Princess to Add 19th Ship to Fleet

[caribill]

 

Bad ship design is bad ship design. It's got nothing to do with paying substantially more for a cruise nor a choice between adapting and finding another cruise line. But while we're at it,

 

Almost all of us posting on this thread have cruised Princess before and bemoan the loss of features we liked on ships before the Royal and Regal.

 

However, except for special cruises, probably about havf the passengers are new to cruising or new to Princess. If the Royal/Regal is their first cruise or first Princess experience, they may very well be "wowed" and not miss the features we like but these new cruisers have never experienced.

 

Being so "wowed" they are likely to book this class of ship again.

[Iamcruzin]

Almost all of us posting on this thread have cruised Princess before and bemoan the loss of features we liked on ships before the Royal and Regal.

 

However, except for special cruises, probably about havf the passengers are new to cruising or new to Princess. If the Royal/Regal is their first cruise or first Princess experience, they may very well be "wowed" and not miss the features we like but these new cruisers have never experienced.

 

Being so "wowed" they are likely to book this class of ship again.

 

Very good friends of mine will be sailing on The Royal in the fall. They have never cruised before but they know my wife and I both love it and Princess is our first choice. This will be their very first cruise and I really want them to like it so I haven't mentioned any negative thoughts. They have already received a price drop and were upgraded from a balcony that was towards AFT to Mid Ship. I didn't mention anything about the lack of stairs and figured since it's their first cruise and it's in the Atlantic that Mid Ship would be better it terms of motion. They are big spenders will probably gamble,drink and they have already mentioned the Crab Shack. I am looking forward to their unbiased opinion of the ship and cruising in general.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Almost all of us posting on this thread have cruised Princess before and bemoan the loss of features we liked on ships before the Royal and Regal.

 

However, except for special cruises, probably about havf the passengers are new to cruising or new to Princess. If the Royal/Regal is their first cruise or first Princess experience, they may very well be "wowed" and not miss the features we like but these new cruisers have never experienced.

Being so "wowed" they are likely to book this class of ship again.

 

Exactly. They don't know any better & would never miss what they have never experienced. They'll just take it for granted that a tiny balcony, tighter seats in the Princess theater without a drink tray, no aft swimming pool, promenade deck that doesn't go all around, no mid ship staircase, no HDMI connection for video cameras & no outside view cabins are all typical of a Princess cruise. Unless they veer off to an older ship or other cruise lines they'll eventually be hooked into sailing Princess all the time like most of us & won't want to change for fear of losing perks. ;)

[billco]

Almost all of us posting on this thread have cruised Princess before and bemoan the loss of features we liked on ships before the Royal and Regal.

 

However, except for special cruises, probably about havf the passengers are new to cruising or new to Princess. If the Royal/Regal is their first cruise or first Princess experience, they may very well be "wowed" and not miss the features we like but these new cruisers have never experienced.

 

Being so "wowed" they are likely to book this class of ship again.

We remember being "wowed" when we sailed on our first cruise on the Golden Princess 10 years ago. Seen lots of posts here about features we never experienced on older Princess ships. One reason we didn't book the 50th anniversary cruise is we didn't want to spend two weeks hearing about all we missed.

[Avalon35]

Very good friends of mine will be sailing on The Royal in the fall. They have never cruised before but they know my wife and I both love it and Princess is our first choice. This will be their very first cruise and I really want them to like it so I haven't mentioned any negative thoughts. They have already received a price drop and were upgraded from a balcony that was towards AFT to Mid Ship. I didn't mention anything about the lack of stairs and figured since it's their first cruise and it's in the Atlantic that Mid Ship would be better it terms of motion. They are big spenders will probably gamble,drink and they have already mentioned the Crab Shack. I am looking forward to their unbiased opinion of the ship and cruising in general.

 

 

One of the most helpful things I have found on CC is when people offer constructive help regarding what to do/not do or what to be aware of on the ships. So, for example, the mid ship,elevators... I have booked the Royal midship because of motion. I am glad people gave me a heads up regarding the potential for elevator crowding so I know to manage my expectations, when to avoid it and to use the aft and forward stairs when it makes sense. The fact that you let me know the balcony size helped me watch the pricing so I could snag a larger angle balcony for a sale price. I have been on other princess ships, but as for me, I compare by itinerary then the cruise lines. For me, the new Princess ships compare best to the Celebrity S class which is very popular and have many of the same "negatives" that you point out on the Royal and Regal. And talk about multiple venues with up charges...they have Princess beat by a mile. So, I continue to appreciate and thank those who provide the info in a constructive fashion which has helped me tremendously in the past and the future. So do let your friends.know about the potential crowds midship elevators so they can avoid the worst of the crowds...and LOVE their Princess cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Iamcruzin]

