Grand, Golden and Star to receive "Movies Under the Stars" theatre

[dejavu]

I too think this sounds like a fun idea, not everyone wants to sit in a lounge or watch a show inside every night, we just retuned from hawaii where they have movies on the beach at night, a warm night, outside under the stars, whats not to like? If it's not your idea of fun there are plenty of other activities, I just think it's a added feature that will appeal to some passengers. Bravo to Princess for thinking outside the box.

[Jacqueline]

One problem they solve is that some of the overcrowding I have experienced in the Caribbean itineraries in the showlounge. This will be alievated. This wasnt a problem in Europe as people as so tired from the excursions that there wasnt an overwheleming turnout. But in the Carib if we didnt show up good and early there were no seats, and indeed a fight over seats. This will allow Princess to use its beautiful outdoor areas more effectively more of the time.

There is still the aft pool and the crows nest hot tub for those who dont want the noise and lights and want to enjoy the sea. Personally, that would be me.

 

Jacqueline

Constellation 3/20/04

HAL Westerdam 7/30/04

Tahitian Princess August 2003

Grand Princess Western Caribbean 2003

Brilliance of the Seas Baltic 2002

Ocean Princess- Alaska 2001

Celebrity Zenith- Bermuda 2001

Grand Princess Med 2000

 

[sue d. miller]

Maybe then they will put the tables back on the aft terrace on the Carribean. Sue

 

7 Days on The Star Princess October24,2004

 

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[steve2001]

Here is my $0.02. Who else can't wait for Monday Night Football now?

 

55 days, 7 ships

Until Ship #8

[Pam in CA]

I'm not a big fan of the Grand-class ships but I have to admit, I'm looking forward to our Caribbean Princess cruise and trying out the Movies Under the Stars.

 

Coming from snowy, cold New England, it'll be a treat to be outdoors and entertained at the same time.

 

I knew what to expect when planning our CP cruise. If I want a more traditional cruise, I go for the Royal or Regal Princess.

 

Song of Norway & Song of America, 1986-88; Royal Princess 2/99; Sun Princess 1/00; Ocean Princess 12/00; Royal Princess 4/01; Grand Princess 12/23/01; Sea Princess 2/9/02; Explorer of the Seas 12/21/02; Coral Princess 8/9/03; Nordic Empress 12/27/03.

 

-- Regal Princess (4/20/04) -- Roll Call

-- Caribbean Princess (12/26/04) -- Roll Call

-- Royal Princess (4/21/05)

[Tak8]

Does anyone know when they will put the MUTS theatre on the other ships listed?

[Aquarian]

I think it sounds like a lot of fun. I used to love drive-in movies as a kid. I think it's fair to assume that there still will be a lot of space not devoted to this area that will still be available to those who aren't interested in the movies. It's just another one of those wonderful "choices" that Princess offers.

[CruiseFever]

I know that my initial reaction has been excitement but I am concerned about the comments from the Princess Purists (for whom I have the utmost respect)that this is a negative thing.

 

You know what you're talking about and I'd like to know more of your concern. I am unable to comprehend why this would make someone want to "try Celebrity".

 

A great memory of a past cruise was when the cruise line arranged for us to see a major sporting event that would have been a pay-per-view at home. It was piped through the cabins TV's and put on a big screen in the showroom. It was quite fun.

 

Perhaps this would be a better quesion asked in a separate post?

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/04

Star Princess 10/04

Carnival Spirit 12/04

 

[sammiedawg]

Will they add this to the Golden on the upcoming dry dock? We're sailing May 23.

[jsea]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by CruisingIsLife:

I know that my initial reaction has been excitement but I am concerned about the comments from the Princess Purists (for whom I have the utmost respect)that this is a negative thing.

 

You know what you're talking about and I'd like to know more of your concern. I am unable to comprehend why this would make someone want to "try Celebrity".<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

 

While I can't speak for everyone, we stopped cruising Princess because the cruises just weren't exemplary any more. Princess has tons of positives, many of which no other line can touch, but in recent years their focus on 'the premium' has all but gone away.

 

That's why we started sailing Celebrity and love the line. It's definitely more traditional than Princess, and in fact, it's similar to what Princess was in the early to mid '90s.

 

It basically boils down to tradition. Princess Purists (a.k.a those who have been sailing Princess pre-Grand Class Cruising days) enjoy the traditional cruise experience without the 'gimmicks,' and more and more Princess is making it clear that they are no longer a traditional line. This is recently evidenced by the announcement of Royal's departure from the fleet.

 

But hey, Princess offers a great product, there's no doubt. It comes down to what type of cruise you are looking for.

 

TO EACH HIS OWN!

