Sun Princess - Original

[valdean]

12 hours ago, dog said:

Letter posted said Wakeview Terrace, I believe. Casino. And forward- but I can’t find post again.

Here is the photo - person said it was stated in the Princess Patter.  

[valdean]

And here's a photo of the Deck 8, AFT Starboard area (posted by someone else).  The white poles look like the receptacles for cigarette ashes/butts.

Edited March 7 by valdean

[CaptainKirk]

32 minutes ago, dides said:

 

This Sphere balcony doesn't look as bad as that dark cavernous one so maybe you need to be selective

@dides

 

As usual you have the best information.

 

The cabin we had was 12409 and the balcony was slightly less long than the cabin in the video 14423.

 

The cabin we switched to is 15459, which has a bigger balcony but is not private and not in the Sphere.

 

Not sure which is the best choice.

 

Opinions anyone.

 

Thanks for your help everyone.

[h20skibum]

15 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Yes,   that video just above shows that it might not be as dark or 'cavernous' as one might think from that photo.  That is one deck above...  deck 14.

 

What do you guys think about the first (or last) balcony on the sphere, that is next to the straight regular balconies.   That would give a bit more space...  but really angled....

Any downsides???

Don’t tell me there are any downsides.   I have one of those booked, although it will still be 302 days before I can report on it. 

 

By then, I trust everything will be running smoothly.  

 

[FLAlaska]

1 hour ago, Mike07 said:

 

 

 

What specific discussion are you looking for on the ship? Would you want similar discussion of every other ship in the Princess fleet?

 

People are attracted to the brand... And PCL's utter failure to deliver a product on time is disappointing. Padgett is turning PCL into the same Disney experience his previous gig taught him... Maximize revenue and demand dollars for anything enjoyable on the ship.

Oh, I don't know, a discussion on the Sun Princess and learning about it, as the title implies? All I suggested was to change the title then you can talk about PCL's utter failure to deliver a product on time (which you have a right to do), but maybe it will stop drawing people that just want to learn about the new ship.

 

But carry on... 

[KittyKuddler]

Hi CaptainKirk,

 

We are booked for the Caribbean and for us we prefer the extended balcony that is not in the sphere.  Sure, it isn't as private, but we feel we would get more light/sunshine.

 

And being up on a higher deck, not too many people would be able to see into your balcony.  It's definitely more private (and quiet) than lying out on a lounger at the Lido deck.

 

That is our preference but both are good options...

[SJpaul]

1 hour ago, dides said:

 

This Sphere balcony doesn't look as bad as that dark cavernous one so maybe you need to be selective

AWESOME thanks for sharing this- we are the room next door ina few weeks, and i was worried.  This is beautiful.

[Steelers36]

5 hours ago, WonderMan3 said:

I keep seeing conflicting info. Someone onboard Sun posting in another group said the cabanas were $400.

They fell for the Jedi marketing trick and saw the first digit and missed or forgot about the 99 following the 4.  $500 has been confirmed more than once it seems.

[Jemnibabe02]

To change the topic just slightly: curious if the Ocean View rooms have the glass doors on the wardrobe like the balcony and mini suites?  I just can't seem to find any pictures of it at all.  Thanks.

 

Judy in SW Florida

[Steelers36]

8 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

As I posted a few days ago, Princess has created a "Lego Block" ship with a whole host of new categories where cabins can have benefits conferred upon them (or taken away) with a keystroke and a color change on the schematic specific to that cruise. A Signature Suite can become a Mini-Suite and vice versa.  A D0 can become a D1.  When what they are selling now are benefits as opposed to cabin configuration, the sky is the limit, and changes can and will be made based on booking patterns. If there is a strong run on Signature Suites, they can make more.  If they need more (or fewer) D0's, they can do that.  It's pretty brilliant actually.

To a certain extent, I follow your main point.  However, PCL is limited in adding more Signature eligibility because those exclusive amenities all have practical and actual capacity limits.  If they were to make a bunch more Signature cabins, they would create a big bunch of complaints about ability of eligible guests to gain access. 

[Steelers36]

8 hours ago, CatMom72 said:

Maybe someone from Princess should work on addressing this issue ASAP.  It is obvious that they did not intend for these rooms to be included in the Signature category (that's why they start with "D" and not "S"). However, as THEIR OWN website provides conflicting information, it is understandable that some people are confused

I wouldn't advise holding breath waiting for too long.  Although this one seems more serious if it leads to PCL having to confer unintended benefits, some sort of booking system bug is preventing guests from booking only 2 passengers in a mini-suite or deluxe balcony in many situations across Royal Class ships.  Seems to have been going on for a while with no explanation from PCL.

