Info about Diamond Princess

[Starbirdie]

I just read some reviews about the Diamond Princess. Can anyone verify that there is no internet on the Australia/New Zealand cruises? Also, does the Diamond's mini-suites have covered balconies (please, please say yes)? I also read that the Diamond was in very good shape, clean, nice, etc. ( I know it is going to be re-done this spring, so I thought maybe it needed it.) What is the Diamond like? Thanks...

[Kiwi Kruzer]

The Diamond is a lovely ship and one of my favourites....but

Sorry ....Mini Suites have an uncovered and very public balcony.No shelter from the rain or sun and if you want to lie out on your deck chair everyone above you can look down and see you.:rolleyes:

If we sailed on Diamond or her sister ship Sapphire Princess we would not bother with a Mini again....unless it was going at a very good price..:D

 

 

[Starbirdie]

Thanks, Kiwi Kruzer. I wonder if Princess knows that many of their repeat passengers do not like the open balconies. All of their Grand Class ships have the same undesirable arrangement. I thought perhaps the Diamond & Sapphire could be covered as in the review I read, the cruiser said they had a covered balcony with their mini-suite. Do you know anything about getting internet? Another review said they couldn't.

[windsor26]

I cannot understand why you have been advised that there is no internet in Australia New Zealand There is and it is good reception normally.

[Starbirdie]

Thanks for the info. I read a review (on the Diamond) posted 1/5/2014 that said the best thing about the Christmas time cruise was not having any internet connection. I am thinking that perhaps it could have been sketchy around Fjordland National Park?

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Thanks for the info. I read a review (on the Diamond) posted 1/5/2014 that said the best thing about the Christmas time cruise was not having any internet connection. I am thinking that perhaps it could have been sketchy around Fjordland National Park?

 

I do not understand that comment as the ship certainly has internet. Perhaps their cabin did not have a good wi-fi connection .... however when you are in isoltated areas , the connection can be slow .

[Starbirdie]

Thanks for the info. Is the ship in good condition? I think it's scheduled to get re-done shortly after our cruise. One review said it was nice. Hope so.

[kiwipete]

Thanks for the info. Is the ship in good condition? I think it's scheduled to get re-done shortly after our cruise. One review said it was nice. Hope so.

 

We sailed on her a year ago and she was just great. We sail on her again in 5 weeks up to Singapore on her last cruise before her refit.

[victravellers]

There are definitely a few covered mini suites on the Diamond. They are on Emerald deck aft and the rooms are port E710-E728 and starboard e711-E731.

 

If you do get one of these rooms mark it as no upgrade because all other categories of mini suites are uncovered.

[Murgat]

Thanks for the info. Is the ship in good condition? I think it's scheduled to get re-done shortly after our cruise. One review said it was nice. Hope so.

 

I was on her in early December to Tasmania. She was neat, clean and regularly maintained. The atrium was already dressed for Christmas and positively sparkled. My favourite area for relaxing was the adults only pool beside the Lotus Spa. For several days it was heated to almost hot tub levels! Lovely for relaxing after a days sightseeing especially in cooler weather as you can also get around NZ. My cabin was a premium balcony on Caribe deck in preference to a mini suite on Dolphin deck. The balconies on Caribe are partially (half) covered for sheltering from misty rain (common in NZ) or out of the wind and are much larger than standard balconies on other decks - room for a dining level table, two chairs and footstools for stretching out. The bathroom was the standard Diamond "compact" but the wardrobe area off the bathroom was huge for a balcony room. I met up with people who had chosen aft (premium) balconies and they were delighted with their sheltered balcony and the wake view for privacy and location.

[Starbirdie]

Thanks a bunch for getting back with some info. I have tried to talk my husband into getting a mini on Emerald deck once I found out they had covered balconies. But he wants to be mid ship, so that's that! As for the condition of the Diamond, it is great to know it's looking good.

 

Thanks for the info about the weather in NZ. I thought it might be a bit rainy and breezy, so we will come prepared! While cruising Fjordland National Park is it usually cool and misty? We will be there on Feb. 4.

