Royal Princess: A FULL SHIP REVIEW. Is this the right ship for you?

I just sailed with family on the Royal Princess for a week-long cruise to Alaska. (PS: if you'd like to see sled dogs, stay tuned till the end! ) 
The Royal Princess is ten years old--is it due for an update? How's the food? The shows? We will look at dining options, entertainment, cabins, and more. Is the ship a worthy choice for YOU? I walk you through all that the Royal Princess has to offer, and give you my honest opinion. (September, 2023).
Have YOU been aboard the Royal Princess? Have a thought to share, or a question? Please feel free to leave a comment.
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Enjoy!
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#alaska

[@wendysoulliere1305]

Thank-u for posting

[@AnnaArvanitis]

Thanks for our review! Looking forward to our Alaskan cruise next year 😊👏

[@SheSailsAway]

Hope you have a wonderful time!

[@milemarker301]

Great REview, as usual. The footage of the trip was marvelous, and to end with the sled dogs ride - how wonderful.

[@SheSailsAway]

Thank you so much! So glad you enjoyed it. The sled dogs were amazing animals.

[@user-yo6ry7qj8p]

Top notch and looking forward to your future reviews

[@SheSailsAway]

Thank you so much! 😊

[@patriciaferschke3661]

Our spa experience was the best ever! The enclave is very relaxing with a therapy pool. I never cut my hair prior to a cruise as those beauticians are vey experienced ,there was no pressure to buy stuff! Ive a l ways loved my haircuts❤

[@patriciaferschke3661]

Amazing ship and staff,great food and drinks,just book it ! It doesnt disappoint!

[@amandagautney3567]

That ship is gorgeous 😍!! Can't wait to cruise to Alaska!

[@SheSailsAway]

I hope you have a wonderful time!

[@Indium111]

I'm really looking forward to going onboard next May. Looks like an amazing ship.

[@SheSailsAway]

It had so many wonderful areas!

[@kiwipatc]

Thank you so much for this. I have my first visit to Alaska in May this year with seven days on land then a seven-day cruise from Whittier to Vancouver on the Royal Princess. I've booked a premium deluxe cabin at the aft with the premium package, so hoping for a memorable experience.

[@SheSailsAway]

That sounds amazing! I bet you'll see a lot of snow in May! I hope you have a wonderful time. Thank you so much for commenting.

[@arnoldsnodgrass2953]

An excellent review.

[@SheSailsAway]

Thank you!

[@celineconejos296]

Very good review. My husband and I will be going on the Royal Princess next year to Alaska. I am relieved that you have mostly positive things to say about your experience. The lack of outlets in the cabin will be inconvenient since my husband used a cpap at night.

[@SheSailsAway]

Definitely an issue for cpaps! But a lovely ship, great for Alaska! Enjoy!

[@seanrorie2081]

Ive heard but unsure there are power outlets in the minibar fridge area

[@davebennett2533]

I’m Hoping for a glacier title wave; just a little bouncing, of course.

[@kdevries11]

We did this cruise last week. We loved it! We must’ve been the week after you because the weather was not as nice on our cruise and we had to miss our Juneau stop which was a huge disappointment!

[@SheSailsAway]

Oh a definite disappointment! So glad you had a good cruise otherwise!

[@mickierat]

Vegan here, thanks for including that in your review. Heading out on the Alaskan cruise on the Royal in July 2024. Any hints or tips on how to survive as a vegan at sea? Also, shoutout to your husband, I have that allergy too.

[@SheSailsAway]

Honestly I find it so difficult and I find myself eating the same things throughout the cruise, salads and fruit plates and such. I find that protein choices for vegans are extremely limited. My best tip is to talk to your waiter in the main dining room the night you get there and hopefully, you get a great waiter who is willing to work with you, makes suggestions, talks to the chef, comes up with some things that are not on the menu. Doesn't hurt to pack a few boxes of special vegan protein bars or vegan snacks to fall back on in an emergency!

