LIVE from the SUN Princess - 9 Mar 2024 - 10-Day Mediterranean - Second Voyage

CanadianBurger · March 13

The entertainment tonight in The Arena was a vocal quartet called ODY•C, or Odyssey. They’re an a cappella group with the addition of a drum kit for percussion.

I have to say, I have not enjoyed a musical act this much since my 80s-themed Regal cruise. They were fantastic! Again, this venue in the keyhole configuration works well for a show like this. It feels really intimate.

They will have another show in the Piazza later in the cruise, and I will make sure to attend!

Trafficgirl123 · March 13

Thanks Steve for the wine update. Enjoy your time on the Sun Princess.

nimiq · March 13

On 3/11/2024 at 6:04 AM, CanadianBurger said:

We’re not fully on this time zone yet, and waking up too late to make it to regular breakfast. American Diner it is again! Got here around 10:45, and were seated quickly. I only got the left side of the menu yesterday, so here’s the right side.

Too bad the don’t have the Eggs Benedict as a choice for breakfast as it’s perfect to have those in the late mornings.

HBCcruiser · March 13

6 hours ago, cr2000 said:

Very true, but for the same reason you like those loungers in The Sanctuary, I suspect grandparents and parents do as well, and if kids can now be booked in suites, and suite guests have access to The Sanctuary/Signature Sun Deck, then it's reasonable to expect kids will be allowed in their as well. Particularly since families will have paid that privilege cost for all members in the suite. You'd think Princess would spell all this out on their website for us.

NCL got a lot of pushback from adult pax because they allowed kids in the Haven pool, sundecks and hot tubs. Kids took over the Haven hot tubs and pools leaving adults with no where to relax. They finally made the upper Haven sundecks and hot tubs for 16+ only which was an improvement. Princess should learn from other cruise lines.

KittyKuddler · March 13

The cannoli looks great…couldn’t, wouldn’t want to share. My husband would have to get his own!! Thanks for sharing

CruizinSusan70 · March 13

2 hours ago, Astro Flyer said:

Holy Cannoli 😋😋😋Were those with chocolate flakes & not candied fruit?

Looked like one vanilla, one chocolate and one pistachio.

CruizinSusan70 · March 13

2 hours ago, capriccio said:

But these are not main pools and that is not how it is on the Sanctuaries on Princess ships. You can reserve your lounges in advance for 1/2 day, full day or the entire cruise or you can try your luck on any given day. On the MSC Yacht Club sun deck there is no need for reservations; there are plenty of lounges.

You mention YC. That is similar to the other ship within a ship concepts like Celebrity's Retreat or NCL's Haven.

What's going on with the Sun is a departure from the Sanctuary on other ships in the fleet. There will probably be tweaks such as umbrellas being added and possibly more padded loungers. But you may have to come to the realization that the Sanctuary on the Sphere Class is going to be larger and different than the rest of the fleet. If this is a deal breaker for you, then that's two ships in the fleet you'll have to pass on.

MsSoCalCruiser · March 13

12 hours ago, nymshowdown said:

And they want to charge more for this?!? Heck, how can they justify charging people period when their older ships offer a better space for free? I really don't get their decision making when it comes to the new Sanctuary design.

Shhh, don’t let them hear you. 🤫🤐

MsSoCalCruiser · March 13

13 hours ago, CanadianBurger said:

I would think not, since the full suites can have children.

They really should just change the name because this really is no longer the Sanctuary that we know and love. There is very little shade, only a few chair cushions, no afternoon tea and now children are allowed. 😭

MsSoCalCruiser · March 13

6 hours ago, CanadianBurger said:

Hey Princess! There’s something you need to fix!

Some elevator lobbies have the signs with the deck plans in the proper orientation, so regardless of which side you look at, you can tell which way is forward, and which way is aft. Video #1.

But on some decks (looking at you, 9 mid) one side points one way and the other points the opposite way. Video #2. Which is which? Who knows! Man, I feel like a newbie figuring out which way to go on this ship sometimes.

Deck nine behind the large screens is forward.

MsSoCalCruiser · March 13

6 hours ago, KLM3164 said:

Ughh elevators on both sides. I’m going to miss my Royal class ships where the elevators (except the glass ones) all open up so when you exit you are facing toward the front of the ship. That’s how I always know which way I need to go based on the elevator doors opening. I think I’m going to be completely lost on the Sun Princess!

All these cruises, and I have never realized that you are facing forward when you exit the elevators. Thank you!

KLM3164 · March 13

16 minutes ago, MsSoCalCruiser said:

All these cruises, and I have never realized that you are facing forward when you exit the elevators. Thank you!

I learned this fact from Corinne Steel who is the Cruise Director on the Sun Princess.

CanadianBurger · March 13

Today’s Sea Day Patter

CanadianBurger · March 13

Beautiful day today. This ship is so smooth I had to look outside to make sure we were moving!

CanadianBurger · March 13

Sanctuary - No Children - Last Post on this topic please

I asked the Sanctuary manager about children. NO ONE UNDER 16 WILL BE ADMITTED. He said Signature Suite guests will all be informed that this is the policy.

I also asked how many day passes they will sell. They’re still figuring that out, but on the early voyages, it will be 20 couples until they assess capacity.

Also confirmed that Signature guests will have to choose from available loungers each day when they arrive. No reservation of loungers from day to day.

You can see the Signature-only area to the right of the railing in the first pic, and left in the second. It is a foot or so higher than the rest of the Sanctuary with ramps on either side. There were several people there today. It’s a beautiful day.

I’m repeating this post on the Sanctuary thread. Please comment there only.

Edited March 13 by CanadianBurger

CanadianBurger · March 13

Interestingly, the aft glass elevators had floor selection buttons turned on today.

You can see into the Signature-only area from the elevator.

Vinnyv20032003 · March 13

@CanadianBurger .. the outdoor AFT set of stairs that can be seen on the decks above the Wake View Terrace.. Are they accessible by passengers, or crew only?

Thank you for everything, enjoy your beautiful day at sea as you all head over to Athens! ☀️ 🚢

cltnccruisers · March 13

13 hours ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

How about Park19 and all of the kid oriented stuff up there?

Good point. Is any of it in operation yet? Does it seem like many kids are on board?

Pixelskaya · March 13

22 minutes ago, Vinnyv20032003 said:

@CanadianBurger .. the outdoor AFT set of stairs that can be seen on the decks above the Wake View Terrace.. Are they accessible by passengers, or crew only?

Thank you for everything, enjoy your beautiful day at sea as you all head over to Athens! ☀️ 🚢

I also would like to know about this! It’s a nice place to hang out

capriccio · March 13

23 minutes ago, Pixelskaya said:

I also would like to know about this! It’s a nice place to hang out

Seeing this picture I immediately thought of the aft viewing areas on the Coral Princess. How far across the stern of the ship does that deck extend and how deep is the deck? If all the way to the corner of the ship it looks like chairs might fit. What a great relatively secluded and shady space to sit and watch the wake.

Globaler · March 13

Can you weigh in on ordering drinks in the casino. How has bar service been?

CanadianBurger · March 13

Eatery Lunch Mega Post

I took pics at all the stations around the Eatery, including Catch and Butcher’s Block (part of the Eatery during lunch). The seating in the main section was very busy, but back by Butcher’s Block and Eatery, there were

tons of empty tables. I kept the description signs in whenever I saw them.