A BIG BIG BIGGEST ship Not Princess thankfully

[DanJ]

It was the Destiny (1996), not the Conquest, that was the first 100,000 grt cruise ship. The Conquest was the evolution of the Destiny class.

[Cruising89143]

It was the Destiny (1996), not the Conquest, that was the first 100,000 grt cruise ship. The Conquest was the evolution of the Destiny class.

 

Sorry, meant the Destiny. Cruised on her right after she came out and found nothing that special about the ship.

[TexasMom2]

I’m sorry you don’t appreciate the tone of my posts – quite frankly, I'm not enamored by yours either. The tone of my posts continuously vary, so it’s difficult for me to understand how I only post one way. But again, what has this got to do with the topic? You haven’t really answered my query about environment, island infrastructure and waste…I guess you intend not to.

 

You continuously quote and attack me. Go back and read the post you quoted me, then your post, and see for yourself.

 

Since RCI has only released a conceptual drawing and have not released any information concerning the nuts and bolts of how this ship is going to work, what is the point of letting you put on your superior, nasty hat for a "debate"? You really need to get a life.

[stephenandrew]

I’m sorry you don’t appreciate the tone of my posts – quite frankly, I'm not enamored by yours either. The tone of my posts continuously vary, so it’s difficult for me to understand how I only post one way. But again, what has this got to do with the topic? You haven’t really answered my query about environment, island infrastructure and waste…I guess you intend not to.

 

 

I really don't know what your true intentions are. I have read many of your posts, and its obvious you are a bright guy, knowledgeable about the cruise industry, and you have personally provided me with a lot of useful information, but man, I have to say, you really have a way about offending people with your tone, or the manner in which you articulate your thoughts. You constantly come across as a "know it all", and frankly appear to belittle people who have a different opinon than your own. It just comes across as arrogant. I don't if it is your intention for this to be your "cyber personna" or its just my (and I suspect many others) misintepretation of your comments. I wouldn't waste time saying any of this if I thought you were some ignorant, misinformed dolt---but I think what you have to offer in terms of expereince and knowledge would be taken so much better if you toned down your posts and tried to come across in a more friendly manner.

[TexasMom2]

Thank you.

[Colo Cruiser]

You continuously quote and attack me. Go back and read the post you quoted me, then your post, and see for yourself.

 

Since RCI has only released a conceptual drawing and have not released any information concerning the nuts and bolts of how this ship is going to work, what is the point of letting you put on your superior, nasty hat for a "debate"? You really need to get a life.

 

 

Now Now children. :cool:

[spongerob]

Assumptions Assumptions

Everyone agrees that a 7-day cruise is too short. So with larger ships the minimum cruise will be 10 to 12 days (at the price of Princess's 7-day cruises). /Sultan

 

I don't think that will happen. The 7-day weekend departure is what makes family cruising so attractive. There are enough school breaks of that length already, and when there aren't people can justify taking their kids out of school since they won't miss too much in just a week. 10 or 12 days is far more difficult and (IMO) would limit the potential market for much of the year.

 

What I think is more likely is that these large ships will become more of a destination unto themselves, a la the Las Vegas mega-resorts, and will spend more time at sea, making fewer port calls. Oh, and nickle-and-diming opportunities will be even more plentiful.

 

That's what my crystal ball is showing me. We've got 3 or 4 years to argue in the meantime.

[bdjam]

I really don't know what your true intentions are. I have read many of your posts, and its obvious you are a bright guy, knowledgeable about the cruise industry, and you have personally provided me with a lot of useful information, but man, I have to say, you really have a way about offending people with your tone, or the manner in which you articulate your thoughts. You constantly come across as a "know it all", and frankly appear to belittle people who have a different opinon than your own. It just comes across as arrogant. I don't if it is your intention for this to be your "cyber personna" or its just my (and I suspect many others) misintepretation of your comments. I wouldn't waste time saying any of this if I thought you were some ignorant, misinformed dolt---but I think what you have to offer in terms of expereince and knowledge would be taken so much better if you toned down your posts and tried to come across in a more friendly manner.