[@nonamerooster5413]

The obstruction view balcony looks better than the normal one I wouldn’t be able to eat all that food, I had the gastric sleeve in May

[@SheSailsAway]

It was a great balcony!

[@leesalawitch1386]

Nerdy question, did the park ranger bring the NPS passport stamp for Glacier Bay? Thanks. Your review is stoking me for an Alaska cruise next summer 😊

[@SheSailsAway]

Not nerdy at all! Great question. Unfortunately I don't know. I didn't listen for any of that information or approach the Ranger. I stayed on deck all day!

[@triplesuniverse9857]

u can always make a special service request for vegan meals prior to sailing, they also have an option to advise them of any allergies or food preference so they can plan for your party ahead. Hope to do a princess cruise one day in the future

[@SheSailsAway]

They do, true. But on this cruise (and my last two Disney cruises,) I filled that out way ahead of time and it appeared to do nothing. Our waitstaff had no idea we were vegetarians so in both cases, they weren't shown the info ahead of time. They were great about helping us put together something from pieces of side dishes offered for the various meat entrees, but I was surprised that the dietary request form hadn't made its way to anyone ahead of time.

[@lizzybennett4436]

That happened to me on sky princess in November. I was so disappointed about the meals and menus. On previous cruises I was taken care of. On the sky not so much.

[@bhanupatel]

Thank you for the review. I will be sailing in July. Hope they will have more vegetarian options for me. Already requested vegetarian meals on the app.

[@robertk4552]

Royal Princess June 2024 for 2 weeks in Alaska. First time on Princess and to Alaska. Trying the Premium Package as something special. Outlets have always been an issue with hotels and cruises so we use portable batteries and just use the outlets to keep them charged if there is a lack of outlets. There are some multi outlet options that are cruise allowable that we also take along to try to maximize outlets in the cabin. So many devices to keep charged these days.

[@SheSailsAway]

That is so true! We need more outlets than ever. 😊Thank you for commenting and I hope you enjoy your Alaska cruise! That premium package will be nice!

[@haggiskiwi]

Navigating. Yes, we had the same issue. To easy to turn left instead of right and so often having to double-back to get to where you needed to be.

[@SheSailsAway]

Weird, right? Tricky areas for sure!

[@k-chan766]

Thank you for the review. Travelling on Royal Princess to Alaska next May and this was very helpful. How did you find the Medallion? I've never used a cruise app before.

[@SheSailsAway]

I found it very easy to use and very intuitive. I was worried about it because I had heard so many complaints about the Princess app in particular. They must've fixed it before our cruise. You do need the app very much in order to know what's going on around the ship and where. I also used it for mobile ordering because I had Princess plus and that turned out to be a very easy process.

[@k-chan766]

@@SheSailsAway Thank you!

[@patriciaferschke3661]

It comes in the mail,or you get yours as you embark the ship. Easy to find your group ,family ,you use it as your key card.

[@tinadaniels2007]

I’m also cruising Alaska end of August 2025 from Seattle. Can you tell me the best glacier viewing time of the day on the day you were in Glacier Park? Thanks for the great review, helpful tips!

[@SheSailsAway]

@tinadaniels2007 well, we had gray skies all day, so the lighting was the same all day. In general, I think morning viewing is best, especially if the sun is out. The shadows won't be as harsh in the morning and wildlife (like otters) tend to be more active. Also, since we were at the rail all day, we were tired by afternoon. So I do prefer morning

[@938quilt]

I'll be on this ship Sept for 2 weeks vancouverer to anchorage and back. I went with inside cabin due to cost. hoping I can get chairs with a good view - I have excursions but will miss the convenience of a balcony (unless I get really lucky with an upgrade)

[@SheSailsAway]

There were a lot of places to enjoy the views from on the top deck so hopefully you have nice weather. Sounds like a terrific cruise, wow! Enjoy!

[@robertk4552]

For the Royal Princess with Plus / Premier package on an Alaskan trip how are the availability of services while in port. Alaska offers more port days than sea days and long days at port. Shops are generally closed onboard for other non-Alaskan cruises we have taken. What about the MDR, buffet, casual restaurants and others items like drinks & food delivery, drink packages. We will get off at ports for an hour or so but mainly spend our day on the ship. Thanks.

