"ocean feeling" Princess ships?

[TVanTuyl]

I am asking specifically about Princess ships here :) I have read some threads about ships who have bright Piazza's open to the sea view with large glass windows ... which ships are these? I know Sapphire does, and I am HOPING the Golden does as my next cruise is booked on her ... but I have read some complaints about smaller, darker Piazzas. Which ships have a good amount of those bright sunny areas? Also, which ships have promenades that go completely around the ship, close to sea level? And other than Sapphire, which ships have a covered AND open pool? And lastly, do ANY Princess ships have any of the natural grass/trees that I have seen on other lines?

Thank you!!

[VOR]

There is very little real difference between any of the grand class ships.

 

Skywalkers moves around (except for the Grand herself where is had to be removed), the location of a few things between the Piazza and theater change as do a few other things on the prominade deck. Other than that they are really close. Of course from Caribbean on there is the extra pure passenger deck

 

The physical structure is the same for all.

[chrysalis]

Deck plans on the Princess website will show you which ships have full promenade decks and those which have covered pools (such as the Coral and Island).

[MauiLvrs]

There is very little real difference between any of the grand class ships. ...

Except for the Royal/Regal

[IECalCruiser]

Except for the Royal/Regal

The Royal/Regal are not Grand class ships.

[caribill]

I am asking specifically about Princess ships here :) I have read some threads about ships who have bright Piazza's open to the sea view with large glass windows ... which ships are these?

 

 

In my experience, none of them.

 

On Grand Class ships there will be a few windows on deck 5 near the bar area, off to the side of the Piazza.

 

Deck 7 will have some windows along the hallway and of course the doorways to the outside promenade deck.

 

But the Piazza's light is mainly from inside lighting.

 

However, easy to get that at sea feeling. Just step out on the promenade deck from several doorways on deck 7.

[jsiegel]

The Island and her sister the Coral have a Promenade deck that can be walked all on one level. It's 2.8 times around for a mile.

 

Also, the buffet is at the front, not the back of the ship on these two. Makes for more motion if queasy while eating but nice views.

 

The Island is my favorite, followed by the Sapphire. Didn't like the Star and I think the Golden is a lot like the Star. I'll let you know my impressions of the Golden when I return.

 

Jackie

[waltd]

In my experience, none of them.

 

On Grand Class ships there will be a few windows on deck 5 near the bar area, off to the side of the Piazza.

 

Deck 7 will have some windows along the hallway and of course the doorways to the outside promenade deck.

 

But the Piazza's light is mainly from inside lighting.

 

However, easy to get that at sea feeling. Just step out on the promenade deck from several doorways on deck 7.

 

Yep I agree about the windows. For some reason it sounds like you are talking about some of the older Royal Caribbean ships with the 3 to 4 story windows. Princess does have windows in the Piazza but nothing that would make you feel like you were open to the sea.

[TVanTuyl]

I guess I wasn't being clear ... I was not talking about big huge 40 foot windows, I was talking about the windows in the bar/pizza area on either side of the Piazza on deck 5 of Sapphire. I have read threads where people talk about the Piazza being darker and smaller. I kept thinking about how walking through the casino and photo gallery everything is very dark and you have no clue you are on a ship, but sitting in the bar or pizza place adjacent to the Piazza you clearly see the sea

 

Jackie what date is your Golden cruise? Mine is Thanksgiving :) Can't wait to pow wow and plan our cruise together for next year!

[IECalCruiser]

I guess I wasn't being clear ... I was not talking about big huge 40 foot windows, I was talking about the windows in the bar/pizza area on either side of the Piazza on deck 5 of Sapphire. I have read threads where people talk about the Piazza being darker and smaller. I kept thinking about how walking through the casino and photo gallery everything is very dark and you have no clue you are on a ship, but sitting in the bar or pizza place adjacent to the Piazza you clearly see the sea

 

Jackie what date is your Golden cruise? Mine is Thanksgiving :) Can't wait to pow wow and plan our cruise together for next year!

Plaza deck on the Golden is similar to the Sapphire. The seating area on the port side by the bar/IC has good views of the ocean. On the Starboard side the Vines Shop limits access to some of the windows but it is nice sitting in Vines with views if the ocean. On Promenade deck there are good views from the Promenade Lounge and Bar or outside of the Explorers Lounge.

[satxdiver]

On the grand class and panamax ships I have been on, there are a lot of windows on the Piazza deck and the promenade deck to look out. I have never felt like I was not on the ocean when on a Princess ship which is one of the plus for sailing on Princess. I am on the ship to feel like I am sailing on the ocean and not be kept away from it like some other ships (RCL).