Last cruise before drydock problems?

[METMAN]

We are taking the Star princess on Nov 2, 2011 from Rome to Venice for its last cruise before it goes in for a 3 week drydock. Has anyone else taken a Princess cruise before it goes to drydock. Has there been any problems due to lack of supplies because they don't want to get stuck with perishables or cabin problems not being fixed?

[Toto2Kansas]

Cabin problems or lack of supplies are not usually the issue. It is the cruise line beginning work before the ship goes into dry dock that seems to happen quite often. Many times sections of the ship are closed off to passengers, and at times work begins while the ship is still carrying a full passenger load.

Admittedly, this doesn't happen before all ships go into dry dock, but it can happen, so be prepared. ;)

[paul929207]

We were on the last sailing of the Tahitian Princess before she went into drydock and emerged as the Ocean Princess. We had no problems with the coming drydock.

[navychop3]

I personally would be most hesitant to cruise on the last, or first following, cruise around a major drydock period. Why chance it, with the bucks we're paying?

[IECalCruiser]

The Grand is going into a major drydock in about two weeks. She is having more work done than the Star but there were closures starting 6 weeks ago. On her last cruise next week they will even be closing the casino for the last three days of the cruise. I depends upon the amount of work being done. You do take some risk on cruises prior to a major drydock.

[spunkie4]

We were on the Golden just prior to dry dock. Horrible experience!

 

While in Hawaii, new carpet was being installed in cabins. As soon as we realized this we asked that if our cabin was on the list to please refrain until we returned to the port. This was due to allergies.

 

Returning from Hawaii the casino was closed for five days, work started on the ship to the extent that areas were blocked. The Internet Cafe was moved and this caused lots of problems on the last day with passengers trying to print boarding passes, check-in

with airlines, etc.

 

On the last morning, when you just want to enjoy the last few minutes, the atrium was completely gutted. Limited chairs, no working restroom. So many passengers, who were first-time Princess cruisers, were very vocal about never cruising with Princess again.

 

When we returned I wrote Princess, expressing my concerns, and they were very gracious.

[Pia1913]

We were on the Coral's last cruise before drydock and there was no disruption whatsoever. We heard horror stories about the Golden and sort of anticipated something untoward. Nope. All was fine.

 

Now then, we are boarding the Grand on May 5th for the first cruise after drydock. If there are any problems, we will know about them shortly. I will advise asap after boarding.

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

WE just got off a ship no problems

[IECalCruiser]

You really need to know what is being done during the upcoming drydock. As said on earlier posts there was no issue with the Tahitian to Ocean drydock and the Coral drydock but there were few major physical modifications with those drydocks. With the Golden there were 10 Suites added to the Sun Deck, the IC and Vines were added to the Plaza deck, the Casino was moved from the Promenade deck to the Fiesta deck and Window Suites were added and a new Crown Grill was constructed on the Promenade Deck and there were problems prior to the drydock.

 

On the upcoming Grand drydock, Skywalkers will be removed, Club One5 will be constructed on Sun deck, the Casino will be reduced in size and a Tea Library added on the Promenade deck, a new Crown Grill and Window Suites will be added to the Fiesta deck and the IC, Vines and Alfredo's Pizzeria will be added to the Plaza deck. That is why closures started 8 weeks prior to the drydock.

 

Two other upcoming drydocks to be aware of.

 

The Star will have the Casino moved from the Promenade deck to the Fiesta deck and Window Suites added and a new Crown Grill and Tea Library will be constructed on the Promenade Deck starting November 14.

 

The Sapphire will have the Casino moved from the Promenade deck to the Fiesta deck and Window Suites added, a new Crown Grill will be constructed on the Promenade Deck and the IC and Vines will be added to the Plaza deck. starting January 7, 2012.

[METMAN]

From what I remember from being on the Star last year the casino is already on the promenade level. Any disruption of the Crown grill will not be a problem, we did not care for the food there last year. The steaks were prepared with alot of pepper crust and because we are on a ship they do not have a true grill so they are not cooked like a steakhouse.

The decor does need a change since they never did anything since changing it from mexican to steakhouse.

Does anyone know about any other changes being made on the Star during this years drydock?

[Pia1913]

From what I remember from being on the Star last year the casino is already on the promenade level. Any disruption of the Crown grill will not be a problem, we did not care for the food there last year. The steaks were prepared with alot of pepper crust and because we are on a ship they do not have a true grill so they are not cooked like a steakhouse.

The decor does need a change since they never did anything since changing it from mexican to steakhouse.

Does anyone know about any other changes being made on the Star during this years drydock?

 

The casino on the Star is not on Promenade (deck 7). It is alive and well on Fiesta (deck 6).

[#33s Mom]

Does anyone know what is happening to the Caribbean Princess when she goes into drydock in November? We are on the repositioning cruise from NYC to FLL, and then she goes into drydock.