Wishing on a star

Guessing it is a gimmick related to the Princess 'location upgrade' sale.

Probably no biggie.

You will receive a cabin that is at least a BD...  BC is good, unless you don't want one on Lido Deck.  BB and BA are even better.  Mid ship and Mid Forward.

Basically the Princess Sale is that, for example, all cabins that are BE thru BB are offered at the same (supposedly lower) price, so that you are getting a better category without the slightly higher fare.

If I am correct, a BD cabin would be AFT on Deck 11.  

Check deck plans and look at the categories - they are color coded.

An upgrade would likely be mid-Forward or mid-AFT or mid-ship.   It would not be far forward, as these seem to be BE.  You might likely get a cabin that is BA, BB, or BC.

Again, you would not get an obstructed balcony or a far-Forward balcony.

There are mid-Forward balconies up on Lido that are BC...  so that would be possible.

Again, I think only an agent at this company can really explain all of this.

This sounds like a gimmick by the agency.  Princess does not have 'M', 'N', or 'Y' as booking options.  Princess is offering a short 'sale' where you can book a cabin at the fare for the lesser location (like forward or aft) and book a better location.  In other words, for example, Forward and mid-forward are both at the same fare.

With Princess, if you book a RESERVE or GTY,  then you will get a cabin in that category or higher.  It could be slightly higher category, but perhaps in a less desirable location.  (far forward, above noisy venue, etc). Princess will not move you down into a lesser Category.  (They would have to make an offer to you to consider)

Do you know if your booking is a RESERVE / GTY guarantee, or did you choose that specific cabin?

Depending on the different fares. (sometimes a RESERVE / GTY can be offered at a lower fare than when choosing your cabin) Perhaps you would want to choose some Onboard Credit if that is also offered?

Have you spoken with a decent agent that you are able to work with?

You would have to speak with one of their agents to understand the details.

We hope to avoid the larger open-air taxis.

I wonder how we would go about hiring a smaller taxi for this ride.  (and maybe return???)

Is that possible, without making arrangements for a particular taxi service or driver?

Of course, I know the rate might be higher.  Not sure how that works, comparing the larger open taxis to a small van.

Thanks for any insight!

We hope to avoid the larger open-air taxis.

I wonder how we would go about hiring a smaller taxi for this ride.  (and maybe return???)

Is that possible, without making arrangements for a particular taxi service or driver?

Of course, I know the rate might be higher.  Not sure how that works, comparing the larger open taxis to a small van.

Thanks for any insight!

Princess has been working with these deck plans.  I don't know if they are even showing available when you pull up the Sun Princess on the website.

By the link you posted, it looks like ALL of these cabana-Minis have that mention of 'SUITE benefits'   But when you click on that cabin, the description does NOT have that language.

There is something going with these deck plans and cabins at Princess.

In fact, I clicked to see the Minis on Deck 10,  and it says.  Deck Plan unavailable, and "No passenger staterooms on this deck".

Looking at the Deck Plan before Oct. 14,  I don't think any of them are showing 'RESERVE'.   

I would doubt that Princess is suddenly going to make every Cabana-Mini on Deck 9 a 'Suite'.

We have all been seeing that Princess has been very inconsistent and like the right hand does not know what the left hand is doing.    Changes after Changes...  Delays, etc....

I don't know if I would put a lot of weight to that one mention, especially since the full cabin description does not mention 'Suite'.

No, they are 'Balcony' cabins, the category starts with 'B'...

Princess just does things the way they want to.  And, they have decided that, at least on the sailing you are looking at, some/all Mid-Ship balconies are excluded.

As you see, might not be too much of a sale.

You might see that the pricing is the same for all cabins of the same type, on the deck, whether forward, aft, midship...

This is a 'location upgrade',  not a real 'category upgrade'.

You would not get a Balcony if booking an OV.

Will have to wait for this go online to see how much of a sale it is.

Yes,  the fact that Princess, in all of it's infinite wisdom, chose to take away adult pool area and put cabins there, which leaves only that elevated area, in the wind, where this can then take away that area.   I wish there were other cruise lines that were options.

I have noticed the same thing.

Mini-Suites are supposed to have the real table.

Make sure that the photos you are comparing are Mini-Suites.

The actual balcony is the same, shallow, balcony.  Only the table is different.

