slc22

I'd read in cruise critic that folks could order items from O'Sheehans to go. I tried to order a sandwich and chips to go on my last sea day (May 1), and was told by the hostess and the supervisor this was no longer allowed. No food could be taken away per policy.

I had been reading and listening to the sea in the nice wicker chairs on the waterfront area on deck 8 - and wanted to bring the sandwich there, rather than tie up a table for 4 (all that were left) in the restaurant.

Instead I sat at a table for 4 in O'Sheehan's by myself, with my kindle, and had a leisurely meal. I Felt the use of the 4-person table for one person wasn't the best use of their resources, but really didn't have any choice. I politely complied with their policy, even though I would have preferred to eat outdoors in a quiet spot where I could see and hear the ocean.

I was not going to take it back to my room (so the poll didn't have an option for my answer), but was going to take it to a quiet, empty part of the ship where tables and chairs existed. Thanks for starting the poll ...

Thanks to the Live posters.

So glad you had a great cruise in spite of the delay. Wish we could have sailed along ... really enjoyed reading your posts.

Safe travels home tomorrow.

Hello, I just got a phone call from a friend of mine who will be going on the Getaway in two weeks. ... Thank you.

Wow, I'm surprised at some of the responses. It never hurts to ask. This community has such knowledgeable cruisers, and IMHO information sharing is one of the best attributes of the cruise critic forums.

Megacruiser currently has a great thread going with many pictures and menus from his recent Getaway cruise. You and your friend may both enjoy his comments and photos. While the menus may not be the same, it's still a wonderful read. I think this is the link:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2171334

Hope your friends enjoy their cruise!

So glad I found your delightful review and pictures ! I'll be on the Getaway next month, so I am really enjoying following along. Thanks for sharing!

I'm really enjoying your review! Thanks for posting.

Also dear readers I want the women among you to know that this was not the only shirt I wore on the trip! But you will be seeing a lot of it as it was my "modest attire to visit European churches" shirt. Easy care no-iron cotton from Chico's!

No worries, it's a great choice!

slc22 - Thanks-a new face - welcome. Sit back and relax as there is a lot more waiting to unfold.... where are you from?

 

Norris

Thanks for the welcome - from Texas.

Happily reading each update. Your pics are marvelous!

March 2013 came in like a lion and went out with a firm booking on the Ocean Princess thanks to a mouthwatering itinerary- Venice to Rome via Dubrovnik, Malta, Tunis, Sorrento and then to Civitavecchia, the port of Rome.

 

... and after much discussion which went on and on for about 3 minutes with much fist-pounding on tables and bright lights being shone in the face we decided to take the plunge into the warm waters of the Med and secured lodgings onboard the Ocean .....

 

 

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Awesome ... What a fun blog !

I happened to be looking at Cruise Critic, and spotted this thread. A moment or two later the air raid sirens went off (we live right outside Jerusalem). I moved here 15 years ago from NJ, but this is the first time I had to go down to our bomb shelter. As we started opening the door to our shelter, we heard and felt a large boom ...

 

Dozens of missles have been falling here the past 2 days, and tonight Tel Aviv and our capital city, Jerusalem, came under attack. . . .

 

Perhaps foolishly, but still with hopes of peace,

 

Ruth

Prayers to you, Ruth. I just returned home from a tour of Israel two weeks ago. It was without a doubt a trip and experience that I will never forget. We followed your news every day after our return to see whether the 3 boys had yet been found. As the conflict escalated, and the news worsened, it filled us with great sadness. Know that there continue to be Prayers for peace for you, and your lovely land.

There was a phone call-in to CCL Corp with stock analysts on Tuesday...

 

This year there is some restraint in reducing prices to fill the ships. They are willing to let ships sell at less than ALB (available lower berth) capacity if pricing can be maintained. This was mentioned multiple times.

 

Interesting. This approach could affect their employees - empty cabins equal loss of tip revenue.

You are good at sharing info . . . thanks!

We are looking at sailing on Regal Princess in 2015. We would like to choose one of the regular balcony cabins with the larger angled balcony. We are looking at D424 or D425 in particular.

 

I think these are the same cabin numbers as the Royal Princess, so any experience you have, please share!:)

Hi, We were in D424 on Royal Princess, and would choose it again! It holds 2 people, and has a marvelous balcony. Although there are elevators very close, there is not a public midship stairway on this deck (crew/emergency stairway only), but it didn't bother us. We had good response time on the elevator, and a few times walked to aft stairs instead for the exercise. Not an issue at all for us.

I heard from someone in D425 that they also liked their cabin, so if the lack of stairs don't bother you, either one would be a good choice.

Hope you enjoy the Regal.

 

It was located in the Sanctuary, where I thought I had left it, and turned in by a crew member. I am doing another BVE when the Star returns to SF this week, and will personally thank that crew member with a reward for their honesty!

 

Great news, and so glad that you will be able to personally thank the crew member! What a happy story!

Thank you so much for the information. I don't drink coffee' date=' but he loves good coffee. We just decided to go ahead and buy the coffee card....[/quote']

 

He can also buy brewed coffee by the cup at the International cafe, in lieu of coffee card if he wishes:

$1.50 small, or $1.75 large cup.

 

I usually use the coffee card, as I get my use out of it. But on my last cruise I noticed many buying by the cup instead.

...

Just excited to be trying our first cruise.

