Pacific Princess

[royal65]

We're considering a segment on the Pacific's WC in Mar./April 2013. Two questions: is she scheduled for a refurbish before then (she'll be 10 years old then) and if so what upgrades are to be expected; secondly, we typically book mini-suites, but their configuration is different on this ship and the there's a big price difference between a mini and a regular balcony, any opinions as to whether it's worth a big difference on this ship? thanx

[Pia1913]

We're considering a segment on the Pacific's WC in Mar./April 2013. Two questions: is she scheduled for a refurbish before then (she'll be 10 years old then) and if so what upgrades are to be expected; secondly, we typically book mini-suites, but their configuration is different on this ship and the there's a big price difference between a mini and a regular balcony, any opinions as to whether it's worth a big difference on this ship? thanx

 

The Pacific underwent a refurb in January of 2010, so evidentally there won't be another one forthcoming in the near future.

 

As for value between balcony and mini - I don't think it warrants a huge price differential. We've taken 6 cruises on the Pacific and twice we had a mini. Once they upgraded us; second time we bought it. We are again scheduled on the Pacific this November for 31 days and I never even considered taking a mini. The minis on the other ships have two TV's. These do not. The balcony cabins on the other ships do not have a sofa. These do. That little sofa makes a big difference to us. Just be careful which cabin you book if you opt for a balcony. Be sure that it's not an adjoining one, because those do not have a sofa.

 

Hope this helps a bit.

[Ethel5]

PIA>>>>>>

 

We are thinking about taking the Pacific for a TA from Rome to FLL but with a stop in Bermuda. The time would be December and a more northerly route than from VCE to FLL. My concern is that the Pacific is such a small ship, I'm worried about being bounced around. Don't get me wrong, I like the smaller ships-Coral, Island and the Sun Class and the Regal, but this is way smaller! Do you have an insight of what it might be like? I realize that it is totally dependent on the weather and the crystal ball might be at the cleaners.:) Also, how do they handle Elite laundry? And what is the casino like-are there enough slot machines? I don't play poker. Thanks!

[Pia1913]

PIA>>>>>>

 

We are thinking about taking the Pacific for a TA from Rome to FLL but with a stop in Bermuda. The time would be December and a more northerly route than from VCE to FLL. My concern is that the Pacific is such a small ship, I'm worried about being bounced around. Don't get me wrong, I like the smaller ships-Coral, Island and the Sun Class and the Regal, but this is way smaller! Do you have an insight of what it might be like? I realize that it is totally dependent on the weather and the crystal ball might be at the cleaners.:) Also, how do they handle Elite laundry? And what is the casino like-are there enough slot machines? I don't play poker. Thanks!

 

Rome to FLL is the cruise we are on November 15th; the same one I mentioned as 31 days. We are getting on in Athens. Though we've done many crossings, we too haven't done one on a baby ship at that time of year either. No crystal ball here; we just go with the flow. The ocean flow, that is. ;)

 

Laundry is handled the same way as on every other ship, though the last time we were on (Amazon; 2009) we could get same day service for no additional charge. Do we really need same day service? No. As for the casino, since they redid the ship a year ago, I don't know whether or not they added/deleted anything there. One thing I know, the casino was never crowded; not on any of our cruises. And the penny slots, which I first encountered on this ship in 2005......... usually available almost any time you wanted one.

 

Now then........... are you joining us?

[BosoxI]

Without knowing the sea state, it would be difficult to predict ship movement, but we crossed the Pacific on her and it was great. Personally, I like some movement, peridically at least, makes me feel I'm at sea, not on a pond. Just don't overdo it, please.

[Toto2Kansas]

We're considering a segment on the Pacific's WC in Mar./April 2013. Two questions: is she scheduled for a refurbish before then (she'll be 10 years old then) and if so what upgrades are to be expected; secondly, we typically book mini-suites, but their configuration is different on this ship and the there's a big price difference between a mini and a regular balcony, any opinions as to whether it's worth a big difference on this ship? thanx

There is one huge seller on the mini suites, beside the beautiful large room, and that is storage space. The one complaint that we have heard a lot from friends about the balcony cabins on the little ships is the lack of storage space. We have visited the balcony cabins on this class many times, and stayed in both mini suites and full suites. For us, the lowest cabin would be a mini suite, as they are more than comfortable. The design is quite different then the larger ships minis, and we like it even more. Two TV's are not important to us at all, but the space, full sized sofa, small table and two chairs, and room to move around, along with the larger bathroom are the best reasons to look further into a mini suite. IMHO.

[Ethel5]

..................................................

 

Now then........... are you joining us?

 

Thanks for the info. We are thinking ahead to Dec of 2013. I booked two spring cruises on the Emerald just to have something and then the London to FLL for fall of 2012. Time is a problem for us.:(

[Pia1913]

There is one huge seller on the mini suites, beside the beautiful large room, and that is storage space. The one complaint that we have heard a lot from friends about the balcony cabins on the little ships is the lack of storage space. We have visited the balcony cabins on this class many times, and stayed in both mini suites and full suites. For us, the lowest cabin would be a mini suite, as they are more than comfortable. The design is quite different then the larger ships minis, and we like it even more. Two TV's are not important to us at all, but the space, full sized sofa, small table and two chairs, and room to move around, along with the larger bathroom are the best reasons to look further into a mini suite. IMHO.

