New Ship Info to Share

[Shifra]

On my recent Crown cruise, CD Ron Goodman came to our CC meeting. I asked him if he had any inside information on the new ships he could share with us. He first mentioned everything that we have already heard, size, pax cap, etc. then to my surprise he said a few things I haven't heard yet.

 

He told us that Skywalkers lounge is being retired! :eek: One by one it will be removed from all the ships, with the Grand being the first. I asked him about the new ships and the outside wrap around promenade and was told they definately will have them on the new ships. Unfortunately he didn't stay long enough for me to ask for more.......

 

I have been contemplating the demise of Skywalkers and what would replace it.....any thoughts?

[satxdiver]

I love skywalkers and will miss it on the next cruise. I hope they don't take it away. It is my favorite night spot.

[Rob & Beckys mom]

Skywalkers is where many of the platinum/elite cocktail hours were held, and there were never more than a handfull of people there & we went every night. Sad! But, I can see why they are taking them out...wasted space...time marches on etc etc lol! Dang.

 

Jan

[Pam in CA]

I'd be very disappointed to see Skywalkers removed. It's a wonderful place to go for sailaway and for just hanging out during a sea day. There's no where else on the ship with such panoramic views.

[Shifra]

Maybe it will be replaced by a totally different themed lounge without changing the views. At least I hope so.

[Red Hat Cruise Cat]

Maybe they will put the casino up there and everyone can stop complaining about the smoke

[jennifers490]

do you mean the elite lounge at skywalkers would be removed (which is always dead) or the disco altogether? if they take out the disco i am leaving princess, i need some nightlife on a cruise without having to go to carnival or rcl and it really is the perfect venue for it so far away from disturbing cabins. i had actually heard they were thinking of removing club (con)fusion from ships somewhere. i wish i had read this earlier as i saw ron in skywalkers every night on the cruise i was just on. would love to have gotten some clarification.

[DanJ]

I would be shocked if they actually removed the physical structure of Skywalkers from existing ships. Future ships sure, but I can't see the financial benefit of doing that to current ships. Maybe they are thinking of converting the space to suites, and converting the aft lounge (Vista, or Club Fusion, depending on which ship) into the new disco space.

[RickEk]

I would be shocked if they actually removed the physical structure of Skywalkers from existing ships. Future ships sure, but I can't see the financial benefit of doing that to current ships. Maybe they are thinking of converting the space to suites, and converting the aft lounge (Vista, or Club Fusion, depending on which ship) into the new disco space.

 

I too would be very surprised if they went to the expense of actually removing Skywalkers from existing ships. First off, it'd be hellishly expensive and I would think it would alter the balance of the ship... I'll have to run this one by my friends at Princess...

 

To me, it sounds like Goodman was pulling the OP's leg to see if the "inside info" would appear here on the CC board...

[cdamion]

I'd be very disappointed to see Skywalkers removed. It's a wonderful place to go for sailaway and for just hanging out during a sea day. There's no where else on the ship with such panoramic views.

 

Perhaps they will create a lounge towards the front of the ship to have those views like most HAL ships do.

[Shifra]

 

To me, it sounds like Goodman was pulling the OP's leg to see if the "inside info" would appear here on the CC board...

 

That thought did occur to me. That is why I waited a week before I decided to post this. I would consider what Ron goodman said was true because he said it in front of about 22 CCers. I would think that would be pulling too many legs and I don't beileve he would want to be responsible for starting a rumor. It will be fun waiting for more information.

[Infi]

Thanks for sharing this info. I, too, would be surprised if Princess removed Skywalkers from their existing ships: a, it's one of their signature designs, and b, the cost of removing it wouldn't be worth it in the long run. I think it'd be great to replace Skywalkers on the newbuilds with a forward facing observation lounge/disco instead. It's one of the features I miss most on Princess ships.

[Pia1913]

Maybe they will put the casino up there and everyone can stop complaining about the smoke

 

You mean like the old Crown and Regal? Uh uh..........casino up top a complete bust.

 

And BTW, just off the Sapphire and Skywalkers was so crowded every night between 5:30 and 7:30 that you actually had to hunt for a seat. Small groups had to get up there very early in order to sit together.

[jennifers490]

That thought did occur to me. That is why I waited a week before I decided to post this. I would consider what Ron goodman said was true because he said it in front of about 22 CCers. I would think that would be pulling too many legs and I don't beileve he would want to be responsible for starting a rumor. It will be fun waiting for more information.

