Island Princess drydock 4/2015

[Corfe Mixture]

Well, I just played around with the booking tool for the Island Princess and it's being set up for the new deck plans, but it won't show the actual changes. Here are some things I noticed:

 

The booking tool also shows full suites on decks 7, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14. Currently, there are only full suites on 9 & 10, if I'm not mistaken. There will inside cabins on Deck 7 aft, too. It looks like they'll be removing the upper level of the Universe Showroom? They also show oceanview staterooms on decks 6 and 7. I was just on a HAL ship where they had what they call Lanai OV staterooms with sliding doors that open onto the Promenade. I wonder if they could be doing something like that? Maybe there will be no Universe Lounge at all. It seems like this could eliminate the walkaround promenade. The OV's on deck 6 will be the ones behind the casino. It seems like a lot of public space is being eaten up.

Deck 14 shows balcony and full suite cabins aft, too. That's Lido deck where there currently aren't any cabins. Sanctuary change likely.

 

Sorry if this is a bit disjointed, but I just wrote things as I noticed them. Just a jumble of thoughts. Looking forward to seeing the new deck plan.

 

That is exactly what I have seen on the booking tool for our Christmas 2015 sailing where we are booked into one of the four current Premium Class suites, all of which are now showing as sold. I had exactly the same thoughts on the potential loss of the aft promenade walkround.

 

The only things I would add to the above are:

 

1. The current suites are 12 Vista (S6)and 4 Premium (S5) and the new suites are also described as either Vista or Premium, so it doesn't look like they will be adding any Penthouse, Owners or Grand suites. I will however, certainly keep a check on what the new plan shows and then consider whether or not I want to move, though I must say that the Panama transit is the one cruise where being on the side of the ship is better than being in an aft facing stateroom.

 

2. Whilst it certainly looks to me like the Sanctuary is going to have to move to accommodate the new cabins and suites on the Lido deck. I also wondered, given they are restyling the Horizon Court, whether or not it would loose its forward view, to forward facing suites, though I suspect this may not be the case as forward facing suites are typically graded as S3 or S4 suites.

 

3. Finally I wondered whether there would be any changes to the Youth Zone, or things like the location of the beauty salon and massage salon which are all larger than needed and occupy prime locations. Wonder also whether of not the Sanctuary will go down one deck and take some of the space currently assigned to the Teen and Youth centres which seem to offer the youngsters a disproportionally high percentage of the current public space.

 

Whatever, the one thing I do agree with is that it certainly looks like there will be a loss of some public space and, although this would not be good news, I suspect that the loss of the upper level of the Universal Lounge will hardly be noticeable, unless we also lose the rear promenade and possibly the side promenade walkways aft of the rearmost lifts.

Edited October 7, 2014 by Corfe Mixture

[UpcountryTravelers]

HATE to hear they are doing away with the Bayou Cafe on the Island (and later Coral). That was our favorite venue on those two ships and a major reason they are my favorite ships. Also, the "more public space" per passenger is a major plus for the passengers!

[Corfe Mixture]

....... they are doing away with the Bayou Cafe on the Island (and later Coral)........

 

Not pick that one up in my research and agree it will be sad to see Bayou go.

 

Where did you come across that information?

[BuzzA]

Hi all,

 

I have the Grand Mediterranean booked in an aft mini-suite on an October '15 cruise - specifically because I wanted access to the back public aft deck for viewing. I am concerned that the new penthouse suites will take up that area on the Caribe deck. Doing a search for a suite in the aft area for various random cruise dates....

After the 04/15 wet dock:

 

Lido - Now has Vista Suite(s?)

Aloha - Now has Vista Suite(s?)

Baha - Now has Premium Suite(s?)

Plaza - Now has Premium Suite(s?)

 

After 11/15:

 

Lido - Now has Penthouse Suite(s?)

Caribe - Now has Penthouse Suite(s?)

 

This might explain why the deck plans reference before/after November, rather than April. ??

