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Loyal to Royal tries Princess


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Just off the Royal Princess as a first time Princess cruiser.  Here’s my experience as first time Princess cruiser  with comparisons to Royal Caribbean. I sailed on Carnival Vista last year and noticed some similarity with Princess.  I'll point them out.  

 

Background

I am a RC fan and loyalist but know there are other options.  When picking a cruise, I prefer the newer and bigger ships.  The ship is my first priority.  I don’t really like shore excursions so I consider the itinerary about 5% of the time.  My favorite ships are RC’s Oasis class because of the entertainment and the crown loft suites on deck 17 with access to the suite lounge.

 

Based on reviews, I had no real desires to give Princess a try.  However, I received a comped cruise offer from a land based casino.  The offer was for an interior room.  My options were a Caribbean itinerary out of FL (I don’t remember the ship) or the Royal Princess out of Long Beach doing a Mexican Rivera itinerary.

 

After I little research, I picked the Royal Princess because I wouldn’t have to fly across country to catch the ship and the last dry dock was in 2018.  I decided to upgrade to a  a mini suite.  Honestly, Princess doesn't offer any great benefits for suites.  RC definitely wins in this category.    I could select “I'll Choose Room Location"  or “Choose Room Location for Me”.  There was no difference in prices between the two options.  RC usually has a slightly lower price to gamble with a guarantee assignment.   Since it was my first time on the ship, I had no room location preference and selected a guarantee to see where I would be assigned and this is where the story begins.

 

Itinerary

The Royal Princess was scheduled to be in every port with Carnival"s newest ship the Panorama, which debuted in Long Beach doing cruises to Mexico in December 2019. The Panorama and Royal Princess are both home port in Long Beach.  There are no RC ships on the West Coast.  A missed opportunity for RC.   

 

Los Angeles

Ship @ Port Of San Pedro

 

4:00PM

At Sea

 

 

Cabo San Lucas

Tender Required

Wheelchair Access Limited

11:00AM

8:00PM

Mazatlan

8:00AM

6:00PM

Puerto Vallarta

7:00AM

6:00PM

At Sea

 

 

At Sea

 

 

Los Angeles

 

6:15AM

 

 

Website  and Pre Cruise Planning

Princess website can be somewhat difficult to navigate but there is freedom to make pre cruise selections such as choose (or change) your dining option and bed configuration. Neither can be done on RC’s website that I could find.  Your TA can do this or you must call customer service.

 

The beverage  package price is $70.79 (gratuities included) per day.  Differences between RC and Princess drink package;

  1. On Princess the price never changed and was the same onboard.  RC beverage price is dynamic and can change at any time.  I constantly have to check to make sure I get the lowest price.  I have paid between $42 and $49 (plus gratuities) per day 
  2. Carnival and Princess both have a 15 alcoholic drink a day limit.  Non alcoholic drinks do not have a limit.  Despite trying some days I  never hit15 a day.  But others did.  I heard bar servers tell passengers that this was drink number 15 and the next drink would be at regular bar prices.  There is no drink limit on RC.  
  3. Everyone over 21 in the cabin is not required to purchase the package on Princess but is required to on RC.

 

From website

  • The package includes all beer, spirits, wine by the glass and cocktails $12.00 USD and under as listed on our menu(s)
  • The package includes all bottled water (500ml only), fountain sodas, fresh juices (if available), specialty coffees and teas, Gong Cha items, Frappés at Coffee & Cones, milk shakes (if available) and Red Bull energy drinks.
  • The package provides a 25% discount on the following excluded items: all bottles of wine, one liter bottles of water, canned soda and bottled juices.
  • The package may be used on our private islands, all food and beverage venues, and other areas such as the theater or public spaces that offer beverage service. Selections and service are limited to each venue’s menu offerings and operating hours.
  • If dining at a specialty dining venue, a large bottle of water (one liter) of still or sparkling is covered by the package.

 

Single device Internet is $59.99 for the week. 

 

Onboard account - I could not figure out a way to set up a cash account.  My check in wouldn’t complete until I added a credit card.  Maybe you have to call customer service to do this.  RC option to use a credit card or cash during check in wins here.

 

Medallion Class

No need to reinvent the wheel so here is the description from Princess’s website. 

