ian441672

47 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Sure, but what's $8.50 for a pizza when springing for a Suite.

I think with Premier isn’t it all included now, or with the Plus is it two?

10 minutes ago, azbirdmom said:

We were in that cabin on the Royal Princess in December and yes the deck is huge.  It's a short two deck walk up the Suite Concierge Lounge so you're not too far away from all of the goodies and help that the Suite Concierge can provide including priority disembarkation services.

Oooh, fantastic, that sounds good. Would the medallion allow you to order drinks to your suite too, say a glass of fizz for your balcony?!

Very exciting to read this. Similar for me after 6 years away from Princess (Celebrity had just launched their new Retreat concept and new Apex type ships - amazing!), but I wanted to try the new Sun and Star concept. 
 

Star got cancelled which lead me to booking a 20 day Caribbean cruise March 26 and I plumped for an Aft B734 Penthouse. The balcony looks huge (we had an Owner Suite once for Alaska and that was like half a room size again!), plus reading above about all the add ons and perks. We opted for Premier so we have the full works, shame it’s so far away! Can’t wait though….

Yes, I see that now and that makes sense, there is a bit more availability to be had. I suppose I could do the two b2b’s but that works out a few hundred pounds more so not really worth it.

I will check ongoing and see if anything become available. Thanks all. 

3 minutes ago, Crown Cruiser said:

I believe that a lot of people book with their FCC's and then cancel closer to final payment for whatever reason.  I would check once in a while (definitely when you become closer to final payment).  I've always lucked out and gotten the suite I wanted.  Good luck!

Ahh, thanks. That makes sense I guess! It’s a little way off yet, but I will check from time to time for sure. Thanks for the heads up!

After being bumped off the inaugural Star next August, not liking the replacement itinerary and being very disappointed with the devaluation of the suite exclusivity of everything and price inequity between the prices of Sanctuary class and others, I have looked elsewhere. 
 

I settled on the Enchanted for 20 day cruise around the Caribbean in March 2026 in an aft Penthouse suite on the Premier package. 
 

On looking at availability of the suites so far in advance on almost all the cruises, I was amazed to see only 2/3 left per cruise of the Penthouse, and just a handful of other suite types, if any. Is this because of a decent size balcony I believe we get, or do you think or would it be they are holding back some for release later?

I plumped for Baha 735 which I think looks nice but I wanted one ideally on the concierge lounge room floor, but nothing else existed! It just struck me as strange so far out, or is it a popular cruise and a popular room category? If they release more I may be able to move up a couple of floors?!

I get Reserve dining in the MDR I think, not quite the Signature dining I had originally hoped for but that doesn’t exist at all now (at the moment), so this looked a decent second option!

So, just compared my original inaugural Star Princess 19 day B2B in a Penthouse Suite Premier package, cancelled pre change, costing £20800. 
 

The nearest equivalent now is the first two inaugural cruises totalling 18 days in the Sanctuary area equivalent suite which is now £22500. 
 

For £1700 more I am getting a 1 day less cruise (with a poorer and overall repetitive itinerary) no exclusive and potentially crowded dining, a busy sanctuary area with less exclusivity and a general watering down of the experience. I know I still get the lounge. 
 

I am so disappointed. With deep regret as I really wanted to try the Sphere Class and go back to Princess after a 5 year haitus,  but I will take my old OBC that they transferred over from the deposit of the cancelled cruise, and get my money back and go back to Celebrity! I am sure Princess won’t care, but I do! Very sad. 

Hope it all works out well with you guys!

Just looking at the newly released inaugural Star Sanctuary rooms pricing. 
 

For the entry level Signature Suite pricing is £6049 all in. For the Sanctuary mini suite it is £4024. 
 

Wasn’t sure if I am missing something, but for a same size room, the extra £2000 odd gives me lounge access, a coffee machine and 1 mini bar set up? Is that worth it?