 

I'm hoping the aft public deck will still be available on the Caribe deck in October, but doesn't look to be very likely for Dec '15 --->

 

Hope this helps. And hope I didn't miss/misconstrue anything.

[KruzPrincess]

Hi all,

 

I have the Grand Mediterranean booked in an aft mini-suite on an October '15 cruise - specifically because I wanted access to the back public aft deck for viewing. I am concerned that the new penthouse suites will take up that area on the Caribe deck. Doing a search for a suite in the aft area for various random cruise dates....

After the 04/15 wet dock:

 

Lido - Now has Vista Suite(s?)

Aloha - Now has Vista Suite(s?)

Baha - Now has Premium Suite(s?)

Plaza - Now has Premium Suite(s?)

 

After 11/15:

 

Lido - Now has Penthouse Suite(s?)

Caribe - Now has Penthouse Suite(s?)

 

This might explain why the deck plans reference before/after November, rather than April. ??

 

I'm hoping the aft public deck will still be available on the Caribe deck in October, but doesn't look to be very likely for Dec '15 --->

 

Hope this helps. And hope I didn't miss/misconstrue anything.

 

I was searching for a cruise in 6/15, so I didn't look for changes after that. I have to think the major changes are happening during the 45 day renovation, but it's certainly possible they will continue to do work after that point while she's sailing.

[Luvmyrotti]

Is it my imagination or are they entirely getting rid of the Universe Lounge and replacing it with cabins (and the fitness center on the lower level)?? :eek:

 

Wow, that is a lot of public space to lose!

[Luvmyrotti]

The Island has always been one of my favorites for the great amount of public space. Sad to see that's changing.

Edited October 10, 2014 by Luvmyrotti

[8pawz]

New deck plans are finally up on Princess site. Universe lounge, Sanctuary gone. Gym and youth centers either moved and/or downsized. New suites and balcony cabins at aft. Casino size cut with new cabins. Did not see and IC- still same La Patasserie. May be other changes but did not do a deck by deck comparison so don't know if Sanctuary is now somewhere else or total number of cabins added. We loved the Coral. Hope we will love the new Island.

 

 

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[Host Jazzbeau]

Princess has now updated the deck plans on their website (for cruises after May 22, 2015 -- no mention of November), and a thorough comparison with the previous plans shows the following new cabins and other major changes:

 

Sun (15) Aft - Sanctuary is enlarged [but now only on this deck, and no Sanctuary Pool]

Lido (14) Aft - 24 new cabins replace the Fitness Center, Aerobics and The Sanctuary

Aloha (12) Aft - 17 new cabins replace the Teen Center and the Sanctuary Pool

Baja (11) Aft - 8 new cabins replace the public rear viewing balcony

Carbie (10) Aft - 2 new cabins replace or reduce the public rear viewing balcony

Dolphin (9) Aft - 2 new cabins replace or reduce the public rear viewing balcony

Emerald (8) - no changes – retains public rear viewing balcony [only one left?]

Promenade (7) Aft - 28 new cabins replace the Universe Lounge Upper Level [no change to Bayou Café]

Promenade (7) Mid - Wheelhouse Museum becomes Churchill Lounge [better location than on Coral]

Fiesta (6) Aft - 26 new cabins replace the Universe Lounge Lower Level [no change to Explorers Lounge]

Fiesta (6) Mid - 13 new cabins - Casino shrinks and gains a Bar

 

TOTAL = 120 new cabins

 

Contrary to rumor, Bayou Café is not affected [so far].

[Vexorg]

I can already tell that this is going to seriously tick off some people. Removing the aft pool (even if it was for Sanctuary users only) and turning portions of the Promenade deck into balconies are going to hit some hot buttons. It will have to be seen what happens when more info comes out though. I do suspect the Promenade balcony cabins could turn out to be a popular choice for some passengers, especially since a number of them seem to be larger than the normal ones.

 

Also, where is the International Cafe supposed to go? I don't see it anywhere on the deck plan.

