Wishing on a star

What category had that person on FB booked? Was it a suite??? Is Princess sending out notices. (in error) on non-suite bookings before October 14??? That kind of 'error' would not be surprising, actually.

Hey..... Hahahaha!!! With 3rd and 4th guests free promo... Can somebody on our next sailing, in a SANCTUARY cabin, add me as a third guest????? Name your price!!!!

I am happy for you Dog!!!! Sad for me and others who this does not benefit... But, I know you have been round-and-round about your D0 cabin. Great!!!

Yes, this seems clear that this is like the Haven or the Retreat... ship-within-a-ship that the other lines are offering. NO access to the sanctuary area for me now!!! : (

No, I believe that all of the ones on the Sphere still remain 'Premium Deluxe'. I think it is ONLY that handful of D0 category cabins. (AFT, with the very very extended balcony) that are now SANCTUARY cabins, with full ship-within-a-ship benefits and access. These are the ones located AFT that had brought about such specific discussion, as the description online had mentioned Signature, but then that was removed. Now we see why, as most of the Suite and Sanctuary staterooms and exclusive areas are located AFT. Note: Deck 14 doesn't seem to be available / loading... Not sure if they might still be working on that deck, with these new cabin categories. Princess has kept silent, and also brought about a LOT of confusion with the roll-out of the new ship... NOW it all makes sense.

Wow... Now it all makes sense... Now we know why Princess was keeping completely silent, and not committing to anything regarding Sanctuary access. I had thought about booking one of those D0 balconies... That would have been a HUGE 'gift' from Princess!!!! But, sadly, now I know that there is no way I will step foot in the Sanctuary when we board, as this new system/categories will be operational. : (

A new video by a couple who are Cruise Vloggers says that the breakfast menu in the dining room is very very limited. Is this true? I enjoy a nice breakfast served to my table from time to time on a cruise, so this would be disappointing.

Not seeing any photos or video.. But, trying to help. I think you can be sure that the sofa will convert to one bed/berth, and there will be a drop down that aligns just over the sofa, for the 4th berth. On Princess, inside cabins have had the fold out beds that are attached to the walls on either/both side of the main bed. But, I can't see this being the case on the Sun Princess in an ocean view.

I believe it is already improving!!! Word is that the shows, and hopefully Park 19, etc.. will all be up and running soon. I am looking forward to October, with very few worries. (except that personally, for me, the new modern look and feel won't appeal like my favorite Princess ship. ) I had heard about the ship being warm, needed some AC temp. improvement. I would love to hear that this is no longer! And, a few comments about noticing stray smoke that is not limited to smoking areas.... I don't think that can be addressed easily.

Sanctuary... Martini... Sunshine... Seafood in broth... You do know that you are making us SO jealous!!!! ENJOY!!! I am so glad to hear the good reviews on the ship, even though it will be months until we board!!!

I wonder if the shows in the Theater will change anytime soon? I am seeing Rock Opera and Spotlight Bar... (which I might also skip based on the comments) Any other shows/entertainment to note?

Yes, they now have umbrellas for rent, according to the excursion/rentals shown online. - Personally, I like to go over onto the island early... If you want to get a good spot, and plan on spending any amount of time, then I would go ahead and go early. - Last time, we rented a bungalow, and I really appreciated that! (book as excursion in advance) - The crew heads over to the island first, with all of the gear and food for lunch. They do grill the food there behind the line at the lunch pavilion. They will get lunch opened up at some point, maybe sometimes all the prep goes quicker than others? At noon, yes, there will be a line. They have burgers, dogs, wings, grilled chicken or maybe fish for your sandwich. It really isn't bad. The Packages do work on Princess Cay. They should have water, tea, lemonade.. Just like onboard. Sodas, and mixed drinks are all available, if you want... Yes, a towel from onboard might be a good idea. It is always nice to have an extra regular towel, along with the beach towel that might get wet or sandy. - Cash? You should not NEED cash to visit the Island. Of course Lunch and the basic drinks are all included. ( I think your medallion works on the Island) But, you might bring some csh for tips. (which I did want to tip a couple times) or for anything from the Island vendors. Cash only. It is not the most totally spectacular beach, but it is a great Island Beach Day. Enjoy!

