Terrible Decision to Reduce Balcony Size on New Ships

[Brisbane41]

I would really like to know what went on at Princess and what genius came up with the idea to reduce the balcony sizes on Regal and Royal? After making such a big deal about them for the last 15 years and usually charging several hundred dollars per person more for them, it is really mind-boggling that Princess made that decision. I don't want to sit and face the side after paying for an ocean view balcony! I want to face the water and see the sights! How could they have forgotten that?

 

What is even more mind boggling to me is the number of Princess lovers (I thought I was one too.) on Cruise Critic that downplay the admittedly smaller balconies as if the other nice areas of the ship make up for them. They don't. The beautiful large atrium has nothing to do with enjoying the balcony.

 

And I do know the obvious, that I can book the older ships or pay more for larger suites and balconies. But not if the Regal and Royal are the only ones doing the itinerary I want. Anybody have any answers (not guesses) or explanations from Princess?

 

I would be prepared to bet that it was those evil bean counters with no friends who were also responsible for the destruction of Island Princess into a cattle transport that were probably behind the smaller balcony designs. One could be certain the stingy masters at Carnival corp are doing what they do best by pulling the strings and dumbing down everything that was great. Its all part of the master plan to take over all the worlds cruise lines, dumb them down and trade of their past reputation of greatness while they eventually ruin each cruise line and turn them into large gambling party boats.

[BritinSoCal]

... I understand their balcony furniture is better; however, many of their balconies do not come with foot rests. People have been solving this problem with beach balls or the Coleman portable event stool.

 

First world problems...

[Potstech]

Contrary to this post, the cruise lines do pay attention to their response cards and CC and listen to feedback and make changes. So, yes you can do something about things that strike you as misguided or don't work. Let Princess know.

 

While I agree it may cause a change on future ship designs it will not change current design of the Royal class ships including those already built. So complaining about it here will not change the current status of balconies. AT least two more Royal class are being built to the current specifications.

[baronessk]

If it's such a big deal to you, why not book one of the front facing cabins on Marina or Lido deck that come with the extra large balconies? Problem solved!

[Off2China]

If it's such a big deal to you, why not book one of the front facing cabins on Marina or Lido deck that come with the extra large balconies? Problem solved!

 

Yep, problem solved:

 

(Too bad she didn't hold her camera the other direction!)

[Loreni]

Yep, problem solved:

 

(Too bad she didn't hold her camera the other direction!)

 

Because

 

1) these balconies are often locked due to wind.

 

2) people have reported on CC that they were involuntarily bumped from these cabins by VIPs.

 

3) so few of these cabins exist.

 

The other larger balcony cabins on Royal class have problems too:

 

aft cabins have soot issues and

 

cabins on the sides have their privacy compromised by the Seawalk gimmick.

 

Notice also the video shows very little furniture, and of course it's the nasty stuff.

[Loreni]

Concierge Class Cabins do:

 

 

 

Thank you for posting this. The flooring looks good too.

[Loreni]

First world problems...

 

Even people who live in the first world have limited financial resources and limited time.

 

If sharing information about how to salvage a balcony cabin with inadequate footrests (Princess) or no footrests (Celebrity) helps someone get more value from their time or money, I am happy to do so.

[JimmyVWine]

If it's such a big deal to you, why not book one of the front facing cabins on Marina or Lido deck that come with the extra large balconies? Problem solved!

It's not as if one can simply go to the website and book one of those cabins, easy as that. They are among the first cabins to fill up, and there are, what? 4 of them on the ship? Plus, in watching the YouTube video, you can clearly pick up on the winds that those cabins are exposed to, so they aren't exactly an even-up trade for a traditional port or starboard facing cabins. When only 6% of all balcony cabins have larger balconies, it isn't as simple as saying: "Just book a cabin with a bigger balcony." The odds are against you, as is the race against time as the cabins with larger balconies are the first to get booked. And why might that be??? Because people prefer larger balconies! Who-da-thunk?

Edited September 14, 2016 by JimmyVWine

[baronessk]

"It's not as if one can simply go to the website and book one of those cabins, easy as that." AND WHY NOT???? Amazing, as I booked one of these for a friend last year on Regal for a CHRISTMAS cruise, 4 weeks before Christmas. No wind problems. Door never locked. And there are TWO decks and EIGHT of these cabins on each deck. If you look for problems, you find problems. If you look for solutions, there are solutions.

