What will Island Princess look like after May 2015?

[TorontoTL]

Poor Island Princess had a bad butt implant....:p But she's still a beautiful girl inside.

[littlesteelo]

Looking at this from the perspective of a naval architecture student, it's quite sad to see such a cheap job. You can tell they have asked Fincantieri to give them the cheapest possible design with the maximum number of cabins, which is why there are only simple angles and any curves are along one axis. Simply put, putting complex curvature into steel is difficult, expensive and requires additional equipment therefore most cruise ship yards outsource it to external companies. Most repair yards certainly don't have the steelworking capacity to do something like that, which is why often additions to cruise ships are somewhat simple in their design.

 

The aim here was to add as much potential revenue with the minimal amount of investment, and clearly Princess don't really care about the appearance of their ships enough to warrant spending extra on making the additional block a bit less obnoxious. This isn't to say at all that the quality of the repair work is poor or unsafe, but it is definitely a penny pinching decision that in my opinion makes the ship look like crap. Fair enough if you are a container ship/bulker owner for which the appearance of your ship doesn't matter, but part of the appeal of cruise ships is that for their huge size, appearance remains fairly high priority during their design.

Edited May 28, 2015 by littlesteelo

[Astro Flyer]

Looking at this from the perspective of a naval architecture student...

As a naval architecture student, the question has come up about the affects of adding extra weight to the upper aft decks. I'm assuming that ships are like aircraft & that adding weight fore or aft would affect CG.

 

I was on an aircraft carrier which after extending the angle deck despite adding additional ballast the ship still had a slight list to port. Do you think the Island would need ballast forward to keep the bow in the optimum position?

 

While the added section has made the ship's appearance less appealing there are other ships I think are ugly like NCL's Epic. The inside may be great however it looks like the naval architects plopped a hotel onto the front of the ship...UGLY! :eek:

Edited May 28, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[caribill]

I was on an aircraft carrier which after extending the angle deck despite adding additional ballast the ship still had a slight list to port. Do you think the Island would need ballast forward to keep the bow in the optimum position?

 

 

That could be one reason they removed the "jet engines" which were near the aft area.

[shipfriend_max]

On this picture, the ship does not look that bad:

http://www.marinetraffic.com/de/photos/picture/ships/1966259/9230402/shipid:371085

 

IMHO, the profile of the ship is till appealing, much better than others (e. g. MSC Musica Class), but the sleeky look is gone, IMHO...

[Roses2]

No one has addressed the economic reality faced by Princess management in reaching the decision to retrofit the Island and Coral Princess.

 

These two ships are just past the mid point of their most useful life for Princess since generally as one of the Princess ships approaches 20 years of useful service it is proposed for sale to a second tier line.

 

Compared to the Grand class ships, both of the ships are about the same length a bit less gross tonnage, and have significant less beam in order to transit the current Panama Canal. With the opening of the new canal, larger ships with greater passenger capacity will be able to transit the canal.

 

The costs of operating the Island and Coral are not significantly different from the operating costs of the Grand class ships. Yet the Island and Coral carried far fewer passengers and had many few higher dollar gross cabins. As an example they had only 16 full suites on each ship as opposed to about twice that many on the Grand class.

 

Based on the above, as well as other obvious reasons, I believe any prudent management would look at the remaining useful life cycle of the two ships and reach the decision they made: to add additional passenger capacity, incuding higher grossing cabins

 

The cruise business is highly competitive. Royal Caribbean has gone to 5000 passenger ships as their first line choice. Carnival Lines, including Princess new builds are about 3500 capacity. Royal Caribbean stock has increased at a greater rate than Princess stock based on profitability.

 

Coal and Island Princess as reconfigured will be able to take on a broader role than previously. Smaller cruise ships now are used by niche cruise lines or to fill special roles. They soon will disappear from the mainstream cruise lines.

