Is Royal the worst rated ship on CC?

[Sunviking]

It seems that most of the people who post on threads like this one have sailed on Princess (as well as other lines) and are not just dropping in to bash Princess. We haven't sailed on RCL or Celebrity in a long time and have no interest in doing so soon, so I never look at their forums. Therefore I can't ascertain whether their new ships have been as polarizing as the Royal Princess has been on this one. We have been on many Princess cruises and enjoyed them all with some being better than others. Because we have done more than a few cruises we are able to make decisions about what is important to us on a ship and what is not. I read the reviews of other people and take them with a salt shaker's worth of salt. Having said that, we knew as soon as the plans came out for the Royal Princess that she wasn't the ship for us and we chose accordingly. I respect that other people choose otherwise. Nothing I have read so far has made us change our minds and it's evident that the people who love the ship will likewise not change their minds. Perhaps it's time for both sides to just take a break from trying to persuade the others that their opinions are the only ones that count.

[SwissDave]

I just did some quick checking Royal Princess against NCL Breakaway. All info taken from respective lines own websites and deck plans.

 

Royal Princess (RP)standard balcony room - 222sq ft

Breakaway (BA) - 208sq ft

Photos would indicate BA standard balconies are no bigger than RP. Some reports on NCL forum that you cant even turn the chairs to face out.

 

RP - 3 elevator banks - aft, mid, fwd, total 14 elevators

BA - 2 elevator banks, fwd, aft, total 16 elevators

 

RP - 2 stairwells - aft, fwd (and & a small section mid)

BA - 2 stairwells - aft, fwd

 

RP - Limited outside promenade, no wrap around

BA - limited outside promenade, no wrap around, looks like a lot of space taken up by outside 'on the waterfront' dining & drinking venues.

 

RP - 1 main pool, 1 retreat pool.

BA - 1 main pool, 1 pool part of aquapark

 

Gross tonnage

RP - 141,000

BA - 146,600

 

PAX (double occupancy)

RP - 3560

BA - 3969

[JimmyVWine]

Really, but I beg to differ.

That's fine. But I think my last sentence is true.

[Mom33]

Of course not. But mafig's question did not really solicit an opinion. And instead, you berated the post. Why?

 

I did not berate his post. I have an opinion and I stated it.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Mom33]

Princess will determine what things it can improve on by the surveys sent out to the 75000 plus cruisers that have sailed her. They will look to the money but also to what pleases the majority of people that sail Princess. I have always found them to be the consummate host.

They can't please everyone but they will do what they can to garner more positive reviews. The ship is not the disaster some want it to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Blk_Amish]

Princess will determine what things it can improve on by the surveys sent out to the 75000 plus cruisers that have sailed her. They will look to the money but also to what pleases the majority of people that sail Princess. I have always found them to be the consummate host.

They can't please everyone but they will do what they can to garner more positive reviews. The ship is not the disaster some want it to be.

 

 

 

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

The ship is a change and for some that spell disater. I still don't understand the appeal to have all ships look the same. The first time was WOW, the second time was awee, but now whoo-whoo:D The target market likes that 'homey' feeling and this ships says, Dorothy you are not in Kansas anymore, which is why most of the negative reviews are pretty useless to me.

 

sailing in 31 days

 

Pauline

Edited January 14, 2014 by Blk_Amish

[mafig]

I did not berate his post. I have an opinion and I stated it.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

 

I think you did and perception is everything. I didn't "drop in" from Royal Caribbean. I haven't been on a Royal Caribbean ship in years, but I have been on Princess as recently as November of 2013. I was on Crown Princess. Originally I was looking to book Royal Princess but after doing my research I decided Crown would suit us better. And when I say doing my research, it wasn't that easy. I came to the Princess board in July and asked some questions about a promenade, a forward viewing area and balcony size and I was told to go to Holland America or Celebrity. The defensiveness about this ship was there even before she was launched.:rolleyes:

[fishin' musician]

This thread is starting slide down the slippery slope of personal targeting.

 

Was the Royal a mistake? We'll know more in ten years. Would a first time cruiser likely have any issues with the Royal? Unlikely. Will adjustments/corrections be made on the Regal? Likely. Will adjustments be made in future refurbs? Likely.

 

Look at NCL's Epic; they cancelled the order for the second one and built two somewhat moderate (in comparison) ships.

 

To say that Princess is not not trying to compete with the larger RCL ships is a bit shortsighted. They are competing for a slice of the leisure travel market, and that includes RCL, all-inclusives, and every other vacation experience out there.

