Ocean Princess (Current) Conditon before Sale?

Just reached Elite and looking forward to (looks to be last) a cruise on the Ocean Princess (Land of the Midnight Sun).

Here is my question for those that have just sailed on her. Since Princess has sold the Ocean - just wonder how much they will continue work towards keeping her in nice condition before she leaves the fleet??

I am hoping NOT - Ya, we sold her so why change the tires or get her painted, LOL

Looking forward to Norway but this will be our most expensive cruise to date = 5K per for the 16 days. Have heard great things about this itinerary.

Thanks for your time and opinions

Since Princess has sold the Ocean - just wonder how much they will continue work towards keeping her in nice condition before she leaves the fleet??

 

I am hoping NOT - Ya, we sold her so why change the tires or get her painted, LOL

 

Oh come on now.

The sale will not become official until Princess hands her over in 2016. Do you think Princess would allow maintenance to lapse even the tiniest bit when that would threaten the very big check they stand to receive? There are definitely clauses in the pending sale contract requiring the ship to remain in the same or better condition as she was the date the agreement was struck.

Oh come on now.

 

The sale will not become official until Princess hands her over in 2016. Do you think Princess would allow maintenance to lapse even the tiniest bit when that would threaten the very big check they stand to receive? There are definitely clauses in the pending sale contract requiring the ship to remain in the same or better condition as she was the date the agreement was struck.

????????????? Considering it is going straight into Overhaul by the new owners? I Love Princess but I just got off the Golden and its going into Dry dock in April and believe me - she is more than ready at this point. Again, I love Princess but with the number of Toilets that are Not working, the taste of some of the water in the areas of the ship and the number of buckets I saw on the floor that was catching Leaks and the smells I found is parts of the hall ways - This just makes me wonder how well they will keep the Ocean - I am Really hoping you are right and My concerns are for nothing..

In looking at your last sentence, I can only assume you are guessing or have you seen the sale contract??

 

In looking at your last sentence, I can only assume you are guessing or have you seen the sale contract??

Isn't it common sense? "We know we sold you a ship that was functioning, but we decided not to do any maintenance so here's a bucket of bolts for you. Our bad."

Isn't it common sense? "We know we sold you a ship that was functioning, but we decided not to do any maintenance so here's a bucket of bolts for you. Our bad."

I was just poking a little fun back at ya and I really hope your right - my biggest + is there are several long & very expensive cruises after ours but again, looking at the current condition of the Golden makes me a little nervous - the current passengers and up till April really deserve better than they are getting on the ship I just left - I did several back to backs and got to know the ship pretty well and talked to some of the staff about it - of course they could not say a lot but a look on the face spoke volumes... again, not here to bash Princess, just madee Elite and plan to stick around for some time

Just reached Elite and looking forward to (looks to be last) a cruise on the Ocean Princess (Land of the Midnight Sun).

 

Here is my question for those that have just sailed on her. Since Princess has sold the Ocean - just wonder how much they will continue work towards keeping her in nice condition before she leaves the fleet??

 

I am hoping NOT - Ya, we sold her so why change the tires or get her painted, LOL

 

Looking forward to Norway but this will be our most expensive cruise to date = 5K per for the 16 days. Have heard great things about this itinerary.

 

Thanks for your time and opinions

Have you seen the Caribbean Princess June 2015 Norway itinerary for the Summer Solstice and North Cape? Everything is subjective, but I chose the Caribbean Princess itinerary over the Ocean Princess. If you're that concerned about the condition of the Ocean Princess, why risk the disappointment when you can be on the Caribbean Princess?

Have you seen the Caribbean Princess June 2015 Norway itinerary for the Summer Solstice and North Cape? Everything is subjective, but I chose the Caribbean Princess itinerary over the Ocean Princess. If you're that concerned about the condition of the Ocean Princess, why risk the disappointment when you can be on the Caribbean Princess?

Very interesting suggestion and I have printed the two out to compare,,,, I really would like to experience the small ship cruising just once - however, there is a 3K+ savings overall,,,, need to compare, thanks again for the suggestion

I was on the Ocean two months ago- impeccable ship at that time and she still has a lot of Princess cruises to run before the hand-over.

I can't imagine that she will be allowed to decay. Maybe the hard-wear items like carpet and bedding will not be replaced but the furniture and fittings are perfect and should remain so during the interim.

She's currently a beautiful ship with a more luxurious interior (read rich and warm) than most Princess vessels. Not to be missed! (but I'll miss her)

Norris

Historically the 16 day Arctic itinerary out of Dover each summer have been sold off at firesale prices ( less than $1k) a few weeks before sailing, I did that same cruise 3 years running until I got bored with it, wonderful cruise though it is the amenities are not that great on the small ships if you want some activities.

