Live From The Royal Princess

[#1winelover]

Hi larry

 

Crooners is one of my favourite places on the ship as I spend a "bit" of time there too ;)

 

On the royal it is quite a bit bigger than normal and the furniture is slightly more varied - a few more sofas etc. more tables for two etc. in essence though it remains exactly the crooners we know and love.

The atmosphere is the same and the same nibbles with drinks etc

 

A couple of main differences: there is a door out to the prom deck where there is seating. I think this will be nice in hot weather cruises, but it is discreet and doesn't change the ambiance

Biggest difference is that the 'corridor' of foot traffic that goes past the outside of the bar on the other boats actually goes through the middle of crooners on the royal. Personally we avoided the seats that were continually walked past, but they were the best ones for the 'people watching' aspect of the old crooners and I didn't feel it detracted from the experience at all. Just gave a bit more choice

 

There was only one piano not the two that I think we're talked about. The entertainer was Kory Simon but we didn't see him

 

Hope that helps

Thanks a tone for that info!! I hope there are as many or MORE seats at the bar than on Grand Class cuz they were always full. Well, to be fair, me and cruising partner (Stranded Mermaid) took up two most of the time on our b2b in January! :D

 

Also good to hear that there are TWO US plugs at the desk, not one. I will bring my multi-plug surge protector anyway and have 6 plugs!! :)

[smoosh21]

Hi All

Well if I was in charge I would do a maiden sail away as follows,

Cruise cards to have the words maiden sailing, or at least inaugural season on them,

Atrium fully decorated, balloon drop, streamers etc, party band, not string music

Out on deck decorated, passengers to have flags with some saying Royal Princess, others the Princess logo etc, then a selection of ships and word flags,

With other cruise ships sailing just ahead of us P&0 and Cunard a salute from them,

A couple of fire tenders to spray water, a ships canon to send us off with a bang,

May be those big inflatable waving things on the dock side.

A card or photo in each cabin of the ship saying maiden voyage

A plane towing a banner, or may a stunt plane with smoke etc

The naming ceremony on MUTS

May be a speech from the Captain or Princess executive before we sail,

 

Now I am sure Princess may well do something later may be on formal night,

But a standard sail away for the new flag ship of the fleet the Royal deserves better

What I would not do, is play the Love Boat Tune on the horns over the top of the party sail away band so you could not hear either, Princess can and should do better.

 

This my view others might have a different view.

Yours Shogun

 

Maybe they should have Hired Jack Jones to come on and sing live, since he sang the song for the TV show. Hiring Charo to sing would be interesting too, since she guest starred so often

[CI66774]

Hi Shogun and Donna, we were sad leaving this morning, my night of no sleep has caught up on me so off to bed shortly, no Bellinis here!

 

This morning we managed to get a look at M107, the mini over the bridge wings, get the details from Dave, so you can share here. I will try and post a photo of the balcony tomorrow. Dave also asked an engineer about the lift announcements, they are going to add the deck name to the deck number :) I know you will all continue to have a great cruise, very envious can't wait to sail with you all again soon.

 

Nicky and Gerald, it was lovely to meet you, glad you got to watch the Sailaway, but what a shame there was nothing special for those on board.

 

I asked at the Passenger Services Desk, and there were apparently 2600 pax on board for the 2 night cruise. The ship felt half empty so f that is the case, I am impressed.

 

The Pianist at Crooners certainly divided opinion, I heard a lot more against than for, but that could be because those that enjoyed him were in Crooners. Having the Piano located near the railing meant you couldn't escape, if you wanted to stay in the Piazza.

 

I'm very interested in the layout of M107 or any of the Lido/Marina corner minis - hope they're a little bigger. Would be interested in the configuration!!

[Psychedout]

I am watching the 'Royal' on the ship's webcam and marinetraffic.com. Have a wonderful cruise everyone. :):):)Having been onboard last Tuesday, I certainly wish I was onboard now.:(

 

 

Thanks for the link. We were booked on this sailing but had to cancel:(. We will be on her in 2015:)

[Pink-belle]

The configuration looked great to me, for M107, door as if you are entering a Starboard Stateroom. Bathroom was then on the left, straight ahead the seating area, you then walked around to the sleeping area. I am sure the sliding door was off of the seating area, the sleeping area had a large window in front of the bed. I was headed straight to the huge balcony over the entire Bridge wing.

I still have a friend on board, who will hopefully remember it completely, and is in a mini so can give you details of how it compares to the other ships.

