Is the Full Suite Service on Sky Princess as good now as it used to be?

[Staffordshirecruiser]

Hi, I have had two lovely stays in S4 penthouses last year and am in the process of choosing further cruises.  Wondered if a recent traveller could confirm the following which may have been altered as the ships are sailing fuller?

Is it still possible to get a quiet attentive breakfast in Sabatinis if you arrive early each day?

Does the concierge lounge still offer a quiet sanctuary during the day with staff serving treats, and a concierge person on duty to sort out reservations, tenders etc.?

Do they still have the pre-dinner drinks in the concierge lounge?

Are you able to get a seat without queuing in the club class restaurant?

Do you still get a turndown service and free laundry?

On a more general point, are the Specialty Restaurants running over capacity now Princess Plus includes it?

Has anyone noticed any other deteriorations, or better still improvements?

Thanks very much.

 

[david63]

We were in a suite on Sky a couple of weeks ago.

 

24 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Is it still possible to get a quiet attentive breakfast in Sabatinis if you arrive early each day?

Yes - apart from disembarkation day very few appeared to use it. We were usually in there around 08:00

 

25 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Does the concierge lounge still offer a quiet sanctuary during the day with staff serving treats, and a concierge person on duty to sort out reservations, tenders etc.?

Yes

 

25 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Do they still have the pre-dinner drinks in the concierge lounge?

I believe so - we never used it.

 

26 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Are you able to get a seat without queuing in the club class restaurant?

Generally yes. On a couple of occasions we had to wait a few minutes whilst those before us were seated. (It's now called Reserve Class not Club Class)

 

27 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Do you still get a turndown service and free laundry?

Yes and yes (we had laundry returned the same day)

 

28 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

On a more general point, are the Specialty Restaurants running over capacity now Princess Plus includes it?

It varied by day/restaurant. Sabatinis was never very busy, Crown Grill was some nights but not others and The Catch (our favourite) had vacancies most nights.

 

31 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Has anyone noticed any other deteriorations, or better still improvements?

Cannot answer that as this was our first Princess cruise.

[Rick&Jeannie]

Cannot speak to the experience in a suite but thought I would jump in and comment on The Catch.  We were just on the Sky 2 weeks ago and had the opportunity to dine at The Catch.  Our group of 4 felt it was the best specialty restaurant we have ever done.  I'm really surprised that it was showing up with vacancies!  Perhaps the word just has not gotten out yet...

[Staffordshirecruiser]

Hi David63, thanks for your detailed answers, you’ve given me confidence to book again.  
 

Hi Rick and Jeannie - I will definitely try the Catch.

[reedprincess]

6 hours ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

 

On a more general point, are the Specialty Restaurants running over capacity now Princess Plus includes it?

 

Princess Plus does not include specialty dining.

That would be the Princess Premier Cruise Package.

There hasn't been any changes in suite perks recently. 

[david63]

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Our group of 4 felt it was the best specialty restaurant we have ever done. 

That may be due to the fact that it is new and they are trying harder (or are under the spotlight!)

 

1 hour ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I'm really surprised that it was showing up with vacancies! 

Possibly more to do with location than anything else.

[cruzsnooze]

1 hour ago, reedprincess said:

 

There hasn't been any changes in suite perks recently. 

Recently on the Discovery and many suite perks were missing. No more tote bags, no satin sleep bags, no Q-Tips, no bath salt crystals, no slippers and worst of all No Perrier water in the mini fridge, they substituted small bottles of some other water. I can't remember all the little perks that were gone. Reserve class was great and Sabitini breakfasts were top notch. Also being in a full suite we were invited to the 360 experience dinner which we liked.

[Rick&Jeannie]

3 minutes ago, david63 said:

That may be due to the fact that it is new and they are trying harder (or are under the spotlight!)

 

Possibly more to do with location than anything else.

They are definitely trying hard"!  Service was impeccable!  Yes, location is a bit weird being "open" to the Piazza but the way they have it set up you cannot just "waltz through" that side of deck 7.  The elevators on one end open right up to the waitress stand on one side; the other side you can move around to the opposite side of the Piazza.  I was originally concerned that it was going to feel like Alfredo's where people would be walking by within about 3 feet.  Not so...the closest people are on the opposite side of the Piazza opening on 7.

[nattie]

25 minutes ago, cruzsnooze said:

Recently on the Discovery and many suite perks were missing. No more tote bags, no satin sleep bags, no Q-Tips, no bath salt crystals, no slippers and worst of all No Perrier water in the mini fridge, they substituted small bottles of some other water. I can't remember all the little perks that were gone. Reserve class was great and Sabitini breakfasts were top notch. Also being in a full suite we were invited to the 360 experience dinner which we liked.

That might be the ship, not the suite perks per se. We were on Regal recently and had Perrirer in our Elite set up (same as Suite one I believe)

[david63]

3 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

no slippers

Slippers were definitely provided on Sky

[Staffordshirecruiser]

Cruzsnooze - on our cruises last year we had all the extras you mentioned, although in some cases, the steward explained we had to ask for them?

[david63]

16 hours ago, cruzsnooze said:

being in a full suite we were invited to the 360 experience dinner which we liked

That is not available on Sky

[Jeter02]

17 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Cannot speak to the experience in a suite but thought I would jump in and comment on The Catch.  We were just on the Sky 2 weeks ago and had the opportunity to dine at The Catch.  Our group of 4 felt it was the best specialty restaurant we have ever done.  I'm really surprised that it was showing up with vacancies!  Perhaps the word just has not gotten out yet...

