Hobby3333

1 hour ago, vjmatty said:

The issue with the golden door concept is when it becomes too removed from the other venues on the ship you might want to experience and enjoy. For example, Oasis class on Royal Caribbean has deck 17 where certain suites are on the same floor as the dining room and suite lounge, with nothing else. That’s great if all you’re going to do for the entire cruise is eat and drink. However, if you want Io go to trivia, live music, broadway shows, specialty dining, the spa, other bars, basically any kind of entertainment, it’s a pain when you need to run back to deck 17 to change, drop off bags, shower or grab something from your suite. Cruise lines need to find that balance between exclusivity and isolation. 

I have sailed MSC YC three times and always ventured outside of YC. It was never an issue.  This July will be my first Princess cruise and we are staying in a suite.  YC is an excellent experience.   We are looking forward to sailing out of Galveston next December in YC.   I am sure Princess will deliver a good experience.  

I am booked in a suite for a cruise in July on the Sun.  I always wanted to try Princess and see if we would enjoy it more than MSC YC.  We loved HAL on the Westerdam and two times on the Rotterdam in Club Orange.  After reading all of the posts I am still looking forward to the Sun.  I have never been on a bad cruise and don’t expect this one to be bad.  Some cruises are better than others and after the up coming cruise I will have sometime to compare with the other cruise lines.  But, again I am sure that we will find more good than bad.   This will be my 50 plus cruise.  Life is good.

Sox, hello from Texas.  This will be our first cruise on Princess and I want to thank you for your time and effort posting and educating me on what to expect for our cruise in July.  

59 minutes ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

I let them know the first day that I wouldn’t be finishing my plate and not to be concerned. I never had dessert either and they push those hard!!  (I actually lost weight on this cruise!!  Woo hoo!)

My ideal weight for me is 196.  Before I go on a cruise I try to to get down to 192. That way when I gain my 6 lbs on the cruise I only have to lose 2 lbs after the cruise.   Do I make this more complicated than it should be?  Might try to find the gym this time on the Sun.  I lied 

4 hours ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

Thanks!  With my medication I only eat one meal a day and it’s not breakfast so there was no reason to go and just watch my husband eat.  He hates that as well so he just grabbed a quick bite somewhere!  

Not funny but kinda funny.  My wife is on the Shots and when we sailed HAL the servers kept asking if she didn’t enjoy her meal because she left most on her plate.   Not to worry, I made up the difference!

We don’t cruise until July on the Sun fro Barcelona.  I have been trying to book our dining every day with no luck.  I called Princess and the rep told me not to worry since I am in a suite.  Not sure if I believe them but I will continue to try to book every day and if not successful then we will see if the rep was correct. 

I must not be living right.   But, I will still enjoy my first cruise with Princess.   

I just made my payment in full one week ago.   Today I saw that my suite is $298.00 cheaper.  I did a chat with Princess and was told that I would be able to get the reduction.  I did make a copy of the chat.  I then called my TA and she called Princess and was told that it was not possible to get the reduced fare or OBC.  She even sent the rep a copy of the chat.  Has anyone had a reduction in fare after final payment?

We are in a suite on the Sun Princess in July.   I have tried to book for several days and it always reads no dates available.   Going to give up and book when we get on the ship.

How does the complementary laundry work on the Sun Princess when you stay in a Signature Suite?

1 hour ago, Snaxmuppet said:

So you don't think that it is expected to get really good service included in what you have paid for in the first place? IMO tipping for "good" service is tipping for what you should be getting regardless and I don't do that... tipping for extra special service, over and above what would normally be expected is a different thing altogether and I make sure that I do that.

With all due respect, I believe that you read more into my comment.  Of course, I do expect good service and would be disappointed to the point that I would bring it to the attention of the appropriate supervisor.    I guess it depends on what your interpretation of what “really good” means.  Have a great day.

32 minutes ago, voyager1964 said:

Apparently some people do not understand jokes.

OK, more seriously: I have difficulties understanding how you tip a person who just handled you their business card. Moreover, when a person in a similar position on another line organized a taxi for us to disembark early (last pot of call) and I attempted to tip that person, she outright refused and looked at me as if I tried to demean her. Now, that was eleven years ago, before the massive change of the tipping culture in the US, but still...

