Ship construction while on board!

[MattOsprey]

Really? Just today they booked our M & G there for May. I thought the Grand was going to be redone to look like the Golden, which has a Skywalkers.

Skywalkers will be a thing of the past.

The Captain said in October that he was losing his shopping cart handle in the refit.

As to the change of rooms, I think you have made a wise move. The cost of a Suite is vast, partly because they are used by people who enjoy their fine room and balcony (we like being anywhere, and can't afford a Suite yet). If I had paid for the luxury of a Suite, I would be disappointed having to leave it because of noise or smells of construction from around me.

Good decision I think.

[DMRick]

Skywalkers will be a thing of the past.

The Captain said in October that he was losing his shopping cart handle in the refit.

.

We'll have to see what happens. Several cruises are being booked in it for the M & G's after the refit. Maybe they are just taken off the ends.

[cherylandtk]

I think they are eventually relocating Skywalkers (perhaps with a new name or purposes) to the aft section of deck 15. So they could remove it, and schedule you for it, and both would be correct statements.

[canadiansnowbird]

I have checked with our Roll Call and found this disturbing info about the Grand closing some venues and areas. We are also on the Grand sailing March 28th and thought that they (behind the scenes renos) would be insignificant and not bother us too much, but these closings will:

 

Arcade closings ----- Don't bother us at all

Aft sun deck Deck 15 ---- Bother us, we use this deck, find the midship decks crowded.

Skywalkers closed ------ Bother us, we use every evening.

Casino closed last three days ---- Bother us somewhat - will save some money.

Sterling Steakhouse closed and moving to area in Horizon Court --- Bother us.

 

All of this disruption will NOT make a restful and wonderful cruise. We were not notified beforehand, and our TA has paid final payment. We do have Princess insurance, but will lose the premium paid if we cancel, beside this is not what we took insurance out for.

 

PS: Have just spoken to our TA on the phone and we are going to cancel this cruise and she will see that all our final payment comes back including the insurance premium. She just received the notification to-day about all the closings.

 

Snowbird

[JudithLynne]

Snowbird…I hope that you will let all of us know on this thread how you fare getting a complete refund. I was shocked that we got a cash refund and not a cruise credit, although that would have been acceptable. My guess and hope is that Princess is being lenient in their decisions regarding this construction especially since they waited until after final payment to let us know. You will have many more areas on the ship closed than we will. I honestly believe that Princess should be giving OBC for all passengers on these cruises that are not allowing access to all of the ship’s areas.

 

I feel that you should definitely get a full refund including the insurance premium. Interestingly, we received a reduction in price of our Princess insurance as we are now in a less expensive cabin.

 

MattOsprey & IECalCruiser: I also learned that aft balconies have the new “OBS…….” designation and that it refers to a beam on the balcony. We knew that and after researching these threads felt that it was no big deal. What we don’t know is if noise, vibrations, tarps, cables and smells will be a factor with the work going on above us. For nearly $9000 it is not worth the risk to us. We are receiving a cash refund of $4000 which will buy another cruise.

 

As I shared previously, we ended up in a Dolphin Deck mini suite dead center and are very pleased. My only concern is the uncovered balcony. I can handle the lack of privacy, but not the direct sun so I will take a couple of sun hats and lots of sunscreen.

 

We have many cruises ahead of us and hopefully will be able to book a suite at some point.

 

Again, everyone’s support has meant a lot to us….

 

Judith

[Northender]

Judith, I admire people like you who make lemonade out of lemons.

Enjoy your cruise:)

[MCC retired]

Arcade closings ----- Don't bother us at all

Aft sun deck Deck 15 ---- Bother us, we use this deck, find the midship decks crowded.

Skywalkers closed ------ Bother us, we use every evening.

Casino closed last three days ---- Bother us somewhat - will save some money.

Sterling Steakhouse closed and moving to area in Horizon Court --- Bother us.

 

Wow !!!!!

No way is this cruise worth wasting anyones vacation on.

Princess should just expand the drydock/wetdock and cancel this one.

 

Unless the price is incrediable , cancel, cancel , cancel !

[IECalCruiser]

MattOsprey & IECalCruiser: I also learned that aft balconies have the new “OBS…….” designation and that it refers to a beam on the balcony. We knew that and after researching these threads felt that it was no big deal. What we don’t know is if noise, vibrations, tarps, cables and smells will be a factor with the work going on above us. For nearly $9000 it is not worth the risk to us. We are receiving a cash refund of $4000 which will buy another cruise.

 

As I shared previously, we ended up in a Dolphin Deck mini suite dead center and are very pleased. My only concern is the uncovered balcony. I can handle the lack of privacy, but not the direct sun so I will take a couple of sun hats and lots of sunscreen.

 

We have many cruises ahead of us and hopefully will be able to book a suite at some point.

 

Again, everyone’s support has meant a lot to us….

 

Judith

Judith, The beams have always been there but Princess is apparently now letting everyone know. Hope the pre drydock work doesn't impact you and that you have a great cruise. Please let us know how your cruise goes.

[JudithLynne]

That's right...the beams have always been there and in all my years as a proud CC member I have never heard any negative comment from suite dwellers about the beam. My guess is that someone complained to the point that Princess is now putting that description on all ships with an aft balcony that has a beam. If you didn't know, you would shy away from booking an expensive suite that has that addendum attached.

 

 

Judith

[MattOsprey]

Is anyone else wondering if there are going to be some cheap cabins coming available on this cruise?

People will see these areas closing and start re-thinking their plans in my opinion.

I love a bargain and think this cruise might turn into one with enough deserters!

[Katie333]

Interesting that Princess is being so open about this, and I think that's a very positive thing. I suspect they may have had to deal with backlash in the past about not having certain amenities available and passengers having to deal with noise, debris etc.

 

This particular drydock sounds pretty major, as I understand it not all of them so dramatically impact passenger venues and services.

 

Agree with another poster that we may see cancellations roll in ...

[lopdx]

The beam would not have bothered us, construction noise would. We are now in a cabin with cabin decks above and below us and I think this will be a better, less noisey, arrangement. I am pleased that we are getting a refund, but would have accepted a travel credit with our Princess travel insurance as we cruise with Princess all the time.

 

Again, I really appreciate all the support and feedback from those of you that participated in this thread.

 

Have a wonderful cruise!