Royal Princess design: badly solsticized

[shepp]

You live where I could only wish I lived. I have said it before -- "San Francisco is the most beautiful city in the U.S." But, it is expensive to live there. If I lived there, I doubt I would be crusing. :) Well, at least not as often.

 

Two words: "rent control" :)

 

(We've lived in the same place for over 35 years.)

 

BTW, from what I can remember, the Royal will have a dedicated sushi joint. Whether it will be the same deal as Vines remains to be seen.

[cruisetrail]

Princessized front obseravation deck on the Royal Caribbean Oasis class.

 

[pris993]

I doubt Princess cares about utilization, other then how much a room makes in revenues. It is all about making money.

 

I personally like the under utilized spaces that are quiet. We seek them out and avoid the over crowded venues. So consequenlty we don't contribute to the bottom line in these areas much anyway.

 

We book our balcony or mini suite, hang out there and enjoy the sound of the sea. With our own glass of wine and peace and quiet that is all we need.

[kathyn]

After checking out the Royal Princess info and videos, noting some changes and innovations, I quickly booked b2b sailings for next Nov. in the new category,DA balcony stateroom on what I think will be a beautiful, comfortable Princess ship. Others look at the same info and say, "nope, not for me. I, too, enjoy sailing on more traditional (old-style) ships, but the Celebrity Solstice is one of my absolute favorite ships as is the Eurodam. I guess it is difficult for ship designers to offer innovation and still keep designing ships the same old way. I'm an optimist- so I say let's see what this ship offers us as cruise customers. I'll put my hard earned money down and trust they will deliver another oustanding vacation experience. Thank God, the Royal Princess isn't butt ugly like the Epic.

[Snow cat]

I have been spending a lot of time looking at the Royal deck plans, trying to figure out which type of stateroom would be the best replacement for my usual Caribe balcony stateroom. I am getting cross-eyed looking at the different categories. Is it true there doesn't appear to be any large half-covered balconies on the Royal? I apologize if this has been asked and answered already.

[5:00_Somewhere]

I have been spending a lot of time looking at the Royal deck plans, trying to figure out which type of stateroom would be the best replacement for my usual Caribe balcony stateroom. I am getting cross-eyed looking at the different categories. Is it true there doesn't appear to be any large half-covered balconies on the Royal? I apologize if this has been asked and answered already.

 

We did the same thing, as the large 1/2 covered and 1/2 uncovered balconies on the Grand Class Carib decks are our favorites by far.

 

As I mentioned either above or on another thread about the Royal, I have studied the deck plans, pictures of the large builder's model, and now the recently posted photos of the ship under construction, and I can tell you that it appears that some of the aft balconies will offer the 1/2 covered and 1/2 uncovered large balcony feature. We have reserved an aft Deluxe Balcony cabin on Baja deck, which I believe will have this feature (it looks as if Dolphin deck and Riviera deck aft cabins may, as well.) But, please understand, this is merely an educated guess. We won't know for certain until we see more.

 

Still, I hope that helps.

[cruisetrail]

I guess it is difficult for ship designers to offer innovation and still keep designing ships the same old way.

 

I don't think so.

Any cruise ship must have a number of intrinsic parts - this is not "the old way". This is what a cruise ship is.

 

Is it difficult for ship designers to offer innovation and still keep the signature features?

No.

Just look at the RCI ships.

[CRUZER2012]

I don't think so.

Any cruise ship must have a number of intrinsic parts - this is not "the old way". This is what a cruise ship is.

 

Is it difficult for ship designers to offer innovation and still keep the signature features?

No.

Just look at the RCI ships.

 

 

It is not as easy as it looks.

Designers do their work based on hundreds of pages of requirements and expectations. They turn two-dimensional designs in writing into a three-dimensional functioning, cohesive work of art. Let's save the extensive construction challenges for another time.