One of the most helpful things I have found on CC is when people offer constructive help regarding what to do/not do or what to be aware of on the ships. So, for example, the mid ship,elevators... I have booked the Royal midship because of motion. I am glad people gave me a heads up regarding the potential for elevator crowding so I know to manage my expectations, when to avoid it and to use the aft and forward stairs when it makes sense. The fact that you let me know the balcony size helped me watch the pricing so I could snag a larger angle balcony for a sale price. I have been on other princess ships, but as for me, I compare by itinerary then the cruise lines. For me, the new Princess ships compare best to the Celebrity S class which is very popular and have many of the same "negatives" that you point out on the Royal and Regal. And talk about multiple venues with up charges...they have Princess beat by a mile. So, I continue to appreciate and thank those who provide the info in a constructive fashion which has helped me tremendously in the past and the future. So do let your friends.know about the potential crowds midship elevators so they can avoid the worst of the crowds...and LOVE their Princess cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

 

They are sailing with a couple who has been on the ship before so I will leave all of that to them since they have first hand experience.

[Northender]

Sorry if this link has already been posted. Just found it today.

 

 

http://cruisefever.net/0317-cruise-ships-under-constructionordered/

[dmwnc1959]

Sorry if this link has already been posted. Just found it today.

 

 

http://cruisefever.net/0317-cruise-ships-under-constructionordered/

 

 

With all of these new builds, in about five years Princess Cruises is going to look mighty old and antiquated with the Grand-class. Whether they come out with a new design post Royal-class or not, they need to play catch-up with RCI and NCL. I realize that maybe these three players are aiming at different demographics, but PCL is going to get left behind if they don't get off the pot.

[caribill]

With all of these new builds, in about five years Princess Cruises is going to look mighty old and antiquated with the Grand-class. Whether they come out with a new design post Royal-class or not, they need to play catch-up with RCI and NCL. I realize that maybe these three players are aiming at different demographics, but PCL is going to get left behind if they don't get off the pot.

 

The Royal class is really too large for many of the itineraries of the Grand class ships. Many of the ports cannot handle the larger number of passengers.

 

The Royal is on the Baltic run this year but cannot sail into Stockholm but must stop miles short. Passengers must tender and then pay extra for a shuttle to actually get to Stockholm. They also miss the beautiful sail-in to Stockholm itself.

 

One of the major strengths of Princess is the many varied itineraries offered. If the lower capacity ships are phased out without replacements, the itineraries will suffer.

[Wehwalt]

The Royal class is really too large for many of the itineraries of the Grand class ships. Many of the ports cannot handle the larger number of passengers.

 

The Royal is on the Baltic run this year but cannot sail into Stockholm but must stop miles short. Passengers must tender and then pay extra for a shuttle to actually get to Stockholm. They also miss the beautiful sail-in to Stockholm itself.

 

One of the major strengths of Princess is the many varied itineraries offered. If the lower capacity ships are phased out without replacements, the itineraries will suffer.

 

When I did the Baltics on the Ocean Princess a month or so ago, some ports, like Talinn, were terribly overcrowded with cruise passengers, with three or four ships in port, plus the normal load of summer tourists. Substitute the Royal and it would not have been possible to walk.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Wehwalt

[hubofhockey]

With all of these new builds, in about five years Princess Cruises is going to look mighty old and antiquated with the Grand-class. Whether they come out with a new design post Royal-class or not, they need to play catch-up with RCI and NCL. I realize that maybe these three players are aiming at different demographics, but PCL is going to get left behind if they don't get off the pot.

 

 

Princess bigger problem isn't RCI and NCL, but Celebrity. X hit a home run with a Solstice class and Princess Royal class failed to answer the bell. We still have not been on Celebrity, but just looking for the right opportunity and better pricing. Royal was just so cheap for us for the Baltic itinerary that decision was made for us. After promos, less than $5700 for a mini suite. Can't beat that.

[dmwnc1959]

It can't be just about itineraries, otherwise RCI wouldn't be moving the 168,000 ton Quantum of the Seas to Asia. Sometimes it's about the 'ship'.

 

And I'm sure small ports in Europe have protocol to restrict the number of cruise ships and their passengers that dock on the same day. Sometimes you have the luck of the draw on which/how many other ships are docked in port when you're there. Sometimes it's just your ship, sometimes it's you and six other ships.

 

We all realize that the major cruise lines aren't going to build any more ships the size of Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess, and they are an anomoly among the mass market lines. And wasn't there a vicious rumor that Princess Cruises had these little girls up for sale?

 

I don't believe that the Royal-class were built to compete with the Soltice-class or Celebrity Cruises (modern luxury), but to attract a new generation of Princess Cruises passengers and be the next phase in the evolution of the line itself. As for Celebrity Cruises hitting a home run with the Solstice-class, I much prefer the Millennium-class. Don't care at all for the design or look of the Solstice-class.