[@SheSailsAway]

I'm not sure what you're asking---but as for Princess Plus, we found food-delivery service to be extremely slow no matter a port day or sea day. On port days, we were generally off the ship, so we didn't eat in the MDR for anything besides dinner. (Dinner was always fast, excellent service.) The buffet was usually crowded at all times--very crowded. But worse on sea days, of course. Shops and casino closed on port days, so the ship did get congested in the lounges and eating areas.

[@davidpascoe9622]

Can't wait for the Royal to come to Australia for our cruise on the 28th of December

[@SheSailsAway]

Oh that will be fun!

[@zoozoo5204]

i’m going on one right after yours 10th january. is yours also going to new zealand round trip?

[@davidpascoe9622]

Yes it is@@zoozoo5204

[@nonamerooster5413]

I’m going on her on 2nd December to New Zealand

[@lynnedouglas4065]

Sailing to Tasmania Australia next March/April on Royal Princess🙃

[@SheSailsAway]

That sounds amazing!

[@celineconejos296]

I think that would be quite far from the bed because I reserved a penthouse suite. Thank you for trying to help.

[@davidmerkrebs9967]

spoiled brat

[@gingerengels3659]

We just booked last night! 7 day cruise plus 3 day rail to Denali. Is there any recommendations for extra plug adapter??? I assume bathrooms have hair dryers and plug in for curling iron??

[@SheSailsAway]

How exciting! I hope you have a great time. We used this adapter and did not have it confiscated or anything like that. There is a hairdryer in the room but weirdly, it's in the drawer above the refrigerator and it's attached to where you can't move it. But it's plugged in. It's plugged in somewhere invisible behind the desk that you can't reach. I'm not sure curling irons are allowed on the ship, you might want to check that. www.amazon.com/Extender-Protector-Electric-Splitter-Multiple/dp/B0BK389XK5/ref=mp_s_a_1_1_sspa?crid=17MIUB156HDDC&keywords=plug+adapter&qid=1700670270&sprefix=plug+Da%2Caps%2C107&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9waG9uZV9zZWFyY2hfYXRm&psc=1 It's entirely possible curling irons are allowed, I never really checked. I don't remember seeing a plug in the bathroom but I could be wrong about that

[@pattinienberg5804]

Thank u for your review. Planning Alaska next year for me and my husband. He’s kind of an introvert and his first cruise, my 2nd. Is there plenty for non drinkers to do? Also, best time of year?

[@SheSailsAway]

I'm an introvert and a non-drinker as well! Plenty of lounges to sit by a window and watch wildlife and scenery drift by. You're never too far from land in Alaska. I mean you will have a day or two where you're mostly at sea, but for the most part you'll always have something to look at. There will be trivia games and live music to go listen to. Lots of snacking opportunities. Princess has shows in the evening as well. There's always the spa if anybody wants to get a massage and there's also the casino. Best time of year for wildlife is summer, like June and July, best time of year for snow-covered mountains is April or May, we went in September and it was very rainy. We also went in May and it was gorgeous.

[@pattinienberg5804]

@@SheSailsAway thank you! I think I’ve decided on end of May or beginning of June. We will be doing round trip from Seattle. 7 days. And he always says if he can’t do anything else, he can eat! lol. Your video(s) have been very helpful! I will look, but do you have a what to pack for Alaska video?

[@SheSailsAway]

@@pattinienberg5804 I do not, I recommend lots of layers! I also recommend The Points Guy's article about this thepointsguy.com/guide/alaska-cruise-packing-list/

[@scottbarker7628]

We recently returned on a cruise land package that started in Fairbanks and ended in Vancouver. Everyone on the ship was sick and as a result we all got sick. The food for evening meals is inconsistent at best. We had loud noise in our room from the theater every evening and on rehearsal days. Also had problems with our room Steward and a clogged toilet. Have been on many cruises and this was one of the most unpleasant experiences. I don't know if it was just bad luck, but will probably never book a princess cruise again. Simply way too many issues. We're expecting more.

