Royal v. Regal

[k.squared1392]

Hello there,

 

I've been stalking these Princess threads looking for as much information on Royal Princess because we will be sailing on her later this year.

Unfortunately there isn't a ton of threads about her as other ships - mainly because it's a newer ship?

 

Would I be able to read threads about her sister ship (even more new) the Regal and get a similar feel?

 

 

&& please if you have experience on either - feel free to write it here! Can't read enough about it!!

 

 

Thanks all!

[Musky Ike]

We liked the Royal, but it is somewhat different than other Princess ships.

 

There are a LOT of treads on the Royal you could use the search feature on this board to find them. The Regal is a sister ship so similar but not the same.

 

Your best ship information will be on the Princess website. On the top bar click on "ships & Experience" then "cruise ships and deck plans" then on "Royal Princess".

Edited April 9, 2015 by Musky Ike

[dmwnc1959]

Here's a fairly extensive Live thread I did while on Royal Princess for two weeks in December 2013. For the most part not much will have changed. There are also links posted below to my Flickr pages with over 1000 pictures of Royal Princess.

 

 

Bon Voyage Dave!!! (Live thread)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1950107

 

 

 

Royal Princess Part 1 (482 pictures)

 

 

Royal Princess Part 2 (695 pictures)

 

 

Stairs and art (49 pictures)

 

 

Bridge Tour (55 pictures)

 

 

Patters and various menus (7-day Eastern, 65 pictures)

 

:D

[dmwnc1959]

Two more threads with LOTS of good information...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2025472

 

 

http://cruiseforums.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2017216

 

 

Hope this helps!

 

 

:D

Edited April 9, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[seacruise9]

Hi,

 

I have cruised aboard both the Royal Princess (maiden voyage in June 2013) and the Regal Princess (one of its first cruises in June 2014). A few minor improvements were made to the Regal Princess, but the ships are very similar. I enjoyed these ships and think they are beautiful.

 

Chuck

[Amtrack Springfield]

We loved the Regal Princess last November when she first sailed out of Fort Lauderdale. Not having the middle stairs was no problem. The Horizon Court was outstanding. We missed the walk on the promenade deck. Our balcony on the Caribe deck was smaller than other ships we have been on. The staff and CD were great. We are trying the Royal Princess in October. I don't think you can go wrong.

[ChiefBoats]

We have sailed on the Royal twice. We enjoyed the cruises but she is very different from the other Princess ships. We will not hesitate to sail her again but are looking at one of these days sailing on the Regal. Since she is a sister ship she will be similar but in some cases different which is normal for the other sister ship groups in the fleet.

 

__________________________________

Island Princess 2008 Alaska, Island Princess 2009 (B2B) Alaska, Royal Princess (Old) 2010 Alaska, Golden Princess 2011 Alaska, Coral Princess 2012 Panama Canal, Star Princess 2012 Alaska, Island Princess 2013 Alaska, Crown Princess 2013 Western Caribbean, Caribbean Princess 2013 Western Caribbean, Royal Princess 2014 Eastern Caribbean, Royal Princess 2014 New England, Emerald Princess 2014 Western Caribbean, Emerald Princess 2015 Western Caribbean

[susancruzs]

Some people have pointed out (in a nice manner), there are some differences with the newer Regal compared to the Royal. Hopefully the OP will find everything they need to enhance the cruise experience.

 

I've cruised a great deal, and I still like reading about ships, looking at deck plans, seeing pictures people have taken, part of the planning.

[margeg]

Here's a fairly extensive Live thread I did while on Royal Princess for two weeks in December 2013. For the most part not much will have changed. There are also links posted below to my Flickr pages with over 1000 pictures of Royal Princess.

 

 

Bon Voyage Dave!!! (Live thread)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1950107

 

 

 

Royal Princess Part 1 (482 pictures)

 

 

Royal Princess Part 2 (695 pictures)

 

 

Stairs and art (49 pictures)

 

 

Bridge Tour (55 pictures)

 

 

Patters and various menus (7-day Eastern, 65 pictures)

 

:D

 

How did you get to go on the bridge tour? Did you make a special Request?

