chamima

15 hours ago, Lonedaddy said:

And do check your flight on the airline page(s) in case there is a schedule,  equipment change and/or they changed your seats.

 

Glad it worked out for you.  

Thanks @Lonedaddy - Unfortunately need to do that on ALL flights - no matter how they're booked.

We just flew to St. Thomas (which I booked myself only about 4 months in advance) and that flight schedule must have changed 5 or 6 times between booking and actual flight.

I want to thank everyone on here and especially @papaflamingo who coached me on how to book flights with Regent Air.

I called this morning and was able to book our flights. Outbound non stop DTW-Rome , my  first choice , which was $7000 more than the one stop flights when booking with the airlines, was only  $600/pp extra.

(Interestingly, my second choice, which was a one stop, was $900/pp extra).

Flight home wasn't on my list of choices but works fine, other than the tiny puddle jumper from Montreal to DTW. The time and length of flight were the same as my original choices.

However, I was so excited to get that non stop that I didn't check my itinerary carefully enough before I confirmed. On second check I realized that the agent had booked us on the wrong day! 😨

So a second phone call to Regent Air was needed to fix things but the second agent was even nicer and added our frequent flier numbers and got us our preferred seats.

So, again, thank you to everyone on here for your wonderful advice.

And now I'll add my own - check, check ,double check and triple check before you send that confirmation back!

3 hours ago, Ombud said:

Thank you!! I'm boarding 9/23/24. 

 

Yeah .... with all the rav impressions I'm waiting on booking more than 1 until I see for myself before leaving Royal Class ships. 

 

======////=======

 

Hoping it lives up to our expectations and the angst posted is just PCL adjustment pains. Not too happy about needing a ticket for performances but we shall see how that plays our

@Ombud - We were looking forward to meeting you but sorry to say it'll have to be sometime in the future. I was really looking forward to all of those long days in the Sanctuary on the TA because we had a suite booked. But the fact that there was no shade ended that dream and there were just too many other concerns I had after reading reviews on here.

As I said above we do have a short cruise booked on her (over New Year's) and so will try to reserve judgement until after that but those 8 sea days in the crossing searching for shade just took the "bloom off the rose" as they say.

2 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

Princess dropped the ball with not having all of their ducks in a row regarding various aspects of the ship and also not having their staff fully trained on the new Class of ship.  By the time the Star comes out, tweaks that have to be made will be done and hopefully many of the staff will switch over from the Sun and be helpful in training new staff that are not used to the Sphere Class size ships.

Over the years we've become friendly with some of the crew and we stay in touch and watch their families grow up and keep up with which ship they move to.

I wondered if something was up when no one we knew volunteered to sail on the Sun. Even the couple of people who ALWAYS seemed to be on the newest ships as the opening crews.

Now I'm kind of thinking maybe they knew something we, as passengers , didn't.

We'll still try her for a short cruise but have canceled the very long B2B2Bs we had booked.

2 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

Well at least there’s a Beyond Burger for vegetarians. Celebrity has them in Blu but I never had to fall back on that option since the Blu menu always had good entrees. 

It doesn't say Beyond Burger. It says plant based burger.

Unless something has changed Princess has the absolute worst plant based burgers we've eaten anywhere!!!! (And Celebrity used to have some of the best but they've downgraded - still not as bad as Princess, though.)

12 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

It will DEFINITELY matter. That adds 50% more seating for people who want to enjoy the MDR menu and allows those who choose to do so to dine in shorts and T-shirts or be as casual as they want. I’m not being facetious but just THINK how much this board would change if every Princess ship offered an MDR with the full MDR menu that was truly “come as you are”. There would never be another thread or post asking if such-and-such attire is allowed in the MDR. Or if there is, the simple answer would always be: “Yes. On Deck 8.”  I truly hope that this experiment becomes permanent. I don’t think too many Princess cruisers pay what they pay just so that they can eat scrambled eggs or hamburgers for dinner. Some, yes. But not a whole dining room’s worth. 

Good point but you missed the word "sometimes".

If passengers don't know what menu will be offered each night they will still be going to deck 6 or 7 first.

I think a good solution might be to have the MDR menu for dinner every night with the diner menu for breakfast and lunch but I'm sure there's a problem with that, that I haven't thought of.

10 minutes ago, vjmatty said:

 Yes there’s Deck 8 but I would think the menu would get old. I’m not suggesting anyone is going to starve…it’s still a cruise ship….but nobody likes meals to be a chore.  I do have one Star booking for next year, so I’m willing to keep an open mind. I just hope I’m wrong with these concerns. 

I don't know if it will matter but current cruisers are reporting that at dinner the MDR menu is being used sometimes and they ALWAYS have at least one new item every day.