I was considered rebooking my cancelled original inaugural Star cruise to this one. I was in a Penthouse Suite now showing at £6519. Sure I’d get a nicer room and lounge access, but lose exclusivity in dining and sanctuary area with everything being more crowded and next to no exclusivity. What is the main benefit now of upper suites for £2500 extra?

So disappointed. I loved the Retreat concept on Celebrity and was looking forward to comparing and switching allegiances over but now there is nothing at all to draw me over. 
 

I’m in a quandary, I do hope they review the suite offering as a whole. I doubt it!

I was booked on the inaugural Star next July in a Penthouse suite with all the Signature perks. This has been cancelled and new sailings are being launched next week.

As I understand it now if/when I re-book, I lose out on the suite only Sanctuary area and now the suite only Signature restaurant, as almost any cabin who pays the 'Sanctuary' premium will get access to all these (subject to a maximum number of cabins perhaps)? In fact all that is 'exclusive' now is the lounge?

That's a shame as I like the exclusivity of a suite and that is why I pay extra for it. They had better expand on the dining room size! (ex-Signature and Reserve - perhaps they will merge into one).

Just as I thought I would move away from X and their Retreat offering (which really was nice and exclusive for dining and lounge and butler), I am thinking of going back already!

I was booked on the inaugural 19 day B2B in a Penthouse suite so am a bit disappointed to read this. Although it is better to find out this far in advance rather than a week or so. I will see what’s on offer for the end of September and decide whether to try my luck once more. A bit gutted though, but I’d rather have a ship that has everything working and ready, than only half of the things working and available and have that daily disappointment. 
 

Oh well……

We are booked on the inaugural B2B on the Star next August in a Penthouse Signature suite - we are nervous now after all the issues around the Sun. We missed out in the inaugural for the Enchanted with COVID, so we don't want to miss out on this one too!

It all promises to be a fantastic ship, I just hope the kinks work out and they finish the schedule so that the production shows are 'live' and all the venues are up and ready - after all that is what you pay for, notwithstanding any 'unforeseen' surprises!

Anyway, fingers crossed....it's very exciting.

I am so sorry for all those 100's of passengers so bitterly disappointed; I can imagine how frustrated, angry, upset you all may be. I would be too.

We are booked on the inaugural Star Princess next July, so you can imagine I will be on tenterhooks for the next 18 months! They surely couldn't cancel two inaugurals in a row, could they.....?

6 minutes ago, CHEZMARYLOU said:

I would not be in favor of giving CC members access to Luminae, even for one meal.

...and to be honest, the way Luminae has been lately, you wouldn't be missing out on much anyway!

It's all getting very exciting - we have booked the inaugural 19 days B2B in a Penthouse Suite for the Star Princess the following August, so this will be a huge teaser of what is to come and how (if any) different it will be. I await all the reviews as much as anyone!!

Have fun everyone, and happy sailing on the amazing new ship.

We were Princess devotees, suite and Elite guests until 6 years ago when we swapped to X since we felt Princess were slipping, asking more for less and X seemed to be 'all singing all dancing', and we fell in love with X and Edge class.

However, after just returning from an SS on Apex we noticed the shine had gone off, Luminae was quite disappointing in food and service, the perks slightly diminishing and it didn't seem as 'special' as it used to be.

Then I see the new President's way of things and further cut backs, we have excitedly moved our quite large ££ spend to Princess and the new Star Princess in July 25, with their new 'Signature' suite concept of restaurant, lounge and deck area for suite guests. On the face of it, it seems to be better value with the AI element still in tact plus quite a few perks to be had. We will rest X and look forward to go back to Princess after 6 years and to be very excited about that prospect. It is a huge shame, but we have freedom of choice, so I am now exercising it!

Just off the Apex 2 weeks ago, and dined in the Luminae, and I have to say it was a bit hit and miss. Some of the waiters were great (two of them recognised us off a previous cruise 2 years ago and were always attentive and great), but others were a bit lacking.

