New Pacific Princess Amenities

I looked at a cruise review of the Pacific Princess on one of the cruise sites and they had a disclaimer that the review was done when it was Renaissance and that Princess was continuing in the same fine tradition. However, I doubt it. For instance, they talk about bathroom amenities but all the Princess ships I've been on had those lousy cardboard containers for shampoo and conditioner. I guess I'll have to bring my little bottles along. Also, in the list of other items in the cabin, there was no mention of a refrigerator. Does anyone know if R3 Pacific Princess has refrigerators in the cabins?

The photos at the web site look very nice. And the ship was new in 1999. It has the nicest looking computer room I've ever seen - like having a PC in a parlor. (G)

I just wonder what R3 amenities are gone and what Princess may have added in a positive way?
Frank-in-CA

[norm]

Frank,

P&O Princess Cruises Plc. is acquiring MV Pacific Princess (formerly MV R3) and MV Tahitian Princess (formerly MV R4) under a lease-purchase agreement that requires both ships to remain in the Pacific and no major modification to either vessel for a period of two years. We have confirmation of the following changes.

>> 1. The main dining room will offer "Traditional Dining" rather than "Anytime Dining."

>> 2. The Italian restaurant will be named Sabatini's. We expect (but do not have onfirmation of) a surcharge of $15 per person to dine there.

>> 3. The grille restaurant will be named the Stirling Steakhouse Grille. We expect (but do not have confirmation of) a surcharge of $8 to dine there.

It also seems reasonable to expect the following additional changes.

>> 1. The complementary toiletries undoubtedly will be Princess's standard issue rather than whatever Renaissance provided.

>> 2. The menus also will be Princess's standard fare rather than whatever Renaissance served, in all dining areas.

>> 3. The shows will be Princess's standard shows rather than the shows that Renaissance performed.

>> 4. Pricess will be Princess's standard prices rather than Renaissance's prices.

>> 5. Steiner's of London will operate the spa, the beauty salon, and the gym.

>> 6. The shops will carry Princess's standard inventory of products (Lladro, etc.).

>> 7. The activities will be pretty much Princess's standard offering.

>> 8. The in-cabin television will carry Princess's standard channels rather than whatever Renaissance provided.

>> 9. There probably will be some expansion of shore excursions in some of the ports of call, though this may have happened anyway.

You probably can add to this list as easily as I can.

It seems safe to say that in-cabin refrigerators won't be added and won't be removed. I don't know whether Renaissance provided them or not.

What's positive and what's negative? I don't have a clue. You decide.

Norm.