Royal Princess Review
Okraf
2-5 Cruises • Age 50s
Rating by category
Cabin
Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
Public Rooms
Entertainment
Fitness & Recreation
Service
Additional details
Sail Date: Dec 2015
Cabin: Balcony
Getting the negative out of the way first - the (Anytime) dining experience on the Royal Princess was very average. The food was almost never hot, and we felt the waiters were very rushed all the time. They seemed to lack a little charisma, or were too busy to take much time over anything. A more serious problem perhaps, is the design of the dining rooms.
While we often choose a table for two, we quite like to chat with people at neighbouring tables, but the swoopy, curvy layout of the new ship's dining rooms made this tricky. Also, some tables were right next to the (drafty) entrance to the restaurant, making you feel like you were eating in a corridor. For the first time, we decided to go to the Horizon Court (smash-and-grab, as we call it) for an evening meal on the last night of our cruise, and the food was hotter and better than the dining rooms. Last year, on the Sapphire Princess, we found the restaurants had a much better atmosphere.
The entertainment program, however, was much better. Maybe a result of a predominantly American clientele (livelier?), but in the Piazza there was always music or dancing or something going on whenever we walked past, day or night.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Cabin BE
Very clean and adequate space, with plenty of hanging room. Standard bathroom worked well. Very comfortable bed. The door to the balcony needed a bit of force to open sometimes and might be beyond more elderly people. Soundproofing still amazes me. The only noise you can really hear from elsewhere is the occasional cabin door. Didn't hear any noise from either side or above.
The position of the cabin is good - about halfway between the front of the ship and the forward lifts, meaning not too people come past early or late, but it's not too far to walk from/to.
It did seem to be at the exact point of the hull at which the waves broke directly below, making even calm seas sound quite noisy, but we quite like that particular sound, once we realised it wasn't the sound of wind and rain!
The aircon/temperature control was on all the time we were in the cabin and was completely silent.
I'd be happy to book a cabin in this position again.
Port Reviews
Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades)
Embarktion onto Royal Princess was very slick, despite us being a bit late getting our shuttle bus from the car hire place (SIXT) nearby.
The one big fault with Port Everglades generally is that it's not integrated at all into Florida's public transport system. Not east to get in or out of except by taxi (or cruise line transfers)
St. Maarten
Easy to get off and go shopping, via water taxi.
We treated ourselves in one of the many jewellers on the main road, but you could just as well spend the day on the nice beach instead.
Dominica
A little 'scary' for the less travelled. A bit frantic and noisy and intimidating, although the people we spoke to were perfectly nice.
Bonaire
Don't pay for expensive snorkelling trips when you can get a cab for $2.50 and pay $10 to hire the gear (although they might ask for your cruise card as a 'deposit'- better take your own to make it cheaper still)
Lovely front to walk along, beaches OK but not fantastic. Sea very clear for swimming and snorkelling.
Curacao
Best stop on our trip. Willemstad is lovely, although on a Sunday apparently 50% closed. Very colourful town with fabulous floating swing bridge which moves to let boats through. Nice waterfront cafes.
For those that can't walk far, there are shops right as you get off the boat.
Not much in the way of beaches here, although the water very clear for snorkelling if you go on a trip
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