P&O newbuild size restriction on balconies.

[Mervyn and Trish]

I wonder if those who won't go on the new ship because of the small balconies will still go on Oriana (where you have to go up a grade to get a balcony at all) or Aurora (where the balconies on the standard cabins are no larger than than looks)? I think we've got carried away with the bigger balconies on recent ships and forget how things were on the favourite ships of recent past.

I for one (well, us for two actually) will certainly be trying Canberra II when she's launched. We like a balcony to sit in the fresh air in our own space but are not bothered about lying full length to cook in the sun nor holding cocktail parties on our balcony.

[Quizzical Bob]

We've never had a balcony on Oriana but have had several standard ones on Aurora and they were all larger than the one in this photograph.

[ItsmeAnnC]

Likewise. And we like a larger balcony because there are often four of us on it. We book adjacent cabins with our friends and unlock the interconnecting balcony door, bringing another two chairs onto one balcony. I can't see that this would be possible on this ship

[arcadialover]

The balconies we had on Aurora in the top balcony grade and on Oriana were fine, and certainly bigger than the one shown on the picture on Royal Princess

[Go cruising]

with regard to the promenade deck, are you saying that there isn't one at all? that we can't come out of the theatre or where ever and pop outside for a stroll in the fresh air, promenade in our evening wear? lean on the rail and watch the sea slide past? do we really have to go right up on the roof to get outside for a walk? I absolutely couldn't bear it, far too claustrophobic for me.

[Quizzical Bob]

with regard to the promenade deck, are you saying that there isn't one at all? that we can't come out of the theatre or where ever and pop outside for a stroll in the fresh air, promenade in our evening wear? lean on the rail and watch the sea slide past? do we really have to go right up on the roof to get outside for a walk? I absolutely couldn't bear it, far too claustrophobic for me.

That is the case with the new P&O offering. The 'promenade deck' is up at the top of the ship and the lifeboats are cantilevered on the outside, or so it was described to me a year or so ago.

[towny44]

Regarding the promenade deck on the new Royal Princess, the attached is an interesting read, and it contains a couple of interesting photos.



http://tomscruiseblog.co.uk/2013/07/23/ ... negatives/

[Quizzical Bob]

Thanks Towny, it's good to have some real information instead of all the rumours, some of which I must admit I have helped to spread.

[emjay45]

I wonder if those who won't go on the new ship because of the small balconies will still go on Oriana (where you have to go up a grade to get a balcony at all) or Aurora (where the balconies on the standard cabins are no larger than than looks)? I think we've got carried away with the bigger balconies on recent ships and forget how things were on the favourite ships of recent past.

I for one (well, us for two actually) will certainly be trying Canberra II when she's launched. We like a balcony to sit in the fresh air in our own space but are not bothered about lying full length to cook in the sun nor holding cocktail parties on our balcony.

Well as one of those you refer to, we have been on the Oriana and are booked again on the Oriana but in a suite so no problems about a balcony there. I must admit the balconies in the penthouse suite on the Aurora were a little small but we were able to have the door opened between the lower one and our son's balcony cabin next door, so it was perfectly adequate. Hopefully those two ships will still be around in years to come because I repeat I won't be going on the new monstrosity. BTW I don't like lying in the sun either and don't hold cocktail parties.

[Quizzical Bob]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

[emjay45]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

I have a theory QB, but probably best kept to myself

[Quizzical Bob]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

I have a theory QB, but probably best kept to myself

Maybe it's to keep me off it

[Kendhni]

QB, at the minute I don't think we can draw too many conclusions since P&O, while using the same hull, may utilise space differently which may provide different facilities (in the same way as Ventura and Azura have differences).

[Gill W]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

Very, very small people

[Quizzical Bob]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

Very, very small people

Oops, that's me out then.

[emjay45]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

I have a theory QB, but probably best kept to myself

Maybe it's to keep me off it

Well you will persist in hogging MY seat in the Crows Nest won't you

[Not so ancient mariner]

It does make you wonder who these ships are aimed at.

Very, very small people

There is an inconsistency there. Princess cruises are primarily aimed at the American market - and americans do not generally have a reputation for being undersized.

[davecttr]

QB, at the minute I don't think we can draw too many conclusions since P&O, while using the same hull, may utilise space differently which may provide different facilities (in the same way as Ventura and Azura have differences).

how different can the ship be?

all the major spaces will be the same as will the the promenade terraces.

It was mentioned that the ship would have a crows nest but where would you put it. IMO the aft lounges on Ventura/Azura don't work, especially with the vibration i have experienced there.

[Not so ancient mariner]

Royal Princess, and therefore the new P&O ship, has balconys which are only 4 ft deep, anyone even slightly obese is likely to get stuck on one sooner or later.

Four feet?? - That's hardly room to swing a cigarette!!

[Quizzical Bob]

QB, at the minute I don't think we can draw too many conclusions since P&O, while using the same hull, may utilise space differently which may provide different facilities (in the same way as Ventura and Azura have differences).

how different can the ship be?

all the major spaces will be the same as will the the promenade terraces.

It was mentioned that the ship would have a crows nest but where would you put it. IMO the aft lounges on Ventura/Azura don't work, especially with the vibration i have experienced there.

I would presume that one of the promenade terraces would be for smokers.