Royal Princess Cruise Ship Guide: Reviews, Cabins & More

Planning a cruise means sorting through a lot of numbers, reviews, and unfamiliar phrases. Royal Princess has been carrying passengers since 2013, yet many travelers still ask the same practical questions: which cabins are worth booking, why the dress code matters, and what exactly “washy washy” means. This guide combines official specs with real passenger feedback to help you decide if this ship is right for you.

Passenger capacity (double occupancy): 3,560 ·
Gross tonnage: 141,000 GT ·
Length: 330 m ·
Number of decks: 19 ·
Year built: 2013 ·
Last refurbished: 2019

The table below aggregates the core technical specifications that define the ship’s scale and capacity.

The pattern: this ship was designed for balcony-heavy cruising, sacrificing cabin square footage for higher outdoor access.

Is the Royal Princess a nice cruise ship?

Passenger reviews paint a divided picture. On Cruise Critic (verified passenger review platform), the ship holds a rating of 3.8 out of 5 stars from more than 1,500 reviews. Travelers consistently praise the Princess Luxury Bed designed by sleep expert Dr. Michael Breus (Cruise with Ben & David – stateroom review), as well as the ship’s stability at sea. The main complaints center on smaller-than-average cabins and thin balconies compared to older Princess ships (Cruise Critic – cabin comparison).

What do recent reviews say?

• “Cabins are noticeably smaller, especially the balcony depth” (Cruise with Ben & David – ship tour)
• “The lack of an oceanview category is unusual and pushes budget passengers straight to balcony or inside” (The Points Guy – cabin guide)
• “Service and entertainment are strong, but cabin size is a clear trade-off” (My View from the Middle Seat – passenger review)

The pattern: Royal Princess delivers a solid premium experience in public spaces, but the sleeping quarters cut corners on space. For travelers who prioritize cabin comfort over shipboard glitz, that’s the central trade-off.

When was Royal Princess last refurbished?

The ship underwent a major dry dock in early 2019 (CruiseMapper – dry dock schedule). The work touched all public areas, upgraded the main dining rooms, replaced carpeting and soft goods across staterooms, and added new technological features like the MedallionClass wearable system (Cruise Critic – refurbishment summary).

What major updates were made during the 2019 dry dock?

• Installation of the MedallionClass platform for enhanced room access and ordering (Cruise Critic – technology upgrade)
• Renovation of the Sanctuary pool area (Official Princess page)
• New specialty dining venues including Sabatini’s and Crown Grill refresh (Cruise with Ben & David – dining notes)

What happened on the Royal Princess cruise ship (incidents)?

In 2016, the ship suffered a propulsion failure while sailing off Alaska, forcing it to be towed to Ketchikan. Passengers were compensated with a full refund plus a future cruise credit (Cruise Critic – incident report). No injuries were reported, and the ship returned to service after temporary repairs and later entered dry dock for a permanent fix.

The implication: Royal Princess has a solid safety record despite a single high-profile mechanical issue. The 2019 refurbishment addressed the propulsion system and added redundancy.

Which cabins to avoid on Royal Princess?

Balcony cabins on this ship come with a catch: they are shallower than on older Princess ships. Many passengers report that the balcony depth is noticeably slim unless you upgrade to a premium category (neOnbubble – cabin depth warning).

Which Royal Princess cabins have noise complaints?

• Cabins near the elevator lobbies on decks 10-15 generate frequent complaints about foot traffic and door noise (Cruise Critic – cabin noise map)
• Staterooms above or below the theater (forward on decks 6-8) can hear rehearsals during the day (My View from the Middle Seat – noise report)
• Cabin E102 has a partially obstructed balcony with a metal barrier, though it is deeper due to the ship’s flaring hull (neOnbubble – obstructed view example)

Are there obstructed view cabins?

Yes. The lack of oceanview staterooms means the cheapest outside option is an inside cabin or a balcony with possible obstruction. A few balcony cabins on lower decks have their view partially blocked by lifeboats or structural support columns (The Points Guy – obstruction note).

The catch: if you want a balcony, check deck plans carefully and avoid guarantees. Travelers who pick a “guarantee balcony” often end up with a shallow or obstructed metal-deck.

What is the dress code on Royal Princess?

Princess Cruises maintains a tiered evening dress code: casual (shorts, jeans), smart casual (slacks, collared shirt), and formal on select nights (Cruise Critic – dress code policy). Formal nights typically occur twice per seven-day voyage and require tuxedos, suits, or gowns in the main dining rooms and specialty restaurants.

What does ‘wife on board’ mean on a cruise ship?

Among passengers, the phrase “wife on board” is used humorously to indicate that spending decisions are constrained by a spouse’s presence. It has no official relation to Princess Cruises policy (Cruise Critic – cruise culture article). The phrase often appears in Facebook groups and cruise forums as a polite way to say “I can’t spend that much without permission.” It’s a social signal, not a ship rule.

What does washy washy mean on a cruise ship?

Crew members cheerfully chant “washy washy” at buffet entrances to remind passengers to sanitize their hands. It is a standard hygiene practice across Princess Cruises, adopted to reduce norovirus outbreaks (Cruise Critic – hygiene protocol). The term has become a beloved onboard meme.

Why this matters: both phrases reflect the informal social code of cruise travel. Knowing them helps you feel like an insider, not a first-timer.

The cabin categories below show how heavily the ship leans on balcony inventory.

Timeline of Royal Princess

The pattern: this ship has weathered both mechanical failure and the pandemic pause, emerging with modern upgrades and a steady deployment in Alaska and the Caribbean.

Confirmed facts vs. What remains unclear

What passengers and industry sources say

“The cabins are noticeably smaller than on older Princess ships. If you want a balcony, you have to accept a very shallow one unless you pay for a premium room.”

— Cruise with Ben & David (passenger review)

“The lack of oceanview cabins is unusual for a ship of this size. It forces budget-conscious travelers into inside cabins or balconies they might not have budgeted for.”

— The Points Guy (travel industry analysis)

“Despite the compact cabins, the bed is among the best at sea—the Princess Luxury Bed by Dr. Michael Breus makes a real difference.”

— Cruise Critic (review aggregator, verified passengers)

“2016 was a tough year: the propulsion failure in Alaska was scary but handled responsibly. Passengers got full refunds and future credits.”

— Cruise Critic (incident coverage)

For travelers comparing premium cruise lines, the Celebrity Edge cruise ship offers a similarly modern experience with its innovative Magic Carpet and Infinite Veranda designs.

Frequently asked questions

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