happy cruzin

15 hours ago, J18ktleo said:

Interesting how they're handling this new change in cabin catagories and perks?

We have suites that we booked last Jan for Jan 2026 that have Premier but it's the 'last' rendition of Premier so I'm assuming that down the road we will decide whether or not to upgrade to the 'new' Premier?

I really wish they'd designate it so we'd know (Premier 2.0, 3.0, 4.0! 🤣)

YES - When we booked our Signature Suite in May 2023 we booked Plus, as recommended by our TA. Then, as the ship rolled out and started sailings we started looking at Premier. 

In April we received the “you've been upgraded to the sanctuary collection” notifications and thought for a minute that we had been upgraded to Premier.  But no 🥺

That's when we decided to to Premier anyway and asked our TA to upgrade us. 

Now….there is a different Premier package being sold. It’s all so confusing and sadly I fully expect it to be a mess on board as the crew tries to manage who has what pagakahe and what they are entitled to receive. 

3 hours ago, dog said:

All of my dining reservations have disappeared this morning on my 4 Princess cruises. sanctuary private dining ( I did make reservations) and 4 Specialty reservations paid by credit card.  Message says I haven’t made any yet and then unable to loaded.

 

could they be making changes? Sun Star. Sky Enchanted 

All of our reservations for November 23-30 for Speciality - booked through Premier package - and Signature dining still show. 🤷🏻‍♀️

33 minutes ago, Arizona Travelers said:

This is exactly why this issue came up.  We booked an 18 day MSC cruise recently (for Dec 2025) and our TA priced it as the 18 day vs. the 10 day and 8 day.  We chose the 18 day even though the cost was slightly less and there was slightly more OBC for doing separate cruises.  To us, it was worth it to NOT have to do the B2B customs thing.  But now she tells us we still have to do it (Miami is the port for that one) which is what prompted us to ask her about this one.  Explora told her we did have to do this in San Juan but it didn't make sense to me.    

 

To those who suggested changing the photo shoot, the appointment was set by the flying dress company based on lighting and weather, not sure I want to make it a later time.  She knows I am on a cruise.    

Well…I suppose things could have changed since we sailed last November. But I really doubt it.
 

Think about how many people on the 14 day itinerary - will be ticked off if they have to disembark to get the ship to a zero count and lose that as a “cruise day”. 😬

Besides the fact that any communication from Explora is usually mixed up and the phone reps are often wrong. Sadly, if you call them 10 times you’re likely get 10 different answers. 🤦🏽‍♀️

57 minutes ago, PaulMCO said:

Since its a US port of entry you will have to clear and likely there will be a zero count immigration, meaning everyone has to leave the ship and clear before the B2B group can reboard. Last time we did this we had some jerks that did not comply and we could not reboard until almost noon.

 

It is irrelevant that you are booked on a 14 day cruise.  It is the first US port of entry.  Everyone clears immigration and you are on two 7 day segments.

Not true!! Explora offers both 7 and 14 day itineraries all the time.
 

7 days is different that 14 days….IF you book it as the 14 day and not two 7’s. If you book it as two sevens, then you are correct, It’s two separate cruises and you would have to disembark and go through customs and re-embark.
 

Please see my previous post. We were NOT required to go through customs when we sailed last year, because we were on the 14 day itinerary. 

11 hours ago, Sololux said:

We did a B2b a decade ago with San Juan as the mid point.   We had to go reception for the passport check and then returned to our cabin, I think it was around 7am.

But that is because you did a B2B – two separate cruises.  The OP state that they have booked a 14 day cruise so that process is not necessary. 

2 hours ago, Arizona Travelers said:

This question is for anyone who has sailed on two cruises with San Juan being the mid-point between the cruises.  

 

We are booked on Explora II leaving Miami on Nov 22nd, returning on Dec 6th.  We have received differing answers from Explora and our TA each time we ask about what happens in San Juan.  Ordinarily this would not be important but the day we are in San Juan happens to be my milestone birthday and I have booked a flying dress photo shoot with a meeting time of 8am (we dock at 7am).  

 

So the question is, do we need to wait until those who are disembarking leave the ship and they process those who are staying on for the next segment?  We've done this earlier this year when doing a B2B in Miami.  But we booked a 14 day cruise here, not a B2B so is San Juan a normal port day for us or do we need to process through customs as if it's a B2B?  Which will likely mean I will need to move my photo shoot time.  

 

Thanks in advance for your experience in this situation!

 

 

We did a 14-day on Explora last November - with San Juan as the disembarkation day for those who only did 7 days. 
 

For us it was a regular cruise day. Not one that we had get off go through customs. 
 

They gave a special ticket to return to the ship without going throght embarkation. 

2 minutes ago, momofmab said:

Greetings!

 

I was wondering if experienced Explora cruisers could help me with travel insurance.  Does Explora offer this option when booking a cruise?  I have a cruise on hold and don't recall seeing it offered as an add-on.  If not, where do you go for the best deal?

 

Thanks!

We always use a 3rd party - Travel Insured, Allianz, Travel Guard, etc. Find it to be better coverage for the same or less money. 

On 6/21/2024 at 7:38 PM, johng75370 said:

As @kelleherdl said it’s a beautiful space but if the ship is underway the water sloshes around a lot; the main issue is it cascades over onto the surrounding loungers.  They’ve tried building glass retaining walls to contain the water, but last month still seemed to be a work in progress (our first voyage it was empty of water the whole time).  Seems like something they would have a different design or a fix for on Explora 2.  

