Private Cabana

[StanandJim]

Seapoint-

 

I'm afraid you're bucking a trend that's here to stay:

 

 

HOLLAND AMERICA LINE will charge between $30 and $75 per day for use of private cabanas on the 2,014-passenger Eurodam, the line's first Signature-class ship, slated to debut in July. The ship will feature private tented cabanas on two decks: the Observation Deck in an area called the Retreat, and around the midship pool on the Lido Deck. Cabanas will be furnished with woven chaises, ottomans and upholstered settees and will be stocked with bathrobes, towels, handheld fans, an Evian spray mister and iPods preloaded with music. Chilled water and iced fruit skewers will be available to cabana guests in the morning, and in the afternoon they will get frozen grapes, chocolate-covered strawberries and a glass of champagne. The Retreat, a quiet, spa-themed outdoor area, will have 14 cabanas that will cost $45 on port days and $75 on sea days, while the eight Lido Deck cabanas will go for $30 on port days and $50 on sea days.

 

 

 

Princess Cruises: "The Sanctuary" - will be added to the entire fleet of Princess ships.

The perfect place to take a break or indulge in a private getaway with a plush, outdoor spa-inspired setting, complete with massage cabanas, signature beverages, light meals, attentive service and relaxing entertainment. Special "Serenity Stewards"serve in The Sanctuary, and provide everything from a chilled face towel to Evian water atomizers. Each Sanctuary will feature private cabanas.

 

Please, forgive us if we sound pleased......this is the first cruise ship "trend" that we've approved of in YEARS!

 

And, if you think about it, there are worse things that could happen to a the upper decks than having Cabanas on them...

LOL, isn't that ridiculous? With dancing water fountains yet!

[Gail C]

Jana, thank you so much. Are they as beautiful as pictured? Also, do you know what year they did the refurb? Would appreciate any of your thoughts on the Regatta or the OS.

[Jana]

Hi Gail,

 

The Regatta was refurbished just about a year ago, and they probably ARE just as beautiful as they seem in the photos. I don't know since it's been nearly five years since I've been on Regatta, and I certainly didn't stay in the OS!

 

I'm sure that there are others who can answer your question.

 

Jana

[digby]

Digby, could you direct me to a site where I have find actual photos of the OS cabins. All I seem to get are video tours or floorplans. Any opinions on those cabins would really be helpful too.

Thanks

Gail

 

I don't know of any actual web sites. The "O" brochure has some OS pictures which give a good idea of what to expect. It is a wonderful space!

[Gail C]

Thanks Digby, I ordered it a few days ago.

[susiesan]

I am very impressed with the overall Oceania experience, with the notable exception of these stupid cabanas! For the sake of a few dollars of revenue Oceania has created a virtual two-class system, depriving over 98% of their paying passengers of very limited forward facing open deck space. I hate feeling like an illegal intruder every time I try to take a peak forward! Will one of the cabana butlers lead me away in cuffs??

 

This is nickel and diming on steroids, and totally out of place on a deluxe line like Oceania. Its time they were thrown overboard.

 

Seapoint:

Move on over to Azamara. Same ships, no cabanas. I did for a Panama Canal cruise this past March, and have just booked my second AZ cruise for next April in the Med. I could have booked an almost identical itinerary on O but didn't for 2 reasons: price (AZ is much cheaper) and those pesky cabanas. I enjoyed my one O cruise but will stick with AZ for now until O gets their prices down and removes the cabanas.

[spindrift]

Susiesan, we have a couple more booked on Oceania, but topside forward on these isn't significant. We, however, have booked the Prisendam for the Amazon and Island Princess (for our family to accompany us) for the Panama Canal (our 7th time). I would have booked O, but I wanted them to be able to enjoy the transit topside forward.

 

Yes, I have been very outspoken about the "tents," but w/O, it seems they are here to stay. Haven't tried A yet as we weren't really a Celebrity person, but everyone is telling us to do so. We love the small ships.

