Emerald Princess to Join Australian Fleet

[ccrain]

Thanks, is the Caribbean about the same class of ship?

 

The Caribbean was the first of the super grand class with the addition of the Riviera deck and MUTS. She still has the shopping cart handle skywalkers and a different deck 7 arrangement. She also introduced Café Caribe and club fusion.

 

Ruby, Emerald and Crown (the "Gem" class), have a whole bunch of little tweaks like Sabbatini's on the upper decks next to Adagios (another new addition), no skywalker shopping cart location, a larger and more forward wheelhouse, better entry into the theatre, a larger crown grill and a little bit different MUTS layout.

 

But the Caribbean has had her "gem" class upgrade with the IC and Vines. While she is does not have all of the little extras the Emerald has, she still is pretty sweet.

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Flying time from LAX to our east coast (most ships departure points) is less than 14 hours and is about $5000 for 2 but we do it regularly and it is over 24 hours to London. In 2013, 750 Australians boarded the Grand in FLL to cruise Sth America to San Francisco. If you want to see the world, you have to travel long distances and we are certainly not wealthy.

 

We cruise quite often (Caribbean) and if it were to Australia we certainly wouldn't be able to afford to cruise maybe more than once per year. Since we do like cruising multiple times a year- Australia is out for us. For us it's a choice of travel to a distant country or cruising in the Caribbean.

[Woobstr112G]

Say it isn't so! :mad: Keep the Emerald Princess here and send the Royal or Regal down under. or at least send the Caribbean Princess, but not Emerald.

 

Send them both down under.....

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

I agree that spoiled goes both ways but I can not see where we are spoiled down here. There is no comparison to what we have re ships as to what you have and the competition that is available in the Northern Hemisphere makes for very cheap fares. Down here, we pay top dollar for any cruise out of our waters. I receive the specials that Princess puts out for you and there is no way that we can ever get a cruise for the amount of money that one pays in the U.S. For example a cruise on the Star for next month in a balcony was only $799. There is no way we could ever receive a deal like that.

 

Perhaps with more ships down here, we may get cheaper fares but at the moment, we are paying top dollar to cruise.

 

Your statement that Princess is abandoning North America market to send one ship down here is ludicrous. How many ships does Princess have centred around the U.S. There are 16 ships, not counting our favourites, the two little ones, and we have 3 full time down here plus the Diamond and Sapphire are in Asia so that leaves 11 ships and you are letting us have a loan of one per summer. You still have 10 ships to choose from and if for some reason you do not like any of them, then try a different cruise line instead.

 

Just try and see our point of view for a change. We are just so happy that the cruise lines are finally taking notice of our love of cruising and of course the cruise lines know that down here they are making profits for their shareholders as we are willing to pay for the privilege of being at sea.

 

Jennie

 

There will be as you will have the Emerald and we will be stuck with a number of ships with too few elevators, no "real" Wheel House bar for dancing, no promenade deck, no central staircase, ridiculously small suites along with microscopic balconies for non suite cabins, and no free sauna/steam rooms.....:(:(:(

 

Bob

Edited January 10, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[StLouisCruisers]

And now I will chime in and stick up for Royal/Regal. We enjoyed our cruise on the Royal and plan more on her this year. Since we use stairs and not elevators I just book closer to the forward stairs. Done! :)

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

There will be as you will have the Emerald and we will be stuck with a number of ships with too few elevators, no "real" Wheel House bar for dancing, no promenade deck, no central staircase, ridiculously small suites along with microscopic balconies for non suite cabins, and no free sauna/steam rooms.....:(:(:(

 

Bob

 

Yea, I forgot about that. I don't use them on the Emerald but my wife does.

Another feature taken away unless you want to pay for it. :mad:

People rave about all the new exciting things on the new ships (yes there are) but keep forgetting about the simple things that are lost. ;)

[Shogun]

Hi

 

All lets be nice to our friends down under and send them all the Royal class ships,

 

the Royal, the Regal they can have have the fun of naming and keeping the third one as well,

 

yours Shogun

[Cruise Junky]

There will be as you will have the Emerald and we will be stuck with a number of ships with too few elevators, no "real" Wheel House bar for dancing, no promenade deck, no central staircase, ridiculously small suites along with microscopic balconies for non suite cabins, and no free sauna/steam rooms.....:(:(:(

 

Bob

 

And no OV rooms for those that prefer them.

[AZbeachboy]

If all we are left in the North America are the Royal Class ships, will that ruin crusing on Princess. From all I hear, I don't think I would cruise on one. Not because some people have had bad expierences, but because I like the openess of the other ships. I also like some of the small ships as well.