Design is more than how a ship looks. Think of things like ship flow, placement of venues, and it goes on and on. And for some cruise lines, the designer still needs to maintain the signature look of the cruise line. Adding more features and venues is more than simply stretching an old design. Well, not if you want a good design. Plus, you have all the other factors that go into a design: finances, port sizes, regulatory issues, passenger expectations, etc. Oh, and "how can we enhance revenues" issues.

The new Royal Princess will be great!

[IECalCruiser]

We did the same thing, as the large 1/2 covered and 1/2 uncovered balconies on the Grand Class Carib decks are our favorites by far.

 

As I mentioned either above or on another thread about the Royal, I have studied the deck plans, pictures of the large builder's model, and now the recently posted photos of the ship under construction, and I can tell you that it appears that some of the aft balconies will offer the 1/2 covered and 1/2 uncovered large balcony feature. We have reserved an aft Deluxe Balcony cabin on Baja deck, which I believe will have this feature (it looks as if Dolphin deck and Riviera deck aft cabins may, as well.) But, please understand, this is merely an educated guess. We won't know for certain until we see more.

 

Still, I hope that helps.

We have also booked an aft D4 on Dolphin deck for the Maiden TA. From the construction photos it is almost certain that the Dolphin and Baja deck cabins will have "Caribe deck balcony" size and style balconies. There are also some balconies (mostly mini-suites) in the center curved "bump out" area that will be larger but fully covered. Forward on Emerald deck the Cat DZ balconies are part covered, part uncovered but are obstructed view with a metal rather than glass railing. We also have one of them booked for the Grand Med next year. We will need to see how much motion there is up front.

[CRUZER2012]

We have also booked an aft D4 on Dolphin deck for the Maiden TA. From the construction photos it is almost certain that the Dolphin and Baja deck cabins will have "Caribe deck balcony" size and style balconies. There are also some balconies (mostly mini-suites) in the center curved "bump out" area that will be larger but fully covered. Forward on Emerald deck the Cat DZ balconies are part covered, part uncovered but are obstructed view with a metal rather than glass railing. We also have one of them booked for the Grand Med next year. We will need to see how much motion there is up front.

 

 

That group of mini-suites in the bump-out have larger, but oddly shaped balconies at either end of the bump-out. The middle area has standard sized and shaped balconies. That sure is a good location.

I do like those D4 cabins.

[cruisetrail]

It is not as easy as it looks.

 

Designers do their work based on hundreds of pages of requirements and expectations. They turn two-dimensional designs in writing into a three-dimensional functioning, cohesive work of art. Let's save the extensive construction challenges for another time.

 

 

If you want to maintain key features and add novelties - you do it. If you don't want - you don't.

 

What does RCI ships class to class progress tell you?

Radiance-Voyager-Freedom-Oasis?

[Cruise Junky]

If you want to maintain key features and add novelties - you do it. If you don't want - you don't.

 

What RCI ships class to class progress tells you?

 

Your problem is you think you get to pick the "key features" and not Princess :rolleyes:

[terrierjohn]

From the latest 2 renderings it looks like the illegitamate offspring of a one night stand between NCL Epic & Celebrity Solstice, or am I being too harsh. Anyway you rarely see the ourside of a ship once you're on a cruise.

[CRUZER2012]

From the latest 2 renderings it looks like the illegitamate offspring of a one night stand between NCL Epic & Celebrity Solstice, or am I being too harsh. Anyway you rarely see the ourside of a ship once you're on a cruise.

 

 

Huh?!?! What is your point? Is the new Royal Princess somehow flawed, in your view, because you think there are similarities between its design and the design of other cruise ships?

The basics of cruise ships in general are very similar. It is when you get into the detail that the special nature of each cruise ship is revealed. And there is a corresponding group of travelers who like each cruise ship because of its differences.

[TracieABD]

It is a wait and see proposition for me...

I have a short cruise booked on the Royal. I will decide how I feel about her AFTER I sail.:)

[cruisetrail]

It is not as easy as it looks.

 

Designers do their work based on hundreds of pages of requirements and expectations. They turn two-dimensional designs in writing into a three-dimensional functioning, cohesive work of art. Let's save the extensive construction challenges for another time.

