Sun Princess Signature suite questions answered!

[oteixeira]

3 minutes ago, CalTexCruiser said:

thanks for the detailed report @Sox Fan Cruiser.  Very much appreciated.

 

One question regarding the suite lounge...are alcoholic beverages available all day in the lounge.  If so, that would be unlike the concierge lounge on the Royal Class ships where free alcohol is available only during happy hour (5-7pm).

 

If free alcoholic beverages are available all day in the suite lounge, then there would less of a reason for folks in a suite to buy a Premium Plus/Premier package.

 

I watched a video the other day that showed the menu for drinks up there and they were not free.  It was that Ben and David channel (I don't love it, but the ship was very relevant).

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

1 hour ago, oteixeira said:

I watched a video the other day that showed the menu for drinks up there and they were not free.  It was that Ben and David channel (I don't love it, but the ship was very relevant).

I never saw a menu for the drinks. I just ordered what I wanted. I never got close to the maximum so maybe it did count but I highly doubt it. 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

thanks for the detailed report @Sox Fan Cruiser.  Very much appreciated.

 

One question regarding the suite lounge...are alcoholic beverages available all day in the lounge.  If so, that would be unlike the concierge lounge on the Royal Class ships where free alcohol is available only during happy hour (5-7pm).

 

If free alcoholic beverages are available all day in the suite lounge, then there would less of a reason for folks in a suite to buy a Premium Plus/Premier package.

 

There was service form sunrise to sunset as described in our welcome letter and not just firm 5-7. That’s when they had a person playing an electronic keyboard. 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

1 hour ago, CalTexCruiser said:

thanks for the detailed report @Sox Fan Cruiser.  Very much appreciated.

 

One question regarding the suite lounge...are alcoholic beverages available all day in the lounge.  If so, that would be unlike the concierge lounge on the Royal Class ships where free alcohol is available only during happy hour (5-7pm).

 

If free alcoholic beverages are available all day in the suite lounge, then there would less of a reason for folks in a suite to buy a Premium Plus/Premier package.

 

This lounge is nothing like the crappy suite lounge on the Royal class ships. It’s a true suite class lounge. Much to my surprise, Princess got this right. 

[cr2000]

4 hours ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

 

 

I did ask, and regardless of staying in a suite, no kids under the age of 16 are allowed in the Sanctuary.  One kid did come in to talk to his parents, but he was escorted in and escorted out by his dad.  He only stayed a little while.  The staff was very friendly to him.  They joked around with him and got him a soda but the parents obviously knew the rules. 

 

 

Well that's a deal breaker for me. I won't pay a suite premium and not be allowed to have our family together. Overall poor implementation by Princess for a ship (with Park 19) that seems to be enticing multigenerational families. They are falling behind the trend of MSC, Royal, and NCL of a ship within a ship concept for the ENTIRE family.

[whitcruising]

4 hours ago, azbirdmom said:

Thinking this must have something to do with suites.  It's another webinar this Thursday and it looks like everyone is invited.  And apparently there will be something new announced tomorrow too.

 

Yes please keep is posted. Very interesting. 

[dides]

8 hours ago, oteixeira said:

I watched a video the other day that showed the menu for drinks up there and they were not free.  It was that Ben and David channel (I don't love it, but the ship was very relevant).

The Sanctuary Bar menu is shown below

 

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

10 hours ago, oteixeira said:

I watched a video the other day that showed the menu for drinks up there and they were not free.  It was that Ben and David channel (I don't love it, but the ship was very relevant).

Yes.  As I said, the drinks in the Signature lounge don’t count towards your drink package maximum but drinks in the Signature sun deck do. If you have a package it’s covered up to the cost that your package allows. The same as any other bar on the ship. 

[dog]

A bit confused here- I do not have a package- standard fare. Elite, in an S9 signature suite- what drinks will be complimentary for me- in the signature lounge and the signature  Sun Deck?

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

If you do not have a package then you are paying for all your drinks at any bar. Same in the Sun Deck. But they are free for you in the Signature lounge. 

Edited April 23 by Sox Fan Cruiser

[Hobby3333]

Sox, hello from Texas.  This will be our first cruise on Princess and I want to thank you for your time and effort posting and educating me on what to expect for our cruise in July.  

[SuiteSunrise]

What just happened!!! Looks like now alot more room choices have the Sanctuary, Lounge and Signature dining room. The price on our Penthouse Suite now called Vista Suite went from $17,343 Cdn to $24,000!!! What happens with existing bookings???

[capriccio]

47 minutes ago, SuiteSunrise said:

What just happened!!! Looks like now alot more room choices have the Sanctuary, Lounge and Signature dining room. The price on our Penthouse Suite now called Vista Suite went from $17,343 Cdn to $24,000!!! What happens with existing bookings???

I don't notice any more cabins when picking a category, just a renaming of the Penthouse Suites to Vista Suites and the Owners Suites to Grand Suites but the deck plans have a message to chose if for travel before or after October 14th and, if choosing the latter, they aren't accessible right now and .

 

The new price for S9 suites is about $4000 per person.  We are paying less than $5000 for two with the Plus package in January. 

 

This is what surprises me at https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/ships/su-sun-princess and could account for some of the increase but not all.

 

Princess Premier Included

 

But wait, there’s more.

