Regal Princess to depart fleet

[Coral]

It’s interesting that when I was on Regal Princess in August of last year, the plans were in the works for the upgrading of the ship – major changes that would have put her in line with Crown Princess 1 after her make-over, not Star Princess 1 after she became Ocean Village. Of course those changes never happened, so it makes you wonder what’s up.

 

Brian - did the Regal make all the changes that they planned on making during dry dock. I never heard if things got moved like they had planned on. I figured that if they were spending all that money, they would keep the ship around for awhile.

[bdjam]

Brian - did the Regal make all the changes that they planned on making during dry dock. I never heard if things got moved like they had planned on. I figured that if they were spending all that money, they would keep the ship around for awhile.

That’s what I thought as well when I first heard about the refurbishment – it made sense to upgrade the ship to take over Royal Princess’ place as the exotic consort. But, apparently none of the upgrades happened and initial speculation was that the ship couldn’t get into the dry dock in the Bahamas for the work due to the hurricanes. She went to Norfolk instead.

But, maybe they had other plans?

[bdjam]

Maybe San Francisco will have two ships . . .:)

 

Right now we have both the Regal & Dawn (which we're taking in October to Mexico!!!). So it would make sense (to me) to have one ship for Alaska and another for Mexico.

 

There is definitely a market in this area to fill ships based in San Francisco on a full time basis.

Hey guys – what sailing are you on in October? I’m sailing Dawn Princess on Halloween!:eek: By the way, great pictures on your Webshots site!

[jsea]

Find courtesy of another board; article from This is Southampton Shipping news:

 

Date Published: Thursday 07 April 2005

Second Ocean Village ship

by Keith Hamilton

 

 

BRITAIN'S cruising market is continuing to grow rapidly - with Southampton-based op-eration Ocean Village today announcing the addition of a second ship.

 

Ocean Village is a part of the stable of companies owned by the Miami-based Carnival Corporation that also includes Cunard, P&O Cruises, Princess Cruises and Swan Hellenic, which all have their UK bases in Southampton.

 

Carnival Corporation employs about 1,000 staff locally and is one of the biggest employers in the city, the UK's premier port for cruise ships.

 

Specialising in casual cruising and aimed at younger passengers, Ocean Village will more than double in size next year when the new ship, at present named Regal Princess and currently part of the Princess Cruises fleet in America, joins the company.

 

Like the first Ocean Village vessel, the second ship will offer informal fly-cruise holidays in the Mediterranean.

 

Due to come into service in November 2006*, the newer, larger ship will accommodate up to 1,690 passengers and, although similar in layout to the company's first ship, also named Ocean Village and formerly the Southampton-based P&O Cruises vessel Arcadia, she will have three times as many cabins with private balconies.

 

Peter Shanks, managing director of Ocean Village, said: "We have been shaking up the traditional cruise market since launching our first ship less than two years ago.

 

"Ocean Village has already taken more than 150,000 bookings, nearly 60 per cent of them from first-time cruisers.''

 

Article in original context.

 

*There's still well over a year left to enjoy Regal!

[jsea]

jsea - why can't you post any good news

Sorry, Coral. But, you gotta admit, that rendering of Ocean Village II is good, err... right?

[CL-JW]

BDJAM,

 

 

Thanks! We are on the October 1 sailing so we won't be crossing paths on this cruise.

 

This is our first trip on Princess and we're getting pretty excited about it. October can't get here soon enough.

[spongerob]

Sorry, Coral. But, you gotta admit, that rendering of Ocean Village II is good, err... right?

 

More like World War II "dazzle paint" meets Andy Warhol. Make room at the vomitorium.

[bdjam]

Sorry, Coral. But, you gotta admit, that rendering of Ocean Village II is good, err... right?

Anyone watching me read this thread is going to think I’m bulimic. :eek: I didn't think they could take what they did to Crown Princess 1 when she went to A'Rosa and make it any worse. Surprising what damage these ship designers can do. The only good thing about this is the two near-sisters will be together again.

 

So where's the announcement from Princess?

[calikak]

Princess still hasn't announced the Dawn Princess's dispatch to P&O Australia next fall either (or the decision to replace the Pacific with the Dawn on those sailings), they let P&O announce it and haven't even put a press release on their website. I think they're trying to make these moves quietly because they know people will be very angry about this...especially when they see what's going to happen to the Regal when she goes to Ocean Village.

[NSWP]

Hi..we are travelling from LA on August 31, 2007 on board the Regal Princess enroute to Sydney on 1 October 2007. Once there Regal will apparently be refitted, amongst other changes the casino will be moved from the dome to a lower deck. And be renamed Dawn Princess and operate as a P&O ship based in Sydney. What happens to the current Dawn Princess, I do not know. Current Pacific Princess is also leaving fleet early next year, suppose Regal (new Dawn)will take her place.

 

So this last Regal cruise through the south pacific will be nostalgic. As you know Carnival Corp owns Princess and P&O so just another business move for the company. Heard poor reports about Regal recently so any info would be appreciated.

 

Regards..Les.:)

Star Princess 04

Carnival Spirit 05

Pacific Princess 06

Regal Princess 07

[spongerob]

We were on Regal Princess a while ago. We enjoyed the ship and cruise immensely. I have to admit, if I had a free hand I'd like to do some re-designing. There are still a few place where the original Scandinavian-style design exists (imagine Princess meets IKEA), but the places where the original decor have been updated are quite nice. I really loved the dining room with its higher ceilings and more open feel compared to the ones found on the newer ships. The lounges are nice and comfy. The central atrium area is a bit dark and lacks visibility to the outside, but is quite pleasing in its own way.

