Royal Princess design: badly solsticized

[CRUZER2012]

It is interesting to read this tread... it is amazing to me how many folks are fans of the Celebrity solstice style ships, I have cruised on them more than once, so that is why I am so amazed. Twice was enough for me. A lot of hype.

 

I just got a brochure from Celebrity, with sales on all of them, so they are not filling that easily.

 

Now for the new Royal, I do feel it is more than the exterior that is lacking.. will wait for reviews. I hope the Royal offers more than hype.

 

 

I have been on HAL and Princess cruises. All of these cruises were Excellent. The lack of late night life on the HAL was disappointing; Princess does provide good late night life, sometimes even late, late nightlife. Nightlife is very important to me. I chose to go on both of these cruiselines based on what I read. My expectations from reading about these cruiselines was borne out by my experiences with them. I cannot even get to that point of interest about Celebrity. And, the itineraries on Celebrity are not very good when compared to those on Princess.

 

There are some unknowns with the new design of the Royal. I suspect that it will be a great ship and outstanding cruising experience. Do I like all the changes? Not really. I do think that the general feel of a Princess cruise will be there. I will love exploring the new features of this ship.

[Mulege]

If you don't like the Solstice class ships you probably won't like the new Royal.

[dmwnc1959]

Was re-reading this thread and noticed the voting poll is still OPEN in case anyone wants to add their 2 cents. :D

 

Would also be interesting to hear any updated comments from those who may have not liked the ship initially but have since come around or visa versa.

 

I hope Princess releases some new pictures soon! Seems line forever since the float out.

[dmwnc1959]

Was pouring over the recent set of artist impressions of the ship and noticed that this one showing the port side area and life boats only had a sort of viewing deck amidship with no access behind where the lifeboats are going to sit.

 

[jimandtoni]

I hate to hear this. I guess I'm old-fashioned, but I want a cruise ship to look and feel like a cruise ship.

 

I sailed on the Celebrity Solstice one time and found it akin to sailing in an Ikea store. The overall design was cold and unwelcoming. We had a stateroom on the stern and awoke to a fine layer of soot on our balcony every morning. The lawn was a lot of wasted space and it was roped off and "resting" most of our voyage. I was glad when the cruise was over.

 

I also sailed on the NCL's Prison Ship Epic one time as well and will not repeat that mistake. Worst designed cabins and ship I've ever had the misfortune to sail on. To tell you how bad it is, NCL has scrapped the design of the prison-cell cabins on their next ships. Another cruise I was glad when it was over.

 

It's what happens when the artsy fartsy designers get to sit at the big table and everyone else is afraid to shout out that the emperor has no clothes.

 

We learned to take a better look at the ship design and try to visualize life on board. Now we don't book ships like Solstice, The Epic, The Oasis, the Allure etc. They may work for some, but for me I want a ship that looks like a ship, a promenade where I can stroll all the way around the ship and smell the ocean and maybe even see some sea life, a shady deck where I can read a good book, fresh brewed coffee, venues where I don't have to wear earplugs because some twenty-something has cranked the volume up to 10, an MDR where people dress like they are going out for fine dining and not a truck stop, a comfortable/functional/clean cabin, and stairs forward, mid-ship, and aft.

I have been on two Soltsice class Celelbrity ships, and I must say that i enjoyed them. Having been on all the Princess ships at least once each, I felt like a Princess traitor, but I did enjoy the Solstice class ships. Yes, I missed the wrap around promenade deck, and the pool accessibility and I could do without the grass. But the interiors of the ships are gorgeous. The main dining rooms are stunning. The lounges are are comfortable and lovely. The service and food are also impeccable. I too had an aft stateroom and loved it. I am still a die hard Princess fan and am on the Ruby in a few weeks which I am looking forward to. I dislike that Princess, however, is losing her IDENTITY! Oh well. I remember the ORIGINAL Crown Princess...what a lovely ship! Never to be seen again..:(

[RetiredandLovingit]

Wow! I cannot believe all the negativity. Just a few comments:

 

1. It does seems that public access to the wake view of the ship is limited though there is now a large covered Horizon Terrace aft that I think will be quite nice.