 

One observation the standard Balconies are small, adequate, but scaled down from the Grand Class Balconies. Even the Stateroom doors are small, tricky getting luggage in and out, I wish I had had a tape measure to take accurate measurements.

[CI66774]

The configuration looked great to me, for M107, door as if you are entering a Starboard Stateroom. Bathroom was then on the left, straight ahead the seating area, you then walked around to the sleeping area. I am sure the sliding door was off of the seating area, the sleeping area had a large window in front of the bed. I was headed straight to the huge balcony over the entire Bridge wing.

I still have a friend on board, who will hopefully remember it completely, and is in a mini so can give you details of how it compares to the other ships.

 

One observation the standard Balconies are small, adequate, but scaled down from the Grand Class Balconies. Even the Stateroom doors are small, tricky getting luggage in and out, I wish I had had a tape measure to take accurate measurements.

 

Wonderful! I booked L108 for the transatlantic/Baltics next year with my daughter. Is the sleeping area "separated" from the sofa couch at all? Like by a curtain? Do you think it's bigger than the standard mini? Thank you so much for this info - it's invaluable to me!!!:)

[dides]

Hi, I got off the preview cruise this morning and was in a Deluxe Balcony cabin so my replies will be based on my experience

 

Do the Royal Balconies have sliding doors like others in the Princess Fleet?

Yes, same sliding doors

Do regular & deluxe balcony cabins have a full length wardrobe closet, or are they short like the Grand?

Full length - see pic below

 

 

What does the safe look like, is it in a shelved closet like other ships?

Yes in a shelved closet - see above pic

 

How does the light/key system work. Are outlets keyed to the key card as well as lights? Reason for question we charge stuff during the day when we are not in the cabin.

I am not sure about the main sockets for charging but lack of key card also turned the TV off. Here's a pic of the card holder by the door

 

 

[jackieo]

The wardrobes are the same as on the grand class ships. Full length shelves but a bit narrower I think. Safe is similar and operates the same way.

 

The bar stools in Crooners are very comfortable with arms there were 8 of these they are a bit bigger than on other ships.

 

The mattresses and bedding (we had deluxe room I think it's enhanced) nice and plush.

 

I also liked the front smaller piazza with the passenger service desk and sabatini's then the loctus spa.

 

Picture is the desk from the deluxe balcony. The drawer has the hairdryer in it. The lighting in the room was excellent better than on other ships we felt.

[redtogo]

Wonderful review of the new Royal Princess! Thank you, everyone.

 

I was unaware of there being a two day cruise. Sounds exciting and full of informational experiences.

 

1. Where is smoking allowed on the new Royal?

2. How do you go about accessing the free intranet?

3. If possible, I would be interested in a comparison of a deluxe balcony and a mini suite.

 

That you in advance.

[Pia1913]

But once they are above the Piazza, what do you see? Are they only panaramic for those 3 decks?

I usually travel on Royal Caribbean, and their elevator banks are facing open atriums, so you see views all the way up and down.

 

This is not RC. Once above the Atrium you see a wall.

[Astro Flyer]

A photo of the HC coffeemakers & info from the manufacture's website indicate that it may be a "bean to brew" machine or is it still coffee from concentrate?

[Shogun]

Hi All

 

Up date for you,

 

Vines last night full, tonight one person seating alone there,

 

Casino over flowing can not find a slot machine to play so will not lose any money tonight,

 

Diner tonight mdr very quite, food excellant, would not go as far as to say best meal ever, but it was very nice, simple crispy pancakes followed by seared fish, think it was sasa.

 

Watched a incabin movie Argo, again excellant quality of picture and sound Princess needs to fit this system to the whole fleet.

 

Was in a part of the ship when the lights went out, were still out when I left,

 

in another part group of ship yard works plugging testing equipment into things,

 

load of others in boiler suites assume there are a few things to iron out behind the scenes

 

the onboard intran net not working fully yet, does not work on android,

 

works most times on i pad .

 

Prom deck well the little out door seating area as it is noe known has around 12 seats and 4 tables on it.

 

clocks go forward tonight so less sleep time,

 

saw one guy from a suite going mad at pursars desk, wanted refund, new cabin, said he had been conned, wanted to see captain etc very unhappy,

 

from what I could make out cabin was not like deck plan, hated the layout and balcony was too small, do not no cabin number or type.

 

yours Shogun

[Dr. Pam]

Thanks Shogun for all your Royal updates. :) They are very much appreciated. It is just adding to the excitement of when we board in Venice on July 29. Any more info on the mad suite guy, I am all ears. We are in a S2 aft on the Riviera deck. I hope that we have a large balcony!

