Jump to content

Royal Princess- Lack of a Walkable Promenade Deck


Rbel4
 Share

Recommended Posts

An Open Posting to Princess Cruises- The lack of a walkable promenade deck on the Royal Princess will result in us cancelling our scheduled December cruise.

 

As background, my wife and I have been on 14 Princess Cruises over the last 20 years all over the world (Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Panama, Norway and elsewhere). Regardless of our itinerary, one of the most important things to us to do on every Princess cruise was our daily exercise walks on the covered promenade deck.

 

I was very disappointed to learn that the Royal Princess does not have a walker friendly promenade deck for people like us. I understand that it is cut off in the front and back of the ship and is too narrow in parts to do exercise walks. For us, the jogging trail at the top of the ship does not work due to my wife's sun sensitivity plus it not being the same quiet ambience of a promenade deck.

 

 

As a result of this Royal Princess design feature, we will for the first time in years start looking at other cruise lines. We may continuing to go on some of the older Princess Ships, but that fleet is aging. Our hearts are broken over this as we were one cruise away from Elite Status. We were looking forward to the other innovations of the Royal Princess class of ships. However, for us, this promenade issue is a deal breaker as it is a very important part of our cruise we thought would never be taken away.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An Open Posting to Princess Cruises- The lack of a walkable promenade deck on the Royal Princess will result in us cancelling our scheduled December cruise.

 

As background, my wife and I have been on 14 Princess Cruises over the last 20 years all over the world (Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Panama, Norway and elsewhere). Regardless of our itinerary, one of the most important things to us to do on every Princess cruise was our daily exercise walks on the covered promenade deck.

 

I was very disappointed to learn that the Royal Princess does not have a walker friendly promenade deck for people like us. I understand that it is cut off in the front and back of the ship and is too narrow in parts to do exercise walks. For us, the jogging trail at the top of the ship does not work due to my wife's sun sensitivity plus it not being the same quiet ambience of a promenade deck.

 

 

As a result of this Royal Princess design feature, we will for the first time in years start looking at other cruise lines. We may continuing to go on some of the older Princess Ships, but that fleet is aging. Our hearts are broken over this as we were one cruise away from Elite Status. We were looking forward to the other innovations of the Royal Princess class of ships. However, for us, this promenade issue is a deal breaker as it is a very important part of our cruise we thought would never be taken away.

 

Have you considered using the treadmills?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess everyone has something that's important to them. It's really a shame that the OP won't give it one cruise, get their elite status and then post about how unacceptable things are, if they are. I am getting tired of negative posts from those who haven't even been on the ship, particularly when those who have sailed her, rave about how great it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

We may continuing to go on some of the older Princess Ships, but that fleet is aging. Our hearts are broken over this as we were one cruise away from Elite Status.

 

Hi Rbel4,

 

If you are one cruise away from Elite is it possible to try a last minute cruise out of the northeast, maybe a Canada/New England or a repositioning cruise? There were also lots of great last minute deals this year to Alaska, a destination I never got tired of. Maybe try that strategy next year? Or maybe a Pacific Coastal or TransPacific cruise in 2014? Japan, Vietnam, India, British Isles? Any Princess ships go there that you like? Maybe fly to the Pacific Northwest for a week-long land tour and then jump on one of the 2-night cruises between Vamcouver and Seattle?

 

And despite the 'aging fleet' many of the ships are being updated with new venues and features. It's hard to believe that ships like the Sapphire Princess and Diamond Princess are falling apart. They should still be around for another ten years. Have you been on any of the Princess small ships? I hear they are extremely popular. Not much of a promenade though. Or maybe the Island or Coral Princess? I hear they have even wider promenades that the rest of the ships in the Princess fleet. A full transit of the Panama Canal maybe? Somewhere you've already been but loved, would really like to see one more time?

 

Royal Princess may not fit the bill, but there are still lots of options within the Princess fleet that may. And if not, and you find yourself 'straying', then try a grand lady like Queen Mary 2 or one of the HAL ships. I hear they also have nice promenades.

 

Every ship can't please everybody. Find one that pleases you and enjoy what's important to you. Have a great cruise, whatever ship you find yourself on. Hopefully it will be Princess, and you'll be Elite. I hear they get some pretty nice perks. ;)

 

:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

An Open Posting to Princess Cruises- The lack of a walkable promenade deck on the Royal Princess will result in us cancelling our scheduled December cruise.

