Review - Royal Princess Cabin L109 Mexican Riviera

[Cruiser_1977]

I booked this trip in October of 2018 during the Sip & Sail promo. This was to be my first time on a Princess ship and the biggest vessel by far. I booked my airfare through the cruise line. The price was terrific for RT/Nonstop, first class. I am fortunate that I have three airports within an hour of my home. I flew out of IAD and into DCA which I'm sure helped with the price. I flew into LAX on Friday and had reservations at the Crowne Plaza LA Harbor in San Pedro. I didn't want to hassle with the new Uber/LAXit system, so I booked an Uber Black which can still pick-up outside of baggage claim. Cost from LAX to San Pedro was $89.79 at 11:44am PT. I purchase Uber Cash using my rewards CC which saves me $5 off every $100. Then I also get the 3% from my CC! 

 

I had booked a mini-suite through my IHG account. I had also arranged for early check-in. I arrived and was greeted by friendly, helpful staff. They upgraded my room on the spot without me asking. I had read a few terrible reviews and was a bit worried. I thought the hotel was perfectly acceptable for a mid-priced chain. I ate a late lunch in the restaurant. Burger and fries with iced tea ($18.62) were adequate and I was starving. I had planned to go out to dinner but was "off" due to travel and the time difference. Instead of dinner I took about 2 hours and walked the Promenade. It's lovely!

 

Video of Hotel Room

    Fitness Center/Sauna:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1K3HChRjWDbLWw2RiQD85trnCrMSl2Hhz

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1U7P7yBHEENVX65c7ieVz58mhj8epkxg2

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1svIMR736U4px_788hFFb0cUTwc1OVBxj

Photos from Promenade

 

 

 

 

 

The next morning I was up at the crack of dawn and watched the sun come up from the Fitness Center. I purchased a shuttle ticket from the hotel to the terminal. It was $5 and they handed me a slip of paper. The driver never asked us for these. You could have gotten a free ride on our trip. There was also a Viking ship boarding that morning and they separate the vans by cruise line. Arrived at the terminal about 10:45am PT. I was in boarding group 6 and had done all of the Ocean Ready steps. I was on board about 11:30am. 

 

Then it was off for some bubbly at Bellini's...

 

 

 

Headed for Alfredo's and had a wonderful lunch.

 

 

Rollata di Melanzane

Meiomi Pinot Noir

Crostata di Mele Della Nonna

Rooms were ready at 1. Video of Cabin L109. Video of Balcony. I got a slip saying I had been assigned anytime dining when I had chosen late dining in my personalizer. Quick trip to Sabatini's to speak to the Maitre D' and he assigned me table 269 in Concerto for 7:15pm and each night I was to have different table mates. I also put my name on the list for the Winemaker's Dinner. That never happened due to low interest. They let me know later in the week by slipping a note under my door.

 

My muster station was in the theater. Muster is muster. Had a nice chat with the folks around me. Then up to Outrigger. I met a few folks from CC and it's nice to meet "internet people" in person! At some point I saw my luggage down the hall and just grabbed it and took it to my room. I think that was right before the muster. I am pretty sure I ate in the MDR - Concerto this night but I honestly can't remember and don't seem to have photos.

 

End of Embarkation

 

Edited January 14, 2020 by JennyB1977
duplicate photos

[greenie082756]

Thank you for doing this review. DH and I did the Royal and we too went straight to Alfredo's for lunch. Ate there several times as it was pretty good.

Following!

[Cruiser_1977]

Day 2 (Sunday) was a Sea Day. I started with a workout. Then breakfast in the dining room.

Cheese Omelet with Bacon

 

Spent most of the day at the pool. Pretty sure I had salad and cheese for lunch in the buffet. This is the craziest layout I have ever seen. There is an area called Horizon Bistro then a dessert area and then another section called the Horizon Court. I can not tell you why it's done this way. Food was fine. It's a buffet. 

 

There was a Captain's event in the Piazza that evening. It's also the first of two Formal Nights. I sat up in Bellini's for the view before dinner. I asked a nice couple to join me. They have been married 62 years (Dot and Sam I believe).