 

Don and Allison

Mud_Shark, your cruise history comments under your signature made me smile. (I can't get Gilligan's theme song out of my head now)

Wishing you a wonderful first cruise ! I expect you will be hooked on cruising like the rest of us ... Enjoy!

We enjoy the Piazza entertainment!! Whatever it may be at the time!!!

Me too! Made for a lively ship.

Thank you for your review. I am still amazed that they take a band like the Beatle Maniacs, with their huge audience draw, and put them in the Piazza, of all places, where most people have to stand to hear them, and only a fraction of those that fit in the Vista Lounge (non-useable seating aside) or the Princess Theater can even do that. What is the sense in that? If they are worth hearing (and they are), have them do a second show where the most people can hear it..

 

This kind of silliness about the Piazza entertainment makes me crazy.

HI,

we saw the Beatle Maniacs in the theater, then made sure for their next appearance we were on the lower level of the Piazza.

The floor was packed with all of us dancing! (another perspective, I thought it made sense to provide a place for dancing for their encore performance). Everyone I could see seemed to enjoy themselves in the Piazza area during their performance.

By the way, I really enjoyed your blog! You have such a gift for having us feel like we are traveling along on your adventure. Thanks for the enjoyment!

Hi,

I had a midship cabin (2 doors from elevator lobby), and the response time was adequate for me. I did a review and mentioned that except for embarkation, the response was overall better than some hotels I'd stayed in. Like the Courtyard Fort Lauderdale beach the night before the cruise. LONG elevator wait in that hotel ...

In a hotel, I don't specify that I need a room by the stairs. So knowing there were no midship public stairs by the cabin I selected on the Royal didn't bother me in the least. I was able to get an extended balcony by staying midship. I felt that My room and location were great.

I did have one time when a few of us were stuck in an elevator between floors. Luckily other passengers pried the doors open for us. I reported it, and Guest services quickly took it out of service for maintenance. I was in same elevator a few days later with no problem.

This is just my experience, on my sailing It is not to discredit anyone else's experience. For instance, do some cruisers experience more elevator response issues when the ship may be packed with more kids, like Spring Break or Holidays? Just a thought.

I loved the Royal, would sail her again!

I am pleased you enjoyed your cruise and found Royal to be perfection actually 65% of those who cruise Royal are satisfied with their cruise not sure what the percentage is that find her cruising perfection.

 

What are your thoughts on those that find cruising Royal less then a perfect 5* and more of a 1*?

35% of those who post reviews apparently are not satisfied with her which places her as the poorest rated cruise ship in the Princess fleet.

Do you think their complaints about Royal having deficiencies, disappointing or not a good value unfounded?

 

Your post implies Royal has spoiled you and raised your expectations, will sailing the other ships in the Princess fleet from now on be less enjoyable?

Hi, Baldercash,

I can't speak to others reviews, as I wasn't on their sailings. I was just giving the feedback from my week, and my experience only. I respectfully let others have their own opinion.

I did look back at February and March reviews. Not sure why, but March has many more poor ratings (1 or 2) than The previous month. Wonder why? In comparison, reviews were very good in February. Interesting.

Bon Voyage, Anita.

Have a great cruise.

...some people really liked the ship and give it a 5+ which CC defines as perfection ... Does anyone really think that the Royal is perfect?

I rated it a 5 (perfect as you say) because my week on the Royal was a perfect vacation. I loved the ship, the itinerary, the entertainment, the service, the food even. I didn't want to go home. That's a 5 in my eyes !

The lovely Royal spoiled me. I was on the Sapphire a month later, and found myself comparing it to the Royal, and the Royal was winning. I would have rated the Sapphire a 4, or maybe a 3.75, in comparison to my week on the Royal. My Sapphire trip was a nice cruise, but missing the Wow factor of the Royal. Missing the larger, grander Piazza with all the entertainment offered on the Royal.

I understand we all have different wants on a ship. Mine were more than satisfied on the Royal.

Can anyone comment upon the effects of the lack of a mid-ship staircase upon wait times for an elevator? We usually book mid-ship mini suite rooms, as this helps my husband avoid seasickness. We have a toddler who loves taking cruises, but can't really wait a long time for an elevator. I was really looking forward to the Royal Princess, but this might be deal breaker for our family.

Hi, I had a midship cabin in December, and found the wait for the elevator very reasonable. Except for embarkation day (naturally) the midship elevator had great response times on my sailing . I've had MUCH longer waits in hotels when you think about it.

This is just my opinion though ... Others may have had a different experience.

Hope you enjoy your cruise! She's a lovely ship.

Mom33,

Glad you enjoyed the Royal, too! Your pictures and commentary make me want to book another cruise on her. Enjoying your review …

I can see Navigator sailings past 4/5/15 :0) will see what else here shortly. BRB

HI, where do you see this? And for what homeport?

I checked RCCL website and only see the Navigator through April 2015 on the calendar view - same as it has been up to now. Please give us more info.

Still curious on which ship will be in Galveston in 2015.

Thanks!

OceanPrince, really liked the style of your review. Sense of humor and great photos. So glad you enjoyed the Royal Princess. I found the same things to like about the ship that you did. Lovely ship!

Wonder if the Beatle Tribute band in your photo is the Beatlemaniacs that have performed on the ship in the past?

Hope you submit a formal review to CruiseCritic, too!