Royal Princess

[NCP]

Has anyone taken the cruise from Bangkok to Cape Town

or the one from Cape Town to Santiago de Chile?

 

We would like to get any info you can provide us.

Thank you!

NCP

[NCP]

bump

[Blackrobe]

I can't help you with the cruises but I sailed on the Royal for two weeks in October if you have a question about the ship.

[NCP]

Hi!

Thank you for answering.

I have heard that the ship lacks maintenance.

How do you like the Royal Princess?

Would you travel on her again?

Thanks again!

NCP

[Blackrobe]

We did not notice any maintenance issues when we sailed in October. Obviously, she is older and smaller than what is currently sailing. Maintenance, as on all the Princess ships, is ongoing. We found the Royal to be very comfortable and we were satisfied enough that we are taking another fourteen day cruise around Cape Horn next January.

 

The only three things that I found disappointing about the Royal Princess were: 1) the casino - it was small, dark, close and the casino personnel were not at all friendly; 2) the veranda rooms were not designed well - if you left your bed in the queen formation you had to crawl over the bed to get out on the veranda; 3) the fan tail area - it is large, airy and wonderful BUT you have to be careful as soot from the stacks gets all over everything - you do not notice it in the air but you can see the residual effects on the furniture and if you sit without covering or wiping it will be all over your clothes.

[HighRoller]

I was on the Royal in 2002 from Santiago-Buenos Aires and I found she was getting a long in the tooth then, and run down and old decor from the 80's...also the fact that she doesn't have PC dinning is a draw back for me...although I did enjoy the itinerary!:cool: :eek: :cool:

[katisdale]

We were on the Royal for 12 wonderful days in May, 2004. She finished an approximately 10 day dry dock just before we boarded. The carpet, drapes and bedspread in our cabin were new. I liked this ship a lot. We had an obstructed view cabin (cheap seats). It was well designed with lots of storage. The bathroom also had lots of storage. We kept the beds in the twin configuration and one bed could be raised during the day giving lots of extra walk around space. We enjoyed the common rooms as you could always find a place to see the ocean. We didn't go into the casino so I don't know about that area. There is a bar on the top deck which we really liked for the great views.

[Richard Stein]

I've been on her for a 14 day transatlantic. Be prepared for lots of sea days and not a lot to do. The south atlantic is much like the north atlantic, not for those who get sea sick easily. I hope you get a good price and the airfare is not too steep. I am planning one final trip on this fine ship but this cruise I would not do. Good luck and let us know if we are wrong.

 

Royal Princess, 3/24/05, Horizon, 9/5/04, Sapphire Princess, 6/13/04 , Zuiderdam-2003,Constellation -2003, Infinity-2002, Vision of the Seas-2002,

Mercury-2001, Norwegian Sky-2000, Horizon-2000, Ryndam-1999,Grand Princess-1999, Westerdam-1998, Grand Princess-1998, Oriania-1997

1985-1996-3-HAL, 1-RCCL, 2-NCL, 11-Princess, 1-Royal, 1-Cunard

[NCP]

Hi Richard,

Thank you very much for all the information provided!

We found an Ok price and airline was not too bad; but not a bargain!

[shortland]

Katisdale - We've booked the Royal for 8/23/04 and we too have the "cheap seats". Just how obstructed is the view? Which room did you have? We're looking forward to the cruise - a busy itinerary, so probably won't spend much time looking out the window anyway. Any information you have would be appreciated. Thanks.

[AnneHandel]

If you decide to take the Bangkok - South Africa cruise there are several of us over on the Roll Call board.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=52602

 

I sailed on the Royal Princess in 2003 doing the Buenos Aires to Valpairso cruise. I liked the ship and don't mind any wear on it. I enjoy smaller ships and am really sorry the Royal won't be a Princess.

 

Anne

[NCP]

Hi Anne!

Thank you for the information!!!

I was a little concerned about the maintenance of the Royal Princess. It is reassuring to hear from you!

We will write to the group! Fantastic!!!

Thanks again!

NCP

[aclay]

We were on the above cruise last Xmas/ New Year. The ship is lovely, you get to know everybody, including the crew. Yes she is missing many bells and whistles but the atmosphere is excellent and more personal. The food in the main dining room is the best we've had in any of our four Princess cruise (Ocean, Star and Royal x2). It depends what your expectations are for a cruise at the end of the day. There are some major seasoned travellers on board, less of a party crowd. Exciting itineraries made up for the lack of amenities, she also rides bad weather very well. We would sail with her again at the drop of a hat.

Cheers

Alex C

[Sunviking]

We sailed on the cruise from Valparaiso to Buenos Aires right after aclay's and we thoroughly enjoyed the ship. She is a wonderful size and does ride well. We had a suite all the way forward on the Lido deck right behind the bridge and we never felt any bad movement. She does not have many of the glitzy features on newer ships but we found her facilities were adequate. The only area where we thought there could have been improvement was in the size of the casual dining area. Unfortunately many people would go in and just sit up there for hours at the tables so it was sometimes very difficult to get a seat for the breakfast or lunch buffets.

[Tkennedy]

Has anyone taken the cruise from Bangkok to Cape Town

or the one from Cape Town to Santiago de Chile?

 

We would like to get any info you can provide us.

Thank you!

NCP

 

Hi NCP - We sail from Cape Town to Santiago. Departed Cape Town, December 19, 2003 and arrived in Santiago Jan. 12, 2004. This was the "Royal Princess" Maiden Voyage to the Antarctica. We found it fantastic. :)

 

The itinerary has changed just a little for this year, going to Falkland Islands before the Antarctic. Guess some people didn't like so many sea days, before stepping out onto dry land. Didn't bother us, we love the sea days. The experience of seeing the Antarctic first hand was the high light of the cruise.

 

One thing I would recommend, get a waterproof jacket, with several layers. The weather goes from very warm in Cape Town to cold and windy in the Antarctic then back to warm again in Santiago. So think winter & summer, layer!

 

The fact that this was a long cruise, we found most passengers very well traveled. We were a little concerned we might hit rough seas. But to our surprise, seas were relatively calm. A bit bumpy at times, but the "Royal" handles it beautifully. Sailed on the "Royal Princess" in the middle of Hurricane Gustav a couple years ago, so we know what we're saying.

 

We love sailing on the "Royal" and will miss her being in the Princess fleet. We're booked one more cruise on her, April 21, 2005, Manaus - Rome. This was to have been her last cruise, but Princess has added another cruise.

 

This is a smaller ship and gives you the opportunity to meet other passengers and make new friends. Alex aka. aclay, has posted to this thread, he and his wife were also on the Antarctica cruise as were Dee & John. There were a great group of Cruise Critic passengers on our cruise. We meet several times during the cruise for lunch. Lots of fun and wonderful people. Many still keep in touch.

 

Go ahead and book Cape Town to Santiago de Chile this year on the "Royal Princess, you will have a wonderful cruise and I highly recommend it.

 

Lorraine :D

[hunterafri]

I have looked to see if there are any shore excursions posted in the Personalize Section and haven't seen any. Was wondering or hoping that we might get some ideas of what to do in some of the places that we will be. Anyone want to help?

 

Vic

 

 

Has anyone taken the cruise from Bangkok to Cape Town

or the one from Cape Town to Santiago de Chile?

 

We would like to get any info you can provide us.

Thank you!

NCP

[Pam in CA]

We're on the same cruise as Lorraine and have sailed on her twice before: once was a Manaus, Brazil > San Juan and the other was Rome > Athens with stops in Cairo and Istanbul.

 

I love the Royal and would keep on sailing her as long as she is in the Princess fleet which isn't to be. :( The service is MUCH better and more personal on the Royal, the bathrooms larger with real tubs, and the Horizon Lounge fabulous for an evening drink and sail-away.

 

For my April cruise, I'm also booked in the "cheap seats," i.e., a K Guarantee outside obstructed view. I keep on checking to see if they've assigned a cabin and if they don't upgrade me, I'll still be happy.

[AnneHandel]

Vic

 

I put a link on the other board showing where you can see the shore excursions.

 

Anne