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Personally, I think for me it is the Disney Dream, although I can't wait to learn more about the Princess new build.
It seems like all we've been getting from CCL for the last 20 years are modifications of Destiny, Grand, and Vista-class hulls. So the Princess ships are exciting for that reason. I just wish they're release more images and details.
Even with Princess, I'm not 100% convinced it's going to be something completely new. It looks different enough, but until I can study the deck plan I'm not certain it will just be a radically reconfigured Grand Class.
Carnival fooled me with CARNIVAL DREAM, stating it was a completely new, from scratch design. Perhaps in their eyes it was, but a quick look at the deck plan indicated to me it was just a jumbo Destiny Class.
I think both Royal Caribbean and Holland America are designing prototype vessels, so perhaps this will be something to look forward to? We might see something larger from HAL, and something smaller from Royal Caribbean.
Ernie
quote:Originally posted by Fairsky:[...]This will be the first truly new hull design from CCL since Zuiderdam (Vista-class) in 2002. (I'm not counting Seabourn Odyssey). [...]
I guess QM2 and the Aida ships built since 2002 (Aidavita class and Aidaluna class) do not count either?
[ 08-03-2010: Message edited by: Ernst ]
quote:Originally posted by Ernst:I guess QM2 and the Aida ships built since 2002 (Aidavita class and Aidaluna class) do not count either?
Fair enough. And I do give CCL credit for building QM2...she is a fantastic and unique design for our age. But let's face it, CCL's largest and most recognized brands (Cunard, Carnival, P&O, Princess, HAL, and Costa) have been getting the same three hull designs (Destiny, Grand, and Vista) for the last 15 years. It's time for something new.
My worry is that the new Princess prototype will also find it's way into Carnival, Costa, P&O, and HAL. Let's hope not.
I'm intrigued to see if Crystal orders a newbuild in the next 5 years. Harmony was only in the fleet 12 years until replaced. Symphony could be due for a replacement in the next few years.
Cam J
quote:Originally posted by Cam J:Im really excited for the Princess Newbuilds maybe they will make me want to pay premium prices for Princess. Although I have always wanted to try Pricess but they are expensive.Cam J
I've never paid a premium to sail on Princess. In fact I've found them to be one of the less expensive options, definitely in the mass-market arena and almost always less than Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.
I'm looking to sail a 7-day Caribbean cruise in early November out of South Florida, and priced Princess, HAL, Carnival, Celebrity, and Royal Caribbean. Princess and Carnival had the lowest lead-in price (inside double), and this has usually been the case when I research prices.
CROWN PRINCESS - $429CARNIVAL LIBERTY - $429EURODAM - $499CELEBRITY SOLSTICE - $599LIBERTY OF THE SEAS - $659NORWEGIAN EPIC - $729OASIS OF THE SEAS - $1529
Those prices are all for the lowest inside cabin.
I'm amazed that even a year after her introduction, on an off-season sailing, that OASIS can demand $1529 per person for an inside cabin. Just incredible. It's great the ship is so popular she can sustain these kind of prices.
Anyway we decided on NIEUW AMSTERDAM which is slightly more expensive than EURODAM, but a newer ship.
quote:Originally posted by eroller:I've never paid a premium to sail on Princess. In fact I've found them to be one of the less expensive options, definitely in the mass-market arena and almost always less than Celebrity and Royal Caribbean.Anyway we decided on NIEUW AMSTERDAM which is slightly more expensive than EURODAM, but a newer ship. Ernie
Ernie, I was talking about a longer intenerary on Princess proabably 15+ Days which definitely won't be $500 Dollars. Nonetheless I think Princess is a quality brand and as with all cruise lines has its ups and downs. Hope yo enjoy your cruise on Neiw Amsterdam.
Do we have any more info (web page) on the Princess build??)Frosty 4
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