Sun Princess Cabana Cabin Balcony Glass

[lhsail]

I’ll apologize of this is laid out somewhere, but I did a search and didn’t see anything specific. We have an opportunity to bid for a cabana mini-suite for our late summer 23 day cruise.  Although we love many features of these cabins, we definitely do not want reserve. We also don’t want one where the glass for the balcony is a “full wall” of glass.  We want to be able to lean over the railing, etc.  Thank you. 

[Wishing on a star]

I hope I am getting this all correctly.

There are currently TWO categories of Cabana Mini Suites.

The ones on Deck 9,  with the full glass, are called Cabana Deck Mini Suites.

They have access to those Port and Starboard exclusive Decks.

Cabana Mini Suites (without including the word DECK) will not be on Deck 9.

These will have regular, open, balconies.

They will not have access to those exclusive decks.

You can look for these on the Sphere, and on Deck 10. (which will be just above that full glass, looking over and thru the top of it.)

 

If you bid on a Cabana Mini Suite, you would be bidding for one that is not on Deck 9,

 

NOTE:  while they are called Cabana Mini Suites, they are actually the same interior cabin as a Deluxe Balcony.  The added space that they consider them as larger, like a Mini sSuite, is the cabana area.

 

Hope this helps!

[reedprincess]

@Wishing on a star

Nailed it. 

 

[PacnGoNow]

10 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

I hope I am getting this all correctly.

There are currently TWO categories of Cabana Mini Suites.

The ones on Deck 9,  with the full glass, are called Cabana Deck Mini Suites.

They have access to those Port and Starboard exclusive Decks.

Cabana Mini Suites (without including the word DECK) will not be on Deck 9.

These will have regular, open, balconies.

They will not have access to those exclusive decks.

You can look for these on the Sphere, and on Deck 10. (which will be just above that full glass, looking over and thru the top of it.)

 

If you bid on a Cabana Mini Suite, you would be bidding for one that is not on Deck 9,

 

NOTE:  while they are called Cabana Mini Suites, they are actually the same interior cabin as a Deluxe Balcony.  The added space that they consider them as larger, like a Mini sSuite, is the cabana area.

 

Hope this helps!

Great explanation! 

[Esprit]

10 hours ago, reedprincess said:

@Wishing on a star

Nailed it. 

 

Im confused.

Aren’t those suites with the wall of glass on deck 9 too but away from the communal deck space for cabana only passengers.

I would definitely not want to risk a bid upgrade and end up with a wall of glass on my balcony as a result.

 

Edited June 9 by Esprit

[lhsail]

11 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

I hope I am getting this all correctly.

There are currently TWO categories of Cabana Mini Suites.

The ones on Deck 9,  with the full glass, are called Cabana Deck Mini Suites.

They have access to those Port and Starboard exclusive Decks.

Cabana Mini Suites (without including the word DECK) will not be on Deck 9.

These will have regular, open, balconies.

They will not have access to those exclusive decks.

You can look for these on the Sphere, and on Deck 10. (which will be just above that full glass, looking over and thru the top of it.)

 

If you bid on a Cabana Mini Suite, you would be bidding for one that is not on Deck 9,

 

NOTE:  while they are called Cabana Mini Suites, they are actually the same interior cabin as a Deluxe Balcony.  The added space that they consider them as larger, like a Mini sSuite, is the cabana area.

 

Hope this helps!

 

2 minutes ago, Esprit said:

But the OP was concerned about the mini suites that have the full wall of glass. Aren’t these on deck 9 but away from the communal deck space for cabana only passengers.

I would definitely not want to risk a bid upgrade and end up with a wall of glass on my balcony as a result.

 

I am able to bid on a Cabana Mini or a Reserve Cabana Mini. So based on this, are the Reserve Cabanas that are not on the outdoor cabana space the ones on Deck 9 that have the full glass? Neither option is called a “deck” cabana. In the description of the Reserve it says you have access to the outdoor cabana deck. Yes, we definitely do not want an “upgrade” to a full wall of glass on the balcony. 

[JimmyVWine]

2 hours ago, lhsail said:

 

I am able to bid on a Cabana Mini or a Reserve Cabana Mini. So based on this, are the Reserve Cabanas that are not on the outdoor cabana space the ones on Deck 9 that have the full glass? Neither option is called a “deck” cabana. In the description of the Reserve it says you have access to the outdoor cabana deck. Yes, we definitely do not want an “upgrade” to a full wall of glass on the balcony. 

