Royal Princess Retreat cabanas

[TomCruises]

The Retreat is a joke! Tents simply pitched over 2 loungers around the pool for $80 pd. Much better deal getting a prime location in Sanctuary! Who in the world wants to pay that coin to get splashed plus the noise in a tent on top of the pool! I think Princess will realize that this was a bad idea!:rolleyes:

[1turbodog]

We just got back from the Royal sailing 3/9 through 3/19. The adult retreat area around the pool was very attractive and popular; however, the tents/canopies in this area carry an extra charge - I never saw one being used. Note that this is not the same as the sanctuary. In my opinion, the retreat area is one of the nicest places on the ship to relax.

[caribill]

I agree. I don't understand the whole TV, Sofa, Bar setup in the sanctuary. For the price they charge a day you may as well book a suite and just stay in your room.

 

With the TV in use, it is no longer a Sanctuary with quiet for those outside the cabana but within hearing distance.

[caribill]

Thanks all... Well lets see: Plan 1: reserve two shaded loungers in Retreat for week- probobly won't work out- Plan 2: reserve Retreat cabana for the week, not going to happen. Plan 3A: Just use Retreat pool for a quick dip- dry off and find any 2 loungers in any shade, someplace on the ship. Hopefully we will be able to get into the Enclave, at the least, and that will be our basic water entertainment on board the ship. Plan 3B If it is not a windy day and cabana is available for morning on a sea day, and it is not next to whirlpool, then we will book that. So much for a relaxing trip!

 

Plan 1 won't work out for sure as you cannot reserve loungers in the Retreat area (even if there was shade) unless you are a chair hog and a towel of yours gets there early.

Edited March 23, 2015 by caribill

[dmwnc1959]

With the TV in use, it is no longer a Sanctuary with quiet for those outside the cabana but within hearing distance.

 

 

I thought I had read somewhere that the TV use required headphones?

 

:confused:

[IECalCruiser]

P&O version of the Royal/Regal, the Britannia, has no cabanas by the pool in their version of the Retreat.

[Dinotoll]

With the TV in use, it is no longer a Sanctuary with quiet for those outside the cabana but within hearing distance.

 

Hi everyone, of course they provide you with BOSE headphones, not only for the television, included are also apple ipods with tons of music, ok what is all included else: for example tea, coffee, drinks , M&Ms chocolate, as much as you want, 1 bottle wine every day, water , we got 2 boxes with soya milk, 2 big plates with sample of fruits also everyday, than you can have breakfast , lunch ...everything is included. Every wish was fullfilled and they walked an extra mile for us. The service was amazing. Maybe its expensive for the first sight , but you have privacy and I was mostly relaxed in that time. There are only four of this cabanas and every day sold out, you can not compare that with the open poolsite cabanas...:D

 

We are royal princess cruisers ! ---> the Ruby we love her too...

Edited March 23, 2015 by Dinotoll

[Colo Cruiser]

$220 per day? :eek:

 

Hi everyone, of course they provide you with BOSE headphones, not only for the television, included are also apple ipods with tons of music, ok what is all included else: for example tea, coffee, drinks , M&Ms chocolate, as much as you want, 1 bottle wine every day, water , we got 2 boxes with soya milk, 2 big plates with sample of fruits also everyday, than you can have breakfast , lunch ...everything is included. Every wish was fullfilled and they walked an extra mile for us. The service was amazing. Maybe its expensive for the first sight , but you have privacy and I was mostly relaxed in that time. There are only four of this cabanas and every day sold out, you can not compare that with the open poolsite cabanas...:D

 

We are royal princess cruisers ! ---> the Ruby we love her too...

 

 

see above.

[luvabeach]

We couldn't reserve anything in the Sanctuary or a retreat Cabana....they were all booked the 10 day cruise of Feb 27th. Called minute we got on ship. Extremely annoying, but in actual fact, it saved a fortune of money as it was so windy every day at the retreat pool. Really think this is a very weak link of Princess. Not enough chaises and an unfair process to book Sanctuary or Cabana. Really don't understand why one cant book ahead (even make it a penalty for cancelling) for all services even restaurants. It seems to work for other cruise lines just fine!

[dmwnc1959]

Really don't understand why one cant book ahead (even make it a penalty for cancelling) for all services even restaurants. It seems to work for other cruise lines just fine!