Marge

[Colo Cruiser]

Hello there,

 

I've been stalking these Princess threads looking for as much information on Royal Princess because we will be sailing on her later this year.

Unfortunately there isn't a ton of threads about her as other ships - mainly because it's a newer ship?

 

Would I be able to read threads about her sister ship (even more new) the Regal and get a similar feel?

 

 

&& please if you have experience on either - feel free to write it here! Can't read enough about it!!

 

 

Thanks all!

 

You didn't look very hard, there is actually more detailed stuff about both of them then other ships I think. :cool:

Edited April 20, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[Mom33]

We have been on both and you can read our reviews in the signature below.:D

[long cruiser]

We have been on both ships last year and this year.

The are some main problems which still have not been fixed.

The toilet paper dispenser is in the wrong place.

If you order drinks in the theatre there is no drink holder and people are living their drinks on the floor,

Some one is going to get cut big time one of these days.

the princess live studio has exactly the same problem.

Other then these small problems both ships are gorgeous.

long cruiser

[AKman2495]

We have been on both ships last year and this year.

 

If you order drinks in the theatre there is no drink holder and people are living their drinks on the floor,

 

Sorry..but I think that is more likely after they've had a few!

 

I know what you meant so say, but I just couldn't pass it up.....

Edited April 20, 2015 by AKman2495

[dmwnc1959]

How did you get to go on the bridge tour? Did you make a special Request?

Marge

 

 

It was by special invitation only. I think now they offer bridge tours for $50. There was a thread on it a few months ago, here's the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2153963

 

:D

[Nezmo]

Here's a fairly extensive Live thread I did while on Royal Princess for two weeks in December 2013. For the most part not much will have changed. There are also links posted below to my Flickr pages with over 1000 pictures of Royal Princess.

 

 

Bon Voyage Dave!!! (Live thread)

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1950107

 

 

 

Royal Princess Part 1 (482 pictures)

 

 

Royal Princess Part 2 (695 pictures)

 

 

Stairs and art (49 pictures)

 

 

Bridge Tour (55 pictures)

 

 

Patters and various menus (7-day Eastern, 65 pictures)

 

:D

 

Sorry to the OP for hijacking the thread but I wanted to thank you for these photos and your other work on posting details on the Royal. We are on her (first time Princess) next March and we are looking forward to it immensely.

Edited April 21, 2015 by Nezmo

[margeg]

It was by special invitation only. I think now they offer bridge tours for $50. There was a thread on it a few months ago, here's the link:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2153963

 

:D

 

Thanks so much for the great info!

marge

[AZPam]

Just off the Royal and loved the new designs on this ship! Only two disappointments. No aft pool and the food in the MDR. I know food is subjective, but our entire group of 6 was very disappointed, so I know it wasn't just me. Did we go hungry? No, just went to Alfredos and the buffet more often than the MDR

[Miss Pat]

Just off the Royal and loved the new designs on this ship! Only two disappointments. No aft pool and the food in the MDR. I know food is subjective, but our entire group of 6 was very disappointed, so I know it wasn't just me. Did we go hungry? No, just went to Alfredos and the buffet more often than the MDR

 

The food must have went downhill in the DR since about 6 months ago. We thought it was on par with the buffet and very good.

[Colo Cruiser]

Just off the Royal and loved the new designs on this ship! Only two disappointments. No aft pool and the food in the MDR. I know food is subjective, but our entire group of 6 was very disappointed, so I know it wasn't just me. Did we go hungry? No, just went to Alfredos and the buffet more often than the MDR

 

 

Welcome back!! :D

[BarbinMich]

We're sailing on the Royal for the first time this Sat. for 2 weeks, FLL-Southampton. This will be our 25th cruise on Princess, 46th overall. I have resisted the Royal/Regal until now since there isn't much choice for TAs anymore. We really like the Crown & her sisters, as well as the older Star etc. Have pored over the deck plans and the photos and what I wonder is--why has Princess eliminated nearly all the multiple upper, outside deck areas as found on the older ships? I love walking around those upper levels, from stem to stern, esp. when leaving or approaching ports, at sunset, to see the stars--they're great for photographers! And the sailaway party/multi-deck gatherings from fore to aft! There appear to be very limited similar opportunities on the Royal/Regal. Not to mention the fact that the "Promenade" deck is hardly that anymore--just a narrow track with very limited seating. It's as if no one really wants to know they're at sea anymore or so Princess seems to think. I have thought about this a lot to try to figure out the "why." If all those open upper decks were primarily originally designed for unlimited sunbathing opportunities, I could understand why there's been a decline since presumably fewer people are spending as much time out in the sun now that everyone's aware of the possibility of developing skin cancer. OTOH, maybe it's pure profit motive on Princess's part because enclosed areas of the ship, whether public or cabins, produce more $$ per sq ft. than open decks.

