Chefwoody

So does the average (non-signature suite) person still have to run up to sign up?

Does anyone know it you still have to run up to the sanctuary to reserve? Also is there still smoking allowed in the casino?

Hi D, The entire Sanctuary was booked up about 2 hours after boarding started. The cabanas - and many of the lounge chairs - often went unused at various times during the cruise. We saw a cabana that never had anyone using it. That's another problem with the system in my opinion. Ideally if you're not going to use it (on a whim) than it should be made available to someone else for that time period. Take it off their bill for that day and sublet it to someone who REALLY would appreciate it. Sadly it seems there are people with money to burn and little self awareness. But honestly it's just a spendier version of what goes at every pool, the other half just clip towels to lounge chairs around the pool area at 6am, then arrive at noon to claim there claimed spot. I've often wondered if I could rent myself as a lounge chair "holder" for a person or two - could pay for my cruise :).

We used the Sanctuary all but one day (afternoons 1pm - 6pm). Usually left around 4:30. Super super nice for privacy and peacefulness. During World Cup (soccer) we were able to watch some of the games on one of the empty cabanas (they have flat screen tv's among other amenities). Food was pretty "spa-ish" but really limited in selection. Every afternoon around 3pm they bring a full "tea" service around - tea sized sandwiches & sweets - coffee or tea. Really nice and at just the right time of day. Service - as everywhere on board - was really slow. The Retreat pool is very close (one floor down) and offers a bar and smaller pool. Not too crowded and no kids. All in all worth the effort to sprint up and get a spot on day one.

We were on last week too. Mini suite (A215). No noise issues on our end. However on another note, we recently adopted a white noise machine for travel and at home. Our son turned us onto it. Wasn't sure I'd like it - in fact I was sure I wouldn't - but now I'm a fan. But like I said, up where we were it wouldn't have mattered, we were undisturbed. But don't get me going about the smoking in the casino... Grrrrrr.

Just wrapped up our first post Covid cruise on Sky Princess. Management and I needed a sunny brain brake so picked a rather last minute Eastern Caribbean route on Sky. Grabbed a mini suite near the front. We've never just "relaxed" on the ship before, so we opted for one dive excursion in St. Thomas and nothing in St. Maarten. Here's our brief observations: Crew: TIRED. Nobody works harder than a cruise ship employee, but post Covid it - as it is everywhere in the entertainment industry - is much much worse. Our room steward was amazing (as usual) and we saw no issues there. But the restaurants and bars were extremely slow and the staff looked beat. Again - no bitching here, just honest observations. Food: This sadly was another disappointment. And, I suppose could also be due to crew/employee shortages. But in all of my Princess cruise experiences this was the saddest. Main dining was about the same - but SO SLOW!. Food about average. The real let downs were where you paid for the food. Crown Grill: tough meat, poor menu selection - slow service. Sabatini's: over cooked meat - slow service. Ocean Terrace (sushi): I've seen better cafeteria sushi menus and effort - but- good service, small lines. Bistro: best food of the lot, but slow service and small portions. Sanctuary: Needs a new menu!. Entertainment: We're not big show folks, but the comedian was fun, the musical not so much. The rest was pretty much Princess standard fare. Casino: OMG Princess.... STOP THE SMOKING!!! I mean honestly.. THIS IS A NO BRAINER!. Give those wishing to die a specially vented room to do so in. Save us who'd otherwise spend more money in your casino from all the stink and cancer of second hand smoke. Smokers reading this - Save it!. Fitness Center: Still very nice. But they really need a water bottle filling option. All they have is one drinking fountain that you can't fill from. Really what they (and all cruise lines) need is filtered water bottle stations around the ship and perhaps some well logo'd water bottles as part of your welcome aboard package. Add it to the cost - I don't care if I know I'm saving the world from that many more disposable plastic water bottles - and there were a TON on this cruise. Room - We had a forward mini suite (A215) and it was fine. Room steward (Boris) was top notch!. Had aft suites in the past and honestly they never did figure out the soot problems on ALL the back suites on this class of ship... so this round we didn't feel super guilty watching our poor room steward scrubbing the black soot marks out of the carpets and furniture. Bed was amazing as usual - read some mixed reviews on this, but this was our opinion on this cruise/suite. Extras: Because our goal was "down time" I made it my goal to sprint to the Sanctuary (as it's only first come first serve for reservations - and - cruisers turning around from the prior cruise often take up a good number of the spots there). Here is another area needing some attention. I'm fortunate enough to have early boarding status and overall good health. The "sprint" up to deck 18 to stand in line to secure a couple spots in the Sanctuary was not impossible - but no less irritating. I'd love to be able to pay for a class of suite that automatically gives me that comfort & privacy option. We like the smaller lines for this option, but Celebrity does a great job here on their Edge class ships. We did the Enclave package and loved that as well. Never very crowded and always refreshing. Overall a fine cruise. Who knows what will happen in the next year. Cruise lines are back in swing and the world wants a vacation. More ships, more people. More pollution. Ports are full and people are... well people are people. I'll stop there as that tact is another post all together.

Many thanks!!

Forgot… speaking of Sky Princess

Greetings all! Planning my boarding cardio adventure - Me: up to the sanctuary to get my wife and I a spot. Wife: off to the spa to get enclave reservations. Question: what deck do we board on?. Thanks to all.

Greetings all! What time in the morning does the fitness room open on Sky Princess? Thanks in advance for responses.

In many ways smoking is just another form of gambling… roll those dice you smokers you. Though I am really tired of Princess not dealing with this yet. Set up smoking areas that isolate those wishing to die - sorry I mean smoke in peace. Let all wishing to live life a bit further fill your coffers with (our) money!. We’ll be around longer and you’ll make more in the long run. Go ahead smokers… vent if you must, but in the end clean(er) air will prevail.

I’m aware that my wife & I can bring one bottle of wine each onboard with us (with no corking fee if we savor them in our cabin). But if I want to purchase one (or more) for consumption in our cabin - is it overly expensive?. Easy?. What can you share with us?. Many thanks in advance for your thoughts.

We have a stop in St. Maarten coming up in December. We’ve been there a couple times (both on cruises) but have always been part of an excursion of some kind. This trip we’re just “hanging out”. Not fond of the cheesy port stores/shopping, but a nice beach would be nice. Or an interesting hike perhaps?. Great food?. What have you done while in port at St. Maarten that you’d recommend we try?.

I'm trying to work through the Medallion app process. We are "green lane" ready and 29 days out. One help rep (after the usual 45 minutes on hold) emailed me a pdf showing how to work through the Arrival and Departure Groups in the "Easy SailAway" segment of the app. But... it does not exist on my app - anywhere. My next help call (another 50 minute wait) told me she did not know what the other help agent was talking about, but suggested I call the loyalty department - now closed of course - tomorrow. Does it just pop up at a certain time (on the app) prior to sailing?. Any help hear appreciated. We are Platinum members and all paid up.