What happens at drydock on PG???

[Trvlbugs]

Hi, just wondering since we are sailing in March? Do you know what kinds of changes might be made?

Thanks in advance!!

[canadagal]

Well, one thing I know that has happened is they took out the Conniosseur Lounge at the stern of the ship on deck 7 and replaced it with cabins. Those new aft cabins overlooking the wake look like a prime spot to get a cabin. But I would like to hear if there is any vibration from someone first from the propellers etc. before I would book one. That Connoisseur lounge was one of our favorite hideaways on the ship. It had huge picture windows in it and a quick escape to and from the Veranda Restaurant up one flight of stairs right into the lounge. It wasn't used much so I can see why they decided to put cabins in that spot..........more cost efffective. Can't wait to hear from someone that has actually stayed in those new aft cabins on deck 7 to see what they think. Other then the usual ship maintenance in dry dock.......I don't have a clue what else might have happened.

Pat

[travelbug924]

We were on the last sailing pre-drydock and the other major change is the casino is being made smaller and the other half becoming a piano lounge.

 

We were in the very last cabin next to the Conniseur Club and never had any problems with vibrations so hopefully that's a good sign for the new cabins. You are right. It was rarely used but a very convenient access, especially for us, to deck 8 and also had incredible views.

[canadagal]

Hey, we were in the last cabin too, on the port side, 762. I do need to clarify though that we never experienced any vibration in our aft cabin which was as far aft as you could go then. Don't want any one to think there is a vibration problem. I was just wondering with the new cabin placements if it might tend to have a vibration. Certainly don't want to scare anyone that is booked aft on the PG. I don't know how much smaller they could make the casino, it was small to begin with but the addition of another lounge is a good move.

Pat

[Wendy The Wanderer]

I believe they were also planning to replace the "soft goods" as well, carpets, bedding. It will be nice to have this confirmed by someone who sees it.

[JanetinPA]

We are sailing on the PG on Feb. 15th. Can't wait!

[canadagal]

JanetinPa: kindly come back and post your impressions when you get back and have recovered from Paradiseitus.

Pat

[vaitape]

JanetinPA, Ditto, please!

[Terry&Elizabeth]

There is a tad of vibration on the PG stern, however, nothing in comparison to the Navigator or Celebrity Millenium class ships with their notorious pod thrusters and repetitive breakdowns. We are left laughing about the gist of this board (not this thread) during the past week or so with a disgruntled travel agent and another couple of folks that are having a hard time coming to grips with the fact that "stuff" happens, regardless of the number of self appointed stars a cruise line claims. It's a big ocean and you would vibrate as well heading through 35 footers!

 

PS.. We love the Filopino staff and we love the former "cold-block" staff. Part of the enjoyment of cruising IOO. It doesn't matter one bit, both are trained and paid to please and they do 24/7.

 

PSS...hope nobody will book the PG deck 7 aft suites due to vibration. We'll be more than happy to be Guinea pigs! LOL

[Dolebludger]

To clarify the vibration situation near the stern (especially on deck 7), it becomes a problem on the PG's Austral and Cook Island cruises and probably the Marquaisis cruises too, but isn't much of a problem on the "standard" 7 night cruises. On the standard cruises, the ship just does not cruise very fast. It's got to speed up for those longer trips, and vibration of concern happens at higher speeds than the ship travels on the "standard" cruises. It is kind of like my old truck. It is very smooth at 70. Shakes like heck at 80!

 

Thanks,

Richard

[canadagal]

Re: vibration at higher speeds on the PG. I never knew that Richard.....thanks for the info. So on a longer cruise, she not only would vibrate but could also bob around like a cork because of her shallow draft if there was anything but calm seas. Could make for some very uncomfortable days. That's what is so great about the 7 day cruise......you don't move much or very far.

 

Also, something that I've been wondering about for a while now. Has anyone heard anything about the PG Eclipse cruise to Pitcairn Island last April 2005. I was always hoping someone would post about that cruise and if anyone made it to shore or if the islanders visited the ship. What a once in a lifetime experience that would have been.

 

Pat

[Island Cruiser]

The PG is taking out the lounge that was used to accommodate "special receptions." It was beautiful. It was used frequently. It is GONE, converted to additional cabins. This means: (1) less space for passengers, (2) more passengers in the same hull therefore more work for the crew, and (3) future passengers will find the remaining entertaining venues "reserved for special events" much much more often then before. There is now way to define this change other another sad CUT.

[canadagal]

Makes sense to me Island Cruiser. If the groups can't meet in the lounge anymore then where will they meet? I remember that lounge was used for various things such as "Friends of Bill" meetings.......various religious services etc. I never thought of it from the perspective of more crowding but you bring up a very valid point.

Pat

[travelbug924]

I was on the 10-day cruise and would agree, it was only on our way to Rangiroa that there was any vibration (also a very rocky ride in general).

 

The lounge was rarely used on our cruise. We were in the cabin right next to it and cut through there all the time. Great views so I was surprised how vacant it often was. I could see why they would turn it into cabins but it is a little sad to lose the public space.

