Chairs removed to make more room?

[deliver42]

What's next. Folding cots in the rooms to replace the beds because they take up too much space?Of course. if you pay for a suite, we'll give you back the bed.

[louden]

53 minutes ago, Reader0108598 said:

I hear you I am an older cruiser also ..Elite. I think they are trying to get rid of the older cruisers. New ones won't care they don't know what they are missing! 

 

In my opinion new cruisers don't come to Princess first.  they migrate from NCL, RC or other "fun" ships.  To come to Princess would be a letdown now.  What does Princess really offer to a new cruiser?   If it were not for the perks we have acquired, Elite (35 cruises), Shareholders, FCC's we would not be returning.

Edited February 24, 2019 by louden

[Reader0108598]

3 minutes ago, louden said:

In my opinion new cruisers don't come to Princess first.  they migrate from NCL, RC or other "fun" ships.  To come to Princess would be a letdown now.  What does Princess really offer to a new cruiser? 

Quieter cruise, less kids, no slides , etc! We did not start cruising until our fourties.

 

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Reader0108598

[geocruiser]

11 minutes ago, Reader0108598 said:

Quieter cruise, less kids, no slides , etc! We did not start cruising until our fourties.

 

 

 

 

This is why I believe most Princess cruisers would want to sit on a chair.  Most Princess cruisers are not in their 20's looking for water slides. They want a quieter cruise, like you said.. 

For the reason you stated is why we choose Princess.  At least for now.

[Paula_MacFan]

1 hour ago, richsea said:

I am also disturbed about the removal of the barrel chair, but don’t see it as a cutback. What savings are they getting? They already own the chairs.

 

I think some people's' take on the subject is that if passengers can't sit in their cabin comfortably, they will venture out to public spaces, thereby spending more money.  

[Reader0108598]

4 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

 

I think some people's' take on the subject is that if passengers can't sit in their cabin comfortably, they will venture out to public spaces, thereby spending more money.  

Very sad you paid for that space and if that makes you comfortable you should have it!

[mreasier]

20 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

The absence of the extra chair is absolutely a cut-back and cost savings.

furniture does cost money.

Comfortable furniture costs even more significant money.

New ships have to be furnished.

Good point.  With 3 new Royal Class ships coming, that's over 5,000 new chairs they don't have to buy. 

 

They will probably be glad to see us go.  Our on board spending is minuscule.  We never go on their overpriced excursions and don't buy photos or art.  The bride does go to the spa occasionally and we are moderate drinkers so we do spend some.  But  sometimes we do have to work hard to spend all the OBC we get. 

Edited February 24, 2019 by mreasier

[geocruiser]

22 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

 

I think some people's' take on the subject is that if passengers can't sit in their cabin comfortably, they will venture out to public spaces, thereby spending more money.  

I would not venture out. Hind of hard to sit in a lounge in my pajamas!!  It just makes me mad.

I would just get through this cruise and not book another.  Many other cruise lines have cabins with two seats in them.  I really have a back problem and having a chair to sit in is make or break it for me.

Will see what happens.  Like I said before I love Princess, but....

[Ep010835]

54 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Maybe they can make cabins even smaller and jam pack more human beings onboard if they did away with the furniture all together, and offer super-economy cabins that are like the sleeping 'pods' that I think are not uncommon for travelers in places like Japan.

 

Anyone ever on a commercial flight “then vs. now”  and able to compare seat sizes and comfort between the two knows the depths to which the travel industry will lower themselves in pursuit of the almighty dollar. 

Or other currency. 

[Colo Cruiser]

2 hours ago, deliver42 said:

What's next. Folding cots in the rooms to replace the beds because they take up too much space?Of course. if you pay for a suite, we'll give you back the bed.

They already have those available.

[southerngoose]

13 minutes ago, Ep010835 said:

 

Anyone ever on a commercial flight “then vs. now”  and able to compare seat sizes and comfort between the two knows the depths to which the travel industry will lower themselves in pursuit of the almighty dollar. 