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I would suggest looking at some YouTube videos for Sun Cabana cabins to clear up your confusion. Basically, if you book a Cabana Deck (9) cabin, you will get one of the following:

1) a cabin that opens directly onto the shared space in which case you will not have a high glass wall at the end of your balcony, but your balcony will be 20 feet or so from the edge of the ship and you will not have much of a view of the water; or

2) a cabin that does not open to the shared space but instead is much closer to the edge of the ship. You would have access to the shared area and your balcony would have the tall glass panel. 
 

If you get a standard Cabana, it will not be on Deck 9, you will not have access to the shared space, the balcony will end at the edge of the ship more or less (Sun has some uneven areas on Deck 9 causing cabins on Decks 10 and above to be uneven in relation to the water), and your balcony will have the typical 4 foot glass panel. 

Edited June 9 by JimmyVWine

[Wishing on a star]

The double high glass is throughout the entire distance of Deck 9.

So, whether you overlook that exclusive Cabana Deck or just your own balcony,  yes there will be the blue tinted glass.

 

Since Princess has changed up the SUN to eliminate 'RESERVE'  and bring in the new SANCTUARY CLUB CLASS,  I would have to go look and see what the specifics on the Reserve Cabana Mini-Suites are.

 

I am not seeing a version of Deck Plans for 'until Oct 14'.

Maybe some experts here know more...  Is there such a thing as a Reserve Cabana Mini.

A quick check only shows Cabana Mini, and Cabana Deck Deck Mini...

There are Reserve Mini-Suites, but they would not be the Cabana Mini... the usual Mini-Suite. (larger interior, but no cabana)

 

Edited June 9 by Wishing on a star

[JimmyVWine]

24 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

The double high glass is throughout the entire distance of Deck 9.

So, whether you overlook that exclusive Cabana Deck or just your own balcony,  yes there will be the blue tinted glass.

This is true. The difference is that if you are mid-ship overlooking the shared lounge area, the tall glass will be 15-20 from the end of your balcony at the tailing of the ship.  Your balcony will not have you feeling like a caged zoo animal as you can stand at the end if your balcony without glass directly in your face. If you do not overlook the shared space, you are enclosed by the glass as your balcony ends at the railing of the ship so the glass is right in your face. 
 

I have a pre-October cruise in a Deck 10 Cabana. At the time of booking I could have booked a Reserve Cabana that gained me entry into the Reserve Restaurant but not the Signature Restaurant or the Sanctuary. Those were definitely on Deck 9, but I cannot recall if there were also some on Deck 10. They are sold out now so I cannot see where they are. After the TransAtlantic and the wet dock, all that changes. 

Edited June 9 by JimmyVWine

[Wishing on a star]

Sounds like there are Reserve Cabana Deck Minis on Deck nine....

Thanks to Princess, this is all just TOO confusing!

[lhsail]

2 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words. I would suggest looking at some YouTube videos for Sun Cabana cabins to clear up your confusion. Basically, if you book a Cabana Deck (9) cabin, you will get one of the following:

1) a cabin that opens directly onto the shared space in which case you will not have a high glass wall at the end of your balcony, but your balcony will be 20 feet or so from the edge of the ship and you will not have much of a view of the water; or

2) a cabin that does not open to the shared space but instead is much closer to the edge of the ship. You would have access to the shared area and your balcony would have the tall glass panel. 
 

If you get a standard Cabana, it will not be on Deck 9, you will not have access to the shared space, the balcony will end at the edge of the ship more or less (Sun has some uneven areas on Deck 9 causing cabins on Decks 10 and above to be uneven in relation to the water), and your balcony will have the typical 4 foot glass panel. 

Thank you for the information. We have looked at many YouTube videos, but they still left us with questions. Your information is very helpful. 

[lhsail]

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

Sounds like there are Reserve Cabana Deck Minis on Deck nine....

Thanks to Princess, this is all just TOO confusing!

And the deck plans don’t seem to be available on the Princess website right now. 

[Wishing on a star]

No,  they are not...  which makes you wonder what they are up to.  

You can act like you are booking a cruise that departs before Oct. 14, but that does not show you everything you need to know....  only what might be offered for cabin selection.

I tried the other big cruise ship deck plan site...  No. luck there either.

Edited June 9 by Wishing on a star

[Wishing on a star]

Okay,  I think I found some old deck plans for the SUN...

It seems to indicate that all the Cabana Mini-Suites on Deck 9. (which would have the high glass) were Reserve Cabana Mini-Suites.

The ones on Deck 10 and on the Sphere do not show 'Reserve'.

Maybe this will help???  Assuming that this is the way they are currently categorized???

