Does Size Really Matter

[rugbypopsie]

I have to agree with you Barry I would hate not to have a rear outside...the Diamond has a lovely aft..kid free too.

[Sandielle]

Sandy

 

Know what you mean - Arcadia has balconies across the rear of the ship. We didn't like that at all. Although she does have a complete walkaround Promenade deck, so you can hang out the back and watch the wake. We did that so often - mesmerised by the wake and the water churning that we started to think that if there was a video camera in the area, they might have thought we were considering suicide!! :p (Not likely!)

 

I also want a ship to have an outside external access between Promenade deck and the upper outside decks (like the Sun deck) . This is more important to me that fancy Atriums etc. Going on a cruiseship is all about being at sea - I can go to a fancy 5 star hotel anywhere on land - much fancier and larger hotels than any cruiseship.

 

Barry

 

"Them's" my sentiments too! :)

[cruisewellwoman]

And many of the larger ships no longer have a Promenade desk with outside walking space

 

Now THIS I didn't know. What ships are we talking about that have no Promenade deck - I would like to know so I can add them to my "NEVER GO ON" list.

 

Barry

the RC Navigator of the Seas did not have a Promenade deck - don't know about the other RC ships. The Ruby Princess did.

[bazzaw]

the RC Navigator of the Seas did not have a Promenade deck - don't know about the other RC ships. The Ruby Princess did.

 

 

Hmmm! - I have never thought of this before. This would definitely be a deal breaker for me. I don't care what glitz or how high the Atrium is inside - or whether it has climbing walls.

 

Barry

[Sutho]

I was under the impression that Carnival bolts up the doors to the promenade deck on their ships and bans people from using it citing safety issues. I am sure I have read this somewhere posssibly the berlitz books or other forums.

 

I think size is good, but I think passenger space ratio is a better guide to go off. I hated the crowds on Azura and the congestion and lack of opportunities, but absolutely loved the Sapphire Princess an exactl clone minus 700 passengers.

[bazzaw]

Hmm - there have been times when the doors to the Promenade deck on P&O UK ships have been closed - no external access to any part of the outer decks. But this was only when the weather was VERY rough and windy. Same goes for P&O AUS ships we have been on. I guess it would be the same for all cruiselines.

 

 

Barry

[Guest012]

I also want a ship to have an outside external access between Promenade deck and the upper outside decks (like the Sun deck) . This is more important to me that fancy Atriums etc. Going on a cruiseship is all about being at sea - I can go to a fancy 5 star hotel anywhere on land - much fancier and larger hotels than any cruiseship.

 

Barry

 

The Ocean Princess may also be on your "not to do" list Barry, she does have a Promenade Deck but not wrap around nor is there any outside access upwards from this deck...One thing we loved was the great outside eating area at the back of Panorama Buffet......at 30,000 tonnes she is teeny compared to her bigger sisters....no big fancy atrium on this little lady...

[Sandielle]

I wonder if the trend towards larger ships will continue when people get over the novelty of it all. I've heard three separate captains/commodores say they prefer mid-sized ships eg 70-80 thousand tons or tonnes, (can never remember which) for convenience and visits to ports. (Obviously tendering takes up much more time and there are fewer ports for the really big ships to visit. :confused:

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Sandielle ;I wonder if the trend towards larger ships will continue when people get over the novelty of it all. I've heard three separate captains/commodores say they prefer mid-sized ships eg 70-80 thousand tons or tonnes, (can never remember which) for convenience and visits to ports. (Obviously tendering takes up much more time and there are fewer ports for the really big ships to visit.

 

You ain't seen nothing yet.....:rolleyes:

Big ??..... just wait till the new locks are finished in the Panama Canal...

then stand by for BIG.....:eek::eek:

[rugbypopsie]

The Ocean Princess may also be on your "not to do" list Barry, she does have a Promenade Deck but not wrap around nor is there any outside access upwards from this deck...One thing we loved was the great outside eating area at the back of Panorama Buffet......at 30,000 tonnes she is teeny compared to her bigger sisters....no big fancy atrium on this little lady...

 

 

This is wetting my appetite...i love the outside eating area...roll on 2013! Cheryl and I have a month on her. Hope they are not ash trays I can see:eek:

 

 

I thought the outside eating area accessed through the speciality restaurants was one of the nicest features on the Radiance...it was great out there and most of the passengers did not seem to find it:D

[Guest012]

This is wetting my appetite...i love the outside eating area...roll on 2013! Cheryl and I have a month on her. Hope they are not ash trays I can see:eek:

 

Sue you will love this ship we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and not once did we feel crowded...never had problems getting a seat in the Panorama Buffet or the Show lounge...no massive tender queue's ..always found a stool to sit on in the Casino Bar at night ..made karaoke a must do instead of don't do:D:D....bar, restaurant and stateroom crew best we have come across....the entertainment dancers top class.....the show lounge wow intimate cabaret performance is back ....yay....btw we had exceptionally good guest artists until Darwin when they as you would expect became mediocre.....last but not least to answer your question NO they aren't ashtrays they are sugar/salt/pepper holders....BUT unfortunatelly smoking is permitted most days in the casino....eeeeeeeeeyuk...time that too was fazed out:mad::mad: Although small we wanted for nothing and would be happy to do longer cruises on her cheers Shiona