 

There is a better way to show your appreciation. Mention that this person has provided an outstanding service on the post cruise survey. In this way, the concierge/suite experience manager would have a better chance for a promotion. What do you think is more valuable, a ~20% increase in their salary or a meager $20?

Maybe both?   I know $20.00 is $20.00 but in the grand scheme of what I pay for a cruise I don’t mind tipping extra for really good service.  

I always give a small tip at the very beginning of the cruise and then tip again at the end of the cruise.  Amount depends on the level of service I receive during the week.

Tried to book specialty dine for our cruise in July.  Butcher’s Block was only one I could book.   Maybe I can make reservations after my final payment April 2nd.

The fine print.   

I understand.  Very misleading because it was on the July 13 sailing date of the Sun Princess.  

51 minutes ago, MTNest93 said:

I agree, but I couldn't find where it said the Enclave was included.  The Signature Suites include the Sanctuary, but no mention of Enclave that I could find but maybe I'm looking in the same place you are.

 

16 minutes ago, MTNest93 said:

As far as I understand, only "Thermal" suites are included with suites on the older class ships. The "Enclave" on newer ships are not included as a suite benefit.

Then Princess needs to scrub it from the list of amenities under Signature Suites.   It definitely states that the use of the thermal suites is included.

My wife and I are booked in a Signature Suite on the Sun Princess in July.  The Thermal Suite is listed as an amenity under Signature Suites.  Just to make sure I called Princess and was told it was not included on the Sun Princess.  Can anyone confirm this? When I questioned why it was listed under the amenities, I didn’t get an answer.  

3 hours ago, cr2000 said:

 

A lot of time here spent discussing adult only spaces and access to chairs in The Sanctuary, but on a more practical level, on a Mediterranean cruise, isn't the focus really on exploring the historic ports of call? I could see perhaps in the Carribean spending more time lounging by a pool, but if I'm cruising the Mediterranean (where the Sun Princess is now), I'm viewing the ship as nothing more than a place to sleep, eat and maybe enjoy some evening entertainment and breakfast the following morning. Typically the number of sea days is limited.

That is exactly why we are not cruising MSC YC in the Med.   We never wanted to leave the YC.   We are in a suite on the Sun Princess and will use the Sanctuary when we have time.

1 hour ago, FLAlaska said:

I usually cruise in a suite, and Im one that isnt all that interested in the Sanctuary. I like activity , people watching, etc and I get bored. I spent 3 hours there once, and that was enough for me. The fact the Sun has a pool makes it more enticing but I don't need one of those super plush loungers so many of you are needing. So, not every suite passenger will want one.

 

But how many of those should they have? Does the Celebrity Retreat, NCL Haven or even MSC Yacht Club assign you a lounger?  I think many want to merge the reserved systems with a suite area but how are they supposed to provide a lounger for every single suite cruiser? Do other lines do this?

 

Maybe  people need to be a little more open, this is a new ship, new procedures, new venues and things will be different. That doesn't always mean worse.

I have only sailed three times on MSC in YC.  We never had an issue getting a lounger for the day.   YC is a great product.   We still explored other areas of the ship.  I was hoping that Princess ( first cruise) would have the same type option for those in Signature Suites.  No matter what, I plan on having a great time on the Sun.

Currently I have a Reserve Cabana booked on the Sun Princess but after viewing some videos and seeing some pictures of the Cabana room, I had my TA hold a Signature Suite till later today.  I really don’t like the glass on the balcony as high as it is.   We are currently on deck nine.   Any suggestions?  

1 hour ago, RoperDK said:

Please correct me if I'm wrong, but it appears that the Signature and Reserve dining rooms have the same menus?  Also, the only real difference between these dining rooms and the MDR is primarily the rolling prime rib cart?  I would expect the Signature dining room to be on the same level as Laminae on Celebrity or Coastal Kitchen on Royal.  That is a major disappointment to me.  

When we sail HAL will always do Club Orange.   Not because the menu is that different but the level of service that we always received and not to mention a quieter atmosphere.   I have not cruised Princess yet but will sail her in July.   I am hoping Reserve dining will be equal to Club Orange.  Never a wait and that is important.   If it is at least equal I will be satisfied.  

We live in Texas and from the date that we mailed in the renewal till we received the new passport, it only took 10 days total.  Not bad.

1 hour ago, lovevacadays said:

Thanks for sharing. It will be interesting to see which cabins in all categories are the best on Sun Princess. 

Another thanks.   I think we will enjoy the room.