 

As background, my wife and I have been on 14 Princess Cruises over the last 20 years all over the world (Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Panama, Norway and elsewhere). Regardless of our itinerary, one of the most important things to us to do on every Princess cruise was our daily exercise walks on the covered promenade deck.

 

I was very disappointed to learn that the Royal Princess does not have a walker friendly promenade deck for people like us. I understand that it is cut off in the front and back of the ship and is too narrow in parts to do exercise walks. For us, the jogging trail at the top of the ship does not work due to my wife's sun sensitivity plus it not being the same quiet ambience of a promenade deck.

 

 

As a result of this Royal Princess design feature, we will for the first time in years start looking at other cruise lines. We may continuing to go on some of the older Princess Ships, but that fleet is aging. Our hearts are broken over this as we were one cruise away from Elite Status. We were looking forward to the other innovations of the Royal Princess class of ships. However, for us, this promenade issue is a deal breaker as it is a very important part of our cruise we thought would never be taken away.

 

I enjoy running and walking on the Promenade Deck, but it would take a lot more than that for me to cancel my cruise on the Royal. That would be like selling my house and moving to another town, because they closed my favorite park. Not sure i understand why you would look at other cruise lines because one Princess ship doesn't have a walkable Promenade Deck. Why not book another Princess ship, especially if you are that close to Elite status.

 

Another alternative might be walking the inside corridors with all the photos.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Have you considered using the treadmills?

 

This has already been discussed to death. I'm sure you will find another ship/cruise line to walk on.

I use the covered promenade deck for exercise walking & also won't be able to use the exposed walk/run track due to a health issue. Instead I'll use the gym's treadmills because there are so many other things about the Royal to enjoy.

 

The OP may find that some new ships on other cruise lines also do not have a complete promenade deck & may be limited to older ships. I've read posts saying there are some new regulations about lifeboat placement that limits the designs. Whether that's true or not (I have seen photos of other new builds with similar designs) I cannot think of any one issue that would change my cruise preference.

 

For me it's who provides the best cruise at an affordable price & currently Princess is the one for me.

Edited by Astro Flyer
Link to comment
Share on other sites

The OP may find that some new ships on other cruise lines also do not have a complete promenade deck & may be limited to older ships. I've read posts saying there are some new regulations about lifeboat placement that limits the designs. Whether that's true or not (I have seen photos of other new builds with similar designs) I cannot think of any one issue that would change my cruise preference.

 

Pretty much every new cruise ship built post-2010 does not have a full promenade. I think the lifeboats must have something to do with this, otherwise we would see more variation in design. Royal Princess, Celebrity's Solstice Class, Norwegian Breakaway and Quantum of the Seas all share this design.

I also think maximising the number of balconies will have had some influence as well.

 

What I really don't understand is why you would cancel a cruise over the lack of it. Even if the Royal could be built with a full promenade, it would likely be of the Carnival Dream style (which isn't a full one itself), and therefore open to the sun.

If being able to walk around a promenade deck is more important than all the other new things Royal Princess offers, then why bother booking in the first place? I do not believe you will ever be able to sail on a new ship in the future, since this seems to be the way things are evolving.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess I haven't been following any threads that have discussed the lack of a walkable Promenade Deck on the Royal Princess. The deck plans seem to show somewhat of one. It looks like you could walk back and forth on the deck for almost the whole length of the ship. Many times, especially when they're lowering tenders, I've had to do so because they've closed off a portion of the Promenade Deck.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The outdoor areas on the Promenade are for either lounging, sitting, etc. The areas for the passengers really aren't long enough for any type of serious walking. That would be better on the Sports Deck running/jogging circle or on treadmills.

Edited by sunsetbeachgal
Link to comment
Share on other sites

An Open Posting to Princess Cruises- The lack of a walkable promenade deck on the Royal Princess will result in us cancelling our scheduled December cruise.

 

As background, my wife and I have been on 14 Princess Cruises over the last 20 years all over the world (Caribbean, Alaska, Europe, Australia/New Zealand, Panama, Norway and elsewhere). Regardless of our itinerary, one of the most important things to us to do on every Princess cruise was our daily exercise walks on the covered promenade deck.

 

I was very disappointed to learn that the Royal Princess does not have a walker friendly promenade deck for people like us. I understand that it is cut off in the front and back of the ship and is too narrow in parts to do exercise walks. For us, the jogging trail at the top of the ship does not work due to my wife's sun sensitivity plus it not being the same quiet ambience of a promenade deck.