[nasa1974]

Hi All

 

Up date for you,

 

saw one guy from a suite going mad at pursars desk, wanted refund, new cabin, said he had been conned, wanted to see captain etc very unhappy, from what I could make out cabin was not like deck plan, hated the layout and balcony was too small, do not no cabin number or type.

 

I guess this guy wasn't reading Dave's thread about the Royal. :rolleyes:

 

yours Shogun

 

Shogun, thanks for your updates looking forward to more during the week. Have a safe trip and enjoy.

 

Marty

[Iamcruzin]

Forgive my ignorance but I don't understand why there are so many issues that need to be taken care of on a new ship with paying passengers on board unless the first several cruises are discounted heavily. Regular issues I can understand but not the kind of issues I'm reading about or have read about with regard to other new ships. Would enjoy receiving an education on this please.

I all about the Maiden Voyage. People are willing to pay top dollar to be the first. Most expect that there will be problems in the beginning but the trill to be the first trumps any small problems. Most do not book a cruise to watch TV. While it's an inconvenience it's not a deal breaker. Personally you will never see me standing in line to be the first for anything. I like to wait until all the bugs are out whether it's the latest greatest electronic, car or a new ship.

[casavaha]

Shogun: Many thanks for the updates. Your thoughts on the dancing in the Atruim.

I know the band is Ophelia, they are from the Ruby. Are many persons dancing?

Any complaints about the floor?

 

Thanks again.

 

Greg

[nasa1974]

Thanks Shogun for all your Royal updates. :) They are very much appreciated. It is just adding to the excitement of when we board in Venice on July 29. Any more info on the mad suite guy, I am all ears. We are in a S2 aft on the Riviera deck. I hope that we have a large balcony!

 

 

Dr. Pam. Here is a picture from Dave's thread, "Everything Royal Princess". http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1766069

 

Quote from Dave.

"Here is an aft view of Royal Princess. I've annotated each deck and the cabin numbers (last two digits) are on the sliding glass doors of each stateroom."

Hope this answers your question.

 

Marty

 

[Donder1]

I'm really interested in the various cabins & feedback on whether there's really an advantage to the deluxe balconies. Also, if anyone could get a peek of one of the forward corner minis, that would be awesome!

 

We are on a 17 night TA in Sept. 2014. Changed from a regular balcony to deluxe mainly for the sofa. When in the cabin, I like a sofa rather than one comfy chair. With the basic configuration of a regular balcony, it means that one of us has to sit on the bed.

[CSloan]

I don't post a lot... but am really enjoying this thread! Thanks so much for taking time to do this!

 

Is there anyway you could get the CD's email address for me? I want to contact him re: our August sailing.

 

Thanks.

[Dr. Pam]

Dr. Pam. Here is a picture from Dave's thread, "Everything Royal Princess". http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1766069

 

Quote from Dave.

"Here is an aft view of Royal Princess. I've annotated each deck and the cabin numbers (last two digits) are on the sliding glass doors of each stateroom."

Hope this answers your question.

 

Marty

 

 

Hi Marty,

 

I was following Dave`s thread and he provided a picture to show where our suite was but it did not show the deck size. I must have missed this picture....it is a great pix.....I think our balcony will be great....might be good for a party onboard!!

[Egret32]

Anyone notice how these work and if they totally open these balconies up? Are the angled balconies really bigger?

[CruzNut7]

Some place along the way I saw that ALL the mattresses are pillow top (that's what I have at home, so would guess you won't need an egg crate top).

[roe2ship]

But once they are above the Piazza, what do you see? Are they only panaramic for those 3 decks?

I usually travel on Royal Caribbean, and their elevator banks are facing open atriums, so you see views all the way up and down.

Yes, only the three decks....quite different from Royal Caribbean ships.:)

[WineCountryCruiser]

Does anyone on the Royal right now know if there is an electrical outlet near the beds in a deluxe balcony cabin? DW uses a CPAP machine and we're not sure there is an outlet close to the bed that she can use.

 

Thanks!

 

Craig

[The Big Booper]

Does anyone on the Royal right now know if there is an electrical outlet near the beds in a deluxe balcony cabin? DW uses a CPAP machine and we're not sure there is an outlet close to the bed that she can use.

 

Thanks!

 

Craig

 

Most ships have the outlets on the desk so you would need an octopus and heavy duty extension cord. I have been dragging my CPAP on cruises on all lines for 14 years and have never had a problem with my 20 foot cord.