 

2. The Royal deck plans show that you can ascend to the Emerald deck for a continuation of the Promenade to make it in essence a 360 degree Promenade. I don't believe people should be jogging on the Promenade anyway, it is meant for strolling and sitting watching the ocean pass by, IMHO. In addition, on the Royal there is actually a dedicated jogging track on the upper deck.

 

3. I suspect that if the casino is indeed ceilingless and open to the above deck(s) the casino will be nonsmoking.

 

4. I love the new Horizon Court setup and it looks like the Horizon Bistro replaces the Caribe Cafe on the Grand Class.

 

5. The Retreat area seems to have replaced the Lotus Spa pool that was my favorite spot but had totally inadequate seating. Now the retreat seating appears larger by at least 500%. I think people are jumping the gun by saying the cabanas will be an extra charge. Nothing has yet been said, might be first come first served.

 

6. The main pool area also appears much larger, maybe as large as the two main pools combined on the Grand class, and the pools, fountains and jacuzzis look pretty good to me. I also noticed that there will be two jacuzzis on the deck above the main pool, one on each side. That is a good new edition I think.

 

7. Alfredo's will have an expanded menu. No more info on that yet.

 

8. It looks like there is a nightclub either in or adjacent to the casino with a dance floor.

 

9. I wonder what the Princess Live Cafe is?

 

10. I am also very excited about the new atrium, much larger, more dining venues like a gelateria, seafood bar, Bellini bar.

 

11. Last but not least, I would love to see Princess roll out a new menu for the Royal inaugeral.

 

All in all, I am very excited to be sailing the new Royal Princess on her Maiden transatlantic cruise with so many good friends. I love variety and am looking forward to experiencing all the changes. Sure I will miss some things but I know I will also enjoy the Grand ladies again in the future.

 

I am with you Carolyn!! :D:D Can't wait to check out this ship myself! See you in Oct??:p

 

Jim

[caribill]

 

2. The Royal deck plans show that you can ascend to the Emerald deck for a continuation of the Promenade to make it in essence a 360 degree Promenade. I do not see this on the deck plans in the Cruise Atlas or the deck plans on the web site. The Promenade deck does go around the aft end, but I do not see that there is any view from it on that part.

 

 

5. The Retreat area seems to have replaced the Lotus Spa pool that was my favorite spot but had totally inadequate seating. Now the retreat seating appears larger by at least 500%. I think people are jumping the gun by saying the cabanas will be an extra charge. Nothing has yet been said, might be first come first served. Princess says additional private cabanas will be available around the Royal Princess' adults-only Retreat Pool, which will be located near the Sanctuary. They'll start at $50 for a half day.

 

6. The main pool area also appears much larger, maybe as large as the two main pools combined on the Grand class, and the pools, fountains and jacuzzis look pretty good to me. Both pools will be in sight and sound of MUTS.

 

see above in red

[dmwnc1959]

see above in red

 

I also don't see how this can be anything close to a 360 degree promenade as mentioned by Carolyn R even by going up/down a deck in the interior.

 

In the recently released pictures you can see...

 

- The Promenade deck does not go around the stern. The railing ends at the curve on the aft corner.

- The four large windows currently covered up below the ships registry are the Allegro Dining Room, so no going down a deck and across

- The area below that is the line handling deck, no passenger access

 

 

The areas below the promenade deck aft (dining rooms) prevent a continuous walk through, and it still looks like there is no access behind the life boats even in the most recent released images/pictures unless Princess is holding back on us.

 

She mentioned "that you can ascend to the Emerald deck for a continuation of the Promenade to make it in essence a 360 degree Promenade". I am quite sure those passengers residing on the Emerald Deck do not want that corridor turned into a makeshift promenade, especially the aft suites.

 

This image recently released shows the forward port side of the promenade deck angles up at a decent half-deck incline just outside the main theater upper level. Not flat, no stairs (see hand rails). And no real access passing through the actual upper level of the Princess Theater or behind the stage area forward. And my guess is that its the same for the starboard side. So no promenade forward.

 

 

It looks like the promenade deck 'sun porches' off of Crooners/Facets (amidship) and the Vista Lounge (aft) are pretty much isolated without any ability to do any type of 360 degree walk around or access behind lifeboats.

