LIVE FROM Royal Princess Alaska September 17-24

[Buckeye10640]

12 hours ago, ceilidh1 said:

Recap and Thoughts...

Was this cruise perfect? No. Did it have a few issues/glitches/frustrations? Yes. Did I have a blast? ABSOLUTELY!

 

The following posts will be my thoughts and opinions on what was done well, what could have been improved on, and my conclusions on the sailing. These are my thoughts/opinions only and I totally appreciate that what might be frustrating for me might not even be on the radar of someone else, and vice versa. That being said, I always welcome thoughts and opinions of others (especially when they differ to mine) as I feel like it often puts things into perspective and what might feel like a big deal at the time, is actually pretty insignificant in the grand scheme of things. So don't hold back - I promise not to get offended or take it personally!

 

CABIN: We were in a mini suite on Lido deck at the very front of the ship (L221). While I'm not at all picky about room location, I do tend to sail aft more than anywhere else simply due to the proximity of the kid clubs. I chose this room specifically to try out forward and Lido (neither of which I have tried previously). First thing to mention is that, while this is a connecting room, we had no one in the adjoining room so I can't accurately report on whether this would be an issue or not. Since the room was in a hallway forward of the forward elevators, the only reason to come that way would be to get to your room. This meant very little foot traffic and it was SO quiet - possibly the quietest hallway I have ever stayed in. I loved the proximity to the outside deck pizza, ice cream, and burgers (and bar) and this was great to run out and grab a snack. I also loved that the elevator ALWAYS seemed to be on deck 16 and it was a quick trip down to 5 for the International Cafe. I pretty much avoided the buffet this cruise because it just always felt crowded with the small sections they had open, but the room was also very convenient for the buffet. What I disliked about it was having to walk through the buffet to get aft to the kid's club - I love the handwashing stations but then always felt obliged to stop and wash my hands even though I was only passing through. Lol. I'm not sure if the lack of outlets is unique to a mini on Royal (I am almost positive that the balconies we stayed in on this ship had the USB in the lamps) but this was a real issue for us - with four of us, each with two devices and only two outlets it was a constant plugging and unplugging dance. I also didn't like that there was no outlet near the bed so I couldn't have my phone charging on the nightstand - if I woke in the night I had no clue what time it was as my phone was all the way over on the desk. Despite being so far forward, I felt very little movement on the one day that we had choppy seas.  I would definitely stay in this area again and would give the cabin a solid 8/10 (really only lost points for the lack of outlets and USB sockets)

Re: charging, I recall my daughter and I had a similar challenge in a Regal balcony earlier this year. Only way to charge phones was an outlet at the desk. I too had gotten used to expecting them in the nightstand lamps. i will be prepared for Royal next year with long charging cables!

Edited September 26, 2022 by Buckeye10640

[XBGuy]

These just live in our "ready to go" travel kit.  They are very compact and do a great job for us.

 

Mini power strip--expands one outlet to four

 

 

 

USB "Smart" hub has six USB ports.

 

 

 

Edited September 26, 2022 by XBGuy

[rocklinmom]

I have a Lido deck forward cabin question for you, since you were in L221. Did you have any noise from above in the Sanctuary/Retreat pool area? I have read about a late night DJ dance party held up there (called Night Sky Lounge). Also, did you have any noise from MUTS or poolside bands? I'm considering booking in that area and wonder how loud it could be. 

[ceilidh1]

1 minute ago, rocklinmom said:

I have a Lido deck forward cabin question for you, since you were in L221. Did you have any noise from above in the Sanctuary/Retreat pool area? I have read about a late night DJ dance party held up there (called Night Sky Lounge). Also, did you have any noise from MUTS or poolside bands? I'm considering booking in that area and wonder how loud it could be. 

Never heard a peep from the Retreat/Santuary, BUT this was Alaska so I can't imagine too many people were up there at night (brrrr). Also no noise from MUTS or pool deck. The quietest cabin we have had

[rocklinmom]

Thank you! I am looking at the first two cabins coming into your Lido cabin section from the Trident Grill/pool area. They are right across from the forward stairs and near the forward elevators, and can walk right outside to the pool deck. I imagine you guys walked by them many times (L301 and L235). I was just wondering if there would be a lot of noise and/or commotion being right there. 

