slc22

Thanks for taking us along. Great start for your first LIVE !

I'm on her at the end of the month, so really enjoying. Have Fun!

...Drunk teens do stupid things. Without placing blame or pointing fingers, everyone involved...cruise line, teenager, and parent...are very lucky that no harm came to these young men.

Surely I am not the only parent who is considering the safety of the OTHER kids in the club?! IMHO the staff was well within their rights in kicking out 2 boys who blatantly ignored the ship rules on underage drinking, to ensure the safety of those teens who WERE following the rules in the teen center. As a mother of daughters, I would not want them to keep drunk young men in the same vicinity with my daughters until the guardians were able to be located. While I have sympathy for the OP as they seek answers, I applaud the teen center staff for doing their job to protect the rest of the kids.

I booked with princess a few months ago with an exclusive offer for 2015.Only to find out they now have the same cruise on offer with free upgrade to balcony and also on board credit with low deposit.And when I've just phoned up to complain,they couldn't offer me the same deal so I've told them to stick it were the sun doesn't shine.

You are far from final payment for a 2015 cruise Why not cancel your current booking and book a new one under the sale terms?

Hubby and I sail on the Royal on Sunday (yaaaaay! lol) and I'm wondering if there are any particular pools/areas we should gravitate to for shady spots? He's had melanoma in the past so we try to avoid sitting out in full sun as much as possible. Thank you for any tips! :D

I also scope out shade. I found the Sun Deck near the retreat pool, a row of loungers closest to the windows worked in the morning. I actually prefer looking at the sea than the pool. I started to turn the lounger around, and 2 other passengers said they'd help flip the direction, if we’d help them turn theirs around too! 3 happy cruisers. These were under the pergola slats like Pam mentioned.

Worked well until after noon. Took a lunch break at the Trident Grill. When I returned, I found a better lounger in the shade of some of the structure of the ship., near the towel station.

If you don't mind moving away from the sun throughout the day, you may find what you need. Enjoy, the Royal is a beautiful ship!

Hi Kelly,

I hope you love the Royal as much as I did. I was on this past month. If the Comedian on your cruise is Carlos Oscar, be sure to see his show. He is hilarious. If the Beatlemanics are back, they had the crowd on their feet. Check them out too!

Check this thread for a review that had a marvelous video. Wonderful! Found Carib's post here:

Here is the link. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1951536

There are several reviews and threads that have pics of the Patters - or daily newsletter with activities. I believe the Bon Voyage DWMC1959 thread has some listed. This should give you an idea of activities. The entertainers may vary per voyage. http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1950107

The Piazza has many activities scheduled through the day and evening. I loved Monday night football and a movie on MUTS outside. I loved the International Cafe in the mornings. They change menu items for lunch and evenings. The ship was absolutely beautiful. Crew was so genial and helpful. Come back and post your review later!

Enjoy!

Sue

Glad you had such a wonderful cruise! Safe travels home...

Looking forward to my cruise on her in April. I will get to drive to the port for a change!

However, I am just a peon and not one of those passengers who's always smarming around the officers and crew to find out the "real story." I'm sure there are some reading right now who think they know, even if they weren't on the cruise.

OMG, I have to learn not to drink coffee while I read your posts. Laughed so hard I forgot I had a mouthful of hot coffee. Hilarious, and probably truth to your comments as well.

What a way to celebrate your Doctorate, congrats, Annie;

Your commentary is so refreshing... Thanks for sharing with us! Looking forward to more ...

I sailed on the Royal from 12/8-15 and i really liked this ship.

-Stairs. Only an issue if you have a very central room or are handicapped. Aft and forward stairs not that far from center. Easy walk to activities on each level

Hi, Jangor, I was on your sailing. I did have a very central room, and lack of stairs were not an issue for that location for me. I was 2 doors down from the elevator landing. The benefit of the extended balcony far outweighed using the elevators, or like you mentioned - easy walk, not very far forward and aft. I loved the location, and would not hesitate to book another midship on the Royal.

I agree with you - we really liked this ship, too!

Thank you.. Yes, as I've stated the staircase issue on the Royal is real problem... and I think that finally this is becoming clearer to those few remaining diehards.. :rolleyes:

 

- Rick

.

Rick, I had a midship cabin the week of Dec 8-15, and the lack of staircase wasn't an issue at all for ME. Midship elevator response time was adequate, and mostly very good. One time was stuck in an elevator for a few minutes on deck 7, but mostly no issues, and I took the elevator frequently during the cruise.

I was with a group, and we had an event every evening in the Vista Lounge. I found it no problem (for ME) to walk to the aft stairs and go down 2 decks. I have to say that stroll allowed me to go home no heavier than I arrived, in spite of the lure of the IC. Sure, if there had been midship stairs, I would have used them, but the week I was on, lack of them did not cause an issue (for ME).

