Blk_Amish

Middle, I call it own it, owning you. Being Caribbean, I realize how much I have gotten caught up in associating body image and self image. Outside of this attempt to get into this dress, I am and have to be conscious of my weight. I am a 19 years survivor of double open heart surgeries. It's a tissue value so more than likely it will last more than 20 years. For a long time I was embarrass of the scar, instead of seeing it as a daily reminder that I survived.

Well, I might go for it because in another year it might not matter. My heart gets checked annually, though weak, pumps pretty well. I got over my fear of heights at 40, learned to swim at 43 and to ride a bike at 46.

Oh yeah, my dh is a 15 years survivor of cancer.

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Yes but sitting like economy on an aircraft? I haven't seen photos showing chairs facing the ocean with any decent legroom. In fact I don't think I've seen photos with chairs facing the ocean on standard balconies at all. The inside of the Royal atrium looks great but some mistakes have been made.

Make no mistake some sit quite comfortably while others don't. It's clear picture and others opinion is ALL some need to spend their vacation dollars. Me, when the price is right I go for the adventure, sometimes just to say been there, done that.

STOP THE SHIP, OH SHIP

Some of these people haven't actually sailed the Royal. Poor souls who take what posted here as gospel and worse spend their dollars accordingly

That what I call pretty SHIPPY because before you knock it, one should try it.

So you believe pax will grow to not only accept balconies too small to sit on facing the Ocean but that they will grow to love them and prefer them to large balconies? I will be interested in reading the 1st review that supports that position.

In time they will become educated consumers and if those amenities are important and deal breakers, they won't book. My first cruisers I hated the food on Princess. This time I booked knowing, therefore the food won't be an issue with my vacation. Have I accepted food I think it pretty bland for me, YES. Do I prefer it to real spicy food, NO. Change will never be easy for Princess type cruisers. Many can't get pass the fact jeans are allowed in the MDR. Many are stuck in their way and want, familiar, comfortable and homey. They want the new ship the same old way so they can find their way blindfolded or maybe like me loosing vision and scared to get lost. Forget about vision, its loosing memory, which is why I am not liking the megas ships or resorts. Ok, I am turning into an old fart!

One could ask is the balcony really too small or like my butt too big? Maybe Princess joined with the American health association:D

When you buy anything that is clearly not what was advertised, the purchase contract is broken and you are due your money back.

Two days ago I would be the first saying she deserves a full refund but someone thought it was fine to refer to me as a welfare queen. So playing it safe :D

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Most of Princess ships are very similar so they are loving the same ole thing. I sailed the Sapphire and Diamond and in pics can't tell the difference. This is the first ship that gave us something to think about to talk about. Carnival and RCL have different ships/theme in the fleet to choose from, Princess though pretty but some see it to the point of boring, until now. At least in 10 years we will have stories to tell our kids about Princess trying something different with the Royal design. Maybe they will add themes so your pictures look different. Carnival changed it up with Magic and RCL gave us Monstrosities of the Sea. Princess finally gave us something to talk about...BRAVO!

http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5682

Note the family did a DIY and not in the toursit area

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

Jeans are allowed in the MDR, just not on formal night.

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.

 

 

 

 

 

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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

And here is where your arguments begin to lose some credibility. The obvious answer to mafig's question is "Yes." I don't care what side of the "Royal debate" one is on, the answer is "Yes". It doesn't matter if Royal and Regal are not intended to be head-on competitors with Oasis, Allure and Quantum. (And I agree with you that they are not.) But not competing with behemoths does not alter the reality that PCL designed and built Royal and Regal to be profit leaders. And I don't have any first-hand knowledge as to whether or not they are achieving that. But to shout down a poster for raising a question that has an obvious answer rings of abject cheerleading which lessens the impact of objective, dispassionate argument.

 

As Pam has pointed out countless times....."Follow the money". Cruise fares are dependent on supply and demand. Little more. If the demand for Royal and Regal are high, PCL will be able to command premium prices from people clammoring to get on board. It is naive to deny that this was PCL's hope. Indeed, it is the hope of every single cruise line that introduces a new ship. No cruise line spends billions on new ships hoping and expecting them to create a demand that is no greater than its ships built in 1999.