[Daisyloo]

And now I will chime in and stick up for Royal/Regal. We enjoyed our cruise on the Royal and plan more on her this year. Since we use stairs and not elevators I just book closer to the forward stairs. Done! :)

 

I also want to stick up for the Regal and Royal. We have sailed on the Emerald twice and the Grand twice and enjoyed our cruises on both those ships. We sailed on the Regal in November. We were a little apprehensive after reading all the negative things people wrote about her, but we got such a good deal we thought we would try it and see for ourselves.

 

Well, we loved the Regal. The central stair issue didn't bother us at all - we either took the elevator or walked to a stairwell forward or aft. Yes, the balcony was small but it still gave us a nice outside place to sit. That is all we would do anyway, no matter how big a balcony we have - no balcony dancing for us.

We really thought we would hate the fact that there is no wrap around promenade, but were surprised that we never missed it. We sat many times in the wide seating areas on the promenade deck in the nice comfortable chairs, or the loungers at the farther back seating areas.

 

We had a great cruise - the food was very good, service was excellent, there was always something going on as far as activities/entertainment. We thought the layout of the buffet was the best of any ship we have been on. It was large, bright, open with tons of seating so never had an issue finding a seat no matter how busy it was. The many well laid out food stations meant no lines for food. We loved it.

We never found the ship the least bit crowded.

 

I would say to all the nay sayers, go and try the Regal or Royal out. You might just find you like it. :)

 

P.S. - we are trying the Royal out in March. Can't wait!

[Cruise Junky]

I would say to all the nay sayers, go and try the Regal or Royal out. You might just find you like it. :)

 

 

Are you paying? if not, then no thanks.

[Shogun]

hi daisyloo,

 

How did you enjoy standing on the observation deck for the sailaway

 

or may be standing aft listening to the roar from the ships wake

 

how about having friends on your balcony for a meal and a drink,

 

or may be sitting in skywalkers on a rainy day watching the world go by,

 

or sitting in Adagio while scenic cruising,

 

a sauna, or steam room

 

or even a game of putting

 

Been on the Royal might go on her again but she is not my first choice ship

 

Now the P&O Royal class ship has a far better layout and I am sure it will not be long before we see posts saying its the ship Princess should have built

 

yours Shogun

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

I also want to stick up for the Regal and Royal. We have sailed on the Emerald twice and the Grand twice and enjoyed our cruises on both those ships. We sailed on the Regal in November. We were a little apprehensive after reading all the negative things people wrote about her, but we got such a good deal we thought we would try it and see for ourselves.

 

Well, we loved the Regal. The central stair issue didn't bother us at all - we either took the elevator or walked to a stairwell forward or aft. Yes, the balcony was small but it still gave us a nice outside place to sit. That is all we would do anyway, no matter how big a balcony we have - no balcony dancing for us.

We really thought we would hate the fact that there is no wrap around promenade, but were surprised that we never missed it. We sat many times in the wide seating areas on the promenade deck in the nice comfortable chairs, or the loungers at the farther back seating areas.

 

We had a great cruise - the food was very good, service was excellent, there was always something going on as far as activities/entertainment. We thought the layout of the buffet was the best of any ship we have been on. It was large, bright, open with tons of seating so never had an issue finding a seat no matter how busy it was. The many well laid out food stations meant no lines for food. We loved it.

We never found the ship the least bit crowded.

 

I would say to all the nay sayers, go and try the Regal or Royal out. You might just find you like it. :)

 

P.S. - we are trying the Royal out in March. Can't wait!

 

If you loved the Regal so much you'll certainly love the Royal.

It has all the disadvantages as the Regal has and more.

I didn't pay that much attention to the people down talking the Royal on this board when it first came out & that was my mistake. They comments were right on the mark. Although I can put up with a lot of inconveniences the biggest draw back in the lack of OV cabins. Having to pay extra just to have sunlight & then get one of those "microscopic balconies" is an insult. It was almost next to impossible to put 2 cups of coffee with 2 small plates of muffins on it to enjoy breakfast. That's not what we're used to when on a Princess balcony. (and I not talking about a suite balcony either).

I'm still glad that Princess is making money since I'll continue to enjoy the old ships as long as possible since we do love sailing Princess- but certainly not any of their new ships.

[silvercruiser]

The inaugural transatlantic cruise on the Emerald in 2007 was one of my favorite cruises ever. The Piazza was a new feature that we really loved. An active and energetic CC group added to the fun, as we felt that we all knew each other already when we boarded.

I gave the new Royal a try last winter, for a short cruise before committing to the long cruises I prefer and just didn't like it for so many reasons and there's no way I'd ever cruise on her again.

I don't usually post my whole cruise history on these boards, but will this time so you can see that I have lots to compare.

