BIG ROYAL WITH BIG ELEVATOR ISSUES

Royal Princess Cruise Review to Europe - Northern Europe

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 2
Helpful Votes: 51

Overall rating:

3 out of 5
Royal Princess

11 Night Scandinavia & Russia (Copenhagen Roundtrip)

Sail date: June 14, 2014

Ship: Royal Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 10 years ago

Review summary

For the most part the cruise was good, however, a major issue is their totally poor elevator service.  The waits for an elevator are HORRIBLE and ALL passengers were upset with it.  When advising the staff, they simply smiled. There were no stairs in the middle of the ship only for crew. Mini Suites seemed smaller and the balcony was basically so small it was only sufficient for standing.  There were two lounge chairs and a round table. No way to use the chairs without putting your legs ontop of the table. Reduced dining room staffing was noticeable. Slow kitching and long waits for waiters to bring food to dining room. Waiters constantly apologized for the slow service. Some 300 Chinese onboard and were very rude. The Japanese passengers were very polite and courteous. Won't be sailing on the Royal or Regal,a sister ship in the future. The Island Princess, Caribbean, Golden, Grand, Star Princess ships are excellent.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
Food was fair. Not too good of menu choices. Needs work over!

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Staff overall did a fine job. Great stateroom steward and Gelato Bar staff great!

Ship Quality

1 out of 5
Too big, poor elevator service, no middle ship staircase.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5
Small mini suite and tiny balcony

Ship tip

No walking path around ship, only small circular one on top . Elevators HORRIBLE. Reduced dining room staff very noticeable.

Ports of call

Copenhagen, Denmark

3 out of 5
Did not do excursion, only airport to ship.

Oslo, Norway

5 out of 5

Arhus, Denmark

1 out of 5

Warnemunde (Berlin), Germany

5 out of 5

Tallinn, Estonia

5 out of 5

Helsinki, Finland

5 out of 5

Stockholm, Sweden

1 out of 5
Nothing at port. Necessary to take train or bus to Stockholm 1 hr away.
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3 Comments

glomarrone    10 years ago

It is annoying to have long waits for elevators.  If we are only going two or three decks, we always walk.  But, that should not be necessary.  This is not the only ship with this problem.  When the elevator does come, it is usually packed.  Embarkation days & disembarkation days are always the worst.  Right after theater performances are other bad times.  We try to stay away from center elevators for this reason.

 

Although the cruise lines tell us that fine dining shouldn't be rushed, spending over two hours eating makes me antsy.  I keep thinking what I could be doing around the ship instead of waiting for the next course.  We try not to sit at big tables because of this.  Dining just takes too long, sometimes.  It becomes more than leisurely dining.

glomarrone    10 years ago

Wow you certainly were not happy with your cruise.  I did do a tour and lunch on this ship when it first came into service.  The ship was nice but I ran out of time before I could visit the suites.  I hope that your next cruise is a better one for you.  Gloria 

1TexasCruiser    10 years ago

Well, I can say after our 11 day cruise in the Baltic, I will never go on Princess Royal again. Going to try the Emerald on Nov 11th to Progresso and Cozumel.  I'll report my experience on return.