Why are the Princess theaters so small?

[DougH]

On my recent TA on the Regal you had to arrive almost an hour before scheduled start times for the shows and even some of the lectures. For a couple of the big productions shows it was standing room only 1/2 hour before start time.

This was for the early shows

[hobbyfarmer2]

The Royal, Regal and Majestic have two floor theatres that seat about 950 people. The ships accommodate 3500+ passengers as well. We have found that the early show can fill up up quickly, especially in the Caribbean where excursions usually end early. Getting to the early show at least a half hour early has always resulted in seats for both of us. I have heard that the late show is nowhere near as crowded.

[Casey12]

Any ship that came out after the Caribbean Princess is the worst. No problems with the earlier ships.

[floridalover5623]

I 100% agree, I think this is a main cause. With Anytime dining more people want to attend the early show and the theatre fills up. If you go to the late show there is always open seats

From what I hear, what you say is very true but it just doesn't come close to fitting our eating schedule.

 

So it's just easier to eat earlier than normal & beat the crowds to everything.

[fishywood]

It is not so much the seating capacity but Princess all but abandoning both (1) showing a select number of shows three times; and (2) having additional entertainment in the second showlounge on most nights (game shows and theme parties do not count).

 

As example I will again drag out the entertainment schedule from my Coral Princess Panama Canal cruise in 2009. Yes ancient history but proves the point nicely:

 

SU 8:15 & 10:15 Welcome Aboard Show (Princess Theater)

MO 8:00 & 10:15, TU 8:00 "What a Swell Party" (PT)

MO 8:15 & 10:15, TU 8:15 Juggler Rick Novell (Universe Lounge)

TU 10:15, WE 8:00 & 10:15 Adrian Zmed in Concert (UL)

WE 8:15 & 10:15, TH 8:00 Comedian (sic) Kevin Hughes (PT)

TH 8:15 & 10:15, SU 8:15 Piano Entertainer Linda Gentille (UL)

FR 8:00, SA 8:00 & 10:15 "Motor City" (PT)

FR 8:15, SA 8:30 & 10:15 Hypnotist Erick Kand (UL)

FR 10:15 Classical Concert by the Ship's Musicians (UL)

SU 7:00 & 9:00, MO 10:15 Ventriloquist Willie Tyler & Lester (PT)

MO 8:15, TU 8:15 & 10:15 Magician Garry Carson (UL)

TU 8:00 & 10:15, WE 8:00 "All new show" :eek: by Kevin Hughes (PT)

WE 8:15 & 10:15, TH 10:15 "Tribute" (UL)

TH 8:00 & 10:15, FR 8:15 Comedian Lee Marvin Adams (PT/UL)

TH 8:15 Big Band Concert by the ship's musicians (UL)

FR 8:00 & 10;15, SA 7:00 "Dance" (PT)

 

Any gaps you spot were filled by first-run movies (this was a few months before MUTS was added to Coral).

 

While specific to Coral (and no longer workable on Island) any of the older or newer ships with Vista Lounge at the aft could easily accommodate this schedule. And the ships with the useless Club Fusion instead could have comedians and musicians in Explorer's Lounge--which I saw for several nights on Ruby in 2014. But nothing anyway near this schedule since. So blame the current uptick of crowding squarely on the lack of other options--especially with MUTS now limiting nighttime showings to the same couple of comic-book action flicks on a seemingly endless loop (don't get me started on that one...)

[BarbinMich]

We started cruising on Princess in 2005 and have done 2-3 cruises/year since. It was much better (at least for the pax, maybe not for the performers) for the first 10 years or so, when they did 3 shows/night in the theater. Sometimes we'd go to the first show (6 or so), then eat; at other times we'd go to the late one (10 or so). We also like to partake of the other nighttime activities and lounge shows. Can't do all that and have a leisurely meal in MDR. By P now offering only 2 shows in the theater, it's difficult to do all that. I was astounded to read the small capacity of the theaters. While I can understand not everyone wants to go to every show or maybe any show, it's amazing they offer a theater with <1,000 capacity for a ship carrying 3,000 or more pax. This theater entertainment has always been one of the highlights of our cruising as we never go to Vegas or other places with similar shows.

