

We used the People Mover, with our two suitcases on wheels, to get to Piazzale Roma,as did many others. Escalators and lifts at each end, self service ticket machine in various languages, no problem at all. 1 euro each, best bargain in Venice!

From there we took the ACTO bus to the airport. Easy.

[dockhl]

Joyce, are you sure about the dimensions of the balcony? I thought that it was closer to 9x4 ft.

 

We'll be in a mini-suite on the Sept 3 cruise from Barcelona. You are correct re: balcony size. It is just about the same length as the cabin is wide (~ 9') and 4' wide.

 

Getting eager to board!

[triviaplayer7425]

Joyce, are you sure about the dimensions of the balcony? I thought that it was closer to 9x4 ft.

 

Hi,

 

You could be right, I was just eyeballing it. It was plenty big for me as I travel as a single.

 

Joyce

[Woobstr112G]

Grazie Mille but unlike our songstress Pia they'd request that I lip sync instead...despite having 'blue eyes' & named Frank I don't sing anything like 'Old Blue Eyes' Frank Sinatra. :p

 

Last December during our daytime arrival in Venice many of Andrea's songs were on the ship's TV system (with the bridgecam?) so we heard them when on our balcony.

 

Frank;

Don't sell yourself too short.....:D:):D

Bob

[Northender]

Grazie Mille but unlike our songstress Pia they'd request that I lip sync instead...despite having 'blue eyes' & named Frank I don't sing anything like 'Old Blue Eyes' Frank Sinatra. :p

 

Last December during our daytime arrival in Venice many of Andrea's songs were on the ship's TV system (with the bridgecam?) so we heard them when on our balcony.

 

At least you may get a "request." I would get a demand or be duct taped.:D:D

[Astro Flyer]

Frank;

 

Don't sell yourself too short.....:D:):D

 

Bob

 

At least you may get a "request." I would get a demand or be duct taped.:D:D

My version of Old Blue Eye's "My Way" would be "No Way" which would be the response from anyone listening to me! :p

[dmwnc1959]

YouTube Video of Royal Princess arriving in Venice at the end of its maiden Grand Mediterranean voyage...

 

Skip ahead to the 1m35s mark

[dmwnc1959]

Another video showing Royal Princess leaving her dock and going down the main shipping canal towards the heart of Venice. I can't tell where the music is coming from but towards the very end you can hear just what you might expect...

 

Jump to the 1m mark to skip the slideshow

[BratDet]

I have a long post on my iphone...gonna log off and try to send it again from the phone...

 

Just finished ironing my gowns for formal nights...steam works great but ironing board are horizontal against the wall making this left hander iron right hander...on CB/Ruby...they are perpendicular. it also means I had to do 1/3 of a layer of gown at a time...not good...but the only work I had to do this cruise is done!

 

PS MY CABIN HAS A BIG!!!! Balcony...woo hoo!! Dave...can't wait to post the pics...I truly meant to bring a tape measure...fel like I have a duty to my fellow wonderful CC members to be as accurate as possible... :)

 

Bernadette

[BratDet]

Arrived to ship 11:10 AM. Luckily we are at 107, not 117- so no long walk like last years Ruby. We were checked in without any wait-5 people assigned for preferred boarding. Sign says boarding 12 Noon, but the desk told us about 15 minutes more...woo hoo....I got my wine out of my suitcase cause I asked a Princess rep if I could leave it in since we handed over our carry-ons....she said it had to be carried on, so I opened my bag with bated breath, but my double bagged (prevent leakage if bottles got damaged) wine was safe. They were surrounded by my gowns, so I was a tad nervous. Some may say why bother with gowns? Hell, I am on a brand new ship....and we do enjoy the chance to wear fancy schmantzy stuff...for those who say... No room on the luggage....I prove ya wrong....my suitcase with 2 bottles of wine, gowns, clothes, and dresses was 49.5 pounds after I added a few shirts of my husbands...he left the tux home though...

You can barely see the ship from the terminal building.

Anxious to get on the ship, so we can get off the ship. :) We went to Frari Church before breakfast (amazing) , Guggenheim next...11:29, they just called for Elite...we are lowly Platinum...;) went on at 11:33 am, normally do not make note of times so specifically, but trying to be precise....

Entered ship, yep "feels like Princess"....room was 99% ready, but all we wanted to do was charge my camera in one of two American sockets on desk. Deluxe balcony obstructed, husband & I both like having the couch...walk to balcony doors ...breathe held OMG, OMG....the angled balcony feels almost as large as a standard CB balcony....<jumping for joy!!!>...next- look for the obstructions.....deck below us juts out... But no Davit or lifeboat AnYwhere near us...Wow, Wow, wow...typing this from the balcony loving the cool breezes, and greatful for this cabin assignment...

Totally thrilled because I truly had not realized how small the new balconies were...when i booked...my bad...after sail away we pulled out chair from inside and made do with the oval table as the 4th seat...we could have comfy fitted two more.....so embarcation day, we checked out the Horizon Court for lunch... So many calories, so little time...there were these huge sides of beef... Being carved...Melted in my mouth...regarding coffee, it did taste better at Horizon Court, wedding dinner bad quality in dining room...maybe Need to do a blind taste test to truly evaluate. :) darn, shoulda packed a tape measure for some statistics but a swimmer asked about pool depth... The one by Serenity goes from 3 feet 9 inches to 5 feet nine inches.

Regarding bottles brought on board, we stopped at COOP market and got 4 1liter bottles.. In our bag, not one word was said...in NY they always made us empty any water bottles you might be drinking from, not here.