Really, but I beg to differ. Royal Princess is not doing anything to the cruising experience as the Allure and therefore not justify the higer rate, at least for me to pay. I am paying for the Allure for a cruising experience like no other. I am going on Royal princess for the SAME reason I did Sapphire and other ship.

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.

RCL is my favorite line but my on on board spending is usually a lot less, as I know it will on the Allure.

Wouldn't you think the executives would have wanted the newest ship to command the highest prices (like Oasis and Allure do) and to continue to command them for years after (also like Oasis and Allure).

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.

I wish I have the body image confidence to wear a string biniki, never did. It would take a whole lot of plastic surgery to get my mind there. I do admire and is inspired by women over 50 who say gravity get the heck away from me and own their body. I thought about liposuction but they said a strong core would be helpful. Obviously they missed the point I did not want or care to do ab work. The weighted hula hoop seems to be helping.

Maybe entire Corporation, as a whole, is going after new or infrequent cruisers. I loved Carnival (part of the corporation) but after my last cruise I got the idea I am not their target market, so they won't mind if I left, but to where, Princess. The stockholders lost nothing. There is a possibility they are pushing the some of the old timers on Princess to HAL, as much as Carnival pushed cruisers like me to Princess. I am turning 50, but I don't think these newer ships were built with an aging mama in mind.

There might be method to the madness but some take change harder then others, read the dress code thread. Some still have their nose up in the air about denim, and drag queens are mistaken for welfare queens. One thing I get from the smaller size is that Princess is not looking for people who book but stowaway in the cabin or on their balcony. I have budgeted more for on board spending because I didn't book a balcony. If I am going to pay to uncork the extra wine, I won't even bother, so there goes the bar tab. If the dancing is as bad as posted, there goes more shopping and casino. Let me check to see how much the balcony will cost?. There may ever be one big enough to fit my butt, it's more of a viewing area and a chance to lessen the on board spending:eek:.

Interesting how you picked up on that and not the part that he won't be booking her again.

I won't be booking her again. I also have ONE cruise planned on Allure for the same reason and won't be booking again even for free. I assume he won't be doing it for the same reason I won't be. Some of us get to the point where we finally try things with an open mind, but know where to find our sweet spot or comfort zone, its not on the new line of ships or resorts for me. I picked up on everything but simply thought he tried it and now can say been there, done that, but back to his sweet spot/layout:D

Princess or cruising is not my comfort zone vacation so I can easily say I may never do either again.

A ship is more then a bunch of pretty pictures, no one has said that Royal is not a good looking ship.

Sometimes all we need from the ship is her stunning beauty to compliment an amazing occasion. We are already taking something to the ship that will set the stage for a wonderful time before she even sets sail. The fact no one said that the Royal is not a good looking ship, then we know she will be music to our eyes. Let them dance even if the dance floor sucks.

Pauline

While I was extremely unhappy with my OS suite and the soot issues, overall I thought the Royal was a nice ship. I judged her harshly at first, due to being unhappy with the cabin, but after I calmed down I found that there were a number of things I really liked about the Royal. While I probably won't be booking her or the Regal anytime soon, I think the Royal/Regal have many features that the cruising public will enjoy.....:):):)

 

Bob

This is much bigger than the voice and reviews on CC. If one takes what posted and the reviews on CC as gospel so be it but I can't. Not long along (yesterday) I was called/refered to a Welfare Queen. Everyone knows I give the biggest Drag Queen a run for his money. I put as much faith in the reviews as that person's post, taken with a grain of salt. I either take EVERYTHING posted on CC to heart or nothing at all, so worse ship or Welfare Queen, neither/both:D. I know of no one in PUBLIC would refer to me as a Welfare Queen or Royal Princess as the worse ship. There is a PUBLIC that is NOT represented in the 2 or so percent here, thank heavens.

I stayed away from the reviews and reports to give myself the chance to experience it new. Like the good old days when you go just hoping to have a great trip, your own discoveries. I think that pretty much ruined with a list of 19, so might as well go and read the full story of what was said in the reviews.

