New Princess Sphere class ships?

[Westsail32]

I thought the web reveal was pretty boring.  They could’ve had more pictures and focusing on highlights would’ve been good.  I just spent an hour on the website today going thru the deck plans, cabin stuff, etc, and I found it pretty decent.  Some things I’m happy to see.

 

1.  It looks like there is a Promenade again that you can utilize to enjoy the outdoors.

 

2.  Sofas in the interior and oceanview cabins.

 

3.  Bigger showers (a huge win).

 

It will be a few years before I travel East again, so it’ll be years before I can travel on one of these new ships.  Still, except for the small balcony, it seems they’ve made some corrections for the Royal class shortcomings.

[Westsail32]

On 9/17/2022 at 1:56 PM, Fairsky84 said:

I suspect it will function like the large LED pieces in the atriums of other Carnival or NCL ships. It will display different images, themes, ect. Here's Carnival Horizon...

 

 

Have a few drinks then stumble into that….   Talk about sensory overload!  LOL

 

 

 

[Sea Hag]

2 minutes ago, Westsail32 said:

I thought the web reveal was pretty boring.  They could’ve had more pictures and focusing on highlights would’ve been good.  I just spent an hour on the website today going thru the deck plans, cabin stuff, etc, and I found it pretty decent.  Some things I’m happy to see.

 

1.  It looks like there is a Promenade again that you can utilize to enjoy the outdoors.

 

2.  Sofas in the interior and oceanview cabins.

 

3.  Bigger showers (a huge win).

 

It will be a few years before I travel East again, so it’ll be years before I can travel on one of these new ships.  Still, except for the small balcony, it seems they’ve made some corrections for the Royal class shortcomings.

I agree with you on the web reveal! I was expecting/hoping that they would spend more time talking about the ship and less time just talking. Oh well.

 

I've also looked at the deck plans. What deck do you think is a promenade deck? It doesn't look to me like there is one, except for the short sections like on the Royal class ships.

[phabric]

28 minutes ago, Westsail32 said:

I thought the web reveal was pretty boring.  They could’ve had more pictures and focusing on highlights would’ve been good.  I just spent an hour on the website today going thru the deck plans, cabin stuff, etc, and I found it pretty decent.  Some things I’m happy to see.

 

1.  It looks like there is a Promenade again that you can utilize to enjoy the outdoors.

 

2.  Sofas in the interior and oceanview cabins.

 

3.  Bigger showers (a huge win).

 

It will be a few years before I travel East again, so it’ll be years before I can travel on one of these new ships.  Still, except for the small balcony, it seems they’ve made some corrections for the Royal class shortcomings.

Where did you see the deck plan for the new ship?

[Sea Hag]

Just now, phabric said:

Where did you see the deck plan for the new ship?

Deck Plans : Princess Cruises

 

It's incomplete, but it's better than nothing.

Edited September 18, 2022 by Sea Hag

[Westsail32]

All the discussion about ship within a ship and big spenders getting premium services.  I guess I’ll have to wait and see.  I’ve only been cruising since 2013 so my experience is limited.  I’ve never booked a suite or even a mini-suite, usually travel alone, and prefer ocean view cabins on deck 8 so I’m close to Crooners.  On a seven day cruise I’ll eat in a specialty restaurant probably four times.  I never go to the buffet, and always use the MDR when possible or hit up Alfredo’s for lunch.  I don’t spend a lot on ship otherwise so I’m not a huge money maker for them.

 

I don’t see a huge difference coming in the things I like to do on ship.  Going to shows, enjoying the bars, walking outside, unwinding, not much is going to change because of “Reserve” or “Signature”.  Club Class didn’t cause me any problems when it was introduced either.  I believe their special breakfast is in the steakhouse or something?  So they just repurposed a location that wasn’t being used by anyone for breakfast.  In the MDR I’ve noticed they have their own area but I’m not sure the food is any different.  A couple times last cruise I ended up being seated there and everything was the same.  

 

Overall with the financial hit the cruise lines took with Covid I’m not surprised we’re not seeing some things like blue bags and other goodies now.   It’s kind of that way everywhere.  If someone wants to overpay for a suite with “reserve” in the name they’re free too.  I think even if I had the money I wouldn’t.  When I think of it the one thing I really miss is the sea day pub-lunch.  I love the fish and chips with a Guinness!  I guess that cutback ticked me off a little.  So Princess, if your reading this, hint, hint!

 

I have a bucket list with a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 on it (round trip).  I’ll be staying in a lowly Britannia class cabin.  No Princess Grill or Queens Grill for me.  I’d love to try it but I can’t afford it.   I guess if this was Titanic I’d be down in Steerage.   LOL

 

[Westsail32]

27 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

I've also looked at the deck plans. What deck do you think is a promenade deck? It doesn't look to me like there is one, except for the short sections like on the Royal class ships.

 

Looking at Deck 7 it looked like there was a long deck space on each side.  It didn’t run the length but depending on the lifeboat locations I’m hopeful.  On the Royals it’s really narrow and unusable.  I’m hopeful.