 

While I agree that we would not book one of the new aft Vista suites and aesthetics of the changes certainly could be improved, from a good management view, Princess was right.

 

Just my opinion as a frequent cruiser and stockholder

[Kineticoh20]

On this picture, the ship does not look that bad:

http://www.marinetraffic.com/de/photos/picture/ships/1966259/9230402/shipid:371085

 

IMHO, the profile of the ship is till appealing, much better than others (e. g. MSC Musica Class), but the sleeky look is gone, IMHO...

 

Just like Kim Kardashian looks great from front and side :p

[InTheWASide]

Just like Kim Kardashian looks great from front and side :p

 

No she doesn't :D

[jasbo49]

No one has addressed the economic reality faced by Princess management in reaching the decision to retrofit the Island and Coral Princess.

 

These two ships are just past the mid point of their most useful life for Princess since generally as one of the Princess ships approaches 20 years of useful service it is proposed for sale to a second tier line.

 

Compared to the Grand class ships, both of the ships are about the same length a bit less gross tonnage, and have significant less beam in order to transit the current Panama Canal. With the opening of the new canal, larger ships with greater passenger capacity will be able to transit the canal.

 

The costs of operating the Island and Coral are not significantly different from the operating costs of the Grand class ships. Yet the Island and Coral carried far fewer passengers and had many few higher dollar gross cabins. As an example they had only 16 full suites on each ship as opposed to about twice that many on the Grand class.

 

Based on the above, as well as other obvious reasons, I believe any prudent management would look at the remaining useful life cycle of the two ships and reach the decision they made: to add additional passenger capacity, incuding higher grossing cabins

 

The cruise business is highly competitive. Royal Caribbean has gone to 5000 passenger ships as their first line choice. Carnival Lines, including Princess new builds are about 3500 capacity. Royal Caribbean stock has increased at a greater rate than Princess stock based on profitability.

 

Coal and Island Princess as reconfigured will be able to take on a broader role than previously. Smaller cruise ships now are used by niche cruise lines or to fill special roles. They soon will disappear from the mainstream cruise lines.

 

While I agree that we would not book one of the new aft Vista suites and aesthetics of the changes certainly could be improved, from a good management view, Princess was right.

 

Just my opinion as a frequent cruiser and stockholder

 

That was one of the more lucid posts we've seen in this sea of frenzy. Thank you.

 

Jim

[Colo Cruiser]

That was one of the more lucid posts we've seen in this sea of frenzy. Thank you.

 

Jim

 

Still all speculation.

Adding 200 passengers is hardly keeping up with the Jones's. :cool:

[rdsqrl]

No one has addressed the economic reality faced by Princess management in reaching the decision to retrofit the Island and Coral Princess.

That's because no one cares about their "economic reality." I don't base my buying decision, whether vacation or shoe or food, on the vendor's "economic reality." I base it on what's good for me.

. . .

Just my opinion as a frequent cruiser and stockholder

Your opinion as a stockholder is still just your [uninformed] opinion.

I really can't stand these "follow the money" posts because they're so patronizing and simplistic.

Edited May 29, 2015 by rdsqrl

[jasbo49]

Your opinion as a stockholder is still just your [uninformed] opinion.

I really can't stand these "follow the money" posts because they're so patronizing and simplistic.

 

Boy, am I glad I'm leaving tomorrow to drive to a cruise where we can forget all this brain-sweat. I've enjoyed your posts and sense of humor in the past, rdsqrl, but I also thought the post you criticized was interesting and had some different perspectives. Just because it's about bean-counting doesn't mean it's not worth considering in the big picture, right?

 

Anyhow, we're off to parts unknown, and I'll worry about our next cruise and the one after that later.

 

Jim

[Kineticoh20]

Boy, am I glad I'm leaving tomorrow to drive to a cruise where we can forget all this brain-sweat. I've enjoyed your posts and sense of humor in the past, rdsqrl, but I also thought the post you criticized was interesting and had some different perspectives. Just because it's about bean-counting doesn't mean it's not worth considering in the big picture, right?