[sue d. miller]

Kool. I haven't been called a purist since I lived in Mass. I don't think it so much negative as it is just not knowing. The ship hasn't even been out for a full week

We have heard from 2 posters [both the same] and the theater wasnt mentioned, the crowds were, and that was good. You said they had sports on the tv in the cabin and a sports bar, and that is great. If you wanted to see it, you went to one of those places. This is on the top deck, and if you are at the pool, you will hear it, whether you want to or not. And we still don't know how loud it will be. So, that is what I think the problem is. After saturday, hopfully we will get many reviews, which, of course will differ, and have our own view on what is really going on. Good post, Cris.

 

7 Days on The Star Princess October24,2004

 

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[CruiseFever]

Jsea- thanks so much for the reply- that's exactly what I wanted to know

 

Sue- I'll be interested to hear about the sound level too. I know that after our Golden cruise when we got back home I heard a song on the radio and remared to DD who was on the cruise too that "I heard that song at Skywalkers" and she said, "I know, I could hear it from our balcony"

 

I had no idea it was that loud.

 

Happy Cruising

 

Chris

 

www.LifeIsCruising.com

 

Next up:

Caribbean Princess 06/04

Star Princess 10/04

Carnival Spirit 12/04

 

[Guest]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> While I can't speak for everyone, we stopped cruising Princess because the cruises just weren't exemplary any more. Princess has tons of positives, many of which no other line can touch, but in recent years their focus on 'the premium' has all but gone away.

 

That's why we started sailing Celebrity and love the line. It's definitely more traditional than Princess, and in fact, it's similar to what Princess was in the early to mid '90s.

 

It basically boils down to tradition. Princess Purists (a.k.a those who have been sailing Princess pre-Grand Class Cruising days) enjoy the traditional cruise experience without the 'gimmicks,' and more and more Princess is making it clear that they are no longer a traditional line. This is recently evidenced by the announcement of Royal's departure from the fleet.

 

But hey, Princess offers a great product, there's no doubt. It comes down to what type of cruise you are looking for. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE> Sometimes Jsea and I are in agreement

 

Although I've not switched to Celebrity, I do agree that Princess slipped since pre-Grand Class cruising. Luckily for me, they still seem to meet my expectations.

 

While I would probably not partake in Movies Under the Stars - not my cup of tea on a cruise - I don't necessarily think they will ruin the Grand Class experience. I wouldn't be hanging out by the pool at night anyway, and in the day time, I would usually be on the aft decks. My only hope is that they don't spoil the design of the ships with this new contraption. The Conservatory area is very nice, and I'd hate to see it ruined.

 

Then again, this gimmick one-upmanship stuff is a bit juvenile...

 

-------------------------

Sun Princess, 03/2004; Pacific Princess, 07/2003; Star Princess, 05/2003; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Sun Princess, 05/2001; Sun Princess, 04/2001; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Regal Princess, 10/1999; Sun Princess, 08/1998; Holiday, 05/1998; Westerdam, 09/1997; Regal Princess, 11/1996; Royal Odyssey, 09/1995; Starward, 11/1993

 

 

[TinaLee]

I'm wading in as one who is actually looking forward to seeing how they manage this feature on Caribbean Princess. We just booked for 10/02 and the chance to experience the new Movie Under the Stars was one of the reasons we chose this ship.

 

I'll be anxious to hear from those who are sailing now regarding their feelings and exactly how the chair/sound situations are handled.

 

TinaLee

 

Sail Away on Caribbean Princess

 

[mojo4trav]

Princess is simply making an investment that they feel will have a high ROI. Even after factoring out those who choose to leave the line due to the 'modernization' of their fleet, they will still come out ahead. The CP's ammenities have caused us to start looking at Princess for next year while RCCL is in an off year with no newbuilds. Of course, we'll be back at RCCL in 2006 when the Ultra-Voyager launches. Perhaps CCL will lend one of their 'Ultra-type' ships to Princess in an effort to continue heavy competition between RCCL and Carnival Corporation (CCL & P).

 

Happy Sails,

Travis and Betty

 

<img src=http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Geography_and_History/International_Flags/usa_3.gif>

 

__ /7__/7__/7____

\::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Until Navigator of the Seas...

 

1/04 Mariner of the Seas

1/03 Voyager of the Seas

7/01 Explorer of the Seas

 

 

<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";

mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn't do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails.

<span style='color:#FF9900'> Explore. Dream. Discover."