Deck 8 doesn't appeal to me at all but it might to some.

2 minutes ago, JimmyVWine said:

I have definitely seen YouTube videos that show a salad station where all of the component parts are separated allowing the guest to tell the server what they want. Looked sort of like the toppings station at a Subway sandwich franchise. Not sure if that was in the Eatery or outside on Deck 9 near the

pizza station, or at the Deck 17 food stations. 

I think you've hit on a main problem that the Sun has . Which of the 3 or 4 different venues does one need to go to? I get it that with a large passenger load Princess is trying to distribute the load across the ship but the way it's been implemented just leaves a lot of people confused.

On 4/29/2024 at 2:59 PM, alyssamma said:

The good: cabin is simply amazing. We have an inside (only other time had a cabin class lower than balcony was a couple of times in MSC Yacht Club). I was worried because the dimensions are small, but this is one of the best cabins I've ever been in. Shower and bathroom are (cruise) spacious, lots of closet and other storage space, a zillion hangers, and really nice touches. For example, when you get up from bed a small night light comes on under the nightstand and in the bathroom.

 

The look of the ship is stunning. Nice colors, very pretty.

 

Staff is mostly very nice and friendly.

 

The few shows I have seen were good. Not the best, but I'd say a solid B+

 

The average: Food is hit or miss. Nothing has been bad, but tends towards average instead of great.

 

Cruise director. Eh. A little annoying to me, but ymmv. Regardless, I'd say she's in the middle of CDs I've experienced.

 

The bad: the layout is simply the worst I've ever seen. It's so bad I could never sail this ship again. Princess Live, where they have comedy and enrichment shows is completely open, so not only do you hear the crowds walking by, but you also very clearly hear whatever is going on in the central atrium part of the ship. Which leads to...

 

The Piazza. Great to look at, but three levels with limited chairs means every show they have there requires people to stand. There are about 3x as many people standing as sitting.

 

Lastly, I hate that they funnel you through the shops or casino to get to the important parts of the ship.

 

 

 

K - is this you?

Hope you guys are great!

Boy do you guys get around!

How does this ship compare to the Sapphire? Sounds like not so great.

We are signed up to take our grandkids for New Years (that we booked when we realized we weren't doing the SE Asia cruise). I have a feeling it'll be a one and done on this class of ship.

If we do same day air deviation do we lose the "free" transportation from the airport and the one night's hotel? (Haven't been to Europe in about 50 years so I really appreciate not having to arrange this)

****

On 5/7/2024 at 5:21 AM, papaflamingo said:

You can deviate NO MORE than 210 days prior to the cruise.  So you can call them today and deviate if you want.  Before you do so, research your flights and decide what you want.  Find as many options as possible and decide if it's worth any up charge.  Also if you fly in early via deviation you lose Regent transportation from the airport.  If you aren't in a Concierge or higher suite, Regent will fly you in to arrive the day of the cruise. That is WAY to close for my comfort so I always deviate to go a few days early and enjoy the departure city.  And Rome is a city you can spend weeks in without seeing everything!  

When you call, you'll be charged a single $75.  That will be included in one of the $175 per person deviation fees if you accept deviation.  So you only pay a total of $175 pp to deviate (plus any up charge if required).

When you talk to the agent, be prepared to present your requested flights and see if they can do it.  It helps to have as many possibilities as you can.  Regent has contract rates on most airlines, but not all flights.  And non-stops are getting harder to find for contract rates (no up charge) due to airline pricing.  Look for flights that have 2 business class fares shown, i.e. on refundable and a lower one non-refundable.  It's more likely that they'll have contract rates on those. Also you can kind of get a feel by pricing and see which flights are cheapest.  If the flight you want isn't available for contract rates, they may offer it at an up charge.  You need to decide if it's worth it or look for another option.  

Also, if you have a domestic leg, they will be able to tell you if that leg is in first class or not.  Only Intercontinental flights are business class, but if an airlines tickets it straight through, it'll include first class domestic. AND if a U.S carrier, you can have the agent select your seats if you find a flight you want.  BUT you still have to agree via an email they'll send out within 48 hours to secure the deviation.  So be sure your TA knows as the email will likely be sent to them.  

One more thing to consider.  If you use a foreign carrier and connect in Europe, the second flight will likely be in a single class airplane with the middle seats blocked out. That's their version of "first class" or "business class" when intra-Europe. Also if ever connecting in Asia be sure the second leg includes first or business. I looked at a flight via Delta to Hong Kong connecting in Inchon, but the 4 hour leg from Inchon to Hong Kong would have been in coach!  So I always do my best to try and connect at a U.S. hub rather than a foreign hub. 