Larger PREMIUM Deluxe Balconies have had real tables.

Deluxe Balconies, with the standard more shallow balcony, do NOT.  

However, I don't think that this is guaranteed with the Premium Deluxe.

There are cabin photos of the same category cabins next to each other, maybe at different times, that show tables on some, and little side-table on others.

Princess is not known for consistency.  

It might come down to availability, with fewer tables than large balconies.

I thought that Mini-Suites were supposed to have the real table.

If I were in a Mini-Suite I would not be satisfied if there were not one.

At one point, Princess took the large tables away from the larger balconies.

Then they seem to put them back, when they began charging more for them as Premium balconies.   It's a mess.

We have cabins with larger balconies booked on two cruises.  Not Mini-Suites.

I too am hoping that there will be a real table.

Thanks!  Yes., Majestic.  

Sorry!  I have been one of those comparing to the Enchanted, and others.

And the fact that this is NOT an all adult area is very much an issue.  At least for now.

Just a quick question.

I remember hearing some comments.  

Can anyone here tell me if the Hollywood Pool is usually chilly (when outdoor pools are warm enough)

Yes, 360' is called 'Experiential Dining', and does cost extra.

Casual Dining venues are an upcharge unless you have a Plus or Premier Package.   Two visits with Plus, unlimited with Premier.

Specialty dining has 2 visits included with the Premier Package.

There are differences in dining between the two ships.

Enchanted:

Experiential Dining

360'   Dining experience in an almost 360' production venue

Specialty Dining -  up to 2 visits included with Premier Package

Crown Grill  -  Princess Steakhouse (standard on most all ships)

The Catch. by Rudi  -  Seafood Specialty restaurant.

Sabatini's  -  Princess Italian (is more open to the Piazza and the music/noise on Enchanted)

Casual Dining  -  Up to 2 visits included with Plus Package, unlimited with Premier

Affredo's. -  Best Pizza onboard.  Very Popular. 

O'Malley's  -  Irish pub with Pub fare, offers Irish sing-a-long folk performances

Bars

Crooners  (but no Vines Wine Bar)

Majestic:   (This is subject to change March 2025)

Specialty Dining

Crown Grill   

The Catch. -  This is more open to Piazza on this ship.

Harmony  -  Asian Fusion. (Should be changed out for another restaurant in drydock)

There is a Noodle Bar instead of a Pizza counter on the pool deck (again, should be changed out)

Casual Dining

Alfredo's

Bars 

Vines wine bar on Majestic. (No Vines on Enchanted)

There is no Crooner's on Majestic

You might get a good idea of 360' by searching on places like YouTube.

It is a special venue, with almost 360' screens around...  the dishes and drinks served go along with the whole production going on around you.  And, a little 'magic' going on at your plate at the table too.

Enchanted might have production shows that you have not seen on Regal.

These are set, as the staging and cast are in place.

As far as other entertainment and activities, they can vary.

The Magician that you saw on Regal might be on Sky, or Discovery, or another ship.

Ships band (Party Band) also changes out.  Bands and entertainers take breaks or change ships.

I do not pay as much attention to these kinds of Love and Marriage shows.  I think all the ships will have some version of this???   Maybe somebody else can chime in.

Last time I was on Regal, the food was really good!!!  The Executive Chef and staff onboard can make a difference.   

Look for 'Live from' posts here to see how the cruises before yours are going!

I do not know about the UK,  but yes, there are many times where this seems to be the case.

Sometimes, maybe depending on expected demand, these will show for two guest..  But, mostly not.  

Two questions.

Are any on the lower decks available?

When will you be sailing?

Yes, it will be possible to get more motion that far forward above the bow of the ship.

And, a factor that might be bigger is how high you are.  This could be affected by high winds.

The second question is when will you be sailing.

We have been on a ship in the Caribbean twice, where there were high winds shut down the retreat pool and Sanctuary.    This was associated with strong cold fronts that can sweep down that far in the middle of Winter.  Of course, nobody can predict the weather.  But, I believe there is a higher chance of these fronts with high winds at this time of year.

We are looking at Enchanted for early Spring.

The first time, we had to change our booking closer to sailing, and had to accept a balcony on Deck 15 Forward.   Ohhhh My!!!  We were happy to spend time down on lower decks and the Piazza when we encountered that.

The second time, there were even higher winds, but no cross-wind...  And the ship handled it well.   These are pretty big ships.

Enjoy!!!!!   We would do it in a heartbeat if there were not a couple of things that my husband or myself can not have, or just do not enjoy.

I am hoping that they decide to encourage the 'Chef' to leave his ego onshore and add a few options to choose from.   Doesn't have to be extensive.  But, this is very very limiting.

Exactly,  a mid-ship balcony could be upgraded to a far forward deluxe balcony.

A Deluxe or Premium Deluxe balcony could be upgraded to a Mini-Suite with a very small balcony.  Or a cabin over a noisy venue...  etc.

There could be pros and cons to an upgrade.

Some people who are particular to a certain location and cabin try to have their booking marked NO UPGRADE.  

As you might see,  the change to the new SANCTUARY class did recategorize these AFT D0 cabins.   They cost a LOT more now.  

It is not a gimmick.   This will be an exclusive ship-within-a-ship concept now.  And this is very significant.

Yes, they are the same Deluxe Balcony interior layout as all others...  They have the same extra-long extended balconies as the other Premium Deluxe Balconies like this.   But, you should be very very happy!!!!   There will be no other adult-only area on the ship now that they have made the entire Sanctuary are exclusive access only.   And, you should also receive dining access.

Princess is changing up a LOT.

They will be moving the restaurant venues around so that they will have the Signature/Sanctuary dining room.    

Do not be confused...  Do not let that cabin go...

Uggghhhh...   That is exactly what I was thinking their approach would be.

Well,  tables are sitting empty.  So, the  "**** Michelin Chef" might have to adjust his ego????

We understand, brockmom!

But, you need to know that the answers might be very different, depending which ship you are booking.   In any case, you will be assigned a cabin in that Category or a Higher Category.  Location could be anywhere onboard.

If they have to do upgrades, then the next higher category from a Premium Deluxe Balcony would be a Mini-Suite.  And, these do not have the larger/deeper balcony or that AFT view.

Also, again, if you are booking for the two of you, you might be seeing the RESERVE only because Princess can hold these cabins back, and only show them available for 3 or 4 guests.

Let us know which ship,  and even which sailing...

Did you select Premium Balcony or Premium Deluxe Balcony?  ('Deluxe means slightly larger, with a little two seater mini-sofa)

Then we can give you more specific answers.

Older ships, for example, might have Premium Balconies that are often located on Deck 10 (Caribe)

The newer Royal Class ships have Premium Deluxe Balconies that are often located on Deck 9 (Dolphin)

If a wake-view is what you hope for, then know that inside of the cabin will be standard.  The outside balcony is deeper/larger on some decks than others.

Check deck plans.

Yes, they could be sold out, as these are in demand!

So, the odds of getting a wake-view might be against you.

I do not know your plans,  but I wonder if you are seeing an issue with the way Princess holds back Deluxe Balconies for more than two guests.  (this could be Deluxe OR Premium Deluxe)

If this is what you are seeing, you can pull up your cruise, like you are making a new booking, enter three guests, and see if it will then show you which Premium Deluxe balconies there are to choose from.

Sometimes the two of us have just booked a standard balcony...  But we have also done a 'work-around' to get one of these when it was important to us to have a cabin in that area.

Another thought...  the TA might be a good time for Princess to have workers onboard and start making these changes.   

I don't know if the short VIP and TA cruise that has been scheduled, before Oct 14, is still going to sail?    

They could use this time to work on these changes.

This would be good news for us if The Catch gets a better venue, and a full menu.  I believe that the menu offers a bit less than on other ships?

In fact, I think there are several 'favorites' that are just not offered on the SUN.

Another question that Princess is still working on...  LOVE by Britto.

What a bad and disorganized concept.

Anyhow, they have cut the upcharge drastically and made it 'Premium' dining.

Tables are still empty.  Reservations available at almost any time.

I think that the set, price-fix menu is one of the big reasons.

While I am sure that the people who put this together were just so excited about their special oyster, and the mushroom cappuccino.   I think there might be many people who just do not prefer, or can not eat, oysters or mushrooms.

I am hoping that they update the menu with a few options.  

We would book it now, and give it a try, if it weren't for the limited menu.