[lynwar]

I had no problem with the Royal Princess when we sailed on her last year. Yes, Hubby thought it was too big for him-it was just that there was more room. I had fun, once I found the Wheelhouse Bar/Crown Grille area on Deck 7 (after I realized I'd been in the hallway for Muster Drill :D) was about in the same place as on other ships. I would point out that "the photo gallery used to be here"-on the other side, and that led us to the Atrium and saw that the photo gallery had that open space. I did miss having the Art Gallery on the Plaza Deck, though. There was enough going on in the Atrium/Piazza that I didn't miss Crooners (which wasn't quite as intimate as on other ships.) All this to say--a cruise is what you make it. The balcony we had was behind the Sea Walk-we didn't go out there often, or eat out there. We never use the steam room/saunas, or go to the fancy restaurants. Our major activities were trivia and the casino, as usual.

For those interested in the Royal-Dave 1959 did a marvelous expose on the Royal Princess and got many people interested in sailing on her.

 

This thread isn't to lament the older/vs newer ships.....all it said was that the Emerald is going to Australia. As soon as I got over the "shock" of the difference between the Caribbean Princess (Sept. 2004, Sept. 2014) after being on the Royal, it was a cruise!!

It didn't need a lot of bells and whistles for US.

We can only afford to cruise every year, or year and a half, and generally Hubby goes for the best, and least expensive deal. We just enjoy the ride. If we do splurge and go on a more expensive ship.... it has to be for a very good reason.

 

I'm enjoying this conversation....but the end of 2016 seems like a long way away to be so upset at the moment. As mentioned earlier, in another post, we've been on the Emerald Princess twice and enjoyed it. Our first cruise was on the Sun Princess and we enjoyed that one, too. The only thing I will say about the newer ships is that many more things are at a cost- and even if some of us retired folks wanted to try them, we wouldn't be able to afford them--like the Retreat, Sanctuary, Specialty Restaurants, Steam Rooms....etc. It's almost getting to be like a class distinction--although-that would be an entirely different discussion. I don't use the pools, either. We did miss the promenade.

 

This is enough said from me. We all have our likes, dislikes, expectations on each ship and we'll miss some things while embracing some new ideas.

 

The most important thing is that we are all on here because we enjoy cruising!!

 

Take care. Lynne

[Mom33]

I also want to stick up for the Regal and Royal. We have sailed on the Emerald twice and the Grand twice and enjoyed our cruises on both those ships. We sailed on the Regal in November. We were a little apprehensive after reading all the negative things people wrote about her, but we got such a good deal we thought we would try it and see for ourselves.

 

Well, we loved the Regal. The central stair issue didn't bother us at all - we either took the elevator or walked to a stairwell forward or aft. Yes, the balcony was small but it still gave us a nice outside place to sit. That is all we would do anyway, no matter how big a balcony we have - no balcony dancing for us.

We really thought we would hate the fact that there is no wrap around promenade, but were surprised that we never missed it. We sat many times in the wide seating areas on the promenade deck in the nice comfortable chairs, or the loungers at the farther back seating areas.

 

We had a great cruise - the food was very good, service was excellent, there was always something going on as far as activities/entertainment. We thought the layout of the buffet was the best of any ship we have been on. It was large, bright, open with tons of seating so never had an issue finding a seat no matter how busy it was. The many well laid out food stations meant no lines for food. We loved it.

We never found the ship the least bit crowded.

 

I would say to all the nay sayers, go and try the Regal or Royal out. You might just find you like it. :)

 

P.S. - we are trying the Royal out in March. Can't wait!

 

I and the majority of passengers that have cruised on the Royal and Regal and have written reviews on the Member Review Board, agree with you Daisyloo. 2/3 of Royal guests and 3/4 of Regal guests gave positive reports. Most of the reports recently, here on the forum, are positive for both ships also. The two ships are getting many repeat cruisers and cruisers recommending the ships.

:D

Edited January 10, 2015 by Mom33

[icat2000]

Is the real issue that there will only be the Royal and the Regal cruising the Caribbean for US cruiers. Because if its not, please tell what is wrong with the following ships that will be left for US cruisers to cruise on:

 

Island Princess

Coral Princess

Star Princess

Ruby Princess

Grand Priness

Crown Princess

Caribbean Princess

Golden Princess

 

Seems like there is a lot to choose from.

Edited January 10, 2015 by icat2000

[Lovetocruiseprincess]

Is the real issue that there will only be the Royal and the Regal cruising the Caribbean for US cruiers. Because if its not, please tell what is wrong with the following ships that will be left for US cruisers to cruise on:

 

Island Princess Panama Canal only

Coral Princess Panama Canal only

Star Princess California

Ruby Princess California to Hawaii

Grand Priness Mexico

Crown Princess California

Caribbean Princess Houston

Golden Princess In California till Sept then Australia

 

Seems like there is a lot to choose from.

 

Not really, especially for us here in Florida next fall/winter going to the Caribbean.