 

 

If you want to maintain key features and add novelties - you do it. If you don't want - you don't.

 

Let me repeat my question.

 

What does RCI ships class to class progress tell you?

Radiance-Voyager-Freedom-Oasis?

[RickEk]

If you want to maintain key features and add novelties - you do it. If you don't want - you don't.

 

Let me repeat my question.

 

What does RCI ships class to class progress tell you?

Radiance-Voyager-Freedom-Oasis?

 

I think you've answered your own question. RCI just wanted to super-size their ships by expanding on their existing theme... Princess has chosen to move in another direction concerning their new class of ship. Simple as that. Beating their choice into the ground isn't going to change it...:rolleyes:

[cruisetrail]

I think you've answered your own question. RCI just wanted to super-size their ships by expanding on their existing theme... Princess has chosen to move in another direction concerning their new class of ship. Simple as that. Beating their choice into the ground isn't going to change it...:rolleyes:

 

Are you serious?

"RCI just wanted to super-size their ships by expanding on their existing theme... "??

No novelties?:)

[RickEk]

Are you serious?

"RCI just wanted to super-size their ships by expanding on their existing theme... "??

No novelties?:)

 

Whatever... they needed to put "novelties" into all that space that they were creating...:p

[The Big Booper]

Whatever... they needed to put "novelties" into all that space that they were creating...:p

 

You obviously only cruise Princess, not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

You seem to know nothing about how RCI/Celebrity design their ships.

 

The Allure/Oasis were designed from scratch from the ground up and thus did not retain poor design features of an earlier generations of ships. A benefit of starting with a clean sheet of paper.

 

The super-grands are a redo of the 1996 Grand Princess and all Carnival ships from 1996 on (exception is the Spirit class) are stretches of the Destiny.

 

Carnival is still playing that game but now Princess actually decides to utilize new concepts by imitating the spectacular Celebrity "S" class and people here are all bent out of shape, before they even see what the new ship looks like and functions like.

[CRUZER2012]

I am not a ship building historian and I am not aware anyone else on the threads is a ship building historian. This cruise passenger sees Princess new ship Royal Princess design as a major enhancement to its existing design from their previously newest ship Ruby Princess. These enhancements include the well-publicized expansion of the atrium by 50%. Various profit centers, as I call them, are now relocated, many surround the atrium at the various deck levels. Lounges and specialty restaurants are relocated for a better flow. There are also quite a few enhancements in the upper decks area as well. Not sure if I will walk on a glass floor. :cool::eek: Both the Seaview Bar and Seawalk are nice features.

[CRUZER2012]

Whatever... they needed to put "novelties" into all that space that they were creating...:p

 

You obviously only cruise Princess, not that there is anything wrong with that. Do you really mean that?

 

You seem to know nothing about how RCI/Celebrity design their ships. And you do? Let's be serious, knowing how ships are designed is more than just looking at the end product. Where did you get your training in ship design and construction? Nothing wrong with giving opinions on the end product, but don't put other people down because they differ from your amateur view. We are all amateurs here. Unless of course anyone here has engineering background in ship building.

 

The Allure/Oasis were designed from scratch from the ground up and thus did not retain poor design features of an earlier generations of ships. A benefit of starting with a clean sheet of paper. It is possible to correct poor design without a complete top/down redesign. Also, a "clean sheet of paper" as you call it, can introduce new design errors.

 

The super-grands are a redo of the 1996 Grand Princess and all Carnival ships from 1996 on (exception is the Spirit class) are stretches of the Destiny. Are these facts or are you just giving an opinion?

 

Carnival is still playing that game but now Princess actually decides to utilize new concepts by imitating the spectacular Celebrity "S" class and people here are all bent out of shape, before they even see what the new ship looks like and functions like. Seems like the assumptions are with you, not with people here.

 

My thoughts in red.

It is good to read your points of view.

