Category Archives: Sea Walk

Royal Princess: Cabin Choices

by Don McCann

In yesterday’s blog, we promised photos of some cabins.  I’ve always liked the Princess cabin design and this ship is no exception.  The walk-in closet design in most cabins is very practical and user friendly and the appointments in the cabins are simple, but tasteful.  The padded headboard wall above the bed is stylish and attractive, but means there is less artwork in the cabin; guess it’s a trade off.  Royal Princess offers interior, balcony, and deluxe balcony cabins, along with many mini-suites and some full suites and all are quite attractive.

Here are some photos of the major cabin types (you can click on each one to enlarge):

Standard Interior cabin

Standard Interior cabin

Standard Balcony Cabin

Standard Balcony Cabin

Standard Balcony

Standard Balcony

Deluxe Balcony Cabin

Deluxe Balcony Cabin (the sofa makes a nice difference)

MiniSuite

MiniSuite

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MiniSuite sitting area

S4 Suite

S4 Suite

S4 Suite bedroom

S4 Suite bedroom

S4 Suite bathroom, note separate shower & tub

S4 Suite bathroom, note separate shower & tub

S4 Suite balcony

S4 Suite balcony

S2 Suite

S2 Suite

S2 Suite bedroom

S2 Suite bedroom

S2 Suite wrap around balcony

S2 Suite wrap around balcony

Royal Princess sails from Ft. Lauderdale to the Caribbean during the winter and will return to Europe next summer.

Comments, or questions?  Just post – we’d love to hear from you!

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Filed under New Ship, Princess Cruises, Royal Princess, Sea Walk

Royal Princess: Photo Essay

by Don McCann

Having just returned from an agent 2-day preview cruise onboard the Royal Princess, it’s difficult to know just what to share first.   After all, this is not only the newest ship in the Princess fleet, but it’s the largest and, perhaps, the most innovative.  So, since I’m very much a visual person myself, I think the best way to describe the ship is with a few visual aids!

To begin with, I liked the ship very much.  Royal Princess has many of the Princess hallmark features, but they have expanded and/or tweaked a few areas to give it very much its own personality.  Some examples would be the SeaWalk, the first ‘over the water’ walkway of its kind; the expanded Piazza, which is visually appealing and includes many venues to draw to this area, as well; the largest Sanctuary in the Princess fleet and the most impressive, to be sure; and too many dining options to list here.  The only thing of which was a head-scratcher to me was the lack of a stairwell at the midship elevator bank.  I was in a cabin only one deck below Lido Deck, but instead of taking an easy single flight of stairs, I was forced to wait on an elevator to ascend only one floor; have not seen this on any other ship and can’t figure out why it is the case here?!

So here are a few visuals of the great new Royal Princess (and you can click on each photo to enlarge):

The SeaWalk as seen from below, at eye level on Deck 15, then looking DOWN at the sea!

The SeaWalk as seen from below, at eye level on Deck 15, then looking DOWN at the sea!

The Sanctuary on Deck 17; there's an extra charge, but it would not be full most of the time if it wasn't worth it!

The Sanctuary on Deck 17; there’s an extra charge, but it would not be full most of the time if it wasn’t worth it!

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The Retreat is a lovely adults only area; a great alternative for those who do not wish to pay for The Sanctuary

The vibrant Piazza area on Decks 5, 6, & 7

The vibrant Piazza area on Decks 5, 6, & 7

Lido Deck 16 with pools and the large screen for Movies Under the Stars

Lido Deck 16 with pools and the large screen for Movies Under the Stars

Princess Live! is a new concept for innovative entertainment in person and broadcast on your cabin's TV

Princess Live! is a new concept for innovative entertainment in person and broadcast on your cabin’s TV

Alfredo's on Deck 6 is THE place for pizza and has no surcharge!
Alfredo’s on Deck 6 is THE place for pizza and has no surcharge!
The Princess Theater, not a bad seat in the house!

The Princess Theater, not a bad seat in the house!

Horizon Court on Deck 16, friendly service and endless choices for casual dining

Horizon Court on Deck 16, friendly service and endless choices for casual dining

There is of course much more, but this gives you a glimpse into some of the features and areas onboard Royal Princess.  If there is a particular area of interest you’d like to see, but missed here, then just ask us!

Check back for our next post on the various cabin choices!

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Filed under New Ship, Princess Cruises, Royal Princess, Sea Walk

Nothing Quite Like It

by Don McCann

“Back in the day”, I used to tell a potential cruise client that when the ship slipped away from the pier and you began to sail away from the shore that you could feel a sense of relaxation washing over you by leaving “the real world” behind (meaning that you did not have your phone, pager, TV, or daily communication options with you and it was freeing & relaxing).  Well today we all have our cell phones with us when we travel, along with maybe a laptop, tablet, or whatever it takes to by golly keep in touch at all times. That may be the case, but as we left the pier Sunday night it seemed perfectly obvious to me that this is a magical time, as the shore becomes more and more distant from the deck of your ship.  It is like no other and even the presence of all those electronic devices cannot spoil it after all! There is nothing like the wonderful experience of being on a cruise ship, at the very beginning of your voyage, even when (like us) you are going nowhere, but out to sea for a test drive!

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A look down from the SeaWalk on Deck 16

The Royal Princess is a stunning and beautiful ship and I’m excited to share some photos with you.  However the wi-fi connection onboard was sporadic and too slow for that to be possible. This brief post will have to do for now, but look for more on my feedback and photos later this week!

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October 30, 2013 · 8:00 pm

That New Ship Smell

by Don McCann

On Sunday I’ll be boarding the Royal Princess for a 2-night agent preview cruise.  Although it began sailings in June of this year, next week will mark the ship’s U.S. debut and (just like a car) I think it will still have a bit of ‘that new ship smell’ which is so exciting!

Provided the onboard wi-fi cooperates, I hope to post some photos and thoughts as I explore this innovative new ship.  Some of the points of particular interest will be the Sea Walk (not for those with height issues!), the Bellagio-style pool fountains on the top deck, and the expanded Piazza.  I’m also hoping to see the new ‘Deluxe Balcony’ category as this is a first for Princess.

So stayed tuned for more on Royal Princess next week, the largest Princess ship ever!

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Filed under New Ship, Our Cruise Stories, Princess Cruises, Royal Princess, Sea Walk