[neverbeenhere]

As it is not necessary to eat multiple (hint: skip dessert, IC is open)courses at dinner, we find that getting to shows is not an issue. For very popular shows Princess will sometimes run three presentations during an evening.

 

I think the size is perfect, less wasted space on the ships.

[peety3]

Amongst other comments about revenue, etc., Princess most likely calculates the theater size based on the muster needs for the ship. Some ships only use facilities on the promenade deck for muster, others also use facilities one deck lower. Nonetheless, they need to have sufficient capacity for muster, and I suspect the theater isn't any larger than what's needed for muster when balanced with the other resources on that deck.

[LongtimecruiserfromCA]

Theaters are small because they don't make money in them.

[nukesubsailor]

Some seem to think that the ships' theaters should be large enough to seat all passengers. Remember that the Princess theaters do not charge you extra for a seat. No theater I have ever been in on land was large enough to seat the entire city population and those theaters charge you to sit there and charge you for food and drinks.

[Coral]

Some seem to think that the ships' theaters should be large enough to seat all passengers. Remember that the Princess theaters do not charge you extra for a seat. No theater I have ever been in on land was large enough to seat the entire city population and those theaters charge you to sit there and charge you for food and drinks.

 

They don't charge you extra, but they are also not doing the quality of shows that the ones charging are providing (Chicago, Mama Mia, etc...) . On their older ships, there was never an issue with having to show up 45 minutes ahead. There should be a compromise somewhere, when ships get larger, they allow for more audience show space (plus dining space).

[BarbinMich]

Some seem to think that the ships' theaters should be large enough to seat all passengers. Remember that the Princess theaters do not charge you extra for a seat. No theater I have ever been in on land was large enough to seat the entire city population and those theaters charge you to sit there and charge you for food and drinks.

 

I don't think that, but they should be large enough to seat those pax who are interested and they rarely are. There often is standing room only and/or people sitting in the side aisles on the ships pre-Royal-class.

[floridalover5623]

Some seem to think that the ships' theaters should be large enough to seat all passengers. Remember that the Princess theaters do not charge you extra for a seat. No theater I have ever been in on land was large enough to seat the entire city population and those theaters charge you to sit there and charge you for food and drinks.

At least on Princess you can bring you own food & drinks if you choose. :D

[rockdoctor]

On our last cruise on the Crown, we sat IN the isle. Other stood where ever they could. No one told us to move. It was madness.

[moki'smommy]

The theater is not a "money generating" space beyond the cost of the cruise fare. Thus, it is likely not the highest priority space when designing ships. When re-designing and adding more cabins, the ratio of seats in the theater to potential persons on board worsens. Combine that with the lack of sufficient numbers of showings as well as other scheduled activities in other venues and you have a problem.

 

To make a theater that seats half of the prospective cruisers uses a lot more space on the ship than the current designs which seat approximately 1/3. Casinos, shops, bars, the sanctuary, and the spa generate money on top of the cruise fare price. Thus, these are highly regarded spaces in the offices of the bean counters. Money generating venues get space. The Sanctuary would be enlarged before the theatre would!

 

Do you decide to not cruise on Princess because you may not get a theater seat? Probably not. And if you don't get a seat, you might even go to a bar and generate revenue...or you might return to your room and not spend anything. If an advance purchase seat became a "thing," you might see more attention to the theatre size and design....even if it were as little as $5 for an advance seat and any available seats were no charge for "stand by" passengers. No, I'm not advocating this change, but it would change the way Princess views theater size.

[voljeep]

of all the shows/productions we've seen on Princess, I would only go back to see 1.

