Royal Princess Cabanas

[antsp]

Had to put this one out for opinion,

 

Would you pay $50 for half a day at a poolside Cabana next to te retreat pool.

 

I know Celebrity have these but not sure how it works on there ships,

[Pam in CA]

Nope. An extra $100/day would pay for a balcony. Besides, I cruise as a single. :)

[Reader0108598]

Had to put this one out for opinion,

 

Would you pay $50 for half a day at a poolside Cabana next to te retreat pool.

 

I know Celebrity have these but not sure how it works on there ships,

 

 

Sure! right after I hit the lottery:D

[TorontoTL]

I wouldn't, but I suspect there are quite a few who would.

[hubofhockey]

I wonder how well those will sell on Baltics cruises in cool weather next summer. My guess is that they'll often be empty. I certainly wouldn't pay $50 for a half day in one of those just to get some shade and the pleasure of ordering overpriced food to be delivered. I think these cabanas are a BAD IDEA. They already expanded the Sanctuary and this is a bit of overkill and it leaves only one separate pool area for most. The grand class had FOUR distinct areas (MUTS pool, Pool with bandstand, AFT pool, and pool outside the gym). As much as I really like just about everything they have added to this ship, I dislike the "evolution" concept to the pool areas. I thought the whole pool set up was one of the best things that Princess had going.

[antsp]

The more I study the Royal the less I like it, we like to sail warm weather cruises and I think the top deck to me is big mistake, Princess like the term big ship choice, small ship feel. They are more or less forcing everyone to use the 1 pool. I'm also not sure about sun loungers in the shade, looking at the new pics I can't see any. I do so want to like this ship but.......

[Gunner22aa]

I pay for a nice large balcony with our suite. I'll enjoy my time there with a nice glass of good red wine.

[sunsetbeachgal]

No, I will not pay for a cabana, but I will definitely be using that pool and the free loungers nearby!

Edited June 5, 2013 by sunsetbeachgal

[dmwnc1959]

The more I study the Royal the less I like it, we like to sail warm weather cruises and I think the top deck to me is big mistake, Princess like the term big ship choice, small ship feel. They are more or less forcing everyone to use the 1 pool. I'm also not sure about sun loungers in the shade, looking at the new pics I can't see any. I do so want to like this ship but.......

 

There are all sorts of cruisers, from all sorts of socio-economic levels, nationalities, and styles of life other than just 'us'. There are those:

 

- Who would never book anything but inside

- Always book a suite

- Never pay for a surcharge dining venue

- Dine only in specialty restaurants

- Never gamble in the casino

- Are members of the High Rollers Club

- Never book shore excursions

- Rent cars, ride in helicopters, or experience racing yachts while in port

- Be the first to call the Dine Line for the Chef's Table

- Head for the buffet at every meal

- Wear a tuxedo on formal night

- Pack only jeans and polo's

- Take pictures of every sunrise and sunset

- Don't even pack a camera

- Head right for The Sanctuary and book their chair for the week

- Spend the week on their balcony drinking wine and reading a Kindle

- Book the Thermal Suite for the entire voyage

- Hit The Pastry Shop every morning

- Enjoy every evening theater show and every Champagne Waterfall

- Watch MUTS from the jacuzzi and toast each other with a beer

- Hit the pool deck at 6am to reserve their 'chair hogs' location

- Sleep in until noon because they partied until 3am

- Be the first in line for everything

- Don't line up for anything

 

And there will be those who see a value in the cabanas at The Retreat. Even though you don't, or others may not, there will be those who race up there the first day to reserve their personal piece of a poolside oasis, order the picnic basket for their sweety-pie, and relax for the entire day or even a half-day.

 

Just because you don't see the value in something doesn't mean it's a design error or that a bunch of high-school kids are the ones that drafted up the blue prints for Royal Princess. And I'm sure that if there is a lull in the sales of the Cabanas, a 2-for-1 Special for the first day or for the first 100 passengers would certainly help fill that void.