[Astro Flyer]

If that is the final deck plan they've eliminated the gym, teen center, Sanctuary pool and the Universe Lounge. :eek: That would be the only ship with one showroom (except for Ocean & Pacific) and to not have a gym nor would it have an IC like her sister ship the Coral.

 

They took one of my favorite ships & took away so many things that it would be one of my least favorite ships. I hope the deck plans are wrong but since you counted the additional 120 cabins then all of those great things will be gone! :(

Edited October 11, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[bhopal21]

Is it my imagination or are they entirely getting rid of the Universe Lounge and replacing it with cabins (and the fitness center on the lower level)?? :eek:

 

Wow, that is a lot of public space to lose!

 

Not your imagination.

 

Mike:)

[Astro Flyer]

After checking the deck plans (too late to edit my post :o) the Fitness Center & Aerobics area was moved inside (no view) to deck 6 aft which I haven't seen in ages. :( The Youth & Teen Centers are now stacked on top of each other (decks 12 & 14) & like the gym now inside without any views.

Edited October 11, 2014 by Astro Flyer

[KruzPrincess]

Not a big fan of redesign. I think people will be upset about a few things, but the loss of the walkaround promenade is huge.

[shredie]

The IC moved into the Casino on Coral, but not so on the Island?

[KruzPrincess]

The IC moved into the Casino on Coral, but not so on the Island?

 

I was surprised not to see it there.

[rdsqrl]

That Bayou Cafe muster station is going to be C-R-O-W-D-E-D. All those extra cabins + no more Universe Lounge . . . wow.

 

They've really stuffed that ship to the gills with berths. I hate to be one of those "change always sucks" people, but this change sure seems to muck up a once wonderful ship. And the lack of an IC is puzzling, unless the newly-reduced Casino on the Coral is losing money.

 

However, that said, they actually added a handful of oceanview cabins, plus there still is a significant promenade deck, so she's still far superior to those two new mistakes, the R 'n R twins.

[caribill]

Emerald (8) - no changes – retains public rear viewing balcony [only one left?]

 

Some changes to deck 8:

Card room now smaller and relocated to starboard side

Shore excursion desk and Future Cruise Sales relocated from deck 5 to where the card room used to be.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Regardless of whether we as cruisers like, or dislike, the changes being made to the Island Princess, I applaud Princess for being transparent with the information. The new deck plans are being provided far enough in advance that booked passengers can alter their choice of ship/destination/cruise line if they so choose. This is in stark contrast to the secretiveness which RCCL have shrouded the Oasis drydock in.

 

While losing public space is never a desirable thing, I have to wonder if long term losing the Universe lounge is so bad? It will increase usage of the the Theater, Explorers and the Wheelhouse bar. Often times I'd venture to guess either the Princess Theater or the Universe lounge sit empty for long swaths of time during the day and/evening, and that the Wheelhouse bar is not used to its fullest either.

 

I will be onboard the island in two weeks and it will be interesting to see how well some of the venues are used in their current configuration, and if losing the public spaces to additional cabins will potentially cause overcrowding.

 

I know when I was on the Caribbean Princess earlier this year there were very few people in the Wheelhouse at any time and outside of one or two activities Club Fusion was often empty. The Island seems to offer as much, if not more, lounge space than the Caribbean (with far fewer passengers, even after adding 120 new cabins), so maybe the changes won't be so bad when all is said and done. Or maybe they will ....... We won't know for sure until next May when the first passengers start cruising her post drydock.

[Host Jazzbeau]

The IC moved into the Casino on Coral, but not so on the Island?

 

It didn't work well, IMO, on Coral. They should put it on the Plaza Deck instead of La Patisserie -- on Coral that became a bar and never served any pastries anyway. Since the Casino on Island is getting a bar, there would still be the same number of bars and The IC would be much more visible.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

It didn't work well, IMO, on Coral. They should put it on the Plaza Deck instead of La Patisserie -- on Coral that became a bar and never served any pastries anyway. Since the Casino on Island is getting a bar, there would still be the same number of bars and The IC would be much more visible.