 

Get exclusive benefits with a Sanctuary room purchase, including complimentary Wi-Fi, Crew Appreciation, Premier beverages, specialty dining, and more. Treat yourself to a luxurious vacation and create unforgettable memories.

 

Added:  Welcome to Cruise Critic!

Edited April 23 by capriccio

[capriccio]

See post #377 about today's announcement about the Signature Collection that answers some of what we are seeing.

 

[dog]

2 hours ago, Sox Fan Cruiser said:

If you do not have a package then you are paying for all your drinks at any bar. Same in the Sun Deck. But they are free for you in the Signature lounge. 

So now we have some changes:

Sanctuary Collection?  New thread? I am totally confused now.

i have one: D0 aft ( premium deluxe balcony) and one S9 booked , SUN, STAR.  Have no clue if this affects me. No package when I booked.

[dides]

10 minutes ago, dog said:

So now we have some changes:

Sanctuary Collection?  New thread? I am totally confused now.

i have one: D0 aft ( premium deluxe balcony) and one S9 booked , SUN, STAR.  Have no clue if this affects me. No package when I booked.

I believe if you already have a booking in these staterooms then you should get everything added automatically except the Premier upgrade - "Guests who have booked as of April 23, 2024 already have reserved Sanctuary Collection staterooms on either ship will receive the additional amenities outlined at no additional cost, excluding the premier bundle".

[dog]

11 minutes ago, dides said:

I believe if you already have a booking in these staterooms then you should get everything added automatically except the Premier upgrade - "Guests who have booked as of April 23, 2024 already have reserved Sanctuary Collection staterooms on either ship will receive the additional amenities outlined at no additional cost, excluding the premier bundle".

Ok,

don’t need package.

When I look on website I see sanctuary balcony- premium deluxe balcony. Is that 15603?

and S9- like 15610?

[SuiteSunrise]

14 minutes ago, dides said:

I believe if you already have a booking in these staterooms then you should get everything added automatically except the Premier upgrade - "Guests who have booked as of April 23, 2024 already have reserved Sanctuary Collection staterooms on either ship will receive the additional amenities outlined at no additional cost, excluding the premier bundle".

But if you already have the Plus package, what additional are you getting other than more people in the Signature Lounge and Sanctuary!!!

[capriccio]

3 minutes ago, SuiteSunrise said:

But if you already have the Plus package, what additional are you getting other than more people in the Signature Lounge and Sanctuary!!!

True and don't forget the additional passengers in the Signature Restaurant.

[SuiteSunrise]

Just now, capriccio said:

True and don't forget the additional passengers in the Signature Restaurant.

It looks like the mini suites and balcony suites still go to the Reserve Dining room. But I could be wrong. 

[shirazcruiser]

Did you enjoy the Teppanyaki and Spellbound? Is the cost of Spellbound $149 pp and I read that they have a cocktail/formal dress code?   

[capriccio]

3 minutes ago, SuiteSunrise said:

It looks like the mini suites and balcony suites still go to the Reserve Dining room. But I could be wrong. 

I hope you are right but on the new Signature Collection web page (https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/sanctuary-collection) it states

 

Your own private restaurant

 

Reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection^SM guests. Enjoy a custom chef’s menu and dedicated waitstaff and dining room. No reservations needed and no waiting — elevated dining is ready whenever you are.

Edited April 23 by capriccio

[whitcruising]

17 minutes ago, capriccio said:

I hope you are right but on the new Signature Collection web page (https://www.princess.com/en-us/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/sanctuary-collection) it states

 

Your own private restaurant

 

Reserved exclusively for Sanctuary Collection^SM guests. Enjoy a custom chef’s menu and dedicated waitstaff and dining room. No reservations needed and no waiting — elevated dining is ready whenever you are.

Very curious about how they will handle the extra diners and if it will be an issue. 

[capriccio]

1 minute ago, whitcruising said:

Very curious about how they will handle the extra diners and if it will be an issue. 

 

I know recent postings by passengers have said they had no issue with immediate seating in the Signature restaurant while there are long lines in the Reserve restaurant.  Maybe that was an impetus for these changes?

 

I just assumed when a company is designing a new totally new ship class they would either

 

• determine how much space they had for the areas (lounge, sun deck, restaurant in this case) dedicated to the new 'ship within a ship' concept Padgett is crowing about.  Then determined how many passengers could be accommodated and design the cabins.

 

OR

 

• determine how many suite cabins they want and design the specialized areas to accommodate those passengers.

 

Instead it seems that none of this was considered.  The sun deck as designed would never accommodate all (or whatever percentage used in their calculations) suite passengers so they moved quickly to designate the Sanctuary for suite passengers too.  Looking at the pictures of the lounge I wondered about its original capacity.  The new Signature designation looks like it is doubling the number of passengers. 

[whitcruising]

5 minutes ago, capriccio said:

 

Instead it seems that none of this was considered.  The sun deck as designed would never accommodate all (or whatever percentage used in their calculations) suite passengers so they moved quickly to designate the Sanctuary for suite passengers too.  Looking at the pictures of the lounge I wondered about its original capacity.  The new Signature designation looks like it is doubling the number of passengers. 

 

Yes, this could be an even bigger issue--space in the Sanctuary. I know there was already a question on space to begin with.