 

 

As a result of this Royal Princess design feature, we will for the first time in years start looking at other cruise lines. We may continuing to go on some of the older Princess Ships, but that fleet is aging. Our hearts are broken over this as we were one cruise away from Elite Status. We were looking forward to the other innovations of the Royal Princess class of ships. However, for us, this promenade issue is a deal breaker as it is a very important part of our cruise we thought would never be taken away.

 

Walking around the ship on a promenade deck while watching scenery and sea life, listening to the waves, smelling the sea - is a single most unique experience that is possible only on a cruise ship at sea.

Period.

 

Treadmills instead of cruising?:D

 

Connection to the sea is valuable.

The more the better.

The less the worse.

 

The Royal Princess has lost huge parts of cruising experience that cannot be compensated by a larger atrium & hydropool and a few cheap gimmicks.

 

 

 

Rbel4, you did two right things.

1. You cancelled the cruise on a ship that clearly conveyed disrespect to you.

2. You are saying this out loud.

 

What do you need elite status for?

Book a cruise on a better ship - that will be your reward.

The Grand class ships are at your service.

Look at HAL Signature class ship - amazing.

Look at Royal Caribbean Freedom class. Don't be afraid of a high energy ships. They are not as classy as Princess & HAL (food!) but the ships are gorgeous.

You don't have to be in the middle of an action all the time.

You'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

Royal Caribbean Freedom class Ship:

 

12_zpse1f1ac84.jpg

 

3_zps8679378d.jpg

 

Enjoy your cruises.

 

Let bean counters cruise on ships designed by bean counters.

Edited by cruisetrail
Pictures added
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Walking around the ship on a promenade deck while watching scenery and sea life, listening to the waves, smelling the sea - is a single most unique experience that is possible only on a cruise ship at sea.

Period.

 

Treadmills instead of cruising?:D

 

Connection to the sea is valuable.

The more the better.

The less the worse.

 

The Royal Princess has lost huge parts of cruising experience that cannot be compensated by a larger atrium & hydropool and a few cheap gimmicks.

 

 

 

Rbel4, you did two right things.

1. You cancelled the cruise on a ship that clearly conveyed disrespect to you.

2. You are saying this out loud.

 

What do you need elite status for?

Book a cruise on a better ship - that will be your reward.

The Grand class ships are at your service.

Look at HAL Signature class ship - amazing.

Look at Royal Caribbean Freedom class. Don't be afraid of a high energy ships. They are not as classy as Princess & HAL (food!) but the ships are gorgeous.

You don't have to be in the middle of an action all the time.

You'll be pleasantly surprised.

 

Enjoy your cruises.

 

Let bean counters cruise on ships designed by bean counters.

 

Cruisetrail....enjoy all your cruises wherever they take you. Write a review when you get back.:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess everyone has something that's important to them. It's really a shame that the OP won't give it one cruise, get their elite status and then post about how unacceptable things are, if they are. I am getting tired of negative posts from those who haven't even been on the ship, particularly when those who have sailed her, rave about how great it is.

 

The OP shouldn't need to spend $3K plus to get on a ship to find out a feature they don't like isn't there when they know ahead of time that it isn't there.

 

IMO - walking on a treadmill is not the same as walking on a Promenade deck. I can walk on a treadmill back home.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

IMO - walking on a treadmill is not the same as walking on a Promenade deck. I can walk on a treadmill back home.

Definitely not the same thing however many other things on the Royal are more important to me. I'll use the treadmills & then find a spot to peacefully enjoy the outside which is one of my favorite onboard activities. :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The OP shouldn't need to spend $3K plus to get on a ship to find out a feature they don't like isn't there when they know ahead of time that it isn't there.

 

IMO - walking on a treadmill is not the same as walking on a Promenade deck. I can walk on a treadmill back home.

 

Exactly.

 

I plan to spend a huge amount of time on our very large Caribe balcony next week onboard The Golden as well as our customary early morning and late evening walks around the Promenade deck.

 

We can hardly wait to get back onboard.

 

Mike:)

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Definitely not the same thing however many other things on the Royal are more important to me. I'll use the treadmills & then find a spot to peacefully enjoy the outside which is one of my favorite onboard activities. :)

 

Call me simple. I want good food, good service, nice pools, comfortable pool and deck chairs, a nice balcony, a promenade deck, some string instruments in the lobby for entertainment and and I am happy. I want to feel like I am on a ship and enjoy the view of the sea as much as possible.

