Caribbean Princess just before dry dock

[Strange Lady]

Would you book a cruise just two sailings before the ship goes in to dry dock? I'm concerned because of some of the negatives that have been posted on the condition of this ship.

[moki'smommy]

We were on the Caribbean Princess in December 2015. I found no objectionable issues and we saw evidence of routine maintenance taking place during our cruise.

 

I wouldn't worry about cruising a few weeks before dry dock UNLESS Princess has a history of starting to tear things up before the last paying passenger has departed. I don't know whether Princess does this or not.

 

My bigger worry would be the first or second cruise AFTER a major dry dock. Things may not be finished on schedule and may those items inside the ship may be still underway after she sails! Or the first cruise may be canceled in order to complete the work. Again, I have NO experience with this on Princess but have seen it on other lines.

[Happy2cruise]

When is she going in dry dock:confused:

[RNGALNG]

I would! I would think that the crew would be in much better spirits as they would be either changing ships or have time off. They would be happy and full of fun.

 

Just because it's going into dry dock doesn't mean the ship is falling apart. yes, rugs may be worn and things need sprucing up, but the ship is still a great ship! We will be on her in January and promise to keep the place clean until you arrive.

[peety3]

How many people do you know who refurbish their car's interior while it's in for a new transmission? How many people do you know who buy new floor mats because it's in for an oil change? Probably none.

 

Folks, it's a misconception that somehow just keeps on giving. The two words, "dry dock", mean that the ship is going to go out to the back lot and they're going to effectively jack it up and put it on blocks. The pit crew will race out with their air wrenches, change out the tires and propellers, throw in a couple turns of wedge or trim on the propeller shaft to fix that nasty handling problem in turn 1(10 RPM), bolt it all back together again, and drop it back in the water. Sure, they'll probably hand a Gatorade in through the driver window, or replace a few items here&there, but the whole point of dry dock is to fix/check the stuff that's always wet. If they do other stuff to the interior, that's just a bonus, but a vast majority of the interior stuff can be maintained while underway.

 

It's more of the 15-30 day wet dock refurbishment projects where things actually get changed. Simple reason: it's a lot easier to get workers and materials on the ship when 30' of it is submerged. When it's in dry dock, it's all that much higher, and potentially less stable because of the unnatural support methods being used.

 

And yes, they really do replace the mattresses on a regular basis; they don't wait for dry dock.

[moki'smommy]

While the purpose of the mandatory dry dock is the inspection and maintenance of the engines and hull, at least some cruise lines do extensive cleaning and repair/replacement of public areas during these times. One line even released a time lapse photography video of what went on in the passenger areas of the ship during a dry dock--new carpet, chairs recovered in the theatre, cleaning and replacement of wall coverings, etc.

 

I don't know how much of this Princess has done during a dry dock, but it is difficult to close a restaurant during a cruise in order to do such work during a cruise.

 

Yes, we've also seen ships block off a group of cabins and do extensive refurb of cabins while a ship is at sea. It is far easier to not sell 30 cabins and do that area during a cruise than to do the public areas.

[Dobermangal]

I would! I would think that the crew would be in much better spirits as they would be either changing ships or have time off. They would be happy and full of fun.

 

 

 

Just because it's going into dry dock doesn't mean the ship is falling apart. yes, rugs may be worn and things need sprucing up, but the ship is still a great ship! We will be on her in January and promise to keep the place clean until you arrive.

 

 

Actually a lot of the crew remain aboard as contractors move into passenger staterooms, and need to be fed etc. These crew members are also given tasks to assist in the massive undertaking. My wine steward on a sailing immediately before drydock was staying on and looking forward to what sounded like a lot of cleaning and polishing in Freeport.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

[pablo222]

How many people do you know who refurbish their car's interior while it's in for a new transmission? How many people do you know who buy new floor mats because it's in for an oil change? Probably none.

 

I'm not sure what that has to do with cruise ship dry docks...

 

There have been plenty of reports here (and I have personally experienced)

workers and supplies coming on the ship a week or two before a dry dock

is scheduled. They may close a lounge or some other common area that

is going to undergo a major update during the last revenue cruise, and start

the work.

 

There have been plenty of reports of the first cruise after dry docks where

everything has not been completed, or was available.

 

You seem to harp on how a drydock is for underwater maintenance.

Sure, but...

 

When they gutted Sabatini's, and converted it to Share on emerald,

they didn't do it during a revenue cruise, they did it during a dry dock. Princess even posted photos and videos of the work.