 

The two lane jogging track appears to be quite substantial and may have to suffice for those wanting a sea view stroll.

 

[dmwnc1959]

 

2. The Royal deck plans show that you can ascend to the Emerald deck for a continuation of the Promenade to make it in essence a 360 degree Promenade.

 

According to the deck plans on the Princess Cruises website there are no amidship stairs going up from the Promenade Deck to the Emerald Deck, only going down (and there is no exterior access from the Fiesta Deck).

 

So, at this point, unless someone plans on using the entire interior stateroom corridor of Emerald Deck as their walking deck, an outside/inside circuit for a 360 degree Promenade is not feasible. The only stairs going up from Promenade Deck to Emerald Deck are forward near the Princess Theater or all the way aft.

[dmwnc1959]

I do not see this on the deck plans in the Cruise Atlas or the deck plans on the web site. The Promenade deck does go around the aft end, but I do not see that there is any view from it on that part.

 

In this picture from last year it does not appear that it wraps around the end of the ship.

 

[sabookkeeper]

I have read through this thread and I can understand some of the concerns. We liked the promenade to sit and also to walk outside instead of inside the length of the ship. We are sailing on Celebrity for the first time in February on the Silhouette. We have always cruised Princess but decided to try something else. In saying this, we are looking forward to our 2014 cruise on the Royal. I am looking forward to the bigger atrium as the International Cafe is one of our favourite places and it was difficult to find seating at times. We never seemed to be able to find a lounce around the aft pool so we won't miss it. I do like that they still will have an adults only pool. Instead of being so negative, we would prefer to wait until people who have actually sailed on it and give their reviews and hopefully some pictures.

[caribill]

In this picture from last year it does not appear that it wraps around the end of the ship.

 

 

The deck plans show a narrow passageway between the port and starboard side at the aft of the Promenade deck.

 

This passageway appears enclosed and without an open view to the aft.

 

Unable to tell from the deck plans if this is an area restricted to crew or is accessible by passengers.

[dmwnc1959]

The deck plans show a narrow passageway between the port and starboard side at the aft of the Promenade deck.

 

This passageway appears enclosed and without an open view to the aft.

 

Unable to tell from the deck plans if this is an area restricted to crew or is accessible by passengers.

 

It would be nice indeed if there were a wrap-around path. I do see on the deck plan where it shows this narrow indication of a 'pathway' behind the Vista Lounge, but you would think they would at least have the door hole cut out for it if it were there.

 

 

Even on this new picture there is no obvious door way cut for this 'pathway'...

 

[Nukesailor]

Took quite a while to go through this thread.

While disembarking recently from the Emerald, we were treated to the videos of the Royal. Over, and over, and over, and... This was the first time I'd seen anything about the new ship. A few observations, based on the videos, deck plans, and experience with Princess, RCI and Celebrity:

 

First, on the Emerald we discovered ALL shows have been reduced to 30 minutes. How does this fit in with the Royal? It shows where Princess is going, unfortunately. According to staff, this is to "allow passengers the opportunity to take advantage of other entertainment."

 

Explorers is replaced by Princess Live. True, Explorers on the Emerald had very few people there for dancing to the band. It was full for the other entertainment offered. Princess Live can handle the other entertainment, but not dancing. One less band to hire.

 

Wheelhouse Bar, one of our favorite places, is moved aft and combined with the Crown Grill. Piano, but no dance floor. Every night we were there, the dance floor was fairly crowded. Elimination means yet another band not hired. The new aft location is unfortunate as the Wheelhouse was THE place to meet others before going into the theater.

 

Water & light show right next to MUTS. Wonder if they'll turn it off during movies.

 

Crown Grill and Sabatinis are both enlarged. While we don't use the premium restaurants and can only go by walkby observation, I have never seen them full on any ship. So why larger?

 

Sanctuary is 20% larger. Again, haven't seen Sanctuary full. Panama Canal cruise in 2011, I don't recall seeing anyone there. On the Emerald, there were some people, but it wasn't full by any means.

 

Vista Lounge looks promising. It will be the only true dance venue on the ship. I was once told by the cruise director on the Solstice that Celebrity and RCI were getting away from dancing entirely. It looks like Princess is now going that way also.

