Cruise Talk: Coral Princess pic and deck plans- finally

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»	Cruise Talk » Cruise Ships » Coral Princess pic and deck plans- finally

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Topic: Coral Princess pic and deck plans- finally

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 12-14-2001 10:22 AM

Here is a picture of the new Princess ship due in Nov 2002- Coral Princess. As suspected from earlier information the funnel design is a radical departure with gas turbine engines located in pods above the funnel- functional but ugly.

Click here for a larger version

The deckplans reveal a design very similar to existing Princess ships. The upper decks seem similar to the Grand-class ships with forward open pool and midship domed conservatory. Foward is the horizon court and aft is the fitness area. Public spaces below show a 4 deck atrium much like the Sun-class ships, a forward Princess Theater and another theater aft, but a new design covering 2 decks. Also changed are the dinning room locations. They are now forward of the atrium and the casino is aft. There are also more cabins on the lowest deck- using space saved by placing the gas turbine engines in the funnel.

For deck plans click here: http://home1.gte.net/res0mobt/images/CoralPrincessDeckPlans1.jpg
http://home1.gte.net/res0mobt/images/CoralPrincessDeckPlans2.jpg

Overall Princess seems to be very conservative in its design- not making radical changed from previous designs dating back to Sun Princess in 1995. I wish they offered more areas of glass like recent Celebrity, Royal Caribbean, and new Vista ships from HAL. Maybe with the upcoming merger we can expect more adventurous designs from Princess in the future.

[ 12-14-2001: Message edited by: joe at travelpage ]

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

Zero Signal
First Class Passenger
Member # 2151

posted 12-14-2001 11:00 AM

That is the ugliest ship that I have ever seen.

Posts: 30 | From: Canada | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 12-14-2001 12:01 PM

By the way, the strange forward mast design seems to incorporate the exhaust vents for the foward galleys for the 2 dinning rooms and the horizon court.

The nasty looking funnel will be a standard for all upcoming Princess ships- including the larger one's being built in Japan- Diamond and Sapphire Princess.

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cruise guy
First Class Passenger
Member # 2381

posted 12-14-2001 08:05 PM

In my opinion, the majority of funnel designs for the past 20 years have been, well, let's face it.. pretty pathetic. P&O Princess along with NCL & Celebrity are the worst offenders. Funnels have always been special on passenger ships. Apart from their obvious purpose they also represented strength, safety, and sometimes beauty. The French Line used their funnels as a logo during the 20's and 30's and again in the 60's when advertising the ss France. RCCL did the same in their early years showing off the Viking Crown Lounges that used to hang off the back of their stacks. It would seem now that only Disney and Carnival Cruise Lines understand the power of good funnel design. Carnival's stacks are basically a slight modification of the ss France/ss Norway design. They function well and at the same time are really a work of art. To stand on deck at night while at sea, and look up at that giant red, white and blue stack with white smoke pouring out of each fin is a sight to remember. It's a shame really that with all the thought that goes into these beautiful new ships that are coming out, the funnel is loosing the glory and distiction it once held. As for the new Princess funnels....it's about what I expected from a company that destroyed the beauty of the two-stack Kungsholm so they could add a butt-ugly cone instead.

Posts: 30 | From: miami | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Jamaica Jeff
First Class Passenger
Member # 2487

posted 12-18-2001 12:29 PM

First off, the pods may be unattractive, but the ship itself is not the ugliest. That honor still goes to the Radisson Diamond! And no, todays smokestacks don't look like they did years ago. Does your Ford Taurus look like an Edsel or your Camry look like your Dads Studabaker? It's almost 2002 people, the Voyager of the Seas was not designed to look like the Titanic nor was the Grand Princess built to replace the Morro Castle. Times change and so do cruise ships! If the Millenium was parked next to the Titanic which ship do you suppose would have sparked more interest? Anyway, have fun which ever ship you choose and Happy Holidays to all!!!

[ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Jamaica Jeff ]

Posts: 287 | From: south jersey | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

desirod7
First Class Passenger
Member # 1626

posted 12-18-2001 01:00 PM

The funnels and mast look cool. They spark a visual interest and a sense of motion.

Try them on the QE2 hull and superstructure form.

It is the ship itself that is ugly.

PS: Celebrity Millenium class ships are the ugliest out there. To me discussing asthetics of any of the modern housing project on bulk carrier is like artistically re-arranging the trash at the Staten Island land fill.

[ 12-19-2001: Message edited by: desirod6 ]

Posts: 5727 | From: Philadelphia, Pa [home of the SS United States] | Registered: Oct 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-18-2001 02:14 PM

Hmmm...looks just like an NCL newbuild, with a differance!

There has been lots of talk from the cruise lines, in recent years, about revolutionary propulsion systems. However bolting a couple of jet engines on the roof to make it go faster, is cool. Who needs water screws!

