Island Princess~~exactly what changes?

[golferdog]

We love the Coral which is why we booked B2B 15 dayers on the Island for next year~~Just heard about the retro fit and am curious about the changes~~Can someone give me the lowdown? Thanks

[Colo Cruiser]

We love the Coral which is why we booked B2B 15 dayers on the Island for next year~~Just heard about the retro fit and am curious about the changes~~Can someone give me the lowdown? Thanks

 

 

Lots of detailed threads.....

 

here is one......

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2127734&highlight=island+princess+dry+dock

[skynight]

Approx. 250 additional passengers

Elimination of the Universe Lounge

No more 360 degree promenade, it will be U shaped now

Appears that there is no expansion in the MDR's for extra passengers

Elimination of Terrace Pool

Aft open deck areas eliminated.

 

Compare the deck plans and you will see for yourself

[dmwnc1959]

I haven't seen any pictures yet, but here are a few side-by-side deck plan comparisons showing the before-and-after aspects of the changes being made to Island Princess. I had posted these in the thread linked above but they're probably lost now somewhere in the middle of that 'conversation' going on over there...;)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Kineticoh20]

Of the changes that really bother me the most is the 13 cabins that lessen the size of the Casino. Then to make it even worse is the photo center making the Casino even smaller. I really enjoy the Casino on board and feel it will be really crowded.

[Coral]

Where are the shows going to be that were previously in the Universe Lounge?

[Pythian]

I kinda like it - but, maybe that is because I snagged an aft facing balcony cabin on Baja for January..... I really liked Univeral Lounge, but ever since Princess stopped doing the 'horse races' there, it's kinda been under used (and really, how much bingo can one take?). And the 250 additonal passengers doesn't worry me for dinner/food. However, I'll let you know after I sail - but for today, I'm pretty excited to be on her.

[OCruisers]

We so loved Island Princess the way she was. :(

 

LuLu

[caribill]

I haven't seen any pictures yet, but here are a few side-by-side deck plan comparisons showing the before-and-after aspects of the changes being made to Island Princess. I had posted these in the thread linked above but they're probably lost now somewhere in the middle of that 'conversation' going on over there...;)

 

 

Not shown is the way the library and card room on deck 8 have been butchered.

[dmwnc1959]

Not shown is the way the library and card room on deck 8 have been butchered.

 

 

Here ya go...;)

 

 

[dmwnc1959]

This certainly isn't a clear webcam image, but it shows her (left side of image) at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste...

 

 

May 6, 2015

[runnerodb83]

This certainly isn't a clear webcam image, but it shows her (left side of image) at the Fincantieri shipyard in Trieste...

 

 

May 6, 2015

 

2 more photos from the past week or two. One shows the transformation of the aft clearly.

 

https://sites.google.com/site/princesscruisesfaq/ships/fleet-drydock-schedule/islandprincessdrydock

[dmwnc1959]

2 more photos from the past week or two. One shows the transformation of the aft clearly.

 

https://sites.google.com/site/princesscruisesfaq/ships/fleet-drydock-schedule/islandprincessdrydock

 

 

Wow! That stern is going to be....interesting. :rolleyes:;)

 

I wonder with all of this build-up aft if she will have a new duck-tail?

 

:D

[runnerodb83]

i fear the worst The R and S class HAL ships were some of the best looking afloat in my opinion - and then they did terrible things to the stern of the Rotterdam and Veendam. Fortunately thats where they stopped.

 

Rotterdam - which attempted to fix the veendam's botched job

http://www.cruise-australia.net/HAL-R-Class-Rotterdam-stern.jpg

 

Veendam

http://images.cruisemates.com/cruise-ships/8/4/2/veendam_2009-09-10.jpg

 

Curious that the Veendam got the duck tail treatment and the Rotterdam didnt.

[sunsetbeachgal]

With all of the additions, no International Cafe'? Please tell me I am missing something...:confused:

 

And for those saying the additional 250 passengers won't create any problems for evening dining suggest strongly that you choose traditional dining, or my guess is your statement may prove to be incorrect!

Edited May 6, 2015 by sunsetbeachgal

[geoherb]

I agree. Some of the things they're changing won't affect me--such as the elimination of the Sanctuary pool since we could not use it. One of the reasons we like taking Princess cruises over HAL cruises is the variety of entertainment in the evening. Without the Universe Lounge, the Island and Coral will have a huge reduction in what can be offered. For instance, on our 2010 cruise on the Island, every night they usually had a production show in the theater, a comedian in the Universe Lounge, and the game show/nighttime trivias in Explorers Lounge, among other offerings.

[Nancyquilts]

It looks like they are leaving the library alone, which is great. :D That library has five or more times the number of books as are on the Star or Grand.

[Colo Cruiser]

2 more photos from the past week or two. One shows the transformation of the aft clearly.

 

https://sites.google.com/site/princesscruisesfaq/ships/fleet-drydock-schedule/islandprincessdrydock

 

 

 

That looks ridiculous from what I can see. :rolleyes:

[runnerodb83]

I agree. Some of the things they're changing won't affect me--such as the elimination of the Sanctuary pool since we could not use it. One of the reasons we like taking Princess cruises over HAL cruises is the variety of entertainment in the evening. Without the Universe Lounge, the Island and Coral will have a huge reduction in what can be offered. For instance, on our 2010 cruise on the Island, every night they usually had a production show in the theater, a comedian in the Universe Lounge, and the game show/nighttime trivias in Explorers Lounge, among other offerings.

 

The wheelhouse could be utilized better. It seems like it should be sized like the one on the grand/golden/star - downsized or at least partitioned.

[caribill]

It looks like they are leaving the library alone, which is great. :D That library has five or more times the number of books as are on the Star or Grand.

 

The library will be greatly reduced in size.

[OCruisers]

Where will Churchill's (cigar lounge) now be located? :confused:

 

LuLu

[caribill]

Where will Churchill's (cigar lounge) now be located? :confused:

 

 

Same place as before. It has not been moved.

[Colo Cruiser]

Where will Churchill's (cigar lounge) now be located? :confused:

 

LuLu

 

Its in a dedicated location.

[RLK33853]

Although we do enjoy the true Churchill Lounges on ships like the Grand (full bar setup), this is the best cigar lounge on any of the Princess ships. The location enables the entire wall to be glass so it gives you the impression you are outside and not stuck in a little, dark interior room.

[Colo Cruiser]

Although we do enjoy the true Churchill Lounges on ships like the Grand (full bar setup), this is the best cigar lounge on any of the Princess ships. The location enables the entire wall to be glass so it gives you the impression you are outside and not stuck in a little, dark interior room.

 

I agree, its a nice space. :)