 

FWIW, it sure looks like a beautiful vessel to me, and I'll provide a full report upon disembarking in a few months.

[Pam in CA]

...sailing in 31 days

Pauline, have a great cruise!

 

You know, you can have two people on the same ship at the same time and have completely opposite expectations, experiences and opinions. How many times have we seen "competing" posts when someone responds with, "Were we on the same ship?" Some things appeal to some people, other things appeal to other people. There's no way to convince people that what they expected and experienced isn't what everyone else did. There are few absolutes and what might be a negative "fact" for one person is of no consequence to another.

Edited January 14, 2014 by Pam in CA

[Loonbeam]

A thousand times, THIS. I have seen two people at the same TABLE with the same MEAL have totally different opinions about the food and service.

 

The Royal does have some negative aspects I am sure, but so does every other ship in the fleet, depending on what is important to the user. I'll give a report when we sail here in October as well.

 

 

 

Pauline, have a great cruise!

 

You know, you can have two people on the same ship at the same time and have completely opposite expectations, experiences and opinions. How many times have we seen "competing" posts when someone responds with, "Were we on the same ship?" Some things appeal to some people, other things appeal to other people. There's no way to convince people that what they expected and experienced isn't what everyone else did. There are few absolutes and what might be a negative "fact" for one person is of no consequence to another.

[baldercash]

Pauline, have a great cruise!

 

You know, you can have two people on the same ship at the same time and have completely opposite expectations, experiences and opinions. How many times have we seen "competing" posts when someone responds with, "Were we on the same ship?" Some things appeal to some people, other things appeal to other people. There's no way to convince people that what they expected and experienced isn't what everyone else did. There are few absolutes and what might be a negative "fact" for one person is of no consequence to another.

 

This still does not explain why the reaction to Royal by those who have sailed her have placed her in the competition for worst ship reviewed by CC members.

More people have to dislike her then they do other ships, it is that simple.

 

From what I understand the Oasis and Allure are cruising experience like no other, not present on any of the other RCL ships or lines. I am going on the Roayl Princess expecting the same cruising experience as I did the others, be in awe as I was with Sapphire Princess. What are they offering on RP that would justify the much higer price, for years to come?

 

RCL changed the cruising experience with Oasis and Allure, not sure Princess did or intended to with the Royal. Princess is staying true to their cruising experience of beauty and elegance.

 

Blk_Amish I agree with your comments on Allure & Oasis, I never wanted to pay the price to experience at 7 days a pop in the Carribean not enough time to see the ship.. We are booked on the Oasis TransAtlantic FT Lauderdale to Barcelona Sept 1st and her return on Oct 14th from Rotterdam. Always wanted to do a B2B TransAtlantic as well.

 

But on "Princess is staying true to their cruising experience of beauty and elegance."

They are facing off against Celebrity and their Solstice Class ships and their "Modern Elegance"campaign!

The Royal doesn't seem to be fairing well if that is their strategy all one has to do is look at the results of .... 2013's Cruisers' Choice Awards Best Overall Large Ships top 10 list.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?src=nav

 

Disney is 1st & 4th with RCL Allure & Oasis 3rd & 10th, Liberty & Serenade 7th & 8th.

 

Celebrity has Eclipse, Solstice, Equinox & Silhouette at 2nd, 5th, 6th & 9th that is 4 S Class ships in the top 10.

 

There is no way Royal will crack the top 10 list but all these other ships did it in the 1st year they sailed.

Edited January 14, 2014 by baldercash

[Mom33]

I think you did and perception is everything. I didn't "drop in" from Royal Caribbean. I haven't been on a Royal Caribbean ship in years, but I have been on Princess as recently as November of 2013. I was on Crown Princess. Originally I was looking to book Royal Princess but after doing my research I decided Crown would suit us better. And when I say doing my research, it wasn't that easy. I came to the Princess board in July and asked some questions about a promenade, a forward viewing area and balcony size and I was told to go to Holland America or Celebrity. The defensiveness about this ship was there even before she was launched.:rolleyes:

 

I'm sorry you took it personally. My statement was not aimed at you.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[baldercash]

The line could be using the Walmart pricing method. Keep it lower so regular folks show up and spend a lot at the bars, photos, casinos and excursions. Anyone who thinks Walmart is not successful, think again.

 

Sorry I meant to post this in my last post where I quoted you on ..........

 

Princess is staying true to their cruising experience of beauty and elegance.