Mind you, in the good old days passengers out on deck would worry about getting soot on their clothes. Two gas turbines above your head is a whole new ball-game!

As for the 'ugly' arguement: With the advent of ships like 'Voyager of the Seas' etc., I think the cruising masses have conclusively demonstrated that they are not remotely interested in what a ship looks like! So, no problem there.

Thanks for sharing skej!

[ 12-18-2001: Message edited by: Malcolm ]

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 12-18-2001 04:22 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Zero Signal:

That is the ugliest ship that I have ever seen.

She's no raving beauty, but you have to admit, better looking than the GRAND class.

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Rex
First Class Passenger
Member # 1113

posted 12-18-2001 04:28 PM

quote:
Originally posted by desirod6:
The funnels and mast look cool. They spark a visual interest and a sense of motion.
Try them on the QE2 hull and superstructure form.
It is the ship itself that is ugly.

PS: Celebrity Millenium class ships are the ugliest out there. To me discussing astheticis of any of the modern housing project on bulk carrier is like re-arrangeing the trash at the Staten Island land fill.

I remember reading somewhere that people thought the first four-stackers were ugly, or that the first ships without sails, the first dedicated steamships were ugly. Of course there were some miscues out there, IMO. Just like there are today. But there are some modern cruise ships that are quite handsome. I mean what do people want. The first steamships were not as graceful or as beautiful as the clipper ships, the four-stackers were not as beautiful as the twin-stackers, the first megaliners were not as beautiful as the smaller ships, and so on and so on and shooby dooby doo...

Posts: 1413 | From: Philadelphia PA, USA | Registered: Feb 2000 | IP: Logged

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 12-18-2001 05:06 PM

Just to clarify. The two gas turbine engines located in the pods atop the funnel are not like airplane jet engines- they do not produce thrust to push the ship. They are used to power generators that produce electricity that then power electric motors that turn the propellers. They are located in the funnel to save space below deck for more passenger cabins- and to reduce noise and vibration in passenger areas. Other ships have this same power system (Millinnium and Radiance class ships- but they have located the gas turbines below deck rather than atop the funnel). Princess is the first to have BOTH gas turbines and conventional diesel engines to that either or both power systems may be used. Changes are the gas turbines will only be used in evironmentally sensitive areas like Alaska- as the give off less pollusion than deisel engines.

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

cruise guy
First Class Passenger
Member # 2381

posted 12-18-2001 08:22 PM

original quote by JamaicJeff

_____________________________________________

quote:
Does your Ford Taurus look like an Edsel or your Camry look like your Dads Studabaker?

_____________________________________________

Look at the new 2002 Ford Thunderbird or the Chrysler PT Cruiser. The designs are reto with modern amenities. The same holds true for the exterior design of the Disney ships. Check out the main Dining Room of the Voyager of the Seas. How about the Bellagio Hotel in Las Vegas? These are all products of our times but based on the designs of the past. The result? They are all beautiful and extremely popular. Could a new ship be built with a sleek exterior such as the Leonardo da Vinci and still have all the bells and whistles needed to be competitive and profitable in todays market? Of course. It just requires the designers of the majority of today's cruise liners to think outside of the box they have created and look back to the future.

Posts: 30 | From: miami | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Tim in Fort Lauderdale
First Class Passenger
Member # 953

posted 12-18-2001 08:39 PM

Cruiseguy,

It's not a matter of "can they build it"; yes they certainly can build a replica of the France, the Michelangelo, the Leonardo, with all the "bells & whistles"; it's rather a matter of economics.

All those gracious curves and tiered, layered decks cost a lot of money.

Look at QM2. Yes, she is rather graceful but believe you me, had she not been designed for transatlantic crossings, her superstructure would be built right out to within 100 feet of the bow (which would not have been as streamlined) and a box stern.

This ship is costing Carnival Corp over $200-250 million more than any other comparably sized newbuild due to her design.

To be very simplistic:

Where as the old transat liners were designed from the outside in (you designed the ship and then figured out where & how to fit in public spaces & staterooms) cruise ships are designed from the inside out (design the hotel & accomodations and then wrap a hull around it)

