Thread: Grand Princess Drydock

From Princess.com

Princess Cruises Launches Daily Video Journal Chronicling Grand Princess Drydock
Viewers Can Follow Progress as Ship is Transformed During Line's Most Extensive Drydock Ever

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (April 12, 2011) -- Today Grand Princess begins the most significant transformation ever in Princess Cruises history, and viewers can follow along with a daily video journal chronicling the 24-day drydock.
Hosted by Grand Princess Cruise Director Martyn Moss, the videos, as well as photos, are available at princess.com/granddrydock and on YouTube and Flickr. In the first installment, audiences get a first look at the beginning of the ship's transformation as it sails to the Grand Bahama Shipyard in Freeport, Bahamas. The journal will include daily updates through May 4.
During the makeover, approximately 1,400 workers will be busy around the clock adding many of Princess' trademark features, including the signature Piazza atrium. Several new spaces will also be created including a unique tea lounge and library called "Leaves"; "Alfredo's," a full-service pizzeria showcasing this renowned Princess dish, and a new nightclub called "The One5."
One of the most dramatic video moments is sure to be the removal of the distinctive Skywalkers Nightclub, which is being taken off to improve the ship's operational performance, including greater fuel efficiency.
"Our passengers really loved following the photo journals we offered during previous drydocks," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. "So for this, our most extensive transformation, we wanted to take it to the next level and enable viewers to follow along with daily videos. We expect Martyn to share some intriguing behind-the-scenes footage of the work that goes on during a project of this magnitude."
Among the other changes highlighted in the video journals will be the transformation of the ship's atrium to the Piazza, complete with the International Café and Vines Wine Bar. Videos will also follow the addition of a new feature, Leaves Tea Lounge and Library, with shelves of books for passengers to browse as they enjoy personalized tea blends; and a new nightclub, The One5, which will take shape on deck 15. Several new restaurants will be added to the ship, including Alfredo's, a new pizzeria with an open kitchen, as well as the Crown Grill, the line's classic steakhouse and seafood restaurant.
Also part of the renovation will be the addition of seven new suites; remodeled casino, boutiques and art gallery; enhancements to the Horizon Court, Lotus Spa, and wedding chapel; and the addition of Crooner's Martini Lounge.
The newly renovated ship will debut on May 5 in Ft. Lauderdale where she will depart on a transatlantic crossing for her summer and fall homeport of Southampton, from which she will cruise on a variety of European itineraries.

Yes, the ship is going through some really significant changes. Hate to see Skywalker's go, though.

Yes I liked going up the ramp to Skywalkers. It was genrally quite well attended on the Star in that configuration. But on he Diamond Shywalkers did not have the ramp , almost nobody went.

Originally Posted by tonylinsdell

Yes I liked going up the ramp to Skywalkers. It was genrally quite well attended on the Star in that configuration. But on he Diamond Skywalkers did not have the ramp , almost nobody went.

Tony, on Diamond, Sapphire, Crown, Emerald and Ruby Princess, SkyWalker's is located forward of where it is on Grand, Golden, Star and Caribbean Princess, so there was no need for the Travelator on those ships. I was on the Crown and Ruby Princess and it(Sky Walker's) was well attended late at night.

Originally Posted by MD11F

Tony, on Diamond, Sapphire, Crown, Emerald and Ruby Princess, SkyWalker's is located forward of where it is on Grand, Golden, Star and Caribbean Princess, so there was no need for the Travelator on those ships. I was on the Crown and Ruby Princess and it(Sky Walker's) was well attended late at night.

OK , I guess the passengers on the Diamond with me were not very disco minded.

The Grand is rated a 4* but the Caribbean which seems to have the same configuration is a 5 * ? I wonder if the Grand's rating will rise after the refit ?

The Grand is older and most of the ratings are influenced by the age of the ship.

We went to the International Cafe many, many times on our last cruise. Probably our favorite newest feature on Princess.

Looks to me like the Grand not only got the features originally added to other ships - Vines, the International Cafe, and Crown Grill - but also became the first ship to have tea in the library and another Italian restaurant, among other things. Am I reading this correctly? I did not see anything called Alfredo's, Leaves, or The One5 in any other ship descriptions.

The removal of Skywalker's Lounge makes me wonder if it was unpopular and Princess will get rid of it on some or all of its 16 other ships.

Originally Posted by Smart Traveler

Looks to me like the Grand not only got the features originally added to other ships - Vines, the International Cafe, and Crown Grill - but also became the first ship to have tea in the library and another Italian restaurant, among other things. Am I reading this correctly? I did not see anything called Alfredo's, Leaves, or The One5 in any other ship descriptions.

The removal of Skywalker's Lounge makes me wonder if it was unpopular and Princess will get rid of it on some or all of its 16 other ships.

The Grand got the features from the ships beginning with the Crown Princess. Only the Grand has Alfredo's, Leaves and the One5 disco. The other ships do not have those venues. I would have thought they would replace Skywalkers where it is now on the Crown, Emerald and Ruby Princess.

The removal of SkyWalkers from where it was on the Grand had to do with drag. Princess, to my knowledge has not said if they will remove Skywalkers from where it is on the Golden, Star or Caribbean Princess ships. Remember, Diamond, Sapphire, Crown, Emerald and Ruby Princess has a similar aft design that the Grand now has.

Maybe this is the test case to see if it is cost effective to eliminate skywalker's.