Pauline

I also always prefer to read reviews posted about ships by those who have been given a free cruise and make their living by writing about these cruises. A far more unbiased source then those who pay their own way. Wait I just realized that maybe why those posting negatively do so, could it be they are disappointed that they did not receive good value for their money?

 

Surprised you would inpune CC members by suggesting they are posting false reviews and have not cruised the ship as well as disparaging Cruise Critic in general.

I suggest you report it to the moderator.

 

Please report back on these items after your cruise as they have all been reported on in CC reviews and threads.

 

I read the reviews and there definitely seems to be a pattern to me.

 

1- No observation deck.

2- No central staircase.

3- Inadequate elevator capacity. The elevators that are there are small, and tend to break down with programing problems that Princess has failed to correct.

4- No full promenade.

5- No aft pool.

6- Reduced pool area, sq ft pp then Grand class.

7- Private cabanas took the best public space, arguments over sitting in front of cabanas.

8- Pax lining up at 7:30 am to book the sanctuary and access denied.

9- Only 7 Hot tubs - 1000 more passengers then Grand class with 7 to 8 tubs.

10-No free sauna & steam bath.

13 Reduced cabin size - Old Standard 215 sq ft. New Standard 181 sq ft,

New Deluxe 192 sq ft.

14- Reduced balcony size- majority not adequate for 2 pax let alone families or groups.

15- Poor sound insulation- Multiple reports of hearing adjoining cabin's TV through the wall.

16- No Adagio or any other bar with an amazing sea view. You see life boats from most venues.

17- Reduced / poor Dancing Facilities.

18- Stunning theater with unobstructed sight lines. Poor access to seats and due to row layout plus areas where seeing the whole stage is not possible.

19- the gym is used as a thoroughfare so a steady flow of pax through it.

 

The question asked was ... "Is Royal the worst rated ship on CC?"... seems there are worse but the list presented may highlight why it is competing for the title.

If those patterns are important to you and will affect your vacation experience then this ship is not for you. I chose the ship because it's not like the others, all the reviews I glanced stated that. I did not read a review on Sapphire Princess or any of the other ships I sailed, nothing new for me. I did not regret the decision and I doubt I will do now. However if I do, then I did it with a clear mind, less your important list. I don't need the reviews to book partly a mode of transportation. If I wish to swim, I would much rather the beaches at the ports (3 islands with beautiful beaches) . I wanted a elegant ship, with breathtaking beauty and one that is different from the rest, I chose RP!

The negative reviews are from people's whose expectations weren't met (not always about money) which could be too high or unrealistic, as the good reviews could be from people whose were too low or celebrating 20th anniversary or 50th birthday. You kinda ruined my happy vibe with the dance floor post. Now you know why I didn't want to get caught up in the review:D

OH dear, now I strolled across the dance floor so alone. I am ready to drop it, move it, but the sound was not there. How I think of the last cruise on Carnival, where I moved across the dance floor to the sound of Blurred Lines:D

Are we on the same topic??

 

I think that I will trust the reviews on Cruise Critic until a better source comes along.

 

Mike:)

I don't and going on my 15th cruise never gave one serious consideration. I glance a few on the Royal for curiosity. I may read a few once I get back to see how their experience differed from mine. I don't need that much information about a ship, especially Princess. Other than the Royal, they are pretty much the same. The Princess experience is not going to be that much different, elegant ship, slower pace, serious Triva, food, waiting to see. My review is almost done. I can write my review of the Royal starting now.

As I entered the atrium it was all that I expected and more. The eyes followed the stairs endless as if to the heaven. The first minutes left me absolutely breathless. It was what I wanted, wished for, needed to greet me on my anniversary and my upcoming 50th birthday. I was there, on the Royal Princess and about to experience what so many have peed and whined about. I was lost in her beauty and quiet charm, everything I heard simply vanished. It was my time, my opportunity to experience this my way.