Yep, you have a real decision to make now!!! Knowing that your niece wants to stick with Caribbean Princess, for the larger mini-suite and reserve... So, if you change, you will break up the group, the 'girls trip'. It sounds like your niece had a different preference, and felt the Allure was too much, too big, etc. Different strokes for different folks!!! It seems that the relaxed vibe, larger suite, smaller ship.. promenade, etc.. are what she is hoping for. I imagine that you have been talking about this with your daughter. Unless she has already said that she is happy with either cruise... She might be caught in the middle. In this case, I might set aside what I thought would be the better ship, and let your daughter decide. Kind of open up both options, and let her decide - group girls trip on the smaller older shop, or time for the two of you on Royal Caribbean. Planning a trip like this, with four women, can be a little like herding cats!!!! hahaha!

rjack, how recently have you been able to do this?

I am NOT an expert, but will try to answer, as I have also looked into this. Yes, the balcony will be big enough. The C2 category cabana mini suites (the ones that are not directly on the open cabana deck) look to have a bigger balcony than the C1 category. (the ones that are actually ON the open cabana deck) Yes, they will bring a larger table, table cloth, flowers, etc. (at least this has always been) The balcony will be big enough, for sure. You will have the higher blue glass wall on all these cabins on deck 9. And, of course, if you are in a C1 category, there could be a few people out on that open cabana deck enjoying the evening, which could be fairly close as you have your UBD. I believe that these balconies on deck 9 are not covered. They will still be able to do the UBD in your 'cabana' or maybe even your stateroom, if the weather does not cooperate.

PG, we have. not had any luck lately having our TA or Princess let us get a Deluxe Balcony cabin assigned. It is a big problem... and Princess 'corporate' knows this. This is totally wrong and makes no sense, as a couple can book a mini-suite but not a deluxe balcony... Again... Princess knows this... They want it this way. One work-around that has been mentioned is to book for three... just add in a family member or close friend... and cancel them just before final payment. That could possibly work if all else fails.... Princess can always move your cabin... Everyone should check their booking regularly... But, it might help to have your cabin marked NO Upgrade. That way, once that third passenger is cancelled, Princess might be less likely to see that booking with two guests, and try to move you. If they moved you with an upgrade, to make use of your Deluxe Balcony.. that would be a mini-suite. But, that would be a gamble.

Thanks!!! I see you have mentioned 4 ladies, including your daughter... who has only cruised on an older ship. You 'LOVE' the big RCI ships.. and you are hoping for some 'WOW'.... I could be reading this wrong... But, something is telling me that, for THIS cruise... you might want to go with the new ship.... I would want to sail with my daughter on a new ship this time! I would also recommend the new SUN Princess... but only full week cruises.

Many people will stand by the Caribbean Princess, because they simply prefer to sail on the smaller ships. (and there are no newer ones at this mid price range). My personal opinion... I would not choose this older ship. What other Princess ships and itineraries are an option for your timeframe? The next question is which itinerary seems best? Which ports are you more interested? Itinerary is always a big factor. You are really comparing grapes to watermelons when comparing the Caribbean Princess to a huge RC mega-ship. March will be Spring Break... tons of kids... And, this is especially true on these shorter sailings!!! if you want to avoid most of that, on a girls-trip, then a cruise line that does not cater to active young families might be a factor. Princess will not be like Carnival or RCI, or Disney. (But it seems that people are seeing more and more kids onboard during these prime times) You have cruised these other cruise lines... so you might have some idea on which 'vibe' or type of cruise you want for your girls-trip. Priincess wil not be the more colorful active experience of Royal Caribbean. It will also not be the more subdued vibe of Holland America. Especially on a shorter sailing in March... there should be a good varieties of people and ages onboard.

