Pre & Post Dry/Wet Dock Experience?

[Astro Flyer]

After our Crown cruise ending in Port Everglades on October 26th, it is going to Freeport for work until November 5th.

 

I've read that pre & post dry or wetdock cruises can be affected by work onboard during those cruises by beginning either before or continuing after the dry/wetdock.

 

Anyone have some experiences to share...pro & con...about such cruises?

 

Thanks in advance! :)

[Pia1913]

After our Crown cruise ending in Port Everglades on October 26th, it is going to Freeport for work until November 5th.

 

I've read that pre & post dry or wetdock cruises can be affected by work onboard during those cruises by beginning either before or continuing after the dry/wetdock.

 

Anyone have some experiences to share...pro & con...about such cruises?

 

Thanks in advance! :)

 

I've heard lots of cons too. However, last year we were on the Coral's last cruise before drydock and absolutely nothing was started while we were aboard. We came on in Whittier and ended in FLL; 25 days later.

 

In December we again were aboard; 3rd cruise post drydock. New carpets in main areas, MUTS and Sanctuary added. Everything seemed to be functioning properly and no sign of any unfinished work.

 

In May we are boarding the Grand for a transatlantic and this will be its first cruise post drydock. Hopefully we again will see nothing undone.

[Pam in CA]

Yes. I've read numerous reports that materials are loaded early and stored on deck, often meaning that sections are blocked off and passengers are unable to use those areas. At times, it's blocked passage which makes it difficult to get from one spot to another. How much disruption probably depends on what's being done during dry/wet dock.

[paul929207]

We were on the last sailing of the Tahitian Princess in the fall of 2009. She then went to drydock and emerged as the Ocean Princess. I can not think of any negative signs that we were headed to drydock

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks Pia, Pam & Paul for your input...I always respect your informative & considerate posts. :)

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

Thanks all for your input

[caribill]

Much depends on what work is supposed to be accomplished in drydock.

 

If it is mostly external (hull) work or engine work or similar, there should be little if any activity before or after the drydock.

 

We were on the first Emerald Princess cruise after its drydock in December, 2009. There was no problem at all as far as work that had not been completed during the drydock.

 

A couple of years ago, the Caribbean Princess had some major work during the drydock and there were many complaints about the sailing before and the sailing after the drydock. See http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=919773

 

The Grand is scheduled for some major renovations soon and there are current CC threads detailing areas of the ship that will be unavailable during the weeks before drydock (Skywalkers, pinball machines, etc.). Due to the extent of the renovations, it is anybody's guess if final work will need to be done during the ship's first voyage after drydock.