Is P&O copying HAL? Or is HAL copying P&O?

[InTheWASide]

Here's what I mean... And first, please keep in mind that yes I know the backstory on how the P&O Arcadia WAS going to be the Queen Victoria and that before that the ship was going to be a 5th HAL Vista Class (which likely would have been named a different class and not given the compass point names... that's a different thread...

 

P&O Arcadia just had it's aft area extended (like Westerdam, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam)

 

P&O Arcadia removed their internet center... (Just like Westerdam, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam)

 

...in order to make a movie theater area...(this is true of Zuiderdam, and due to it also being on Eurodam I would imagine Oosterdam will get this treatment)

 

...and named it the "Screening Room" (like Zuiderdam and Eurodam and due to trends, likely Oosterdam as well)

 

P&O also has relaxation areas onboard some if not all of their ships which they have named "Retreat" or "The Retreat"

 

They've also on Arcadia as it shares similarities with Eurodam as well made the Silk Den/Tamarind area an Asian Themed bar and restaurant called "The Orchid Restaurant" and "The Orchid Bar"

 

The aft is stacked as tightly as Eurodam as per their own graphics (see attached)

 

The Crow's Nest (on HAL) is called the Crow's Nest (on P&O)... and has a seperate cigar area just off of it on the Starboard side (yes they are being phased out on HAL, but still)

 

The Lido Deck still goes by Lido Deck (I know this word isn't exclusive to HAL, and if the only similarity would be a stretch)

 

There are then of course things that are structurally the same, such as the walkaround Promenade, the fact they both have a large lounge that is central (The Queen's Lounge/Globe) and they both have the disco area (which even has identical benches) in both, the 3 deck atrium and other things that would come naturally with that shell...

 

But seriously... doesn't this seem to be a little more in common than usual? Had anyone else noticed this?

[InTheWASide]

I should also mention that I GET the fact that both are Carnival Corp... that doesn't mean that they need to be SO similar...

[mariner]

They're both following Princess. Mickey loves Princess. Look at what Princess is doing and the all follow except, strangley, Carnival.

[brucory]

It must be a conspiracy...

 

:D:D:D

[InTheWASide]

Oh whatever... but it's pretty strange... no?

[Elaine0138]

Not strange at all, the bods at CC have a one plan fits all mentallity. Plus it saves time and money on design and development. P&O's Ventura is the same as Ruby Princess and her sisters.

[DFD1]

All of the lines Carnival Corp. owns are adapting the same basic hardware model for the future. Saves tons of money.

 

The differences between the various brands will be in the nuances and the "Personality details"

 

Homoginization on a grand scale.

 

IMO, as always.

[GeriatricNurse]

Here's what I mean... And first, please keep in mind that yes I know the backstory on how the P&O Arcadia WAS going to be the Queen Victoria and that before that the ship was going to be a 5th HAL Vista Class (which likely would have been named a different class and not given the compass point names... that's a different thread...

 

P&O Arcadia just had it's aft area extended (like Westerdam, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam)

 

P&O Arcadia removed their internet center... (Just like Westerdam, Zuiderdam and Oosterdam)

 

...in order to make a movie theater area...(this is true of Zuiderdam, and due to it also being on Eurodam I would imagine Oosterdam will get this treatment)

 

...and named it the "Screening Room" (like Zuiderdam and Eurodam and due to trends, likely Oosterdam as well)

 

P&O also has relaxation areas onboard some if not all of their ships which they have named "Retreat" or "The Retreat"

 

They've also on Arcadia as it shares similarities with Eurodam as well made the Silk Den/Tamarind area an Asian Themed bar and restaurant called "The Orchid Restaurant" and "The Orchid Bar"

 

The aft is stacked as tightly as Eurodam as per their own graphics (see attached)

 

The Crow's Nest (on HAL) is called the Crow's Nest (on P&O)... and has a seperate cigar area just off of it on the Starboard side (yes they are being phased out on HAL, but still)

 

The Lido Deck still goes by Lido Deck (I know this word isn't exclusive to HAL, and if the only similarity would be a stretch)

 

There are then of course things that are structurally the same, such as the walkaround Promenade, the fact they both have a large lounge that is central (The Queen's Lounge/Globe) and they both have the disco area (which even has identical benches) in both, the 3 deck atrium and other things that would come naturally with that shell...