[RickEk]

You obviously only cruise Princess, not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

You seem to know nothing about how RCI/Celebrity design their ships.

 

The Allure/Oasis were designed from scratch from the ground up and thus did not retain poor design features of an earlier generations of ships. A benefit of starting with a clean sheet of paper.

 

The super-grands are a redo of the 1996 Grand Princess and all Carnival ships from 1996 on (exception is the Spirit class) are stretches of the Destiny.

 

Carnival is still playing that game but now Princess actually decides to utilize new concepts by imitating the spectacular Celebrity "S" class and people here are all bent out of shape, before they even see what the new ship looks like and functions like.

 

Yes, I obviously do cruise only Princess (so far). I'm not sure what that proves except that I'm comfortable with Princess' product and ships. But I am a fan of cruising in general and know a bit about other lines...

 

Maybe each RCI class of ships was designed from the proverbial "clean sheet of paper", but they share many of the same features, only enlarged as each class got bigger (Royal Promenade, climbing walls, ice-skating rink, upper decks, etc.).

 

I'd agree that Princess' Grand-class vessels are all variations on a theme of 1998's Grand Princess. Personally, I think that the Sapphire/Diamond were the epitome of the class and I, for one, think that it's nice to see a new design from Princess and not another super-Grand-class clone.

[Wishing on a star]

I agree Cruzer2012!

 

And, I am not going to bash a, supposedly, somewhat 'solsticized' ship.

 

But, while improving on some positive features... WHY ELIMINATE SO MANY OTHERS??????

 

When I came back to CC here, after quite a while, to look into the Sapphire, I noticed the chatter about the grand new ship, and took a look.

 

The one thing that I immediately noticed... On a ship that huge... ONE pool area???? Really... ONE pool... forget the nice aft pool... forget the two center pool concept, so one can have MUTS, entertainment, etc.. and then another pool for those who wish to avoid that much noise and activity... (while situated to share common service areas) Then, also, on a ship that holds several thousand passengers, the one other pool, and only adult pool is tiny, and is totally commandeered by 6 palapas. REALLY... all of 6 palapas... completely surround the entire pool.

 

While I am not bashing Princess for 'Solsticizing' or for many other things... I have to look at what they are doing and :confused:

 

I see many aspects of this ship, those mentioned here, and several others that are current and ongoing topics of conversation here on CC, that are the typical myopic and narrow shortsided viewpoints of those in power, which is completely at odds with any understanding of passenger desires and comforts.

 

I find that there should be a lot more to cruising than sitting in bars and restaurants (and, of course, casino) But, that seems to be ALL that Princess, in their narrow near-sightedness, can see to offer???? (edited to add: And, PLEASE, do not assume that I am talking about climbing wall and ice rinks... NOT AT ALL)

[pris993]

You obviously only cruise Princess, not that there is anything wrong with that.

 

You seem to know nothing about how RCI/Celebrity design their ships.

 

The Allure/Oasis were designed from scratch from the ground up and thus did not retain poor design features of an earlier generations of ships. A benefit of starting with a clean sheet of paper.

 

The super-grands are a redo of the 1996 Grand Princess and all Carnival ships from 1996 on (exception is the Spirit class) are stretches of the Destiny.

 

Carnival is still playing that game but now Princess actually decides to utilize new concepts by imitating the spectacular Celebrity "S" class and people here are all bent out of shape, before they even see what the new ship looks like and functions like.

 

I am one of those bent out of shape because I have cruised Celebrity's new ships (did a 12 day on the Equinox and 7 day on Eclipse) and did not feel my experience aboard was nearly as enjoyable as a similar cruise on Princess. I cruised a second time on the Eclipse, to see if my first experience was off track. Even booked an Aqua class, still I was not impressed. I am elite on both Princess and Celebrity. If I returned to Celebrity it will be on one of their old ships. If I cruise on the Royal, I will wait to read reviews first and look for an itinerary I am really interested in doing. I would love be excited about the new Royal design - unfortunately Princess has copied something that did not work me on Celebrity.