A Positively Royal Review 11/17/2013 sailing

[gracie65]

Let me try first with the link then will try to figure out how to add here so they aren't itty, bitty.

 

Photos Royal Princess Cruise 11/17/13:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/76065104@N05/with/11137506526/

[gracie65]

 

HI Gracie and thanks for your review--

 

My dh and myself will be on Royal cruise in April-- We always just take snorkeling excursions and bring our own stuff-- Any way, we were planning on doing the ship's Turtle Cove and Honeymoon Beach excursion, but the High Pocekts Day Sail sounds so much better. I just emailed the company for the rates that would iclude pick up and return from where the ship docks. The thing is we definately want to do Turtle Cove snorkeling and have an hour to rest up at Honeymoon Beach. Would you suggest that I see if we can get 4 others from roll call to join us to ensure that this is included for sure? Or is this not necessary? Thanks for info and advice. Anita

 

Yeah I did it, this is lunch aboard High Pockets

Edited November 30, 2013 by gracie65

[Jetswdo]

Gracie:

 

Thanks for responding so quickly. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

 

We usually don't do the ship's excursion, unless what they offer is better---

I'm waiting to hear back from Kathleen. We are fine with others joining, but we want the day to be maximum snorkeling! That is why if we do a private excursion the other passengers should have the same mind set.

[gracie65]

Gracie:

 

Thanks for responding so quickly. Hope you had a nice Thanksgiving.

 

We usually don't do the ship's excursion, unless what they offer is better---

I'm waiting to hear back from Kathleen. We are fine with others joining, but we want the day to be maximum snorkeling! That is why if we do a private excursion the other passengers should have the same mind set.

 

Yes, that's what ours predominately was. I haven't done cruise excursions since discovering cruise critic. My description of this is never in my life have I felt like a Kennedy but on this day sail I get a wee little taste!!LOL

[March Babe]

Really enjoying this thread. We also had a womderful time and would return to the Royal in a minute. Your pictures are great. What photography!:D

[Jetswdo]

Well this is a first- She will charge 150 per person or $140 cash---

This ship is $109 per person, but 30-40 people I believe---

 

Usually the ship excursions are much more expensive, not the other way around.

 

I will discuss this with my husband. Anita

[gracie65]

Well this is a first- She will charge 150 per person or $140 cash---

This ship is $109 per person, but 30-40 people I believe---

 

Usually the ship excursions are much more expensive, not the other way around.

 

I will discuss this with my husband. Anita

 

 

To me it's well worth it to not have all the other extra people. I don't like feeling like cattle being herded. There really isn't even a way to compare this to a ship excursion. I thought it was too expensive our first time too but then I went and it is so worth it. It was also easier to justify when the itinerary only goes to 3 places and one of those is the private island.

When you get on her sail boat she says "where would you like to go today?" You won't get that with a herd of people. It also includes lunch and open bar. Good luck with whatever you decide!!

[ssawjo]

Tracie, great review. Thank you for putting together the St. Martin/San Marteen excursion. We had a great time. Glad you took my advice about the Winemakers dinner. I see the "Silver Fox" did not. He seemed to having a great time thought. Thanks again and I hope we cruise together again in the future.

 

Bill and Kathi

[gracie65]

Tracie, great review. Thank you for putting together the St. Martin/San Marteen excursion. We had a great time. Glad you took my advice about the Winemakers dinner. I see the "Silver Fox" did not. He seemed to having a great time thought. Thanks again and I hope we cruise together again in the future.

 

Bill and Kathi

 

LOL you are right he didn't. He was actually ok it was the girlfriend and the rum punch. He drinks double Bacardi and diet coke everyday of his life. I have seen him before to where I didn't think there would be anyway he would make it and voila him show up and never know he had already had 6 that day!!LOL She isn't a big drinker at all so for her to get drunk was pretty funny. She even stopped at a jewelry store getting back on the ship looking at a $89,000 ring that she bartered to $76,000. Trust me they don't have that kind of money, I think it was the alcohol talking!!!! I hope you weren't ever in Bingo while he was there. He is one that has to talk out loud at every number called. We finally just sat down and said we apologize in advance for anything that comes out of his mouth!!!LOL

We had a great trip, my one regret is I missed getting a picture of our whole group. I should have done it at the Iguana Farm and kept thinking next time. The day just gets away from you.

