eroller

I mentioned I would post an update should I hear anything. AQV employees were advised today that this date (Feb 20) would be their last day. The company will cease operations effective today. We knew this was coming but just didn’t know the exact date. It should be in all the traditional cruise news outlets tomorrow.

Food is always subjective. Rarely will two people agree on the exact same meal.

If it’s new build 3,4,5,6, etc in an established series, yes for the most part cruises can begin days after delivery. The yard, crew, and cruise line new build team have experience with the ship, its design, and all the technical and hotel aspects of the vessel. If it’s the first of a new prototype design, built at a shipyard that has never built that technology before (true of LNG and Fincantieri), then you absolutely build in a substantial buffer after the delivery date. You run shakedown cruises and get everything up to speed. This is what a smart cruise line would do. The delivery date is established well in advance, so the buffer and first cruises can be scheduled accordingly. If delays happen, which is often the case, then it’s usually known well in advance and everything can be pushed back accordingly. Yes people will be disappointed but they won’t be finding out days before a sailing and already enroute to the embarkation port. If a last minute issue arises, then the buffer is there to absorb it. Princess failed on this one for not being proactive and planning as they should have, and also in their communication. Two fails.

I totally agree it’s very risky booking a brand new ship on the first couple cruises. This being said it’s pretty rare to have not one, but two cruises canceled, and both only days prior to departure. That is what makes this so unusual. Plus the very vague statements from Princess that say nothing. Normally the cruise line is well aware of delays months in advance. They have an entire team at the shipyard overseeing the progress and reporting back to head office. Normally if they have to cancel cruises it’s not so last minute.

I would agree, although post-COVID the Caribbean market has been a very high performer. I think one reason we are seeing more year round ships there. Hopefully it will be a non-issue and nothing will have to repositioned. I truly think SP will sail as scheduled this “3rd” maiden voyage. lol. It’s the time they needed which should have been scheduled from the get go.

Waiting a couple weeks after delivery to start revenue cruises doesn’t mean they can’t sell the cabins years in advance. Just pick a start date 2-3 weeks after the scheduled delivery day It’s just adding some cushion time to ensure the ship is ready for paying pax. It’s actually quite common and the prudent thing to do, especially with a prototype ship.

My advice is to hold off. The sources are pretty reliable. You might hear something more tomorrow. If I see anything confirmed via the usual cruise news outlets I’ll be sure to post it.

It’s a good point. February in Europe is a horrible time to bring out a new ship. Not many want to sail the Med in the dead of winter. In fact I saw airline interline rates being offered on several of the first SUN sailings at heavily discounted pricing. Kind of crazy to see that for a brand new ship. It would have been the perfect opportunity for Princess to take delivery of the ship and test it out with shake down cruises for a few weeks. Make sure everything is up to speed before the first paying guests embark.

BS excuses.

All true, which is why you build in a substantial buffer before beginning revenue cruises. Especially for a first in class prototype ship. Exactly what Royal did with ICON, a far more complex ship than SUN PRINCESS. A flawless introduction. She had over a month of industry and employee shakedown cruises to get up to speed. Yes there were some issues as with any new ship, but lots of time to address them before the first paying pax stepped foot onboard. That is the way you bring out a new ship. Why you would ever schedule revenue cruises directly after taking delivery of the ship is beyond me. Very poor planning on the part of Princess Cruises resulting in two last minute cancellations. It could have all been avoided with better advanced planning. Interesting all the apologists making excuses for Princess. They screwed up plain and simple. I give them credit where credit is due and I’m Elite status with the line so obviously I’ve enjoyed many cruises on Princess, but I also don’t hesitate to call out the mistakes. I’m no cheerleader.

I think it’s beyond monetary compensation. Open and honest communication in a timely manner I’m sure would be appreciated. Transparency goes a long way. Being purposeful vague creates speculation and a loss of credibility.

Yes I absolutely believe there is truth to this. Damage control. Isolate it to a relatively small group and make no mention of it otherwise, like it doesn’t exist.

Right. Well at least someone is enjoying the new ship. 😜

Taking delivery of SUN PRINCESS.

Deception? From Princess Cruises? NEVER!

Based on that rationale all the crew should have been disembarked recently for this second cancellation, yet I’ve read nothing of the sort.

I completely agree. The Compass Rose is exceptional. What impresses me the most is the menu. So extensive. It’s even dated which is unheard of anymore. Back in the day (30-40 years ago) menus were dated on all the cruise lines. No more. Everything is standardized. Beyond the menu, pretty much every meal in CR was fantastic. Very impressive. For me it’s one aspect that propelled Regent beyond Oceania in the cuisine department.

I confess … I did check for availability on the sailing. It’s not even showing up.

Or you may cruise again but not Princess. The experience may have put you off them.

Well of course you get a full refund. No services were provided. The future cruise credit is fine if you plan to cruise again. Worthless if you don’t. Companies love giving credits as very often they go unused.

SUN PRINCESS is duel fuel capable. Meaning she can run on LNG or the much cheaper HFO (heavy fuel oil). HFO is more toxic to the air environment and there are certain sensitive regions where it can’t be burned. I’m guessing SUN PRINCESS will use LNG close to shore and in sensitive regions, then switch to HFO in the open seas. I’m guessing she also has scrubbers, which is a system that uses water to filter the exhaust fumes in the funnel. That water (sludge) is then collected in tanks to be disposed of ashore or in some cases pumped overboard (closed loop or open loop).

I would too. I would just prefer Princess be straightforward and transparent about what is happening. They have handled this debacle very poorly, showing little respect for their “valued” guests.

They should have never been scheduled to begin with. It’s a new prototype ship. You don’t schedule revenue cruises right after delivery. You have a shakedown period for the crew and ship to get up to speed. This is exactly what Royal Caribbean did with ICON and it was a flawless introduction. Also the best PR I’ve ever seen for a new ship. Royal did it the right way.

They have finally made a public announcement. Hopefully that means they are confident the next scheduled sailing will actually happen. Interesting they acknowledge only one cruise being canceled. Again not being transparent.

I totally agree. By being purposely vague they open themselves up to all sorts of speculation. Not a good thing but they brought it on themselves. Give your customers some credit. They can handle the truth and I think most would welcome it. Being transparent and forthcoming is almost always the best policy. For me at least it garners respect.