@papaflamingo - Thank you for the detailed explanation of how I should approach air deviations.

We are at 120 days out right now - will they know what flights that would be included for us at this point? (We're in a Horizon Suite so business class and a night in a hotel precruise are included)

On 9/1/2023 at 7:12 AM, puppyluv1 said:

We had a very good experience deviating our flight that leaves today for Barcelona for a cruise that starts on Sunday. We requested a nonstop from NY which was about $2500 pp more than the options with one connection. We only had to pay $500 pp up charge. We thought that was a great deal. Like others have said, we did our research beforehand. Makes the whole process easy. 

@puppyluv1 - I know your post is old so I hope you're still watching this thread.

Are you saying that when you checked the available flights for your cruise the one you wanted showed as $2500 pp more for a nonstop than a flight with a connection but when Regent booked you on that same flight the upcharge was only $500?

(I'm getting ready to call deviations and want to have an idea of what to expect)

Thanks!

3 minutes ago, mrlevin said:

It is free if you have reached a certain level; either platinum or titanium.

This will be our first Regent cruise. Does level of suite matter for the free dry cleaning?

Is there a "dry cleaning" option for laundry?

4 minutes ago, FL Wolfpacker said:

I think I’m on the same sailing as you if your departure is 7/1/24.  If so, you should have already received your flight info from Regent.  If your sailing is later you can deviate 210 days from departure.

We depart Sept. 5th.

So should I wait to see what Regent books for us before I ask for a deviation or is it better to be proactive and do it now?

***

I'm reading this thread and trying to get a feel for what to expect. We've cruised a lot but have just booked our first Regent cruise. I loved the "all-inclusive " aspect as a respite from all of the research I've always had to do for previous cruises but now I'm worrying about whether we should have booked the air portion ourselves. We will be flying Detroit- Rome and Monte Carlo- Detroit. We are supposed to get business class air.

I usually try to get non-stops but does Regent booking our air preclude that?

How far in advance will we know what our flights are? 

If I decide to get a deviation how will I find out what portion of our new flights will be covered by Regent?

Anything else I should know?

Thanks in advance.

1 minute ago, dog said:

Option to cancel?

Thinking about it!

On 4/26/2024 at 8:17 AM, dides said:

I love a table so just dropping this on the 215 staterooms that now form part of the Sanctuary Collection:

 

Category	Name prior to October 14 2024	Sanctuary Collection Name	Total Number of Staterooms
S9	Signature Suite	Signature Suite	30
S4	Penthouse Suite	Vista Suite	36
S2	Owner’s Suite	Grand Suite	10
S0	Sky Suite	Sky Suite	4
M1	Reserve Collection Mini-Suite	Sanctuary Mini-Suite	83
M2	Reserve Collection Mini-Suite	Sanctuary Mini-Suite	40
D0	Premium Deluxe Balcony	Sanctuary Balcony	12

 

Note sure of the dining destination for everyone but the Signature Restaurant has a capacity of 124 and the Reserve Collection Restaurant can cater for 180 guests at a time.

On 4/26/2024 at 7:49 AM, keldaria said:

Long term? Sure, short term all C1 and C2 cabins are grandfathered in to private dining based on their prior reserve status. Last I checked those were all sold out on my cruise next April (most cruses in general since a cabana mini-suite on the cabana deck plus reserve dining proved to be a popular combination) so in effect it will be more crowded until the grandfathered status works it way out of the bookings.

So  - the Reserve dining room was already crowded and now, until all of the grandfathered "Reserve "Cabana cabins end, it will have the  new 16 Sanctuary Balcony Cabins also eating there . We have several cruises on the Sun currently booked - some in "Sanctuary" Minis and some in Suites. In none of our sailings do I want to have a crowded dining room.

I can't see a good way out of the conundrum Princess has created.

***

4 hours ago, CalTexCruiser said:

 

They will have to combine the two restaurants into one "private" restaurant.  No way the Reserve Collection Restaurant can accommodate all the Mini-Suites that have been designated as Sanctuary Collection; or could it?

 

Right now it's supposed to accommodate all of the Reserve Collection mini suites and the Reserve Cabana cabins.

In the future it will be for the mini suites (which are now Sanctuary Collection mini suites) and the 16 Deluxe Balcony cabins.
BUT, and it's a big problem, all of the Reserve Cabana cabins that booked before April 23 still get Reserve dining grandfathered in AND it seems that immediately the 16 Deluxe balcony cabins also get the Reserve dining. So for about the next year there will be a massive overcrowding problem (which people have reported has already happened.)