 

 

 

I had the shrimp cocktail and then below is the Medallions of Beef Tenderloin (medium rare)

 

 

After dinner I visited the Nightclub, Club 6. I didn't stay long. I believe my nightclub days are over LOL I was in bed by 10pm most nights.

Edited January 14, 2020 by JennyB1977

[kywildcatfanone]

Nice review, looking forward to more.

[jimdee3636]

Jenny:

 

I'm enjoying this a lot! You have an eye for detail and an entertaining writing style. I'll be on the Royal in less than three weeks (my first time on the ship), and I'm looking forward to future installments of your cruise blog.

 

Jim

[Colo Cruiser]

Great review.

Can you possibly post the embarkation day patter's front page with current officers?

[Cruiser_1977]

@Colo Cruiser I will scan and upload all of the patters!

[Colo Cruiser]

28 minutes ago, JennyB1977 said:

@Colo Cruiser I will scan and upload all of the patters!

Thanks Jenny!  

[subaru94]

Enjoying your review of the Royal we are going on her next August for a cruise from Alaska to Japan and are on the Lido deck unfortunately inside at the moment as balcony was nearly double the price.

[Cruiser_1977]

@subaru94 I loved the location on the Lido. One deck up to Fitness Center and the Retreat. After embarkation day there was never an issue getting an elevator to 5 or 6. I never quite got "used" to where everything was located. I'm not quite sure if it's because this ship was bigger or because I didn't always use the same elevators. I was still using the little fold out map they give you in the terminal on Day 6 🤦‍♀️

[rj42]

The drawback I had in a Lido deck inside cabin at the very front of the ship was treadmills in the gym right about me, so I heard pounding on the ceiling early in the morning until late at night, as well as what sounded like weights hitting the floor. 

[Papa Yoda]

Looking at your balcony video, it looks like they've figured out how to turn the Royal around in San Pedro.   Our 2 cruises they had to back down the channel with tugs on each end.

[Cruiser_1977]

Here are the Patters. I somehow missed the first sea day. I also have uploaded the "Family Letter" from embarkation and the Disembarkation Information. I have all of the inserts for each port and the tender information if folks need/want that please ask.

At Sea 1.9.2020.pdf At Sea 1.10.2020.pdf Cabo San Lucas 1.6.2020.pdf Disembarkation Information.pdf Embarkation Day 1.4.2020.pdf Family Letter.pdf Mazatlan 1.7.2020.pdf Puerto Vallarta 1.8.2020.pdf

[exbiologist]

I was also on this sailing and I’m curious how you think participation was regarding the formal nights, especially coming from non Princess Cruises.  I’ve got my thoughts but I’ll hold off.

[Cruiser_1977]

Day 3 - Cabo San Lucas My mobile provider is AT&T. I have the Mobile Share Plus 9GB plan. It states "talk, text and use plan data in Mexico" (and I was also told this when I called). I can confirm that in Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta my phone connected to either "TelCel" or "AT&T Mex" and my plan worked. No additional charges. In Mazatlan I used MapMyRun and Google Maps simultaneously without a hitch. I also made a few calls, sent/received texts and used social media without any additional fees.

 

I had planned a "Luxury Sunset Sail" via Princess. We didn't have to be onshore until 4:00pm. I had breakfast and then headed to the Retreat. I read and enjoyed the beautiful weather.

I got on shore at 3:10 and wandered around the dock. Bought a long sleeve t-shirt and then waited for my group. The onshore excursion staff (especially Terri) were very friendly. 

 

T-shirts that made me chuckle regardless of your political leanings:

 

We headed to the boat right at 4 since everyone was on time (woohoo)! Eric and Capt. Charlie were a great crew. I can not remember the photographer's name.

 

This excursion was simply food, drink and view some landmarks during sunset. However, we got to see a pod of whales and some dolphins!!!

 

Whale Video

 

 

This ended up being a day with zero alcohol! Since I ate on the sailboat, I didn't eat when we got back and simply watched a movie and hit the hay. Tomorrow Mazatlan!

Edited January 15, 2020 by JennyB1977

[CruiseVA]

4 hours ago, JennyB1977 said:

@subaru94 I was still using the little fold out map they give you in the terminal on Day 6 🤦‍♀️

The App on the phone has a "take me there" option, which is pretty handy. It's like Google Map for the ship.  If you don't mind toting your phone around.