[Murgat]

Thanks for the info about the weather in NZ. I thought it might be a bit rainy and breezy, so we will come prepared! While cruising Fjordland National Park is it usually cool and misty? We will be there on Feb. 4.

 

Three times in the sounds and it was different each time. Misty early morning warming up to full sun by midday on the first cruise; another time it was a rough and rainy passage but calm and misty in the sounds and we had scattered cloud and a little wind but no rain on the last cruise. Take a long line weather proof jacket - not a heavy one - and plan to dress in layers. Non slip shoes if you are going out on the decks (best) to enjoy the sail up the sounds. I wore a beanie for the early morning entry and warmed my hands with hot chocolate. In February you could end up wearing a t shirt and shorts. NZ has fun weather. At least on the ship you can return to your cabin to rethink your wardrobe for the day ( or the hour).

Edited January 13, 2014 by Murgat

[Starbirdie]

Thanks a bunch for the informative reply regarding weather cruising NZ! Will follow your advice and layer! Really looking forward to a great cruise!

[Kiwi_cruiser]

I just read some reviews about the Diamond Princess. Can anyone verify that there is no internet on the Australia/New Zealand cruises?

 

ummmm, there might be times when there is no internet connection is available, and that is only because off the area your in, but, most off the time when you do a cruise around New Zealand, you should be able to get on the internet :)

 

I also read that the Diamond was in very good shape, clean, nice, etc. ( I know it is going to be re-done this spring, so I thought maybe it needed it.) What is the Diamond like? Thanks...

 

When we where on the Diamond in November 2012, she was in good shape :).

 

And just before Christmas I went down to see some friends off who where cruising on here and the outside off her looked good as well.

[Starbirdie]

Thanks to everyone for all the information on the Diamond!

[bvm49]

We sailed on her a year ago and she was just great. We sail on her again in 5 weeks up to Singapore on her last cruise before her refit.

 

kiwipete: Can't find the Diamond Princess listed for refit on CC website.:confused: Looking at the Princess schedule it seems to be out of action in late March - do you know what's being done?

Edited January 14, 2014 by bvm49
extra information

[kiwipete]

kiwipete: Can't find the Diamond Princess listed for refit on CC website.:confused: Looking at the Princess schedule it seems to be out of action in late March - do you know what's being done?

 

No, sorry I can't enlighten you. All I know is that after we all get off, on 12th March, she goes in to dry dock in Singapore. I would guess that she is being Japanised ready for her summer catering for the Asian customers. The Sun Princess was given the same treatment back in September and they will both be operating out of Singapore. The Sun had a Sushi restaurant introduced, the Horizon Court buffet completely refitted and most of the public areas refurbished.

Edited January 14, 2014 by kiwipete

[Thorpe]

She will be getting a Japanese Bathhouse. There is a video on YouTube from Princess. And from some site I looked at - possible International Cafe and moving the Casino? I was looking and searching as I'm sailing on her from Singapore to Sydney in October and haven't been on her before. Did sail on the Sun after her refit and it was lovely.

[bvm49]

She will be getting a Japanese Bathhouse. There is a video on YouTube from Princess. And from some site I looked at - possible International Cafe and moving the Casino? I was looking and searching as I'm sailing on her from Singapore to Sydney in October and haven't been on her before. Did sail on the Sun after her refit and it was lovely.

 

Helen, can't find it - can you supply the links? Thanks

[kiwipete]

Helen, can't find it - can you supply the links? Thanks

 

May be this is the one

[Bowie MeMe]

Thanks for the info. Is the ship in good condition? I think it's scheduled to get re-done shortly after our cruise. One review said it was nice. Hope so.

 

I was on the Diamond Oct. 2012 Bangkok to Beijing for 18 days. The Diamond is lovely and was in good shape. We have Platinum status and internet in the internet café was excellent and usually could find a time that there was not too many people and could get computers easily. Platinum means free internet minutes and so I was able to keep up with home without much trouble. I can't answer about the mini-suite as I was in my favorite OV cabin on floor 8 center and used the biggest balcony of all known as the promenade deck:p. Love those cabins -- reasonable price and great location if you know which ones to chose.

