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Tuesday, May 24
From the what's this all about: Celebrity is preparing a major announcement the middle of next week regarding Century. They say they consider it "very exciting." The line is going to great pains to keep the details under wraps, but the way they are doing it indicates a higher-than-normal profile to the announcement.

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Normally many extra cabins are included but only minimal upgrading of public rooms, if any. In other words the passenger density gets worse.

Of course the cruise lines always suggest that a ‘stretch; is to the benefit of the passengers.

What do cruisetalkers feel?

[ 05-30-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:
I always feel that ‘stretching’ a ship primarily benefits the cruise line, not the passengers.

Normally many extra cabins are included but only minimal upgrading of public rooms, if any. In other words the passenger density gets worse.

Of course the cruise lines always suggest that a ‘stretch; is to the benefit of the passengers.

What do cruisetalkers feel?

[ 05-30-2005: Message edited by: Malcolm @ cruisepage ]

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I don't have a problem with stretching. To me, it's a far better option than adding on another deck like what was done with CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. It also brings new life into older ships that otherwise might have to leave the fleet for being out of date.

When stretching a ship, there is usually a proportionate amount of deck space, passenger cabins, crew cabins, and public areas added. In many cases the space ratio doesn't change very much (for better or worse). I think Royal Caribbean will do an excellent job in updating the entire ship when the stretch is completed on ENCHANTMENT. To the naked eye, one should not be able to tell the new part of the ship from the old if everything has been updated accordingly. I know not all stretches have been this thorough, and some of NCL's are a good example.

I have a much bigger problem with just adding a deck of cabins, like what was done with CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. This benefits absolutely no one except the cruise line revenue department. 500 more passengers must share the same existing public/crew/deck space that existed prior to the extra deck. Of course some of it is reworked, but it's essentially the same space. By far this is the cheaper option when compared to a stretch, and it's much easier to accomplish on ships like Princess (and NCL) that have staggered dining and entertainment. Princess did not have to substantially enlarge the dining room or show lounge when they added the extra deck of cabins. If they had traditional two sittings for dinner, they would have encountered many more issues as these spaces would need to be enlarged.

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Originally posted by mec1:
I am starting to doubt my own sanity. People on here increasingly talk nonsense. If ever there was a ship that does not need stretching it is Century. I think that she is nearly perfect - and anyone who thinks that Mercury or Galaxy are improvements is talking nonsense. In fact were she to be stretched I would immediately book on a prestretch voyage to enjoy the ship that I love.

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Originally posted by mec1:
I am starting to doubt my own sanity. People on here increasingly talk nonsense. If ever there was a ship that does not need stretching it is Century. I think that she is nearly perfect -

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I agree that CENTURY is about perfect. I would rather just see some refurbishing rather than stretching, but to remain competitive in the Celebrity fleet it will probably take a bit more. I certainly don't want to see her end up at Island Cruises like her older fleetmates. Given the choice of stretching or transferring her out of the fleet, I'll take stretching.

I also agree CENTURY is superior to MERCURY and GALAXY. The only thing missing is the aft enclosed pool, but otherwise I think she is the better ship.

There are two areas on CENTURY that need attention. Images and the Sky Bar. These areas never really worked from the beginning, and they could use some kind of updating.

-Corey H.

[ 05-30-2005: Message edited by: Cruisincorey13 ]

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Originally posted by eroller:
By far this is the cheaper option when compared to a stretch, and it's much easier to accomplish on ships like Princess (and NCL) that have staggered dining and entertainment. Princess did not have to substantially enlarge the dining room or show lounge when they added the extra deck of cabins...

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Ernie posted:
When stretching a ship, there is usually a proportionate amount of deck space, passenger cabins, crew cabins, and public areas added. In many cases the space ratio doesn't change very much (for better or worse).

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Originally posted by mec1:
If ever there was a ship that does not need stretching it is Century.

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Originally posted by Malcolm @ cruisepage:

Has anyone ebver been on a ship pre-stretch and post stretch? Was it better after the stretch?

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Hey Malcolm, I have been on the Norwegian Majesty post-stretch, but the other family we went on the cruise with back in 98 went on it last summer, and said the ship is great, as with the layout. I believe the Majesty was more or less built with the option to be stretched (in the design)...because he structure was so high when she was smaller. The ships I believe people are talking about that did not turn out so well are the Norwegian Dream and Norwegian Wind...

~Brian...who hopes to sail on the Majesty again before she goes to Asian

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Originally posted by eroller:
Rumor is a stretch, adding balconies, and a complete rework of the interior including specialty restaurants. We should find out later this week!

Ernie

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Originally posted by Ðraikar:

Was this the same work "too be" done on Horizon ?
Remember they added a prototype balcony too her but after a few months they dumped her too Island Cruises... I think your correct that she will have adding balconies, and new interior / specialty restaurant(s)... Maybe Horizon was just too old so they went with the Century ?

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Originally posted by Beezo:
P.S...does anyone think NCL will replace the Majesty with a newbuild that does the Boston to Bermuda runs? This has become VERY popular in the New England area, and I would hate to see it not be continued once she leaves the fleet.

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Originally posted by eroller:
I also agree CENTURY is superior to MERCURY and GALAXY. The only thing missing is the aft enclosed pool, but otherwise I think she is the better ship.

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Jonathan

[ 05-30-2005: Message edited by: cruisintoday14 ]

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Originally posted by Keitaro:

But Ernie, Caribbean Princess, like the other ships in the Princess fleet, still only offer two showtimes to my knowledge.....

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Wayne,
The Grand Class ships essentially have three showlounges. The main showlounge, the smaller Explorer's Lounge, and Fusion all the way aft. Each evening there is some form of show/entertainment in each one of these lounges. Princess figures not everyone will be going to the main showlounge after dinner when there are other options available.

Also, the main production shows are repeated more than once during the cruise so you have more than one opportunity to view it. Again, this helps with crowd control so everyone is not trying to see the show at the same time. For the most part, it works pretty well.

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Originally posted by cruisintoday14:
I don't think that they will lengthen the ship. What i think they will do it just giver her a face lift and a little interior update.

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I'm not sure a "face lift and a little interior update" would constitute "a major announcement". Then again, you never know the way cruise line PR departments like to spin a story. We will just have to wait and find out.

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Originally posted by eroller:

I'm not sure a "face lift and a little interior update" would constitute "a major announcement". Then again, you never know the way cruise line PR departments like to spin a story. We will just have to wait and find out.

Ernie

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Thanks for the information regarding the showlounges and shows regarding the Grand/Caribbean-class ships.

[ 05-30-2005: Message edited by: Keitaro ]

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Originally posted by Keitaro:
Beezo, she will likely be replaced in the Bermuda run, but a bigger ship cannot do the 3/4 ports itinerary that MAJESTY and CROWN run...

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Exactly...and the only ship that i THINK can fit is the Norwegian Sun...