[Sea Hag]

1 minute ago, Westsail32 said:

 

Looking at Deck 7 it looked like there was a long deck space on each side.  It didn’t run the length but depending on the lifeboat locations I’m hopeful.  On the Royals it’s really narrow and unusable.  I’m hopeful.

Narrow, unusable, and mostly always closed anyway. We can hope for better. 🙂

[Sea Hag]

5 minutes ago, Westsail32 said:

When I think of it the one thing I really miss is the sea day pub-lunch.  I love the fish and chips with a Guinness!  I guess that cutback ticked me off a little.  So Princess, if your reading this, hint, hint!

 

I have a bucket list with a transatlantic crossing on the Queen Mary 2 on it (round trip).  I’ll be staying in a lowly Britannia class cabin.  No Princess Grill or Queens Grill for me.  I’d love to try it but I can’t afford it.   I guess if this was Titanic I’d be down in Steerage.   LOL

 

I really miss the pub lunch.

 

And most of us would be down in steerage if sailing on the Titanic! 😂

[dreaminofcruisin]

2 hours ago, Westsail32 said:

Overall with the financial hit the cruise lines took with Covid I’m not surprised we’re not seeing some things like blue bags and other goodies now.   It’s kind of that way everywhere.  If someone wants to overpay for a suite with “reserve” in the name they’re free too.  I think even if I had the money I wouldn’t.  When I think of it the one thing I really miss is the sea day pub-lunch.  I love the fish and chips with a Guinness!  I guess that cutback ticked me off a little.  So Princess, if your reading this, hint, hint!

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Sea Hag said:

I really miss the pub lunch.

 

 

Note that there are reports that pub lunch is back, but you have to look harder for it.

See this thread:

 

 

 

[Sea Hag]

17 minutes ago, dreaminofcruisin said:

 

 

 

Note that there are reports that pub lunch is back, but you have to look harder for it.

See this thread:

 

 

 

I will look harder!

[phabric]

Majestic August 27 Vancouver had pub lunch in one of their dining rooms

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 11:48 AM, SantaFeFan said:

 

Then why not cruise on luxury cruise lines instead of wanting the mainstream lines to carve out areas exclusively for you? It's fine for you because you can afford it. It's absolutely not fine for those of us who have to save for a cruise and will now be banned from more areas of a ship to satisfy you. 

You do realize that Princess is a slightly upscale line on a par with Celebrity and Holland America?  If you have to scrimp and save them you have four entry level lines based in the US with MSC, Carnival, NCL and RCI.  All four of these lines have a ship within a ship concept.  MSC has Yacht Club, Carnival has Loft 19 and Havana area, NCL has the Haven and RCI has their Star Class.

Princess is now just starting to catch up with the rest of the industry.  If you're against it, no one is forcing you to sail on the Sun Princess, you can still cruise on every other ship in the fleet that does not have the ship within a ship concept, similar to not sailing on an Excel or Vista Class ship in Carnival's fleet.  

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 12:15 PM, JimmyVWine said:

The difference between a FC flight and the class structure on a cruise ship is that the FC passengers on a plane do not get up out of their seats and occupy the Coach Class seats, make demands of the Coach Class flight attendants and use the Coach Class restroom. They stay in their lane.  On a ship, nothing stops the Signature and Reserve passengers from utilizing the basic amenities on the ship, and indeed they are encouraged to do so.  This puts downward pressure on those venues making it more difficult for those who must use them to in fact use them.  Looking at the numbers, the ship will sail with 4,300 passengers, 3,750 of whom are restricted to using three of the five pools on the ship.  Already that is more passengers sharing three pools than you have on a Royal Class ship.  Now assume that one-third of the Sig and Rsv passengers choose to lounge around those same three pools because they want to enjoy the steel drum band that is playing, or the Lionel Ritchie concert that is playing on MUTS.  You now have 3,950 people trying to use the space that is equivalent in size to the space on a Royal Class ship that had 3,500 people using it.  I am 100% in favor of a cruise line upgrading the experience for people willing to pay for the upgrade.  But I am 100% against a cruise line downgrading the experience for everyone else.  3,950 people competing for the "basic amenities" is a downgrade as compared to 3,500 people competing for the basic amenities.  No two ways about it.   

 

And the big unknown is which areas of the ship will be off limits to basic fare passengers.  Imagine if all of the empty space showing up at the aft of the ship is reserved for Sig and Rsv passengers.  Wouldn't it be a downgrade for the basic fare passengers if there is no place aft where one can sit, or stand and stare out at the ocean?  Now, it is unlikely that this will happen.  But suppose that 50% of that space is cut off for use by 13% of the passengers.  That is surely a downgrade. There is no equivalent when looking at FC flying. 

The ship within a ship concept has been reality for years on Princess's competition and in 2024 they will finally catch up.  You have two choices, choose other ships in the Princess fleet or choose another cruise line.  Complaining about a class system that is finally coming to Princess is not going to change the fact that it will become reality in less than two years.

