Island Princess drydock 4/2015

[runnerodb83]

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[Corfe Mixture]

Was just checking the Funchal cruise port schedule and the Island is scheduled for a stop there on March, 29, 2015 which is just 8 days after her last cruise ends in FLL. If that is true, then it looks like any drydock will be in Europe.

 

Makes sense as she was built in France at St Nazaire.

 

When they refitted Coral, they reduced the size of the Casino and added extra Oceanview cabins on Deck 6 (where part of the Casino had been) and an International Café (also where part of the Casino had been).

 

We have just booked on Island for December 2015, after the refit, and the Deck plans for are unchanged.

 

They don't show either the international Café or the additional cabins.

 

There are also no Oceanview cabins showing for sale, or sold, on Deck 6, so it looks like she may not be getting the International Café, though it is a long refit.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Corfe Mixture

[first time cruising]

You are starting to get me worried! We are booked on the Island Princess leaving San Pedro on the 6th March for a 32 night cruise ending in Venice on the 7th April 2015. We have heard nothing from Princess cruises or our Travel agent to say part of our cruise has been cancelled. Should I be worried?:confused:

[first time cruising]

Further to my last post, I just re read an email I received from the Senior Customer Solutions Coordinator from Princess cruises on the 3rd July 2014. It states that Island Princess will be in Wet dock from April 7 until May 21 but also states these dates are subject to change.

I did post earlier my concern on being on a ship that is due to go to dry/wet dock immediately after our cruise finishes. Hence my email to Princess and their reply telling me we will experience the same level of enjoyment. Hopefully that is so and that our cruise is not compromised in any way.

[likeadisguise]

You are starting to get me worried! We are booked on the Island Princess leaving San Pedro on the 6th March for a 32 night cruise ending in Venice on the 7th April 2015. We have heard nothing from Princess cruises or our Travel agent to say part of our cruise has been cancelled. Should I be worried?:confused:

You're on the last cruise before she goes into drydock in Trieste on April 7, your cruise isn't cancelled.

[Astro Flyer]

I would be surprised if some work would not be done during the 32 day LA to Venice cruise prior to her 6 week overhaul. We sailed 32 days on the Crown from Venice to Galveston & they closed sections of Lido deck to replace the flooring. That was not before a drydock but it also didn't affect the enjoyment of our cruise and hopefully it'll be the same experience during the Island's repositioning cruise.

 

It'll be interesting to see photos of the changes & hopefully Princess will show the progress like with other major overhauls. Modifications to the Universe Lounge, Bayou Cafe (reportedly to a Crown Grill) and Horizon Court plus adding additional cabins & an International Cafe will be interesting to see.

Edited September 2, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[vickie_bernie]

Further to my last post, I just re read an email I received from the Senior Customer Solutions Coordinator from Princess cruises on the 3rd July 2014. It states that Island Princess will be in Wet dock from April 7 until May 21 but also states these dates are subject to change.

I did post earlier my concern on being on a ship that is due to go to dry/wet dock immediately after our cruise finishes. Hence my email to Princess and their reply telling me we will experience the same level of enjoyment. Hopefully that is so and that our cruise is not compromised in any way.

 

I agree with Astroflyer. We have been on cruises just prior to a drydock and right after a drydock and both times there was work still going on or just starting. Areas of the ship where no accessible to the public, including common areas.

 

vickie

[AZJerry]

We got off the Island a week and half ago in Whittier. Along the way we asked several of the crew what she was doing going southbound as many of the shore restaurants, tours and shops were already closed or were closing immediately after we left. While we never got a clear answer about heading to Vancouver, all were quite definite and specific about the Island making it to Europe for dry dock in the spring (April?) and then cruising Europe after that.

 

Seeing that the PC expansion is due to be complete next year answers my question about what ships they can use since the Island and Coral are/were the only ones that fit the (old) canal.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Princess website as of today (Sep. 24, 2014):

"In May of 2015, Island Princess will emerge from a multimillion dollar drydock upgrade that will add 120 new staterooms. She will then set sail for her first 2015 Summer Mediterranean season."