Or other currency. 

I think the difference with cruising is that there are still cruise lines that offer a sofa/chair at the same price.   Cruising is also "more optional" than flying.   Flying is not "the vacation", it's a method of transportation.    It's not like you can go to airline b and get a significantly better flight.   And except for 15 hr flights, it's usually not that bad (and yes, I regularly fly 8-15 hr flights).   That's compared to a 12+ day cruise without a comfortable, private chair!     I can will myself to get through 15 hrs in an uncomfortable airline flight.   It's harder to imagine doing that on a 12 day cruise.

 

[c-boy]

31 minutes ago, Ep010835 said:

 

Anyone ever on a commercial flight “then vs. now”  and able to compare seat sizes and comfort between the two knows the depths to which the travel industry will lower themselves in pursuit of the almighty dollar. 

Or other currency. 

yes... after that experience it's been Wheels Up  ever since

[Ep010835]

22 minutes ago, southerngoose said:

I think the difference with cruising is that there are still cruise lines that offer a sofa/chair at the same price.   Cruising is also "more optional" than flying.   Flying is not "the vacation", it's a method of transportation.    It's not like you can go to airline b and get a significantly better flight.   And except for 15 hr flights, it's usually not that bad (and yes, I regularly fly 8-15 hr flights).   That's compared to a 12+ day cruise without a comfortable, private chair!     I can will myself to get through 15 hrs in an uncomfortable airline flight.   It's harder to imagine doing that on a 12 day cruise.

 

 

One can clearly improve their lot when either flying or cruising. 

The analogy to consider is that by spending more money one can buy more comfort.

Think coach vs business/first class and any other cabin class vs a suite.  

Unless, of course, you are defending the tactics of Princess. If that’s the case, then there’s not much more to say. 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Ep010835

[deliver42]

I'm sorry to offend anybody, but I would think a sofa , or at least a chair , is something anyone on a cruise is expecting. I don't care if they cruised on another line first, or are frequent Princess cruises. This isn't cost saving. This is just stupid PR.

[mellon1]

19 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

I'm sorry to offend anybody, but I would think a sofa , or at least a chair , is something anyone on a cruise is expecting. I don't care if they cruised on another line first, or are frequent Princess cruises. This isn't cost saving. This is just stupid PR.

On the Crown in Jan/Feb 2019 for 20 days in a premium balcony suite and still did have barrell chair & table.  Did anyone notice the leather luggage mat is no longer being put in the rooms?  I had 3 large bags (I know a lot of bags) and so I did not want to put my bags on the bed without a mat.  I used that small table up against a wall to unload each piece of luggage at a time.  In addition to room service putting our formal night portofinos on it, wine, etc.

 

We have cruised a lot with RCCL, HAL and are 55 and 62, and we love Princess.  It is still so much better than staying in a hotel in our opinion.  My husband loves a large covered balcony and enjoys reading away from everything going on, so we don't know how long it will be when the grand class ships are eliminated, so we are really enjoying the grand class ships while we can.  

 

We absolutely loved our vacation, every part of it.  I enjoy the sanctuary and the fact there are not many kids on Princess.  We still feel the crew and food is better on this line...keeping in mind, we don't do the buffet.  As long as the pool is open and we can get on the Grand class in a covered balcony we are happy.  We may have to just bring our own lounge chair for the balcony if the ottomans are taken away and bring in the table from the balcony when we need it.  

 

I will state the truth, when we were younger we  were OK with this room, but we were out at the pool first thing in the am and there until 6 pm.  Now getting older and not supposed to be in sun all that much, shade is needed.  However, after staying in suites and mini suites, my husband said he will never cruise in that size room again as it was too small (bathroom w/just shower and the room no couch to watch TV, as he likes his news in the morning to know what is  going on).  We normally do 30 days at a time and that is too long to stay in that size room.  So, if this is there game plan, it is working.  

