happy cruzin

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. 

44 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

What is the difference between Sanctuary access to select balcony cabins and Sanctuary day passes being sold to the winners of the embarking day marathon, as in the old way? Either way you’d be sharing with the hoi pollloi. 

There was a Signature Suite area in the Sanctuary which seems to have disappeared from the updated deck plans. 
 

Original deck plans:

UPDATED deck plan:

33 minutes ago, mrmarklin said:

No upgrade at all.  As a Suite passenger, I feel "screwed".  there is actually a dilution of benefits, in that more people will be eating in the Signature dining room, and our exclusive area on top of the ship in the Sanctuary portion is given over to hoi polloi as well.  The only thing left is the Signature Lounge.  Certainly don't want a bunch of peasant types in there.;-)

Seriously, it's a step back.  I'm sailing in May, hopefully, none of the changes will be made by then.  And they will honor the target date of October.  Yeah, they had the nerve to send me news about the (non) upgrade!!!!

 

Cunard, here I come.  (Queen's Grill)   Thank the Lord, the Class System is alive and well in the UK.  Our own Tea Lounge, too.

 

If you want to have a gripe session I'll be in cabin 15639 next to the Signature Lounge>:-)

I was going to say the same thing. This is a HUGE devalue of what was marketed as an exclusive dedicated suite experience. 
 

We booked a penthouse suite for November - with the Premier package - expecting a private area on the sundeck, a private suite only restaurant and lounge. 
 

With these changes we are now sharing all of those spaces with up to 428 other people (215 cabins at double occupancy) except the suite lounge. 
 

We can’t help but feel duped - these are BIG changes and not at all what we thought we paid for with our Signature Suite booking. 

1 hour ago, kitty2264 said:

In describing the new Sanctuary Collection the Princess website shows the following description for Penthouse Suites and Sky Suites. Description of other accommodations i.e. Mini-Suites does not include the part about the Signature Lounge, Signature Restaurant and Signature Sun Deck.

 

The Most Relaxing Accommodations at Sea

Surrounding you with deluxe accommodations, a spacious Signature Penthouse Suite with balcony includes all the amenities of our Signature Collection, including access to the Signature Restaurant, Signature Lounge and Signature Sun Deck, a private area of The Sanctuary. Enjoy more living space, a separate seating area with sofa bed, enhanced amenities that range from priority embarkation and disembarkation to a complimentary mini-bar setup in suite and so much more.

Interesting!
But on the new deck plans, I do not see any separation of the "Sanctuary Club" like before with the Signature Suite area that was identified as part the Sanctuary.  🤷‍♀️

New:

Old:

9 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

I could be reacting too quickly,  but the more I am seeing here with this new ship, I am seriously second guessing our booking.  No adult area,  No opportunity to book a Sanctuary.....   THESE are the things that we enjoy when cruising...  not all of the 'Screens' and glitz...    And a class system, that as many had complained, might seriously take away from our enjoyment of the cruise.  Seeing  " Sanctuary CLUB "  with the word CLUB could be the straw that seals the deal.

Not sure if we will keep this booking.

According to the press release…the “sanctuary club“ is still adult only - 16+

9 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

2 minutes ago, J18ktleo said:

In 2023 Princess changed the Premier pkg and it required an additional charge which offered more perks that are now standard.  It was very confusing and many, who didn't pay the upcharge, boarded thinking they had the entire pkg but they didn't since the name hadn't changed but, again, Princess 'adjusted' the program perks and there was really no way for passengers to know they did or didn't have the upgrade dpackage (since the name was the same🤪).

 

I just looked at my group booking and we all have Premier which was included in our booking back in February for the suites, whew, thankfully that's good!  But I don't recall there being an option to book a suite without the Premier pkg.

Yes when we booked you could book a signature suite with no package, Plus or Premier. Of course the pricing changed accordingly.