[Steelers36]

2 hours ago, CaptainKirk said:

Opinions anyone.

 

 

HEY!!!  Who's stealing Sanctuary loungers and placing them on their balcony???!!

Edited March 8 by Steelers36

[Wishing on a star]

If one is a sun-seeker,  then the one shown above, for sure!!!

If one likes some cover and a bit more privacy.. one of these on the Sphere...  but hopefully not the very deepest available.

 

For me, the Sphere would win out.

But, I can see the draw of that huge extended balcony as shown above!!!!

 

PS:  I would be bringing my latex yoga mat, which is perfect lounger pad!!!!

Edited March 8 by Wishing on a star

[WonderMan3]

51 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

They fell for the Jedi marketing trick and saw the first digit and missed or forgot about the 99 following the 4.  $500 has been confirmed more than once it seems.

Could also be a sea day/port day price difference like the difference in the Sanctuary entry price.

[Steelers36]

3 minutes ago, WonderMan3 said:

Could also be a sea day/port day price difference like the difference in the Sanctuary entry price.

I think you are on to something there.  I do recall seeing yesterday a post about sea day $100 (okay, you-dont-fool-me $99) and $80 for port days.  I can see them knocking $100 off the cabana price for a port day.

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

2 hours ago, valdean said:

And here's a photo of the Deck 8, AFT Starboard area (posted by someone else).  The white poles look like the receptacles for cigarette ashes/butts.

I don’t know what are smoking but it ain’t cigarettes!  I don’t know what those are and am baffled by them but they are NOT ashtrays. Ashtrays like that outside bars are extremely susceptible to fires and would not be allowed on cruise ships. 
 

I’ll report back in 4 weeks but if those are ashtrays, sent me your contact info and I’ll buy you a bottle of your favorite liquor (within reason) of your choice. 
 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

But I Am truly baffled by what they are. 

[dog]

12 hours ago, cruisedoctor said:

@CaptainKirk  Category “D0” Premium Deluxe Balcony do NOT get Signature benefits/upgrades.  

 

When the ship initially opened for sale, there were 3 types of balcony staterooms:

Cove Balconies - Categories DG & DH

Deluxe Balconies - Categories DA, DB, DC, DD, DE & DF

Premium Balconies - Categories D1 & D2

 

Then as time went on, and the initial sailing drew near, Princess decided to do a re-categorization based on the booking pattern they were observing.  They changed the name of the D# categories to Premium Deluxe Balcony to make it clear that the interior design of the room itself, is like the rest of the Deluxe Balcony categories, and the “Premium” referred to these rooms having an extensive balcony.  At the same time, they added the now infamous D0 category, and put the previous aft-located D1 rooms into this new category, at a higher price point, than when they were D1’s.  Historically, cruise lines will move staterooms that are in most demand, into higher categories, in order to increase their profitability.

 

Having closely observed this ship since the first steel was cut, it became apparent to me that one hand didn’t know what the other was doing. Deck plans on the Sun Princess dedicated website, didn’t match those on the main Princess website, or on the app(s).  Changes would occur in one place, but not elsewhere.  When this “late in the game” re-categorization took place it looks like someone “not in the know” was assigned the task of updating things.  They made an incorrect assumption, that since these new “D0” rooms were near the suites, they must get the same benefits, and cut-and-pasted the benefits from the “S_” categories onto these new “D0” in error.

 

Princess has two versions of booking system, a new more elaborate one that travel agents have access to, and an old text based version that Princess agents (including those based on board the ships) use.  Currently, in neither of these systems, does the Category “D0” indicate any “Signature” benefits.  However, based on screen shots that have been posted on this thread, the incorrect misinformation must still be floating around in the passenger-facing website.  The person I spoke with mentioned, that if someone booked this category based on seeing that misinformation, and could prove with enough evidence, they might be able to coerce the cruise line to honor it (once they get on board).  But, that would likely be on a case-by-case basis, and you would need to come prepared with as much written evidence as possible.

 

Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it almost always isn’t.  But, then again, hope springs eternal.

 

Dr. J

 

 

 

 

Thank you again.

I have one cabin booked for D0-aft and there are NO comments on the Travel Summary.

 

I have other cabins booked on both the Sun & Star, all are in a S9 category.

There are NO comments for any of the S9 bookings either.

 

I booked online through Princess and one last week with the FC Andrew on the Regal.

 

I am only posting this to assist others who may be in the same situation.

 

I don’t expect my booking to be honoured as it was advertised.