 

I AM looking forward to the expanded piazza and the various new places to eat/drink and to our cabin with a balcony (the latter usually skipped to save some $$) on the Emerald deck (near the fwd stairs--don't get me started on the lack of mid-ship stairs). And of course to the entertainment and cruise staff, etc. AND the new, improved Horizon Court (we enjoyed its counterpart, perhaps its inspiration, on the Celebrity Eclipse last fall).

Edited April 23, 2015 by BarbinMich

[susancruzs]

I'll be interested in your take on the Royal, BarbinMich! :) I'm on the Regal April 2016! I initially booked the Fall TA but pricing swayed me to April.

 

I've resisted the bigger ships, too but can only do it for so long when you sail for itinerary and not short cruises! I did a TA from Southampton to FLL on the Emerald last year and it was fine. I like the Emerald.

 

Bon Voyage and enjoy your transatlantic!

[BarbinMich]

I'll be interested in your take on the Royal, BarbinMich! :) I'm on the Regal April 2016! I initially booked the Fall TA but pricing swayed me to April.

 

I've resisted the bigger ships, too but can only do it for so long when you sail for itinerary and not short cruises! I did a TA from Southampton to FLL on the Emerald last year and it was fine. I like the Emerald.

 

Bon Voyage and enjoy your transatlantic!

 

Sounds like we're in the same "boat" re embracing the new ships. After my comments here, guess I'm pretty much obligated to report the reality of the Royal as I experience it! Who knows, I might even tackle doing a "live from." Since we'll have so many days at sea, there will be more than ample opportunity to try everything the ship has to offer!

 

Barb

[k.squared1392]

Thanks to everyone for posting!

 

Especially dmwnc1959 for all your photos and review of the Royal!!

 

With the days winding down (SLOWLY) I'm getting more and more excited!!

[kendon]

Hi,

 

I have cruised aboard both the Royal Princess (maiden voyage in June 2013) and the Regal Princess (one of its first cruises in June 2014). A few minor improvements were made to the Regal Princess, but the ships are very similar. I enjoyed these ships and think they are beautiful.

 

Chuck

 

I completely agree. They are beautiful. Been on both and any differences were very minor. Each cruise has a different feel to me as I find the passengers can set the tone...not a bad thing at all btw.

[dmwnc1959]

Thanks to everyone for posting!

 

Especially dmwnc1959 for all your photos and review of the Royal!!

 

With the days winding down (SLOWLY) I'm getting more and more excited!!

 

 

I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! The 'countdown' is always the slowest part; I booked my Royal Princess cruise 16 months in advance, but I had a little bit of 'Everything' else that kept me busy. ;)

 

If you're not much of a MDR patron, skip eating dinner there and enjoy the many other venues/opportunities to enjoy a nice meal. There are lots of options on these ships, from Alfredo's to the Crab Shack and even Fondues. I forget if I've already linked this in the previous post with all of the picture albums, but if you haven't already seen this thread, it has lots of 'food porn' pictures... ;)

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2017216

 

 

 

 

 

I'll be interested in your take on the Royal, BarbinMich! :) I'm on the Regal April 2016! I initially booked the Fall TA but pricing swayed me to April.

 

I've resisted the bigger ships, too but can only do it for so long when you sail for itinerary and not short cruises! I did a TA from Southampton to FLL on the Emerald last year and it was fine. I like the Emerald.

 

Bon Voyage and enjoy your transatlantic!

 

 

Here's a link to their Live thread just in case anyone has missed it...

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2201992

 

:D

 

.

Edited May 8, 2015 by dmwnc1959