Wishing on a star

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.

At first this makes sense, because Princess needs a restaurant big enough for all of these new SANCTUARY Class guests. Two things come to my mind... Could there still be, somehow, a Signature dining room for Signature Suite guests. There are many SANCTUARY Class guests who are not Suite guests? Also, do I not see pictures where the Chef's Table is located back there? It appears that there are semi-sheer drapes. Maybe they hope that they can do enough to make this area good enough. If anything is obvious at all, it is that Princess has really had big issues with rolling out this ship, and then trying to make changes, major changes, just weeks after that. There are some real problems going on.

This ship is different than other Princess Ships. It was designed to sail in Asia with Asian guests. On the pool deck, instead of Pizza, there is a Noodle Bar. (which seems to be quite popular) One might get Pizza at the Buffett, or Alfredo's - which might be an upcharge if not covered by a Princess Package. One of the Specialty Restaurants is an Asian Fusion venue called Harmony. Both of these are being changed out. The dry-dock is scheduled for March of next Spring. Not sure if any changes would happen before your cruise, or might affect your cruise. The other big difference is the forward pool deck areas. They are completely covered and enclosed. There is a glass non-retractable roof over the pool. Where, usually, this area is not covered and is the adult retreat pool area and the Princess SANCTUARY. ( I think the assumption is that Asians are not usually keen to spend a lot of time in the open sun.) These areas have not really been adult-only. While it might not be possible to change out the structure of the ship, they could make changes to these areas, and how they are used. These changes could be either good, or bad, depending on a person's viewpoint.

I am of no help... But, I think this issue is more common than one might think!!! Given you are familiar with this visit to St. John, you might want to re-consider doing it on your own. Or, is there possibly ANY other operator offering these transfers? We did the Princess excursion to Trunk Bay on St. John. And while it went smoothly, the time on the island is woefully short! I do not remember checking the time when we returned, but I do think it was a bit later than the Excursion Description. Yes, the customer service is almost laughable... but is NOT funny. A serious problem. No, I have no problem at all when people use the latest common social terms and phrases.... As long as they are valid and not just name-calling. It happens... So what...

If I can also piggyback here... I wonder about the hours of O'Malley's on other ships? We would much prefer Lunch. Do the Musicians perform during lunch?

Great posts and photos!!! This is wonderful that you are able to go with the flow and switch things up. That is just evil about that tour cancellation... We had expensive air flights totally cancelled on us like that, and then later suddenly reappear at nearly twice what we had booked. That is interesting about Kotor... As it seems it is often being switched to Bar... (probably several reasons for this.. winds, cruise ship limitations, etc...) If I were on a sailing like this, I wonder if it would be possible to book a boat cruise up the Bay of Kotor and back? That would be nice! Different than on an upper deck of a cruise ship... But another option.

I don't think I am finding a gap, dry-dock? Anybody have any idea when or if one is scheduled?

Assume you are prepared for the heat!!!!!

I am wondering if we can hope for any advance notice. Princess has NOT been good about things like this lately. Not the same Princess I think we knew in years past.

Yep, I like your thinking.... The packages for longer cruises add up FAST. When you get all the perks, like the Specialty Dining, that's when it is a no-brainer. (dependent on a persons individual tastes in dining and alcoholic beverages)

The last two, for me. I would have a greater interest in Italy and Greece, and the Italian ports in the last two seem better. Rome or Barcelona to spend more time along with your cruise, is a personal preference. As just mentioned, Rome and Barcelona would be preferable to Athens. Too many preferences, like you said, only you can pick!!!

These 'glitches' can mean that something is going on. We are thinking of upgrading to Premier on one cruise, and deciding whether to go ahead and book a package on another. Might want to do that now? The voice out there is telling me that Princess is messing with these numbers... for some reason... and increases could be coming. Hopefully if they do this, they will announce it a few days before the 'new pricing' goes into effect. But, I would not make that assumption.

Currently, I do not think the deck plans for SUN and STAR are available. I think Princess is re-thinking a LOT with these ships. But, leave it to Princess to just take what was available down and leave people hanging.

I am thinking that the real kicker is that you could have booked a Mini-Suite that is now going to be a Sanctuary Mini-Suite. That would be like 'OUCH!!!' Hindsight is always 20/20...

Yes, we are aware of that.... Nobody had inside info. (so it is like 'welcome to the club') I am just pointing out that, when they made the change official, only those few AFT extended Premium Deluxe Balconies were ever considered 'Sanctuary' or Reserve either..... No other balconies. A very few select people got lucky!!!

No... I won't be either. I will be abandoning Princess. It doesn't have to be 'kid season' any more for kids to be onboard. We have traveled often, choosing times when school years are getting started, or it is time for finals, etc... That does not seem to help any more. It is a problem. Last trip was to a resort in the Caribbean, late April... We were happy to get a walk-out room, as others all involved a full walk-around because all buildings exited on the main entry side, no way to walk out pool/beach side. Happened to get a room right were the kids congregated at one of the steps into the pool. Needless to say... first thing every morning...

As far as I know, ONLY the extended balconies on the AFT of the ship have ever officially been Sanctuary Premium Balconies. This includes those extended balconies where they are on all decks. (Perhaps the ones you mention are the only ones available on your sailing?) So, D1 balconies are just that... D1 balconies. There was a LOT of discussion about this as the ship was rolled out, and when the official change to the new Deck Plans with the Sanctuary Club categories was announced. If you are not in a D0, those located AFT. (where the Sanctuary and many Suites and the Suite Lounge are also located) then you have the Deluxe Balcony and the type of perks that you had booked. (So, I doubt that Princess would be sympathetic to your situation.) Yes, many people are disappointed that there is no longer access to a 'sanctuary', or ANY adult area, on the ship. This really makes this ship a non-starter for me. It has been especially disappointing for me, because, back when it was all just talk and rumors, I came SO close to putting a deposit on one of those AFT D0 Premium Balconies. There has also been a LOT of discussion here and frustration about venues not being opened. Princess is almost there, with most of the production shows beginning to be scheduled... Love by Britto has just opened - with possible tweaks by Princess. Park 19, from what I understand, is supposed to be operational this summer. NOTE: Along with all of the changes that you are now noticing, it seems that Princess will be moving the restaurant venues all around. They should be moving The Catch and Butcher's Block from the back of the buffett, and playing musical-restaurants - with some of them landing in different locations.