Help us decide

[gabbygrrl]

We have a 7nt cruise booked for late 2024 on the Apex. It will be our first Edge class ship. We have a sunset balcony (which we love) and the classic drinks/wifi package. We are also Elite. (Cross posted)

My question: Princess, which we have never sailed, has a great price on a similar 7nt in a Premium Deluxe Balcony with the “Premier” package included, on their new ship, the Sun.It would save us about $1000 (that includes the ship gratuities that Celebrity does not include).

We love to gamble but it seems like the Princess casino is quite small-and allows smoking-which is a HUGE negative! We are torn over the savings vs the downside of the casino. 
It also seems like the Princess package includes a lot more, like dining and room service where you can use the drink package. So those are positives. 
Any feedback? We keep going back and forth and are hoping for some insight or opinions. I can think of a lot of ways to use that $1000 but the thought of all that cigarette smoke makes me cringe. Help!

[Daisyloo]

I would go on the Sun.  Supposedly the casino on her will be the biggest one on a Princess ship. Save your $1000, more $ to play with in the casino. 

[snoozecrooze]

4 minutes ago, gabbygrrl said:

We love to gamble but it seems like the Princess casino is quite small-and allows smoking-which is a HUGE negative! We are torn over the savings vs the downside of the casino. 

The Sun's casino is poised to be one of the largest at sea (according to Princess), or at least the largest in the fleet, for sure. More slot machines than ever before. But, it's very likely smoking will still be allowed.

 

It seems like the casino is a big part of your thinking, and so, if you intend to spend a lot of time there, then the Apex is probably better. But for me, I'd be planning a more holistic experience, and together with the cost savings, I'd go for the Sun.

[Guest Snaxmuppet]

We only go to the casino when it is nearly empty because we too dislike the smoke but then we miss out of the ambience. 

 

If it was me I'd do the Sun. It will be an experience.

[Cruisintimer]

11 minutes ago, gabbygrrl said:

 

We have a 7nt cruise booked for late 2024 on the Apex. It will be our first Edge class ship. We have a sunset balcony (which we love) and the classic drinks/wifi package. We are also Elite. (Cross posted)

My question: Princess, which we have never sailed, has a great price on a similar 7nt in a Premium Deluxe Balcony with the “Premier” package included, on their new ship, the Sun.It would save us about $1000 (that includes the ship gratuities that Celebrity does not include).

We love to gamble but it seems like the Princess casino is quite small-and allows smoking-which is a HUGE negative! We are torn over the savings vs the downside of the casino. 
It also seems like the Princess package includes a lot more, like dining and room service where you can use the drink package. So those are positives. 
Any feedback? We keep going back and forth and are hoping for some insight or opinions. I can think of a lot of ways to use that $1000 but the thought of all that cigarette smoke makes me cringe. Help!

Smoke free would be deciding factor if we spent much time in a ship's casino.  We are avid Princess cruisers but can't stand the smoke.  

[Steelers36]

20 minutes ago, gabbygrrl said:

 

We have a 7nt cruise booked for late 2024 on the Apex. It will be our first Edge class ship. We have a sunset balcony (which we love) and the classic drinks/wifi package. We are also Elite. (Cross posted)

My question: Princess, which we have never sailed, has a great price on a similar 7nt in a Premium Deluxe Balcony with the “Premier” package included, on their new ship, the Sun.It would save us about $1000 (that includes the ship gratuities that Celebrity does not include).

We love to gamble but it seems like the Princess casino is quite small-and allows smoking-which is a HUGE negative! We are torn over the savings vs the downside of the casino. 
It also seems like the Princess package includes a lot more, like dining and room service where you can use the drink package. So those are positives. 
Any feedback? We keep going back and forth and are hoping for some insight or opinions. I can think of a lot of ways to use that $1000 but the thought of all that cigarette smoke makes me cringe. Help!

I do want to try out the new Sun class at an early convenience (not booked yet) and am not sure about trying X after many many years. 

 

But I am curious how X can provide you a "sunset" balcony when the direction of the setting sun may not be off your balcony.

[dlh015]

35 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

I do want to try out the new Sun class at an early convenience (not booked yet) and am not sure about trying X after many many years. 