 

Island Princess - Panama Canal only

Coral Princess -Panama Canal only

Star Princess - California

Ruby Princess - California to Hawaii

Grand Priness -Mexico

Crown Princess -California

Caribbean Princess -Houston

Golden Princess - In California till Sept then Australia

That leaves us the Regal....Wow- doing 7 day trips & then waste a day in Ft Lauderdale.

That leaves us the Royal with all it downfalls doing 10 day trips.

Edited January 10, 2015 by Lovetocruiseprincess

[Mom33]

There are other ships in the Caribbean. HAL, Celebrity, RCL, Carnival, and NCL to name a few brands.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Cruise Junky]

There are other ships in the Caribbean. HAL, Celebrity, RCL, Carnival, and NCL to name a few brands.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

 

So your solution is to abandon Princess and sail another line? LOL ohhh Ok.

[Mom33]

So your solution is to abandon Princess and sail another line? LOL ohhh Ok.[/

 

 

Not my solution. :). I'm content with the status quo.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

[Brisbane41]

I am extremely surprised how so many people can get so passionate about a particular ship.

 

For me the Emerald Princess is on my permanent black list to never sail on it even if I were paid to do so. It is too crowded. Personally I do not want to see it here in Australia.

 

As stated by many other people the Crown, Emerald, Ruby and Caribbean Princess all have an extra deck slapped on top of an older small framed ship with no new public spaces. The ships are far too crowded for my liking and after trying one of them I have permanently black listed them all as they were so bad and it was impossible to have a leisurely cruise on them. The Island Princess will too soon be on my black list after its refit.

 

My favourite ships in the Princess fleet are the Diamond and Sapphire Princess, Golden, Star and Grand Princess and sometimes the Sun class depending on where they are cruising but only for a short cruise.

 

I thought it was terrific news when we had the Diamond and Sapphire Princess deployed here when they were brand new.

 

I would guess that many people who use these forums are virgin cruisers and have not been around in the days I have been cruising judging by all the comments.

 

It is not a new trend to send brand new ships to Australia. Princess have done it for well over a decade.

 

The Star Princess that entered service in 2002 was the very first Grand class ship to have a cruise season in Australia in the year 2003. It leads me to believe that many people who post on these forums were not cruising back in the good old days.

[Sandielle]

I agree that spoiled goes both ways but I can not see where we are spoiled down here. There is no comparison to what we have re ships as to what you have and the competition that is available in the Northern Hemisphere makes for very cheap fares. Down here, we pay top dollar for any cruise out of our waters. I receive the specials that Princess puts out for you and there is no way that we can ever get a cruise for the amount of money that one pays in the U.S. For example a cruise on the Star for next month in a balcony was only $799. There is no way we could ever receive a deal like that.

 

Perhaps with more ships down here, we may get cheaper fares but at the moment, we are paying top dollar to cruise.

 

Your statement that Princess is abandoning North America market to send one ship down here is ludicrous. How many ships does Princess have centred around the U.S. There are 16 ships, not counting our favourites, the two little ones, and we have 3 full time down here plus the Diamond and Sapphire are in Asia so that leaves 11 ships and you are letting us have a loan of one per summer. You still have 10 ships to choose from and if for some reason you do not like any of them, then try a different cruise line instead.

 

Just try and see our point of view for a change. We are just so happy that the cruise lines are finally taking notice of our love of cruising and of course the cruise lines know that down here they are making profits for their shareholders as we are willing to pay for the privilege of being at sea.

 

Jennie

 

Hear, hear Jennie. I do not think we are being selfish with having ships based in Australia for only a few months. We don't fly and our choice of cruising destinations is very limited, more so from Brisbane with only two or three ships (at times) based here. I would love to try out more ships and have the much cheaper fares which are available in the US.

 

As it is, cruising is becoming extremely popular, with all of my friends and neighbours having cruised at least once, and I'd say 90% of people I chat to at supermarket checkouts, etc, have cruised or are booked on a cruise.

 

That said, I am grateful that I can cruise from my home port on whatever ship is available. :) I am not a spoilt brat! :D

[Brisbane41]

I have been on many of the Princess and other lines ships. I have been interested since the 90's and been following the trends and new-builds and styles since then.

 

Princess has looked after Australia very well in the past. We have always seen brand new ships do a season of cruising in our waters from at least 2003 onwards when the Star Princess came here.

 

It appears that the North Americans forget very quickly that this has been the case for over a decade.

 

Most of the Australians appear ungrateful and whinge at getting "garbage" when it is far from true.

 

In the case of the Emerald Princess by the time it gets here it will be old. Given the obvious history of how Princess have deployed their ships in the past I cant get what the big upset/excitement is.

[skf]

“With three ships cruising our waters full time and two megaliners visiting for the summer, the 2016 season will offer more exciting options for Australian and New Zealand cruisers,"

While we will miss Emerald while she's gone, we are glad our friends in Oz get to share her for awhile.