billyg3

14 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Yes, check out the deck plans...  especially on deck 9.  There are balconies and premium Deluxe balconies that will have larger exterior balconies.   The difference between standard and Deluxe balcony is a slightly bigger cabin interior with a small love-seat sitting sofa.  'Premium' refers to the exterior balcony.

 

The standard balconies on these Royal Class Ships are small/narrow.  You should def. book a larger balcony.  If you could spring for at least a Deluxe Balcony that has a larger balcony, I would recommend that, especially for a longer cruise.  That slightly bigger size could really make a difference.

We have a deposit down on a good deal on D226, which is a smaller 'standard' interior with the larger exterior balcony.

 

Of course there is a big difference between the ships when it comes to the Retreat Pool area and the Sanctuary -vs- the enclosed Hollywood retreat area.   My choice in the Caribbean for a warm weather cruise would be the Retreat Pool area.  But, different options for different folks.

 

Both ships have a wake-view pool, and AFT wake-view deluxe balcony cabins.

The exterior balconies on these can be larger or smaller depending on which deck.

I was recently on the Majestic. It has a wake view bar but no wake view pool that I saw.

I was in PV for a few days this week. We drove past the Grand on the way in and out of the airport. It definitely appeared to need some fresh paint!

Like many who post on here we are looking at cruises for 2022 and looking forward to getting back on a ship.

Horrible news. 41 more cases on the Diamond.

(per ABC News)

We used SPB in St. Petersburg, Berlin, and Talinn. I would recommend them.

Check Renmar's site:

https://sites.google.com/site/cabinviewbyrenmar/

We were on Crown in June and had an AIBP and had no problem ordering drinks up to and including $10. In fact we had quite a few martinis that were $10 and did not have to pay any extra or have the order refused.

Same here on the Royal in June. The OP should not have been charged. Ask for it to be removed.

Have a cabin on hold for 10/18 Star sailing. Not a make or break, but can we buy wines along the way and bring on board?

We're certainly willing to pay corkage.

We've purchased wine in Santa Barbara on a couple of past cruises and carried it on with no issues, no fees, no problems. Whether that holds true at every port is questionable.

There was no sticker on the Royal in June.

Is this Sky Walk only on one side of the ships? Thanks again.

The SeaWalk is on the starboard side and the SeaView bar is on the port side.

SPB is a port I'd never consider a ship's excursion as the local tour operators are much better and of course, cheaper.

I second that. We used SPB and enjoyed everything about it.

My wife and I enjoyed it but it is difficult to justify the price. It is quite different than the MDR so possibly it is worth it to some as a change of pace.

It has always been small plates. They did not try family style and change.

We just got our assignment yesterday, 31 days prior to sailing, for a cruise that has been sold out since we purchased (about a week after final payment date).

The eggplant rollades in Alfredo's are my favorite! They are filled with angel hair spaghetti in a marinara sauce.

Two come with one order. Enjoy! Karen

Good point. The agnolotti filled with veal are good also at Alfredo's.

The new menu was scheduled to debut on the Caribbean earlier this month after drydock and also sometime this month on the Grand but haven't read any posts about the change.

 

Is there a schedule for the new menu for other ships, particularly the Royal?

I noticed the new menu for Sabatini's posted on the Caribbean Princess dry dock site. I believe I attached it to this post, who knows. Anyway, it definitely sounds more regionally Italian to me and is very interesting. That said, it also follows the new model from Princess wherein it states clearly that you are to chose one appetizer, one soup or salad, one pasta and one entree for $25.00 pp. Additional pasta or entree course $10.00 pp. I think that many people for a while have called for a renovation of the Sabatini's menu, depending on its ultimate execution, I would be more than willing to give it a shot.

Thank you for posting this. If anyone knows when this is expected to be rolled out across the fleet, please let us know.

No pills necessary. :)

You can find the larger balconies on the Royal/Regal mid ship ,forward and aft..

Correct. We were on the Royal in June in E433, which had a larger balcony. It also is an obstructed view without any obstruction.

With the All Inclusive Drink Package does the $10.00 limit include both the drink and the gratuity? I am thinking that since you pay the Gratuity on top of the per day price that it should not be a part of the $10.00 limit? Anyone know?

 

Thanks!

 

Bob

If the drink is listed as $10 on the menu it is included in the AIBP. I just got off the Emerald in February and had the package.

We got off Emerald on 2/20. The bed in R747 was new.

We were in R747, the angled balcony that is the last cabin on the starboard side of Riviera deck.

Our A/C was actually a bit on the cool side. We kept the thermostat around the middle most of the time as it got chilly in the cabin when set cooler than that.

We did have mostly hot water out of the shower. The temperature control did not seem to have much effect.

We also generally avoid bus tours but this seemed like the best way to see Cinque Terre from Livorno. We enjoyed it and were glad we chose to do it.

Spirit is such a joke! I would rather fly into Mco, then have to fly on a budget carrier.

 

I did the uber ride once from MIA to FLL and it was only 33 bucks, not a bad deal.

 

 

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Agreed. I flew Spirit once because it was the only direct flight for me one morning. Never again. They charge extra fees for everything.

Your posts were great. Thank you for the detailed review.

This was not paid content and I think I'm insulted. Read virtually anything I've posted over the years I've been a member and you'll see I have a particular voice and this is how I sound. People who do specific things other people ask for, for money, are referred to using language not suitable for polite society.

 

This was exceptional; there is no hyperbole. I'm an experienced cruiser across a variety of lines and eras, and this was beyond anything I've been fortunate enough to enjoy. Given the vitriol and skepticism about the concept, I was excited to try it and share it with others.

,

The pastas, all of which I enjoyed can be served to you as a "small plate" or as an entree.

 

Also, there is usually an off-menu "special." I had Osso Buco one evening, and it was sensational.

 

Enjoy.

I concur on the Osso Bucco off menu!

I am reading Princess is getting rid of Sabatini's. Is that due to it being an unpopular specialty restaurant? I am wondering if we should spend extra to visit this restaurant. We are going to visit the Crown Grill and possibly do the balcony dinner on our upcoming Crown cruise, but we are up in the air about Sabatini's. What are your thoughts?

Thanks.

If you do decide to go, get a few appetizers. They are the highlight of the menu along with the veal chop. The pastas are also very good.

On the Emerald/Crown/Ruby it is a particularly attractive venue.

My favorite thing on Emerald is the Aft deck area off the horizon court. There is a pool and nice lounge chairs where you can watch the ship’s wake and contemplate where you have been. The pool is inviting and there is a really nice hot tub a couple decks up. I think this hot tub is for kids but in the times I have sailed I have never seen them using it… only adults. There is also a small pool here to cool off if you get too hot while sitting in the sun. This area is close to the buffet so you really have all you need in this area….

We like having Sabatini's and Adagio in the aft area also.

We have been on Emerald twice and really enjoyed it.

The only negative is not having Alfredo's.