I was just emailing with Dave, he boards tomorrow so I have warned him about the food and the alcohol for his winemaker's dinner. I'm so glad you did, while I'm not big on Rum Punch I might have gotten into vodka or beer.

[CTGirl]

Hi Gracie, I am really enjoying your review. I am really curious about your cabin. We are in L222 for a cruise next April. I am a bit concerned about noise from the Retreat above. Did you hear any noise over on port side? I think there is a similar setting above your cabin than the ones on starboard so I think it would be a comparable comparison. Thanks

[gracie65]

Hi Gracie, I am really enjoying your review. I am really curious about your cabin. We are in L222 for a cruise next April. I am a bit concerned about noise from the Retreat above. Did you hear any noise over on port side? I think there is a similar setting above your cabin than the ones on starboard so I think it would be a comparable comparison. Thanks

 

We had one morning and only one where it sounded like someone had fallen out of something above us. All the other days it was quiet and in a great location as far as getting around the ship. I love being close enough to the cabin when you are laying on deck to go use your own bathroom.

[CTGirl]

We had one morning and only one where it sounded like someone had fallen out of something above us. All the other days it was quiet and in a great location as far as getting around the ship. I love being close enough to the cabin when you are laying on deck to go use your own bathroom.

Thanks for the info. We had a guarantee and got assigned L222. I was a bit worried about the cabin but after your comments I am not going to worry anymore. Edited November 30, 2013 by CTGirl

[SHIPMEOUT]

Next is quite oddly one of the highlights of the trip. In port we were beside RCCL ship I think it was Freedom of the Seas. We had 3 starboard balconies in a row they faced their ship. Both ships were waiting on last minute passengers. RCCL ended up winning the race for the last passengers on the ship. For awhile there it was like a horn match going on, we won the race on this one because what ship horn could beat one that was The Love Boat Theme?? Finally the last RCCL passengers arrived via golf cart. Everyone was out on their balconies hooping and clapping as they boarded.

 

This too was such a fun highlight of our cruise on the Royal last week! Loved the hollering and clapping as the embarrassed latecomers boarded both ships!

[Guest arowe6]

Hi Gracie,

 

Glad you had fun!!

 

-Andrew :)

[The Big Booper]

 

...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

Next is quite oddly one of the highlights of the trip. In port we were beside RCCL ship I think it was Freedom of the Seas. We had 3 starboard balconies in a row they faced their ship. Both ships were waiting on last minute passengers. RCCL ended up winning the race for the last passengers on the ship. For awhile there it was like a horn match going on, we won the race on this one because what ship horn could beat one that was The Love Boat Theme?? Finally the last RCCL passengers arrived via golf cart. Everyone was out on their balconies hooping and clapping as they boarded.

 

...>>>SNIP<<<...

 

We were docked years ago on the Disney Magic alongside two other ships, RCI and Carnival. The three ships got into a horn farting contest which Disney won quite easily.

 

Sorry folks but "When You Wish Upon a Star" trumps everything.

[lynwar]

It would be neat to hear "When You Wish Upon a Star" and the "Love Boat" horns in the same ports and giving us a concert! :)

gracie65-- Nice review. I'm also reading Dave's now, to continue the journey.

We're already looking into future cruises, which is pretty soon for us.

Take care. Lynne

[Jetswdo]

I went ahead and booked Kathleen's High Pockets for St. Thomas. She told me she already had one couple from Celebrity on board as well. Hopefully, they want the snorkeling over just sailing--I made it clear to Kathleen that we expect the full snorkeling experience. Any way, posted on April 13 roll call for 2 others to join us! Thanks so much for the info---Anita

[gracie65]

[quote name='Jetswdo']I went ahead and booked Kathleen's High Pockets for St. Thomas. She told me she already had one couple from Celebrity on board as well. Hopefully, they want the snorkeling over just sailing--I made it clear to Kathleen that we expect the full snorkeling experience. Any way, posted on April 13 roll call for 2 others to join us! Thanks so much for the info---Anita[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Good luck. If you go to tripadvisor I have a review with pictures posted. Just planning my next cruise which won't be till November next year. Looks like we will be back in St. Thomas. Please ask Kathleen to take you to see George!!!
[/FONT]