 

But I am curious how X can provide you a "sunset" balcony when the direction of the setting sun may not be off your balcony.

I think she means a Sunset Veranda...these are located at the stern of the ship and offer a great wake view. But of course you are correct in that the ship may not cooperate when it comes to an actual sunset. IMO calling it a Wake View Veranda would be more accurate description for those staterooms....

 

I love them, too...and they get snapped up very quickly...

[Cruise Raider]

I really want to book a cruise on the new Sun Princess.  she looks like she will be fabulous. 
But, as others have said, I just can’t handle the smoking in the casino.  Princess used to at least have non smoking nights but not anymore.  It is their only downfall in my opinion.  
 

[highflyingrealtor]

Save money on cabin and smoke will keep you from leaving money in the casino! Win win Princess.😀 Seriously though, smoke free is a huge difference, tough choice.

[Kabuki12]

It really depends how bad that smoking affects you.   There are some people that are highly allergic to cigarette smoke, and it could cause a life-threatening asthma attack.  Nobody knows if the casino on the Sun will be stinking of cigarette smoke or not.  But it is a new ship, and the casino is much bigger.  One can only hope. 

 

I wear an N95 mask in the casino and have to throw it out when I get to my room.  I try to gamble early morning hours when the casino is empty.  The smoke is a huge health problem on the other ships.  On certain ships I can actually see it pour out of the casino into the theater and adjoining spaces.    I wish that they could get OSHA or a similar organization to test the air.  The casino employees have to work in this environment.   Secondhand smoke is attributed to lung cancer, chronic emphysema and chronic bronchitis.

 

I prefer Princes other than Celebrity due to the better deals, but if the casino was a deal breaker due to the smoking I would go to Celebrity. 

Edited December 11, 2023 by Kabuki12

[Mittens101]

3 hours ago, Cruisintimer said:

Smoke free would be deciding factor if we spent much time in a ship's casino.  We are avid Princess cruisers but can't stand the smoke.  

I loath the cigarette smoke and I love to play the slots. I would stick with the cruise I have booked 

[Moondogy]

As a former smoker I can't stand the smell of smoke anymore, the only time I hit the casino is to get rid of any extra MOBC or SHOBC that I may need to cash out. But then I use the non smoking side, but it still stinks.

[Kmkub]

Just of Enchanted Princess. A small section of that casino is smoking. My husband is allergic and I’m a former smoker, and it didn’t really bother either of us. We were prepared to wear N95 masks, if needed, but it really wasn’t necessary. There’s still a smell in the area; likely an anti smoke deodorizer of some sort. It’s effective, but leaves its own scent. (It’s not awful, but others may feel differently.)

[CruizinSusan70]

Comparing the drinks packages included is no comparison.  You're getting the premier package on Princess.  If you were only getting the Plus package, it's a major upgrade over the classic package on Celebrity.  The classic package on X covers up to 10.00 per drink.  It covers none of the specialty drinks at Eden, World Class Bar or their Martini Bar, except basic drinks you can get anywhere.  Zero specialty drinks are covered.  Even beers such as Stella, Blue Moon, Guinness or even Michelob Ultra are not covered since they are all 11.00.  

We've been on nine cruises on X and have zero booked.  Been on 4 with Princess and have 7 booked.

[Torfamm]

I love the sunset verandas on the Apex but this cruise seems like a great opportunity to try Princess and see if you enjoy it.

 

We’re elite on both. We were always loyal to Celebrity but tried Princess for a unique itinerary about 5 years ago and sail with Princess more often now.

 

Both have positives but in my opinion, they are more alike than they are different.. Celebrity hands down wins for not allowing indoor smoking but I prefer the longer itineraries offered by Princess. With those, having huge closets is really nice. Also, self-service laundry is a plus for me.

[reedprincess]

35 minutes ago, Torfamm said:

I love the sunset verandas on the Apex but this cruise seems like a great opportunity to try Princess and see if you enjoy it.

 

We’re elite on both. We were always loyal to Celebrity but tried Princess for a unique itinerary about 5 years ago and sail with Princess more often now.

