Pension3X Posted April 28, 2018 #1 Share Posted April 28, 2018 I have made many cruises on Princess but only on the Ruby, Crown and Sapphire. The Royal is finally coming to Los Angeles next year and we would love to try her out. The snag may be the pools. We love the Terrace Pool on Deck 14 in the back. It is removed from most other ship activities and is adult only. I have checked the deck plan for the Royal and don't really see anything comparable. We are considering a 7 - day to Mexico and a pool will be required for us. The only pool I am really seeing is the one large pool midship. I am aware of an adult only pool forward but do not know if this requires an additional charge like the Lotus Spa. Any input on this who from those who love pool activities (adults only) would be greatly appreciated. Note: Because of my work schedule we would need to take the cruise during Spring break in LA. And we all know how many kids that will draw out! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
antsp Posted April 28, 2018 #2 Share Posted April 28, 2018 There is 1 and 1/2 pools midship and 1 forward, that’s it. The front 1 is adult only and is free to use, the cabanas surrounding it are chargeable but there are regular seats too. Do Princess went from 5 pools to 2, go figure Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
-Lew- Posted April 28, 2018 #3 Share Posted April 28, 2018 No charge for the Retreat Pool deck 17 forward. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suekel Posted April 28, 2018 #4 Share Posted April 28, 2018 The pool situation on the royal is not good. One decent sized that is not in the sanctuary and it gets too crowded. It'll keep me off that ship unless the price is really right. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted April 28, 2018 #5 Share Posted April 28, 2018 so what did Princess replace with on the Royal when they took out the pools? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
neverbeenhere Posted April 28, 2018 #6 Share Posted April 28, 2018 More passengers. 😂 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
idahospud Posted April 28, 2018 #7 Share Posted April 28, 2018 so what did Princess replace with on the Royal when they took out the pools? Much bigger buffet. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sunsetbeachgal Posted April 28, 2018 #8 Share Posted April 28, 2018 The Retreat Pool is completely separate from the other pool area and definitely no kids. There is a bar right there and the Sanctuary nearby. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lucky TGO Posted April 29, 2018 #9 Share Posted April 29, 2018 The Retreat pool is free and it’s very windy there. You also have to get there early for a lounge. Tony Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
myfuzzy Posted April 29, 2018 #10 Share Posted April 29, 2018 The Retreat pool is free and it’s very windy there. You also have to get there early for a lounge. Tony Yeah, like 5am. We normally went after breakfast and not a chair to be found...number of chairs lacking vs the number of people on board. And in my opinion, that is no place to put those $$$ cabanas...put more "free" chairs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare geoherb Posted April 29, 2018 #11 Share Posted April 29, 2018 Our cruise on the Royal in December was a 10-day. The pools weren't a problem since there were not a lot of children on board. I actually enjoyed the main pool more than the Retreat Pool. We tended to go later in the afternoon, when the sun wasn't too harsh. When we sailed on the Regal in February, we never used the Terrace Pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lizzybell1960 Posted May 21, 2018 #12 Share Posted May 21, 2018 Did you book this cruise? We are thinking about doing the Mexican cruise on Princess Royal 3/30. There are only 2 sailing out of LA area on spring break. The Royal and Carnival Splendor, I am surprised at the lack of cruises out of LA area. The pool sit on the Royal is sad, imo, going from 5 pools to 2, esp when the ship sails to the warmer weather locations. Just curious if you decided to go with the Royal. Thank you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avcruz Posted May 21, 2018 #13 Share Posted May 21, 2018 The Retreat pool is free and it’s very windy there. You also have to get there early for a lounge. Tony I think that must vary with the itinerary. I have gone on a 10 day Caribbean cruise and recently the 15 day TA on the Royal, and never had a problem getting a lounger, although it could be a bit windy. Sent from my iPhone using Forums Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
skynight Posted May 21, 2018 #14 Share Posted May 21, 2018 Very little shade for lounge chairs around the main pool, no real shade around the Retreat Pool. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MCC retired Posted May 21, 2018 #15 Share Posted May 21, 2018 so what did Princess replace with on the Royal when they took out the pools? A large portion of the main pool area is taken up by a Stage / Water Display (that lasts an entire 15 minutes per night when it is working , worked 4 of 7 night on our recent Royal Cruise). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cmoore19 Posted June 13, 2018 #16 Share Posted June 13, 2018 I have made many cruises on Princess but only on the Ruby, Crown and Sapphire. The Royal is finally coming to Los Angeles next year and we would love to try her out. The snag may be the pools. We love the Terrace Pool on Deck 14 in the back. It is removed from most other ship activities and is adult only. I have checked the deck plan for the Royal and don't really see anything comparable. We are considering a 7 - day to Mexico and a pool will be required for us. The only pool I am really seeing is the one large pool midship. I am aware of an adult only pool forward but do not know if this requires an additional charge like the Lotus Spa. Any input on this who from those who love pool activities (adults only) would be greatly appreciated. Note: Because of my work schedule we would need to take the cruise during Spring break in LA. And we all know how many kids that will draw out! We will be going on Royal october of next year for a cruise to cabo. This will be out first cruise with princess. This would be good to know for us also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suekel Posted June 13, 2018 #17 Share Posted June 13, 2018 The pool situation on the Royal is terrible. There is one bigger pool mid ship and a small plunge pool. Then in the sanctuary area there is an adult only pool. That's it. I'm sticking to the Grand class! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Stevanb Posted June 13, 2018 #18 Share Posted June 13, 2018 I have made many cruises on Princess but only on the Ruby, Crown and Sapphire. The Royal is finally coming to Los Angeles next year and we would love to try her out. The snag may be the pools. We love the Terrace Pool on Deck 14 in the back. It is removed from most other ship activities and is adult only. I have checked the deck plan for the Royal and don't really see anything comparable. We are considering a 7 - day to Mexico and a pool will be required for us. The only pool I am really seeing is the one large pool midship. I am aware of an adult only pool forward but do not know if this requires an additional charge like the Lotus Spa. Any input on this who from those who love pool activities (adults only) would be greatly appreciated. Note: Because of my work schedule we would need to take the cruise during Spring break in LA. And we all know how many kids that will draw out! An alternative would be an adult all inclusive resort in Mexico We do it once a year as we need a change from the ships. We can fly from Fla to Cancun for 225.00 so you should be able to fly to Cabo cheap also Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted June 13, 2018 #19 Share Posted June 13, 2018 I have made many cruises on Princess but only on the Ruby, Crown and Sapphire. The Royal is finally coming to Los Angeles next year and we would love to try her out. The snag may be the pools. We love the Terrace Pool on Deck 14 in the back. It is removed from most other ship activities and is adult only. I have checked the deck plan for the Royal and don't really see anything comparable. We are considering a 7 - day to Mexico and a pool will be required for us. The only pool I am really seeing is the one large pool midship. I am aware of an adult only pool forward but do not know if this requires an additional charge like the Lotus Spa. Any input on this who from those who love pool activities (adults only) would be greatly appreciated. Note: Because of my work schedule we would need to take the cruise during Spring break in LA. And we all know how many kids that will draw out! Here is a link to all my deck photos from the Royal Princess (Dec 2016) ... https://www.smugmug.com/gallery/n-mK5mrZ Photographs 35 to 44 are of the forward pool that is being mentioned above. All the pools pictures are free to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted June 14, 2018 #20 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The pool situation on the Royal is terrible. There is one bigger pool mid ship and a small plunge pool. Then in the sanctuary area there is an adult only pool. That's it. I'm sticking to the Grand class! The Retreat Pool is not part of the Sanctuary, it is outside the Sanctuary and is free to use. However it is a very strange pool. It is very deep all over, maybe 5' 6" or more. There are steps in at one end, that jut out a metre or so into the pool. Once you step off the bottom step you're straight into the deep water. This means that most people gravitate to the edges of the pool so they have something to hold on to, or they sit on the steps blocking the access into the pool from there. People doing laps have to swim in narrow areas just out from the edges to get the full pool length to swim in. People coming down off the steps either float around in the middle, or work their way to the sides trying to avoid the lap swimmers. It really isn't a good design for anything. I much prefer the Lotus Spa pools on the Grand Class ships. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted June 14, 2018 #21 Share Posted June 14, 2018 The Retreat Pool is not part of the Sanctuary, it is outside the Sanctuary and is free to use. However it is a very strange pool. It is very deep all over, maybe 5' 6" or more. There are steps in at one end, that jut out a metre or so into the pool. Once you step off the bottom step you're straight into the deep water. This means that most people gravitate to the edges of the pool so they have something to hold on to, or they sit on the steps blocking the access into the pool from there. People doing laps have to swim in narrow areas just out from the edges to get the full pool length to swim in. People coming down off the steps either float around in the middle, or work their way to the sides trying to avoid the lap swimmers. It really isn't a good design for anything. I much prefer the Lotus Spa pools on the Grand Class ships. As you said the pool has a very pool design. :( It's certainly wasn't meant for people to stand around in the water like other ships. Last cruise I brought a short cutoff noodle- next trip I'm buying a blow up noodle which a few other people were using. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare OzKiwiJJ Posted June 14, 2018 #22 Share Posted June 14, 2018 As you said the pool has a very pool design. :( It's certainly wasn't meant for people to stand around in the water like other ships.Last cruise I brought a short cutoff noodle- next trip I'm buying a blow up noodle which a few other people were using. They look very useful, and pretty as well. I'm one of those annoying people who can float in a vertical position quite happily, without any aids, so the depth of that pool didn't bother me, but I could see how difficult was for some people especially as the drop-off from the bottom step was quite unexpected. It would have been better if they had had two narrow sets of stairs, one at each side, and left the middle full length for the lap swimmers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
voljeep Posted June 14, 2018 #23 Share Posted June 14, 2018 my wife bought a couple packages of the blow up noodles for our last cruise...fully intending to give some away...she made some kids and adults very happy...;p Amazon, of course... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cuizer2 Posted June 14, 2018 #24 Share Posted June 14, 2018 As you said the pool has a very pool design. A pool with a pool design. Wouldn't that be true of all pools? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
floridalover5623 Posted June 14, 2018 #25 Share Posted June 14, 2018 A pool with a pool design. Wouldn't that be true of all pools? Poor choice of words, right.:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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