Island Princess drydock 4/2015

[RickEk]

For me, the Universe Lounge was just okay. I like the Vista Lounge much better (they could ditch Club Fusion and I wouldn't bat an eye...). Sight lines were definitely a problem in the Universe Lounge... the glass on the upper level coupled with the columns were annoying.

 

I never did see "On the Bayou"... so can't comment there... :)

[Host Jazzbeau]

The Casino always had a bar...

 

Ah, ok. It wasn't labelled on the old deck plans. It was removed from Coral when they put the IC there. Better to leave it and put IC in La Patisserie.

[Host Jazzbeau]

Dunno... the new Sanctuary looks much bigger than the current one.

 

It is bigger on deck 15, but gone missing from decks 13 and 14. The deck plans don't show the layout details, so can't tell if it will work better on one deck. But it does lose its pool.

[IECalCruiser]

It is bigger on deck 15, but gone missing from decks 13 and 14. The deck plans don't show the layout details, so can't tell if it will work better on one deck. But it does lose its pool.

We spent a lot of time in the Sanctuary on a 14 day Panama Canal cruise last year. The cruise had warm weather and many sea days but I never saw the pool in the Sanctuary used. Not a significant loss IMHO. Now the other changes could be a different story.

 

 

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[KruzPrincess]

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.

 

...

 

 

Yeah, I guess, regarding walk around. I didn't think about that. I agree wholeheartedly about the lost viewing areas.

 

 

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[UpcountryTravelers]

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?

 

Read that on another site. Said the Bayou Cafe was to be changed to a Crown Grill. However, the "after" deck plan on the Princess site shows it still there, but with a name change, adding "and Steakhouse". I'm OK with that.

[AtlantaCruiser72]

Originally Posted by scottamiller View Post

 

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

 

They could easily alter the sets/staging to fit the Princess Theater.

 

I've noticed most cruise lines not using all venues simultaneously on many venues. There are fewer live entertainers, more Karakoke and more trivia in general. These decisions come from corporate. Cruise directors are given a selection of approved activities/options for programming.

 

Cruise lines want to drive passengers into casinos and shops as much as possible. Why do you think the main theaters are used less and have shorter shows? Why do you think there is less live entertainment?

[trbarton]

I just got off the Island and can tell you what was said about the Bayou show. It worked well in the Universal Lounge because of a revolving stage. There is no revolving stage in the Princess Theatre and the production staff and Princess are determining if it will work in the Princess Theatre without a revolving stage. No decision has been made as whether they will keep that show.

 

Yes it's one of the best Princess shows so it will be sad if they loose it.

 

In the drydock that will add more staterooms, add the IC in a 45 day drydock.

 

There was engineers on board looking at things prior to the dry dock next year.

 

Tom:)

Edited October 13, 2014 by trbarton

[Bazz100]

The new deck plans are now published on the Princess Cruises Website. Major changes some as covered above and elsewhere, Universe Lounge gone, and many changes with loss of much public areas. The stern Sanctuary pool has been sacrificed to yet more cabin space! If you open the before and after deck plans side by side in your browser you can see just how much public space and facilities have been diminished to accommodate the extra cabins.

 

Personally I do not like the changes, especially the loss of the stern pool. We are booked on her for a Panama full transit in December next year she will not be the same ship.

Edited November 8, 2014 by Bazz747

[brentlym]

Originally Posted by scottamiller View Post

 

I've noticed most cruise lines not using all venues simultaneously on many venues. There are fewer live entertainers, more Karakoke and more trivia in general. These decisions come from corporate. Cruise directors are given a selection of approved activities/options for programming.

 

Cruise lines want to drive passengers into casinos and shops as much as possible. Why do you think the main theaters are used less and have shorter shows? Why do you think there is less live entertainment?

 

While I'm not a huge fan of the Island and Coral, I did enjoy the On the Bayou show. It was very well done. That said….Princess has some work to do entertainment-wise. I think they could take some lessons from NCL on their newest ships to get an idea of how to utilize their spaces and generate revenue a the same time. While I AM a huge fan of Princess overall (I'm now Elite), NCL has mastered the art of paid entertainment, IMO. I know they cater to a slightly different demographic, but there's a way to fully utilize your public spaces and maintain a revenue stream. Hopefully, they'll figure it out.

Edited November 8, 2014 by brentlym

[IECalCruiser]

Read that on another site. Said the Bayou Cafe was to be changed to a Crown Grill. However, the "after" deck plan on the Princess site shows it still there, but with a name change, adding "and Steakhouse". I'm OK with that.

It has always been the Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse.