[Cruiser_1977]

@exbiologist I thought folks were much fancier than on any of my previous cruises. I don't recall seeing anyone on either formal night (in the MDR or lounges) that I thought was extremely under dressed. I enjoyed it and told many couples/people how lovely they looked. I enjoyed seeing the gowns and tuxedos. I told someone at work today that I'm not sure if it's due to the difference in marketing or simply the passengers themselves that caused those nights to feel "fancier". You have to keep in mind that while dining in the MDR, I always dress for dinner. The two formal nights I wore dresses and heels. The other evenings I wore linen pants, blouses and heels. 

Edited January 15, 2020 by JennyB1977

[CruiseVA]

LOL on the t-shirts!

[exbiologist]

31 minutes ago, JennyB1977 said:

@exbiologist I thought folks were much fancier than on any of my previous cruises. I don't recall seeing anyone on either formal night (in the MDR or lounges) that I thought was extremely under dressed. I enjoyed it and told many couples/people how lovely they looked. I enjoyed seeing the gowns and tuxedos. I told someone at work today that I'm not sure if it's due to the difference in marketing or simply the passengers themselves that caused those nights to feel "fancier". You have to keep in mind that while dining in the MDR, I always dress for dinner. The two formal nights I wore dresses and heels. The other evenings I wore linen pants, blouses and heels. 
 

thanks I thought this was at least as on par with my 12 day med cruise on Princess.  If reading too much here, I would have believed that a short Mexican cruise would be less formal,  but the atrium was hopping with well dressed folks on formal nights.  I kept my tux on all night even in the casino, cuz why not?

 

Also I’m pretty sure you were on the same Cabo sunset boat cruise with my wife and I.  Cuz that looks like our boat and capitan Erick

Edited January 15, 2020 by exbiologist

[Cruiser_1977]

7 minutes ago, CarelessAndConfused said:

The shirts are hilarious.  Do you remember what the pink line of the right shirt read?  Also, what line do you normally cruise?

Believe it’s white bread full of balogna with Russian dressing and a small pickle.

 

In the past two years I have cruised on Norwegian, Carnival and Royal.

Edited January 15, 2020 by JennyB1977

[Cruiser_1977]

@exbiologist I had on a multi colored blouse, white pants and flip-flops.

[exbiologist]

Haha yep, same boat.  I was the guy getting drunk at the back

Edited January 15, 2020 by exbiologist

[venusbello1]

Thank you for taking your time to do this Jenny!!  So much information!  I like your style! 🙂  You've made me even more excited for my cruise on February 1!!  It's nice to see other ladies travel solo and enjoy it so much!!

[Cruiser_1977]

Day 4 Mazatlan - Up early.

 

The only thing I really wanted to see was the view from Faro Lighthouse. My plan was to walk/jog to the site, make the hike/climb and the walk/jog back. Mission accomplished!!! I spoke to a nice van driver at the cruise terminal and he said he had a daughter and he'd let her do it 🙂 So, with my google maps punched up, music on and my MapMyRun app tracking me I set off! 

 

 

 

 

 

 

When I got back to the terminal I did a little browsing and picked up some small tokens for my nephews. Then it was back to Alfredo's for salad, pizza and tiramisu. I spent time on my balcony reading that afternoon. I also saw another pretty sunset.

 

 

Dinner in the MDR. I had the Prosciutto Crudo con Melone, Shrimp Cocktail and Spaghetti con Polpette in Salsa di Pomodoro Fresco (Spaghetti and Meatballs LOL)

 

 

 

I think this is the evening I discovered Crooners. Nice bar and the piano player was fun!! Rainier (probably spelling it wrong) and Franco were great. Met Svetlana later in the trip. All were fabulous.

[Cruiser_1977]

We've made it to Day 5 - Puerta Vallarta. Again no excursions planned. I got off and had a bit of tequila. I like tequila and was not overwhelmed by it. Overall, it was more of a boat day. Pool, reading, and relaxing!

 

 

I love the Love Boat horn...

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1FcrKWlYPfJ8KrAxOCbKNm7yD6rma9zAF

 

 

This may have been the evening I ordered room service and watched movies.