 

Anyhow, we're off to parts unknown, and I'll worry about our next cruise and the one after that later.

 

Jim

 

Jim I also found the reply to you a little mean spirited, everyone is entitled to an opinion and should not be criticized for expressing it. BTW I also agree with your assessment ;) have a wonderful adventure!

[dmwnc1959]

Probably one of the clearest images I've seen of the stern rebuild, the first of her starboard side.

 

I realize the setting sun is rather low in this picture. Several observations, as mentioned before:

 

 

- the aft-facing Aloha Deck suites are going to be pretty much totally exposed (A728, A729)

 

- same goes for all of the new side-facing Lido Deck balconies

 

- the aft-facing Lido Deck suites do not wrap around (L721, L722)

 

- the last side-facing Aloha Deck balcony does (A727, A726)

 

- that's the sun's glare reflecting off of the four aft-facing Baja Deck balconies ;)

 

- there seems to be little if any cross-deck wind protection for The Sanctuary

 

(Credit image to Paolo Gangemi)

Edited May 31, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[Bazz100]

What do you make of the stern corners on Dolphin Dave? From the deck plans D727 and D728 are OV (obstructed) but there looks to be a small balcony in the picture where the deck plan shows dead space?

[Woobstr112G]

Usually with comments like this, I sort of take them with a grain of salt. But after taking the time to do a side-by-side comparison of the 'before and after' deck plans, all I can say is 'holy cow'. I've never been on Island Princess, and had actually contemplated sailing this ship doing a partial Panama Canal in the next few years, but not now.

 

It might be interesting to hear from others who have been on this ship to comment on this major refit, and what it is doing to the ship in their opinion. I imagine the consensus will be unanimous.

 

:D

 

Agreed.....:):):)

 

Bob

[dmwnc1959]

What do you make of the stern corners on Dolphin Dave? From the deck plans D727 and D728 are OV (obstructed) but there looks to be a small balcony in the picture where the deck plan shows dead space?

 

 

It wouldn't be a 'balcony' for those ocean view cabins as there's no access to the outside, and I can't imagine that it would be an extension for the cabins forward of them (D726/D725) since the ocean view cabins would people sitting/standing around just outside their window. My guess it that it is exactly what you said it is: dead space, albeit open-air dead space.

 

Here it is from another angle; you can see there's no blue balcony glass on the backside of that dead-space like you see on the corner/backside cabins on the decks above it.

 

Edited May 31, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[chamima]

Probably one of the clearest images I've seen of the stern rebuild, the first of her starboard side.

 

I realize the setting sun is rather low in this picture. Several observations, as mentioned before:

 

 

- the aft-facing Aloha Deck suites are going to be pretty much totally exposed (A728, A729)

 

- same goes for all of the new side-facing Lido Deck balconies

 

- the aft-facing Lido Deck suites do not wrap around (L721, L722)

 

- the last side-facing Aloha Deck balcony does (A727, A726)

 

- that's the sun's glare reflecting off of the four aft-facing Baja Deck balconies ;)

 

- there seems to be little if any cross-deck wind protection for The Sanctuary

 

i)[/size]

 

It wouldn't be a 'balcony' for those ocean view cabins as there's no access to the outside, and I can't imagine that it would be an extension for the cabins forward of them (D726/D725) since the ocean view cabins would people sitting/standing around just outside their window. My guess it that it is exactly what you said it is: dead space, albeit open-air dead space.

 

Here it is from another angle; you can see there's no blue balcony glass on the backside of that dead-space like you see on the corner/backside cabins on the decks above it.

