Royal Princess

[richard.f.lange]

Royal Princess cruise of 11/17/13

 

The first thing on any cruise is the life boat drill and I being a retired Life Safety Engineer I would like to let you know I found the Princess to be a relatively safe ship! Here's why:

 

• The smoke detection and fire alarm is state of the art with individual detector/sounders in every room. Fire at sea is a very serious event and they seem to be

Very aware in everything they do!

 

• There are more than enough

Life boats or safety craft to

Evacuate passengers and

Crew + 1000 more.

An excellent ratio in an

emergency.

 

Note that these Numbers are

based on max capacity of a

Standard lifeboat or

279 in a life boat and when

We tendered ashore with 179

It was extremely TIGHT!

 

•.The ships elevators were

crowded for the Life Boat

Drill so people in wheelchairs

and mobility scooters were late

Going to the drill. No planning

by ships crew to allow for the

handicapped. The IMO SOLAS

Requirement of 30 minutes to

Evacuate EVERYONE is still

UNACHIEVABLE. It makes you

wonder what would happen in

a real situation.

 

• Balconies ARE very narrow but

They are made of non -

combustible materials so

there is little chance of a

major fire like Ruby Princess

had. Sliding glass doors

Are double pane thermal but

I did not see a fire rating.

 

• Now for some really good

news. The ship meets a new

Standard and it is the first ship

To be built this way. Safe

Return To Port or SRTP

means that a ship can have a

"Catastrophic" system failure

and it must be able to travel

10000 Nautical miles at a

Speed of 6 knots back to

a safe port.

If you remember the Carnival

Triumph that went adrift

without power in the Gulf

of Mexico, then you will

know how Important this is!

Tell anyone that cruises about

this reg. the only power we

have against the super secret

and very powerful CRUISE

Corporations is this form of

Communication.

 

If you are concerned about

Safety of Life At Sea

(SOLAS) then copy this to

every cruise review you can.

 

Now let's get to the good, bad and ugly.

 

The Good;

Large Horizon Court with

Excellent quality & variety.

 

Great snacks at the pool

area and on Piazza Deck 5

Available almost anytime!

 

Good stage shows with

excellent stage lighting and

Fantastic sound.

 

Dining for anytime dining

was very good with good

Quality-Variety- Service

 

Great outdoor movie

screen (movies are so so)

 

Excellent flat screens in

every room. Good

selection of "recent"

movies, popular TV series

Shows and live news

networks.

 

The Bad;

Balconies are Very Small

 

Elevators are Slow at

Peak times

 

NO Midship staircase that

Further exacerbates the

slow elevators. (Not a good

evacuation plan either.)

 

The "crab shack" is a

sectioned off area of

Horizon and is only open

On certain sea days. From

What I could see it was

not worth the $20 per

person. Not like the crab

they used to serve pre

2008. Yes folks it's all

About the $$$

The Ugly;

Everywhere you go they

solicit you for something.

I know it's all about the

Money but it's getting

To be annoying! If I want

something I will ask!

STOP pestering me.

 

There is no real Promenade

Deck. Other than the pool

or sun decks there is very

little space to walk or sit

outside.

 

The decor is elegant but

most areas are a neutral

shade of brown.

 

So, if you are looking for a safe ride on a new ship that has mediocre attractions then pack up your money bags and sail away!

 

From my point of view it's a out of five. Not a real hit for Princess.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[dmwnc1959]

So, if you are looking for a safe ride on a new ship that has mediocre attractions then pack up your money bags and sail away!Tapatalk

 

THANKS for your safety insight. And I'm packing everything except the kitchen sink and a suit (as long as it's under 50 pounds per airline guidelines ;)), already bought/have plenty of Onboard Credit, and I'm looking forward to two relaxing weeks on Royal Princes. Can't wait! :D Eager to try the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar and the Crab Shack thanks to Kristin's (macusr) recommendations!!!

 

7 days and Counting. :D:D:D

[CruisinChris]

To my knowledge and memory there was never a fire (major or otherwise) on the Ruby. I believe you are remembering the Star.

