Cabin Review

This is my first and most likely ONLY trip on the Regal Princess. Since the Royal Princess is of the same design, I won’t be traveling on that ship either. There are many physical/design reasons, which apply to both vessels that are most inferior. There are more passengers, but the elevator configuration is the same as the smaller Emerald, Ruby, etc. ships. How can more staterooms and floors with a significant number of additional passengers be added without any additional elevators? There were many times when a wait of 10 minutes or more for an available lift to stop. We had a mini-suite and the balcony was embarrassingly small. There were two chairs, a foot stool and a table which filled the balcony. There was no way two people could be on that balcony. How is this a good idea? Something more than a mini-balcony is expected when paying for the luxury of a balcony, especially on an extra cost stateroom.

The entertainment was another HUGE disappointment! The production shows had larger participants than usual, but quantity does not equal a quality production show. The dancers, who have practiced and rehearsed to perfection were always in the dark. The spotlights were on the singers. We can hear the singers without the spotlight, we can NOT see the dancers without light. What a disappointment for those kids who have worked so hard to just dance in the dark. That is really unfair for both the audience and the dancers as well. Why are there spotlights facing the audience? It is difficult enough to see what is happening on the stage and then that becomes impossible with these more aggravating spotlights. Who thinks that is a good idea? Finally in regard to the Princess Theater and other venues as well … why is the sound over-modulated? We have average hearing, granted there are a LOT of Senior Citizens on the ship, those with hearing issues have hearing aids. The rest of us can hear fine. Why is the volume levels “ear harming” loud? This is supposed to be “entertainment” not irritations!

The Horizon Grill and Horizon Court are a total embarrassment for Princess! It was worse than the cramped Horizon on the Emerald or Ruby. Where are the plates? Why aren’t the plates where the food is available? Why does the food keep moving? On other ships like Holland America there is signage for what is available – salad, sandwiches, desserts, main courses, etc. There is no such indication on the Regal Princess. That is confusing enough, but then the food moves! One time the hot cereals are in one place, the next time is has moved! How is moving food a good thing for the passengers?? Sometimes the help were confused as to where something may be hiding.

Additionally many, almost a majority, of the service people have attitudes. From the pizza or burger area on the Lido Deck to the Horizon servers there is a LOT of attitude! Obviously they have not been trained to help or assist the passengers. They are more likely to argue, not understand or flatly ignore a passenger request. You would expect all service personnel on a ship to go out of their way to please those paying for the opportunity to be NOT served. That is an additional embarrassment for Princess.

The lines to see the Future Cruise person was another embarrassment. Apparently Princess wants your money to “lock” you into another cruise. You would think the Princess person would spend more than a few hours a day taking money! It is totally uncalled for to be #24 in line to as a Future Cruise question! I guess the passenger’s time is not a priority for Princess … we are already trapped on-board. What is a couple hour wait to talk with the professional?

On a positive note, the food quality was several “clicks” above that on other Princess vessels. Usually Princess food is overly salty. There were many times in the past when salt-free dishes were requested. That was not required this time. Even the soups were not overly salty. That was the BEST thing on this cruise.

So … travel on the Regal or Royal if you want to be disappointed. If you want to wait forever to get to deck 6 by elevator for the dining room. If you want to pay extra money for a minuscule balcony. If you want to be ignored by the service staff. If you want to have totally disappointing production shows. There is more to share, but this is enough! Happy travels … hopefully on smaller Princess or alternative ships!

PS-I am at the Elite level on Princess, so I’ve been around the Princess block more than one time!