[Bowie MeMe]

Three times in the sounds and it was different each time. Misty early morning warming up to full sun by midday on the first cruise; another time it was a rough and rainy passage but calm and misty in the sounds and we had scattered cloud and a little wind but no rain on the last cruise. Take a long line weather proof jacket - not a heavy one - and plan to dress in layers. Non slip shoes if you are going out on the decks (best) to enjoy the sail up the sounds. I wore a beanie for the early morning entry and warmed my hands with hot chocolate. In February you could end up wearing a t shirt and shorts. NZ has fun weather. At least on the ship you can return to your cabin to rethink your wardrobe for the day ( or the hour).

 

We are going to be cruising NZ South Island for 9 days in early Feb. I am trying right now to decide what to pack. We will be gone for 35 days and follow the cruise with 2 1/2 week driving tour. We also have a week in Tahiti coming and going. I hope to keep luggage to 40 pounds as lifting in and out of car trunk is back "hurting" business. Right now I have planned 4 short sleeved blouses, 4 ss t shirts 4 long sleeve tshirts 1 fleece 1 vegan (fake) leather coat and 2 sun rash guards (great for the severe sun exposure of no ozone layer in NZ.) 6 pair knit pants, a dress, 3 knee length shorts, a skirt, swim wear. I probably will have to have a winter coat/hat/gloves for the trip to the airport but hope to mostly throw it in the suitcase when get to LAX. Do you think this wardrobe will do for trekking around in a small (70 passenger) boat with the occasional trip out on a zodiac to visit the whales and penguins:D?

 

Thanks for letting me on here. NO one from the company we are sailing with has ever come on Cruise Critic --lonely!

[Bowie MeMe]

Thanks for the link. I am really interested in the Japanese itinerary but want to wait until I see how the two cultures are handled in the ship experience. My big question is do you have to pay extra for the Japanese bath -- like the adult only spa areas on other Princess ships. I don't pay to sit on the deck -- just find a place somewhere for the 20 mins before I sunburn and leave.

 

Anybody gong on Asian sail after refit let us know all about it.

[OzKiwiJJ]

We are going to be cruising NZ South Island for 9 days in early Feb. I am trying right now to decide what to pack. We will be gone for 35 days and follow the cruise with 2 1/2 week driving tour. We also have a week in Tahiti coming and going. I hope to keep luggage to 40 pounds as lifting in and out of car trunk is back "hurting" business. Right now I have planned 4 short sleeved blouses, 4 ss t shirts 4 long sleeve tshirts 1 fleece 1 vegan (fake) leather coat and 2 sun rash guards (great for the severe sun exposure of no ozone layer in NZ.) 6 pair knit pants, a dress, 3 knee length shorts, a skirt, swim wear. I probably will have to have a winter coat/hat/gloves for the trip to the airport but hope to mostly throw it in the suitcase when get to LAX. Do you think this wardrobe will do for trekking around in a small (70 passenger) boat with the occasional trip out on a zodiac to visit the whales and penguins:D?

 

Thanks for letting me on here. NO one from the company we are sailing with has ever come on Cruise Critic --lonely!

 

For travelling I swear by those hiking pants that you can get from most outdoors stores, especially the ones that you can convert to shorts. They are usually made from synthetic fabrics that dry very quickly, which means you can hand wash them and they will usually dry overnight. I find them warm enough to wear in cool weather, certainly they would do for the South Island of NZ in February, and they also keep you cool in hot weather as they wick away sweat. I would replace your shorts and all the knit pants with two pairs of those, and also take one pair of dressier pants and/or dressy jeans. Make sure your long sleeve tshirts work as layers over your blouses and short sleeve tshirts. It very much depends on how often you intend doing laundry but you seem to have a good balance of clothes overall.

[bvm49]

May be this is the one

 

Pete, thanks for that - wonder where it's going to fit on the ship? As you can see below, we are going around Japan late April on this ship:D.