 

But seriously... doesn't this seem to be a little more in common than usual? Had anyone else noticed this?

 

 

The "Screening Room" on the Eurodam has ONLY 36 seats!!!

Way too few! There were many folding chairs being set up for each movie being shown!

[Jade13]

Carnival Corp. - Why would anyone be surprised.

[Luv4dacruise]

I should also mention that I GET the fact that both are Carnival Corp... that doesn't mean that they need to be SO similar...

 

There's your answer right there. It is far more cost effective to use a hull design that you already have when building a new ship. The same hull was used for the Carnivals Spirit Class as well.

 

Why do you think Princess has so many of the Grand Class (yes i realize they have evolved somewhat from the original, but all are the same hull).

 

RCI came out with the Freedom Class, its the same hull as the Voyager Class, just longer,

 

It all comes down to money.

 

Carnival Corp though, IMHO, abuses this rule to an extreme.

 

But at the same time, they are the most popular/powerful cruise line on the planet, so they know what they are doing.

[jhannah]

Homoginization on a grand scale.

Exactly. This has been going on for some time. We've all seen it, especially as it relates to HAL morphing into something different than it used to be. I don't believe trying to be "just like you" is going to encourage loyalty. Attempting to be all things to all people is simply a watering down of what's there. In HAL's case, this means that when another brand offers the same basic ship and itinerary for hundreds of dollars less ... well, you get the point.

[RedmondCruiser]

Several years ago Carnival came up with the idea of ships that had a basic design that could be altered into another brand without a total redesign. This is a good example of how the concept is utilized. Building similar designed ships can save considerable amounts of money for the line.

[InTheWASide]

I understand about basic hull models and how cruise lines have to pay out the *ahem* to design something new from the ground up...

 

My comments are mostly related to how identical 2 ships that share a deck plan but that's it are to each other.... Down to the transformations and NAMES of the public rooms.

 

Make both internet cafes into a theater? FINE. Name one the "Screening Room" and the other "The Cinema at Sea" or something...

 

If Ruby Princess has an Italian restaurant in the location of Sabbatini's, give Ventura an Indian restaurant, or a Pub with various stews and pies and fish and chips... A restaurant likely has to remain a restaurant... But I doubt Ventura has an Italian place called Sabatini's at the same place Princess has an Italian place called Sabatini;s...

 

 

That's what I'm having a hard time grasping...

[jimneycrkit]

Actually most of these different restaurants , retreat areas and such are on the QM2 Cunard also. They have a retreat and spa, and English pub, movie theatre/conservatory, Asian restaurant[which is greatBTW} Italian on some nights restaurant Todd English fancy restaurant. In fact when someone was talking about the HAL ships putting in a champagne bar I immediately thought of the QM2. Also a martini bar. The prices BTW are the same in these bars as the rest of the ship. Seems to me they are copying Cunard with these changes more than Princess as they are more upscale than Princess. Maybe they are just trying to get people to try all the lines.Now if they started to do more lectures other than shopping ones I would be a happy camper. Its one of the things I love about Cunard and Crystal. Like to learn something while traveling instead of where to get tanzanite LOL

[InTheWASide]

Well, the scary thing about "The Mix" is this:

 

HAL is actually copying NCL best I can figure.

 

Not familiar enough with their ships to know how many have it this way, but... On the Norwegian Gem...

 

Just off the Casino (sound familiar?) they have (all in a row):

- A beer/malt liquor bar

- A martini bar

- A champagne bar

 

None are trademarked ideas, but all three flowing together like that... Hmm.... :confused:

[DFD1]

I'll get worried when HAL stops providing the superb staff and crew for which they have become known.

 

That's the one thing that still sits them apart from the others. Thus far, the other cruise lines have not been able to copy that model very well, in my opinion.

 

As for the ships, sad to say, they are likely to get larger, at least until a business slowdown indicates they've "gone about as far as they can go".