dides

Ahh, understood. Just didn't think they would leave a lone Sur La Mer limping on for one ship.

Why would Harmony be going? Majestic was the first Royal class ship to have Bistro Sur La Mer so would have thought it would be the one replaced.

Oh dear - taking their brand guidelines a bit too far I think!

We've done quite a number of short Princess cruises out of Southampton. The only issue we have encountered is finding a seat because our lovely foggy or cool weather means everyone gathers in the Piazza and the bars inside! I recall chatting to a Food and Beverage manager pre-pandemic who mentioned that the crew had it keep the bars open later to cater for Brits but we have never found fellow guests to be that rowdy.

Spotted a German interview with Rudi from December where he mentions he is creating two new restaurants for Princess including Catch by Rudi - where he is wants to something very original that has never been done in the cruise industry.

The aptly named Wake View Bar has great aft views on Deck 16 - I believe there are few more tables and chairs up there now compared to when we went on her inaugural:

Great summary @snoozecrooze- we just watched the video over breakfast and lol'd when we saw the bathroom render pop up! Other nuggets that interested us: - Balcony staterooms will have 2 different layouts where the bed will either be by the window or by the bathroom (Edge class ships have this) - The Sea View Terrace is designed to reduce wind (this did cause concern as it's uncovered and we know how bad the Retreat pool got on Royal class!) - The Sanctuary will have cabanas with sea views. Really not sure how they will manage access to the Signature Sun Deck if the pool is shared by the Sanctuary. What makes it special for suite guests only? And do they need to book a space in the Sanctuary as well?

Adding to @snoozecrooze's response. Rather than a sliding door, you will have a separate door and a window on a Cove Balcony as per the picture below from the Princess website. There is likely to be a metal panel that can be swung around to cover the door to protect the balcony door in bad weather which will restrict your access. However, a cove balcony is likely to give the passenger direct views down to the sea, unlike most of the deluxe balconies which will be set back and overlook the decks on Sun Princess.

This is close to one of our top reasons - the roomy, more powerful, shower with a glass door and no flapping curtain 😀.

Hopefully it doesn't make it to the build. If you look at the Sky Princess render, it has the same double glass panelling but they reduced it to a single panel for the actual ship, along the main part of the deck anyway:

I think you will be proved right about this. The mini suite, cabana rooms and lowest category Signature Suite will have the same bathroom as a standard stateroom - no tub and no extra space which you would expect when you pay extra. The Signature Suite floorplan does actually match the orientation of the bathroom render. Note that it is the same size, 304 sq ft, as the mini suite with the components moved around! So it is truly like a MSC Yacht Club cabin in that you are 'slumming it' in basic accomodation but getting all the other suite amenities. Signature Suite Mini Suite

lol exactly... in that vein, I have discovered a standard bathroom rendering produced for Princess that I haven't seen before: This doesn't match any of the floorplans I've seen but imagine the entrance being directly behind you. The shower has a door (there are hinges) but no shelf but then that could be against this wall. I know, more speculation. Maybe it's just an early design to help capture the style.

Agreed, they need to go back to the drawing board, literally 😀 I think the staircases at each corner - as on the Sky - are more aesthetically pleasing and make better use of space. .We did like the martini glass hot tub when we tried it out the Edge but I doubt they would want to be seen to copy from another line.

Is that a stage or just the two sets of staircases squeezed in the middle? Hard to make it out. Plus it seems the two extra hot tubs are taking up most of the space there. I agree about the width of the pools though - looking too much like the horrible tiny paddling pool offering they have on Virgin Voyages! What do you think that blue area is in the bottom left of the picture behind the loungers? Is it the edge of the ship, another pool or hot tub, a SeaWalk or something else?

Another video from the shipyard visit this time from Princess and an extra sneak peak of the Dome build Noticed that they are using Richmond International who were involved in the P&O Iona design so wonder if there will be similarities.....

They have an old-skool planner which they colour in and add booking notes on for each day of the cruise. I grabbed a pic of one from Enchanted Princess last year:

Yes, we stayed in one of these cabins on this ship but one deck higher up. Would never stay in one of these again: Disliked being so far from the sea and the balcony being overlooked by all the upper decks - obviously not the same level of privacy issues as those on the prom deck 😀 The room and bathroom size was identical to a normal cabin except for the cabana room yet you are paying a premium price The cabana room itself had no electrical outlets or TV which would have made it a more useful breakout area.

Retreat Cabanas are $50 for a Half Day, $80 for a Full Day Rental

Wow, it's as if she was on a different shipyard tour to the rest. So much more detail and I love hearing how enthusiastic the designers are! Thanks for posting.

Yes, loungers are $20 for a half day/$40 for a full day, per person. Cabanas are available at $140 for a half day/$220 for a full day.

Not too bad for Suite breakfasts in Sabatini's and popping up to the Sanctuary but yes, definitely not well positioned for the Concierge Lounge

We love the forward Premium suites on Royal class - for the huge bedroom space, the forward facing window and, while the balcony may not be overly big, it's good enough for us. More budget friendly too than the aft penthouses.

There are USB ports in the base of the lamps if that works for you. Normal sockets will be in the vanity area opposite the bed.

The Sanctuary is for use by all adult guests not suite guests only. It's available on all Princess ships except Majestic Princess. Reservations can only be made in person when on you are on the ship on a first come first served basis. The new Sun Princess (arriving in Feb 2024) will have an additional sun deck area off the Sanctuary for suite guests only.

There is a very detailed report here via a Splash magazines article with video clips. I must admit to not wanting too many spoilers myself so just scanned it 😀