1st time on Regal Princess: Need advice

[TravelingBrony]

*First time poster here, so go easy on me, lol* :)

 

The wife and I are seriously looking at a northern Europe cruise next year aboard the Regal Princess. I've been pouring over ship stats, google images, and some threads here and, while I've narrowed my choices, I do still have a bit of doubt on some things. So, I thought I'd join the crowd here!

 

Quick context:

-We'd like to stay midship, or as close to it as we can get

-Balcony rooms are our first choice, though we might go as high as a Deluxe Balcony, if budget allows. Suites are out though.

 

Questions:

1. I see balcony rooms as high as Deck 15. I know there's public space above that, but does it get really noise on 15 as a result?

2. Deck 8 (Emerald) seems to be mostly 'obstructed' rooms. I've seen posts here from folks who made out okay on that though, so any preferred 'good' rooms in the obstructed group?

3. Deluxe balcony only seems to net you 11 extra sqft. Is it even worth the extra cost?

 

 

Thanks for the help!

[Steelers36]

*First time poster here, so go easy on me, lol* :)

 

The wife and I are seriously looking at a northern Europe cruise next year aboard the Regal Princess. I've been pouring over ship stats, google images, and some threads here and, while I've narrowed my choices, I do still have a bit of doubt on some things. So, I thought I'd join the crowd here!

 

Quick context:

-We'd like to stay midship, or as close to it as we can get

-Balcony rooms are our first choice, though we might go as high as a Deluxe Balcony, if budget allows. Suites are out though.

 

Questions:

1. I see balcony rooms as high as Deck 15. I know there's public space above that, but does it get really noise on 15 as a result?

2. Deck 8 (Emerald) seems to be mostly 'obstructed' rooms. I've seen posts here from folks who made out okay on that though, so any preferred 'good' rooms in the obstructed group?

3. Deluxe balcony only seems to net you 11 extra sqft. Is it even worth the extra cost?

 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

#1 - You could have chairs and such being dragged around above or hear nothing.

#2 - There is an excellent website that provides a very good idea of what it will be like in most cabins with the obstructions. In some cases, there aren't any real obstructions straight out. Go here: https://sites.google.com/site/royalregalprincess/ (Note that Royal/Regal are the same so don't be concerned that you are seeing Royal photos).

#3 - Besides the footage, you get a love seat sofa that regular balconies don't have. And three drawers are lost which isn't a big deal unless you needs lots of storage space.

 

Check the deck plans out and look for opportunities to book where the balconies are larger due to jut outs.

[skynight]

*First time poster here, so go easy on me, lol* :)

 

Questions:

1. I see balcony rooms as high as Deck 15. I know there's public space above that, but does it get really noise on 15 as a result?

I would select a cabin on a deck with rooms above and below. I would also select a cabin more forward or aft where there are stairways. There is no mid ship stairway which makes the mid-ship elevators very crowded. 95% of the balconies are 9'x4' and very tight. You have to sit sideways.

 

3. Deluxe balcony only seems to net you 11 extra sqft. Is it even worth the extra cost?

To my way of thinking the sofa takes up extra space in the cabin, but if it is important to have a sofa then this cabin may be right for you.

 

Thanks for the help!

See above.

[LeeW]

While we really like the top passenger deck for convenience to pool and buffet, it can get noisy under pool area while they are washing the deck at night. Under buffet is usually ok since seating areas are carpeted. We actually prefer far forward because there is less traffic there (although you often see officers coming through).

 

You generally won't have much motion on a Baltic cruise - lots of fjords sailing in and out of the ports. Don't pick a midship cabin for motion. Regal is large enough that motion should be minimal. Of course you could get a major storm, but pretty rare.

 

Downside of Regal on this itinerary is that these cruises no longer dock in Stockholm. Only smaller Princess ships now sail up the fjord there. On Emerald we docked near the ferry port directly across from the old town.

[Mom33]

*First time poster here, so go easy on me, lol* :)

 

The wife and I are seriously looking at a northern Europe cruise next year aboard the Regal Princess. I've been pouring over ship stats, google images, and some threads here and, while I've narrowed my choices, I do still have a bit of doubt on some things. So, I thought I'd join the crowd here!

 

Quick context:

-We'd like to stay midship, or as close to it as we can get

-Balcony rooms are our first choice, though we might go as high as a Deluxe Balcony, if budget allows. Suites are out though.

 

Questions:

1. I see balcony rooms as high as Deck 15. I know there's public space above that, but does it get really noise on 15 as a result?