This might be all over the place, but trying to post things as I think of them....ship water in dining room was good....we signed up for the wine tasting....bought a coffee card for my fresh brewed...have old cards with me to use for Gelato...same old Ugly coffee card, nothing special...

We went back to our rooms before 1 and all our luggage was there! We took a few to hang up some things...then used PM to take vaporetto to Peggy Guggenheim Museum....then we had a sunny and hot vaporetto ride, back to ship- showered and changed for dinner. No wait for table for two cause so many were in Venice...so we took advantage, but we never mind sharing..best Prine Rib I ever had on a Princess Ship. We've found a few staff from Ruby already.the couple we knew found us and we hung out, so we didn't get back into Venice till 11... After we were done, we walked back to the ship as the schedule posted said last run was 10:50 pm. We got back on ship just after 1am, must was about 8:15am. I ordered the balcony breakfast and thoroughly enjoyed the drinks and food! We could not finish it all...we did the CC meet and greet at 11 and that went well...we were told ship was full, with only 4 people missing....think she said 3800....

Love the bathroom sinks, deep and rectangular..I'm left handed so the TP placement doesn't bother me, the three bathroom shelves are a big yet simple inprovement. The shower with shower gel and shampoo in the wall containers seem much more environmentally friendly. The lower shelf where you can set your leg on is nice. In this room, the shower seems larger than on Ruby or CB. Got to have nearly new waffle robes and towels.sweet.. Bed and pillow seem fine, but hard to truly opine as exhaustion changes perception...

Have not had Gelato or pizza yet or the fondue chocolate to cover fruit.

Went walking about the shoppes...then to the casino....played a few machines... Kept making $$$, and refeeding....left my bank at 25 dollars ahead to play another day.

The Internet cafe on boarding day said Internet not available till 5pm and we have not tried to get to intra net since we don't have the instructions yet.

The lighting in the room is really nice and soothing at night. The skywalk was interesting, but only enclosed on one side. Haven't made it near the shooting area, the Piazza is beautiful, many different conversational areas to hang out with. None of the daily drink specials for Platinum attract me...but I will make time to get a Royal Bellini at the Bellini bar at some point.

The safe is larger with a shelf.

I went from the balcony for a bit, to the bathroom to give me visual clues for comment and while the view from the couch is not perfect, loving the space. The TV is just perfect and there at least three in-room movies we will TRY to see.

Last night we skipped the entertainment since getting back to Venice one last time was our priority.

My obc from ccl stock, and FCC were posted correctly, but our TA OBC, Princess Visa 50$, and our prepaid OBC did not show yet. I remember being told on a recent cruise that it would show up after MN, so I will recheck today.

Gotta hand in our unused Aliguna tix later. Done before dinner!

Trivia was hard 10 out of 20, but we were just a team of two. Husband napped, I shopped then put 20$ in the slots and kept winning...stopped NS left 45 $ in the bank for another day. Had first slice of Princess pizza- yum as always. Dinner - table for two was good, I had pork chop, husband had seafood and enjoyed it. (Last night and tonight at door we were asked for our cruise card to confirm we were anytime diners.)

Can you tell I don't eat seafood cause I cannot tell you what he ate? :) we skipped dessert to get to MUTS for 8pm. We stopped for gelato, but sadly no lemon flavor. the movie tonight was Tom Cruise in jack Reacher. First MUTS, I did not fall asleep during. So breezy and comfy. Ended movie with cookies and milk.

We then made it to the intro show in Princess theatre. Plenty of seats for 10:15 show, but it filled quickly.

Then we made quick stop at Bellini's Bar for a Classic Bellini. Typing under the influence I am. We took our drinks to the 11:15 water fountain show- Bond Tribute, but it felt short...portions of four songs. Little snack at IC....

FYI- the Internet cafe guy could NOT tell me how to get on Princess intranet, so this afternoon we waited to ask customer service....wait for it...all we had to do was enter royal.princess.com...cannot believe Internet cafe person did not know that...simple and basic...in 36 hours we have done so much already...fun and relaxing...

It's midnight and I have an 8 am date with my husband in the hot tub...gotta get to gym or walk on the walking deck after breakfast...wine tasting 3pm, formal night tomorrow night.

Buon notte, Bernadette[ATTACH]278224[/ATTACH]

 

 

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[BratDet]

The hot tubs were not hot by the sanctuary. They were warm.

Day of boarding elevators were HOT. I miss the center stairs, but it just means taking different routes.

Our AC and all over the ship is working great!

A few passengers have no luggage due to airlines. :(

B

 

 

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[sunsetbeachgal]

Love your report!! That Bellini sounds great!

[Bentley5700]

The hot tubs were not hot by the sanctuary. They were warm.

Day of boarding elevators were HOT. I miss the center stairs, but it just means taking different routes.

Our AC and all over the ship is working great!

A few passengers have no luggage due to airlines. :(

B

 

 

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GREAT stuff. Keep it coming.

Thanks for doing this.

[-Lew-]

Thank you, Bernadette, for your long post and very complete impressions...quite a feat using your iPhone.

 

The smooth boarding impressed me. We usually arrive a bit afternoon; hope it's goes as smoothly then.

 

Your experience with bringing on wine is interesting and good news. We usually like to load up in Venice and buy a few bottles in ports along the way.

 

Enjoy your cruise...

 

Lew

[Woobstr112G]

Great review:) Gets me even more excited for October.....:):):)

 

Bob