 

This was quite a few decks above the waterline. If they did things

like this during a revenue cruise, passengers would be greatly

affected...which is why they are doing during a dry dock.

(or possibly a wet dock)

[OCruisers]

No problem on being on Princess ships just before dry dock.

We've been in that situation twice and never noticed anything out of the normal. :)

It's not a holiday for the crew -- they are assigned tasks.

[mmckm]

I would not book a cruise after dry dock. I would give it at least 3 weeks to work outsoe of the bugs that tend to come up.

[caribill]

I'm not sure what that has to do with cruise ship dry docks...

 

There have been plenty of reports here (and I have personally experienced)

workers and supplies coming on the ship a week or two before a dry dock

is scheduled. They may close a lounge or some other common area that

is going to undergo a major update during the last revenue cruise, and start

the work.

 

There have been plenty of reports of the first cruise after dry docks where

everything has not been completed, or was available.

 

You seem to harp on how a drydock is for underwater maintenance.

Sure, but...

 

When they gutted Sabatini's, and converted it to Share on emerald,

they didn't do it during a revenue cruise, they did it during a dry dock. Princess even posted photos and videos of the work.

 

This was quite a few decks above the waterline. If they did things

like this during a revenue cruise, passengers would be greatly

affected...which is why they are doing during a dry dock.

(or possibly a wet dock)

 

 

There are two types of drydocks.

 

One is about a week long and does not do remodeling such as the Share change was made. No passenger areas will be closed off before the drydock for this type. Nobody on a sailing before this type of drydock needs to worry about their cruise being impacted.

 

The other type can be two weeks or longer and does the extensive inside work. This is the type that can have some inside preparations done before the drydock.

[smellycruzer]

Would you book a cruise just two sailings before the ship goes in to dry dock? I'm concerned because of some of the negatives that have been posted on the condition of this ship.

 

My policy has been to avoid ships 3 weeks before and after a dry dock. Once the soft serve machine was broken on a cruise just prior to it hitting the dry dock and the workers kept saying that they were waiting to fix it until dry dock since there were other upgrades to that area. Not a big deal but I usually get a soft serve each day before hitting the casino as my good luck charm!

[pablo222]

There are two types of drydocks.

 

One is about a week long and does not do remodeling such as the Share change was made. No passenger areas will be closed off before the drydock for this type.

 

So you promise -- that when a drydock is scheduled for 7-10 days,

no passengers areas will be affected before or after the drydock?

 

That is inconsistent with many posts here.

 

Whenever there is a problem, people take CRITIC very seriously,

and let us know.

[shredie]

Would you book a cruise just two sailings before the ship goes in to dry dock? I'm concerned because of some of the negatives that have been posted on the condition of this ship.

 

They won't be replacing the furniture and changing the decor on a simple dry dock, so if you are expecting a "like new" ship, it won't happen. I have never found dry docking to be an issue with any ship, before or after. Then again, I also read reviews with a bit of skepticism.

[JimmyVWine]

I'm concerned because of some of the negatives that have been posted on the condition of this ship.

 

Issues concerning the ship's condition are grossly over exaggerated. Statistically, CB fares as well as other Princess ships in the ratings game.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2381594&highlight=caribbean

[easyboy]

Would you book a cruise just two sailings before the ship goes in to dry dock? I'm concerned because of some of the negatives that have been posted on the condition of this ship.

Yes I would. Dry docks are scheduled months ahead and we are not concerned. Two sailings before is no different for us.

[Lucky TGO]

Would you book a cruise just two sailings before the ship goes in to dry dock? I'm concerned because of some of the negatives that have been posted on the condition of this ship.

I would because everything that needed to be fixed is hopefully :D

Tony

[phabric]

I have a cruise booked for January 14.

 

When is the Caribbean Princess going into dry dock?

[skynight]

I have a cruise booked for January 14.

 

When is the Caribbean Princess going into dry dock?

Looks like March 26 to April 5, 2017, 11 days

[kcdancerkc]

We are going on this ship next March.....we mostly pick the itinerary and price above the ship. The ABC Islands on the bucket list, so not concerned about a pristine perfect vessel....it is mostly the destination in this case:)

 

One trip we were eating on a Royal ship, often in the buffet,

and they were remodling the carpets During our meals.....glue and all :eek:

 

I wouldn't be too worried. :cool: