happy cruzin

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. 

1 minute ago, pool_lounger said:

I'm interested in finding out if suite guests will still have exclusive access to the Signature deck portion of the Sanctuary still? It was included as a perk before the release of the Sanctuary Club, but I haven't seen it referenced in the new material... Our email just confirmed we would still have access to the Sanctuary. Wondering if the designated suite area of the Sanctuary will still be there after Oct? 

Doesn’t look like it!  Seems to be one big space now  🥺

19 minutes ago, capriccio said:

From the Sun Princess thread, this is a quote from yesterday’s press release:

 

The new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess includes three levels of stateroom types – Signature Collection Suites (80), Mini Suites (123), and Premium Deluxe Balconies (16)

 

I think there are fewer than 20 S9 cabins so this seems more than a doubling of the number of cabins in the Sanctuary Collection.

Thanks!

I'm new to Princess - never sailed with them before, but have done the Haven, MSC YC, and MSC Explora Journeys.  Curious how these 219 cabins having access to the Sanctuary compares to the total people in the Sanctuary on other ships where they sold day passes.

2 minutes ago, capriccio said:

From the Sun Princess thread, this is a quote from yesterday’s press release:

 

The new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess includes three levels of stateroom types – Signature Collection Suites (80), Mini Suites (123), and Premium Deluxe Balconies (16)

 

I think there are fewer than 20 S9 cabins so this seems more than a doubling of the number of cabins in the Sanctuary Collection.

The 80 Signature Collection Suites breakdown:
SO - Signature Sky Suite - 4
S2 - Signature Owner's Suite - 10

S4 - Signature Penthouse Suite - 36

S9 - Signature Suite - 30

6 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

Well said.

 

Princess just:

 

1) Provided an incredible gift to the D0 balcony cabins of private dining and sanctuary access (whoever said you can't get something for nothing have not met Princess management);

 

2) Provided a substantial gift of sanctuary access to those booked in Reserve Mini's; 

 

3) Shafted those in S9 suites which are basically the same as Reserve Mini's but who probably paid hundreds if not thousands more (versus the Reserve Mini's) just for access to the lounge; and

 

4) Degraded the experience of those in higher level suites who now have to deal with a much more crowded Sanctuary and private dining.

 

 

Do we know how many additional cabins now have access to the Sanctuary - in addition to the 80 that were Signature Suites?

1 minute ago, capriccio said:

Now there will be a daily race to get lounge chairs in the sun (since it seems like there is no shade).

Doesn’t that sound relaxing???!?!?!! 🙄

1 minute ago, dog said:

The exclusive dedicated space for Suite guests is the lounge.

True - but it used to be include the suite area on the Sanctuary deck too!  

2 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 

The Sun Deck no longer exists as a separate venue on the new deck plans.  The entire area is now the Sanctuary Club.

 

Grrrr……😡

1 hour ago, dog said:

My guess is that the 2 private restaurants will become one, using the same kitchen, as they already do. With numerous Specialty & casual restaurants now included in premium packages the Sanctuary collection folks get, it may not be so crowded after all.

And my guess is the Sanctuary will be one- no longer separated.

Anyway, we will see…

I hope not! When we booked there were to be exclusive, dedicated suite spaces. 

Maybe with the extra cabins now included - it stays separated and they do not intend to sell Sanctuary "day passes" like they do on other ships??  🤞🤞

1 hour ago, chisoxfan said:

Well we can ask Princess management or try the 'lucky magic eight ball toy'.... right now I have more confidence in the magic eight ball toy. 

They really have created a lose/ lose scenario. We booked a suite (at what I felt was a fair price) largely to enjoy the Sanctuary in the Carib.  With the now seemingly increased numbers of passengers using it I cannot imagine they will maintain the 'suite only section' as they will need all the space for newly minted users. I guess we will have to see but doesn't look good. Selflishly I would hope they would maintain a suite area as originally promised.

 

While I cannot speak for others,  some of us who purchased a premiere package might feel slighted as this is now standard. The Princess retort would be 'you got a better price'. I think what most of us want is just clarity. I know pricing will change but when you have drastic movement and changes in benefits/ categories (especially on a brand new ship) it does not lend confidence to future cruise bookings. I can emphasize with somebody who was looking to book a suite a few days ago and finding out it is now 35% more.

 

Maybe to put an exclamation point on their (Princess') confusion I had looked at clamshells for an upcoming cruise. I never indicated I wanted to purchase and when one does initiate a purchase it  typically requires a CC or use of OBC to reserve. This morning I received an invoice from Princess for three clamshells. Not difficult to cancel but not reassuring either (was hoping Princess would have had some provison for suite passengers on the private island).