I do feel like most people who sail princess do tend to struggle with change. I know how much passengers love Crown Grill as it's always booked up. And then you do have those who love their Sabatinis. I'm hoping to try the catch next week. I know I'm always up for an opportunity of trying something new That's how I discovered how much I loved Bistro Sur La Mer until they made the announcement it's going au revoir. 

[shirazcruiser]

On 6/8/2023 at 2:04 PM, cruzsnooze said:

Recently on the Discovery and many suite perks were missing. No more tote bags, no satin sleep bags, no Q-Tips, no bath salt crystals, no slippers and worst of all No Perrier water in the mini fridge, they substituted small bottles of some other water. I can't remember all the little perks that were gone. Reserve class was great and Sabitini breakfasts were top notch. Also being in a full suite we were invited to the 360 experience dinner which we liked.

I just got off the Sky 2 weeks ago and we did not get a tote bag, but there were 2 bath ammenity kits that included 2 each: sleep masks, lip blam and q-tips. We also got 2 pairs of slippers (both for women - too small for DH) and Pierrier water in the fridge. 

[shirazcruiser]

On 6/8/2023 at 6:14 AM, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Hi, I have had two lovely stays in S4 penthouses last year and am in the process of choosing further cruises.

Just got off Sky 2 weeks ago and experienced the following:

dined many times in Sabatini's for breakfast at 9:30 (10:00 was closing) and there were only about 5 other couples dining that time 

 

stepped into the lounge many times during various days and it was quiet and seats were available 

 

Concierge Lounge pre-dinner drinks were served from 5:30-7:30 with a large selection of wines...Twice we got Suite party invitations:  an upscale wine selection and cheese pairing and the other a "Martini" night.  

 

Laundry in by 9:00 am and returned by 6:00 PM or if you sent it after 9:00 am, it was returned the      following evening 

 

Complimentary Crown on the 1st night at 6:30 was the quickest service we ever had - very friendly & efficient  wait staff.  We also dined in Sabatini's for dinner and it was served very timely with a great wait staff.  

 

[Staffordshirecruiser]

Hi Shirazcruiser, sounds like you had a great time, I love the Princess Offering, will book asap.

 

[shirazcruiser]

3 hours ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Hi Shirazcruiser, sounds like you had a great time, I love the Princess Offering, will book asap.

 

I forgot to mention that we dined in Club Class (CC) nightly around 6:00-6:30 and we were seated immediately every night.  There are 2 queue lines, main dining and CC. When you arrive, the host stops seating the main dining line and quickly guides you to your table. On tender ports when you are not taking a ship tour, the Concierge Host will escort Suite groups from the Lounge where she overrides an elevator straight down to the tender deck and queue the group to the front of the line for quick disembarkation.  If you have any other questions, just ask!

Edited June 10, 2023 by shirazcruiser

[david63]

12 minutes ago, shirazcruiser said:

we dined in Club Class

It is now called "Reserve Class".

 

13 minutes ago, shirazcruiser said:

On tender ports when you are not taking a ship tour, the Concierge Host will escort Suite groups from the Lounge where she overrides an elevator straight down to the tender deck and queue the group to the front of the line for quick disembarkation

That depends on where your suite is. That process will work well if your suite is on the same deck as the lounge but if it is on one of the lower decks then it is easier, and quicker, to go and collect a ticket from Princess Live on deck 7 and then go down to the tender. Whichever way you still have to wait for a tender to be available.

[shirazcruiser]

On 6/10/2023 at 3:49 AM, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Hi Shirazcruiser, sounds like you had a great time, I love the Princess Offering, will book asap.

 

What cabin did you select?

[Staffordshirecruiser]

Hi, i am looking at S4s opposite the concierge lounge.  Unfortunately there are none available at the moment, so I am checking twice a day, ready to book if someone else cancels

[cr8tiv1]

On 6/8/2023 at 11:04 AM, cruzsnooze said:

Recently on the Discovery and many suite perks were missing. No more tote bags, no satin sleep bags, no Q-Tips, no bath salt crystals, no slippers and worst of all No Perrier water in the mini fridge, they substituted small bottles of some other water. I can't remember all the little perks that were gone. Reserve class was great and Sabitini breakfasts were top notch. Also being in a full suite we were invited to the 360 experience dinner which we liked.

 

Maybe it's because you reduce your tips?  

[cr8tiv1]

I was escorted on to the ship once at San Pedro.  Was that out of the norm or is it still happening?  

[travelers07]

Just want to agree with the wonderful suite experience on the Sky. Was on the TA in March- yes, missed 2 of 3 ports due to storms. But the suite service was fantastic. My cabin was exactly across from the laundromat and it was no problem. In fact, I used the laundromat twice since it was easier than sending out.

 

There was an extra concierge - he was also a concierge trainer on other ships. Josué was his name and he made us feel so special. He came up with several special events in the lounge and often asked for opinions of what people would like. Brought in live music, a wine and cheese night, and a tour of the full larger suite. At the happy hour, almost any drink was available. They brought in regular bartenders every evening.  He also brought future cruise agents to the lounge and coordinated reservations for anyone who wanted.

 

I am on the Island now- really missing the suite lounge! 

[Staffordshirecruiser]

Hi, I almost got an S4 today, but it was snapped up before I could book it!  Will keep trying.

[Bizzie07]

7 minutes ago, Staffordshirecruiser said:

Hi, I almost got an S4 today, but it was snapped up before I could book it!  Will keep trying.

We had R610 on Sky and it was in a great position, right opposite the Concierge Lounge.  Very handy for nipping over for a Latte or a few nibbles!