It was an amazing vacation. Loved the crew and the staff of the ship. Each port we went to was clean and safe and we did excursions everywhere and got to see, learn, and do a lot of fun things. I really felt like I got my money worth on this trip. Other than my uncomfortable bed being the third in a room it was an amazing trip and I already booked my next one with Princess Cruises. I had heard from people that cruise ships were like big parties, loud and full of drunk people and screaming kids. This was NOT like that at all. It was mostly older people and young adults and not really the party ship I had heard about which was nice. We played games and cards and went to shows and hung out by the pool and there was so much to do that it was just a nice relaxing trip not loud and crazy and not at all boring. Definitely recommend.
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Getting on and off the ship was quick and ectreamly organized. No cattle herding feeling. Everyone had a time and a place and color and different entry and exit locations to get on and off the ship so it was very easy and stress free.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
5 out of 5
We ate in the same location each night with an amazing wait staff. Jovanna was new and amazing, very personable and accommodating. Edwin was our waiter and was more than willing to make portion changes, bring us pretty much anything we asked for and very quick and attentive. I have a ridiculous food allergy which normally limits what I can eat but the maitre d was amazing and gave me the menu each night in advance and they custom made my food each night so I could eat like a normal person. They even invented dishes some nights when there was nothing on the menu I was able to eat. It was amazing it made me feel like a princess instead of a pain in the butt which is normally how I feel when asking for food to be made different or checked for garlic. I ate better this week than I have in a very long time because they custom made my dishes so I wouldn't get sick. I wanted to bring them home it was like having a personal chef each night. Buffets were harder because there is no ingredients listed so my options were limited but I could have ordered food from the dining room for lunch too if I wanted. Only thing lacking was soda options. I am a Dr Pepper drinker and my uncle who was with me is a diabetic who drinks Coke Zero and neither of these were options on board. We both would have bought the drink plan had it been available instead we had to pack them with us and buy them when we docked in local towns to bring back on board.
Onboard Activities
5 out of 5
We went to almost every game show and trivia. The Assitant Cruise Directors. Andrew, Gareth, and Cat were AMAZING!!!! They were like the energizer bunnies, first ones up and the last ones to sleep and still cheerful and personable. You could tell they loved their jobs and the people they get to meet. I felt like they were my friends by the end of the week. The Voice was awesome and so were the ensemble singing shows. We went to stuff all day everyday and didn't see anything we didnt like.
Entertainment
5 out of 5
AMAZING! Never made it to Lou Gazzara but everything else was AWESOME!
Children's Programs
I was not there with any kids so I have no idea. Barely saw them on the ship.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Eugene was our steward and he was awesome. Very attentive and always accommodating as well as being personal and very friendly. We talked to him multiple times a day sharing stories and jokes. It was a pleasure to see him each day in the hall. Cant rave enough about our waiters all over the ship. We never had dirty dishes or glasses on our table for longer than a few minutes and there was always someone close to ask for help or order drinks from.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
Every inch was clean and orderly and people were always cleaning. Definitely felt at home and welcomed.
Cabin / Stateroom
3 out of 5
Size was good BUT I was the third person sharing with my parents and had to use the bed that drops down from the ceiling. It was horrible. It is probably made for a child that doesnt care about comfort. The mattress was nothing more than a foam mat where the mattresses on the other 2 beds were AMAZING and comfortable. I did complain and they brought me an extra piece of foam but it didnt help much at all. Also IF that bed is down you cant see the TV from that bed or the one below it which was kind of a bummer. Other than that it was a nice room and a good size bathroom which I was very surprised about. We had 3 large adults in our room and didnt feel cramped at all.
Ship tip
If you drink Dr Pepper bring your own because they dont have it.
Loved it. We did an excursion with a different company that took us to Hell and Back and the Turtle Farm. Our tour guide was amazing and friendly and he gave us a lot of local information and town history. It was a great day. Got to hold turtles and see amazing beaches.
We did an excursion here with a different company as well and it was amazing. The bus driver went out of the way to find us a bathroom before our tour time and went in a circle playing taxi driver for us. We did a glass bottom boat that was actually like a 360 degree view of the reef and ocean floor. For those of us who dont swim in the ocean and would never snorkle this was AMAZING we got to view the reef and the amzing number and types of fish while staying safe and dry. It was a long time under water in a comfortable air conditioned boat and a very good tour guide who knew everything there is to know about the reef. We also got to tour the beaches and go to a Cacao Factory to learn about chocolate and get tastes of what they make locally.
Did an excursion with the cruise line and went to Myan Ruins and took an amazing tour down the river getting to see a ton of different wildlife. Our tour guide was great and so were the guys on the boat pointing out the animals. Definitely got our money worth. Fredrick was our tour guide at the ruins and he knew so much, well educated and completely willing and able to answer all our questions. Also our tour guide was a local (we drove through her neighborhood) she was amazing. Knew everything, was easy to understand and gave above and beyond as a tour guide.
We did a cruise ship excursion to Mayan ruins and a Cacao Factory. Our tour guide was Mimi and she was of Mayan decent so she was very animated and excited to teach us the ways of her people. It was a cool experience to see it through her eyes. We got a lot of history and information about the Mayan people and their customs and then went to the Cacao Factory and actually watched the guy make chocolate like the Mayans did with his own hands and stones not machines and then we got to taste what we watched him make from the beans he ground. It was a very cool experience to see and touch and taste first hand the kind of chocolate they made way back then.
Only took 20 min from the time we were supposed to be in our location to when we had our bags and were leaving the terminal. Very very organized and orderly with numbers and colors again and our luggage was organized and waiting with the matching color. Also it was very evenly staggered with times so customs was a breeze and not at all crowded. We were all impressed and those who have been on many cruises before said this was the fastest and easiest they had ever experienced.
Sounds like you've been bit by the cruise bug. I get it, the first cruise I ever went on was that party boat you were expecting and I thought I hated cruising. Then I took a Princess cruise and decided it was the best way to vacation. You'll be Platinum in no time.
Love the Royal, so sorry you didn't get to sleep on the new luxury beds, like sleeping on a cloud, but at least you got to go on a cruise. I didn't go on my first til I was almost 60 years old. I am 70 now and I'm getting ready to go on number 7 in a few months. Glad you had a great experience. Keep on cruising!
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