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/ip/new-island-princess/

 

120 new staterooms -- that's a lot! Coral only got 13 new ones on Deck 6. Are they adding a new deck?

[Vexorg]

If they were adding a new deck I think that would be closer to 150 rooms, so I doubt they're adding a new deck unless they were also adding common areas. My guess is that most of the new ones will be on Plaza deck, since the deck plan seems to show a decent amount of room back there (although that could also be crew quarters.) Another possibility could be adding a section to the middle of the ship, which has been done a number of times (such as with Fred. Olsen's Balmoral or RCCL's Enchantment of the Seas.) That seems pretty extreme given the timeframe for the drydock, although it apparently took less than two months to add the new section to the VoS.

 

Me and my friends are booked on the first post-drydock cruise, so it will be interesting to see the changes.

[vickie_bernie]

Princess website as of today (Sep. 24, 2014):

"In May of 2015, Island Princess will emerge from a multimillion dollar drydock upgrade that will add 120 new staterooms. She will then set sail for her first 2015 Summer Mediterranean season."

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/ip/new-island-princess/

 

120 new staterooms -- that's a lot! Coral only got 13 new ones on Deck 6. Are they adding a new deck?

 

thanks for posting... very interesting

[AtlantaCruiser72]

They have to be adding the rooms within the existing space so as to not up the GRT. The Island is at the top of the new tonnage limitations placed on ships sailing in/out of Venice. My guess is that a lot more inside rooms will be added where there are presently crew quarters/facilities on decks 8-12, as well as oceanviews by possibly taking away a portion of the casino, library, card room, etc. That's about 20-25 rooms per deck. They could also squeeze a few more balcony rooms in by reducing the size of, or relocating, the kids facilities. Possibly they could convert some of the aft oceanviews (and add new cabins in the same area) to balconies and decrease the "wasted" open deck space on decks 8-11. Yes those aft decks are a lovely feature but in bean counter language they are lost revenue potential.

 

All the major cruise lines are stuffing in more cabins as ships go in for drydock. I've always felt that the Island/Coral had way too much public space for the amount of passengers she carries. Obviously the bean counters at Princess agree.

[Astro Flyer]

Princess website as of today (Sep. 24, 2014):

 

"In May of 2015, Island Princess will emerge from a multimillion dollar drydock upgrade that will add 120 new staterooms. She will then set sail for her first 2015 Summer Mediterranean season."

 

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/ip/new-island-princess/

 

120 new staterooms -- that's a lot! Coral only got 13 new ones on Deck 6. Are they adding a new deck?

 

Thanks for the info & during previous discussions it's been said many new cabins would be in the area of the Universe Lounge which apparently is being modified due to bad sight lines. I'll have to checked the deck plans more closely but didn't see changes during a cursory search of the deck plans.

 

The "revitalization" link only mentions boutiques, art gallery & platinum studios but none of the other major changes beyond the additional cabins. :confused: Also deck plan options are between now & 11/25/15 and then after that date...wonder why? :confused:

Edited September 24, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[Vexorg]

I'm pretty sure they could easily fit at least another 50 rooms into the space that the deck plan shows as empty in the aft section of Plaza deck (although at least part of that section appears to be the aft mooring deck.) I can't imagine there being much of anywhere to add balcony rooms though, unless they decide to add rooms on the aft section.

Edited September 25, 2014 by Vexorg

[DShock]

We are booked on the Coral April 12, 2015. If they redeploy Coral to Europe wonder if this cruise would cancel or would be on another ship (although there aren't a lot of options for Princess that can transit the canal).

[Astro Flyer]

We are booked on the Coral April 12, 2015. If they redeploy Coral to Europe wonder if this cruise would cancel or would be on another ship (although there aren't a lot of options for Princess that can transit the canal).