 

The Cabanas at the Retreat Pool aren't going anywhere. Like it or not they are here to stay. It's not as if Princess is going to get rid of something that has the potential to make money.

[JimmyVWine]

No. If I find the need for privacy and solitude, I will take a vacation other than a cruise with 3,500 other people.

[Gunner22aa]

I agree with everything you say. One of the nicest things about cruising is the ability to "do it your way" while the rest of the passengers are "doing it theirs". No doubt the cabanas are here to stay if there is even a chance of generating extra revenue and no doubt they will have their fans.

[antsp]

I can understand the atraction of the sanctury but the cabanas you do seem very exposed to all and sundry, just waiting on a cc member to say they would pay.

[dmwnc1959]

I can understand the atraction of the sanctury but the cabanas you do seem very exposed to all and sundry, just waiting on a cc member to say they would pay.

 

I know this isn't going to come as a surprise to anyone, but I would pay. And I would also buy the picnic basket. It sounds kind of neat. And I would spend the entire day.

 

I work very hard all year, work a lot of hours, skimp and save and do without a lot of things for 11 months, and on my once-a-year vacation I like to treat myself. I don't usually splurge on the accommodations (although a suite with balcony sounds great) and instead try to enjoy what the ship has to offer. So if it's daily stops to enjoy the goodies at Gelato, Oyster Shooters or sampler dishes at the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar, a couple of nights savoring Sabatini's, a week-long Pass to The Sanctuary or the Enclave and Thermal Suite at Lotus Spa, nightly Sushi at Vines with a glass of wine, the ultimate beverage card, a sweet treat or ten from Celebrations, cocktails every evening at Bellini's, experiencing the Wine Cellar Table or Chef's Table Lumiere, a fine meal or three at the Crown Grill, Whisky Shooters at The Wheelhouse Bar, or a full day in a Retreat Cabana with a picnic basket.

 

We all cruise, treat ourselves, relax, enjoy, and invest in our vacations differently.

[jagoffee]

Had to put this one out for opinion,

 

Would you pay $50 for half a day at a poolside Cabana next to te retreat pool.

 

I know Celebrity have these but not sure how it works on there ships,

 

Is it $50 a person or for the whole Cabana? If it is for the Cabana how many does it hold?

 

Why is it so much more expensive than the Sanctuary?

[TorontoTL]

I suspect it is for the Cabana which has space for two people each with their own lounger.

[Ash's Aunt]

I'm booked on the December 1 sailing for the Royal and intend to do the cabana rental for at least one half day and probably more if it is available. I normally try to book space in the Sanctuary (which I really enjoy) but miss having a pool right there near my lounger. I burn really easy and tend to rotate in and out of the sun to keep from being a lobster and to cool down. I plan to do the same thing with the cabana - move into the sun for a bit, then out of the sun for a bit. On port days, it's not a big deal to lay around the pool and move from a lounger in the sun to a lounger in the shade. Not so easy to do that on sea days. Also, it will be nice to know I have a lounger reserved (and in the shade) instead of walking around looking for an empty lounger near a pool. I don't spend a lot on the ship because I don't drink (would rather eat the calories than drink them) and rarely gamble (have never won anything in the casino on the ship so stopped trying). The cabana, a few games of bingo, and soda card will be my only expenses. I am really excited about the cabanas and think it's a great idea.

[ChampagneCasual]

I know this isn't going to come as a surprise to anyone, but I would pay. And I would also buy the picnic basket. It sounds kind of neat. And I would spend the entire day.