I am only giving my perspective. Perhaps the lack is an issue for some - but surely not all passengers!

I loved my cruise that week. What a gorgeous ship, so much entertainment to choose from. I would definitely choose Royal or Regal if the price and itinerary were right, lack of stairs and all.

We disembarked the Royal on the 15th around 7:20- 7:30. Through customs in about 25 minutes, and walked directly into a cab (lucky - at least 4 ships were in port). Had 11:30 flights in 2 different terminals.

United was no problem at all; Spirit Airlines was! At 8:00 AM, the line to check in for Spirit was out the door, this was just to check in, and get bags checked! It took her almost 2 hours to check in and clear security.

So consider the airline as well.

Meanee, did you have the Beatlemaniacs and Carlos Oscar (comedian) on your cruise, too?

We heard they disembarked. Not sure if they were back on for the next cruise? They were simply fantastic.

Thanks for your mini-review.

We were on the week before you. I understand the comment on the elevator with a mind of its own. We were stuck in one on deck 7 for a short time. Passengers had to pry the door open from outside to get us out. At the time the elevator said (inside) that we were at deck 5. LOL.

I reported it to guest services, and they took quick action to take it Out of Order, for repairs. They had a great response in my opinion.

I loved my Royal cruise!

Safe travels home....

I was surprised to order hot tea at the IC on the Royal, and they just checked my card but didn't punch. Was fun to try different flavors offered there.

I sure miss the IC !

Sue

 

Relaxing, yes, and enjoying the new Live thread while getting my pictures together, although it will easily take several more days.. ;)

Hi, Dave. I think you took a pic of my sister and I with the captain during our meet and greet on the 10th. Is it possible to get a copy?

Hope you were able to use the new coffee card during week 2 of your b2b. We Thought you could always use it on another cruise if needed. You are very deserving of all of our good wishes. What a lovely cruise it was. Beautiful ship. I really miss the IC. What a great way to start the day with a cup of coffee and pastries. I loved the Christmas Stollen they had the last couple of days.

Thanks for all your help and information!

Sue

Busy day with lots of activities like vegetable carving demonstrations...

Carving Demonstration

 

Dave, glad you got the pics! They took my lanyard and put it on the "tipsy penguin" during the demonstration.

Sorry my sister and I missed the Royal Tea. Simply forgot about it in the midst of all the activities.... Wish we had experienced it.

Sue

Wow, what wonderful photos of the ships departing at dark....that is one of my favorite parts, and I bet you won the horn contest with the Love Boat Theme. :)

Lynne

Lynne, you are right! The Carnival passengers on deck cheered when they heard the love boat theme. I saw Dave taking pictures up there. It was amazing to experience the Royal backing up and then pivoting around to clear the Carnival ship in the dark. WOW !

Thanks for capturing the neat pics, Dave !

Sue

Ran into the comedian Carlos Oscar while standing in line at the Passenger Services Desk (yes, they made him stand in line too) and I asked him how long he was on the ship. He told me that he disembarks the next cruise in St. Thomas, so if you are embarking tomorrow DO NOT miss his show!!!

Dave, you are right. We were laughing so hard we were crying. He is hilarious. So glad he performed on our voyage this week!

So nice meeting you and the roll call folks. How nice that the captain was there too!

Sue

A few pictures from yesterday's Meet and Greet

 

dwmc1959:

Our very own "Royal Blogger" !

Great pic, Dave

Very Good News! Thanks Princess!

Hi, Dave

Hope the injured gentleman is OK. Can you post a pic of the area around the piano so those of us boarding next week can (hopefully) recognize and avoid the same tripping fate? Thanks!

My final destination after a round of 'eats' was my lovely Inside stateroom, C406.

 

I know that there are many who were very enthusiastic about the chances of me getting an upgrade, but it was not to be.

 

I'm so glad that I booked Royal Princess for two weeks. :D

Glad you love your cabin, anyway! I'm also one that called Princess on your behalf, and they assured me they had been following your thread and you would have a great experience. Maybe it will be next week's cruise that Princess may shower you with thanks, and hopefully a surprise. If not, you are blessed to have 2 weeks on board.

Looking forward to sailing next week myself!

Sue

Bon voyage, Dave!

Will meet you soon on your 2nd leg of the b2b !

Oh, Amelia, just love your last paragraph. I can't stop smiling.

Seriously, though, I am glad Princess responded to you within 24 hours after your feedback. And so glad to see from your Live that you did make the best of it, and had a great cruise regardless. Thanks so much for coming back for an update. You have a wonderful attitude!

A Half Day in the Sanctuary...$15.00

 

Dinner for two at Crown Grille...$50.00

 

A cruise for two in a Balcony Stateroom...$2100.00

 

A CC Member holding an 8x10 of Dave on the top deck at Sailaway showing our appreciation for his hard work...PRICELESS!

 

Steve

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