How to book Princess sanctuary?

[Wishing on a star]

Not a bribe!  I believe it is common policy to give those onboard first chance to book the next leg.

We can only swing one cruise at a time, so we just hope you guys leave a few good loungers for us!!!🙂

[traceytd]

Thanks for all ur pointers. I hope I can board fast and book. But if not I will in June 2022. We are doing 14 days in Europe and I will get the second week hopefully.

You were all very kind to answer.  🥰🥰🥰🥰

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, vjmatty said:

If the back to backs are also available as a single cruise, can you book for the whole cruise? And do you know what the weekly rate is?

No, you cannot, but as some have posted, it is common practice to ask the B2B passengers - especially those who booked the full week/segment if they wish to book the next voyage on the final day of the current voyage.  This is what can make it a challenge for new passengers boarding as some chairs are already spoken for.  We were on a cruise once where virtually all good spots (some or all shade for our preference) were gone even though I was up there first like an Olympic runner.  Much better for the next voyage.

[Steelers36]

4 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

I can’t remember the exact price but it was around $30-$40 day pp. The week got a discount.

The Sanctuary pricing for loungers has been $20/pp/half-day, $40/pp/full-day, and $30/pp/day if booking the entire voyage.

 

The cabanas are in a whole other price bracket (crazy comes to mind).

 

 

 

Edited June 9, 2021 by Steelers36

[caribill]

6 hours ago, traceytd said:

Thanks for all ur pointers. I hope I can board fast and book. But if not I will in June 2022. We are doing 14 days in Europe and I will get the second week hopefully.

You were all very kind to answer.  🥰🥰🥰🥰

 

European cruises are usually port intensive.

 

Before booking for all 7 days of a segment, look carefully to see if you would actually use the sanctuary on all of the port days.

[Treasure Hunter]

7 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

The Sanctuary pricing for loungers has been $20/pp/half-day, $40/pp/full-day, and $30/pp/day if booking the entire voyage.

 

The cabanas are in a whole other price bracket (crazy comes to mind).

 

 

 

Yes the cabanas are wacky but they do have a tv and a refrigerator with m&ms. I only knew one person who had a cabana and she got it free through the casino. 

[stamford57]

We will be sailing on Enchanted 10 night Caribbean. Roughly how many loungers are actually available in the sanctuary? 

[Wishing on a star]

oooops...  Started to post without double-checking!

I don't think that there are any good photos or video or info out on the Enchanted yet?

Edited June 9, 2021 by Wishing on a star

[Steelers36]

12 minutes ago, stamford57 said:

We will be sailing on Enchanted 10 night Caribbean. Roughly how many loungers are actually available in the sanctuary? 

Maybe +/- 50, not counting the cabanas?

[stamford57]

1 minute ago, Steelers36 said:

Maybe +/- 50, not counting the cabanas?

Do they usually sell out quickly in January? If we don’t rush to book it when we board I take it we’ll miss out? 

[Wishing on a star]

I am thinking maybe you are kind of a Princess or Sanctuary newbie???

Anyhow, in the Caribbean, where many people are on board for the cruising and the warmer weather, maybe more than the Ports even...  Yes, I would think that you need to try to arrive and board and go up to the Sanctuary ASAP.

Of course, any days at sea will be the first to fill up.

If this ship is alternating an Eastern and Western Caribbean week, then there are those that have been mentioned that might book these Back-2-Back.  So there could be Back-2-Back cruisers on the sailing right before yours that do have first chance.

 

I don't want to make you feel discouraged, at all!!!

But, yes, I would follow the advice here and be there that morning and board as soon as possible.

You might have some luck!

And, it also might pay to check for any cancellations.

[rbtan]

On 6/7/2021 at 9:26 PM, traceytd said:

Can we book the Sanctuary online before the cruise. If not how is the easiest way to reserve.

thanks 😁

Basically, as son as you get on board go right to the sanctuary & you can sign up for your choice of days & the accommodations(either a really comfy lounge or a cabana(depending on ship)I booked the 4 days out & 5 days back on our Jan. 2020 Hawaii cruise on the Star. It can be surprisingly cold going out to Hawaii, as there are cold sea currents. The attendants can bundle you up like a baby to protect from the chill. If you do that cruise, you'll likely be the only ne up there. 

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, stamford57 said:

Do they usually sell out quickly in January? If we don’t rush to book it when we board I take it we’ll miss out? 

I forget what your cruising plans are, but @Wishing on a star at post #36 is bang on point.  All you can do is try your best to get there on embarkation day ASAP.  But I would expect a Caribbean itinerary to have all chairs sold out for the Sea Days within a hour or so of boarding start.

[beachump]

Is there any other ADULTS ONLY pools onboard that are free?   Do they charge screaming kids extra for their pools?

[milolii]

What ship?  The Royal class ships have the retreat pool.

Edited January 3, 2022 by milolii

[Kathyrd]

On 6/7/2021 at 9:41 PM, Treasure Hunter said:

You can not book online prior to the cruise. Not even if you are Elite or have a suite. You have to run onto the ship as soon as you can, run to the front . Stairs or elevator directly to the top deck and you will still find a line. They will allow you to book by day , half day, or by the week ( which is cheaper) it’s around $40 a full day up changes depending the cruise. One tip is if you are on a back to back, you can book the second week on the last day of the first. Or if you are a whale in the casino, I have seen them give away the fancy cabanas with tv and refrigerator. It helps, when it is your turn inline to tip. That might help you get shade or front of the ship Amazing views!   The spa menu can be supplemented with burgers, hot dogs or pizza for a $3 delivery charge. If you are up there in the afternoon a full English tea is served at 3:30. If it is cold you are wrapped in blankets and served hot cocoa. But the best is that once you pick your lounges no one can sit on it but you for the times that you have paid. The service is fabulous. Run do not walk.

