Live From The Royal Princess

[dides]

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.

 

We went for a deluxe on the preview cruise for this same reason. One drawback is that the TV is fixed flat to the wall opposite the bed so it's not as easy to watch it from the sofa - you will get a sore neck! However, still nice to have the sofa. Some pics of our cabin to illustrate:

 

 

 

[dides]

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.

/quote]

 

We were in a deluxe balcony on the last preview cruise and no, the outlets are only near the desk. Here's a pic:

 

[Bucky3]

Thanks to Shogun for starting this thread and to all of you who are adding to it. Now we seem to be getting down to the real stuff! Like the picture of the closet, the balcony sofa, the tiny balconies, plug placement, etc. Love all the detail. Almost feel like we're sailing with you all. Enjoy and keep the comments coming!

[FlynnRider78]

Hi all,

 

Well we made it on board yesterday by about 12:20, Sorry shogun only just seen your message!!

We have a horizontal inside cabin, very nice, a bit smaller than the horizontals on Emerald etc,

We had twin beds instead of a double but the steward had this sorted by early evening, def agree with shogun I was expecting the captain to maybe speak as we departed, not much made of it at all, doesn't even say maiden voyage on the Patter!! Was also hoping for there to maybe be a few bits in the shop with maiden voyage on but only inaugural season!!

Ship is fantastic, very nice, feel like we know it so well (all thanks to Dave :D)

I have a few pics so will upload them too.

 

 

 

 

 

[FlynnRider78]

[FlynnRider78]

[Shogun]

Hi All

Well cruise is well on its way, lines at pursers desk as long as ever, lot of folk appear to have got up graded, and that has split them of from family and friends in adjoining cabins, have heard a few say no one told them to mark their booking no up grade,

Chatted to a few crew I get the feeling the ship will have a busy wet dock in a years time, or a ongoing work list this year simple things like things, such as items being in a cupboard when a draw unit would be better, or a storage area on the wrong side so that crew are crossing over each at their work station, one said the ship was designed to be beautiful rather than functional,

Did the cabin crawl this morning the winner from the cabin layout has to be inside sideways cabin, looks nice and has plenty of space,

The deluxe cabin appeared to have only a few extra feet on length not sure what costs difference over standard is but I would not pay extra.

The mini has a small fault jump in your bath pull the shower curtain and you are in darkness no light on that half of the bathroom.

Another lighting issue is that in most cabins all the ceiling lights are linked

So no way just to have a light on in the bathroom, closet area without one over the bed being on.

Now the good news the casino has started to pay out at the same time sitting side by side I got $80 while Mrs Shogun got $90, we took the money and ran,

Now I like to get to know my room steward ask about his family his life etc, I also like to try and give him as little work to do as possible, this room steward is good, however we have noticed he is visiting more than twice a day, he is coming at the start of his shift, but popping back in at the end of his shift as well, I had left some towels lying and they appeared folded back up I asked Mrs Shogun if she had moved them and she said no, same again today some glasses were used, and when we came back new ones were waiting,

Found the wedding chapel, not as nice as on some ships I think the shape is wrong, I think the wedding chapel needs to be long and thin so there is an isle to walk down, this one is short and wide, but that’s just my view.

Overall most appear more than happy with the ship, the spa seems to be very well liked by those that have used it, upper decks not in use due to weather, ship appears to be able to handle passenger numbers, however not full, so can still get a seat at the IC, no real waits to get a drink at a bar etc.

Still a few TVs not working, air con around the ship feels off, some parts are cold would not want to stand around to long while one deck down in the same spot very hot,

Lunch time now so off for more food,

Yours Shogun

[Iamcruzin]

I was wondering does M.U.T.S play during the day? If so is it really loud that you wouldn't be able to relax around the main pool?

[TorontoTL]

FlynnRider78, thanks so much for posting the photos of the inside cabin in that layout. I've been wondering how it compared to the similar cabins on the Grand Class ships. As you said, it isn't quite a large, but I do like the large desk area, that is nice and the fact that the TV is quite a bit larger than I was expecting! If you have a few bathroom shots to post that would be extremely helpful as well. Is the shower larger than on the Grand Class ships?

[TorontoTL]

Thanks for your ongoing updates Shogun. We are following closely. ;)

[RichNY]

Thanks Shogun et al..:D

[manxstaff]

Many thanks for the inside cabin pics, we too were wondering about the layout, they look more spacious than other insides we have been in.

 

Could anyone answer a question for me...can you use the wine package in Vines, one thread said that you could only use it in the main dining rooms. We love to have a bottle of wine in Vines and people watch in an evening.

 

Hope you all have a fab cruise.

 

41 days and counting:)

[juakkers]

 

 

 

As promised, here are some photos of the new Alfredo's menus on the Royal.

