Royal Princess Questions

[FaithPlus1]

I was between the NCL Jewel and the Royal Princess, but I'm leaning to the Royal Princess simply for the food (I've been on 2 NCL ships and I thought the buffet food with the exception of the breakfast buffet was gross....seemed like Hometown Buffet mixed with Applebee's, but for the most part the dining rooms had decent to good food). 

 

Just some questions...

 

1. Are you ONLY able to eat at Symphony, Allegro, and Concerto if you are doing the set dinner times? I guess what I am asking is can I go there to eat say at 8:45 or 9PM??

 

2.I'm reading different things online about the wifi rates. I would want premium because I stream movies and tv daily. I've read it's $30 a day however is there a package rate or something for a full journey (7 nights on the Royal in Alaska)?

 

3. I have been following Panda's posts since she is currently on the ship. I saw the sign that Enclave says it is $150 for a single voyage. I take it that you cannot book day passes yes? Or do they offer them say on port days or if there weren't that many people who booked it?

 

3. Are there complimentary steamrooms or is this only available to those who book the Enclave?

 

Thanks

Edited June 14, 2019 by FaithPlus1
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[voljeep]

13 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

2.I'm reading different things online about the wifi rates. I would want premium because I stream movies and tv daily. I've read it's $30 a day however is there a package rate or something for a full journey (7 nights on the Royal in Alaska)?

it's been widely reported here on cruise critic that even though the Royal has Medallion.net .. the wifi/internet if often spotty at best because of the location / satellite(s)

 

there will be an unlimited package available for purchase pre-cruise and the first day of the cruise

[Sea Hag]

1. If you're doing traditional dining, it's a fixed time, and that's when you eat. If you don't want to do that, then you should switch to anytime.

2. The Royal has movies on demand, so that might work for you better than streaming.

3. I don't know about complimentary steamrooms, but hubby and I did a tour of the Enclave because we thought we'd book it for the week (you do have to book it for the entire cruise). The Enclave is buried deep in the ship, and we found it depressing and claustrophic. We decided not to book, which was too bad since I liked the big pool. Just too claustrophobic.

[skynight]

45 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

I was between the NCL Jewel and the Royal Princess, but I'm leaning to the Royal Princess simply for the food (I've been on 2 NCL ships and I thought the buffet food with the exception of the breakfast buffet was gross....seemed like Hometown Buffet mixed with Applebee's, but for the most part the dining rooms had decent to good food). 

Just some questions...

1. Are you ONLY able to eat at Symphony, Allegro, and Concerto if you are doing the set dinner times? I guess what I am asking is can I go there to eat say at 8:45 or 9PM??

Allergo DR is used for fixed seating traditional early and late seating dining, same table, same waiter. Early is around 5:30 and late is around 7:30

Part of the Concerto DR is used for Club Class Dining for passengers in full suites and Club Class minis. The other part is used for very early, around 5pm, traditional dining. The DR is open for Anytime Dining around 7:30, and will remain open until around 10:00pm.

Symphony DR is used for ATD. Opens at 5pm and closes at 9pm.

Each evening all DR's have the same menus. It seems like you would have to use ATD and show up at your later time. At that late time you should be seated promptly. Not much demand for late dining.

Alfredo's, no charge, is open from 11am until later in the evening. Waiter served individual pizza and other items.

The Royal has a very large buffet which opens around 5am to 11pm. Never closes during that time. Serves breakfast, lunch and dinner every day as well as other selections. One of the best buffets around. Walk in anytime.

Exact times are shown on the back page of the Princess Patter.

2.I'm reading different things online about the wifi rates. I would want premium because I stream movies and tv daily. I've read it's $30 a day however is there a package rate or something for a full journey (7 nights on the Royal in Alaska)?

Don't know exactly. Rates for our upcoming Caribbean Princess cruise are way less if pre-purchased. I have read on these boards that fast internet doesn't work as well in the northern latitudes. The Royal have movies and other shows on demand in the cabin. You can stop them mid way and watch over the course of several days. I don't think there is much time on an Alaska cruise to sit around and watch movies.

3. I have been following Panda's posts since she is currently on the ship. I saw the sign that Enclave says it is $150 for a single voyage. I take it that you cannot book day passes yes? Or do they offer them say on port days or if there weren't that many people who booked it?

Enclave is by the entire cruise and there is a passenger limit. Inquire at the spa desk on boarding day, deck 5 all the way forward, port side.

3. Are there complimentary steamrooms or is this only available to those who book the Enclave?

No, not on Royal Class ships. Only for those that book the Enclave.

Thanks

See above.

 

[Cruise Raider]

The internet on the Royal uses MedallionNet ... great for streaming tv shows / movies, etc.  The cost is $9.99 but reduced if you buy a package for the week for $59.99.  Just go in your cruise personalizer and purchase it ahead of time.  If you are elite or want a multi-device package, you can do better by purchasing that once onboard.  

Now, with that being said, there are areas in Alaska that don't have any WiFi reception ... even if it's really great WiFi that is offered on the ship.  Still, when you are near the ports, you should have no trouble whatsoever in streaming your tv shows.  You may inquire onboard with the people working at the internet cafe.  They tend to be pretty honest about the WiFi capabilities ... they don't want to hear about it if you can't get it to work.  

 

PS ... I am sometimes underwhelmed by the food that is offered on cruiseships (outside of the specialty restaurants) but I can honestly say the Royal's food was excellent in every location.  The only disappointing dish I got was the Pad Thai one night at dinner.  It was just too bland ... everything else was quite delicious!  

Edited June 14, 2019 by Cruise Raider

[FaithPlus1]

Thanks everyone. So if the dining rooms close at 9PM, does that mean everyone needs to leave at 9PM or around that? Would I be able to eat at 8:45 in a dining room?

[karatemom2]

1 minute ago, FaithPlus1 said:

Thanks everyone. So if the dining rooms close at 9PM, does that mean everyone needs to leave at 9PM or around that? Would I be able to eat at 8:45 in a dining room?

 

 

Anytime dining is available between 5:30 - 10 p.m.

 

 

 

[Cruise Raider]

35 minutes ago, FaithPlus1 said:

Thanks everyone. So if the dining rooms close at 9PM, does that mean everyone needs to leave at 9PM or around that? Would I be able to eat at 8:45 in a dining room?

 

You can go in and start your meal at the latest time of being open.  They will give you great service and will not even try to rush you out ... you will even be offered coffee and dessert if you are still in there at 10 PM.  They are working on plenty of other clean up while you are eating.  

[skynight]

1 hour ago, FaithPlus1 said:

Thanks everyone. So if the dining rooms close at 9PM, does that mean everyone needs to leave at 9PM or around that? Would I be able to eat at 8:45 in a dining room?

Yes, you can show up at the Symphony DR, and the Concerto DR up until their closing times. The Concerto hours are later. If you show up at the Symphony DR around 8:45 you may be escorted to the Concerto DR.