 

Princess MedallionClass makes it even easier to connect with what matters most. From faster boarding and refreshments that find you, to turn-by-turn wayfinding and the best Wi-Fi at sea, MedallionClass makes your vacation even more enjoyable.

 

At first there were 3 different apps with different log on for each.  What a pain.  Now all the apps have been consolidated into one app. The app worked well pre cruise.  I appreciate the countdown clock to keep you excited for your upcoming cruise.  Carnival’s app is similar. 

IMG_9346.thumb.jpg.68ede8a62d4e90b91c6ed249e5582766.jpg

 

Royal should add a countdown clock to their app. Detailed entertainment and activity information were available in the app at least 50 days pre cruise.  The name of the comedian was even available to see.  Oddly, dining menus are not available in the app pre cruise or during the cruise.   RC does have this information available, which is helpful for planning especially if you want to schedule a speciality dinner.

 

If you reside in the U.S., you have the option of picking up your medallion at the pier or having it mailed to you.  I opted for mail and my free medallions arrived one week prior to the cruise.  It came with complimentary lanyard.  There are other wearable options for purchase pre cruise and onboard.   Medallions are different colors based on loyalty tier.  Such an easy way to show your loyalty “pride” walking around the ship.  I loved the medallion.  I cannot see why anyone would opt of using it.

 

IMG_9528.thumb.jpg.aa3a4829af3fcc3f45239f33bd81c5b4.jpg

 

The medallion completely replaces a sea pass card.  You do not need to purchase internet to use the app or medallion.  They worked better than RC WOW bands, which I believe cost $5 but are free to suite guests.  There is nothing "wow" about the band and don't find them extremely useful.  While wearing the medallion your cabin door is automatically unlocked when you approach your room, you can locate other others guests on the ship and pay for things onboard.  In theory, the medallion would allow you to pay for anything onboard without taking off your lanyard.  This feature was a hit or miss.  When it did work, everyone in the area wearing a medallion picture would appear on the screen for the server.  The server could select your picture and you are done.  No need to take off the lanyard.  If your picture did not appear, the server could find you by your stateroom number.  I hardly took off my lanyard  for a purchase.  However, If I needed to give a server my medallion, I could easily use the clip and detach the bottom half. For a complimentary lanyard I have no complaints.   When getting off the ship at.you only needed your medallion.

 

IMG_9526.thumb.jpg.3b1fb7e1cbfdb9ccbce7bee5328e9ad2.jpg

 

Next up Check in...

Edited by crusinthrough
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I’m looking forward to reading the rest of your comparison. 

We’re loyal to both lines for various reasons. We alternate between the two. 

Both lines offer us something the other doesn’t, so alternating keeps us happy. 

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honestly, please leave it here.   I am interested in  seeing the differences.    a few people have told me I need to 'upgrade' to Princess   and I'd just like to see your take.   like you, we are not concerned with itinerary as much as on board experiences.  

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Put me in the "Gee I really want you to continue here" group.  I am looking at a Princess cruise later this year and am very interested in the differences to see decide if I want to do it or not.  Will be following with great interest.  

By the way...GREAT START!!!  

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I agree. Leave the thread here. I'm very interested to read this and it has been a great start.

 

I have to say that when I read the itinerary the first thing that popped into my mind was the old "Love Boat" show. Those were the ports that you always heard being announced over the ships PA.😄

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Please stay....😍

 

We used to cruise Princess a lot, but stopped because I cannot stand how they do (or used to do ) anytime dining.

They also have included beverage packages, but you have to purchase the cruise quite far in advance.

 

Looking forward to reading more.

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Based on the comments, I'll continue this thread. 

 

The beginning 
 
Since I live a drivable distance or a short plane ride, I decided against a pre cruise hotel.  I picked the first Southwest flight of the day to Long Beach airport (LGB).   I met two other couples on the flight headed to Long Beach for the cruise.   This was my first time in the LGB airport.  It's a small and there is no jet bridge from the plane into the building.  On Southwest planes you can exit the airplane from the front or back.  I flew Delta coming back and you could only board from the front of the plane.  The baggage claim carousel is outdoors.  Unfortunately it was a cool morning with light rain.  Not an ideal way to wait for luggage or start a cruise.   I did not miss the pre cruise hotel or shuttle / rental car.  This was easy breezy.  
 