 

 

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[caribill]

While I'm not a huge fan of the Island and Coral, I did enjoy the On the Bayou show. It was very well done. That said….Princess has some work to do entertainment-wise. I think they could take some lessons from NCL on their newest ships to get an idea of how to utilize their spaces and generate revenue a the same time. While I AM a huge fan of Princess overall (I'm now Elite), NCL has mastered the art of paid entertainment, IMO. I know they cater to a slightly different demographic, but there's a way to fully utilize your public spaces and maintain a revenue stream. Hopefully, they'll figure it out.

 

When I am on a cruise, I do not expect to pay extra for entertainment.

 

However, that should reduce the size of the crowd at any show.

[brentlym]

When I am on a cruise, I do not expect to pay extra for entertainment.

 

However, that should reduce the size of the crowd at any show.

Caribill... I completely understand and get what you're saying. Princess may have a difficult time doing the paid entertainment thing like NCL. I was a little shocked that I fell for it, but enjoyed every moment of it. I paid for Wine Lovers, The Musical... included lunch and 7 tastes of wine and champagne. The main shows were included in cruise the cruise fare.

[caribill]

Caribill... I completely understand and get what you're saying. Princess may have a difficult time doing the paid entertainment thing like NCL. I was a little shocked that I fell for it, but enjoyed every moment of it. I paid for Wine Lovers, The Musical... included lunch and 7 tastes of wine and champagne. The main shows were included in cruise the cruise fare.

 

Carnival has a new series of live concerts featuring name entertainment such as Jewel and Rascal Flatts.

 

Of course, they charge big time to attend.

 

It is called Carnival Live Concert Series.

[jdellachiesa]

see above in red

 

I love the Universe Lounge and the shows there ... We experienced this on the Coral and thought it was a great space! We also love the Vista Lounges - totally different feeling venues but both are nice!

 

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Edited November 9, 2014 by jdellachiesa

[hollydog]

The new deck plans are now published on the Princess Cruises Website. Major changes some as covered above and elsewhere, Universe Lounge gone, and many changes with loss of much public areas. The stern Sanctuary pool has been sacrificed to yet more cabin space! If you open the before and after deck plans side by side in your browser you can see just how much public space and facilities have been diminished to accommodate the extra cabins.

 

Personally I do not like the changes, especially the loss of the stern pool. We are booked on her for a Panama full transit in December next year she will not be the same ship.

 

We did a full transit of the Panama Canal last April 2014 on the Coral, which is the sister ship to Island. Coral still has the stern pool, but it was available only to paying Sanctuary guests ($40/day). It was empty the entire cruise, save for one or two couples. Never saw anyone in the pool. Maybe that's why they didn't hesitate to remove the pool from the Island. Also, it will be interesting to see if the Island gets an International Cafe. The new one on Coral is adjacent to the Casino, very noisy and smoky. Not at all like the ICs on other ships. We're doing a transatlantic on the Island next November, so we'll see first hand how the changes work out.

[trbarton]

I was on the Island in September/October and the CD said that the IC on the Island was in the plans for the upcoming dry-dock.

 

Tom:)

[Bazz100]

Hollydog, nothing on the new deck plans mentions an International Cafe unfortunately. Nothing near the Casino that area on Coral is shown as Casino Bar and Photo Gallery on Island.

[ihermdar]

I just got off the Island and can tell you what was said about the Bayou show. It worked well in the Universal Lounge because of a revolving stage. There is no revolving stage in the Princess Theatre and the production staff and Princess are determining if it will work in the Princess Theatre without a revolving stage. No decision has been made as whether they will keep that show.

 

Yes it's one of the best Princess shows so it will be sad if they loose it.

 

In the drydock that will add more staterooms, add the IC in a 45 day drydock.

 

There was engineers on board looking at things prior to the dry dock next year.

 

Tom:)

What deck is the IC going to be on?

[Colo Cruiser]

What deck is the IC going to be on?

 

 

Deck 5 in the Piazza.

[caribill]

Deck 5 in the Piazza.

 

Why does it not show up on the revised deck plans?

[Colo Cruiser]

Why does it not show up on the revised deck plans?

 

You are supposed to know the answer to that. :cool:

 

Maybe because its not there. ;)

Edited May 2, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[Tyskie]

You are supposed to know the answer to that. :cool:

 

Maybe because its not there. ;)

 

It's going to be a surprise! :rolleyes:

Princess says no IC but on the drydock schedule it said yes, IC.

Guess we'll know May 22nd or shortly thereafter :D

[waltd]

I hope they surprise us and add the IC. For some it doesn't replace the Universe Lounge but it will make some of us happy to have the IC on the Island. :)

[Bazz100]

My bet is that they will not include it. I would prefer to believe Princess's own website to any other source, even the dry dock. On the other hand maybe they will turn the Patisserie into an IC? That could work.