 

One of these statements negates the other which one is it?

You realize most of what Walmart sells is not considered quality or elegant products?

Edited January 14, 2014 by baldercash

[JimmyVWine]

Pauline, have a great cruise!

 

You know, you can have two people on the same ship at the same time and have completely opposite expectations, experiences and opinions. How many times have we seen "competing" posts when someone responds with, "Were we on the same ship?" Some things appeal to some people, other things appeal to other people. There's no way to convince people that what they expected and experienced isn't what everyone else did. There are few absolutes and what might be a negative "fact" for one person is of no consequence to another.

This. This. 100 times this. So now comes the hard part. If two people are on the same ship and have completely different experiences, you might get an approval rating of 50%. Extrapolating, if you have 3,600 people on the same ship and 1,800 have one experience and 1,800 have the opposite, then you might have an approval rating of 50%. It absolutely can happen, and neither group's opinon is "wrong". The question is, is that what the cruise line aims for, or do they aim for something higher than 50%? The OP simply pointed out that compared to other ships from comparable cruise lines, Royal's numbers lag. True statement. Reflection's "love it" rating is 88%. Royal's is 63%. True statement. And those percentages take into account the "only people who want to complain write reviews"; and "no ship is perfect"; and "you can't please everyone" factors. One can confront this fact or not. My assumption (and it is only that), is that PCL is confronting it.

[Loonbeam]

I think, subjectivism aside, there are a few factors.

 

One, as noted, Royal and Regal are more evolutionary than revolutionary, and I think Princess did a horrid job of setting expectations.

 

Two, these ships were clearly designed more with ancillary revenue in mind than past Princess designs. That annoys people I am sure (RCCL has always had a bit more of that image by contrast)

 

Three, Princess made some stupid design decisions in my book. Are they critical? No. But given that at least 2 of them (stairs and wraparound Promenade) were problems on earlier ships should have been a clue, and people sense that.

 

Four, the soot issue. To be fair, that was not something that was going to be discovered in shipyard testing, there's no way to put a ship in a wind tunnel. But they have not handled it well, both in speed of repair and communication and accommodation. At the VERY least those cabins affected on a regular basis should be flagged as such and reduced in price or offset with OBC.

 

Fifth, and this is strictly my opinion, I don't think Princess had a vision of what they wanted the new class to be other than 'bigger' and with no guiding overall vision you got some poor design elements (The Epic suffered from the same syndrome in my book).

 

All of these combine with negative buzz to set a poor impression. But its important to note that lowest score does not equal bad ship, it equals room for improvement. Even at 62 percent, that means almost 2/3rds have a generally positive view WITH the problems. Most of the issues can be addressed at some point, and some are on the Regal based on feedback.

 

It all comes back to what matters to the individual. I am reasonably confident the Royal will get me from port to port in comfort, with decent food and room to stretch. Having to walk back aft to get to the stairs I can live with, but that's a dealbreaker for some people and that is fine and dandy.

 

 

 

This still does not explain why the reaction to Royal by those who have sailed her have placed her in the competition for worst ship reviewed by CC members.

More people have to dislike her then they do other ships, it is that simple.

 

 

 

Blk_Amish I agree with your comments on Allure & Oasis, I never wanted to pay the price to experience at 7 days a pop in the Carribean not enough time to see the ship.. We are booked on the Oasis TransAtlantic FT Lauderdale to Barcelona Sept 1st and her return on Oct 14th from Rotterdam. Always wanted to do a B2B TransAtlantic as well.

 

But on "Princess is staying true to their cruising experience of beauty and elegance."

They are facing off against Celebrity and their Solstice Class ships and their "Modern Elegance"campaign!

The Royal doesn't seem to be fairing well if that is their strategy all one has to do is look at the results of .... 2013's Cruisers' Choice Awards Best Overall Large Ships top 10 list.

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/cruiserschoice_index.cfm?src=nav

 

Disney is 1st & 4th with RCL Allure & Oasis 3rd & 10th, Liberty & Serenade 7th & 8th.

 

Celebrity has Eclipse, Solstice, Equinox & Silhouette at 2nd, 5th, 6th & 9th that is 4 S Class ships in the top 10.

 

There is no way Royal will crack the top 10 list but all these other ships did it in the 1st year they sailed.