 

Thanks for your info.

[Seapoint]

StanandJim,

 

I think you are right, and we will see more and more revenue centers in unexpected places.

 

However, there is a difference between losing the only top deck forward facing space on a deluxe 30,000 ton ship, and the Sanctuary on a standard 116,000 ton Princess ship. Its less surprising to have to pay for extras on a more mass oriented line.

 

We sailed on the Emerald Princess in December. On that ship the Sanctuary was a necessity, as the main pool area, which is tiny for such a large ship, has blaring music, while the second pool has blaring movies. The very small aft pool has minimal shade. The Sanctuary was very well done with attentive staff. Its also near the spa pool which has a current.

 

The two big negatives are firstly the wind. As its at the top of the ship facing forward, with a canvas shade and openings in the windows for ventilation, the progress of the ship is enough to generate terrific, howling wind. Hardly tranquil! It also tended to be stifling in port.

 

The second problem is that it only has about 48 (?) loungers. Quite reasonably, these are booked each day on a first come basis. Booking opens at 7 am. The issue is that there are thousands of passengers. By the end of the cruise, one had to be in line by 6 am!! to have any hope of securing a lounger. I got there one day at 6.30 am and was not able to get a lounger that day. On the last day, the person who was first in line told me he got there at 5 am. This is hardly conducive to a relaxing vacation experience

 

So yes, you are right. Princess and HAL are expanding these programs. That is no reason for a deluxe line like Oceania to do the same.

[StanandJim]

Seapoint,

 

It is interesting, though, that Oceania, HAL and Princess have all chosen to place their Cabanas on the topmost deck, forward.

Don't let Carnival catch you implying that HAL and Princess aren't deluxe, by the way, they might do you a mischief!

 

We agree that getting "up and out" to snag a lounger does not make for a desireable vacation experience......which is why we so loved having a cabana at our disposal, whenever we wanted it.

 

Sad to say, we've learned that the older more educated passengers that O attracts, who are such delightful company over a martini, turn into unapologetic lounge-hogs as the mercury rises.......and don't get us started on sea days around the pool!

 

((Sigh)) As you go back to the old Union Castle days, we know that you'll remember similar disputes about private bathrooms for every cabin, and then air conditioning.

 

Interestingly, the debate about private verandahs, which was very similar to your complaints about the private cabana's, is simply a non issue today.

 

Which is why, as John Maxton Graham says, "The verandahs extend, leavenworth like, along the flanks of every modern cruise liner".

Happily, it does appear as if the Oceania newbuild will have an open forward deck, as well as Cabana's, so, we may be able to peacefully coexist as early as 2010! Hope to see you aboard !

[spindrift]

StanandJim, Love that "possibility" of BOTH--open deck forward and cabanas for those who chose to have them--then we are all satisfied. Can't wait to see the new ship. Really do love O, except...... (never mind. :o )

[StanandJim]

Seapoint-

 

In case you're interested in reliving a part of your glorious cruising past:

 

http://cgi.ebay.com/AFRICA-EUROPA-Lloyd-Triestino-Brochure_W0QQitemZ150192325457QQihZ005QQcategoryZ14053QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp1742.m153.l1262

 

They were lovely little liners!

[Seapoint]

Stanandjim

 

Thanks. The Africa and Europa were 11,000 tons,(about the size of a lifeboat on QM2), relatively fast , modern and unlike their Union Castle contempories, fully air conditioned:)

 

Also, returning to topic, no cabanas up front!

[kathy16]

We're booked on NZ/SYD cruise for Jan 2009. Any use for cabana on that itinerary?

[ClaudiaF]

Those cabanas should be ripped out & more lounge area created. They are a waste & yes they are $50 & $100. Stupid:rolleyes:

 

Well, I think the casino should be revamped and a craps table added..think how much "revenue" the ship can make with that... :rolleyes: