Wishing on a star

I will have to admit that my house has that open, simple, light/airy/sunny kind of feel mentioned.... And, I really like it! But, I would not call it industrial or minimalistic.

Some people are angry enough to yell directly at other people on a chat board in all caps.

I can see the possible incompetance and delays, that might have caused them to put the loungers, like the regular pool deck loungers they have been putting on other shops.. if they are not been able to get the padded loungers on time.... BUT... Given those early 'images' that Princess released that showed regular, unpadded loungers in the Sanctuary... Something tells me that this is not a 'delay' or a 'mistake. NOT GOOD.

The Sanctuary pool is shared, by all accounts. And, I notice the group of padded ' Signature' loungers lined up around the pool, Perhaps those are for those with Signature benefits. ( I am thinking that they are ) I can remember posting, a long time ago, about the generated images of the Sanctuary and noticing the chairs without padding... even back then. Something tells me this is NOT good. I don't know how all of this will work out. The Dome, and the area there at the bow of the ship, as well as the wakeview terrace, provide some nice areas... But, to me, NOTHING replaces the Sanctuary. I can't believe Princess is actually doing this if they think that this awful, minialistic, no-shade, no padding area is worth a hundred dollars per person per day. WWTT ?????? I do NOT want to be a negative Nellie or a Debbie downer... But, this is making me re-think our future cruising on Princess. I am IN if anyone wants to get a specific thread created with all of these concerns/complaints.

Our booking on the SUN is about $1000. more than when we booked!

Which , of course, is why I showed the photo..... All we can do is hope that new padding/chairs show up on the SUN. And hope... and hope... and hope....

They are padded on Discovery, right???

Chamima, I have seen some walk thru videos, and any shades area is from the 'tarps', at the entry area where there are some tables and chairs.... One wouldn't have a sea-view, but I can see people wanting to make room there for their loungers, if there is any space to do so.

Have seen current video... I believe that this is somebody currently onboard.

I did hear one comment that the Sanctuary cabanas are $499... Maybe that is something that will NOT be true. Last I heard they often do not sell out at half that price. Crazy.....

Cushions for the Sanctuary loungers.... There seems to be a LOT that is not finished onboard. The things that we know about... and many smaller things that we might not. There are workers at work in the Dome... Hot tub in the Sanctuary... the cabanas in the Sanctuary, and probably a good number of other areas. (NO WAY THEY DID NOT KNOW WELL BEFOREHAND THAT THOSE FIRST SAILINGS WOULD BE CANCELLED) I really do NOT see how Princess could begin to expect to charge for unpadded loungers... Of course, we know how off-base and incompetent this corporation has been lately. Whoever was in charge of finalizing the design and decor of the Sanctuary is another person who should no longer be with PCL.

I am wondering about the section of actual PADDED loungers at the bow of the ship, in front of the Dome??? It is shown here, in this video. (great video of the Dome!) at about the 4:30 mark.

Here are a couple photos.... Sometimes photos do not lie..... WOW Sanctuary on REGAL Princess Sanctuary on SUN Princess. ( Does look 'CORPORATE' like the deck at a Hilton we visit.)

Here are a couple photos.... Sometimes photos do not lie..... WOW Sanctuary on REGAL Princess Sanctuary on SUN Princess.

I have not cruised from Sydney... but we are also get-there-and board early. I do not know how the port and waiting area is, but I am assuming that there is an indoor waiting area with seating???? That is absolutely the BEST time... before the ship fills up... getting settled in and seeing everything before there are any crowds... having lunch, etc. I am with you on that one!!! Unless there might be other reasons to not get there early and wait for boarding to begin?????

Just a note... As I wish we had done... For those of you, on a future cruise, who are not sure about your cabin category.. I wish we had put a deposit down on two cabins, so that when the ship rolled out, if we wanted the different (higher category) cabin, we already had the fare locked in and our name on the cabin. Prices on our cruise on the SUN princess have gone up, and to cancel and book the larger balcony now would be a really big price increase.

I was so glad to see the video of the Deluxe Balcony cabin, on a bump out... But, was not happy to see that the balcony is as tiny as I had feared !

Cabana Cabin 9349 is NOT one of those that has the 'cabana deck' area right in front of it. Nothing in front of your balcony, except for the glass... (would you appreciate the protection from the wind and elements?) Yours is a mid-ship, category C2... Not one of those C1 category cabins. The exterior balcony is not covered... but of course the cabana is. if you want a cabana cabin, where the balcony area is covered and does not have anything blocking your sea view, look at the ones located on the sphere PS: to the poster who mentioned the diffrence between a mini-suite and a cabana mini... That lighting area over the bed is not the only difference between a Mini and a Cabana Mini. The Cabana Mini Suites are actually Deluxe Balcony cabins, with the addition of the cabana area between the main cabin and the balcony. Look closely at deck plans and diagrams and videos of cabins. I believe the MiniSuites have a slightly larger bathroom (still no tub...) Which, the Cabana Minis, are like Deluxe Balconies with that standard, smaller, bathroom.

Current Princess Sanctuary areas have bar service, some have hot-tubs, and are located near the adult pool area. I think one of the biggest differences in the 'relaxation' vibe might be the number of guests. This Sanctuary seems to accommodate a LOT more guests, in an open, and more crowded area. I think that this is still supposed to be the Sanctuary Relaxation Area.. But, we will see how this works out and how much might be lost in translation.

Sounds like it could be kind of a unique thing... Don't know if others here have done this thing through Ceaser's ? If you do want to book early, to be certain you get the day and time you want, then you can try to do that. If there is a middle-man, TA, that your booking is actually thru, then you might start by calling them. Princess customer service might not do anything for you if your booking is showing a third party. If you try to book online, like thru Princess, the system might charge you... but hopefully with good documentation, you can get this reversed when you board.

TRUE!!! At least on the later ships they have the extended balconies on Deck 9. Before that - almost none,

Be assured that they paid good money to book a Signature suite. Nothing comes for free.

Sounds like this is a 'perk' that is thrown in by a TA ????? There have been comments lately about being charged for dining that is supposed to be included as a 'perk', if booking before boarding, and then having the charge reversed when onboard. Make sure that you have this printed out and marked with highlighter, in case there is any question when booking, in case there is any question about the complimentary dining.

I think that they are very purposefully offering TA's the opportunity to offer lower lead-in rages on entry level GTY bookings. I am seeing more and more of this. Our last bookings were with an agency that has been known for some kind of discounting.. They now display their Starting At lead-in rates, that are low... But if you want to book a cabin that is NOT an entry level GTY... no real discount. Perhaps this is why there seem to be so many GTY bookings... so many cabins are showing available, but the site shows only 5 or 6 ?

It is the 'prison yard' decor and basic minimalistic 'open deck' in the Sanctuary that is most disappointing!!!! The welcoming character of the Piazza seems to be gone, as well???? Princess started this with elements on their ships on ships built after Regal. I am not one to complain about all 'change'... or a 'larger ship'... But, Princess seems to be losing the character that, to me, PCL has been known for. Where are ANY welcoming areas with any 'decor' or actual comfortable seating??? We will see as more guest actually experience the new ship.