[@SheSailsAway]

Oh dear, that sounds terrible! So sorry you had such a bad experience. I've had a few of those kinds of cruises myself and it's so very disappointing.

[@akmed2000]

going on there in january , going with family kinda have a feeling its for old people hope im wrong going with my 6 yr old son so hopefully its all good

[@SheSailsAway]

Well the pool deck is a lot of fun and there are definitely some things on there that are exciting. I hope you have a great time!

[@BunnyCoton]

What were the live bands like? Were they playing danceable music?

[@SheSailsAway]

Very much so! Lots of live music and dancing in the atrium

[@kathywest7205]

Very good and thorough review! Too big a ship for me, but that is my own preference. I sailed on Celebrity Millennium last summer to Alaska and loved it! We went to Hubbard Glacier so have not done Glacier Bay but Hubbard was absolutely beautiful!

[@SheSailsAway]

Ooh, I can't wait to try Celebrity! I've seen Hubbard ((10 years ago) and it IS beautiful!

[@alokemukherjee327]

We had horrible experience late by a day in Sydney in majestic princess had to pay 3000 dollars to reschedule flifgts

[@SheSailsAway]

Oh no! How awful!

[@Puppydoug]

Just arrived back in SYD after 13 days around the South Pacific on this ship. Overall, very good. But a couple of things to be aware of: 1. If you're a seafood lover, LOWER your expectations. I found pretty much all of the other food was excellent, BUT the seafood was not fresh, nothing with any flavour. 2. The cost of beverages was outrageous. $10.50 AUD for a regular 330 mls stubby of beer. $5.50 AUD for a regular can of soft drink. Yes, drinks packages are available (you sign up and pay for them when you make your booking), but they are $65 AUD PER DAY....EVERY day. If you're not a fairly serious drinker, the package ain't worth it. And if you only want an occasional beer, the cost is prohibitive. Otherwise, a pleasant trip. The crew are remarkable.

[@SheSailsAway]

That is some great information to know. Thank you for sharing. I agree about the beverage package. I am glad you enjoyed your cruise! Thank you for sharing.

[@robertedwards3147]

I am looking forward to feb NZ to Aus the food looks like it should unlike p&O LAST OCT NZ NEVEREVER P&O LOVE PRINCESS

[@SheSailsAway]

That sounds like an exciting cruise! We enjoyed the food on Princess very much. Happy sailing!

[@bradjenkins932]

Do they offer Keto food/ dishes?

[@SheSailsAway]

Didn't see anything specifically labeled for those on a keto diet. You'd have to put those together yourself at the buffet, talk to your waiter at dinner, and pretty much know what you need to eat in order to stay on your keto and then request those things specifically in the dining room. You can order bits and pieces from the menu if there's not one single offering that fits your needs, we had to do that for our vegetarian meals.

[@simonf8902]

She’s now cruising in Australian waters. Summer 2024.

[@SheSailsAway]

Sounds beautiful!

[@ronchristie6963]

We are headed to Auckland in a couple of weeks for cruise on Royal Princess to Sydney, 13 days around NZ, Tazmania , Melbourne and fly out of Sydney.

[@SheSailsAway]

@ronchristie6963 sounds like a terrific cruise!

[@richardc488]

That screen was not watchable, I just got off her 10 days ago. Food was ok quality

[@haggiskiwi]

Agree. We did Auckland to Sydney, and the food was decidedly average. Nothing to rave about, but felt like they were doing best to use up all onboard supplies before the Sydney restock.

[@SheSailsAway]

@haggiskiwi that could be! 😬

[@renamccully1462]

Disappointing that you didn't show any other food from the main dining room other than vegan or vegetarian. Would like to have seen a steak meal or some seafood?

[@SheSailsAway]

@@renamccully1462 well I don't eat those things so I'm not sure how I would've covered it. 😊