[Cruisin' Grandma]

In the new Princess brochures for 2007-2008 it shows the Regal transferring out of the fleet after her cruise from LA to Sydney next fall.

 

Lola in Hamilton

[Pam in CA]

This is sad... I think there are some unique features on the Regal that appeal to many Princess cruisers.

[koreakruiser]

...the Regal Princess ... be renamed Dawn Princess and operate as a P&O ship based in Sydney. Current Pacific Princess is also leaving fleet early next year.

 

It is my understanding that the Regal Princess will be renamed the Pacific Dawn when she goes to work for P&O Australia. See http://www.pocruises.com.au/html/introducing_pacific_dawn.cfm

 

Have been on the Regal twice and will miss her. :(

 

Also, the Pacific Princess has been alternating between Princess and P&O for the past few years.

[jlines]

We just got off the Regal on 11/7. It was a great cruise and although not my fave ship there were things I really liked about her. All of us loved the storage space in the cabins. The dining room and lounges are all welcoming. The pool area was great and we NEVER had a problem getting chairs. We didn't like the gym (I nicknamed it the dungeon) but Stephen made it worth going to classes anyway. The food was hit or miss but the activities were many and varied. I'll have to admit we have never had a bad cruise because we go in with the "hey I'm on vacation" attitude and we tend to get as involved as possible and make our own fun. So I would reassure anyone sailing on her before next August that the ship is in good shape and you should have a great cruise.

[Druke I]

Dawn Princess will remain Dawn Princess, at least for the immediate future.

 

Regal Princess, upon transfer to P&O (Aus) will become Pacific Dawn.

[NSWP]

Thanks to our American friends for the positive comments about Regal, we look forward to her final 31 night journey next year as Regal, my mistake she IS to be renamed Pacific Dawn, NOT Dawn Princess.

 

Best wishes from Australia...Les:)

[NSWP]

Further info re name change, have a look at P & O Cruises, Australia web site, under Pacific Dawn'. They have already painted her up in new colours in ad and casino according to Pacific Dawn deck plan will be moved from Dome top of ship to Dolphin Deck, about 5 down to be known as Stage Door Casino and Sports Bar. Progress eh ? The dome looks to be more roomier with casino gone, probably dancing etc up there from Oct 07.:o

[bdjam]

Further info re name change, have a look at P & O Cruises, Australia web site, under Pacific Dawn'. They have already painted her up in new colours in ad and casino according to Pacific Dawn deck plan will be moved from Dome top of ship to Dolphin Deck, about 5 down to be known as Stage Door Casino and Sports Bar. Progress eh ? The dome looks to be more roomier with casino gone, probably dancing etc up there from Oct 07.:o

Finally they are doing with The Dome what they should have in the first place. It should never have been cluttered up with slot machines - it could be a great observation lounge/night club. To bad Regal Princess has to leave the Princess fleet for this to happen... :rolleyes:

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Finally they are doing with The Dome what they should have in the first place.

 

They certainly have enough room to work with.Lets hope they dont skimp, as done properly it will be a stunning observation room during the day and a wonderful night club in the evening.It would be a shame to see it used only for those art auctions.

[NSWP]

Sorry to butt in again but on the P&O Australia website it indicates new Pacific Dawn ex Regal Princess will carry 2,050 pax, like that is around 400 more than current capacity of Regal, how do they intend to jam them in, reduce crew and have pax occupy ex crew cabins or maybe put in an extra bed in 400 cabins, who knows, the mind boggles.!!

 

:cool:

[Have a Good Trip]

Sorry to butt in again but on the P&O Australia website it indicates new Pacific Dawn ex Regal Princess will carry 2,050 pax, like that is around 400 more than current capacity of Regal, how do they intend to jam them in, reduce crew and have pax occupy ex crew cabins or maybe put in an extra bed in 400 cabins, who knows, the mind boggles.!!

 

:cool:

 

My understanding is that quite a number of cabins are having 3rd and 4th berths fitted. Once you realise that there will be 400 more passengers onboard:eek: , it sort of renders as useless any comparison to the ship as it is currently configured and operating.

[RoseM]

Latest information I have heard is Princess and Celebrity will not sail out of San Francisco in 2008. They will be looking for 7 day cruises out of other ports. They claim they lose money on the 10 and 11 day cruises to Mexico. Celebrity has all ready pulled out cruises to Mexico. For 2007 its Alaska only.

 

Princess is still going both places..My daughter and I live 1 1/2 hrs. from SF, parking is 12.00 a day and close to the cruise terminal, so is better and cheaper than flying, and less stressful.

 

We made one trip on Celebrity and two on the Dawn Princess..liked both of the ships. I have a cruise booked for Sept. 18th 2007 on the Dawn to Alaska....will miss Princess not being there in 2008. Funny thing about it is the ships were 100 percent booked...mostly with CA. residents and some Canadians. Loved everything about the Dawn. Rosemary :( :(

[Fuzzzy]

Finally they are doing with The Dome what they should have in the first place. It could be a great observation lounge/night club.

I agree with you totally. I believe that we think alike. ;)

[spongerob]

Definitely, that would be a change that would be better for everyone. The way it is today, it's a terrible casino layout and terrible lounge layout.