I'll miss the ship.

Even a couple of years ago last time I was on you could see lack of money and time spent on the ship. Sad, but now a new lease of life beckons.

Since the sale was just announced I would not think you could detect any deterioration of maintenance.

thanks to Griller and Norris for the hands on critique - the big shows, Casinos are not what I am looking for on this cruise... Itinerary and the small places that the big ships can not get into...

Since this is the LAST cruise to this area at this time of the year (Land of the Midnight Sun) I am guessing (Hoping, lol) that there is no fire sale the week before,, the mini and suites are all sold out and as far as being able to pick a balcony - only showing 8 of those left.... of course, the (Let Princess pick you balcony) is still open... but looks like most of the cabins are sold - still they can offer a killer sale the week before... Just saw that on the Golden After we did final payment - week before the cruise, LOL... that's life

Again,, thanks to Norris for his up to date review..

interested to experience the small ship experience.

we have done two River Cruises in Europe on Uniworld.. 150 passangers

I was on the Ocean two months ago- impeccable ship at that time and she still has a lot of Princess cruises to run before the hand-over.

 

I can't imagine that she will be allowed to decay. Maybe the hard-wear items like carpet and bedding will not be replaced but the furniture and fittings are perfect and should remain so during the interim.

 

She's currently a beautiful ship with a more luxurious interior (read rich and warm) than most Princess vessels. Not to be missed! (but I'll miss her)

 

Norris

Just wanted to compliment you on the respectful and informative way that you reply to posts. I so enjoyed reading about your last cruise and wonderful pictures.

Required maintenance is one thing - keeping pax-facing areas updated is another. Why refurb/update something the new owners will take out and replace - that serves neither the current nor the new owner so it may not be a requirement if a deal. But as said, one would imagine functional maintenance would be a requirement.

I'm booked on a Sept 2015 Pacific Princess cruise and its sale could well be announced between now and then and be in the current Ocean to-be-turned-over-at-an-upcoming-date mode. We, too, want to experience a "small ship" cruise and are not altering our plans as we expect the ship and the crew to be great.

I'm booked on a Sept 2015 Pacific Princess cruise and its sale could well be announced between now and then and be in the current Ocean to-be-turned-over-at-an-upcoming-date mode.

The Princess 50th Anniversary cruise is set for December, 2015 on the Pacific Princess.

No doubt there will be some high level executives and special guests on board, so I expect next December the PP will be in the best condition it has ever been since joining the Princess fleet.

Yes. Hope she's not put in the "best condition" sonetime after Sept but before Dec. :- )

Also, for the right sale terms plans can always change...

 

Here is my question for those that have just sailed on her. Since Princess has sold the Ocean - just wonder how much they will continue work towards keeping her in nice condition before she leaves the fleet??

 

 

Thanks for your time and opinions

I see that you have also asked for reports on the roll call of her next cruise.

We are however, currently well over a year away from her being delivered to her new owner and your cruise is over six months from her being delivered.

Ships operate in an environment which means they need continuous maintenance to keep them in tip top condition and will deteriorate rapidly if that maintenance drops off. As a result, I don't think the fact that she will be sold in the spring of 2016 will in anyway impact her maintenance programme in June 2015 and certainly not in December 2014, just one month after the sale was announced.

Having said that, the fact that you are asking this question in a number of places suggests that you are deeply and genuinely concerned that she is going to start to deteriorate with immediate effect and that this will be evident by the time of your cruise next June.

With the best will in the world, all ships have problems and maintenance issues on an ongoing basis, which, whilst they are being fixed, can affect passenger amenities, but whereas you would normally deal with these in your stride, I rather suspect that, given you are so concerned that there may be problems, you will subconsciously be looking for evidence that the ship is being run down and that any issue will be perceived as indicating that this is the case.

As a result, you might wish to consider whether or not issues which would not normally bother you will assume a greater significance than normal to the extent that they detract from the pleasure of the cruise. Given this, you may wish to consider the possibility of changing your plans to take a cruise where you will not, albeit subconsciously, be looking for problems.

Just wanted to compliment you on the respectful and informative way that you reply to posts. I so enjoyed reading about your last cruise and wonderful pictures.

Thanks bigenna-you're very kind.

Norris

I see that the two Panama Canal cruises for the OP for March 2016 are no longer on sale. Are they going to turn her over in Fort Lauderdale after the circum-South America concludes in early March? I see she will be renovated in Italy, does that mean she will be crossing empty, or will there be a final transatlantic to get revenue out of that crossing?

I will be on that South America trip. I can only imagine the sale on board ship the last day.