[Yehootu]

It's not as if one can simply go to the website and book one of those cabins, easy as that. They are among the first cabins to fill up, and there are, what? 4 of them on the ship? Plus, in watching the YouTube video, you can clearly pick up on the winds that those cabins are exposed to, so they aren't exactly an even-up trade for a traditional port or starboard facing cabins. When only 6% of all balcony cabins have larger balconies, it isn't as simple as saying: "Just book a cabin with a bigger balcony." The odds are against you, as is the race against time as the cabins with larger balconies are the first to get booked. And why might that be??? Because people prefer larger balconies! Who-da-thunk?

My friend just got this cabin on the lowest guarantee on the Royal. Balcony never locked, even with high winds. I agree with other posters, No tiny balconies for me. I'll pick another line if it's an itinerary that these 2 ships do. I go on a cruise to be on the ocean and I like to be able to sit comfortably on my balcony.

[Yehootu]

They sometimes amaze me, but I guess it all comes down to $$$$$$

Makes room for more shops, Princess values it's claim to have the largest shopping space of any ship at sea. They ought to take off the "Sea Witch" and replace it with a shopping bag.

[Loreni]

Just to clarify:

 

Some classes of Celebrity balcony cabins come with footrests.

 

A better footrest doesn't completely solve the Princess furniture problem for us because the chairs themselves are sloped oddly and nothing fixes this. However YMMV so maybe the beach ball or Colemans event stool can work for you.

[Hoosier-Cruiser]

It's not as if one can simply go to the website and book one of those cabins, easy as that. They are among the first cabins to fill up, and there are, what? 4 of them on the ship? Plus, in watching the YouTube video, you can clearly pick up on the winds that those cabins are exposed to, so they aren't exactly an even-up trade for a traditional port or starboard facing cabins. When only 6% of all balcony cabins have larger balconies, it isn't as simple as saying: "Just book a cabin with a bigger balcony." The odds are against you, as is the race against time as the cabins with larger balconies are the first to get booked. And why might that be??? Because people prefer larger balconies! Who-da-thunk?

 

I booked my front-facing large balcony 9 months prior to departure date. This sailing is in the middle of Spring Break season. Also, due to the "obstructed" view (metal wall vs plexiglass), the deluxe balcony was cheaper than all other balconies and not much more than my originally selected inside cabin.

[JimmyVWine]

ND WHY NOT???? Amazing, as I booked one of these for a friend last year on Regal for a CHRISTMAS cruise, 4 weeks before Christmas.

The fallacy of: "Because it happened to me, it happens to all."

I just randomly picked out a cruise over three months hence, and yes, one of those corner Mini-Suites was in fact available. The rest of the forward facing cabins were booked (despite the fact that availability of "normal" Mini-Suites was wide open). So they certainly book up faster. And the forward cabin comes at a $500 (per couple) premium over a Mid-Forward Mini-Suite, so the additional price has almost turned these cabins into a sub-class of their own. Somehow we have gone from "Balcony cabins have small balconies" to "But you can solve that problem by booking the most expensive Mini-Suite on the ship, assuming you can find one that is available." The apple has become an orange.

Edited September 14, 2016 by JimmyVWine

[baronessk]

There is a difference between the Mini-Suites and the Regular Balcony Cabins. Do better research! You'll find it IS Apples to Apples!

[Loreni]

The fallacy of: "Because it happened to me, it happens to all."

I just randomly picked out a cruise over three months hence, and yes, one of those corner Mini-Suites was in fact available. The rest of the forward facing cabins were booked (despite the fact that availability of "normal" Mini-Suites was wide open). So they certainly book up faster. And the forward cabin comes at a $500 (per couple) premium over a Mid-Forward Mini-Suite, so the additional price has almost turned these cabins into a sub-class of their own. Somehow we have gone from "Balcony cabins have small balconies" to "But you can solve that problem by booking the most expensive Mini-Suite on the ship, assuming you can find one that is available." The apple has become an orange.

 

I agree.

[floridalover5623]

We so seldom use our balcony the size is of no importance to us. :)

 

So why would you pay the extra cost for something you don't use?

 

Maybe it's just that there's no other choice other than a balcony of inside cabin. If there were outside cabin we'd probably not book the balcony.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...My guess...is that Princess wants the balconies to be a bit less inviting so that people don't waste their entire day there and instead retreat to one or more of the many profit-making venues on these ships...

 

My guess is that you hit the nail on the head! It was very telling when Princess removed the comfortable lounge chairs from the large Caribe deck balconies on the Grand-class ships, and replaced them with uncomfortable upright chairs.

