Was Royal Crowded?

I am considering booking a cruise on the Regal, which is a sister ship to the Royal, but I am concerned about the large number of passengers. For those of you who have sailed the Royal, did it feel crowded to you? Thanks!

When I was on, no. However that was the maiden sailing and numbers were kept down to 2600 instead of 3600.

Reports I have seen from other people reviews, live froms etc give a mixed view. I would think a lot depends on when your cruise is. If spring break then there will be every available berth used and it will be busy.

If out of school holidays then probably more like 2 to a cabin so overall a lower number of people, and not so busy.

I am considering booking a cruise on the Regal, which is a sister ship to the Royal, but I am concerned about the large number of passengers. For those of you who have sailed the Royal, did it feel crowded to you? Thanks!

I was on the Royal in March 2014 - the public areas did not feel crowded to me. I was always able to find places to sit in the piazza; the casino was big enough to find slots to play (if you like that); the buffet area was large (somewhat confusing, but not crowded). Pool area was always crowded on sea days, but I haven't found it to be any different on any other ship, regardless of size or brand. The cabins ARE a bit small (I had a deluxe balcony) and the balconies that do not jut out are tiny. I would probably go again but would not pay much extra to have a balcony next time. I went solo, met plenty of people and had lots of fun on the cruise.

I am considering booking a cruise on the Regal, which is a sister ship to the Royal, but I am concerned about the large number of passengers. For those of you who have sailed the Royal, did it feel crowded to you? Thanks!

Hi Tennis7,

We sailed on the Royal early last November, and we did not find it crowded. We found plenty of seating for us in the common areas.. and even a secret spot or 2.:) I agree with the last poster, that the pool was busy, and crowded on sea days, but what cruise line isn't:D We had a sideways inside and LOVED it!

Yes the buffet to a little getting use too, but as soon as I remembered that the sweets were in the inside isle - the world was good:D:D

Kathy

When I was on in October it didn't feel crowded at all in any of the public areas. The horizon buffet is twice the size of the other ships so that was never crowded, which was really nice.

I was on her in October for her trans-Atlantic. Didn't feel crowded to me but then the weather was nice and people could be outside. I suspect our trans-Atlantic in September will be a different story since it'll be the northern route and chances are the weather will be chilly or rainy at times.

When I was on in October it didn't feel crowded at all in any of the public areas. The horizon buffet is twice the size of the other ships so that was never crowded, which was really nice.

This was our experience in December. The greatly enlarged Piazza provides lots of additional seating and the Horizon Court was so nice that we ate there multiple times -- the first time in more than half a dozen cruises that we've eaten in the HC.

I sailed on the Royal in December and the only time it felt crowded was in those incubation tubes they call elevators. Other than that, it was fine and I always was able to find a spot to sit, etc.

I was on the first Caribbean cruise in October and was struck by how much less crowded the ship felt than the Crown Class of ships. In fact, I mentioned it had more the feeling of the Island and the Coral in terms of congestion.

However...the elevator situation is dire. I just scratch my head when I read how reviewers didn't have an issue with them. They never arrived empty and seldom arrived not totally filled. They're not programmed as they should be, waits are long and I have no idea how anyone with a cane or scooter ever gets anywhere unless accompanied by an able-bodied passenger to run interference. Let's put it this way...we went from the Royal Princess to the Nieuw Amsterdam and then the Allure OTS and on none of the other two ships did we even notice elevators...as it should be. They shouldn't be a prime topic of conversation, and they were on the Royal Princess.

I thought the pools also seemed crowded, but then saw what they were like on the Allure, where they are packed. So perhaps that's all relative.

And we generally went to the early (7:15pm) shows in the Princess Theater and could arrive just minutes early and have a choice of seating. It seems as if, perhaps, the later two shows are far more crowded, or that the Royal has gone back to just two shows (8:30pm and 10:15pm or so), because I've read where people have been waiting longer for a show to begin than the show's duration.

I was on the first Caribbean cruise in October and was struck by how much less crowded the ship felt than the Crown Class of ships. In fact, I mentioned it had more the feeling of the Island and the Coral in terms of congestion.

 

However...the elevator situation is dire. I just scratch my head when I read how reviewers didn't have an issue with them. They never arrived empty and seldom arrived not totally filled. They're not programmed as they should be, waits are long and I have no idea how anyone with a cane or scooter ever gets anywhere unless accompanied by an able-bodied passenger to run interference. Let's put it this way...we went from the Royal Princess to the Nieuw Amsterdam and then the Allure OTS and on none of the other two ships did we even notice elevators...as it should be. They shouldn't be a prime topic of conversation, and they were on the Royal Princess.

 

I thought the pools also seemed crowded, but then saw what they were like on the Allure, where they are packed. So perhaps that's all relative.

 

And we generally went to the early (7:15pm) shows in the Princess Theater and could arrive just minutes early and have a choice of seating. It seems as if, perhaps, the later two shows are far more crowded, or that the Royal has gone back to just two shows (8:30pm and 10:15pm or so), because I've read where people have been waiting longer for a show to begin than the show's duration.

