Do you really have to pay for quiet time?????

[caribill]

Picture below is just outside the Sanctuary. You can even see "The Sanctuary" sign.

 

Plenty of free-to-use lounges.

 

Just as quiet as the sanctuary a few feet away.

 

Just as much sun.

 

[Illyria]

The Terrace pool at the aft of the ship is adults only

 

Really? It's not listed as adults-only on the website (which doesn't mean anything, of course). That's pretty awesome!

We are sailing on the Emerald Princess in a couple of months, and we are on the same deck as that pool, almost directly behind it (2 cabins down). While it may be a moot point on a North Sea - TA crossing in September, it's still nice to know :)

[Cruise Junky]

Love the Sanctuary and have zero issue with paying $20 to use it. When we have, it's been busy. I wish it had been empty.

[centralcalicruzer]

I see that the OP has been on a number of RC cruises and I will say that RC does have a very nice adults only area that has no fee. While it does not provide the extra "service" that the sanctuary provides, it does have very nice loungers and peace and quiet. That being said, I realize Princess also has a few adults only areas that do not charge a fee, and the OP may possibly not have been aware of that.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Picture below is just outside the Sanctuary. You can even see "The Sanctuary" sign.

 

Plenty of free-to-use lounges.

 

Just as quiet as the sanctuary a few feet away.

 

Just as much sun.

 

 

We call that area the oven. :D

[SusieO]

I dont spend my money on alcohol or the casino, but I love the Sanctuary. We all have different likes/dislikes and that's why having a cruise line that caters to all sorts of people is wonderful! :)

[RickEk]

Just sad as the space was there before it was a sanctuary and I used to use it for a quiet place. Now if you want that same space you have to pay for it.

 

You used the Sports Court as a quiet place??

[Coral]

You used the Sports Court as a quiet place??

 

Yes :) It was often empty and shaded.

[highheel girl]

We call that area the oven. :D

 

It is an oven. :eek:

[Tweedy]

Picture below is just outside the Sanctuary. You can even see "The Sanctuary" sign.

 

Plenty of free-to-use lounges.

 

Just as quiet as the sanctuary a few feet away.

 

Just as much sun.

 

 

 

We loved this spot on the Emerald. Easy access to the pool by the Spa, no loud music blaring and waiters walking around to bring you drinks. It was nice and quiet and not too windy either. Perfect location without having to pay for Sanctuary.

[LoveThisCruisingThing]

I have been on 4 Princess ships and have never had a problem finding a quiet area. Of course, it probably depends on your idea of "quiet". If you absolutely can't find a quiet area, there is always your cabin.

[caribill]

We call that area the oven. :D

 

But, it is a quiet, peaceful oven.

[fishin' musician]

I've not used the Sanctuary, but it appears to have more of a spa atmosphere and as such, deserves an up-charge for those wanting to partake of the pampering ammenities. It seems to be very much in demand and as long as it is Princess has a winner.

 

When cruising I seek cover from the masses and have never had a problem finding a quiet, out of the way nook on any Princess ship inside or outside, sunny or shaded.

[LoveThisCruisingThing]

As with everything, everyone has a choice to keep thier nickles and dimes if they wish. If they want to spend those coins then it's thier choice. I'm always confussed at the complaining...no one is making you choose these options nor are the making you choose Princess. There is a cruise line for just about everyone so please choose the line that fits your needs the best.

 

I agree. I am also amazed at the complaints about costs of things. It is clearly spelled out in contracts and with research about what things cost what. My assistant thought everything (excursions, drinks, etc) were included in her cruise price. She obviously didn't read her paperwork and had no one to blame but herself. (she didn't get any sympathy from me). I choose how to spend my money and going to the sanctuary isn't one of them. But I sure spend it on other things. LOL (as evidence my my shipboard account this time)

[1 HappyCruiser]

It is an oven. :eek:

 

If they would only cover half of it with a fixed awning it would be a great place.

[geoherb]

Because DH teaches at a community college, we can only take cruises during his breaks--which frequently are the same times that lots of families with children are also taking cruises. The only Princess ship I found to be lacking in a quiet area was the Sun Princess. The supposedly adults only pool is near the family pool--and a lot of kids and their parents did not pay attention to the signs. We were on it for a Christmas cruise. As others have pointed out, there are plenty of quiet places for adults on the larger ships.

[FawnRiver]

Our only experience with the Sanctuary was on our last cruise and we had a couples massage and they put us in one of the cabanas in the Sanctuary for it. The massage was great (but I'm a spa junkie:D). It was a nice warm day in January in the Southern Caribbean and I think there were two people actually using the Sanctuary. The cover charge serves the exact same purpose as it does with Sabatini's and the Crown Grill - its crowd control, nothing more. We budget for the specialty restaurants, but don't feel the need to for the Sanctuary - there are a lot of other ways to find peace and quiet on a Princess ship.

 

Different strokes for different folks.

[parddr]

Thank you all for the answers. I guess it just errrrrrks me when I have to pay for a outside room on a ship to go sit. We always go into the adult only pool on Royal so this was a huge shock because the areas really aren't that different.

[travellover3]

Nice photos!

[fishin' musician]

Thank you all for the answers. I guess it just errrrrrks me when I have to pay for a outside room on a ship to go sit. We always go into the adult only pool on Royal so this was a huge shock because the areas really aren't that different.

 

As mentioned, Princess has feebie adult only pools too. Think of the Sanctuary as an outside version of RCL's Thermal Suite... Is that pill less bitter?

[travellover3]

Sorry...I was referring to Jasperdos photos.

[shofer]

We tried the Sanctuary for a 1/2 day on the Grand this past February. Not quite so quiet with MUTS going. You do get a "spa" lunch but there is a $3.50 "service charge".

 

The loungers are great but it is hard to find shade which I really want. I ended up moving my lounger all over the place chasing the shade.

 

This is definitely an option which you don't have to choose.

 

Sue