[shredie]

I would be prepared to bet that it was those evil bean counters with no friends who were also responsible for the destruction of Island Princess into a cattle transport that were probably behind the smaller balcony designs. .

 

 

Hahaha[emoji23]

 

People have been complaining about the balconies since Royal first debuted. I missed the cheerleaders saying they are just fine.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[mrmac]

It's not as if one can simply go to the website and book one of those cabins, easy as that. They are among the first cabins to fill up, and there are, what? 4 of them on the ship? Plus, in watching the YouTube video, you can clearly pick up on the winds that those cabins are exposed to, so they aren't exactly an even-up trade for a traditional port or starboard facing cabins. When only 6% of all balcony cabins have larger balconies, it isn't as simple as saying: "Just book a cabin with a bigger balcony." The odds are against you, as is the race against time as the cabins with larger balconies are the first to get booked. And why might that be??? Because people prefer larger balconies! Who-da-thunk?

 

Thank you Jimmy. Another logical thinker. I could just book the Presidential Suite or rent a castle. But I can't afford those. This is a discussion on the shrinking size of a standard balcony stateroom that Princess usually charges several hundred dollars more per person than an ocean view room. For the life of me I can't understand how people can keep defending Princess and these smaller balconies. No, we're not talking about life and death or politics, just balcony sizes. This is a cruise discussion board, after all.

[Kinkacruiser]

Do I wish the balconies were larger? Yes Can I do anything about them? No. Does complaining on CC or any other forum make a difference? Not one single bit. Why worry and complain about something you have no control over. Life goes on whether you do or not.

 

Couldn't have said it better myself :).

[COMBOY]

I would really like to know what went on at Princess and what genius came up with the idea to reduce the balcony sizes on Regal and Royal? After making such a big deal about them for the last 15 years and usually charging several hundred dollars per person more for them, it is really mind-boggling that Princess made that decision. I don't want to sit and face the side after paying for an ocean view balcony! I want to face the water and see the sights! How could they have forgotten that?

 

What is even more mind boggling to me is the number of Princess lovers (I thought I was one too.) on Cruise Critic that downplay the admittedly smaller balconies as if the other nice areas of the ship make up for them. They don't. The beautiful large atrium has nothing to do with enjoying the balcony.

 

And I do know the obvious, that I can book the older ships or pay more for larger suites and balconies. But not if the Regal and Royal are the only ones doing the itinerary I want. Anybody have any answers (not guesses) or explanations from Princess?

 

This isn't brain surgery. It all came down to $$$. Princess answers to their shareholder for the best possible return of their investment. Balconies are not are revenue producing areas. It's just empty space. Remember cruise line don't make all their $$ from selling the cabins; it's the on board sales. Princess' management decided to reduce the balconies size so they put more cabins in and increased the revenue producing areas like bars, lounges, shops and casinos, etc. The more passengers; the more on board revenues they make; the better profits they make; the better the return on investments-both in dividends and share price appreciation. Now, I don't think Princess quite realized the backlash from it's passengers for this decision and I'm not sure how it's effected the overall bookings and revenue yields. Balconies do command higher fares. But we will never know. Princess nor any company will never reveal there true reasoning behind business decisions; but they don't have to. But as long as they are filling it's ships - I don't think they care too much as these ships only have just inside or balcony standard cabins. No outsides. So it's up to the consumer to decide whether or not to spend the $$ to pay for a smaller balconied cabin on the Royal or Regal. P.

[framer]

I've yet to book a cruise on the Regal or Royal because of the smaller balconies. I love the Caribe balcony size. Maybe someday I'll give it a go but it would need to be a bargain for me to try them.

 

framer

[MrMan]

Thank you Jimmy. Another logical thinker. I could just book the Presidential Suite or rent a castle. But I can't afford those. This is a discussion on the shrinking size of a standard balcony stateroom that Princess usually charges several hundred dollars more per person than an ocean view room. For the life of me I can't understand how people can keep defending Princess and these smaller balconies. No, we're not talking about life and death or politics, just balcony sizes. This is a cruise discussion board, after all.

 

 

Agree, but they are not going to get magically bigger. So your choice if this does not meet your value proposition, is to find another Princes ship or another line that meets your value proposition. It's quite simple, this is not a religion, if the ship does not meet your needs then move on. The great thing is there is an infinite number of boats, lines, routes. No one will judge one if they pick the value that works for one.