 

[Kathyrd]

We are new to princess we have a penthouse suite with a huge balcony at the back of the ship . Is there a benefit to the sanctuary other than an additional place to relax?

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, Kathyrd said:

We are new to princess we have a penthouse suite with a huge balcony at the back of the ship . Is there a benefit to the sanctuary other than an additional place to relax?

Look up Sanctuary on Princess website or Google it.  Comfortable padded lounge chairs (unless the pads are worn out), premium towels.  They have water on site and do a snack/tea service in mid-afternoon.  Some ships are better than others at offering a shaded location.  Wide view out front of ship (most Sanctuaries are located forward at top of ship) - moreso than sitting on a balcony.  It's really a personal thing if the cost/benefit equation is of interest.  You didn't mention your itinerary as some climates may not be that conducive whereas the Caribbean voyages attract huge interest and you have to book space very quickly after boarding.  It's quiet and peaceful there, compared to the open decks.  But then your balcony will be peaceful except for the wash from the propellers.  Why not try booking some desired days or half-days and if you don't like it the first day, just tell them to cancel the rest of your bookings?

[Treasure Hunter]

We always try to book the Sanctuary ( you need to run to the top deck front of ship as soon as you can). We always stay in a suite. The problem with Aft suites, I have found is that it is broiling hot with little shade in the Caribbean and I can only use it until around ten AM. Of course your view is great. ( can be a little sooty.) If you get to the Sanctuary early you will have many choices in the shade ( or partial shade) and if you spend the big bucks, you can get a Cabana. The person in charge is more than happy to move you around depending where the sun is and how many open lounges there are. Many people choose a half day or only sea days. You can get a spa lunch or they will bring you pizza, hamburgers, hot dogs from the grill. The high English tea served on carts at three o'clock each day is lovely. It is peaceful and we often nap or read with the best view except the Captain's. We think it is worth every penny. But like I said you better come early so you can be one of the first on the ship because some people don't even wait for the elevator.

[rabin1]

What I do as courtesy to others in line is I write myself a list of all the days I want to go up there & whether full or half day and then present it to the person making the reservations. Then all I have to do is pick my lounger. They loved it when making my reservations. Was easier for the person making them

 

[deb18560]

This will be our first Princess cruise. Is it worth doing the Sanctuary on an Alaska cruise in May? Everyone talks about strategizing for sun or shade for warm cruises, but will it be frigid in Alaska? Thanks!

[JF - retired RRT]

1 hour ago, deb18560 said:

This will be our first Princess cruise. Is it worth doing the Sanctuary on an Alaska cruise in May? Everyone talks about strategizing for sun or shade for warm cruises, but will it be frigid in Alaska? Thanks!

We did the next to the last cruise for the season (September?) and it was COLD. Rained in almost every port. We had booked the Sanctuary for Glacier day & cancelled. It was even colder on the slow trip for the Glaciers. YMMV

[Steelers36]

9 hours ago, deb18560 said:

This will be our first Princess cruise. Is it worth doing the Sanctuary on an Alaska cruise in May? Everyone talks about strategizing for sun or shade for warm cruises, but will it be frigid in Alaska? Thanks!

Which ship?  I am over Sanctuary on Royal Class ships due to lack of real shade.  MUCH prefer Crown class family of ships for that.  And I wouldn't be rushing to book it for Alaska.  For us, it's for warm weather like Caribbean.  Have only used Sanctuary for a day or two on a non-Caribbean voyage.  There is a reason it can be almost impossible to snag a chair in the Caribbean versus other locales. 

[Treasure Hunter]

Not worth it in Alaska. On viewing days ( Glacier Bay) everyone is on the top deck running from one side of the ship to the other when the Park Rangers yell “whales on left , dolphins on right.” The Captain try’s to swing the ship in a circle so everyone can see.

[rheathslc]

On 1/2/2022 at 6:16 PM, beachump said:

Is there any other ADULTS ONLY pools onboard that are free?   Do they charge screaming kids extra for their pools?

I didn't see if you got a comprehensive answer. If you did already just ignore me. 🙂 

The Crown/Grand class ships (Grand, Sapphire, Diamond, Emerald, Ruby, Crown, Caribbean) have the outdoor Lotus pool (including two hot tubs) which has signs posted saying that it's adults only. They also have aft pools that are adults only (on some at least - possibly all of them). Neither have a fee to use. A lot of people assume the Lotus pool is part of the Sanctuary because it's accessed from either stairs right next to the Sanctuary entrance or through the Lotus Spa and thus has a fee for use but it is not (and some people may be miffed I'm giving away the secret 🙂). There are even really nice wooden loungers with cushions around the perimeter of the pool that are sheltered from the wind and have sun and/or shade depending on the time of day/sailing direction. I LOVE both pools. 

The Royal class ships have a Retreat pool which is adults only and is adjacent to the Sanctuary toward the front of the ship. On the Majestic it's called the Hollywood Pool and Conservatory (no Sanctuary) and the pool is fully enclosed. It's very nice but they host music/dance club type events there in the late evenings. There is no fee for the Hollywood Conservatory and I THINK you can use the retreat pool without a fee but the nice cabanas do have a charge per day or half day. 

The Coral And Island have Lotus Pools as well and they are covered but are NOT adults only (not that I noticed anyway). The Coral has a small pool at the very back of the ship that is part of the Sanctuary and requires you to pay the Sanctuary fee to use (which is at the back of the ship on the Island and Coral vs. at the front on the rest)