[ceilidh1]

Cruise Staff Team: It was a huge let down to have no cruise director on the sailing. Apparently, Natalie was coming to the end of her contract and injured her knee so ended up leaving early (I believe she left prior to the sailing before ours). The cruise staff team worked hard and were enjoyable, but I missed that high energy, face of the ship that a good cruise director becomes. I found the entertainment director, Ruth, very awkward in her announcements and felt that Guido or Jase would have done a much better job (those two really held the entertainment together). Some aspects felt very cobbled together - The Voice of the Ocean, for instance, had the crew manager as a stand in to present it (someone that no one on the ship had even heard of, never mind seen). It was meant to be hosted by Holly (cruise team) but she had been losing her voice earlier in the day so I guess she was taken off it (hopefully not Covid). I still enjoyed the activities and games and trivia offered but also feel it's time for Princess to offer something new and different rather than recycling the same things over and over.

[ceilidh1]

Crew/Staff: I think this is the aspect that keeps me coming back to Princess, despite the glitches, frustrations, and same-old-same-old activities. Of all lines we have sailed, Princess crew and hands down the best. This sailing was no different, though it was noticeable just how overworked they are right now. I have no idea if they are short staffed or if this is a product of the on demand app ordering, but barstaff and waistaff were run ragged. They still did everything with a smile and grace. A solid 10/10 for the staff on this ship!

[rocklinmom]

On 9/18/2022 at 8:46 AM, ceilidh1 said:

Smoking area deck 16 aft

Hi again! One more question, you posted this as the outdoor smoking area at the back of Lido deck. Do you recall if there were also smokers allowed in the Horizon Court outdoor eating area? I am looking at some aft Marina deck cabins right below that (where you walk outside from the buffet) on the port side and want to avoid the smoking side.  

[ceilidh1]

21 minutes ago, rocklinmom said:

Hi again! One more question, you posted this as the outdoor smoking area at the back of Lido deck. Do you recall if there were also smokers allowed in the Horizon Court outdoor eating area? I am looking at some aft Marina deck cabins right below that (where you walk outside from the buffet) on the port side and want to avoid the smoking side.  

I sat out there a few times and there were no smokers . From what I saw, the only official smoking area was the one in the picture I posted. The casino definitely smelled of smoke but I never saw anyone actually smoking there the few times I passed through.

[Sn0cruiser]

We were on Carribean cruises on the Enchanted and Sky last fall - I’m not sure how they differ from the Regal/Royal.  The smoking area on those ships (despite capacity of 50% or less) was always packed during the morning and afternoons at least.  That deck, the outrigger bar, the small aft pool and the outside buffet area always smelled strongly of cigarette and cigar smoke.  We tried but could not use those areas due to the smell. 

[PrincessDano]

58 minutes ago, ceilidh1 said:

I sat out there a few times and there were no smokers . From what I saw, the only official smoking area was the one in the picture I posted. The casino definitely smelled of smoke but I never saw anyone actually smoking there the few times I passed through.

I was on this sailing too and they were smoking on the starboard side in the casino, where the tables are. 

 

Diane 

[rocklinmom]

1 hour ago, ceilidh1 said:

I sat out there a few times and there were no smokers . From what I saw, the only official smoking area was the one in the picture I posted. The casino definitely smelled of smoke but I never saw anyone actually smoking there the few times I passed through.

Thank you! I am looking at Marina deck cabins right below that outdoor area (port side) so wondering if we would have a smoking area right above our balconies. Usually one side is smoking and the other isn't. It would be nice to be one deck below to run up to the buffet, just trying to cover all my bases. 

[lolo11]

2 hours ago, rocklinmom said:

Hi again! One more question, you posted this as the outdoor smoking area at the back of Lido deck. Do you recall if there were also smokers allowed in the Horizon Court outdoor eating area? I am looking at some aft Marina deck cabins right below that (where you walk outside from the buffet) on the port side and want to avoid the smoking side.  

The outdoor smoking area is on deck 17, 1 deck above the Horizon Court, aft. Packed. Actually, it's above the Outrigger bar, which is the outdoor seating area for Horizon Court, aft.

[rocklinmom]

Thank you! Nothing against smokers, I just don't want smoke above my balcony if possible.