I guess I don’t understand what this has to do with the topic either, but thank you for your insight. I’m glad you’ve gleaned some information from my posts. Friendliness is a two way street and maybe if I wasn’t attacked for questioning an opinion – each and every time - I wouldn’t have to defend myself and come off as arrogant or a know it all. Or maybe I am just arrogant and a know it all. Or perhaps a drama queen. Either way, perhaps you can tell me if my posts are so offensive why people continue to engage me? If you’ll notice here instead of being ignored I’m being told to get a life. Why not just ignore it and let it go? I suppose I should be the bigger man and let it go myself – because posts of that type say more about the poster than me – but sometimes I feel there’s a need to defend myself (of course now someone will say I’m looking for pity).

 

I will say that unless defending myself, I try to stick to the topic unlike some others here whose objective is to attack. I don’t know that I can take your advice – frankly your tone seems more that of a scolding than a sincere attempt to be helpful – but again, thanks for the insight.

[LARGIN]

I don't think that will happen. The 7-day weekend departure is what makes family cruising so attractive. There are enough school breaks of that length already, and when there aren't people can justify taking their kids out of school since they won't miss too much in just a week. 10 or 12 days is far more difficult and (IMO) would limit the potential market for much of the year.

 

What I think is more likely is that these large ships will become more of a destination unto themselves, a la the Las Vegas mega-resorts, and will spend more time at sea, making fewer port calls. Oh, and nickle-and-diming opportunities will be even more plentiful.

 

That's what my crystal ball is showing me. We've got 3 or 4 years to argue in the meantime.

 

Agree with Rob here.. A ship this large will be best suited for family and first time cruisers looking for the Las Vegas mega-resort family experience. Perhaps in time Princess will follow what the Casino's in Vegas did and shy away from the "family" attraction and return to catering to the experienced cruiser.

[yj2cute]

Are you referring to the book " Devils on the Deep Blue Sea"? Good book.

 

Yes I am. I'm enjoying it also. Very informative.

 

Personally, I think QM2 is too big also. The new RCI ship may only be "slightly" bigger than that, but the number of people is the biggest concern. What to do with all those people? How will the flights be affected? The prices for the flights we want to get to the cruise port will be much more $$ as there will be fewer seats. There are probably more things to consider than we even know.

[sultan_sfo]

Interesting.

Good Arguments from Largin and Spongerob too!

Now I see the economics of the new 600+ pax Airbus. SFO is already equipped to land those. So Mega will be matched by Mega. And Branson will keep our fares low!

/Sultan

 

... How will the flights be affected? The prices for the flights we want to get to the cruise port will be much more $$ as there will be fewer seats. There are probably more things to consider than we even know.

[Ethel5]

You mean RCI is going to modify island infrastructure so that all 5400 people can have a nice peaceful visit? And they are going to change the habits of people so they can rid the ship of all the garbage and waste of passenger twice the number that they have now? RCI or no, any cruise line can offer a better quality experience on a smaller ship. I would be very happy if Princess would stick to smaller ships and hope they do. I’d prefer not to sail on Target-of-the-Seas.There is no way that processing 5400 people a week can result in a quality cruise experience…so if you’re willing to sacrifice quality for price, have at it.

 

Ya know, many of us have expressed concerns regarding the size of this ship and some of us stated that we will not sail her. Some have said that they would welcome the experience while some have asked kidding questions involving golf carts to get from one end to the other. No one was bashed.

 

What makes this really weird is that, a few years ago, I asked the Captain of the Brilliance at what point they would stop building bigger and bigger ships and his response was that they will limit the size of the ship when the ports could no longer handle them in terms of sanitation, crowding, tendering etc. No one asked the Captain if he took his happy pill.

[spongerob]

Interesting.

Good Arguments from Largin and Spongerob too!

Now I see the economics of the new 600+ pax Airbus. SFO is already equipped to land those. So Mega will be matched by Mega. And Branson will keep our fares low!

/Sultan

 

I'm not sure that this is a good comparison. Airports are congested as it is because there are only so many take off and landing slots. So bigger is the way to go, replacing smaller aircraft. I doubt the effect will be palpable for a long while. I'm not all that sure that these large aircraft will be a net add in seats, or just replace existing aircraft and cut down on the number of those pesky pilots who demand exceptional wages in exchange for their exceptional skills.