 

 

And that's why we have choices. ;) The larger bathroom, while nice to have, is not my preference due to the fact that I don't like to climb into a bathtub to shower. But beween a balcony and a mini it really comes down to dollars and cents. Sometimes those minis are $1000 more per person and you have to substantiate that kind of difference. As for a full suite, I know you take them, and I wish I could substantiate that expenditure too. :D

[Toto2Kansas]

And that's why we have choices. ;)

 

Exactly. For years we did the quantity vs quality cruising. Woke up one day and discussed all of the cruises we have taken in the past. We decided that quality cruising was now more important than the quantity to us. Choices, aren't we glad that we have them? :)

[Princess Patches]

We're considering a segment on the Pacific's WC in Mar./April 2013. Two questions: is she scheduled for a refurbish before then (she'll be 10 years old then) and if so what upgrades are to be expected; secondly, we typically book mini-suites, but their configuration is different on this ship and the there's a big price difference between a mini and a regular balcony, any opinions as to whether it's worth a big difference on this ship? thanx

 

 

You did not state what the price difference is for your sailing and that would certainly help in giving some advice.

 

I agree with Toto on the mini suites. I think the Princess mini suites are the best value cabin on the ships if you get them for the right price. My generally rule of thumb is if I can get one for $300 more per week (per cabin) than a Caribe deck balcony (BB category on the larger ships) than I will take the mini suite over the Caribe balcony any day. I enjoy the sitting area and the tub/shower combo in the bathroom. Although I don't use the tub I like having the extra roominess when I shower (you are not bumping up against the walls and the shower curtain). The sitting area is great for watching tv when you would rather not sit on the bed, talking, or having room service on a day when inclement weather prevents use of the balcony.

 

The mini suite configurations are a little different on the smaller ships. I sailed on the Ocean Princess back in 2001 when it was a Renaissance ship. The standard balcony cabins were a tad larger on those ships as I recall because we had a loveseat in the room. However, the bathrooms were the same size, very small with just a shower.

 

The Pacific Princess will be 14 years old (not 10) in 2013 because it began life as a Renaissance ship back in 1999. The Princess ships are all so well kept up that I never pay any attention to drydocking schedules. They are continually doing upkeep even while the ship is not in drydock.

[royal65]

Thanks to all for the replies. For the 24 day segment, the price differnce is $2,500 pp without insurance, $2,800 pp including insurance ($5,600 for both). To me, that seems to be too big a price difference given the relatively small differences in the cabin. I thought there might be something I was missing, but judging from the replies, I guess not. We're booking the regular balcony cabin. Thank you. By the way, I appreciate the comments re limited storage space; we'll take that in consideration at packing time.

[Pia1913]

Thanks to all for the replies. For the 24 day segment, the price differnce is $2,500 pp without insurance, $2,800 pp including insurance ($5,600 for both). To me, that seems to be too big a price difference given the relatively small differences in the cabin. I thought there might be something I was missing, but judging from the replies, I guess not. We're booking the regular balcony cabin. Thank you. By the way, I appreciate the comments re limited storage space; we'll take that in consideration at packing time.

 

I have never found a shortage of storage space, so maybe I take less. I really don't think so. Maybe my clothes are smaller. :confused:

[Princess Patches]

$5,000 more for a 3 1/2 week cruise? That is too much. You made the right decision.

[CanadacruiseRN]

We did this TA on the Pacific last November and had several days of BIG waves. In fact, after Bermuda we were forced to sail north to head into the wind. During this time crew were being injured trying to keep things operational. Our cabin stewardess had seven stitches as result of the porthole cover falling on her hand. We were in an ocean view on deck three, where the motion was still very noticeable, but thanked our lucky stars for being assigned a cabin in "steerage" as we were only seasick a few times! Some of the passengers were thrown out of bed, others had the contents of their desks thrown to the floor and they could not walk in their cabin due to broken glass. The waves were coming over the tenth floor deck ( the dance floor area with the big windows).

 

We were very late getting to FL so had to stay over and redo flights,etc.

 

Just sayin' to be aware the North Atlantic is wavy in winter!

 

Laurel

[Aussie Gal]

We have cruised on those smaller ships 8 times now and in rough weather they do move around a lot. We have been fortunate in having good weather when sailing from Tahiti to Peru and also when we went up the West Coast of Africa to Dover but when we went on the Pacific Princess from Sydney to Vanuatu and return in January (our summer) a few years back, it was very rough and a lot of people were seasick.

 

With regards to a Mini suite over a balcony cabin. We normally have a mini but on the Royal just recently on her farewell voyage in April, there were no mini's on that ship, so we had a balcony cabin for 26 days. There was enough space in the wardrobes, but we had to push all our clothes tightly together. There were plenty of drawers and cupboard space, the only thing missing really was the larger bathroom and of course more space in the cabin and a larger balcony.

 

We do love those smaller ships and are booked on the Ocean again next year. I certainly wouldn't pay an extra $5600 for 3 weeks just to have a mini even though I do love them.

 

Jennie