[Guest ldtr]

3 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

The ship within a ship concept has been reality for years on Princess's competition and in 2024 they will finally catch up.  You have two choices, choose other ships in the Princess fleet or choose another cruise line.  Complaining about a class system that is finally coming to Princess is not going to change the fact that it will become reality in less than two years.

Depends upon a couple of things.  1. How well it is received by Princess customers base (Which might be interesting because a number of us moved to Princess from Celebrity when they did the same type change.  2. How it is implemented.  If it is implemented like NCL then the impact might be limited.  If it is implemented like Celebrity where they take over formerly public areas and do things such as reserve blocks of seats in the theater, that are very visible.  Then the reaction might be different.  So far it appears that one of the groups might be a renaming of club class.  As of yet they have not announced any other benefits to that group. As far as the suites, again if it remains like NCL that the benefits stay within that area then things may end up being of limited impact.  But then I am pretty sure that those used to the Celebrity system will be disappointed.

 

 

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, we will have to see how this all comes out in the end.

I am wondering about the large round circular area that is forward of the huge glassed in 'Piazza'.  On deck seven and eight.

Since this new Piazza is more open, I am thinking that this could be the additional dining offerings and food-court type area.  And, did they not mention a Crooner's planned?

The aft of these decks show that curved staircase.  And a multi-level dining room is mentioned.  So, I wonder if this would be the new, single, huge MDR.   I don't know if I like dining in such a huge open multi=level dining room.  Would it be like sitting in the middle of the Mall of America!

[HBCcruiser]

I have NCL/RCI/Celebrity cruising buds that are willing to sail the Sun and try sailing with Princess. Princess may gain NEW clients because of the ship within a ship concept. We shall see.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 4:39 PM, deliver42 said:

Princess is owned by carnival. Has anyone seen a smaller Carnival ship lately.( new build). The Sun is a luxury version of the Mardi Gras. Same body, but boy, they hit it right out of the park from what I've seen.

Ding, ding, ding.  The Excel Class on Carnival is a game changer for them.  Have cruised on the Mardi Gras four times, the most of any ship I've been on and currently have five sailings booked on the Celebration.

Sailed on the Discovery for two weeks in April and loved it.  Looking forward to the Sun in the fall of 2024.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 5:20 PM, ldtr said:

Probably move to more HAL and Oceania.

 

On 9/16/2022 at 5:32 PM, LACruiser88 said:

We have the same feeling for the future and are keeping our eye on Oceania and Viking Ocean.

Moving to HAL from Princess would be a lateral move comparing an apple to an apple, whereas going to Oceania or even more so Viking would be a apple to kiwi upgrade.  Oceania and Viking do not need to have a ship within a ship concept unlike their lower competition since both of these lines are a step above the Princess/Celebrity/Holland America level and don't need to have a class system since everyone on board their ships is paying first class.

[Wishing on a star]

Would love to see a quick rundown describing Princess, Discovery for example, as compared to Mardi Gras!  We do like the Piazza concept, the Sanctuary.  How would Mardi Gras be for us.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 8:41 PM, ldtr said:

  On the other hand  I can book a 12 day classic Africa tour, including game viewing cruise and drives in various areas for $5498.  Bye Bye Disney hello South Africa.

Could you provide some more details as to when and which cruise line?  This is on my DH's  bucket list.  Thanks.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 8:58 PM, HBCcruiser said:

I wonder if Princess will be escorting the Signature Suite Pax onboard first like NCL and RCI (I’m guessing X too)?

You're forgetting MSC and their Yacht Club.  Did it once on the Seaside back in 2018 when you could get reasonable pricing in an YIN cabin (inside Yacht Club).  Getting escorted back on board by one of the butlers from a port stop was great, but even better was the wristband that caused the elevators to over ride other passengers floors and take us to our destination first.  Some posters on this thread would have a heart attack over that.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/16/2022 at 9:46 PM, JimmyVWine said:

Wow. Is that a cabin or a cell?

It's for solo passengers and has been around for years.  Unlike anything that any line in the entire Carnival Corporation has.  My DH tried it once and liked it.  Tony, from La Lido Loca in YouTube, who is a fluffy cruiser, sailed in one and enjoyed it.

[Guest ldtr]

1 hour ago, HBCcruiser said:

I have NCL/RCI/Celebrity cruising buds that are willing to sail the Sun and try sailing with Princess. Princess may gain NEW clients because of the ship within a ship concept. We shall see.

Sure they might gain some.  But the implementation will be compared to what they are used to on other lines.  If the same things are not offered they might leave just as fast as they try it.

[CruizinSusan70]

On 9/17/2022 at 10:56 AM, sloopsailor said:

 

Maybe something like this. This is on Carnival's Mardi Gras, a sister cruise line to Princess. 

 

The Sky Bike is on the Vista Class ships (Vista, Horizon, Panorama). The Excel Class of Carnival (Mardi Gras, Celebration, Jubilee) have a roller coaster.