 

Not trying to overreact as things will likely change but I went from X Retreat to Princess Sphere class to now?........ MSC YC seems to be the last remaining survivor for cruisers who want a reasonably priced inclusive suite experience on a large cruise ship.

 

 

I hope that they will keep the Suites-only section of the Sanctuary, I haven't seen anything YET that leads me to believe that has been discontinued. It would help those of us who booked true suites to feel that we still have some of our exclusive, dedicated suite space.

Does anyone know how many additional cabins are now included in the Sanctuary Collection?  I know 80 cabins are true suites - previously Signature Suites - but I am trying to figure out how many more cabins now have access to the Sanctuary and Restaurant.

I am wondering if with the addition of the "extra cabins" - perhaps they are not going to offer Sanctuary "day passes" as they do on other ships?? 

1 minute ago, capriccio said:

Now there will be a daily race of many more people than there are lounges.

I’m waiting to see if the separate suite area in the sanctuary remains available for what were signature suites. 

3 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Current bookings, ie any bookings prior to today, do NOT get the Premier Cruise Package included (nor subject to price hike).

So, if you want it for the 3rd passenger, you'd still have purchase it separate.

In the FAQs:

https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/sanctuary-collection?cid=mkt_vanityurl_vanityurl_sanctuary_sanctuarycollection_mixed_na_na_na

Not sure about that!  I got an email from Princess announcing my upgrade to the Sanctuary Collection - which it says includes the Premier Package.

Just now, Fa-Li said:

Have a great cruise!  Thanks for doing all the research!

YES….what they said! 👆🏼👆🏼👆🏼

7 minutes ago, Wonder18 said:

I am trying to book main dining for my cruise on November 9 . Is anybody else having trouble booking their dining times or is it just me.

 

I’ve read several posts - various pages - that dining does not open until 60-ish days prior to sailing. 

 

 

On 4/3/2024 at 11:45 PM, cr2000 said:

Thanks for doing this, would really love some clarification on the Signature Sundeck for families staying in a suite. I can understand how the Sanctuary might be adult only, but I don't see how Princess can market suites to families, but then break those families apart if they want to sit together on the Signature Sundeck. Seems like really bad public relations and marketing to do that given the ship is targeted towards families with kids given the addition of Park 19. 

The other side of that - just as sticky - how do you market the Sanctuary as adult only then allow kids - even if they are in a suite?? 🤷🏻‍♀️

11 hours ago, Fortunate 2 travel said:

Also confirms no shade.  Just imagine the Mediterranean in the summer.

….or the Caribbean!  

On 3/9/2024 at 10:52 AM, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

This is what I have so far.  Keep 'em coming!!

 

(Doesn't copy as nice as it looks in Word but you get the idea)

 

Signature Collection Questions

·       Overall experience

·       Sanctuary/Sun Deck

o   Overall experience

o   Aft view

o   Cost? 

o   Reserve Loungers? 

o   Access to main area of Sanctuary? 

o   Sit in main area if Signature area is full? 

o   Food? 

o   Bar?

o   Price of cabanas?  Suites get first choice?  Reservation process.

o   Afternoon tea?

·       Signature Restaurant

o   Menu

o   Different from Reserve Restaurant

o   Different from Main Dining Room

o   Breakfast

o   Different each day

o   Fresh squeezed orange juice

o   Noise from the Piazza

·       Signature Lounge

o   Overall experience

o   Bar Service

o   Concierge

o   Crowded?

o   Happy hours?

o   Entertainment

·       Misc

o   Aft elevators

o   Special Restaurant first night – book onboard (SOXFAN: If I try to book it on the app it is charging my credit card so I don’t want to do that.  I like to go to the suite dining room the first night to “report in”. But I will ask)

Yes, I have not seen anything posted about this process yet.

Curious if all Speciality Restaurants are available to Signature Suite guests that first night or is it only a selected group of restaurants?

Thank you for adding to your list to ask about!! 

24 minutes ago, happy cruzin said:

Are there upcharged items on the dinner menu too??  What other Signature Suite upcharges should we expect, besides drinks outside our Plus Package?

Now that I look closely, there are charge items on the lunch menu too. Does anyone have photos of the Signature Suites dinner menu from the restaurant - not screenshots from the app??

1 hour ago, happy cruzin said:

 

New to Princess - but I am surprised/disappointed to see the upcharge items on the Signature Suites Breakfast menu.  😔

Are there upcharged items on the dinner menu too??  What other Signature Suite upcharges should we expect, besides drinks outside our Plus Package?