 

I don't know why they just didn't leave the old ships that had these features in them and then eliminate from the new.  The old ships didn't require $$ to keep a chair or table up.

[louden]

1 hour ago, deliver42 said:

I'm sorry to offend anybody, but I would think a sofa , or at least a chair , is something anyone on a cruise is expecting. I don't care if they cruised on another line first, or are frequent Princess cruises. This isn't cost saving. This is just stupid PR.

Just plain stupid I would say!

[louden]

46 minutes ago, mellon1 said:

We may have to just bring our own lounge chair for the balcony if the ottomans are taken away and bring in the table from the balcony when we need it.  

FYI  They ottomans have been and are being done.  At least on our last two cruises in premium an aft balcony there were no ottomans.  We addressed this issue on board and wrote to corporate.  On our last cruise two senior officers came to our cabin to discuss this.  While they could not be of assistance they did tell us this was going to happen fleet wide starting Spring 2019.

 

Louden

[Colo Cruiser]

13 minutes ago, louden said:

Just plain stupid I would say!

I agree.

[Pstcrik]

Have it really be known that the removal of these chairs are the thought that Princess makes more money when they have people flowing through the common areas of the ship.  In their shops, bars,casinos and even the international cafe is where they hope people will go and spend money, but not by sitting in their rooms. 

[bemis12]

4 hours ago, Reader0108598 said:

I hear you I am an older cruiser also ..Elite. I think they are trying to get rid of the older cruisers. New ones won't care they don't know what they are missing! 

 

 

That's just silliness.  Older cruiser are the primary cruisers.  That generally have both more means and more time.

[Reader0108598]

5 minutes ago, bemis12 said:

 

That's just silliness.  Older cruiser are the primary cruisers.  That generally have both more means and more time.

And spend less money on extras! Cannot tell you the last time I bought a photo or did an excursion with them! Don't do specialty resturants or buy their expensive bottles of wine or booze. I do enjoy a drink here and there.

 

 

 

Edited February 24, 2019 by Reader0108598

[mellon1]

39 minutes ago, louden said:

FYI  They ottomans have been and are being done.  At least on our last two cruises in premium an aft balcony there were no ottomans.  We addressed this issue on board and wrote to corporate.  On our last cruise two senior officers came to our cabin to discuss this.  While they could not be of assistance they did tell us this was going to happen fleet wide starting Spring 2019.

 

Louden

So will they still have chair and tables on the balcony?

[louden]

8 minutes ago, mellon1 said:

So will they still have chair and tables on the balcony?

We had 2 reclining chairs and the smallest table on our very large aft corner balcony.    Only big enough for two small plates and two beverages.  So much for enjoying the space with fellow cruisers or ordering room service comfortably.  Needless to say we are re-evaluating our future  plans with Princess.

 

Louden

[Obsi]

2 hours ago, mellon1 said:

I don't know why they just didn't leave the old ships that had these features in them and then eliminate from the new.  The old ships didn't require $$ to keep a chair or table up.

 

As the chairs get older they will need steam cleaning and either replacing or reupholstering (cheaper to replace). So the barrel chairs would have some degree of ongoing upkeep and replacement costs, and more than the desk chair because of the construction.  They also need to make sure replacement ones are made from the same fabric and the same style to keep the uniformity - so it's not like they can replace one with any old thing.  Removing them is definitely cost saving in that regard.

 

I think it's likely that they had some complaints that the chairs were unnecessary and took up valuable space, so they felt that removing them would not only give more space but also save on maintenance costs and costs of buying new ones for new ships....  and the added bonus that anyone wanting to sit would then have to do that elsewhere where they might feel tempted/obligated to also buy a drink....    So they probably felt it was win win (for them mostly, but also more space for the passenger).

 

But I assume/hope nobody thought about the issue of people not being able to sit on beds comfortably.  If they did consider that and still decided to remove the chairs, then I think that's disgraceful.

[louden]

They had to find/save millions to give us the "Medallion".  How could you live without that "perk"?

Edited February 24, 2019 by louden