 

 

 

 

A727 and A726 - if they really are priced at "balcony" look to be the biggest bargains on the ship! SH-h-h-h! ;)

 

 

 

 

*

[dmwnc1959]

A727 and A726 - if they really are priced at "balcony" look to be the biggest bargains on the ship! SH-h-h-h! ;)

 

 

My error in nomenclature as those balcony cabins are S5 Suites. Sorry. :o

 

But the current deck plan indicates that they do not wrap around, when all of the pictures I've seen so far show otherwise.

 

;)

Edited May 31, 2015 by dmwnc1959

[CRUISER94044]

Hi all,

 

I am sorry I haven't been back on to report again. We had Athens, Florence, and Rome right after one another, and I have come back happy but exhausted.

Yes, there is a happy hour daily from 3-4 in the Wheelhouse, which is very well attended, and a lot of fun. There is another one from 10-11 at the Casino and sometimes Explorers. I haven't been to that one yet.

 

I will report again when I get home in a couple of days. This ship experienced some engine difficulties, and slowed us down one night, and we arrived to Livorna 1.5 hours late. But this was corrected, and we are steaming ahead towards Barcalona. Yes, this was a shake down cruise, especially for those in the new cabins, but we continue to have a wonderful time.

[Colo Cruiser]

Hi all,

 

I am sorry I haven't been back on to report again. We had Athens, Florence, and Rome right after one another, and I have come back happy but exhausted.

Yes, there is a happy hour daily from 3-4 in the Wheelhouse, which is very well attended, and a lot of fun. There is another one from 10-11 at the Casino and sometimes Explorers. I haven't been to that one yet.

 

I will report again when I get home in a couple of days. This ship experienced some engine difficulties, and slowed us down one night, and we arrived to Livorna 1.5 hours late. But this was corrected, and we are steaming ahead towards Barcalona. Yes, this was a shake down cruise, especially for those in the new cabins, but we continue to have a wonderful time.

 

 

Thanks for checking back in, I hope the engine issues don't get any worse.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise. :)

[nyc12345]

If possible, please post pictures of these two cabins. Want to see if and how they are obstructed...

[Bazz100]

Hi all,

 

Yes, there is a happy hour daily from 3-4 in the Wheelhouse, which is very well attended, and a lot of fun. There is another one from 10-11 at the Casino and sometimes Explorers. I haven't been to that one yet.

 

 

Thanks so much for the confirmation, much appreciated. Sorry you had some engine problems, glad you are having a great, albeit tiring cruise.

 

Barry.

[Bradyporter]

Just back from 12-day Venice to Barcelona on Island Princess. We had a mini-suite on Dolphin deck mid-ship and it was terrific. However, I heard many, many complaints from rooms not being completed, leaks, vibrations/noise, and one suite that was supposed to be ADA-compliant did not have wide enough balcony for wheelchair. Two floors did not have working laundry facilities and although our floor had working facilities, the soap machine did not work. Missed having the Vista Lounge which was converted to rooms. Staff did not seem overly enthusiastic, very different from Alaska cruises. Tours were very good albeit exhausting but the guides were very good. A couple of medical emergencies held up the ship a few times and made for late arrivals. Overall, great trip and fabulous people on board but the Island Princess still needs to work out some bugs.

[Kineticoh20]

Just back from 12-day Venice to Barcelona on Island Princess. We had a mini-suite on Dolphin deck mid-ship and it was terrific. However, I heard many, many complaints from rooms not being completed, leaks, vibrations/noise, and one suite that was supposed to be ADA-compliant did not have wide enough balcony for wheelchair. Two floors did not have working laundry facilities and although our floor had working facilities, the soap machine did not work. Missed having the Vista Lounge which was converted to rooms. Staff did not seem overly enthusiastic, very different from Alaska cruises. Tours were very good albeit exhausting but the guides were very good. A couple of medical emergencies held up the ship a few times and made for late arrivals. Overall, great trip and fabulous people on board but the Island Princess still needs to work out some bugs.

 

Welcome back! Glad you had a terrific time. I am a little disappointed about the problems on board.