 

It has the same ambience as the Alfredo's on the grand but is quite a lot bigger. We sat at a lovely table for two, looking out at the sea. The service was excellent (as it was everywhere on the Royal)

 

As for the food - I'm afraid we didn't try any of the antipasto, as although I would have loved to, we were just too full!

 

I had the eggplant and angel hair pasta dish. This was very similar to the Eggplant Parmigana that you get in the MDR, but stuffed with pasta. It was delicious, but quite small and I would have said it was more of an appetiser than an entree (you can always get two!)

 

DH had the pizza Royal Princess, and professed that too to be excellent.

 

No room for dessert, but the table next to us had the tiramisu, which looked like a big square version of the one you get in the little glasses in the IC

 

It's made me hungry just writing this - wish I was still on that boat!!

 

Julie

[juakkers]

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).

 

In our standard balcony we had a pillowtop. It was super comfortable. The pillows were big and fluffy as well, not the thin flattened ones we had on the Star in march. Guess they haven't had chance to wear out yet :)

[High C's]

I know the CD is Ron Goodman, but would someone please post the name of the Assistant CD (the tall fellow with the black-rimmed glasses and dark hair). He was the A/CD on one of our cruises, and we thought he was absolutely hilarious! I am so happy to see he is on the Royal - just hope he's still there for the TA crossing in October!! :)

[juakkers]

I know the CD is Ron Goodman' date=' but would someone please post the name of the Assistant CD (the tall fellow with the black-rimmed glasses and dark hair). He was the A/CD on one of our cruises, and we thought he was absolutely hilarious! I am so happy to see he is on the Royal - just hope he's still there for the TA crossing in October!! :)[/size']

 

He's called Dan Appleby. I thought he was funny too.

[richc78370]

Thank you everyone for taking the time away from your vacation to let us know your impressions of this new class of ships. We will be doing the Regal next year for the Venice to Ft. Lauderdale Maiden TA. I hope Princess has been reading all of these comments as well as listening to the passengers and make the needed corrections before the Regal comes out next year.

 

Still waiting to hear about any US 110 volt sockets near the beds for CPAP machines. I normally have to stretch an extension cord from the desk to the side of the bed but it sure would be nice if they would accommodate us by having a standard plug by the beds. :confused:

 

Shogun, will be in Scotland on the Ocean this August. Planing on seeing the Tattoo. Maybe we can buy you a pint as a thank you. :D

 

Cheers

[chamima]

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

 

 

I like ALL of your ideas.

Sounds like you should have been in charge!

:D

 

 

 

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.

 

 

Was there enough room on the shelves to put two folded tops next to each other? (Otherwise it'll take double the number of shelves to hold the same clothes.)

Thanks!

[jnc411]

Thanks Shogun : Am enjoying the posts. I did a quick read through of all the posts, and did not see this question. Have you been out on the " sea walk " area that I read about ?? How is the view ? The information I read , said that it juts out 17 feet and the view is amazing . Thanks for posting , we enjoy reading it.

Cori

[caribill]

Still waiting to hear about any US 110 volt sockets near the beds for CPAP machines. I normally have to stretch an extension cord from the desk to the side of the bed but it sure would be nice if they would accommodate us by having a standard plug by the beds. :confused:

 

 

See post #277 on this thread. The only US 110V sockets available were at the desk.

[joysea]

Hi: Enjoy reading your Live From Thread! Can you tell me if they are offering the Wine Package on the Royal? I had previously asked that question of Princess and they said it would be available on the Royal but haven't heard anyone mention it?

[High C's]

He's called Dan Appleby. I thought he was funny too.

 

Thanks! Sure hope he stays on board until the end of October!!!!! :)

[alexmom]

 

I'm going to be in one of those funky insides too!! thank you so much for the photos.

 

Since our son will be with us we will be dealing with a drop down berth and I really needed to see where stuff was located in that configuration. I never thought to ask for onboard info on it because it seemed like everyone had balconies and suites.

 

Thank you SO MUCH and another small favor - how do you feel about the shower? Kind of a mini review - one sentence but more than one word ?

 

Really sorry to bother you on your cruise. And take your time, we don't sail until next March so you can wait until you get home to answer.

 

warm regards, kristine

[BarbaraB2]

First, a huge 'thank you' for taking time away from your vacation to share your impressions and information about the 'Royal Princess'.

Having been on the Ruby where we found lovely areas to get away from the crowds, I am curious if you are able to find the same on the Royal? Are there areas inside and outside that replace the Aft pool or the Wheelhouse Bar? Are there secluded areas on any decks that are comfortable to read and relax without have to pay a premium? Is the library furnished with comfy reading chairs?

Also, we like to read on our deck and wonder how visible are the lower level midship balconies from the Seawalk?

 

Thanks again,

Barbara

[alexmom]

Thank you so much for the Alfredo's menu!! I've dragged it into my computer slideshow along with RP photos from the last week and Dave's photo too. Menus always "make the cut" in our house ! (LOL)