 

All the new features on the Royal that people keep listing, I have no interest in.

Edited by Coral
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Rbel4,

 

I'm not sure if your cruising is restricted to a particular time of year, but if you are flexible and you still want to 'sample' this new class of ship, the Regal Princess is doing a 3-night Getaway Cruise on November 6, 2014. The day you disembark her maybe jump over to the Nieuw Amsterdam for a 14-night B2B or the Coral Princess 11-night Partial Transit of the Panama Canal. You'll get a taste of Regal Princess without too much of a commitment, and could maybe book one of the sideways inside cabins for the extra space since most of your time will be spent exploring the ship. It might be a fun way to experience her without forfeiting too much of you time and resources and still reach Elite level with Princess?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Exactly.

 

I plan to spend a huge amount of time on our very large Caribe balcony next week onboard The Golden as well as our customary early morning and late evening walks around the Promenade deck.

 

We can hardly wait to get back onboard.

 

Mike:)

 

Enjoy that balcony! Know I will be incredibly envious and will be wishing I was there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm with the cruisers who do enjoy the promenade deck. I love being able to get exercise while enjoying looking out at the ocean. I spend lots of time on this deck so I did cancel my cruise on the Royal. I just changed my cruise plans to another Princess ship with a promenade deck, larger balconies and a central staircase. Let's face it, everyone has different needs and wants.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I'm not really defending the Royal Princess because there are things that I don't find attractive about the ship, but there are so many other ships out there to sail on. Go ahead and try something different. I don't feel like Princess betrayed me or abandoned me. They just put out a product that is not that attractive to some of us. It's likely going to be popular with a lot of other people. I bet the majority of people who are on the ship never walk the full circle of the promenade on any given cruise. I always suggest to people to try other products to become more informed and then you can decide what you like best. Good luck. I hope you enjoy whatever cruise you choose.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I remember when Promenade decks were wide deck areas with lots of comfortable padded loungers from which one could relax and watch the ocean while chatting with friends, strangers or reading a good book. On a Sea Princess Mexican Riviera cruise years ago, strangers would stop to chat as I sat there reading, other people were playing shuffleboard nearby, and all of us stopped what we were doing when whales or dolphins were sighted. Promenade deck was a great place to spend time.

 

Except for a few older Princess ships, that's no longer the case. Gone are the loungers and for the most part, chairs. Shuffleboard is somewhere on an upper deck. Promenade deck hasn't been the same for years. On many Princess ships, it's not even wrap-around.

 

Some are lamenting the loss of Promenade deck with the Royal Princess. For me, it's been gone for years. It's great we have choices because out there somewhere are ships with a real Promenade deck.

Edited by Pam in CA
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Hi Rbel4,

 

I'm not sure if your cruising is restricted to a particular time of year, but if you are flexible and you still want to 'sample' this new class of ship, the Regal Princess is doing a 3-night Getaway Cruise on November 6, 2014. The day you disembark er maybe jump over to the Nieuw Amsterdam for a 14-night B2B or the Coral Princess 11-night Partial Transit of the Panama Canal. You'll get a taste of Regal Princess without too much of a commitment, and could maybe book one of the sideways inside cabins for the extra space since most of your time will be spent exploring the ship. It might be a fun way to experience her without forfeiting too much of you time and resources and still reach Elite level with Princess?

 

I wish I hadn't read this post. I went to see the 3 day Regal. Then thought what is it doing before November 6th. I saw the 29 day Grand Maiden Voyage. My heart skipped a beat - stopped for a minute - then flipped a bit. It's the itinerary - my dream cruise followed by another dream of TA. Now I only need to figure out a way.... I've been stupid and never purchased future cruise credits. I will for sure about the Royal (on my first b2b AND platinum cruise (yay)). And I'm going to book this cruise. And then spend the next 6-7 months figuring out how to pay for it.

 

Thanks! I have something new to obsess over.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I wish I hadn't read this post. I went to see the 3 day Regal. Then thought what is it doing before November 6th. I saw the 29 day Grand Maiden Voyage. My heart skipped a beat - stopped for a minute - then flipped a bit. It's the itinerary - my dream cruise followed by another dream of TA. Now I only need to figure out a way.... I've been stupid and never purchased future cruise credits. I will for sure about the Royal (on my first b2b AND platinum cruise (yay)). And I'm going to book this cruise. And then spend the next 6-7 months figuring out how to pay for it.

 

Thanks! I have something new to obsess over.

 

Love the way you think!:D

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...