We went in April after Spring Break and the elevators were always crowded and they are one of the few issues we had with the Royal. Our cabin was on the Lido deck and we always used the front elevators to get to the Casino or International Cafe, that's an 11 floor hike! The pool area was always crowded and at times seats were not available, a little patience pays off in that department. Shows were always crowded when we went so we learned to arrive 15-30 minutes early. I guess it all depends on your itinerary and the time of year you are traveling.

Ken

I was on during a busy spring break week in March. I never felt over crowded! Was always able to find a seat at Horizon Court and elsewhere! Never lined up for the buffet either!

I know someone said they don't believe people who didn't have issues with the elevators, but we honestly didn't. My only elevator complaint was there were a few times one would pass right by us and not stop!

I was on the April 6 sailing and was pleasantly surprised that the public areas never seemed congested, even on the last day at sea when it rained and forced people off of the pool decks. The elevators are a different story.

We were on the Royal Princess last week. The only time it EVER felt crowded was if you were trying to use the Piazza elevators.

The Royal may be my new favorite ship!

We were on the Royal for last Fall's TA. Didn't find her at all crowded, with two exceptions: 1) It is generally always crowded when waiting for a elevator midships as there are no stairs. 2) In the atrium for the Captains cocktail party or any similar function - the folks who would never think to buy a drink come out in droves on those occasions and boy do they have sharp elbows.

We were on the first week of April and did not feel overwhelmed by crowds. :)

The only wait time that was lengthy was for the tender to Princess Cay.

Lido deck was crowded on sea days as it usually is on any ship.

My only elevator complaint was there were a few times one would pass right by us and not stop!

If the elevator is full (as definded by the amount of weight it is carrying), it will bypass floors that have not been selected by passengers already on the elevator.

For those of you who have sailed on the Royal, how were the lines for port security when returning to the ship?

For those of you who have sailed on the Royal, how were the lines for port security when returning to the ship?

On the October Med & TA cruise it wasn't any different than on other Princess ships...when many tour buses arrived there were delays.

After sailing on 700 passenger ships such as the old Dawn Princess (Sitmar's Fairwind), I was very hesitant to sail the 2600 passenger Grand Princess in 2000. I was pleasantly surprised that it felt less crowded than the older ships & the Royal felt even less crowded.

We did the Med. Last year on the Royal and it did not feel crowded and we did not experience any long or slow moving lines getting back on the ship in the various ports.

The most pleasant surprise was the Horizon Court...always able to find a seat. That is a first!! ;)

Thanks for all the replies! We are looking at a cruise to the Baltics in May 2015. We did the Ruby to the Med a few years ago and it never felt crowded, but this ship is even larger so I was curious.

I sailed on the Royal in December and the only time it felt crowded was in those incubation tubes they call elevators. Other than that, it was fine and I always was able to find a spot to sit, etc.

Husband uses a scooter and we had VERY LONG waits for elevators. once was over an hour and passengers pushed in front of him almost every time. We will not be cruising on the Royal again or on the Regal.

The Royal Princess was less crowded than the Super Grand ships for sure when we were on in Jan. 2014. Passengers are nicely spread out and have more space per passenger than the Super Grand ships as well.

I sailed on the Royal in December and the only time it felt crowded was in those incubation tubes they call elevators. Other than that, it was fine and I always was able to find a spot to sit, etc.

IHowever...the elevator situation is dire. I just scratch my head when I read how reviewers didn't have an issue with them. They never arrived empty and seldom arrived not totally filled. They're not programmed as they should be, waits are long and I have no idea how anyone with a cane or scooter ever gets anywhere unless accompanied by an able-bodied passenger to run interference. Let's put it this way...we went from the Royal Princess to the Nieuw Amsterdam and then the Allure OTS and on none of the other two ships did we even notice elevators...as it should be. They shouldn't be a prime topic of conversation, and they were on the Royal Princess.

 

I thought the pools also seemed crowded, but then saw what they were like on the Allure, where they are packed. So perhaps that's all relative.

 

And we generally went to the early (7:15pm) shows in the Princess Theater and could arrive just minutes early and have a choice of seating. It seems as if, perhaps, the later two shows are far more crowded, or that the Royal has gone back to just two shows (8:30pm and 10:15pm or so), because I've read where people have been waiting longer for a show to begin than the show's duration.

I was on the Royal last week. We had a great time, BUT I agree with the comments above. Our stateroom was midship and we hated having to use the elevators. The were small, crowded and confused. The lack of a midship stairwell IMHO caused most of the problem as folks who were going only one or two decks and would otherwise have walked did not have the option without going all the way forward or aft. I would NEVER book midship on the Royal again.

Chair saving contributed to a crowded feeling for pool seating. The pools were just plain old crowded (too small).

The 8:30 show in Princess Theater was always full. Seats are extremely close together and you had to get there early to get a seat. Sitting in a small seat with little leg room for a long time...waiting...is not convenient. Other show times may have been better.

Other than those things, we did not have a problem with "crowds". Buffet was great! Walking around the ship was not crowded. We had no problem getting off and back on in ports-of-call. We did not have to wait more than a minute at guest services. We were able to get seats in the smaller lounges. Did not seem crowded at all in the dining room.

For those of you who have sailed on the Royal, how were the lines for port security when returning to the ship?

We went in to two ports and had no wait at all.

We found the Royal less crowded compared to Crown class but more crowded compared to Coral, Island, Golden and Star Princess.