Let's hope!! 🤞🤞

On 6/13/2024 at 6:28 AM, uktog said:

Thanks that’s great news - is this for Explora 2 or both ships?

Both....I hope!

23 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

This would be good news for us if The Catch gets a better venue, and a full menu.  I believe that the menu offers a bit less than on other ships?

In fact, I think there are several 'favorites' that are just not offered on the SUN.

 

Another question that Princess is still working on...  LOVE by Britto.

What a bad and disorganized concept.

Anyhow, they have cut the upcharge drastically and made it 'Premium' dining.

Tables are still empty.  Reservations available at almost any time.

I think that the set, price-fix menu is one of the big reasons.

While I am sure that the people who put this together were just so excited about their special oyster, and the mushroom cappuccino.   I think there might be many people who just do not prefer, or can not eat, oysters or mushrooms.

 

I am hoping that they update the menu with a few options.  

We would book it now, and give it a try, if it weren't for the limited menu.

We don't sail un November - so I'm hoping things are all settled by then!

Just now, CruiseCrew123 said:

Is anyone really surprised ??

Nope....not at all!

37 minutes ago, Stickman1990 said:

So she “floats” - but that doesn’t necessarily mean she’s ready to take passengers 

 

Unless the person who posted the message from Explora has faked it then it’s clear she won’t be doing the planned inaugural

Sadly these postponements see to the happening to all the lines/new ships.

On 6/17/2024 at 2:05 AM, cruisedoctor said:

I found the following on the very popular and informative Cruisedeckplans website:

 

If this is true, then all the Sanctuary Class passengers will now be dining on Deck 8 of the Horizon's dining room.  I was on the Sun's inaugural sailing, and that level is the least luxurious of the three...and wouldn't be my choice for a dining venue for those paying exorbitant suite rates.  The port and starboard side windows look out onto open decks (not a very luxurious view).  And, the small aft section's view, is the back side of the Wake View Bar.

 

If they also take over the two small far aft dining areas (adjacent to the two rear elevators), those have a lot of windows, but those overlook passengers lounging on the Wake View Terrace, where those passengers will be gawking inwards at the diners.

 

Wow.... none of those seem to provide the "signature suite experience" that I was expecting when we booked our Signature Suite over a year ago!  😔

Just now, FLAlaska said:

I know , I meant to add comments and hit send. I was trying to say that this was the only confirmed change til now.

Thanks!!

Just now, FLAlaska said:

Thanks. But I was referring to the reference to some restaurants physically moving to different locations on the Sun Princess. 
 

Which now seems to have be unsubstantiated. 

1 hour ago, MacMadame said:

This was reported here on CC previously. Maybe a search to find the existing thread will give you the information you seek.

As I said in my original post - that thread has been removed. 

A couple of weeks ago there was a vlog published everywhere by a TA who had recently sailed the Sun Princess.  She shared that there were to be very specific changes shuffling many of the restaurant locations on the Sun Princess. Supposedly to be effective in October when she starts to sail the Caribbean. 

I have not been able to find anything else about it anywhere and the thread that was here has been removed. Was that all a rumor or misinformation??

1 minute ago, chill6x6 said:

Quick question!

 

My itinerary says Explora I arrives back to MIA at 7AM.  Any reason we couldn't be on our way to the airport by 8AM?

 

Thank you!

Maybe - but it totally depends on when the ship is released by customs.  Then and only then can they begin the disembarking process.

Has anyone seen a "real" menu for Love by Britto yet?

3 minutes ago, dog said:

Thanks- great summary 

Agreed!  Thanks dides for the visual!!

6 minutes ago, reiddg said:

Early in the thread, it was mentioned that there was a Princess webinar, for TAs I believe, to discuss the new Sanctuary Collection.  Anyone on here or following attend it?  I'm curious if any meaningful information came out of it.

My TA attended - it confirmed what we had already figured out. Not many questions or concerns were addressed, it seems. Princess stated that they feel this new plan is "better for the guests".

Not sure I agree - especially since the suites lost things that I feel were important to the suite experience they had promised when we booked.

2 hours ago, vjmatty said:

I think it was even more of a concern. If we assume as you seem to that everyone will be out there at once, that tiny area was not enough for 160 people. The thing about day passes with the old system, if someone buys it they’re almost 100% likely to use it. Less likely with permissive included access of the 215 cabins.  As I mentioned above, even Celebrity and MSC don’t have enough seating on their decks or restaurants for every passenger entitled to be there at the same time.

 

But hey, we’re both speculating. We won’t know who’s right until October. 

Nope - never made that assumption. 

1 hour ago, vjmatty said:

I don’t think we need it….the whole area is now exclusive, with exponentially more space and a lot less passengers than under the old system.  If you’re worried about the “lower class” type passenger, they’ll be priced out of the sanctuary club rooms anyway 🤷🏻‍♀️

Nope - not at all a “lower class” thing. 
 

I’m concerned about the possibility of 428 other people (215 cabins at double occupancy) impacting my ability to use the space and get suite-level service, that I paid for with my suite booking. 
 

With the dedicated suite space that was not a concern. 

Just now, keldaria said:

I’m fairly certain suites had access to both the sanctuary and the signature sun deck before. So they had access to the entire area but had a private suite only area within that area which has now disappeared.

Correct

3 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

That actually looks like a lot more room than suites originally had, like 4 times as much. The question is, do those additional Sanctuary Club cabins add up to more or less than the number of day passes that are being sold on sailings between now and October.  I personally don’t think the original Signature area was big enough for 80 suites. 

….but now there is NO dedicated suite space.