Here is a photo taken from deck 8, those would appear to be balconies. If so, they are huge! I do notice that there is a lot of deck space below between the balconies and the sea/wake. I do wonder if Princess will have a problem with people who are not truly dependent on a wheelchair booking into these rooms. The lack of aft facing wake-view balconies on this ship ia a 'miss'!!!

Ohhhh no... I am so sorry! To anyone else seeing the title to this thread.. I don't see the video I am remembering. The Godfrey Tours website says : The meeting place for visitors coming in at West Indian Company Cruise Ship Terminal will be at gate #4 next to the Virgin Bar & Restaurant. The meeting place for visitors coming in at Crown Bay Cruise Ship Terminal is at the windmill located in front of your ship in the shopping mall. Walking distance from the ship is about 3 to 5 minutes. There is a free shuttle from your ship if you rather not walk. Of course, as mentioned, The West Indian Cruise Port is the Havensight Cruise Port. Godfrey is an indépendant tour operator, and does not do the ships tours offered thru your cruise line. So, they can not operate IN the cruise port. It is a short walk to where they are located with their vans and busses.

Ohhh, Karen, I was also replying to the original poster who did not know exactly what this tour company is, or where to meet them for pick-up / drop off. I am so sorry that this happened to you! I do understand that you know all the details, and that the timing problem was on their end. I hope you were able to still enjoy your day in Port!

What ship, and how far out??? Many people on the Sun are seeing that they are not able to make these dining reservations until closer to their sailing. Not sure, but the system might simply be showing no availability. Also, Princess is just announcing significant changes to the dining system, fleet wide. The system could not be operational, and because of that, showing no availability. Also, as mentioned, there should be availability that is open once you board. Might not be the best times... But. I can not understand those who do not see any need for deduction or refund of the difference of what was paid for Premium, over Plus (or the averaged value of the upcharge for two Specialty Dining restaurants) if these simply are NOT available. If one chooses not to use both of these visits, because of their own personal preferences, then that is a totally different issue. But to say that any company should not refund for goods or services that were purchased and then not available, due to the companies own policies/misjudgements, etc... A refund is warranted. Selling something and then not delivering, and then offering no refund.. that would actually be fraud. If an airline or a concert venue or hotel is overbooked, and cannot accommodate everyone, then they have to take steps to make the situation right. The SUN Princess, unfortunately, was a poor example of this with the number of non-specialty venues that were simply not open, at all. Including the Theater, Park 19, etc.

Wow, that is too bad... I do not know how they could change the schedule that much, on a time sensitive cruise-port excursion???? Without going and doing a search, I will mention this. One might be able to find a video, on YouTube, how to find, get to, Godfrey's Tours. I remember seeing something like this that showed where and how to walk over.

Thank you for posting the pic of that sign!!! Can anybody tell me how long is the usual Island Tour, which shows at the bottom of that sign? Assuming that this is to hire your own taxi, not join a group with a larger vehicle. We are planning (conditions permitting) to spend a little time at Lindquist (Smiths) Bay Beach. Would be happy to do this 'Island Tour', if we could head for Lindquist, but also make a quick stop at overlook(s), etc.

1. Scanning your medallion, to be sure that everything is recorded to the correct person, normal. 2. Asking your room number to verify. (especially if the medallion system and their displays might sometimes be wonky???). normal. 3. Lack of good drink/wine service in the dining rooms... (I will add 'sadly' to this one...) normal. The bars are staffed but are busy and bartenders are spread too thin. Many know to stop by the bar on the way to the dining room and get a pre-dinner drink, and/or two so that they can bring one into the dining room. And, yes, that advice to order two, while you have the service there... yes, take advantage of that opportunity. Yes, the Sun princess is a new ship, with a new dining system and dining venues... Yes, staffing can sometimes be an issue. (have seen this on land, too!) There can be delays... but with some tips and a bit of an adjustment in expectations - we do hope that you enjoy your cruise... Remember to enjoy being on the beautiful ship, being at sea, seeing the destinations... Yes, there are thorns... but do not forget to stop and smell the beautiful roses!