 

My guess is they'll only modify the Island in 2015 to sail into Venice & possibly make those modifications & adjust any changes if necessary to the Coral in 2016 or later. The Island & Coral are about 15,000 tons larger than the Sun-class ships but hold about the same number of passengers. I don't think by adding approximately 12% more passengers it will have a major impact enjoying the Island Princess.

Edited September 25, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[DShock]

I personally do not see this happening in 2015 but maybe 2016 as over 40% of the space on the coral and the island are already sold for the 2015 Alaska Season. It would be an incredibly hard task to re-berth that many displaced cruisers.

 

The deal in Venice is that the Large ships will no longer be allowed to travel the main canal, making them skirt the outside of the island and then docking.

[billbo_nuclear_baggins]

I personally do not see this happening in 2015 but maybe 2016 as over 40% of the space on the coral and the island are already sold for the 2015 Alaska Season. It would be an incredibly hard task to re-berth that many displaced cruisers.

 

The deal in Venice is that the Large ships will no longer be allowed to travel the main canal, making them skirt the outside of the island and then docking.

 

The Island is not doing Alaska in 2015 it is going to Europe. The Coral is doing Alaska in 2015.

[Host Jazzbeau]

They have to be adding the rooms within the existing space so as to not up the GRT. The Island is at the top of the new tonnage limitations placed on ships sailing in/out of Venice. My guess is that a lot more inside rooms will be added where there are presently crew quarters/facilities on decks 8-12, as well as oceanviews by possibly taking away a portion of the casino, library, card room, etc. That's about 20-25 rooms per deck. They could also squeeze a few more balcony rooms in by reducing the size of, or relocating, the kids facilities. Possibly they could convert some of the aft oceanviews (and add new cabins in the same area) to balconies and decrease the "wasted" open deck space on decks 8-11. Yes those aft decks are a lovely feature but in bean counter language they are lost revenue potential.

 

All the major cruise lines are stuffing in more cabins as ships go in for drydock. I've always felt that the Island/Coral had way too much public space for the amount of passengers she carries. Obviously the bean counters at Princess agree.

 

My thought is that they would do something similar to what NCL did to the Pride of America, adding cabins at the bow on the Sun Deck. That space already exists, so it shouldn't change the tonnage. Inside cabins aren't worth much -- they would much rather add balcony cabins or mini-suites.

Edited September 27, 2014 by Host Jazzbeau

[hollydog]

Princess website as of today (Sep. 24, 2014):

"In May of 2015, Island Princess will emerge from a multimillion dollar drydock upgrade that will add 120 new staterooms. She will then set sail for her first 2015 Summer Mediterranean season."

http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/ip/new-island-princess/

 

120 new staterooms -- that's a lot! Coral only got 13 new ones on Deck 6. Are they adding a new deck?

 

Jazzbeau, I followed your link and didn't see this quote anywhere.

[Corfe Mixture]

The changes appear to be major and are described by Fincantieri as being 'a substantial restyling'. Indeed they are apparently having to bring in a large number of workers from their other yards in order to get it all done in six weeks.

 

We are booked on her for Xmas 2015 and, although they are not yet selling new cabins, the on line booking service seems to have been prepared for the changes as they are already showing suites on Lido deck, but take you to a default page when one tries to get further into the booking. The same is also true on some other decks which didn't previously have suites. Rather looks like they are putting in some aft facing Premium suites to add to the four midship Premium suites on D deck.

 

Wonder if that means they are relocating the sanctuary?

Edited October 4, 2014 by Corfe Mixture

[RickEk]

The changes appear to be major and are described by Fincantieri as being 'a substantial restyling'. Indeed they are apparently having to bring in a large number of workers from their other yards in order to get it all done in six weeks.

 

We are booked on her for Xmas 2015 and, although they are not yet selling new cabins, the on line booking service seems to have been prepared for the changes as they are already showing suites on Lido deck, but take you to a default page when one tries to get further into the booking. The same is also true on some other decks which didn't previously have suites. Rather looks like they are putting in some aft facing Premium suites to add to the four midship Premium suites on D deck.