[gracie65]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]Wow I have really let time get away from me in finishing this review.
Our last two days were sea days. I laid out for a little while, then checked out the pictures. Looked in the shops and played bingo.
This was our next Formal night and we opted to eat in the MDR. Again we had no wait the food and service was wonderful.
After dinner we all kind of went in different directions. Myself and one of my friends aren't too much on the casino so we stood out and watched Beatlemania for a bit then went to Crooner's and say Kory Simon. We both thought he was really good.
After that we went to the disco and later the guys joined us. Once again there were quite a few people there.
I think this is the night we got back to the cabin and got room service. I got a club sandwich and hubby got a cheeseburger. Both were great and got there about 10 minutes before they told us it would be there.
I had packed a little during the day so I wouldn't have as much to so the last day.
We once again slept really late for us it was almost 11:00 before we got up. We basically did much of the same from the day before. We had Sabitini's booked for dinner tonight. There were 6 of us. The menu has changed since I was there last. Service was great but it just wasn't as fun as previous cruises. The food was good but wasn't great. I have always raved about Sabitini's. It may be the Wine Maker's Dinner has just surpassed Sabitini's. I really enjoyed Sabitini's on The Ruby, it's in such a great location.
After dinner we wondered around for a bit then on to finish packing. Our week had come to an end.
Debarkation was very smooth. We were off the ship and to The Hard Rock Resort by 10:30am.
We had a wonderful cruise and I am so glad I have sailed this ship. She truly has by far been the most elegant and best food of any ship I have been on. Would I sail her again? Yes, but the itinerary would really have to change. Love all the stops but would like to see some sailings going to St. Kitts, Antigua etc. [/FONT]

[sunsetbeachgal]

Gracie,

I enjoyed your review...thank you. I am also enjoying re-living our Royal experience through Dave's photos and commentary.

I agree with your comments about itineraries...I keep saying that Princess needs to spice up their itineraries, especially Caribbean, as the itineraries rarely change much if any from year to year. Many other lines offer three port stops plus private island on their 7 night itineraries, Princess for the most part has only two stops plus private island. They haven't offered a Western Caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale in two or three years...for many of us Houston is not an option. We ended up on Holland America in November as we wanted Western, so Princess lost our business on that cruise.

Thanks again! Edited December 10, 2013 by sunsetbeachgal

[gracie65]

[quote name='sunsetbeachgal']Gracie,

I enjoyed your review...thank you. I am also enjoying re-living our Royal experience through Dave's photos and commentary.

I agree with your comments about itineraries...I keep saying that Princess needs to spice up their itineraries, especially Caribbean, as the itineraries rarely change much if any from year to year. Many other lines offer three port stops plus private island on their 7 night itineraries, Princess for the most part has only two stops plus private island. They haven't offered a Western Caribbean cruise out of Ft. Lauderdale in two or three years...for many of us Houston is not an option. We ended up on Holland America in November as we wanted Western, so Princess lost our business on that cruise.

Thanks again![/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS]hey my neighbor up the road!! What a nasty day today!!
The Royal had a 10 night in feb 2015 with some neat stops. Our son made the school basketball team so if it continues to high school our Feb cruises will be out especially 10 days. The one I booked leaves from San Juan. I don't think it's just Princess it's several others as well. We have done Western Caribbean multiple times as well. I did look at HAL as well. Oh well, the ship may not be as nice as the Royal was but I am happy with my pick. I can't believe I have to wait over 300 days to go again!!!
[/FONT]

[sunsetbeachgal]

You are right...a nasty day!

The HAL ship we were on was perfectly fine...but not on the same page as the Royal. The "piazza" was a small circular staircase with a small bar at the bottom. But we had fun and visited a port I had never been to...Key West...loved it! I can just taste the key lime pie now!

Aren't you just loving Dave's journey? I am so glad he is having fun!

[Jetswdo]

Your review is very informative. I will let High Pockets know that I gave them our business due to your great review! Thanks, again. Sincerely, Anita

[OCruisers]

[FONT="Comic Sans MS"][SIZE="3"]Wow! Thanks so much for this. Glad to know everyone doesn't hate Royal Princess.
We are considering sailing on her for 20 days in January 2015.

LuLu
~~~~ [/SIZE][/FONT]