<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:8.0pt;font-family:"Arial Narrow";

mso-bidi-font-family:Arial'>Mark Twain

[Coral]

I haven't been cruising as long as some of the other purists but here are my thoughts:

Have cruised Princess, Celebrity, Carnival and RCCL. Carnival and RCCL come across as very crowded and loud to me. The Royal Promenade on the Voyager class is just too loud and "shopping mall like". The times I have sailed these lines - there have been lines and it has felt too crowded for my taste. Thus, I was concerned about the extra 500 people on the Caribbean Princess. Carnival and RCCL have attracted a lot of kids/teens and thus, have built a lot of their ships around new concepts to entertain the kids/teens. I am not against kids/teens on the ship, I just don't like when there are too many that they cause disruptions to the traditional cruising experience (last cruise--Thanksgiving-- they were running up and down the hallway, eating in the elevator on the floor, etc.)

I work in a stressful job at a university (around teens all the time) and for me, cruising is something that is classy, elegant and relaxing. I enjoy laying on deck and reading a book and hearing the sound of the ocean going by. I like walking the decks at night and taking a leisurely swim when it is quiet.

I am concerned about football and bb games being shown during the day and night on these screens plus the movies at night. If during the day (they have mentioned sporting events may be shown), will I be able to escape the sounds or at night, will I hear the movie on my balcony when I prefer to hear the sounds of the ocean?

To me, this is a break in traditional cruising. It is an attempt to compete with RCCL and possibly Carnival and I personally have felt that Princess didn't need to compete - that they could stand on their own product with out the modifications.

I can't say I won't sail these ships because I have some restrictions on when I can sail and if I sail with my mom- we are limited on where we can sail. The Grand class has never been my first choice of ships and probably will continue not to be my first choice.

Time will tell but I see the traditional cruising experience becoming more of a theme park type atmostphere.

Just my opinion....

[This message was edited by Coral on 04-08-04 at 08:05 PM.]

[This message was edited by Coral on 04-08-04 at 08:14 PM.]

[CruiseFever]

This aberrant thought just keeps haunting me...isn't there some [I]other [/I]cruise line, a high end line, that does movies under the stars?

I just know I've heard of this before

I'm thinking it's Seabourn and dancing under the stars as well as movies under the stars.

Yes, I think that's it.

If I'm right then somebody is going to have to blow my impression of the Yachts of Seabourn as an ultra high end line, better than Celebrity, out of the water for me to consider Movies Under The Stars a total negative to Princess.

Experienced TA's or Ultra Experienced Cruisers, am I right or wrong?

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[CruiseFever]

Verified:

[url="http://www.vacationidea.com/cruises/seabourn_legend.html"]http://www.vacationidea.com/cruises/seabourn_legend.html[/url]

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[Guest]

Coral - brava - well said... [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]

Cruising' - yes Seabourne is correct...I think it might be on a little different scale, huh?

-------------------------
Sun Princess, 03/2004; Pacific Princess, 07/2003; Star Princess, 05/2003; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Grand Princess, 10/2002; Sun Princess, 05/2001; Sun Princess, 04/2001; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Sun Princess, 09/2000; Regal Princess, 10/1999; Sun Princess, 08/1998; Holiday, 05/1998; Westerdam, 09/1997; Regal Princess, 11/1996; Royal Odyssey, 09/1995; Starward, 11/1993

[CruiseFever]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR> will I hear the movie on my balcony when I prefer to hear the sounds of the ocean?
<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Oh now that would indeed be a problem. I think I'd have to send someone up there to tell them to turn it down.

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04

[BethKel]

Well, this cruise "rookie" is excited about this new development, as my fiance is MUCH more the movie buff than one to attend a "show". I was jealous when I heard that it was on the CP but not on the Golden.

I just hope they have it installed by our July 11th cruise!

First cruise - 7/11/04 on Golden Princess for our Honeymoon!!

[clamtown cruisers]

What great news!! Can't wait to see it on the Star next Jan.

[img]http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=0000ff&cdt=2005;1;23;17;0;00&timezone=GMT-0500[/img]
Days until we sail the Star Princess!

[CGT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by dejavu:
I too think this sounds like a fun idea, not everyone wants to sit in a lounge or watch a show inside every night, we just retuned from hawaii where they have movies on the beach at night, a warm night, outside under the stars, whats not to like? If it's not your idea of fun there are plenty of other activities, I just think it's a added feature that will appeal to some passengers. Bravo to Princess for thinking outside the box.<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

What's not to like?

By putting screens on all the Grand Class ships at the outdoor pool, Princess is ruining one of the best things about a cruise: a quiet, star-lit and moon-lit stroll or swim around/in the midships deck/pool.

Just wait till they start blasting advertising on them. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_rolleyes.gif[/img]

[CGT]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by steve2001:
Here is my $0.02. Who else can't wait for Monday Night Football now? [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

God, you see? This is the kind of nightmare I'm talking about.

[CruiseFever]

Oh and maybe NASCAR auto racing?

Ok now you're scaring me

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/04
Star Princess 10/04
Carnival Spirit 12/04