quote:

---

Seems pretty nice, but nothing too exciting.

---

What would constitute as "exciting"?

[ 06-27-2003: Message edited by: Ðraikar ]

quote:

---

Originally posted by joe at travelpage:
Pride of Aloha are also online

---

The PRIDE OF ALOHA plans are very obviously just ones from NORWEGIAN SKY - the giveaway is that the casino is still there.

The PRIDE OF AMERICA ones are interesting though, seeing as it's a new design... As usual for NCL, the plans are not very clear; it's hard to distinguish between thoroughfares and "off-limits" areas because of the two-tone coloring.

The layout looks as though they've squeezed in extra areas though - for instance on Deck 6 either the wine bar and steakhouse will do double duty as corridors, or you'll have to go up, down, or outside to walk the length of the deck. Similarly the kids' and teen clubs block access to the spa from the midship staircase. And who knows how you get to the auditorium up on Deck 13 - I guess the light-colored area on the port side must be some sort of corridor?

quote:

---

eroller said:
I don't really see anything that exciting. Show lounge forward, dining rooms aft, center pool area. It's the same basic design we have seen time and time again.

---

quote:

---

lebelty said:
i wonder how similar they were to the Queen of Americas and her sister? I would like to see her deck plans for comparison. Where do you think i could find them? Email Andrew Stuart?
To get on topic again, they're not that exiting, but its weird that she's sailing Hawaii without an observation lounge (that isn't the Diamond Head Auditurium, is it?)
tyler

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by dmwnc1:
And the deck plans are not the same as the N.Sky. Take another look.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by dmwnc1:
I was actually speaking of the Pride of America...

---

Well nobody said PRIDE OF AMERICA's plans looked like NORWEGIAN SKY...

quote:

---

the Pride of Aloha IS the Norwegian Sky. She is to be renamed and sent to Hawaii.

---

quote:

---

Originally posted by dmwnc1:
Amazing. Whoever said ship layouts were all that interesting in the first place? It is the interior decor that knocks us out! Never judge the layout until you can see the finished product. And eroller wrote "don't really see anything that exciting. Show lounge forward, dining rooms aft, center pool area. It's the same basic design we have seen time and time again". OK? I guess you would like the dining room on top deck, pools at the bottom, showrooms in tow behind the ship? They go there because that is the best place for them. And the deck plans are not the same as the N.Sky. Take another look.

---

Actually, layouts can be very interesting. There is no reason that all ships must follow the same arrangement. It's easy and cheap for the shipyards and cruise lines, and that is probably a main reason for the likeness.

Certainly there are ships that have broken the mold, and I think we will see more breaking tradition as cruise lines search for more ways to attract new customers. The Voyager Class and QM2 are great examples. These are two ships that offer something different, while still maintaining certain traditional aspects. Other ships too, like AIDA really break the mold. It can be done, and certainly can be successful as well.

Customers are demanding more and more from ships today, and as cruise lines scramble to increase market share and profits we are going to see more outrages designs. Already we have RCI in negotiations for a Mega-Voyager and Carnival/Princess looking at an ultra-Grand. In the future we will likely see designs that look nothing like ships we know of today. I'm not saying at this point whether it's a good or bad thing, but probable.

Ernie

[ 06-27-2003: Message edited by: eroller ]

The ship's GA hasn't changed very much, although it's obvious some of the areas have been adapted to suit NCL's unique needs.

quote:

---

Well, the Pool Cafe is bigger and extends the back half of the ship and doesn't look like there will be outdoor sitting like the SKY and SUN. The kids facility is placed mid-ship and not in the aft like the newer NCL ships. More interesting, the video arcade is placed on the deck above the kids facitilty and on its own deck along with sun decks.

---