[Trvlbugs]

Please post your review when you come back, i would love to hear about it! Thanks and have a wonderful time!

[Terry&Elizabeth]

There is a seldom used "Captain's Lounge" forward on deck seven that could be utilized for various meetings and faith services.

[canadagal]

I just read on SeaTrade that Mark Conroy is in Sydney to take delivery of the PG after the US$6Mil facelift. So for those bucks, it has to be more then just adding a few more cabins. I can't wait to hear from pax how she now looks. He also confirmed that Rad renewed their contract to manage the PG through to the end of 2008 and hopefully beyond that.

Pat

[azgkrudi]

I can't WAIT to hear from those on the repositioning cruise!!!

[travelbug924]

On our cruise, the last one before the dry dock, the Captain announced the P.G. would be part of Radisson through 2009.

[flyerdreamer]

There is a seldom used "Captain's Lounge" forward on deck seven that could be utilized for various meetings and faith services.

 

Not anymore! I just booked us in 7003. Apparently they made cabins out of that area. I'm the last balcony before the bridge. I just hope the crew isn't too noisy when they come on and off their shifts!

 

With all the extra lounge space disappearing, it reminds me of how when the 747 first came out, the upper deck was a lounge, and now most airlines have long ago converted it to business class seats. What's happening to the PG is happening all over the travel industry--make use of every square inch of space. Although I read soemwhere that at 60 the PG still has one of the best space-per-pax ratio in the cruise business.

 

Go to the RSSC website and call up the deck plans for PG. They have the new charts and it's different than the older ones some travel agencies or websites maybe be using.

[Terry&Elizabeth]

Flyerdreamer

 

The Captain's Lounge that we refer to is situated in the center of the hallway across from 7003. It's still there and may be a little noisy for you if numerous meetings are scheduled.

[flyerdreamer]

Flyerdreamer

 

The Captain's Lounge that we refer to is situated in the center of the hallway across from 7003. It's still there and may be a little noisy for you if numerous meetings are scheduled.

 

But the CL isn't a public lounge, though. If there is still anything there, it's a crew only area, according to RSSC as of this morning (I asked about it). But I guess we'll find out for sure from the folks going in the next month or so.

[travelbug924]

The Connoisseur Club, aft, was what was converted into 4 new cabins. I never used it personally and still felt like there was plenty of public space.

[canadagal]

After studying both the old deck plans and the new ones for deck 7, it appears they not only have less public lounge area for the pax but that they also took away lots of bridge and staff quarters area..........wonder how that impacts the staff? They have added cabins of class C category in the stern #764, #766, #767, #765, #763 where the Connoisseur Club used to be and also added cabin numbers, #7006, #7004, #7002, #7003 in the bow consisting of various cabin categories ranging from C up to another Owners Suite. I can't help but feel that this has also cramped the crew as well as cutting down on public space for the pax. Don't know how true to scale the new deck plans are but those new aft C cabins deck 7, look like prime choice........they look bigger then the other class C on the same deck. It will be interesting to hear what the new cabins look like from those that have stayed in them. Maybe when someone returns from the January 29th sailing.

What I think would be a great improvement to the ship and something I hope they did with that 6Mil facelift............is add some shade for pax on the decks..........even umbrellas would help. It's one of the only ships I have ever been on where you can't escape from the scorching sun while outside. Some times it just got so hot that you had to escape back inside into the A/C and that old Connoisseur Club was a great place to escape to......just down one flight of stairs from deck 8.

Pat

[flyerdreamer]

...they also took away lots of bridge and staff quarters area..........wonder how that impacts the staff?....Don't know how true to scale the new deck plans are but those new aft C cabins deck 7, look like prime choice........Pat

 

Pat, I got my threads mixed up and replied to your comments over there originally. My post is below, but wanted to add that I, too, was concerned hearing about the lack of shade except for a few choice hidden nooks (thanks Linda for that!)

 

I think the scale online is pretty close...the other night when I called, they freely gave out the square feet--those new Cs ARE quite large. The RSSC agent said she didn't know why they didn't make them Bs. Maybe because the balconies are narrower in depth? Maybe because they are not in such a favorable location on the ship? Don't know. I tried to get one but of course they were booked solid.

 

According to the new diagram, the new B I booked looked a little larger to me than the Bs on deck 8--and in fact it is: 256 sq ft with a 46 sq ft balcony whereas the Bs up on deck 8 are billed as 249 sq ft and 56 sq ft balcony. So I did sacrifice a bit with the veranda but got it back in the room.

 

I, too, wonder what the crew thinks of all this. That's because I *am* crew. My "ship" carries as many passengers as the Paul Gauguin except that it is a 747-400. As an airline pilot, my first thoughts are always how changes like this affect the ship's officers. But they are probably much like us--highly trained/educated professionals who simply take the cutbacks in stride and make do with the inconveniences. What else can you do? Competition is fierce these days and fuel costs are skyhigh (excuse the pun)

 

Now as long as I don't find the captain snoozing in our cabin on breaks... :)