What will Island Princess look like after May 2015?

[LabGuy64]

the only thing you can say for Carnival is they know their demographic.....and it has made them able to buy up all these other lines.....not saying its good for the other lines....but there way does work...for lower middle america and the young party crowd

 

 

 

When you look at their history all lines had different markets and different styles. Princess was in no financial danger when it was acquired by Carnival and I have seen nothing but standards drop on some lines ever sine Carnival got their claws in them. Namely P&O standards have deteriorated.

 

The thing about Carnival is that short gambling cruises are their bread and butter. That is their income. They know no other form of revenue raising apart from the style that made them. Princess made their revenue off the style of cruising we grew used to. Carnival cannot understand this concept as it is totally alien to them. What I find sad about Carnival is that they seem to treat all lines the same and all the good things are gradually going.

 

These changes of Island Princess reek of Carnival greed and is not the Princess style.

[caribill]

Everyone has a valid point in one way or another but I guess we'll really not know the outcome until after the "make-over".

 

 

The outcome is pretty much known.

 

More passengers with the additional cabins along with less public space and no additional dining or entertainment seating capacity.

 

Sort of the same benefits to the passengers as the airlines have when they add two more rows of seats to existing aircraft cabins.

Edited January 29, 2015 by caribill

[LabGuy64]

Glass half empty guy hmm?

 

The outcome is pretty much known.

 

More passengers with the additional cabins along with less public space and no additional dining or entertainment seating capacity.

 

Sort of the same benefits to the passengers as the airlines have when they add two more rows of seats to existing aircraft cabins.

[Brisbane41]

Glass half empty guy hmm?

 

I think they are more realistic. Cheap clichés like that are no excuse to the draconian changes they are making to the ship.

 

We can all be experts here and if we cruise regularly and know the Princess ships well then that gives us the right to make assumptions based on what those changed deck plans are.

 

For many years the Island Princess has existed as a terrific ship with a pretty much standard amount of space compared to competing lines.

 

Now some bean counter who should be in a lunatic asylum has authorised draconian changes to the ship that will make it more unfriendly, more crowded, takes away the ambience, reduces the amount of passengers that can enjoy shows, takes away deck chairs and takes away the cruise experience. You will still pay the same to cruise on it but you will have less. The Coral Princess may remain the same as it is which beggars the question as to why Island Princess must change. Bear in mind that other cruise lines that operate similar ships like Royal Caribbean and the Radiance class, HAL and the Vista class and Carnival with the Spirit class are not making draconian changes to their ships. Why must Princess do this at all. Some say Venice, well I say Venice is not that spectacular to change a ship and ruin peoples cruise experience over it.

 

At the end of the day the changes are going to ruin the cruise experience for many people. It will now be a transport ship and no longer a cruise ship.

[Colo Cruiser]

The Coral may also have the same changes next year. :(

[dmwnc1959]

I think they are more realistic. Cheap clichés like that are no excuse to the draconian changes they are making to the ship.

 

Bear in mind that other cruise lines that operate similar ships like Royal Caribbean and the Radiance class, HAL and the Vista class and Carnival with the Spirit class are not making draconian changes to their ships. Why must Princess do this at all. Some say Venice, well I say Venice is not that spectacular to change a ship and ruin peoples cruise experience over it.

 

At the end of the day the changes are going to ruin the cruise experience for many people. It will now be a transport ship and no longer a cruise ship.

 

 

I quite agree, as I've equated the Island Princess changes to those of Carnival Destiny (Carnival Sunshine). And I haven't been on the Island Princess personally, but I can read and interpret deck plans pretty damned well, and what they are doing to that ship is not going to go over well, at all. Taking that much public space away from any ship while adding that many passengers can only make it considerably more congested.

 

The only reason I can see that Princess Cruises is butchering Island Princess is to make up for lost revenue due to the Royal-class being pulled from the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, once the refit is contracted out I can't see them backing out of the deal. The only time I've ever seen something like that happen was when Holland-America destroyed Veendam with that God-awful stern buildup of balcony cabins that didn't fit and extended out over the end like buck-teeth. The uproar was so great, HAL cancelled the subsequent alterations to the other ships of the Statendam-class.

 

;)

Edited January 30, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[step_out]

The only reason I can see that Princess Cruises is butchering Island Princess is to make up for lost revenue due to the Royal-class being pulled from the Mediterranean.

 

As far as I'm aware (and admit to my knowledge being limited) one of the main reasons for pulling the grand class ships from the Med legs (perhaps leading to the changes aboard the Island), was the Venice ban on large ships, commencing last November.

 

With this ban being overturned, it seems a shame to butcher the Island, when it perhaps is now not necessary...

[dmwnc1959]

As far as I'm aware (and admit to my knowledge being limited) one of the main reasons for pulling the grand class ships from the Med legs (perhaps leading to the changes aboard the Island), was the Venice ban on large ships, commencing last November.

 

With this ban being overturned, it seems a shame to butcher the Island, when it perhaps is now not necessary...

 

 

Exactly the same point I had made earlier, hoping against hope that if/when the lifted ban becomes absolute/permanent, and the cruise lines can safely plan for their Med 2016 itineraries, that Princess Cruises would postpone/cancel the unnecessary refit. But here we are, almost in February, and no word from Princess Cruises. Yet.

 

:D

[Brisbane41]

I quite agree, as I've equated the Island Princess changes to those of Carnival Destiny (Carnival Sunshine). And I haven't been on the Island Princess personally, but I can read and interpret deck plans pretty damned well, and what they are doing to that ship is not going to go over well, at all. Taking that much public space away from any ship while adding that many passengers can only make it considerably more congested.

 

The only reason I can see that Princess Cruises is butchering Island Princess is to make up for lost revenue due to the Royal-class being pulled from the Mediterranean. Unfortunately, once the refit is contracted out I can't see them backing out of the deal. The only time I've ever seen something like that happen was when Holland-America destroyed Veendam with that God-awful stern buildup of balcony cabins that didn't fit and extended out over the end like buck-teeth. The uproar was so great, HAL cancelled the subsequent alterations to the other ships of the Statendam-class.

 

;)

 

I remember that post you made about Carnival Destiny/Sunshine and I have since viewed the deck plans and was extremely surprised.

 

I guess the more we travel the more used to ships we get. I can now look at a ships deck plans and once I board know exactly where I am going and not get lost. I just recognise patterns in design and have a good memory for names and locations.

 

It would be good to see the changes not proceed. Sadly the parts have probably already been ordered and manufactured. It would be good to see a public uproar about it once it is done. I would love to see Princess have so few sales on that ship that they are forced to undo the draconian changes.

 

Island Princess was one of my preferred ships but now I have to avoid it. It was a nice ship. At least there is still the Coral Princess.

[skrodle]

I remember that post you made about Carnival Destiny/Sunshine and I have since viewed the deck plans and was extremely surprised.

 

I guess the more we travel the more used to ships we get. I can now look at a ships deck plans and once I board know exactly where I am going and not get lost. I just recognise patterns in design and have a good memory for names and locations.

 

It would be good to see the changes not proceed. Sadly the parts have probably already been ordered and manufactured. It would be good to see a public uproar about it once it is done. I would love to see Princess have so few sales on that ship that they are forced to undo the draconian changes.

 

Island Princess was one of my preferred ships but now I have to avoid it. It was a nice ship. At least there is still the Coral Princess.

\

 

OMG Can you say DRACONIAN CHANGES one more time????

 

I for one am excited about my 2016 cruise on the Island as I was able to book one of the new Aft corner Lido Suites!!! The size and shape look spectacular and cant wait to sail through the canal on her in my comfy big suite.

[dmwnc1959]

The changes to Carnival Destiny/Sunshine were the most severe I had seen since the SS France/Norway conversion(s). And although the interior spaces on the completed Carnival project looked nice, traffic control and passenger:space ratio must be a nightmare. I wouldn't cruise that ship even if it were free.

 

I remember my first cruise ever: I memorized the deck plans long in advance, knew where everything was, and once I was aboard it felt like I was 'home'. I don't like surprises, or having finished off a week on a ship only to realize 'hey, I didn't know that was there!'.

 

Once Princess Cruises refits Island Princess, there is no going back. You just can't 'undo' that much work without it costing a fortune. I can't ever recall any cruise ship that has undergone that much of a drastic change, then the cruise line turning around and removing it all. It just won't happen.

 

:cool:

 

 

I remember that post you made about Carnival Destiny/Sunshine and I have since viewed the deck plans and was extremely surprised.

 

I guess the more we travel the more used to ships we get. I can now look at a ships deck plans and once I board know exactly where I am going and not get lost. I just recognise patterns in design and have a good memory for names and locations.

 

It would be good to see the changes not proceed. Sadly the parts have probably already been ordered and manufactured. It would be good to see a public uproar about it once it is done. I would love to see Princess have so few sales on that ship that they are forced to undo the draconian changes.

 

Island Princess was one of my preferred ships but now I have to avoid it. It was a nice ship. At least there is still the Coral Princess.

[dmwnc1959]

 

OMG Can you say DRACONIAN CHANGES one more time????

 

 

How about those Draconian changes?! lol ;)

 

Just kidding!!!!

 

I really do hope you enjoy your suite. At least you're booked far enough in advance to see these changes occur, then cancel if need be should the reviews come back less than favorable.

 

:D

[caribill]

 

I for one am excited about my 2016 cruise on the Island as I was able to book one of the new Aft corner Lido Suites!!! The size and shape look spectacular and cant wait to sail through the canal on her in my comfy big suite.

 

And you should be excited.

 

But your new corner aft suite replaces a nice public area where any passenger who paid for the Sanctuary could be to view the canal passage.

Edited January 30, 2015 by caribill

[skrodle]

How about those Draconian changes?! lol ;)

 

Just kidding!!!!

 

I really do hope you enjoy your suite. At least you're booked far enough in advance to see these changes occur, then cancel if need be should the reviews come back less than favorable.

 

:D

 

my thoughts exactly.... looking forward to photos, and an updated diagram... i am sure the layout is still not finalized. When I first booked the cruise they had they "sail before or after May 2015" on deck plans, but both sets of deck plans were the same... it wasnt until they released the current plans that we changed to the new corner suite. I am sure there will be final updates after May 2015

[skrodle]

And you should be excited.

 

But your new corner aft suite replaces a nice public area where any passenger who paid for the Sanctuary could be to view the canal passage.

 

But if you look at the new plans, on deck 16 they have vastly expanded the sanctuary and made it much larger on a single deck rather then split between 16/15. I dont think they would have killed the sanctuary as it is such a revenue producer for them.

 

this is the kind of thing that everyone is jumping up and down about and not waiting to see the final product... Its just like when the Grand removed skywalkers... I am sure there were people crying about that too.

[caribill]

 

this is the kind of thing that everyone is jumping up and down about and not waiting to see the final product... Its just like when the Grand removed skywalkers... I am sure there were people crying about that too.

 

Skywalker's was removed on the Grand due to structural problems (that do not affect Skywalkers on other Princess ships).

 

It was replaced with a new public venue that could be used for the same purposes that Skywalkers was used for.

 

The public areas that are being removed from the Island (Universe Lounge, part of the Promenade deck, public viewing areas both forward and aft on several decks) are not being replaced by any equivalent public areas or actually, any public areas at all.

Edited January 30, 2015 by caribill

[sunsetbeachgal]

I read that they are not even adding an Internaitional Cafe, which to me is long overdue. Is there anything bring done that benefits the majority of the passengers, or just additional cabins?

[sue2go]

Actually I posted this on another thread....

 

Looks like the drydock schedule for the Island Princess now includes an International Cafe!

 

From the Fincanteiri site, italian translations confirm International Cafe will be added, Horizon Court restructured, Universe Lounge remodeled, Casino remodeled, and up to 200 cabins added (likely some in the place of the Universe Lounge)

[dmwnc1959]

Here is a side-by-side comparison of some of the major changes...

 

 

Universe Lounge and aft Promenade Deck wrap around goes away completely, Fitness Center relocated down from Lido Deck

 

 

 

 

 

Casino downsized

 

 

 

 

 

Baja, Aloha, and Lido Decks aft are extrended/squared off and aft facing public access decks go away, Sanctuary Relocated

 

 

 

:D

Edited January 30, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[Colo Cruiser]

my thoughts exactly.... looking forward to photos, and an updated diagram... i am sure the layout is still not finalized. When I first booked the cruise they had they "sail before or after May 2015" on deck plans, but both sets of deck plans were the same... it wasnt until they released the current plans that we changed to the new corner suite. I am sure there will be final updates after May 2015

 

 

Of course the layout is finalized.

If you can't tell the drastic changes by the side by side comparison posted by Dave then I guess you will be confronted with them when you board.

We canceled but I think if I booked a suite I would spend 99% in it and on shore. :(

[Colo Cruiser]

this is the kind of thing that everyone is jumping up and down about and not waiting to see the final product... Its just like when the Grand removed skywalkers... I am sure there were people crying about that too.

 

Have you sailed the Grand since the removal? :(

[dmwnc1959]

I read that they are not even adding an Internaitional Cafe, which to me is long overdue. Is there anything bring done that benefits the majority of the passengers, or just additional cabins?

 

 

When I did a side-by-side comparison looking at the deck plans I counted at least 110 additional cabins being added (including the full suites), with very little if any additional public space being added with exception of the limited expansion of the Horizon Court.

 

:eek:

[Colo Cruiser]

Perfect for us visually impaired folks.........

Thanks this is great! :)

 

 

 

Here is a side-by-side comparison of some of the major changes...

 

 

Universe Lounge and aft Promenade Deck wrap around goes away completely, Fitness Center relocated down from Lido Deck

 

 

 

 

 

Casino downsized

 

 

 

 

 

Baja, Aloha, and Lido Decks aft are extrended/squared off and aft facing public access decks go away, Sanctuary Relocated

 

 

 

:D

[RickEk]

Thanks for the side-by-side comparison Dave. Great work as usual! :)

 

One thing that I really don't get is why not put the Sanctuary forward where the Sun-class Sanctuary's are and then put a new nightclub or indoor/outdoor venue in the aft space?

[IECalCruiser]

Thanks for the side-by-side comparison Dave. Great work as usual! :)

 

 

 

One thing that I really don't get is why not put the Sanctuary forward where the Sun-class Sanctuary's are and then put a new nightclub or indoor/outdoor venue in the aft space?

Interesting thought. If they removed the splash pool in the area forward on the Sports deck, that area could be good for the Sanctuary. The planned Sanctuary in back could be used for another entertainment venue. Or may be leave the Sanctuary aft and make the forward area a bar with floor to ceiling windows much like P&Os Crow's Nest. Too bad we can't have an influence on the design changes.

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

Edited January 30, 2015 by IECalCruiser