 

It remains to be seen how Princess utilizes the Royal Princess. However, personally, we aren't interested in it at this time.

 

Art

[caribill]

Explorers is replaced by Princess Live. True, Explorers on the Emerald had very few people there for dancing to the band. It was full for the other entertainment offered. Princess Live can handle the other entertainment, but not dancing. In the Explorers Lounge, it was easy to get to any seat. In Princess live, it is like the Princess theater as you will need to disturb people to go into or out of a seating row.

 

 

Water & light show right next to MUTS. Wonder if they'll turn it off during movies. I wonder if they will turn off MUTS so you can enjoy the water and light show.

 

 

see above in red

[Nukesailor]

Caribill:

I agree the seating shown implies that, like the theater, once you're seated you stay there. I thought I heard that they could reconfigure the seating for various programs.

 

RE: turning off MUTS - good one! Maybe they could synchronize the lights and fountain to the sound track of the movie.:p

 

Art

[kruisey]

I agree I love a wrap around promenade deck.

Therefore I guess you all know were my vote will sit

[kruisey]

The Sanctuary looks like a film set.......I am no Cleopatra!!!.

Also the Drapes around the private party in the main dining room look like another film set out of the Arabian Nights.

The interior like the atrium looks more like a set from a Las Vegas hotel.

I suppose folks like to pretend who they are not for a few weeks therefore this is the reason for a fantasy land.Like the kids have going to Disney land.

The lack of the wrap around promenade deck on 7 is my big disappointment with this ship.

While you have the noise at the top in the afternoons one could always have a tranquil walk or read on that lower deck .

[pris993]

The Sanctuary looks like a film set.......I am no Cleopatra!!!.

Also the Drapes around the private party in the main dining room look like another film set out of the Arabian Nights.

The interior like the atrium looks more like a set from a Las Vegas hotel.

I suppose folks like to pretend who they are not for a few weeks therefore this is the reason for a fantasy land.Like the kids have going to Disney land.

The lack of the wrap around promenade deck on 7 is my big disappointment with this ship.

While you have the noise at the top in the afternoons one could always have a tranquil walk or read on that lower deck .

 

I'm with you on the promenada especially since I have cruised on the Celebrity Equniox and Eclipse, both have similar promenades, tried to use, very disappointing, no view, closed in feeling with the lifeboats hanging along side. I will stick with the Grand class ships for now.

[kruisey]

I'm with you on the promenada especially since I have cruised on the Celebrity Equniox and Eclipse, both have similar promenades, tried to use, very disappointing, no view, closed in feeling with the lifeboats hanging along side. I will stick with the Grand class ships for now.

I think the ships that Princess will build after the Royal will be on the same lines as her unfortunately.

Why Princess disbanded wrap around promenade decks, part of a ship design which many of its passengers loved?

Does anyone reading CC close to Princess have an explanation?

[Eagle Eye]

I like full wrap around Promenade Decks. Promenade joggers, not so much. Maybe a partial Promenade will discourage the jogging?

[Eagle Eye]

I think the ships that Princess will build after the Royal will be on the same lines as her unfortunately.

 

They will as long as the Royal sells out. Vote with your wallet.

[kruisey]

I like full wrap around Promenade Decks. Promenade joggers, not so much. Maybe a partial Promenade will discourage the jogging?

Was walking a couple of miles in the morning.With partial you have to walk back

and forward all the time.

I suppose they filled the space at the side to enlarge Casino or the flashy style

Atrium so much like Vegas.

Gee I guess I must just the simple life.

[dm33]

I like full wrap around Promenade Decks. Promenade joggers, not so much. Maybe a partial Promenade will discourage the jogging?

 

Whats wrong w joggers? If your cabin is under them I can see an issue. But these days, there's never a cabin under the promenade deck on the newer ships. All the cabins are up higher to they can have balconies.

 

A wrap around promenade is the best part of a ship. I love going for an early morning walk as the sun is first rising.

[billco]

I like full wrap around Promenade Decks. Promenade joggers, not so much. Maybe a partial Promenade will discourage the jogging?

It will take a lot more than a partial Promenade to discourage my jogging.