ROYAL Princess - no Central Staircase a Royal Pain

[Pam in CA]

However, if people point out what they do like and don't like its an opportunity for Princess to take on board all feedback both good and bad to ensure that they don't make similar errors in the future. No use spending billions on a ship that doesn't cater to a mass majority.

The reality is that the majority won't care. They use the elevators, never go out on the Promenade deck, haven't found Skywalkers, never use the walking track, etc. They board the ship, go to the buffet/grill/Prego's, lay out by the pool, have dinner and go to a show or other entertainment. There are many ship, cabin and itinerary choices. I can decry that I hate the fact there are no oceanview cabins, which is true, so I booked an inside. I'll pay to use the Sanctuary instead.

[capriccio]

However, if people point out what they do like and don't like its an opportunity for Princess to take on board all feedback both good and bad to ensure that they don't make similar errors in the future. No use spending billions on a ship that doesn't cater to a mass majority.

 

 

Not everyone considers this an 'error' and the handful of vociferous complaints on cruise critic before the Royal's maiden voyage doesn't translate to a 'mass majority.' I've never sailed on the Allure or Oasis but have read that they also lack a central stairway and it seems that they are successfully catering to a mass majority.

[bdjam]

But it's so important that people post negative impressions. I don't understand the "all positive" thing at all. I would much rather to on a cruise expecting the worst and then find that things really aren't that bad than to go expecting a perfection that doesn't exist.

 

On this we agree - and I think it important that Princess knows not just the positive thoughts of the new ship design...otherwise how will it be improved?

[baldercash]

They do usage studies as a matter of coarse when they build.

They know the passenger usage of stairs and promenades on the ships.

Cruisers don't use them then they cut them and put the space to other use.

Low traffic flow and those facilities / areas get cut.

So some may love them but not enough.

[icat2000]

On this we agree - and I think it important that Princess knows not just the positive thoughts of the new ship design...otherwise how will it be improved?

 

Precisely. I never got the point of posters who came down very hard on people who posted things that they didn't like about the ship. If people didn't complain nothing in society would ever change or be improved.

[icat2000]

Not everyone considers this an 'error' and the handful of vociferous complaints on cruise critic before the Royal's maiden voyage doesn't translate to a 'mass majority.' I've never sailed on the Allure or Oasis but have read that they also lack a central stairway and it seems that they are successfully catering to a mass majority.

 

Didn't someone comment above that they added in a central stairway to a ship because of multiple complaints. Or was that on another thread.

[MauiLvrs]

Not everyone considers this an 'error' and the handful of vociferous complaints ...

I haven't seen ANYONE here say that those three big issues (no prom, no stairs, Small balcony) are a great idea:eek:

 

In fact ... haven't even seen anyone say there were a good idea:confused:

[rdsqrl]

They do usage studies as a matter of coarse when they build.

They know the passenger usage of stairs and promenades on the ships.

Cruisers don't use them then they cut them and put the space to other use.

Low traffic flow and those facilities / areas get cut.

So some may love them but not enough.

Your point is immaterial vis-a-vis the absence of central passenger stairs. The steps are already there; they're just not accessible to passengers.

[Astro Flyer]

I've never sailed on the Allure or Oasis but have read that they also lack a central stairway and it seems that they are successfully catering to a mass majority.

Having recently sailed on RCI's Navigator of the Sea there are no midship stairs nor elevators and we just adjusted to the difference.

 

There was no mass protest about the design which was probably due to their large interior promenade deck running about half the length of the ship filled with shops, bars & their version of the IC. They even had a circular stairway from the casino to that area...just like the Royal.

 

Would I prefer a central stairway...yes; is it a major consideration on selecting a ship...NO! :rolleyes:

 

I am looking forward to all the Royal has to offer & not what it doesn't have...good luck to those seeking a ship containing everything they want onboard. :rolleyes:

[Cruzin-K]

The lack of midship stairs, while inconvenient, is not a deal breaker. The lack of oceanview cabins however, is a dealbreaker for me. Inside cabins pretty much freak me out :( and I can't afford the balcony fare by myself.

 

The "problem" with the RCI ships is a lack of aft stairs. The two elevator banks & stairs tend to be forward and then just behind midship, maybe 2/3 of the way back, but nothing at the very back. I prefer the way most of the Grand class is laid out with the three locations of elevators/stairs.

[bob brown]

They do usage studies as a matter of coarse when they build.

They know the passenger usage of stairs and promenades on the ships.

Cruisers don't use them then they cut them and put the space to other use.

Low traffic flow and those facilities / areas get cut.

So some may love them but not enough.

I agree with your observation.

I notice a general trend in the last few years to design newbuilds with only a fore and aft stair/elevator tower on several lines that did have a center one in the past.

The same with the other differences pointed out.

[eroller]

On this we agree - and I think it important that Princess knows not just the positive thoughts of the new ship design...otherwise how will it be improved?

 

 

I agree 100%. It's important to praise the successes of a new ship but also point out and discuss the shortfalls.

 

People were not happy when GRAND PRINCESS was introduced and it lacked a center stairway. There were only elevators. A center stairway existed (just as it does on the new RP), but it was designated as crew only. There was a fair bit of congestion with only having the elevators so on subsequent newbuilds of the Grand Class the crew stairs were reverted to passenger status. It's very surprising the same compromise was done on RP, a ship that carries substantially more passengers than GRAND PRINCESS. Didn't Princess learn the first time? It's just odd to have a set of elevators and no stairs.

 

Ernie

[antsp]

The reality is that the majority won't care. They use the elevators, never go out on the Promenade deck, haven't found Skywalkers, never use the walking track, etc. They board the ship, go to the buffet/grill/Prego's, lay out by the pool, have dinner and go to a show or other entertainment. There are many ship, cabin and itinerary choices. I can decry that I hate the fact there are no oceanview cabins, which is true, so I booked an inside. I'll pay to use the Sanctuary instead.