 

Both have positives but in my opinion, they are more alike than they are different.. Celebrity hands down wins for not allowing indoor smoking but I prefer the longer itineraries offered by Princess. With those, having huge closets is really nice. Also, self-service laundry is a plus for me.

OP is looking at Sun Princess. No spacious walk-in closets separating bedroom from bathroom on that ship. The new design is the slimline small closet lining the entrance hall (so to speak). Much, much less space than the older ships.   Gonna be a big change for all the Princess cruisers who enjoy the storage space and extensive closet space. 

Trade-off is a couch in every cabin - instead of the larger closet and storage with the dressing area.. 

[PacnGoNow]

9 hours ago, Kmkub said:

Just of Enchanted Princess. A small section of that casino is smoking. My husband is allergic and I’m a former smoker, and it didn’t really bother either of us. We were prepared to wear N95 masks, if needed, but it really wasn’t necessary. There’s still a smell in the area; likely an anti smoke deodorizer of some sort. It’s effective, but leaves its own scent. (It’s not awful, but others may feel differently.)

Did they install a glass door at the entrance to the casino?

 It would be at the piazza entrance.  This was to be a trial to help cut off smoke from pouring into the piazza and all the dining venues.  It was to be installed during dry dock in April.

TIA

 

[Kmkub]

41 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

Did they install a glass door at the entrance to the casino?

 It would be at the piazza entrance.  This was to be a trial to help cut off smoke from pouring into the piazza and all the dining venues.  It was to be installed during dry dock in April.

TIA

 

No glass door, yet. 

[AZjohn]

We enjoy casinos very much but we never set foot inside a casino on Princess because of the smoke. We still have always enjoyed our Princess cruises very much and consider it a big savings not playing in their casino.

 

If you must need to set foot inside a casino to make your cruise a better experience than stay with X and keep your money away from Princess and their indoor smoking policy (I still can't believe a cruise ship would have indoor smoking).

 

Cheer

Edited December 11, 2023 by AZjohn

[Steelers36]

13 hours ago, Cruise Raider said:

I really want to book a cruise on the new Sun Princess.  she looks like she will be fabulous. 
But, as others have said, I just can’t handle the smoking in the casino.  Princess used to at least have non smoking nights but not anymore.  It is their only downfall in my opinion.  
 

Maybe they will grow a spine and change things on the Sun.

[PacnGoNow]

3 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

Maybe they will grow a spine and change things on the Sun.

It’s a big money maker for them.

Not likely it will change. 😞

[Torfamm]

4 hours ago, reedprincess said:

OP is looking at Sun Princess. No spacious walk-in closets separating bedroom from bathroom on that ship. The new design is the slimline small closet lining the entrance hall (so to speak). Much, much less space than the older ships.   Gonna be a big change for all the Princess cruisers who enjoy the storage space and extensive closet space. 

Trade-off is a couch in every cabin - instead of the larger closet and storage with the dressing area.. 

True. The closets were a big factor for me when I switched to sailing Princess but everyone has different priorities. We love having room for two sets of golf clubs in the Caribbean for example. In Australia and New Zealand we had everything from hiking boots and warm jackets to scuba gear. I needed storage space way more than a couch!

 

[Torfamm]

41 minutes ago, PacnGoNow said:

It’s a big money maker for them.

Not likely it will change. 😞

I’ve had several of the Carnival Corporation Waves surveys specifically about smoking. I think the issue is at least on their radar. 

[JF - retired RRT]

13 hours ago, Kabuki12 said:

I wear an N95 mask in the casino and have to throw it out when I get to my room. 

And wash your clothes and take a shower.

It's crazy how that stink grabs hold.

[Cruise Raider]

2 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

It’s a big money maker for them.

Not likely it will change. 😞

Bit, the casinos on Celebrity have been nonsmoking for years and it is a big money maker for them, as well.  
When we had to mask, I was in the casino much more often that I go now.  On many ships, there is are so few poker machines in the nonsmoking area, plus, no multi play poker machines.   And, they are oftentimes full on the nonsmoking side.  
The Royal is the only ship that Princess has that has an actual non smoking portion of the casino.