However, I have screenshots & printed out the proof from website advertising and I will speak to GS on-board the SUN.

 

I would be horrified at the treatment I might receive if my neighbours realized I was in the Sun deck or Signature Restaurant.  I have received some very unkind remarks about this issue.

I am logging out and lay this to rest, finally.

Dog

Edited March 8 by dog

[CatMom72]

50 minutes ago, dog said:

Thank you again.

I have one cabin booked for D0-aft and there are NO comments on the Travel Summary.

 

I have other cabins booked on both the Sun & Star, all are in a S9 category.

There are NO comments for any of the S9 bookings either.

 

I booked online through Princess and one last week with the FC Andrew on the Regal.

 

I am only posting this to assist others who may be in the same situation.

 

I don’t expect my booking to be honoured as it was advertised.

However, I have screenshots & printed out the proof from website advertising and I will speak to GS on-board the SUN.

 

I would be horrified at the treatment I might receive if my neighbours realized I was in the Sun deck or Signature Restaurant.  I have received some very unkind remarks about this issue.

I am logging out and lay this to rest, finally.

Dog

@dog The comments are on the booking confirmation, NOT the travel summary.  Go back to the original document Princess emailed you and it should be in there.

Edited March 8 by CatMom72

[c-boy]

1 hour ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

But I Am truly baffled by what they are. 

what ever it is, I don't think it's large enough for my cohiba

Edited March 8 by c-boy

[valdean]

1 hour ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

I don’t know what are smoking but it ain’t cigarettes!  I don’t know what those are and am baffled by them but they are NOT ashtrays. Ashtrays like that outside bars are extremely susceptible to fires and would not be allowed on cruise ships. 
 

I’ll report back in 4 weeks but if those are ashtrays, sent me your contact info and I’ll buy you a bottle of your favorite liquor (within reason) of your choice. 
 

I do not smoke nor drink alcohol (lucky Sox Fan $), but I have been researching for my brother who is a smoker and will be on the Sun Princess cruise with me in December.  He thought those white "poles" could be the ashtrays, but one can only know for sure when on board.  I searched the internet and found that there are many types of "pole" ashtrays, even wider or skinnier than what is in the photo. But we may eventually find out those poles keep Deck 8 from slipping too close to Deck 7, ha! ha! It could be Princess is using a type of ashtray that does not show up in photos. My brother was happy to hear that Deck 8 AFT is one of the smoking areas since our cabins are in the back AFT section of the ship. Deck 8 AFT may be a good location so the smoke drifts away over the water.  So Sox Fan, if you find out anything interesting about Deck 8 AFT Starboard, I'll pass on the info to my brother, thanks!

Edited March 8 by valdean

[reedprincess]

2 hours ago, Jemnibabe02 said:

To change the topic just slightly: curious if the Ocean View rooms have the glass doors on the wardrobe like the balcony and mini suites?  I just can't seem to find any pictures of it at all.  Thanks.

 

Judy in SW Florida

https://youtu.be/tHzn4TEpTII?si=y8HPOjRDub54Dh2a

[AtlantaCruiser72]

2 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

HEY!!!  Who's stealing Sanctuary loungers and placing them on their balcony???!!

They don’t have the “super-duper-fancee” headrests so they aren’t sanctuary loungers. 

[JimmyVWine]

4 hours ago, Steelers36 said:

To a certain extent, I follow your main point.  However, PCL is limited in adding more Signature eligibility because those exclusive amenities all have practical and actual capacity limits.  If they were to make a bunch more Signature cabins, they would create a big bunch of complaints about ability of eligible guests to gain access. 

The adjustments wouldn’t be that severe. For example, if two Signature Suites were booked by single cruisers, they could make another one available without throwing the universe on tilt. And right now they are just guessing (educated guessing for sure) as to how much usage the amenities will get. If they conclude that the Lounge and Dining Room are being underutilized, they can make adjustments without offending anyone. With so many new dining venues of interest and the creation of the Signature Dining Room as a new venue, the rate of usage of that Signature Dining Room on a nightly basis is frankly anyone’s guess right now. It will take many cruises for them to gauge the actual cadence. They certainly wouldn’t want to make changes that would make the Signature benefits over-allocated. But the ability to make changes exists if they sense the ability to do so. 

[MsSoCalCruiser]

10 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

 

All Princess ship have smoking areas in their Casinos.  However on Formal nights they often designate the Casino as non-smoking.  That said the residual odor still lingers.

The Discovery Princess did not have non-smoking nights on our cruises. I remember when Princess used to do that. Do any of the other ships have non-smoking nights?