1841257917_RoyalPrincess(54of54).thumb.jpg.7d733787b63ca3d9996ca955351fe041.jpg
 
 
 
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Ride share pick up is across the street.  The Lyft ride to the San Pedro Pier 91/92 was $24.  Princess uses progressive check in.  Your check in time is based on deck.  My boarding time was 2:00 PM.  I arrived around 9:00 AM, which was early.  Check in did not begin until 10:00 am.  There was a canopy that you could stand in (no chairs) and wait. 
 
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Check in was quick and simple.  First through security and then into the terminal.  There was a medallion line and a non medallion line.   I’m sure there was a priority line but I did not pay attention.  I received a “General Boarding 1” card and proceeded to check in.  There were no counters.  Tablets on podiums were arranged in a circle.  My passport was verified, a picture taken (could upload on the app pre cruise) and I was done.  
 
There were rows of chairs to wait behind the check in circle.  Boarding began around 11:30 am. The order for boarding;
 
In transient (77 guests)
Christmas group - I think these were Princess employees coming on board for a Christmas lunch.  
Tier boarding 
General boarding
 
There were two photographers taking boarding day pictures.  Up an escalator then up a long ramp and I was on the ship around noon.  You enter the ship on deck 6 and another picture is taken.  This was the picture that would show up for the servers.   

 

Edited by crusinthrough
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My first impression wasn’t a wow like seeing the Promenade on an Oasis class ship.  The Royal Princess is a nice ship but it just wasn’t a wow.  The atrium is very bright.  Thankfully, lights are dimmed at night.  There was Christmas music playing and holiday decorations. I remember seeing at least six different Christmas trees around the ship and a Menorah.

 

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 The MDR, Horizon Court buffet and International Cafe were opened for lunch. I opted for the buffet.  It has a strange set up.  It's set up in two separate rooms with a party room in the middle.  
 
1290002696_RoyalPrincess(49of54).thumb.jpg.ea3305aeae764816286eefb37eceb664.jpg
 
 
Utensils are wrapped in napkins on tables.  
 
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Overall, I think the food options were limited and the food average at best.  I never went hungry but I didn’t feel the need to over eat either.  Royal has better options.  I’ll add more information on food and speciality restaurants later. 
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On Oct 22, my room was assigned.   I received an email with the words “Upgrade Notice” in the subject line”.  I was excited that my gamble of selecting a guarantee paid off.  I immediately opened the email and was quickly deflated to see I was  “upgraded” to a midship mini balcony category (MB) room #520 on deck 14 not a full suite.  The MB mini suite locations averaged about $70 pp more than the least expensive mini suites, which are forward on decks 15 and deck 16. Not a big upgrade but it was something.  
 
After lunch after 1:00 pm, I headed to the room, which ready with luggage outside (all 3 pieces).  The hallway decor was blah and made the ship feel dated.  It wasn’t a long straight hallway but a few twist and turn to get to the room.
 

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The mini suite is approximately 323 sq feet including the balcony, which is smaller than a junior suite. My “upgraded” room was a connecting room.  I probably should have looked a the deck plan when the room was assigned.  It wasn’t a big deal.  There was no noise from the other room.  The most annoying noise is door slamming.  The doors close quickly and if your hands are full the door will probably close before you have a chance to catch it.  Maybe Princess can tighten the tension a bit to avoid this.  1988030902_RoyalPrincess(30of54).thumb.jpg.48cef6b9454f5e1cbb436caa6227e361.jpg

 

The doors are narrow but loud.

 

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There is a tv in the sitting area and a tv in the sleeping area with a curtain separating the two.  The curtain was not added to the JS on the Harmony.  I believe it's there on the Allure and Oasis. 

 

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Edited by crusinthrough
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The room had two outlets above the desk but none by the bed.  The bathroom and balcony were small.  TBH it  wasn’t comfortable sitting on the balcony because it felt cramped especially with the foot stool out.  The couch was old and needs replacement.  There was no cushion.  You could feel the springs when you sat down.  I missed the highlight in the bathroom that RC has.  It was dark when all the lights were out.

 

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