2. Deck 8 (Emerald) seems to be mostly 'obstructed' rooms. I've seen posts here from folks who made out okay on that though, so any preferred 'good' rooms in the obstructed group?

3. Deluxe balcony only seems to net you 11 extra sqft. Is it even worth the extra cost?

 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

If you stay mid-ship, then Deck 8 is the place to be. The balcony rooms and Deluxe balcony rooms are not obstructed at all and are priced lower. The balconies are larger than standard. Pictures are in my Regal review below. :D These mid ship balconies are in the extended part of the ship.

Any deck above 8 in the same mid ship location will also have larger balconies. Marina may have noise from the deck above. :)

[riclop]

*First time poster here, so go easy on me, lol* :)

 

The wife and I are seriously looking at a northern Europe cruise next year aboard the Regal Princess. I've been pouring over ship stats, google images, and some threads here and, while I've narrowed my choices, I do still have a bit of doubt on some things. So, I thought I'd join the crowd here!

 

Quick context:

-We'd like to stay midship, or as close to it as we can get

-Balcony rooms are our first choice, though we might go as high as a Deluxe Balcony, if budget allows. Suites are out though.

 

Questions:

1. I see balcony rooms as high as Deck 15. I know there's public space above that, but does it get really noise on 15 as a result?

2. Deck 8 (Emerald) seems to be mostly 'obstructed' rooms. I've seen posts here from folks who made out okay on that though, so any preferred 'good' rooms in the obstructed group?

3. Deluxe balcony only seems to net you 11 extra sqft. Is it even worth the extra cost?

 

 

Thanks for the help!

 

Try deck 9-12 and it's not worth the extra $$ for a deluxe balcony.

[IECalCruiser]

Downside of Regal on this itinerary is that these cruises no longer dock in Stockholm. Only smaller Princess ships now sail up the fjord there. On Emerald we docked near the ferry port directly across from the old town.

Actually, both the Regal and the P&O Britannia (the third Royal class ship) were able to sail up the Stockholm Archipelago in 2015 if conditions were right. The Regal itineraries for 2016 only show Nynashamn so don't know if that will change next year. In 2015 it wasn't guaranteed. Edited October 8, 2015 by IECalCruiser

[caribill]

Actually, both the Regal and the P&O Britannia (the third Royal class ship) were able to sail up the Stockholm Archipelago in 2015 if conditions were right. The Regal itineraries for 2016 only show Nynashamn so don't know if that will change next year. In 2015 it wasn't guaranteed.

 

When the Regal sailed all the way, it was decided the day before arriving in Stockholm.

 

I would not expect future printed itineraries to be changed since the decision is made during the cruise, not months in advance.

[IECalCruiser]

Actually, both the Regal and the P&O Britannia (the third Royal class ship) were able to sail up the Stockholm Archipelago in 2015 if conditions were right. The Regal itineraries for 2016 only show Nynashamn so don't know if that will change next year. In 2015 it wasn't guaranteed.

When the Regal sailed all the way, it was decided the day before arriving in Stockholm.

 

I would not expect future printed itineraries to be changed since the decision is made during the cruise, not months in advance.

I wasn't clear in my last post. Because, as you posted, the decision is made during the cruise the itinerary needs to show Nynashamn. I just don't know if Princess will still try to sail up the Archipelago again in 2016. That was one of the highlights of our cruise on the Emerald and I would probably book an Itinerary the includes Stockholm rather than Nynashamn, such as on the Emerald or Pacific in 2016. Those are more expensive cruises though, especially the Pacific. Edited October 8, 2015 by IECalCruiser

[Grego]

To us, the best value on the ship is Emerald Deck cabins 701 or 702 if available. They are priced as obstructed, but the only obstruction is quite a bit forward, there is nothing straight out, below or aft. It's close to the stairway and the lower decks. We like it so much we have it booked on 3 of the next four voyages on the Royal and Regal. The only other cabin chosen on our next voyage on the Royal is a Deluxe Premium Balcony directly aft on Dolphin Deck because it was a great deal with Casino Credit promotion and all the other OBCs.

[oregonjuli]

Deck 10 - Caribe in the mini suites with the angles balcony - We had C416. The balcony is slightly larger than regular balconies, you have a full size sofa (NOT a loveseat) It was a great cabin. No worries from the Skydeck and privacy issues. Loved it! We were onboard last week in New England/Canada - absolutely NO movement felt there.