[Mom33]

Thank you for your review and perspective of the Royal Princess.:D

 

I believe the fire you speak of was on the Star Princess as there has never been a fire on the Ruby. Also, in the matter of safety on any cruise ship as well as any building on land, no one should use an elevator during a fire! There are mid ship stairs for evacuation purposes on the Royal. Crew is also assigned to disabled cruisers to aid in their evacuation. :)

[bhopal21]

Agreed.

 

Elevators are not to be used during muster.

 

Mike:)

[Ethel5]

To my knowledge and memory there was never a fire (major or otherwise) on the Ruby. I believe you are remembering the Star.

 

Thank you for your review and perspective of the Royal Princess.:D

 

I believe the fire you speak of was on the Star Princess as there has never been a fire on the Ruby. Also' date=' in the matter of safety on any cruise ship as well as any building on land, no one should use an elevator during a fire! There are mid ship stairs for evacuation purposes on the Royal. Crew is also assigned to disabled cruisers to aid in their evacuation. :)[/quote']

 

I concur. there has never been a fire on the Ruby. The Star had a major fire a few years back.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Ethel5

[Blk_Amish]

Royal Princess cruise of 11/17/13

 

 

If you are concerned about

Safety of Life At Sea

(SOLAS) then copy this to

every cruise review you can.

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

No, there is a point when I leave my home I look to the heavens and whisper, Thy Will Be Done. Can I get hurt, only because I am accident prone. The Royal Princess is a chance for some of us to experience something different from the same ole, same ole, look which will always be there on the other ships. I hope Princess continues to add something different to future ships, so each sailing on a different ship feels like a different vacation and experience. I am really ready for the good, bad, and ugly on such a pretty ship.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Blk_Amish

[Pia1913]

Excerpt from OP:

 

The Ugly;

Everywhere you go they

solicit you for something.

I know it's all about the

Money but it's getting

To be annoying! If I want

something I will ask!

STOP pestering me.

 

 

I am wondering why you were pursued and I was not. We spent 30 days on the Royal not once did I experience what you mentioned.

[sunshine100]

I agree Pia, we just got off Royal last Sunday and we actually commented on that we were not asked/bugged to purchase things. In fact, even in Princess live or the theatre, we were rarely asked if we wanted a drink(this could be good or bad!) We felt that even on embarkation day, and going through the spa, we felt no pressure whatsoever!

 

Really glad to know how safe the ship is, thanks for the information! This was not in the book that I read that is in your room on Royal!

 

Have to admit, I did miss the promenade deck a little because we like to walk, but we decided to walk the halls where the cabins are and admired the beauty of all the photography done by other passengers!

 

We loved the new style and new features on this ship!!

[Pam in CA]

Excerpt from OP:

 

The Ugly;

Everywhere you go they

solicit you for something.

I know it's all about the

Money but it's getting

To be annoying! If I want

something I will ask!

STOP pestering me.

 

 

I am wondering why you were pursued and I was not. We spent 30 days on the Royal not once did I experience what you mentioned.

I spent 18 days (of Pia's 30) and never got solicited for anything. In the past, I just say, "No" and they take the hint. I'd say that the Royal was the least sales pitch pushy cruise I've ever taken.

 

Thanks for the safety review. One question: a ship has to be able to sail 10,000 nautical miles under it's own power? That would take it to any port and back. No? Surely there's a port within 1/10th that distance on most cruises. Ten thousand nautical miles sounds like overkill.

Edited November 24, 2013 by Pam in CA

[lynwar]

Hello,

We just arrived home from the Nov. 17 Royal Princess and must say that we had very nice cruise.

I liked the décor, and the Wheelhouse Bar area reminded me of something I might find on the QE 2 . Heavy mahogany looking surroundings-masculine. While we didn't eat in the Crown Grill, I did see where the Bar area ended and the white table cloths started! The entertainment (piano) area was out by the hall side so it wasn't right up against the dining.

It didn't take me too long to figure out the layout of the ship from past Princess cruises, and once I established where the elevators were situated, I knew to go left for aft (Horizon Court- we were A603) and right for forward/midship which was a longer walk with a few jogs in the hall.

I have written more on our Nov. 17th roll call, as I didn't know this thread had started.