 

i sat next to him at the most traveled lunch and he said he had never heard of cruise critic when i asked. funny how he says this even after attending your meeting, so i am not sure if he was pulling your leg or just had things a little mixed up-or maybe he was pulling my leg :) he really doesn't seem like the sarcastic joking type though

[ONT-CA]

How about a conversion into Ultra Suites? Now that's what one can call a Penthouse! What a view!

[Pam in CA]

I wonder if he meant that Skywalkers was being redesigned and re-purposed? It would take a very long dry dock to physically remove it but maybe they are thinking of creating something else up there and re-naming it?

[Cruzer Two]

I wonder if he meant that Skywalkers was being redesigned and re-purposed? It would take a very long dry dock to physically remove it but maybe they are thinking of creating something else up there and re-naming it?

 

Hey Pam,

 

How was your Ultimate Africa OAT safari? Would love to hear all of the details sometime.

 

I can't really believe your next cruise is not until the spring of 2012. You must not have updated your cc signature lately.

 

My bet is that Skywalkers will be redesigned and re-purposed into another revenue producing venue - no way Princess is going to the expense of removing that area of the ship. The trend is toward more and more revenue producing areas on the ships. Look for another themed restaurant with a surcharge.

 

Marry Christmas,

Ron

[Pam in CA]

How was your Ultimate Africa OAT safari? Would love to hear all of the details sometime.

 

I can't really believe your next cruise is not until the spring of 2012. You must not have updated your cc signature lately.

Errr... Ron, you have your glasses on? :) I have three cruises booked for this year, the OAT safari next October (do you and Carol want to come with Pat and me?), and the re-positioning cruise in March 2012. Love to Carol and a Merry Christmas. {{{ Hugs }}}

[Cruzer Two]

Errr... Ron, you have your glasses on? :) I have three cruises booked for this year, the OAT safari next October (do you and Carol want to come with Pat and me?), and the re-positioning cruise in March 2012. Love to Carol and a Merry Christmas. {{{ Hugs }}}

 

Ops, I guess I do need new glasses! I didn't see all of the cruises in 2011 and I misread the date for the safari. It must be the glasses - can't be the age.

 

Yea, Carol and I would love to do the safari with you and Pat. I'll have to give it a look.

 

Ron

[Pam in CA]

Yea, Carol and I would love to do the safari with you and Pat. I'll have to give it a look.

That would be awesome if you decide to go. We're doing the pre-safari to Kruger National Park as well.

[IECalCruiser]

If the changes are starting with the Grand then we should know in less than six months when she emerges from drydock on May 5.

[lovevacadays]

I'd be very disappointed to see Skywalkers removed. It's a wonderful place to go for sailaway and for just hanging out during a sea day. There's no where else on the ship with such panoramic views.

 

My thoughts exactly!

[5:00_Somewhere]

I wonder if he meant that Skywalkers was being redesigned and re-purposed? It would take a very long dry dock to physically remove it but maybe they are thinking of creating something else up there and re-naming it?

 

That was my first thought, as well. I can't imagine them "amputating" Skywalkers from the Grand Class ships. That would seem unnecessarily costly and wasteful. Suites are an interesting idea, but I somehow doubt there are many people would would enjoy the exaggerated rocking up there. ;) Maybe it'll be used as the platform for a new Zip Lining feature, with a rock climbing wall installed on the struts leading up to Skywalkers, and maybe they could even use it as a launch point for Parasailing ... OOOOO and the ice skating rink can go on top. :p

 

Will be interesting to see, whatever they might try. We're on the Crown in less than 2 weeks, and I'll see if I can get any more info from Mr. Goodman. :D

[Pia1913]

If the changes are starting with the Grand then we should know in less than six months when she emerges from drydock on May 5.

 

And since I'm boarding on May 5th and will be doing a LIVE, you'll get whatever info you want/need (or not) up close and personal.

[RickEk]

Well, I received confirmation today that Princess does intend to re-purpose the Skywalkers venues on the Grand-class ships. The physical structure will remain, but will be used for something else. What that something else may be was still a mystery for my contact at Princess, but that particular nightclub will be a thing of the past. Apparently this is an idea that has been floating around Princess for awhile, but they have finally decided to actually do it.

 

I guess I can see their point... the space really isn't used until the evening (yes, I know a lot of folks here go there during the day for a quiet room with a great view as do I), so maybe they want to drive more traffic there at all hours. We'll see.... hopefully they won't make it an added cost venue.

 

Oh, and the Grand Princess was chosen for the first "remodeling" because she's the lead ship of her class. I'm sure they'll see how, whatever they have planned, pans out before changing other ships.