Just as a sample, and by no means every time, but enough to mildly annoy (which it shouldn't on a vacation): No pre-dinner bread was forthcoming at times when other tables nearby were and after our appetisers were served we had to ask; entrees were served up half way through appetizers; wine was fairly slow on occasion (you could tell the 'favoured' tables), often promised it was on its way, but never materialised after three 'reminders'; breakfast juice was forgotten about, overlooked or very slow as was coffee sometimes.

Food was 'OK', we felt menu somewhat limited. It could be great and we had 2 or 3 great meals and experiences, but more often than not we just felt it lost its sheen.

We are not demanding to be honest, I would let things go and say to myself that they are busy, or short staffed or just a one off, but it wasn't and in the end as I said, I felt mildly annoyed and frustrated, compared to how my two previous experiences were.

We were underwhelmed with the menu one night and ate in one of the MDR's and the contrast was amazing (albeit a different set up) - an attentive sommelier and waitress, great choice and tasty food in a vibrant atmosphere and a really pleasant dinner.

It could just be our cruise or perhaps I was a bit too grumpy or my expectations too high, but overall I have had better and was underwhelmed. We will give X a miss next time and have booked the new Star Princess in summer 2025 for the new Signature Suite concept and see how that fares!

13 hours ago, irvington said:

That's really interesting, I too feel like the food in Luminae is not as special as I remembered. Perhaps I'm not losing my mind!

No, definitely not!  Enjoy rest of cruise.

19 hours ago, irvington said:

I know some folks want to know about the ship. It has been interesting since Philip and I were on Apex 2 summers ago to Greece and of course it is a different scene now with more people. Observations:

 

1. Like before, I am now at 11:15 pm the only person in the Retreat Lounge, but it is a nice place to "work" on my computer.

 

2. We are enjoying Craft Social a lot, but we like sports bars at home, and we are getting into Premier League and Championship League football.

 

3. Luminae was bumpy the first night, but Pearce and I have continued to go. We think the coffee is the best on the ship and it has a great breakfast. We think the food is great most of the time. Philip sort of insists on going to Oceanview; he likes getting Indian food for 3 meals a day (or more, I think he eats like 6 meals a day) and being able to jet in and out. My sons really like the burgers and chicken sandwiches at the Retreat Pool Bar (whatever it is called). We miss our server at Luminae Indu - apparently he is now on the Beyond (we are social media friends).

 

4. This might be more with retreat/Luminae, but I'm struck this time how hovering and deferential the service is. It seems kind of over the top - we are always super nice to everyone - but it makes me think that other folks may demand more fawning service than we do. 

 

5. My sons have tried all the pools. I know there was some controversy about the Solarium family hours for younger children (may be on a different ship). The family hours are 4 to 7pm I think, keep meaning to get a picture. 

 

6. I think I like the ship with more people. I don't think we have ever had to wait for anything. We found the Eden decor really freaky before (we had not long before seen Annihilation) but now it seems diluted with all the people watching. 

Hi - great trip report so far, we were on the last cruise before you in a SS to Iceland (amazing country and scenery!), also dining at Luminae.

We too found the service patchy throughout. When it was good it was very good, but very often they either forgot my wife's breakfast, they brought up entrees with the mains, wine was promised but never materialised (several times), bread never turned up, juice was forgotten about, long delays between service and sometimes I jest felt overlooked and forgotten. Tresi was fantastic, as was Sonny, Raf the sommelier was good but the other gentleman didn't seem to care much in his service.

The food was OK, sometimes really good, sometimes average but overall compared to 2 years ago when we were last there, it had deteriorated quite considerably which was a shame. We felt Luminae has lost its shine. We had one night in Tuscany as we didn't like the Luminae menu, and it was a breath of fresh air - attentive service, wine 'on tap', and some decent choices for the menu. We had a great evening!

Eden amazing, we ate there twice and it was a great menu and atmosphere. Fine Cut also.