 

dmwnc1959-The Seafood Bar is right up there next to Crooners-in the middle of all the excitement! :D I must say that the Piazza is a wonder to behold, and I was thinking of you when I saw where the casino was situated. There are about 4 different ways to enter it so I'll let you discover it for yourself!! :) Club 6, next to the Casino (I finally realized) was mostly used for Trivia during the day, and there were probably some other small outings in there. Some people sat in there and read.

 

Pia-I followed your "Live From" thread--along with others who posted from the ships and comments made along the way. We would sail on her again, but might opt to go back to the Ruby or Emerald for a breather. We did a lot of walking and stair climbing on this cruise (Piazza area). That entire layout there, is kind of neat, though.

 

And, except for the first night in the Dining Room, we ate up in the Horizon Court most of the time and Alfredo's a couple of times. We took formal clothes but didn't use them. We're kind of "meat and potatoes", rather than the fancy stuff, and that's how we relax.

 

I will say that the sports area up on Deck 17 or 18 is nice and many people seemed to participate in the activities.

 

We watched the cabin TV every night-and I was overjoyed to find that my favorite cable news channel was a selection. We also watched "The Lone Ranger" and "Man of Steel" in the cabin. The internet was fine up until Thursday, I believe. After that, the signal went down and there was no access.

If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them, but didn't go to all the venues.

Also, the TP in the cabin-just used the extra roll and never bothered with the holder.

 

We were on the Star Princess before the fire. One of the cabins burned belonged to a fellow cruiser and his family who sailed with us, so it was sad to watch where they had stayed go up in flames.

 

Take care for now. Lynne

[caribill]

•.The ships elevators were

crowded for the Life Boat

Drill so people in wheelchairs

and mobility scooters were late

Going to the drill. No planning

by ships crew to allow for the

handicapped. The IMO SOLAS

Requirement of 30 minutes to

Evacuate EVERYONE is still

UNACHIEVABLE. It makes you

wonder what would happen in

a real situation.

 

Those who have mobility problems that would require assistance in case of emergency are supposed to inform the Purser's desk of this. Ship's personnel will provide the needed assistance if the need arises.

 

 

• Now for some really good

news. The ship meets a new

Standard and it is the first ship

To be built this way. Safe

Return To Port or SRTP

means that a ship can have a

"Catastrophic" system failure

and it must be able to travel

10000 Nautical miles at a

Speed of 6 knots back to

a safe port.

 

Ships do not normally carry enough fuel to go 10000 nautical miles even if all systems are working. Did you mean 1000 NM?

 

NO Midship staircase that

Further exacerbates the

slow elevators. (Not a good

evacuation plan either.)

 

In case of emergency (and even for the muster drill), the center stairway for staff is opened for passengers to use.

 

 

From my point of view it's a out of five. Not a real hit for Princess.

 

Does "it's a out of five" mean it is less than zero?

 

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

 

Sent from my desk top using MTF.

Edited November 24, 2013 by caribill

[Happy2cruise]

Was on the 11/3 sailing and there was hardly any soliciting at all:D

[shepp]

 

I am wondering why you were pursued and I was not. We spent 30 days on the Royal not once did I experience what you mentioned.

 

Me too. If anything, there were noticeably less solicitations for soda cards, wine tastings, coffee cards, etc., than on other Princess cruises. Of course, maybe they knew I was on Pia's trivia team, so they wouldn't dare bother me.

[Pia1913]

Me too. If anything, there were noticeably less solicitations for soda cards, wine tastings, coffee cards, etc., than on other Princess cruises. Of course, maybe they knew I was on Pia's trivia team, so they wouldn't dare bother me.

 

 

LOL The winning team! :D

[richard.f.lange]

I'm sorry folks the fire was on the Princess Star!

If you google "fires aboard ships" you can get a complete list. The list shows that the original

Royal Princess also had a fire.

 

But the final report of that STAR incident said that the fire was probably caused by a cigarette thrown overboard and spread due to combustible materials between the balconies. Like major fires on land regulations and construction get revised AFTER the loss of life!

 

I think I was misunderstood, you never should take an elevator during a fire. I was talking about a lifeboat drill and how inefficient the elevators were in getting handicapped people to the muster stations.