 

I think the greatest fear is that bigger means lower quality - the "dumbed down" cruise. If there is enough demand, the smart players in the cruise game will learn to distinguish themselves from one another. I think much of the disappointment expressed today stems from the boring similarities between the major lines on the most popular routes. I'd like to think that what distinguishes Princess from other lines will be something more than decent pizza and freshwater pools...an optimist hopes, right?

[JLC@SD]

So..... will this behemoth have a rollercoaster.....:)

[wrecks]

It may end up a "cruise to nowhere" with the ship as the destination. If that happens I would pass....I choose itinerary, then ship.

 

I choose Princess first!

[JLC@SD]

So........Where is the Promenade Deck......:confused:

 

[Ethel5]

So........Where is the Promenade Deck......

 

 

Maybe they won't have a Promenade deck-just an indoor mall.:rolleyes:

[DanJ]

I'm sure there will be a promenade deck. It's not as if that picture is the be all and end all of fine detail LOL.

[Casshew]

so 5700 pax ++ 2000 crew? looks like there are 18 life boats at 420 per lifeboat.

 

Tooo many people :(

[Coral]

I have sailed on Explorer of the Seas and that was too big for me. The whole experience came across as a loud shopping mall at Christmas time. I also was not impressed with embarking, disembarking and the process of getting on and off the ship in ports - it took much longer compared to smaller ships (like the Grand). I can't believe I called the Grand a smaller ship - eeks!

 

I have no desire to be on this ship, nor do I have any desire to be in port at the same time as this ship. Can anyone imagine Grand Caymens with this new ship, Freedom, throw in a Voyager class ship and a Grand class ship? I already think the Western and Eastern Caribbean is too crowded in ports for my taste. This is the first year that I have not gone to the Caribbean and some years, I went 2x per year. I can't say that I won't go in the future but my past couple of trips have been non-Caribbean and my next couple that I am eyeing also do not include the Caribbean.

 

I am afraid that the beauty I saw on my first Caribbean cruise of the small, quaint Caribbean ports is no more and it is the cruise ships that are ruining these ports. The ports may be changing (to accomodate the cruise ship passenger) because of greed for money and IMO, that is too bad. The changes to the Caribbean in the last 8 years (since my first cruise) is unbelievable and I am afraid what the next 8 years will bring.

[TexasMom2]

The drawing is a conceptual drawing and doesn't include much detail. The itinerary hasn't been released, yet, so we will have to wait and see which ports are affected, if any.

 

There are good reports on RCI's board about embarking/debarking efficiency, especially with the advent of online check-in. I can't wait to hear the details of this ship when the come out.

 

The worst check-in/out I've experienced was the Grand. It has more to do with the port than anything.

[Coral]

 

The worst check-in/out I've experienced was the Grand. It has more to do with the port than anything.

 

I have friends who were on your sailing and from what I heard, it was awful. Unfortuantely - it was the port authority which dictated where the check-in was on that sailing. And I have heard from various friends how bad Galveston is traffic wise near the port. I can understand problems here.

 

I have not sailed RCCL since they started online check-in. Hopefully it did improve things.

[mii]

Well this new ship is really making the news. In this morning's paper there is already a story about this new ship coming. It was in the business and financial section of the paper. Like I mentioned before I seriously doubt that I will be on that ship. Too darn big.

 

Marilyn

[spongerob]

The worst check-in/out I've experienced was the Grand. It has more to do with the port than anything.

 

I think that is a major concern with this ship. It is quite obvious that Grand Princess exceeds anything Galveston authorities might have envisioned. So, too, would the Hummer of the Seas (HOTS). I expect that new facilities will be needed to handle the passenger load, which might exceed 6500 people on holiday sailings (assuming that an additional 20% can be placed in upper berths). The ship's sheer size limits where it might be home-ported.

[Spikesgirl]

Just because you can doesn't always mean you should. That ship is way too big to get into any of the ports I'd be intersested in visiting. For me, smaller is better.

 

Charlie