The royal is about 18 months old and offers some changes from other Princess ships
Hits: the expanded gathering space in the plaza is well done and very popular, The theater is well done with tier seating and easier access,the buffet is well laid out and offers a varied menu with very good quality, the walking ,running area is a plus .
Misses: the loss of the ability to walk around the ship on level 7 is a real loss, the lack of ability to see out in the dining rooms and reduced ability to see out in common areas is a loss. The walkway on lido deck seem to be an expensive fad, not used much and ruins the cabin on 15 and to some extent 14 in the midship area. Cabins have blue lighting shining on them all night, the walkway blocks the view and in the port side blocks all hope of sunlight A blue blunder.
the cabins are well laid out, enough storage, the ability to close off the seating area from the sleeping area is a real plus, the ability to dim lighting has been lost and the new flat tvs and slow and cumbersome. Overall the cabin is very satisfactory. However, any cabin located midship on levels 15,14 and perhaps 12 have the problem of ablue lighting shining in the balcony all night, people being able to see in on the starboard side and the sky and sun blocked out on the port side. The walkway ruins these rooms,do not select these.