I don't really see them combining the dining rooms. We're in one of the mini suites so I have no skin in this game but, had I booked a suite, at thousands more, I'd be pretty peeved that the dining was combined.

9 minutes ago, dog said:

Thanks- were there any changes to the restaurants yet?

Nope!

15 hours ago, CatMom72 said:

Yeah, I don’t really see the difference between S9 and M1 after 14 October. S9 still costs a lot more than M1 in the new price structure and the only added benefit is access to the suite lounge.  The lounge looks beautiful, but it hardly seems like it would be worth the extra cost if that’s all you get. 😕

@Sox Fan Cruiser - you probably can't answer this  because it hasn't been implemented on your cruise yet , but it would seem to me that with an S9 you would still get the Signature restaurant while all of the new "Sanctuary Collection" cabins will get the Reserve (which should be re-named!) and the same thing in the Sanctuary itself. Suites should get that aft area beyond the gate and everyone else get the more forward area by the pool.

12 hours ago, steilkurve said:

Not clear to me how the restaurant allocation will work. Do S9 and up still go to the ´Signature Restaurant’ and other Sanctuary Club cabins get the ´Reserve Restaurant’?

The restaurant situation is really unclear.

Logically suites should have their own restaurant.

Reports from the ship have been that the Reserve restaurant is overcrowded and the Signature restaurant half empty.  With the addition of 12 Balcony cabins to the "Sanctuary " designation it seems that will be even worse. (Initially it was said that the Reserve Cabana cabins no longer qualified for the Reserve restaurant but I read that that was already changed back last night.)

21 minutes ago, cristine said:

Update o

Just received from Princess.

OOPS we made a mistake.

Please disregard your previous Email. 
Really Princess?

Get it Together 
 

Got both of those also.

Mine was for a cruise before Oct. 14 so that was why.

We also  have a cruise booked on her for New Years and I just checked my reservation and it still says Reserve Collection min suite. Go figure............

I am so grateful that we got to sail with Dave,  Leialoha, and CD David Cole years ago!

We have done 4 or 5 LA- Hawaii and LA-Tahiti cruises since with other Hawaiian Ambassadors who were nice but none compared to that trio!

I'm so sorry to hear they will no longer be on Princess. It's a big loss!

5 minutes ago, GK95 said:

Here's the press release that went out about an hour ago:

 

Princess Cruises Unveils Exclusive New Sanctuary Collection Aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess   New Category Offers Unprecedented Level of Exclusivity and Premium Extras Aboard Newest Ships from Princess

	FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. (April 23, 2024) – Elevating the art of relaxation and serenity, Princess Cruises is introducing exclusive, next-level Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess and Star Princess, as these newest ships prepare to debut with this select, all-inclusive oasis in early 2024.   As the name suggests, guests reserving in the Sanctuary Collection enjoy exclusive access to the ship’s top deck retreat area, along with a host of additional and high-end amenities designed to enhance their voyage. These indulgences include exclusive private dining and relaxation areas, a luxurious stateroom experience, as well as the Princess Premier bundle to round out the all-inclusive allure of the Sanctuary experience.   Aboard Sun Princess, the luxurious, spa-inspired, top-deck Sanctuary Club, is now reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection guests who access the private entry via their Princess Medallion. In the adults-only (16 and up) area, guests enjoy plush lounge furniture, private cabanas, pool and jacuzzi, attentive service, soothing music, refreshing beverages, and light fare. The Club also features exclusive programming, including sunrise yoga classes and sail-away receptions.   Other Sanctuary Collection amenities include priority specialty restaurant reservations, and premium stateroom amenities.   The new Sanctuary Collection aboard Sun Princess includes three levels of stateroom types – Signature Collection Suites (80), Mini Suites (123), and Premium Deluxe Balconies (12).   “Our new Sanctuary Collection offers guests those ultra-private, tucked away spaces that rival any high-end resort and surpasses the offerings of comparable cruise lines featuring similar ship-within-a-ship amenities,” said John Padgett, president of Princess Cruises. “With spacious and well-appointed accommodations, along with an array of premium extras and its exclusivity, our new Sanctuary Collection delivers the ultimate in access and indulgence to deliver an unparalleled experience.”   Sanctuary Collection staterooms on Sun Princess and Star Princess go on sale today. Guests who have booked as of April 23, 2024 already have reserved Sanctuary Collection staterooms on either ship will receive the additional amenities outlined at no additional cost, excluding the premier bundle.

This is really confusing!!!

Or is it just me?

So they are adding mini suite and balcony cabins to suites in availability to the 80 loungers in the Sanctuary?  (See text in red above.)

And can someone please explain that last paragraph? How could anyone have booked a category before today that didn't exist until today?

🥵