Grand Princess Dry Dock Apr 2011

Hi all

Just booked a 1 week cruise to Norwegian Fjords from Southampton in July 2011 on Grand Princess. Shortly afterwards read that Grand Princess going into dry dock for approx 3 weeks in April 2011.

Does anybody know what they are planning to do to her whilst in dry dock?.

We cruised on her in Jul 09 for 2 weeks Med cruise and loved her but will be interested to see what improvements they will be making.

Thanks

Hi all

 

Just booked a 1 week cruise to Norwegian Fjords from Southampton in July 2011 on Grand Princess. Shortly afterwards read that Grand Princess going into dry dock for approx 3 weeks in April 2011.

 

Does anybody know what they are planning to do to her whilst in dry dock?.

 

We cruised on her in Jul 09 for 2 weeks Med cruise and loved her but will be interested to see what improvements they will be making.

 

Thanks

I will be on the first voyage post drydock; May 5th. Stay tuned to my LIVE from the ship and I'll give you all the up front and personal information. I do hope they have all their ducks in a row, since first cruise after coming out could conceivably have some problems.

do a search. there have been several posts regarding the drydock.

They are redoing the entire atrium area with a new staircase and IC.

Cutting the existing casino in half.

The shopping cart handle gets cut off. Redesign of the layout with some changes in which "stores" are to be available and where in the future. Replace carpet and other wear items. Might do something about the staterooms, but I don't think they'll have time for that. LOTS of closet and storage space on the Ruby, for example, but I don't think they can redesign that in to the Grand.

The shopping cart handle gets cut off.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1319803

When I look on the booking page to see what cabins are available for the North Cape cruise next June, there are 6 WS mini-suites on Fiesta deck listed as open, but with no information available. These suites do not show up on the deck plan. I read somewhere that they are new mini-suites being put on Fiesta deck and that they have no balconies. I currently have a BB guarantee and was told by the Princess agent that I have a very good possiblity of being upgraded to a mini since my cruise is very full. I definitely do not want a cabin without a balcony, even if it is a mini-suite. Does anybody know anything about these cabins? Are they being added in the dry dock? I cannot imagine paying the price for a mini-suite (these are listed between AA and VS categories) and just getting a window rather than a balcony!

When I look on the booking page to see what cabins are available for the North Cape cruise next June, there are 6 WS mini-suites on Fiesta deck listed as open, but with no information available. These suites do not show up on the deck plan. I read somewhere that they are new mini-suites being put on Fiesta deck and that they have no balconies. I currently have a BB guarantee and was told by the Princess agent that I have a very good possiblity of being upgraded to a mini since my cruise is very full. I definitely do not want a cabin without a balcony, even if it is a mini-suite. Does anybody know anything about these cabins? Are they being added in the dry dock? I cannot imagine paying the price for a mini-suite (these are listed between AA and VS categories) and just getting a window rather than a balcony!

I really don't think that's a definite happening. There was a long post a couple of weeks ago and all the speculation was very amusing.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1319803

We are just back from the Grand and I never thought they would remove Skywalkers but had drinks with the Hotel General Manager,who is overseeing the drydock,and he assured me that is is going.They have already removed all the machines in the teen area to accomodate the new Skywalkers.

Category WS are full suites, not mini-suites. They are indeed "window suites" as they have no balcony. They are being added to at least some Grand class ships during drydock when the Casino is moved to the Promenade Deck. They are on the Crown and the Golden (check their deck plans) and will now be added to the Grand. Will have to wait to see what other ships get the WS cabins. You do get all suite privileges and credit for two cruises and sometimes very good deals. All that being said I want a balcony!

Thanks for the quick response. I did not realize that they were full suites. Now I'll worry less about being upgraded into one! The suite privileges are not worth the loss of a balcony to me. Looking at the deck plan, it also seems like the locations would involve lots of passing foot traffic and too little privacy. I'll have to walk by there and check it out when I'm on board (thus increasing the passing foot traffic!).

I really don't think that's a definite happening. There was a long post a couple of weeks ago and all the speculation was very amusing.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1319803

The shopping cart handle was the main point the Captain brought up at the CC meeting in October. He said it was definately going.

Matthew

Just received a Grand Princess flyer for spring 2011, from a TA cruise club. There is a section about the 'revitalisation'.

