impressions Royal Princess and Club Class 2/16/ to 2/28

[jeaniem]

My DH and I have cruised on Princess many times over the last 25 years and have always enjoyed being on a Princess ship. Since we hadn,t been on a cruise for about 4 years, we decided to go on a 10 southern caribbean cruise which meant the Royal. The ship is beautiful and felt it was easy to find our way around. That being said we felt that ship was crowded all the time, both in port and on sea days. There seemed to be lines for everything.For example-- We couldn't get into the theater for shows unless we wanted to arrive 45 - 60 minutes a head of time. It was next to impossible to to find a lounger or chair in the shade . Many times It was hard to find a place to sit in the bars in the evening. To us Princess has crammed way too many people on the Royal.

Now for club class ! We booked an aft suite and so were able to dine in the club class. All I can say it was a fabulous addition to the Royals food venues. The first night we had dinner there it brought back fond memories of the wonderful dining that we experienced on the old Star Princess in the very early 90,s We could go to the dining room anytime we wanted, were sitted at once and had the same wonderful service that you find in the Crown Grill . The food was excellent and came to the table at the right temperature. My DH was able to get the special Ceasar salad tossed for him every night and had some special pasta dishes cooked right there for him. Club class dining along with its other benefits is a great option for those who want the extra service and some extra food options.

[diane.in.ny]

Thank you for sharing your experience.

 

We are on the Royal in the fall and this will be, by far, the largest Princess ship we have been on. My husband and I also are concerned about the number of passengers. Certainly I would expect it to feel crowded on sea days but surprised you also felt that during port days. That would be disappointing as we are the type of cruisers who like to stay on board and enjoy a pretty empty ship.

 

But glad to hear that it was easy to find your way around the ship. This also is one of our concerns.

 

Our experience lately regarding shows is that you do have to go early, but surprised to hear as much as 45-60 minutes. That is definitely disconcerting. We usually go about 1/2 hr early and bring our books with us Not sure if I want to go 45-60 minutes early :(

[winncruiser]

Thank you for sharing your experience in club class dining. I was onboard your sailing and really enjoyed the excellent service in the Concerto dining room.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

[Lucky TGO]

Thanks for sharing.

Tony

[easyboy]

Glad you liked the Royal. Thanks for the feedback.

[Thrak]

Good feedback. Sounds like you enjoyed the ship overall but didn't enjoy the number of passengers although you did really enjoy having Club Class Dining. We have yet to sail on one of the new ships but we do enjoy being able to find someplace to ourselves and it sounds as if that was "a challenge" for you on this cruise. Sounds like pretty honest mixed feedback. Many thanks. Glad that you seem to have, overall, enjoyed your cruise.

[yoyosma]

Hi

We were on your cruise as well in a club class Mini in the front of the ship. We loved it although we only used club class dining in the evening. I also loved the new beds - they were perfect for me. For the first time I was able to sleep without waking to horrible hip/shoulder back pain without the use of my extra camp pad that takes up a huge portion of my big suitcase. I won't need to take that with me again I hope.

 

My husband enjoyed the wine set up - Mondavi Chardonay and Mondavi Cabernet. I used the specialty dining assistance twice.

We were on for 20 days.

 

Except for pool areas on sea days, the piazza during certain night time entertainment, and some bars during happy hour, I didn't feel in the least crowded. The 8:30ish show in Princess Theater was busy but I always went to the late show or early show with much better results. Decent seats most nights right up until show time.

[AF-1]

With Club Class Dining did you just show up at dining room with anytime seating?

[-Lew-]

 

Except for pool areas on sea days, the piazza during certain night time entertainment, and some bars during happy hour, I didn't feel in the least crowded. The 8:30ish show in Princess Theater was busy but I always went to the late show or early show with much better results. Decent seats most nights right up until show time.

I don't recall not occasionally experiencing crowded conditions on any cruise ship we have sailed. I agree the second of three shows is the most crowded; however, we have usually been able to find two seats together on deck 6 of the Princess Theater. We can walk in just before the show for the first or third shows and find seats.

 

[yoyosma]

I don't recall not occasionally experiencing crowded conditions on any cruise ship we have sailed. I agree the second of three shows is the most crowded; however, we have usually been able to find two seats together on deck 6 of the Princess Theater. We can walk in just before the show for the first or third shows and find seats.

 

Unfortunately they have gone to 2 shows now instead of 3 so fewer seats per night available total, at least on the Royal. Most shows were around 8:30 and 10:15. On the deck party night the shows were around 7 and 9pm. I really miss the early edition of the shows. The night we went at 7 there was a long line of people waiting to get in the theater as we exited. I don't have exact times because I left my patters behind this trip.

[-Lew-]

 

Unfortunately they have gone to 2 shows now instead of 3 so fewer seats per night available total, at least on the Royal. Most shows were around 8:30 and 10:15.

Really? This must be a very recent change as we disembarked the Royal on February 18th after 30 days and there were three shows in Princess Theater most nights.

 

[jeaniem]

The Royal cruise Feb 18 to 28 had only 2 shows . To add to my orginal post we have been on many Princess ships and of course there are times when the ship is crowded-- I was not saying it should never be crowded, however on the Royal it just seemed people were everywhere all the time. A lot of the bar spaces are quite small. The Wheelhouse bar is tiny ! . On some of the other princess ships this is a large space and one can feel they are not in their neighbors lap! Also loved the dance floor and bands that were in the wheelhouse before and after dinner int the larger wheelhouse,. Besides club dining we also ate at the Trident Grill, Alfredos, Crown Grill and international cafe. All was very good. We do not go to Buffets, but heard that it also was wonderful. The bed in our suite was so comfortable that all I wanted to do was stay there.. Loved the Casino and went there when we couldn't into the shows or into some of the other shows in the Princess live area.

[riclop]

Thanks for your thoughts.

[elycelynne]

If you want to avoid having to get to the Princess Theater so far in advance, the 10:15 show is definitely the way to go. There were actual empty seats right before showtime.

[Clarea]

Appreciate the feedback.