My reason for not reading reviews, I need to experience it, good or bad my way.The rest when I actually land on deck:D

Customer reviews is what has made Trip Advisor/Cruise Critic what it is today.

 

What source of information would you use to judge a cruise ship?

 

Mike:)

First, what is CC today, about 2 percent (even 5) of the crusing population. Even if everything posted here was true and factual, it might not make one bit of a different to your real on board experience. To get the most you need a very good BS filter, because we really don't know if people logging on have actually been on a cruise.

I get information from countless travel magazines and people who I know who have done a line or an itinerary. Ships are still a mode of transportation for me, so it's like asking what I use to judge a airline. Where it's going, the time it's leaving, why I am going, and finally can I afford it? Carnival for my anniversary is out, did RCL recently, been there, so Princess next, and luckily a different ship. I have confidence in the product so I know it will meet my basic expectation, without hearing what others say about theirs. Would I made the voice of such an insignificant number (2+ percent) influence my vacation decision and dollars, not unless that main staircase was really important to me, but I saw the official Princess video on youtube.

It's my 20th anniversary and turning 50, I already decide this trip is going to be good. Again we don't always know what other factors are influencing the review, making them less useful. I might be the one coming back and saying the ship sank but thanked Princess for the open sea excursion to frolic with the sharks. Wait, that might be my DH with hopes of collecting the life insurance, which there is none:D

Pauline

If prices speaks, the Crown is more expensive than the Royal on the last few 7 day cruises. Also more cabins are filled on the Royal, im sure at Princess they know from feedback and bookings that the Royal has been a disaster.

Well Princess has been cheaper than Carnival, sailing out of the same area. So what does that say about pricing, let's head to Carnival for a fun ride:D I just sailed Carnival at the same rate I booked Royal, granted a cove balcony verese an inside but air to FLL was cheaper.

There must be some validity to all the negative reviews. I'm looking at a seven day Caribbean cruise in March. I like the newer ships so, besides Royal, I looked at RCL Allure, HAL Niew Amsterdam, and Celebrity Reflection balconys. Royal was $100-$300 cheaper than the others. That tells me they aren't filling the ship. Based on this and the negative reviews, Royal is out of the running. Maybe, if the reviews get better I'll give them another look next fall.

You are willing to spend your vacation dollars based on the opinions of people you have never met, on a board where opinions are often stated as facts. I booked the Royal because it is different. Unless it transforms itself to be just like the other Princess ships, I am fine. It seems a few don't like it for the exact reasons I booked it, it's not like all the rest. The things they missed, I never really noticed or care about. If I read reviews, it's to see if there is a pattern about something, and whether that item is important to me. You have to decide what you want and need from your vacation, then decide the best fit. It seems you are making what others think about their vacation determine yours. I think that's the receipe for disappointment or missing out on a great oppertunity. I would not use CC to be my main source of information.

Unless we are in the back office, we know nothing about the pricing. Maybe it's an attempt to make the people who are used to the same ole, same ole, try something different. Afterall, they have the free cruise promo on the west coast. That would make Princess worse off than Carnival sailing out of the same area, right, or maybe they are trying to move people up?

Pauline

That's why it's nice that most ships have two pools. If you don't want to listen to MUTS, just go to the other pool.

Why not stay true to MUTS and make it under the Stars? A Completely Escape should be from the mother of all annoyance, a big screen TV. I remember MUTS went to MADD- Movies All Darn Day.

I have a real hard time believing this is an accurate statement. That is not in the best interest of the insurance company and they'd go out of business real quick. Just imagine you book a expensive trip without insurance and it's now 10 days before sailing. You decide not to go, purchase cancellation insurance and then cancel. You get your cruise fare back and are only out the insurance cost. The only way an insurance company could offer something like that would be to have a very high price, not something less than the cruise line offers. Give me a break ...

You can buy insurance up until the last minute. The last minute ones won't cover pre-exisiting conditions. I don't aways buy it and YES, its pretty stupid. I have bought it and used it. Before you knock what someone posts, simply google trip insurance and talk to an agent. Some people do post FACTS not just opinions. For everyone one person that files a claim, 1000's don't.