Bullet point list in leaflet:

• Conversion of deck 5 atrium to the piazza
  
• New pizzeria in the Piazza (Venetian style Alfredos)
  
• International Cafe
  
• Vines wine and seafood bar
  
• Convert Sterling steakhouse to Crown Grill
  
• New deck 7 tea lounge and library
  
• Upgrade casino
  
• Addition of deck 6 window suites
  
• Upgrade Horizon Court
  
• Upgrade Lotus Spa
  
• New deck 15 Wedding Chapel/conference room
  

Just received a Grand Princess flyer for spring 2011, from a TA cruise club. There is a section about the 'revitalisation'.

Bullet point list in leaflet:

 

• Conversion of deck 5 atrium to the piazza
  
• New pizzeria in the Piazza (Venetian style Alfredos)
  
• International Cafe
  
• Vines wine and seafood bar
  
• Convert Sterling steakhouse to Crown Grill
  
• New deck 7 tea lounge and library
  
• Upgrade casino
  
• Addition of deck 6 window suites
  
• Upgrade Horizon Court
  
• Upgrade Lotus Spa
  
• New deck 15 Wedding Chapel/conference room
  

Thanks for listing this, since I didn't get a flyer. I've printed it and put it with my Grand cruise documents. Not that I'm a huge pizza lover, but it's nice to know I don't need to go outdoors when I do want to indulge.

Pia, We will be looking forward to your review of the "new" Grand in May. Hope they have it all put back together for your cruise!

Thanks for listing this, since I didn't get a flyer. I've printed it and put it with my Grand cruise documents. Not that I'm a huge pizza lover, but it's nice to know I don't need to go outdoors when I do want to indulge.

Pia, not sure if I made it clear in my post that the leaflet is from a well known online TA, i.e. their own leaflet selling just Grand P cruises, rather than an official Princess leaflet, so the bullet list may be their own interpretation of the Grand post dry dock. :)

Pia, We will be looking forward to your review of the "new" Grand in May. Hope they have it all put back together for your cruise!

Me too! :D

Pia, not sure if I made it clear in my post that the leaflet is from a well known online TA, i.e. their own leaflet selling just Grand P cruises, rather than an official Princess leaflet, so the bullet list may be their own interpretation of the Grand post dry dock. :)

My well known TA must be different than your well known TA. :D

Thanks for all your comments.

I did see some other threads about this too - looks like there will be many upgrades to this ship - can't wait to go back on her again !

I really don't think that's a definite happening. There was a long post a couple of weeks ago and all the speculation was very amusing.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1319803

I think that's definitely happening. Been too many confirmations.

Just received a Grand Princess flyer for spring 2011, from a TA cruise club. There is a section about the 'revitalisation'.

Bullet point list in leaflet:

 

• Conversion of deck 5 atrium to the piazza
  
• New pizzeria in the Piazza (Venetian style Alfredos)
  
• International Cafe
  
• Vines wine and seafood bar
  
• Convert Sterling steakhouse to Crown Grill
  
• New deck 7 tea lounge and library
  
• Upgrade casino
  
• Addition of deck 6 window suites
  
• Upgrade Horizon Court
  
• Upgrade Lotus Spa
  
• New deck 15 Wedding Chapel/conference room
  

I had heard that they were not touching the cabins in this dry dock and that the cabins were quite worn. Do you or your TA know anything about this? It might be nice to have some new facilities--but if the rooms are a mess. . .Oh dear. I was on the Royal last April--it was shabby. I'd hate a repeat.

Thanks.

I had heard that they were not touching the cabins in this dry dock and that the cabins were quite worn. Do you or your TA know anything about this? It might be nice to have some new facilities--but if the rooms are a mess. . .Oh dear. I was on the Royal last April--it was shabby. I'd hate a repeat.

 

Thanks.

No, sorry I just quoted this list from the flyer. The cabins mentioned are new suites, as I understand it. No mention of other cabin refurbishments.:)

would you please post the new deck plans for the grand princess. I've heard about them and send little tiny thumbnails -- that you can't see -- I'd LOVE to see deck plans large enough to see.

thanks,

would you please post the new deck plans for the grand princess. I've heard about them and send little tiny thumbnails -- that you can't see -- I'd LOVE to see deck plans large enough to see.

thanks,

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1349406&page=3

O my! 13 years ago we sailed onn her first Caribbean cruise. What a memory. At that time I didn't think it was possibla to make more beautiful and bigger ships than Grand. She was just GRAND.

My favorite ship will get a new face and a new body. I am sure I like her again and I guess I am happy for her, but I wish they brought back enclosed solarium - a place for adults only. Used to be my favorite place to relax before they removed the roof and created MUTS. " The shopping cart handle" gave her such character. Too bad they will remove it.