New Royal Princess Itinerary

[RickEk]

I thought they were gonna use Royal to open up all those inaccessible ports in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

 

Ok, just kidding, but I do wish. Don't know why Princess completely avoids that part of the Planet!? Do you?

 

Doug

 

One word... pirates.

[Cruise Junky]

One word... pirates.

 

HEEHEEE..I was going to say that :)

[Pam in CA]

I thought they were gonna use Royal to open up all those inaccessible ports in Southern Africa and the Indian Ocean.

 

Ok, just kidding, but I do wish. Don't know why Princess completely avoids that part of the Planet!? Do you?

Besides pirates, there are few, if any, ports in that region that are capable of docking a ship that size and providing an interesting itinerary. RCI has that problem with the Oasis and Allure, even in well-traveled Caribbean. The Ocean and Pacific are much smaller and able to go to ports that don't normally have cruise ships. :) Even then, they have quite a few days at sea between ports. Immigration is another reason: these two ships are the only ones to go to Israel: the larger ships have too many passengers to process through Israeli immigration. New and smaller ports don't have the facilities and staff to handle immigration which is mostly transparent when you cruise today.

[caribill]

I hope this is what happens. Maybe Princess could come up with some nice 10dayers for the Royal with newer ports.:)

 

The Royal can only go to ports which can handle a ship of that size and the number of passengers on it. Likely most of these ports will have other large ships there at the same time as the Royal.

 

In other words, the itinerary is likely to be the same old places you have probably already been, from Barcelona and Rome in Europe to Saint Thomas and St. Maarten and Princess Cays in the Caribbean.

 

Just take a look at where RCCL sends their largest ships, the Displacement of the Seas and its twin.

[RickEk]

The Royal can only go to ports which can handle a ship of that size and the number of passengers on it. Likely most of these ports will have other large ships there at the same time as the Royal.

 

In other words, the itinerary is likely to be the same old places you have probably already been, from Barcelona and Rome in Europe to Saint Thomas and St. Maarten and Princess Cays in the Caribbean.

 

Just take a look at where RCCL sends their largest ships, the Displacement of the Seas and its twin.

 

Well, hopefully Princess will get creative with their itineraries when the expanded Panama Canal opens in the middle of the decade. The Royal Princess and her sister (along with the rest of the Grand-class vessels) will easily fit through the new locks...

[runnerodb83]

A while back I hypothesized where the ships will go, lets see if I can recall...

 

Royal/Regal Princess (not confirmed name, but for now it works) will do Europe in the summer, Carib in the winter...likely to go head to head with the RCL ships (as if those routes aren't saturated enough already)

 

Crown/Emerald/Ruby/Carib will continue with their current mix of Carib/Europe (Baltic/Med)/Canada maybe a bermuda run or a ship will be homeported in NY to compete with NCL? Perhaps another Carib homeport beyond Galveston?

 

Star will return to Alaska summers and possibly a variety of hawaii and mexico cruises from SF, also South America in the winter. No more europe trips needed.

 

Golden will also keep the alaskan itinerary and hawaii trips from LA.

 

Sapphire will continue with Alaska in summer, coastals in the shoulder seasons, mexico, and when the canal is built, possibly some canal transits.

 

Diamond will probably keep with Alaska and Asia itineraries

 

(Despite being owned by carnival, princess doesn't seem to shuffle its ships around too much like moving the paradise east and bringing the inspiration west)

 

The Grand will probably become somewhat of a "flex" ship doing a variety of pacific itineraries...i could see some trans canal transit or west coast of south america. Maybe a pacific rim trip?

 

The Sun/Dawn are pretty much gone, and will be transferred to an affiliate soon enough, same with the Sea. The grand will likely pick up the Sea's alaska runs as the SF to Alaska market improves.

 

The Pacific and Ocean will stick with what they do now...

 

Island and Coral will remain the canal twins of choice as well as alaska. These ships may also fill in for the Sea princess if the SF-Alaska run is too thin for a grand class vessel.

 

One other important note, there's 1 major island in the Caribbean that the US cruise lines are likely chomping at the bit to get the political will to get into...I think cuban cruises will come in the next 10 to 15 years

[generichandle]

Besides pirates, there are few, if any, ports in that region that are capable of docking a ship that size and providing an interesting itinerary. RCI has that problem with the Oasis and Allure, even in well-traveled Caribbean. The Ocean and Pacific are much smaller and able to go to ports that don't normally have cruise ships. :) Even then, they have quite a few days at sea between ports. Immigration is another reason: these two ships are the only ones to go to Israel: the larger ships have too many passengers to process through Israeli immigration. New and smaller ports don't have the facilities and staff to handle immigration which is mostly transparent when you cruise today.

 

OK, this is a point well taken. I had noticed some upscale lines do what looks to be some pretty awesome cruises there [specifically, I read reviews of Silversea] and wondered why so few went. But their ships are indeed much smaller. I guess there would be a lot of tender ports. [Ah, but you should see all the tender ladies in the reviews ;)]. Pam, you are so darn practical.

 

As for pirates, you could just origionate from Galveston. Then when the little boats appear, out on each balcony comes Tex with his AK-47 [for home defense], and his gernade launcher [for deer hunting], and off go those evil murauders in a huff. :D

 

PS: 'Displacement of the Seas' .......... LOL

 

Doug

[Cruise Junky]

The Royal can only go to ports which can handle a ship of that size and the number of passengers on it. Likely most of these ports will have other large ships there at the same time as the Royal.