[CI66774]

Bottom line (to me at least) was that I enjoyed cruising on the RP. First time Princess cruiser. Had cruised on Disney, Cunard, Regent, and Crystal. So I'm no Princess "cheerleader." My daughter loved the kid's club (very important) and I loved the food, Retreat, Princess Live, etc. Found the elevators too small for my liking (little tubes of terror) and would have appreciated a central staircase and a little deeper balcony. However, the very good more than out weighed the negatives. The beauty of life is that we're all different, with varying tastes and expectations. It would be dreadful if we all had the same opinions!:D

[Blk_Amish]

Sorry I meant to post this in my last post where I quoted you on ..........

 

 

 

One of these statements negates the other which one is it?

You realize most of what Walmart sells are not considered quality or elegant products?

 

Not speaking of the store but the pricing strategy. So price the cruise to attract more (not necessarily everyone) but leave them with enough money to have fun on board. RCL gets me on board but I am broke most of the cruise. Let's go with Target pricing strategy. Princess looks elegant but it might not cost much more than blinding neon:D

Edited January 14, 2014 by Blk_Amish

[Woobstr112G]

The soot issue aside, I realize it would ruin most peoples cruises but it is something that Princess did not plan and as it has not been encountered on other ships so they did no planning against it. The rest they should have known. From what I have read they discount because of it, not great but it should sooth the disappointment some what?

 

But did your disappointment in your cabin go to the feeling of not good value for money spent?

 

Your post seems to encapsulate the reviews.

One or two issues disappoints on your cruise, you state there are a number of things you liked about the ship. maybe give it a 4*?

Problem is you are not interested in going back on Royal or Regal.

 

There are so many deficiencies on this ship that a disproportionate number of pax have this experience.

There is no conspiracy she truly disappoints 40% of those who cruise her.

Thus Royal is rated one of the worst ships by CC members.

 

You may have to dance with her but you don't have to take her home!

 

The money I spent on the OS suite for what I actually recieved was, in my opinion, a huge waste of money. When I calmed down about the cabin and became more objective, I realized there were things that I liked about the Royal. There were also things I did not like. For me, the negatives outweigh the positives and unless there is an itinerary I just can't live without, I probably won't be booking on her in the future. My decision not to book her or the Regal is also based on the fact that I would not book a non suite cabin because of the size of the balconies.

Bob

Edited January 14, 2014 by Woobstr112G

[pablo222]

My decision not to book her or the Regal is also based on the fact that I would not book a non suite cabin because of the size of the balconies.

 

Bob

 

We have been on Royal twice -- Mrs. Pablo agrees with you about the balconies, although her solution is to book an inside.

 

And, as to the people who poo-poo the survey results, if the results were that 98% of the review writes were 'very happy' with their cruise on royal, that fact would be posted here relentlessly.

Edited January 14, 2014 by pablo222

[Loonbeam]

To me this is an example of a perfectly reasonable position on the ship and its design. The good news is that as word filters out, Princess will probably have to lower the prices on OS cabins. I also suspect inside cabins will sell for a slightly higher price on average, because of the smaller balconies.

 

The money I spent on the OS suite for what I actually recieved was, in my opinion, a huge waste of money. When I calmed down about the cabin and became more objective, I realized there were things that I liked about the Royal. There were also things I did not like. For me, the negatives outweigh the positives and unless there is an itinerary I just can't live without, I probably won't be booking on her in the future. My decision not to book her or the Regal is also based on the fact that I would not book a non suite cabin because of the size of the balconies.

 

Bob

[StLouisCruisers]

I haven't read all the pages of this thread yet, but I do have an observation to make. We were on the Maiden Transatlantic on Oct. 9 with Pia, Pam and many other Cruise Critic people who have sailed many times on Princess ships. There were a few things about the design that I didn't care for, BUT ...

 

Three weeks after we disembarked the Royal, we boarded the Diamond in Singapore for 39 days. And I must say that many of the things I was looking so forward to seeing again on a Grand class ship weren't all that great anymore. The Horizon Court was a real letdown on the Diamond after the magnificent Horizon Court, Bistro, and Pastry Shop on the Royal. There were never seats on the Diamond at the buffet, and there were always seats on the Royal in the buffet. Thirty nine days of never finding seats and having to take the food outside and walk around for 10 minutes to locate a place to eat, got us quite annoyed!

 

Then the cabin. Our inside on both ships had many differences. One I noticed right away was the lighting both in the cabin and out in the corridors was just dismal on the Diamond. The Royal is so much brighter and lighter! True, the closet was a little smaller and the toilet paper holder harder to reach, but the bathroom on the Royal had a lot of advantages, including a larger shower, adjustable height shower head and the bench in the shower. Plus, once again, it was much brighter in there with the improved lighting.