Yes, in a fire you ALWAYS should take the stairs. The problem with the Royal Princess is that there are NO stairs in the middle! Just fore and aft. Not Safe for anyone no less the handicapped.

 

Our Royal Princess handicapped cabin was right next to the forward elevators AND stairway.

People with mobility issues should never book rooms on the middle of the ship.

 

Be SAFE plan ahead.

 

Richard

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[richard.f.lange]

Carbill,

 

Every Captain and crew that sails knows you cannot completely evacuate a large ship in 30 minutes. It is Impossible.

 

In my opinion the crew staircase amid ship is not clearly marked and most people would not find it!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

[redtogo]

For those who have not sailed the Royal Princess, I am posting a photo of the central staircase location. The doors are opened during the muster drill. It appeared to me that all Princess needs to do is carpet the stairwell and it would look like the remainder of the ship and other stairwells. I would hope that one day these stairs will be opened to customer use.

 

Those large double doors....the stairwell is located behind them.

Edited November 25, 2013 by redtogo

[Pia1913]

For those who have not sailed the Royal Princess, I am posting a photo of the central staircase location. The doors are opened during the muster drill. It appeared to me that all Princess needs to do is carpet the stairwell and it would look like the remainder of the ship and other stairwells. I would hope that one day these stairs will be opened to customer use.

 

Those large double doors....the stairwell is located behind them.

 

The Grand has the same staircase and in 15 years they haven't done it except during muster. You think they will do it now even when people have been complaining for 15 years? Who knows.

[Mom33]

Carbill,

 

Every Captain and crew that sails knows you cannot completely evacuate a large ship in 30 minutes. It is Impossible.

 

In my opinion the crew staircase amid ship is not clearly marked and most people would not find it!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

The crew would man the central staircase in event of an evacuation giving guidance on every deck just as they do during the drill.

[boca7]

Just off 11/17 sailing, biggest problem for us was the A/C not getting cool enough, portside R deck. Family on odd #`s A/C very cool. Bath towels are now mini sized. Winemakers dinner was outstanding, shame that 4 people made res & noshows. Maitre D waisted time calling them.

[redtogo]

The Grand has the same staircase and in 15 years they haven't done it except during muster. You think they will do it now even when people have been complaining for 15 years? Who knows.

 

Who would have thought that there would have been design changes in the Regal Princess? Anything is possible.

Edited November 25, 2013 by redtogo

[lynwar]

The crew stairs were opened to us from the hallway, not the area that looks like elevators. They looked like the interior of the ship--walls were white and the stairs were basic. They took us down to around the Wheelhouse Bar area-where our muster station was located.

Not knowing the layout of the ship yet, I thought we were in an actual room instead of where the hallway area was, where there were chairs and tables along the side. People who were going to other stations were walking through there.

 

The worst part was walking back up the stairs. Now we know that we could have waited for an elevator, but the crew was working with logistics.

 

Lynne

[Pia1913]

Just off 11/17 sailing, biggest problem for us was the A/C not getting cool enough, portside R deck. Family on odd #`s A/C very cool. Bath towels are now mini sized. Winemakers dinner was outstanding, shame that 4 people made res & noshows. Maitre D waisted time calling them.

 

Interesting comments above.

 

1. We were on the port side on Caribe. A/C tended to be too cold

 

2. I loved the towels and the fact that they were LARGER.

 

Can't understand where your mini towels came from. Certain areas on all ships tend to have A/C problems.

[Woobstr112G]

THANKS for your safety insight. And I'm packing everything except the kitchen sink and a suit (as long as it's under 50 pounds per airline guidelines ;)), already bought/have plenty of Onboard Credit, and I'm looking forward to two relaxing weeks on Royal Princes. Can't wait! :D Eager to try the Ocean Terrace Seafood Bar and the Crab Shack thanks to Kristin's (macusr) recommendations!!!

 

7 days and Counting. :D:D:D

 

OP;

 

Thanks for taking the time to post your thoughts.

 

Dave, it's almost here for you. I'm sure you'll have a fantastic voyage.....:)

 

Bob