Question about Grand Princess

[ladybird1956]

My husband and I are considering our first cruise on a Princess ship, after many Holland America cruises. We have a couple of questions that you might be able to help us with. 1. Outside seating areas: is there much in the way of quiet, smoke-free seating outside? Pool areas are often noisy, and we like to find quiet corners where we can read and enjoy the sun. 2. Inside seating areas: what about quiet areas inside for reading during the day? On Holland America ships we often spend time in the Crow's Nest or in the Library, and there doesn't seem to be equivalent areas on this ship. Or I've just missed them. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Carol

[Pam in CA]

Princess has a pretty strict smoking policy: no smoking in cabins or balconies and limited areas outside.

 

You might really enjoy the Calypso Reef & Pool on Lido deck and the Conservatory above. Comfortable padded loungers in a covered pool area. The Conservatory is usually under-utilized and there is a door on each side with direct access to outside deck and loungers. Few if any kids and relatively quiet.

 

The Grand used to have a Skywalkers at the back of the ship which is the equivalent of the Crow's Nest. But it was removed due to structural and weight issues. Instead, they built the One5 Nightclub on Sun deck. I haven't been on the Grand since it was renovated but I understand there are comfortable chairs inside and outside. I'm pretty sure smoking is allowed at night but might not be during the day.

[skynight]

My husband and I are considering our first cruise on a Princess ship, after many Holland America cruises. We have a couple of questions that you might be able to help us with. 1. Outside seating areas: is there much in the way of quiet, smoke-free seating outside? Pool areas are often noisy, and we like to find quiet corners where we can read and enjoy the sun. 2. Inside seating areas: what about quiet areas inside for reading during the day? On Holland America ships we often spend time in the Crow's Nest or in the Library, and there doesn't seem to be equivalent areas on this ship. Or I've just missed them. Any advice would be appreciated.

 

Thanks,

Carol

Smoking is only permitted in small outside areas of the ship, you should not have any difficulty with this, and indoors only in the casino and snooker's cigar bar.

 

Outside quiet areas include:

The Terrace Pool area (adults only) on deck 12 aft and decks 14 and 15 above it.

The area just aft of the wedding chapel starboard. It is covered with wicker chairs. The similar area on the port side is a smoking section.

The Lap Pool area, adults only, on Deck 15 forward. Limited seating, but you can sit on the sun deck above it.

Deck 16 aft, the Oasis Hot Tub area

The Sanctuary. This is a fee spa like area where you get a very comfortable lounger reserved for you. They just raised the price to $20/pp per half day or $30 for the whole day if you reserve the entire cruise. Reserve as soon as you board.

Promenade deck chairs. Only a small area of the promenade is for smoking, 85% is non smoking.

 

Indoor areas include:

Club One Five Lounge during the daytime hours, deck 15 aft.. Very few ship scheduled activities in this club. Bar not open during the daytime, and many sit there and read, play cards etc.

Leaves Tea Room, deck 7

Wheelhouse Bar (sometimes). There are activities there sometimes so check the Princess Patter.

Area just opposite the Explorer's lounge bar. Some sit and read there.

The Calypso reef indoor pool, normally a quiet area with padded lounges and tables and chairs.

The Conservatory on deck 15 above the Calypso Reef Pool, difficult to get a seat on cooler days and may be hot on warm days.

Many sit in the Piazza, which is an active area where you can get coffee, tea, lunch, desserts. It's like and outdoor plaza, but indoors. Always activity going on. One of our favorite places to sit indoors and eat lunch.

 

Hope this information is useful.

[Camelia-]

to see a great improvement in the library. I had assumed that, because it was a sister ship to the Star Princess, that the setup found there would be repeated on the Grand. I hated the fact that the Internet cafe and the library shared that tiny space just off the Piazza..neither computer users or library users were very happy with it. On the Grand..they've left it just for the internet users and moved the library to Promenade Deck...nice comfy chairs for reading or playing card games and..best of all..they had the honour system in place so you could browse and borrow whenever you felt like it and just return when done..I loved it and I think it worked really well.

 

Overall, I must agree with what many here have said about this ship. Yes..she definitely has signs of age on her without a doubt but I really enjoyed my time on her. For some reason I never got lost once..which almost never happens..I always found it easy to get my bearings..the piazza was constantly brimming with activity and for the first time on a ship I felt that the word "piazza" definitely applied because it really felt like the heart of the ship..just as a piazza is the heart of a town. I can't say enough about the crew..no matter which deck I was on or which set of stairs I was climbing..there was always a greeting and a smile from anyone who crossed my path. It just made the whole experience so much better and so much more welcoming. If there was one thing that I would have changed it would be that more effort should be put into acquiring more hand sanitizers. For instance..I do think that it would be a great idea to have them available at the entrance of the dining rooms..I know that this was the case on other Princess ships that I've been on. Hopefully this will happen in the future.

 

Camelia

[ladybird1956]

Wow! Thank you all for your prompt and thorough replies. They were all very helpful. I think we could be very comfortable on this ship.