 

I work very hard all year, work a lot of hours, skimp and save and do without a lot of things for 11 months, and on my once-a-year vacation I like to treat myself. I don't usually splurge on the accommodations (although a suite with balcony sounds great) and instead try to enjoy what the ship has to offer. So if it's daily stops to enjoy the goodies at Gelato, Oyster Shooters or sampler dishes at the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar, a couple of nights savoring Sabatini's, a week-long Pass to The Sanctuary or the Enclave and Thermal Suite at Lotus Spa, nightly Sushi at Vines with a glass of wine, the ultimate beverage card, a sweet treat or ten from Celebrations, cocktails every evening at Bellini's, experiencing the Wine Cellar Table or Chef's Table Lumiere, a fine meal or three at the Crown Grill, Whisky Shooters at The Wheelhouse Bar, or a full day in a Retreat Cabana with a picnic basket.

 

We all cruise, treat ourselves, relax, enjoy, and invest in our vacations differently.

 

Yay!!!! Me too! I work for a year, year and a half before I treat myself to a vacation. I work in a high-stress environment and believe in a work-hard, play-hard lifestyle. I am sailing 1/5/2014 on the Royal and plan to splurge on the week-long enclave pass. I am also booking a bungalow in Princess Cays.

[dtagirl]

I just got off the Royal....did not have a cabana, but there are 2 types of cabanas. The ones by the Retreat pool and there are 4 inside the Sanctuary. The ones by the Retreat pool were the $80.00/day and as far as I could tell they were all rented all the time. The ones in the Sanctuary are $130.00 for the day, but they are a little different. They have a ceiling fan, tv (need headphones to listen), a mini bar set up with wine and soft drinks and snacks, sofas, a chair and it includes 2 loungers just in front of the cabana. There were 2 that were rented for the entire cruise and when it rained, they were dry!! Anyone in the Sanctuary can get the picnic basket and there 3 different one to choose from. It was nice, but if you want one get there early! Also the Retreat cabanas are rented by the desk in the sanctuary, that seemed to cause some confusion.

 

Pat

[TITISSA]

Had to put this one out for opinion,

 

Would you pay $50 for half a day at a poolside Cabana next to te retreat pool.

 

I know Celebrity have these but not sure how it works on there ships,

 

No, only because I like to move around the ship instead of staying put for a long time just because I paid for a cabana. On the Royal we never had a problem finding a chair even on sea days. I prefer not to be near the main pool because of the noise. I like my chair to be looking out facing the ocean.

[TITISSA]

No, I will not pay for a cabana, but I will definitely be using that pool and the free loungers nearby!

 

 

That's what we did. Our chairs were looking down on the Retreat pool. Perfect location. We could see the ocean and the pool.

[brentlym]

Having sat under one of said cabanas this past Saturday 11/9 (all day), I can say that it was a lovely experience. While it's a bit of a splurge, I thoroughly enjoyed it and the loungers are wonderful, we had "our" spot by the pool…and were well attended to by the waiters working the pool area. If you choose to do it, enjoy. ;)

[CruisinChris]

If I'm not able to get the Sanctuary for my sister and I are our upcoming cruise, I can see us doing a cabana for sea days. We especially enjoy not having to worry about getting a lounger, having a really nice comfortable lounger, and the peace and calm of not having tons of people around. The cabana is a compromise, but the proximity to the pool makes up for it.

[CI66774]

In a New York minute - if I had some extra dollars and felt the urge to do it. Why do people pay for anything some might consider "frivolous?" Because they want to and it makes them happy. :)

[Mom33]

Dave.......I agree with your post! I will be looking to book a cabana. :D

[suitesforlife]

I originally directed this towards Brent, but I am new to posting, so I should have said anyone out there :) and thank you in advance!

 

we are sailing on the Royal Princess Sat and my husband and I are "chomping at the bit" to reserve the cabanas on board for the sea days. We called Princess and they said we have to reserve them on board the 1st day, however isn't going to be a mad house with people running to secure their reservation? Can you give me some details on how you reserved it? Was it easy? and where did you go to do it.

 

THANKS!!!!!

Edited December 4, 2013 by suitesforlife
addressed wrong