Corfu mixture - I am a retired Fire fighter and have 35 years experience in investigating fire and talking to people on "tell me what happened". My approach to most any situation (and, yes (lol) maybe a little too much) is to ask my questions several different way - gather peoples thoughts do the math and build my own conclusion.

For example - we always enjoy large share tables at anytime dining. I just got off the Grand Princess (several B2B's). I listened to several table discussions on experience on that particular cruise - one night one passenger hated the cruise, next night a passenger loved the cruise - I would always say - tell me more and listen to all that is said - often the 'story'. Really tells a story. I really learned a lot durning those B2B's.

Yes, I as question - too many?? Maybe / but that is how I learn.

DW and I have talked about our June date and as of this time - no plan to cancel, with airfare, this trip is at 14K - just being cautious

We also ride a Harley and have ridden in all 50 states and have made 4 coast to coast rides in the last 5 years - we are more than willing to take Risks in life.

No risk, no gain.

Thanks for your thought and opinions

Corfu mixture - I am a retired Fire fighter and have 35 years experience in investigating fire and talking to people on "tell me what happened". My approach to most any situation (and, yes (lol) maybe a little too much) is to ask my questions several different way - gather peoples thoughts do the math and build my own conclusion.

For example - we always enjoy large share tables at anytime dining. I just got off the Grand Princess (several B2B's). I listened to several table discussions on experience on that particular cruise - one night one passenger hated the cruise, next night a passenger loved the cruise - I would always say - tell me more and listen to all that is said - often the 'story'. Really tells a story. I really learned a lot durning those B2B's.

Yes, I as question - too many?? Maybe / but that is how I learn.

DW and I have talked about our June date and as of this time - no plan to cancel, with airfare, this trip is at 14K - just being cautious

We also ride a Harley and have ridden in all 50 states and have made 4 coast to coast rides in the last 5 years - we are more than willing to take Risks in life.

No risk, no gain.

 

Thanks for your thought and opinions

Didn't mean to offend. I was simply making the observations that:

a) even it the ship is allowed to run down a little, that process is unlikely to have started by June 2015.

b) that there is even less chance of folks boarding later this month seeing any sign of it being run down in preparation for sale in March 2016

and that if you are as concerned as you appear to be, then the risk of your holiday being spoiled because you are going to be looking for signs that the ship is being run down may be something you should consider.

I apologise if my comment came over as critical. It was not intended that way.

I will e-mail you to tell you if I see any signs over Christmas, though I must emphasise I won't be looking too hard. ;)

Lol, no offense taken at all. My best friends at times have told me I over think things, lol and maybe I do. Enjoy your cruise

Didn't mean to offend. I was simply making the observations that:

 

a) even it the ship is allowed to run down a little, that process is unlikely to have started by June 2015.

 

b) that there is even less chance of folks boarding later this month seeing any sign of it being run down in preparation for sale in March 2016

 

and that if you are as concerned as you appear to be, then the risk of your holiday being spoiled because you are going to be looking for signs that the ship is being run down may be something you should consider.

 

I apologise if my comment came over as critical. It was not intended that way.

 

I will e-mail you to tell you if I see any signs over Christmas, though I must emphasise I won't be looking too hard. ;)

I see that the two Panama Canal cruises for the OP for March 2016 are no longer on sale. Are they going to turn her over in Fort Lauderdale after the circum-South America concludes in early March? I see she will be renovated in Italy, does that mean she will be crossing empty, or will there be a final transatlantic to get revenue out of that crossing?

 

I will be on that South America trip. I can only imagine the sale on board ship the last day.

Hey there! Join the roll call. It's small but mighty!

Hey there! Join the roll call. It's small but mighty!

I have, thanks. I do not expect deterioration even at the end. I think Princess will take pride in turning her over in tip-top shape

I have, thanks. I do not expect deterioration even at the end. I think Princess will take pride in turning her over in tip-top shape

I agree. Time for a Lido Deck Farewell Party with an open bar! After all, why let Oceania have all that stuff. It would be sooo difficult to inventory all that booze and then transport it to another ship. Let the passengers finish it.

Just make sure the day afterwards is a sea day for "recuperative" purposes. :cool:

March 5, 2016 would do nicely.

I agree. Time for a Lido Deck Farewell Party with an open bar! After all, why let Oceania have all that stuff. It would be sooo difficult to inventory all that booze and then transport it to another ship. Let the passengers finish it.

 

Just make sure the day afterwards is a sea day for "recuperative" purposes. :cool:

 

March 5, 2016 would do nicely.

Even the 4th, we are at sea then. Have such a party that we only recover in time to pack on the final day.

Gonna be some mega sales. Anything "Ocean Princess" on it has gotta go! Unless they name the new build the same thing and save the stuff.