 

I enjoyed the larger internet cafe on the Diamond, but a lot of that was because it was the only place on the ship I could sit and read where it was quiet! The Diamond seemed so crowded, and the people were downright loud. The Royal didn't seem crowded at all, what with all the seating in that huge Piazza, and there were more places to read. And I sure missed that pizza at Alfredo's. YUM!

 

Just a few examples of how your viewpoints can change. I would love to cruise on the Royal again (and the Regal, too). So try not to be so negative and be a little more open minded, people. You may enjoy yourself!:)

[joe/jack]

MOM 33 we will be on the week after U I will be interested in your comments

Too many negative people on this thread for me :(

its your vacation just have some fun and relax :D

[baldercash]

Too many negative people on this thread for me :(

 

So try not to be so negative and be a little more open minded, people. You may enjoy yourself!:)

 

This thread started by asking if Royal was the worst rated ship on CC. You can be pleased to know there are a few ships that are rated worse.

 

This thread has migrated into why Royal is getting a disproportionate number of poor/ negative reviews?

To answer that one must look at what may be causing a disappointing cruise experience on her resulting in her being one of the lowest rated cruise ships to be reviewed by Cruise Critic members.

 

To better understand this one needs to look at and discuss what negatives may cause this outcome.

Saying she has amazing service or I enjoyed my cruise does not add to the discussion. One needs to take their own experience and extrapolate on what might cause a pax to not enjoy their time on Royal.

I am sure Princess management is doing a very similar activity or PPA ( potential problem analysis ) on Royal.

 

Hope this helps you better understand and appreciate the thread.

[pcsunlover]

Only 202 member reviews and ratings of the Royal Princess with an overall 63% of those people loving it.. I'd love to see how that number would increase or decrease if everyone on this board who has actually sailed on her gave a short review, or even just rated their cruise on the Member Reviews board.

 

I have read quite a few of the member reviews (good and bad) posted since she started sailing the caribbean and followed most of the "live froms". I appreciate everyone who has taken the time to give their opinions because I feel like I know what to expect (or not) on my cruise in March. Fortunately most of the perceived negatives that some have indicated are not a big deal to me so I am going with an open mind that I will enjoy this cruise as much as my previous ones.

[Mom33]

I haven't read all the pages of this thread yet, but I do have an observation to make. We were on the Maiden Transatlantic on Oct. 9 with Pia, Pam and many other Cruise Critic people who have sailed many times on Princess ships. There were a few things about the design that I didn't care for, BUT ...

 

Three weeks after we disembarked the Royal, we boarded the Diamond in Singapore for 39 days. And I must say that many of the things I was looking so forward to seeing again on a Grand class ship weren't all that great anymore. The Horizon Court was a real letdown on the Diamond after the magnificent Horizon Court, Bistro, and Pastry Shop on the Royal. There were never seats on the Diamond at the buffet, and there were always seats on the Royal in the buffet. Thirty nine days of never finding seats and having to take the food outside and walk around for 10 minutes to locate a place to eat, got us quite annoyed!

 

Then the cabin. Our inside on both ships had many differences. One I noticed right away was the lighting both in the cabin and out in the corridors was just dismal on the Diamond. The Royal is so much brighter and lighter! True, the closet was a little smaller and the toilet paper holder harder to reach, but the bathroom on the Royal had a lot of advantages, including a larger shower, adjustable height shower head and the bench in the shower. Plus, once again, it was much brighter in there with the improved lighting.

 

I enjoyed the larger internet cafe on the Diamond, but a lot of that was because it was the only place on the ship I could sit and read where it was quiet! The Diamond seemed so crowded, and the people were downright loud. The Royal didn't seem crowded at all, what with all the seating in that huge Piazza, and there were more places to read. And I sure missed that pizza at Alfredo's. YUM!

 

Just a few examples of how your viewpoints can change. I would love to cruise on the Royal again (and the Regal, too). So try not to be so negative and be a little more open minded, people. You may enjoy yourself!:)

Excellent suggestion! :D;)

 

MOM 33 we will be on the week after U I will be interested in your comments

Too many negative people on this thread for me :(

its your vacation just have some fun and relax :D

 

Thank you joe/jack! I just printed our boarding passes and luggage tags

and I'm looking forward to sailing the Royal in 74 days. :D

Edited January 14, 2014 by Mom33