 

My guess is that is exactly what will happen. Having the IC on Plaza deck would be more consistent with the majority of the fleet as well.

[Corfe Mixture]

Interestingly, although number of cabins in total as only gone up by 120 (roughly 10%), the number of suites has almost doubled from 16 to 31. In case anyone is wondering, there will be no problems with space in Sabatini's for breakfast, as it was certainly not crowded last Christmas. never was crowded for breakfast

 

All of the new suites are either next to the most aft balcony cabin, or rear facing suites. However, having looked at the plans, I don't think I will be looking to move to any of the new suites from the S5 mid-ship D deck suite I have booked for next Christmas. Certainly I don't see myself being tempted by either of the S4 Penthouse suites on C deck, and the other two Penthouse sites are right next to the new Teen Centre, so despite their superb balconies, I think I will pass on them for now.

 

Interestingly also is that Crooners has got bigger as the Churchill Lounge has moved.

 

Personally I don't think the loss of the Universal Lounge is that big a disaster. IMHO, there is nothing that happened there that can't easily be moved to the Wheelhouse. Big losers are the Youth Centre, The Sanctuary, and the smokers in Churchill. Bit surprised they didn't relocate the beauty salon, poor use of a view.

Edited October 11, 2014 by Corfe Mixture

[RickEk]

Not a big fan of redesign. I think people will be upset about a few things, but the loss of the walkaround promenade is huge.

 

Non-issue IMHO (at least the walkaround part). Go in the doors right there, walk across the ship and out the other side... I think the bigger issue is the lack of aft viewing areas.

 

It didn't work well, IMO, on Coral. They should put it on the Plaza Deck instead of La Patisserie -- on Coral that became a bar and never served any pastries anyway. Since the Casino on Island is getting a bar, there would still be the same number of bars and The IC would be much more visible.

 

The Casino always had a bar...

[RickEk]

Interestingly, although number of cabins in total as only gone up by 120 (roughly 10%), the number of suites has almost doubled from 16 to 31. In case anyone is wondering, there will be no problems with space in Sabatini's for breakfast, as it was certainly not crowded last Christmas. never was crowded for breakfast

 

All of the new suites are either next to the most aft balcony cabin, or rear facing suites. However, having looked at the plans, I don't think I will be looking to move to any of the new suites from the S5 mid-ship D deck suite I have booked for next Christmas. Certainly I don't see myself being tempted by either of the S4 Penthouse suites on C deck, and the other two Penthouse sites are right next to the new Teen Centre, so despite their superb balconies, I think I will pass on them for now.

 

Interestingly also is that Crooners has got bigger as the Churchill Lounge has moved.

 

Personally I don't think the loss of the Universal Lounge is that big a disaster. IMHO, there is nothing that happened there that can't easily be moved to the Wheelhouse. Big losers are the Youth Centre, The Sanctuary, and the smokers in Churchill. Bit surprised they didn't relocate the beauty salon, poor use of a view.

 

Dunno... the new Sanctuary looks much bigger than the current one. (Not sure why they didn't put the Sanctuary forward at the splash pool on Sports deck like the Sun-class ships.) And those aft suites by the teen center are separated from it by a corridor. If they have good soundproofing, it most likely won't be a problem. The view from those suite balconies is very tempting...

 

And, btw, I have heard that the "jet nacelles" on the funnel are going to be removed too...

Edited October 11, 2014 by RickEk

[caribill]

 

While losing public space is never a desirable thing, I have to wonder if long term losing the Universe lounge is so bad?

 

Losing one of the best Production Shows on Princess is bad. It was designed for and only performed in the Universe Lounge.

 

 

It will increase usage of the the Theater, Explorers and the Wheelhouse bar. Often times I'd venture to guess either the Princess Theater or the Universe lounge sit empty for long swaths of time during the day and/evening, and that the Wheelhouse bar is not used to its fullest either.

 

If these are not in use much, it tells me that the CD has not done a good job of scheduling enough activities or entertainment.

 

 

see above in red