I agree though, the coffee is by far the best on the ship, I loved the Americano, side of milk, and Marcus always referred to it as my 'standing order'! He was very good too.

Enjoy rest of cruise and have fun!

Saving was around $300 so for the sake of an extra meal we will keep it where it is. We will still have five to look forward to!  Thanks. 

56 minutes ago, PMGS247 said:

 

How does the calculation of 6 specialty dining work?  Premier has 2 per sailing, doubled on a B2B. Based on your description that would be 4; 5 if you throw in the suite perk.  Not sure where the other comes from.  I hope you're right but I'm just trying to understand.

No problem - I assumed I would get one for the suite perk on leg 1 and then one (the sixth) for the second B2B leg on the first night, or does it not work like that? Even 5 is still a good deal!

So I have booked a 19 day inaugural on the new Star on a Premier package and we are in a suite. It is made up of a 9 day + 10 day B2B - that means I will get six free speciality dining, including the first night on board perk for suite guests?!  Seems a lot, I won't get much chance to try out the new Suite Signature dining restaurant!

3 hours ago, maiseric said:

I am only going by my experience.Look in your cruise history which will tell you how many credits.

Came off the Sky Princess Saturday. Had booked as 21 nights, although it was a 14 and 7 night cruise. Was classed as a b2b and received the 2 speciality dinners and 4 minibars(suite and elite)

Just checked - I have been allocated 4 cruise credits so it's looking good for the 4 mini bars - just hope for the multiple speciality dining!  Thanks all.

Hi

Took the plunge and booked a Signature Penthouse suite on the inaugural sailing in August 2025.  There is an inaugural 10 day and a 9 day cruise on offer, plus a 19 days 'Grand Med' cruise amalgamating the first two.

I booked the 19 days cruise as a whole package (slightly cheaper than adding the 2 separate) - even though it is on one booking, does anyone know if this will be classed as a B2B cruise, and being Elite on the Princess Premier package, will I get the embarkation night at the speciality restaurant complementary (for Suite) plus two further dinners (for Premier), x 2 for the B2B, ie. 6 in total for the 19 days, plus double mini-bar set ups for suite-elite, on change over?

Not expecting it, but if so, that will be lots of fun!

Thanks.

22 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I don't think they really have much leeway when it comes to adding addition perks, OBC etc.  It's too bad...I think they could build a lot more repeat business if you could get a bit more from a Princess planner.

I agree - I would have booked it there and then even if she offered $100 extra, but now I am dithering still!  Thanks.

Hi

I am looking at the inaugural 19 night Med cruise for August 2025 on the new Star Princess. Not sure if this is a UK only query, but I decided to follow up on my regular email sales pitches I receive about using a Princess specialist agent to help me with my bookings.

I rang her up and got the feeling she didnt know too much about the ship, saying that I probably knew more than her, and she asked if I knew about the new suites on offer? I said only what I had read and asked her why she asked that question, perhaps intrigued about something I didn't know, but she replied vaguely without really saying what was different about them, getting muddled between the Penthouse (thin long) suite and the Signature Penthouse suite (looking similar to the current square type PH suite). I was none the wiser - apart from the modern design, are they much different? (I know about the Signature deck and lounge perks etc.).

Anyway, she quoted me a price and offered $200 OBC per person which I was a bit disappointed with considering the overall price of the cruise is in excess of £20000, and the many $$ I would no doubt be spending on the shore excursions. I asked if she had any discretion in reviewing this (I know X can as I have negotiated $200 extra per cabin in the past, twice), but she said her hands were tied and this is it. I wasn't confident in her overall approach to the 'sale'.

I was wondering if anyone knew if this was a Princess decision and no negotiation is given, or perhaps if I had spoken to another agent I may have been more lucky. I know it is only another $1-200, but it all helps and if other companies do, then me in my mind thinking I have got a little extra would make me more inclined to book. I didnt complete this booking because of this, but I will review in line with what others may add.

Thank you.