 

On The Bayou...when on the Island before the reno...

 

Now to qualify that, we haven't seen them all - but rarely go to the PT now...except for maybe a second seating comedian...

[RDC1]

A number of people here say that they do not go to the shows, no reason to assume that the numbers are much different for non-CC passengers.

 

Why would the cruise line expand the theater when they do two shows and both are not filled to capacity. The early show is usually full, but often the late show is not. If they wanted to be able to deal with designing to every ones choice (which on Princess tends to be eat early and see the early show) they would need to double the size of both dining and the theater. Not a likely outcome.

 

Now they could do like other lines and start charging for some shows, that would certainly cut down on attendance, or require reservations or reserve some seats for suites, or use any number of other techniques that are in use. I doubt that it would cut down on the complaints, only change them.

[IECalCruiser]

Attendance does vary by itinerary. In the Med a few years ago on the Regal there was little problem getting good seats for the first show even 15 minutes before.

 

 

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[Kingofcool1947]

Not only are they small but unsafe.....every Princess ship we have been on you have to get there very early (at least 45 minutes early) to get a seat and just waste time. Also, there is almost never any Princess staff in there to prevent trouble over saving seats and then they let people sit on the stairs in the aisles which makes it difficult to navigate....one of the few faults we find with Princess....:cool:

 

And, also having to deal with “chair hogs’. I’ve seen those kind of selfish PAXs save 6-8 seats. What are you going to say or do with those kind of PAXs? Even when the pre-show announcer says “no reserving of seats’”.

Drives me crazy.

King

Edited June 12, 2018 by Kingofcool1947

[Bill B]

Theaters are small because they don't make money in them.

 

If they were allowed to, they'd get rid of the lifeboats and replace them with revenue-generating space. :rolleyes:

[Kingofcool1947]

:mad: And how about those kind of PAXs “chair hogs”

who reserve 8-10 seats in a row. Even when the pre-show announcer says ‘no reserving of seats”.

What you going to do or say to those kind of PAXs?

Drives me crazy. Especially when we get there early to get good seats and find they are “reserved” by chair hogs.

King

Edited June 12, 2018 by Kingofcool1947

[neverbeenhere]

:evilsmile:As the King of Cool take a hint from the Prince of Darkness. Sit down in the “Reserved” seats, be sure to thank your hosts. It was quite nice of them to save you a seat. :halo:

[Kingofcool1947]

:evilsmile:As the King of Cool take a hint from the Prince of Darkness. Sit down in the “Reserved” seats, be sure to thank your hosts. It was quite nice of them to save you a seat. :halo:

 

 

;) I’ll have to give that a try next time.!:evilsmile:

King

[BarbinMich]

A lot of folks have brought up the concept that the theater isn't a "money generating" space, making the question of having it larger unattractive or "not worth it" to Princess. They do peddle drinks there in the evening, just as in the lounges, so that's some income. And, speaking of the lounges, they're generally undersized, at times, as well (e.g. comic, magician, etc. in Explorers) so standing is frequently necessary for many shows. Vista probably only "makes money" when it hosts Bingo and the Art Auctions, but it seems to be large enough for those and its other activities. Obviously, the most important use of the theater (and the lounges) is as a muster station, and, heaven forbid, a real need to evacuate the ship, so I assume the theater is primarily sized based on that need.

[moki'smommy]

And, also having to deal with “chair hogs’. I’ve seen those kind of selfish PAXs save 6-8 seats. What are you going to say or do with those kind of PAXs? Even when the pre-show announcer says “no reserving of seats’”.

Drives me crazy.

King

Does it say anything in the Patter about saving seats? On another line where it does, I take a seat. If the person says anything, I suggest that HE get a staff person and explain why he is permitted to violate the written policy. One night I did this to a single person saving 13 seats! I told him that his group needed to get their act together, not send him as the errand boy.

 

But I'm not a nice person.