New Class Princess Cruise Ships, What Would You Like to See?

[Emrys]

We should soon be finding out more details about the new class of cruise ships from Princess Cruises. What's currently known as the Sphere class ships coming in November 2023 and 2025, they will be the first class powered by LNG for the cruise line at around 175,000 gross tons.

What are your predictions and what would you like to see on this new class?

[DeanneB]

This type of ship runs on LNG, liquified natural gas.  I am excited about it.  Like I am on a guilt-free, less carbon, footprint cruise.  This is something I really look forward to booking in 2023.  I am not even worried about the itineraries and activities on board, I am too laid back when I am on holiday.

[FJB]

I wouldn’t mind returning to the “olden days” - cruises without internet access or cell phone service and the return of midnight buffets and waiters who carried your trays of food from the buffet to the table.  But I’m sure that’s just me - too many people are attached at the thumb to their phones and don’t know how to truly enjoy a vacation and all it has to offer. 

[DeanneB]

Guilty!  I am attached to my phone.  Even if I am not browsing the internet, I just need to take photo or read my ebook.  Maybe I need a cleanse out technology even for a bit 🤔

[Emrys]

On 8/19/2022 at 11:21 PM, FJB said:

I wouldn’t mind returning to the “olden days” - cruises without internet access or cell phone service and the return of midnight buffets and waiters who carried your trays of food from the buffet to the table.  But I’m sure that’s just me - too many people are attached at the thumb to their phones and don’t know how to truly enjoy a vacation and all it has to offer. 

Don't think I could survive without internet access! However, it would be nice just to forget about it all for a cruise!

[Maureen Foster]

On 8/19/2022 at 3:21 PM, FJB said:

I wouldn’t mind returning to the “olden days” - cruises without internet access or cell phone service and the return of midnight buffets and waiters who carried your trays of food from the buffet to the table.  But I’m sure that’s just me - too many people are attached at the thumb to their phones and don’t know how to truly enjoy a vacation and all it has to offer. 

Oh so true 👍 

[Goldie]

I agreee--Enchanted in March ...TA to Barcelona--we are Elite and done with Princess--We are not into the mega ships--we are trying out this one.  When they sold our favorite, Pacific Princess, and our 2nd fav, the Grand (which is in Australia--darn--we are now "jumping ship" to Regent.  Instead of 3 or  4 or 5 cruises a year, we will simply do 1 or 2--You were wonderful, Princess.  Bring the Grand back to the states!

[Emrys]

23 hours ago, Goldie said:

I agreee--Enchanted in March ...TA to Barcelona--we are Elite and done with Princess--We are not into the mega ships--we are trying out this one.  When they sold our favorite, Pacific Princess, and our 2nd fav, the Grand (which is in Australia--darn--we are now "jumping ship" to Regent.  Instead of 3 or  4 or 5 cruises a year, we will simply do 1 or 2--You were wonderful, Princess.  Bring the Grand back to the states!

I do think that lines such as Princess Cruises still need to construct smaller ships, not everyone likes those huge mega-ships. I like what Norwegian did with their Prima-class, which has a lower gross tonnage.

[KristineF]

I am not a fan of big bad ships.  Overcrowding, very long lines to shows and experiences.  The same opinion I have why I detest peak season in Disney.  I have to pay more money just for the VIP pass.  I mean why??

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@KristineF I agree with you, cruising during peak season usually means larger crowds and a more costly experience. However, the big ships do have lots of amenities that I do tend to enjoy, but I prefer touring those amenities off season.

@Goldie It sounds like you know the cruise line really well! That's such a bummer the line is selling some of your favorite ships, modern day cruising is a whole new ball game, especially after the shut-down! So many things have changed.

Edited December 14, 2022 by Kendall James-Vargas

[ombud]

A larger piazza with more seating for International Cafe 

[FJB]

7 hours ago, ombud said:

A larger piazza with more seating for International Cafe 

I initially read that as a larger “pizza” lol - wondering how big do you really need your 🍕 to be.

[Kendall James-Vargas]

@FJB I did the exact same thing! The spelling is close I guess. I also love pizza, so I figured you can't go wrong with a larger slice. @ombud I happen to agree that searching for seating to eat your meal isn't that enjoyable. I try to dine in the buffet areas before the crowds, and then have a snack around 3 pm to hold me over for dinner.