Tim

Posts: 1468 | From: Fort Lauderdale, FL | Registered: Dec 1999 | IP: Logged

cruise guy
First Class Passenger
Member # 2381

posted 12-19-2001 12:52 AM

Hi Timber,
I didn't mean to suggest a "replica" of a previous liner, only one that is as sleek looking. I used the Leonardo as an example. I have read what Disney was looking for from the naval designers when planning the Magic & Wonder. They wanted a cruise ship that had an exterior look that reminded people of the great ocean liners of the 1930's-1940's such as Queen Mary. Not a replica, but a modern version of a classic liner. The exterior design is what they wanted to see first, not the interior layout. If you can get some back issues of Seatrade Review (a cruise industry magazine)from several years ago you can read interviews from the Disney Co. explaining this very clearly. Disney advised the designers what they were looking for. The designers at first didn't listen and when they presented Disney with proposals for futuristic white wedding cake ships Disney Co. simply said "thanks, but no thanks". The designers then decided to listen to what Disney wanted and after doing some research into the look of past liners they came back with the winning form. The winning designer has stated that the stern of the Disney ships is in fact a modern version of the stern of the old Stavangerfjord of Norwegian-America Line. Disney was willing to spend the extra money to get the results they wanted and of course now they have two of the most striking ships in the world.
As for your reference to the QM2, this ship is a whole different breed and since we are discussing cruise ships, her mention really doesn't count. Of course the cost is going to be high for a ship that is going to race at 28.5 knots across the Atlantic in all weather.
The beautiful ships of yesteryear are about all gone now and it would be nice to see something of their kind, even if only in a modern version, to remind us of a glorious past.

Posts: 30 | From: miami | Registered: Sep 2001 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-19-2001 04:12 AM

quote:
Originally posted by skyej:
There are also more cabins on the lowest deck- using space saved by placing the gas turbine engines in the funnel.

I've just had a great idea! Why not get the crew to sleep on the deck and in the life-boats, to save even more space on the lower decks!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Ronn452
First Class Passenger
Member # 2533

posted 12-19-2001 09:16 AM

I think they should add either a racing stripe and a number or perhaps flames streaking from the bow. It might even pass for a dragster if the put a big parachute on the stern. Lets face it guys. This is why they make chocolate, strawberry and vanilla. Some of us still like the sleek lines and beauty of the classics. It would even be nice if the could still have the gorgeous wood panelings onboard; like the inlays in the stairway of the QE I. And I really miss the true prom deck that encircled the ship. But I also miss the '60 Corvette and the music by the Platters. I know I'm in a small minority because I even liked the Song of Norway with her Crown Viking Lounge. It may have been difficult to get to; but it was awfully nice to watch the sun set with a glass of scotch, a beautiful wife and the peace of an intimate hide-away. The Coral Princess is unfortunately like most of the new ships; a floating balconied hotel crammed with cabins and with little concern for looking like a ship.

Posts: 12 | From: Birmingham | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

Jamaica Jeff
First Class Passenger
Member # 2487

posted 12-19-2001 11:09 AM

Ronn 452,
You didn't clarify whose beautiful wife you were with!

Posts: 287 | From: south jersey | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

Ronn452
First Class Passenger
Member # 2533

posted 12-19-2001 10:38 PM

Ah, Jamaica Jeff. Some details are best left unspoken. As they say: no witnesses, no photos, it didn't happen. However, in this case, it was my lovely bride of two days and the moment was twenty one years ago. In March, we shall sail on the Rhapsody and hopefully be able to find a quiet spot in the much larger, less intimate Viking Crown lounge to watch the sun set and be thankful for the blessings we've had over these years.

Posts: 12 | From: Birmingham | Registered: Oct 2001 | IP: Logged

Fairsky
First Class Passenger
Member # 781

posted 12-22-2001 10:15 PM

I have been looking at the deck plans and just noticed something- no disco. This is a strange move for princess which has had a dance club on every ship- and made it a prominent part of the design on the grand-class ships (Skywalkers Disco is the lounge hanging above the stern). Maybe princess is moving away from trying to draw a younger crowd.- or they just opted for a third showlounge instead of a disco.

Posts: 1685 | From: Chicago, Illinois | Registered: Jul 99 | IP: Logged

titanicsteve
First Class Passenger
Member # 2142

posted 12-23-2001 05:08 PM

Eugggggggh that is one ugly mamma!!!! Blue and white...C'est tout? Geee no way and the funnel looks like some sort of jet propulsion system! Looks like a space station!

Posts: 510 | From: Ireland (near Titanic birthplace!!) | Registered: Jun 2001 | IP: Logged

BigUFan
First Class Passenger
Member # 1382

posted 12-26-2001 04:14 PM

All in all, she's not so bad, although the funnel certainly is bizarre to say the least.

She doesn't represent much of a departure from the Grand Class ships, particularly the Sun-class vessels; perhaps a result of bad economic conditions? I mean, why reinvent the wheel?

Posts: 904 | From: Orlando, FL | Registered: Jun 2000 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 12-26-2001 07:24 PM

Looking at the artist impression above of the Coral Princess, suddenly made me realise how distinctive the Celebrity newbuilds are!

I appreciate the appearance of the 'Millennium' and her sisters was not to everyone's liking, but they were brave. You could certainly not mistake a celebrity ship for a Carnival, Coata, P&0 or or NCL ship!

The only clue as to the identity of an increasing number of newbuilds is the Logo and the Funnel!

(Maybe in this increasingly turbulent world, the things on the funnel of the Coral Princess are really rocket launchers?:eek

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

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