[Iamcruzin]

With all of these new builds, in about five years Princess Cruises is going to look mighty old and antiquated with the Grand-class. Whether they come out with a new design post Royal-class or not, they need to play catch-up with RCI and NCL. I realize that maybe these three players are aiming at different demographics, but PCL is going to get left behind if they don't get off the pot.

 

I hope Princess never becomes NCL or RCI. Those lines have turned themselves into amusement parks at sea with a lot of pay as you go venues. However, Princess needs to step up their game with their entertainment. Dancing fountains and 70's theme parties isn't going to cut it.

[Cruise Junky]

It can't be just about itineraries, otherwise RCI wouldn't be moving the 168,000 ton Quantum of the Seas to Asia. Sometimes it's about the 'ship'.

 

And I'm sure small ports in Europe have protocol to restrict the number of cruise ships and their passengers that dock on the same day. Sometimes you have the luck of the draw on which/how many other ships are docked in port when you're there. Sometimes it's just your ship, sometimes it's you and six other ships.

 

We all realize that the major cruise lines aren't going to build any more ships the size of Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess, and they are an anomoly among the mass market lines. And wasn't there a vicious rumor that Princess Cruises had these little girls up for sale?

 

I don't believe that the Royal-class were built to compete with the Soltice-class or Celebrity Cruises (modern luxury), but to attract a new generation of Princess Cruises passengers and be the next phase in the evolution of the line itself. As for Celebrity Cruises hitting a home run with the Solstice-class, I much prefer the Millennium-class. Don't care at all for the design or look of the Solstice-class.

 

When did you sail an S class? Last time we talked about this you hadn't. I've been on both Millennium and Solstice and fully support the comment of knocked it out of the ballpark. Gorgeous ships.

Edited August 9, 2014 by Cruise Junky

[dmwnc1959]

When did you sail an S class? Last time we talked about this you hadn't. I've been on both Millennium and Solstice and fully support the comment of knocked it out of the ballpark. Gorgeous ships.

 

 

I'm in that group of people who don't have to sail in a class of ship to know it's not for them. ;) No, I haven't sailed in a Solstice-class, and most likely never will. I'd probably sail in the Norwegian Getaway long before I ever set foot on a Solstice-class. Just a personal preference, like those who prefer the Grand-class over the Royal-class.

 

:D

[dmwnc1959]

I hope Princess never becomes NCL or RCI. Those lines have turned themselves into amusement parks at sea with a lot of pay as you go venues. However, Princess needs to step up their game with their entertainment. Dancing fountains and 70's theme parties isn't going to cut it.

 

I quite agree, although the new main shows in the Royal-class were a definite improvement over the canned shows I saw the year prior on Ruby Princess.

 

In my review I also mentioned that the real estate occupied by the large lido deck fountains could have best been used in a different manner. Princess Cruises heart was in the right place, just their minds had Escaped Completely. lol ;)

[Cruise Junky]

I'm in that group of people who don't have to sail in a class of ship to know it's not for them. ;) No, I haven't sailed in a Solstice-class, and most likely never will. I'd probably sail in the Norwegian Getaway long before I ever set foot on a Solstice-class. Just a personal preference, like those who prefer the Grand-class over the Royal-class.

 

:D

 

No problem. Thought you'd snuck a sailing in and hadn't told us :). We both fell for Solstice. Our balcony was massive, bathrooms a treat, the free adult solarium, no smoking in the casino. Specialty restaurants were hands above anything else we've had at sea and her atrium is just stunning. We always looked at Princess first for cruises, not anymore.

[dmwnc1959]

No problem. Thought you'd snuck a sailing in and hadn't told us :). We both fell for Solstice. Our balcony was massive, bathrooms a treat, the free adult solarium, no smoking in the casino. Specialty restaurants were hands above anything else we've had at sea and her atrium is just stunning. We always looked at Princess first for cruises, not anymore.

 

 

If I had my 'rathers', I'd rather Princess Cruises got ride of The Sanctuary. It's time has come and gone, and other lines have shown that it can be an adult retreat without pillaging the consumer. They also need a forward facing observation lounge. The Royal-class ship Britannia (P&O) was certainly dealt the better hand when it came to those venue areas compared to her sisters.

 

Your experience on the Solstice-class sounds like mine on Allure of the Seas.

Best restaurants I've ever eating at on a ship, the entertainment was phenomenal, and the ginormous solarium was wonderful. Given the chance to sail either ship again, Allure of the Seas or Royal Princess, I'd still opt for the latter. I can't see paying that much of a premium in price, especially since I travel solo.