 

Wonder if that means they are relocating the sanctuary?

 

I'll bet the aft section will look more Grand-class-ish if they're adding the cabins there...

Edited October 4, 2014 by RickEk

[Astro Flyer]

Jazzbeau, I followed your link and didn't see this quote anywhere.

 

That link previously led to the statement about a multimillion dollar renovation and adding 120 cabins however it's no longer there. :confused:

[Corfe Mixture]

Link with the reference to the refit being 'substantial' and the need to bring in workers from other Fincantieri yards.

 

 

http://www.themeditelegraph.com/en/shipping/shipyard-and-offshore/2014/07/22/fincantieri-refit-the-island-princess-trieste-oThdcH9M77dy2MKVPM8PkN/index.html

 

The Italian language version of the report, gives more detail and reports

 

"Quindi questo sito è ormai una garanzia per Fincantieri, stabilimento che affianca il cantiere di Palermo anch’esso specializzato in questo tipo di lavorazioni. Ma quali migliorie saranno apportate a questa unità? Nel corso di ben 45 giorni di fermo nave sarà aggiunto il nuovo “International Cafè”, saranno ristrutturati il ristorante a buffet “Horizon Court”, il salone “The Universe Lounge” e il “The Princess Casinò”. Ma il lavoro più significativo sarà l’aggiunta di diverse cabine (forse 200). Infine verrà effettuata anche la manutenzione ordinaria con la pulizia e pitturazione della carena, la sostituzione delle moquette usurate e delle tappezzerie. Complessivamente questi lavori saranno più intensivi di quelli effettuati sulla “sistership” Coral Princess lo scorso anno; si tratta quindi di una commessa da diversi milioni di euro che impiegherà per un mese e mezzo le maestranze di Fincantieri e il personale delle ditte esterne che si sposteranno a Trieste per effettuare i lavori."

 

The part I have highlighted in red translates into English as:

 

"In the course of 45 days of work an "International Café" will be added, the buffet restaurant "Horizon Court" will be restructured as will "The Universe Lounge" and "The Princess Casino." But the most significant work will be adding some different category staterooms (maybe 200). Finally, we will carry out routine maintenance with cleaning and painting of the hull, replacement of worn carpet and upholstery. Overall, this work will be more intensive than those made on the "sistership" Coral Princess last year."

 

NOTE: There is a opportunity for some ambiguity in the translation as the Italian version could translate into either 200 berths or 200 staterooms, though it does appear that there will be a mix of stateroom types.

 

The Italian language version in full can be found here:

http://www.themeditelegraph.com/it/shipping/shipyard-and-offshore/2014/07/22/fincantieri-restyling-per-island-princess-K2a1CuNGKo3Iicl4w5xIzI/index.html

Edited October 5, 2014 by Corfe Mixture
Added translation from Italian language site

[KruzPrincess]

Well, I just played around with the booking tool for the Island Princess and it's being set up for the new deck plans, but it won't show the actual changes. Here are some things I noticed:

 

The booking tool also shows full suites on decks 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14. Currently, there are only full suites on 9 & 10, if I'm not mistaken. There will inside cabins on Deck 7 aft, too. It looks like they'll be removing the upper level of the Universe Showroom? They also show oceanview staterooms on decks 6 and 7. I was just on a HAL ship where they had what they call Lanai OV staterooms with sliding doors that open onto the Promenade. I wonder if they could be doing something like that? Maybe there will be no Universe Lounge at all. It seems like this could eliminate the walkaround promenade. The OV's on deck 6 will be the ones behind the casino. It seems like a lot of public space is being eaten up.

Deck 14 shows balcony and full suite cabins aft, too. That's Lido deck where there currently aren't any cabins. Sanctuary change likely.

 

Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, but I just wrote things as I noticed them. Just a jumble of thoughts. Looking forward to seeing the new deck plan.