 

Im afraid Pam is correct, some people dont even know the name of the ship there sailing on. Lets just say anyone who frequents cruise critic like i do is 100% more intrested in cruising than most cruisers. I probably know everything there is to know about Princess. The Royal is just another ship to most that a TA may suggest sailing on.

In the UK last week several of my customers asked about my hoiday/vacation plans for this summer, telling them i was going on a cruise, up popped the fact that Kate had just christened some big new cruise ship. Most people dont know anything about cruisins at that includes a lot that cruise.

I still think its a shame the Royal is getting a bashing on here at the moment by so many posters, including myself, buts its a shame that whoever designed this ship let loyal passengers down so much.

If you could roll back time, how was the Grand Princess reviews when she 1st launched.

[hubofhockey]

Not everyone considers this an 'error' and the handful of vociferous complaints on cruise critic before the Royal's maiden voyage doesn't translate to a 'mass majority.' I've never sailed on the Allure or Oasis but have read that they also lack a central stairway and it seems that they are successfully catering to a mass majority.

 

I agree with you and also remember all of the negative comments on Cruise Critic related to those two beautiful ships. Of course, they are still not for everyone, even not the Loyal Royals, as they call themselves. Whether the Loyal Royals like or don't like the Allure isn't important and whether the promenade loving ballroom dancing crowds like the Royal Princess isn't important either. I certainly don't mean to compare the Royal Princess to the Allure.

[billco]

In the UK last week several of my customers asked about my hoiday/vacation plans for this summer, telling them i was going on a cruise, up popped the fact that Kate had just christened some big new cruise ship.

When I tell people I am going on a cruise, the first things that pop up are toilets, fires, and people falling overboard.

[Psychedout]

When I tell people I am going on a cruise, the first things that pop up are toilets, fires, and people falling overboard.

'

 

Same here. when I tell friends or clients that I am going on a cruise I get "oh are you going on Carnival?, I hope not!"

 

Hugh

[chamima]

When I tell people I am going on a cruise, the first things that pop up are toilets, fires, and people falling overboard.

 

'

 

Same here. when I tell friends or clients that I am going on a cruise I get "oh are you going on Carnival?, I hope not!"

 

Hugh

 

 

Our good friends just say "Again? - Where to this time?" ;)

but acquaintances make the same kind of remarks you get.

[runnerodb83]

perhaps princess shouldnt have included midship elevators at all :D

[caribill]

Another view

 

http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/Royal-Princess-Surprises-130618.cfm?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=

[BarbinMich]

I agree with these points. This is one of the only posts I have read mentioning the lack of OV cabins. I have sailed Interior, OV, and balcony. While a balcony is nice, I would rather pay less and stay in an OV room (light and a bit more space than an inside). I do not like being "forced" into paying more for a balcony cabin or having to "settle" for an inside IF we choose to sail on the Royal or Regal.

 

We like to stay mid ship and would miss that central stair. On CB this January would pop down one level (Emerald deck cabin obstructed OV) to the bar to get soda and run back up to the cabin. No time at all to do this with the central staircase.

 

I agree completely re the disappearance of OV cabins. What were they thinking? As an earlier poster noted, there can be a substantial price difference between most expensive inside and "cheapest" balcony. We too like midship for its convenience so having no stairs there above deck 7 is another negative.

[antsp]

When I tell people I am going on a cruise, the first things that pop up are toilets, fires, and people falling overboard.

 

Sorry, the point i was trying to make, none realised the ship being lunched last week belonged to Princess

[Rick-cruiser]

Another view

 

http://www.cruisemates.com/articles/feature/Royal-Princess-Surprises-130618.cfm?utm_medium=Email&utm_source=ExactTarget&utm_campaign=

 

EXCELLENT article..... This is precisely what I was talking about when I started this thread.. Princess is going to have to seriously re-think this issue... open up the crew-only staircase for passengers, or bring the ship into drydock at some reasonable point in the future - to put in what should have been there to begin with.. No mass waiting/gathering/gridlocks by elevators.. Happier people.. No more problem.

 

- Rick

.

[FolksOfMeans - ByNoMeans]

EXCELLENT article..... This is precisely what I was talking about when I started this thread.. Princess is going to have to seriously re-think this issue... open up the crew-only staircase for passengers, or bring the ship into drydock at some reasonable point in the future - to put in what should have been there to begin with.. No mass waiting/gathering/gridlocks by elevators.. Happier people.. No more problem.

- Rick

.

 

We were thinking about booking the Royal/Regal.

 

After looking at the Deck Plans, we decided not to.

 

Example:

We get off of a Tender (Deck 4); then walk up the steps to Deck 5/6.

Then, hoof it forward/aft to an elevator to take us to our Deck.

[PescadoAmarillo]

We were thinking about booking the Royal/Regal.

 

After looking at the Deck Plans, we decided not to.

 

Example:

We get off of a Tender (Deck 4); then walk up the steps to Deck 5/6.

Then, hoof it forward/aft to an elevator to take us to our Deck.

This has me confused. Why would you have to do that?

[saratoga]

We were thinking about booking the Royal/Regal.

 

After looking at the Deck Plans, we decided not to.

 

Example:

We get off of a Tender (Deck 4); then walk up the steps to Deck 5/6.

Then, hoof it forward/aft to an elevator to take us to our Deck.

 

Take another look at the deck plans. You get off the tender on Deck 4 immediately adjacent to the center elevator banks that will take you all the way up. I am not sure why you need to go forward or aft to get to an elevator up to your deck.