[Colo Cruiser]

Princess bigger problem isn't RCI and NCL, but Celebrity. X hit a home run with a Solstice class and Princess Royal class failed to answer the bell. We still have not been on Celebrity, but just looking for the right opportunity and better pricing. Royal was just so cheap for us for the Baltic itinerary that decision was made for us. After promos, less than $5700 for a mini suite. Can't beat that.

 

Thats great, that means that the droves that are leaving Princess for X will leave lots of room for us Princess loyalists.

I say to them, don't let the door hitcha. ;)

[Cruise Junky]

Dave, we almost booked Oasis a couple of weeks ago but just missed out on an amazing sale. We ended up booking 9 days in Hawaii instead. Would definitely like to experience either Oasis or Allure. Nothing like them at sea.

[Sunviking]

It can't be just about itineraries, otherwise RCI wouldn't be moving the 168,000 ton Quantum of the Seas to Asia. Sometimes it's about the 'ship'.

 

And I'm sure small ports in Europe have protocol to restrict the number of cruise ships and their passengers that dock on the same day. Sometimes you have the luck of the draw on which/how many other ships are docked in port when you're there. Sometimes it's just your ship, sometimes it's you and six other ships.

 

We all realize that the major cruise lines aren't going to build any more ships the size of Ocean Princess and Pacific Princess, and they are an anomoly among the mass market lines. And wasn't there a vicious rumor that Princess Cruises had these little girls up for sale?

 

I don't believe that the Royal-class were built to compete with the Soltice-class or Celebrity Cruises (modern luxury), but to attract a new generation of Princess Cruises passengers and be the next phase in the evolution of the line itself. As for Celebrity Cruises hitting a home run with the Solstice-class, I much prefer the Millennium-class. Don't care at all for the design or look of the Solstice-class.

 

I suspect that some of those small ports are more interested in the revenue than in limiting the number of ships on a given day. In June we stopped in Dubrovnik on the Emerald. That day the Regal was there as well as three others :eek:! A couple were anchored and tendering passengers so docking space wasn't a limiting factor. It was absolutely horrendous!

[dmwnc1959]

I suspect that some of those small ports are more interested in the revenue than in limiting the number of ships on a given day. In June we stopped in Dubrovnik on the Emerald. That day the Regal was there as well as three others :eek:! A couple were anchored and tendering passengers so docking space wasn't a limiting factor. It was absolutely horrendous!

 

 

I'd be interested to know what the three other ships were. I'm sure even with two ships some ports can be overwhelmed, much less a fleet of cruise ships riding anchor. But sometimes when there are two larger ships there, the others others might be like the Costa Classica, Thompson Majesty, or Seabourn Spirit. Maybe we can ascertain what the port load was for that day you were there?

[dmwnc1959]

Dave, we almost booked Oasis a couple of weeks ago but just missed out on an amazing sale. We ended up booking 9 days in Hawaii instead. Would definitely like to experience either Oasis or Allure. Nothing like them at sea.

 

There's two more of those on the way, so I'd say you'll still have your chance. It's a given though that one of them will be going to Europe and/or Asia on a permanent basis, leaving two in the Caribbean.

[hubofhockey]

I hope Princess never becomes NCL or RCI. Those lines have turned themselves into amusement parks at sea with a lot of pay as you go venues. However, Princess needs to step up their game with their entertainment. Dancing fountains and 70's theme parties isn't going to cut it.

 

Princess is going more pay as you go than you would like to believe.

 

Royal Class Dining Pay as You Go:

 

Crown Grill - $25

Sabatini's - $25

Ocean Terrace - a la carte pricing

Crab Shack - $20

Fondue - $20

Winemakers Dinner - $40

Ultimate Balcony Dinner - $50

Chef's Table (higher priced/lesser experience) - $115

Gelato's (not even real gelato - it's ice cream) -$3

 

Of course, there is also the Sanctuary and Enclave and RCI does not charge for the adult solarium.

 

If you think Princess doesn't play the same game as other cruise lines, you are mistaken. They play the same game. They just don't do it as well.

[Thrak]

Princess is going more pay as you go than you would like to believe.

 

Royal Class Dining Pay as You Go:

 

Crown Grill - $25

Sabatini's - $25

Ocean Terrace - a la carte pricing

Crab Shack - $20

Fondue - $20

Winemakers Dinner - $40

Ultimate Balcony Dinner - $50

Chef's Table (higher priced/lesser experience) - $115

Gelato's (not even real gelato - it's ice cream) -$3

 

Of course, there is also the Sanctuary and Enclave and RCI does not charge for the adult solarium.

 

If you think Princess doesn't play the same game as other cruise lines, you are mistaken. They play the same game. They just don't do it as well.

 

Hopefully they don't institute the charges for Alfredo's again. They never did say it was a mistake to charge for Alfredo's, they just admitted they shouldn't have sprung it on passengers in the manner they did.