 

In other words, the itinerary is likely to be the same old places you have probably already been, from Barcelona and Rome in Europe to Saint Thomas and St. Maarten and Princess Cays in the Caribbean.

 

Just take a look at where RCCL sends their largest ships, the Displacement of the Seas and its twin.

 

Isn't she more the size of the Freedom Class? she's nowhere close to Oasis's size. 225,000 tons vs 141,000, not really comparable.

[vacation fool]

Glad to see this thread :) Have been pondering the same questions about a possible european inaugural or TA. Hope Princess does a press release soon!

[Pam in CA]

(Despite being owned by carnival, princess doesn't seem to shuffle its ships around too much like moving the paradise east and bringing the inspiration west)...

 

One other important note, there's 1 major island in the Caribbean that the US cruise lines are likely chomping at the bit to get the political will to get into...I think cuban cruises will come in the next 10 to 15 years

Don't confuse Carnival Cruise Lines with Carnival Corporation & Plc. Princess is not owned by Carnival Cruise Lines but rather by a holding company, Carnival Corp. that owns Seabourne, Cunard, Princess, HAL, etc. The cruise lines are operated completely separately.

 

You can find trips and cruises to Cuba now (I've received brochures) and when major cruiselines start going there, there'll be a uniqueness to it. But compared to most current ports in the Caribbean, it'll take a long time to develop the infrastructure for a good port experience. Cruisers (most of them, anyway) have come to expect more than directions to the nearest beach.

[Beopthtuh]

just maybe princess will stick a ship in the middle east and do dubia and the emirates, or sail through the suez.the worlds full of new itineries for princess to look at maybe they,ll surprise everyone

[Pam in CA]

just maybe princess will stick a ship in the middle east and do dubia and the emirates, or sail through the suez.the worlds full of new itineries for princess to look at maybe they,ll surprise everyone

They do; it's just not a regular, repeated itinerary.

[Vexorg]

If I had to guess, I'd say the Royal will most likely be taking over the Ruby's Eastern Caribbean and Mediterranean itineraries, with the Ruby being moved to some of the 10-day itineraries, or possibly the Western\Southern Caribbean itineraries that Crown is doing now until it gets moved to Galveston next year.

[Woobstr112G]

I actually want to see a design of a ship before I book it. Though I agree with you - I welcome a new design.

 

I think most of us are waiting to see what a "New or fresh" design will bring. Other than the the pool areas up top or the walk over the sea, I sure hope they give the Royal some individual identity. It will also be interesting to see if there are any changes to cabins under suites/mini suites. It sure would be nice to have a tub shower combo or at least a bigger shower. And please Princess if you see my post, roll out a new specialty dining venue.....

 

I soooo hope they do the inaugural T/A in the fall of 2013. By hook or crook, I will be on that voyage.....:):):)

 

Bob

[jt58203]

Just came across this thread and am wondering if anyone has any updated information as far as itineraries go?

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Ok guess time

 

trails in the Med, short shake down cruise for invited guests etc to Southampton,

 

naming by a Princess, then a few Med may be a around UK cruise then TA

 

in Autumn

 

yours Shogun

[RickEk]

Just came across this thread and am wondering if anyone has any updated information as far as itineraries go?

 

Not yet... we'll probably have to wait till March or so...

 

 

Hi All

 

Ok guess time

 

trails in the Med, short shake down cruise for invited guests etc to Southampton,

 

naming by a Princess, then a few Med may be a around UK cruise then TA

 

in Autumn

 

yours Shogun

 

Yeah, I think she'll be named by Princess Kate... maybe even the Prince too, since his mother named the original Royal Princess.

[Woobstr112G]

Just came across this thread and am wondering if anyone has any updated information as far as itineraries go?

 

Nothing as of yet:(. Something will probably come out mid-late March.

 

Bob

[VOR]

They do; it's just not a regular, repeated itinerary.

 

Given you need an armed escort to safely sail the waters around the mouth of the Red Sea, its a difficult itinerary to plan.

[robsaw]

Yeah, I think she'll be named by Princess Kate... maybe even the Prince too, since his mother named the original Royal Princess.

 

Just to be pedantic, but there is no Princess Kate, at least not yet, she is Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.

[CruiseAdict218]

On the Princess website, under ships it shows the Royal debuting June 2013? http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/

[Cruise Junky]

I wish more ports were like Sydney, you can do some serious snooping of what ships are going to be in port a couple of years ahead of time. Eager for Royal's debut :)

[Woobstr112G]

Hi All

 

Ok guess time

 

trails in the Med, short shake down cruise for invited guests etc to Southampton,

 

naming by a Princess, then a few Med may be a around UK cruise then TA

in Autumn.

 

yours Shogun

 

We can only hope. That's one T/A that I just gotta be on......:):):)

[Pam in CA]

Given you need an armed escort to safely sail the waters around the mouth of the Red Sea, its a difficult itinerary to plan.

I know of several cruise lines that offer itineraries in this region, including Princess, HAL, Seabourne, etc. :) I'm booked on the Pacific Princess but really want to take the HAL itinerary which goes beyond Dubai, through the Suez Canal, to Venice but they're not offering a leg that disembarks in Venice. I'd have to book, and pay for, all the way to Southampton. :( I could book a 2nd leg on the Pacific but that would be a lot more expensive. :(

[caribill]

On the Princess website, under ships it shows the Royal debuting June 2013? http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/

 

Interesting, as a mailing we received within the past week says "...will join the fleet in May, 2013..." and "Let the countdown to May, 2013 begin!"