 

 

Actually, no it doesn't. Even though the ability to book and reserve showtimes, restaurants, and various features aboard other cruise lines is offered, the forums are awash with people who book a cruise and cannot get the preferred time they want to eat or enjoy a performance because it's already "sold out". The first-come first-served mentality works fine if you're Johnny-on-the-spot the moment reservations open up 100+ days in advance, but not everyone is that organized, nor want to confine themselves to literally having to book something just to grab a spot in that theater or restaurant, then change their minds later for whatever reason. This creates a lot of problems.

 

:D

[Dinotoll]

@Colo Cruiser, I am talking about the 4 avaiable cabanas inside the sanctuary not the open ones in front of the pool. They charged me 220 dollars a day, so I paid 1980 Dollar :eek: , they give me a discount for the first day :)

This was december 2014, in december 2013 we did the same but did only 7 days caribic cruise. If you dont believe I can post a copy of the invoice :D

[Colo Cruiser]

@Colo Cruiser, I am talking about the 4 avaiable cabanas inside the sanctuary not the open ones in front of the pool. They charged me 220 dollars a day, so I paid 1980 Dollar :eek: , they give me a discount for the first day :)

This was december 2014, in december 2013 we did the same but did only 7 days caribic cruise. If you dont believe I can post a copy of the invoice :D

 

 

Thanks.

[lovevacadays]

And that's the choice you make. Just as others would choose on spending their money on a drinks package, shore excursion, specialty restaurant, spa visit, The Santuary, or gambling in the casino.

 

Great point, Dave. We all are different and have our preferences. Just because our preference isn't someone else's doesn't mean we have to tell them we wouldn't do it.

[riclop]

Can't reserve for the week but if you get friendly with the head of that dept you can reserve it the day before, there was always a couple available everyday.

[caribill]

Last month it was 50 for a half day and 80 for the full day.

 

They are available on a first come first serve basis every morning. They were not available to reserve for the week in advance

 

 

We couldn't reserve.... a retreat Cabana....they were all booked the 10 day cruise of Feb 27th. Called minute we got on ship.

 

Looks like different policies on different ships.

[Potstech]

Was on the Royal in April and the only thing private about the cabanas is that they are only for use by the people who pay the money. There are other loungers aroubd it that are general use as is the pool. They provide little shade or wind barrier. Imagine going to a beach and spending $40.00 for half a day for a small canopy that all can see into and you get to see and hear all around you.

 

And I agree each person must decide on what they want to do on the ship. Enjoy

[msw.delafield]

Looks like different policies on different ships.

 

Well, that technically would be consistent with Princess!! LOL

[Steelers36]

@Colo Cruiser, I am talking about the 4 avaiable cabanas inside the sanctuary not the open ones in front of the pool. They charged me 220 dollars a day, so I paid 1980 Dollar :eek: , they give me a discount for the first day :)

This was december 2014, in december 2013 we did the same but did only 7 days caribic cruise. If you dont believe I can post a copy of the invoice :D

 

I believe it, but I wish they didn't have them. Selfishly because the deck space could be used for more regular loungers at the $80 price (for 2 assuming a couple), versus $220 price point. OUCH!!! But good on you if can afford it.

[Mia33496]

We reserve the Royal and Regal Retreat cabanas uponboarding for some sea days, and Sanctuary cabana (much more expensive) forother sea days. The Retreat cabanas allowed us to come and go without worryabout the chair hogs (even on embarkation day, every open Retreat lounger had atowel – but no people – on it). The Retreat cabanas receive the same service asthe Sanctuary loungers and at the same price ($80 for a full day). So, it’sjust a personal choice, and my husband wants shade, while I want sun, so ourchoice is usually Retreat cabana. Now….ifwe could control chair hogs, it would be unnecessary….we watch those emptychairs with towels throughout the day and they almost all stay empty.

[AF-1]

This is a great thread and I have learned a lot from reading it. In comparison to other cruise lines; the only other cruise lines that I have been on have been NCL and RCI. On NCL the haven has a private sun deck; but the price is included into your cabin price; but you also get a pool and dining room too. On RCI we had a separate deck chair area for suite guests. Again this area plus the reserved seating in theater and breakfast in CK or another place is included in the price of the cabin. But am sailing next Feb and will look into Sanctuary and pool cabana. We sailed to Alaska last year and even the Sanctuary was too cold for my wife and I to sit in.