[reedprincess]

Sun Princess Deck Plans

 

Click either before or after for the changes.

 

https://www.princess.com/deckPlans.do?shipCode=SU

[Wishing on a star]

I don't think that this will actually show the 'before Oct 14' deck plan???

[lhsail]

5 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

Okay,  I think I found some old deck plans for the SUN...

It seems to indicate that all the Cabana Mini-Suites on Deck 9. (which would have the high glass) were Reserve Cabana Mini-Suites.

The ones on Deck 10 and on the Sphere do not show 'Reserve'.

Maybe this will help???  Assuming that this is the way they are currently categorized???

I found them on a website and this information agrees with what I saw there. 

[3Shelaghs]

I've extensively researched this same issue, thanks to all the conflicting info, even with Princess! 

The "Cabana mini suites deck 9", extending across common area, are walk out from your balcony to common sitting  area. 

The "Cabana mini suites deck 9" extending on each side of the "common sitting area" are the ones with the tall glass. They are not on a separate deck, but divided with a steel wall. You walk down your hall and around locked door to enter cabana common area (either side).

The "common sitting area for cabana mini suites" also has the tall glass on each of ship. 

The "Sanctuary Mini suites" are on deck 10 and 15/16? They do not have tall glass

The "Mini suites" do not have tall glass

I do not think the "dome suites" have the tall glass at all.

As to the "reserve" references..... wow, it's really conflicting. I called Princess twice, and neither agent could answer any of my questions...sigh...

I think the deck/cabin changes noted after October date is important to follow. If booking on line, it will off a pick down list for booking after this date. Good luck, and please add any info here to correct me or add to.

[JimmyVWine]

12 hours ago, Wishing on a star said:

I don't think that this will actually show the 'before Oct 14' deck plan???

It appears to.  Based on my reading of the two configurations, before 10/14, there are 4 categories of Cabana Cabins:

1.  C1-"Cabana Deck Reserve Collection".  They are all on Deck 9.  These open up to the shared space with the partition that separates the end of the balcony from the shared space being a 4 foot glass panel.  The 8 foot glass panel is at the edge of the ship. These cabins have access to the shared space and have Reserve benefits including entry into the Reserve Restaurant.

 

2.  C2-"Cabana Deck Reserve Collection"  Again, are all on Deck 9.  These do not open up to the shared space and instead end at the edge of the ship.  The 8 foot glass panel is at the end of the balcony as shown below.  Look at the lowest visible deck and see how the glass panel extends way above the brown wood railing. These cabins also have access to the shared space and have Reserve benefits including entry into the Reserve Restaurant.

 

 

3. and 4. CA and CB Cabana Cabins-These are on Decks 10 and 11.  On Deck 10, CA is mid-ship, some in the Sphere, and CB are further aft.  On Deck 11, there are just a few CAs and they are all in the Sphere.  There are no CBs on that deck.  Other than location, there is no difference.  These cabins do not have access to the shared space, do not have Reserve benefits, and have a glass partition at the end of the balcony that is "standard" with the panel ending at the height of the wood railing.

 

After 10/14, the only thing that changes that that C1 and C2 lose their Reserve benefits privileges, so no private dining room for them.  They will still all be on Deck 9 and will all still have access to the shared space.

Edited June 10 by JimmyVWine

[3Shelaghs]

Great shots. Those photos show it exactly as I thought. Picture worth a thousand words. 🙂 

[Wishing on a star]

Thanks!!!   Great job posting the photos!!

For some reason, we were not seeing the pre-Oct 14 deck plans...  

When we pulled up the deck plans with your link,  BOTH were showing the 'beginning Oct 14' deck plans!!!   

The old plans that we were able to find did show that the Reserve Cabana Minis are all of the ones on Deck 9.    

 

So, if this is correct,  yes,  No Reserve without the high glass!

[3Shelaghs]

As to the bed vs sofa location. It is a mix up dependant upon deck. Most of deck 9 are sofa beside Bathroom. Deck 10 more aft showing bed beside bath. 

I'm wondering about kids on Cabana deck, kids in jacuzzi, large groups, guests using deck but not registered for that deck? Noise/smoke from casino below or restaurants?

[JimmyVWine]

1 hour ago, 3Shelaghs said:

As to the bed vs sofa location. It is a mix up dependant upon deck. Most of deck 9 are sofa beside Bathroom. Deck 10 more aft showing bed beside bath. 

I'm not seeing this.  On both decks, the cabins alternate with an equal number of each.  For example, looking Port side on Deck 9, 9106 is "sofa by entrance" and the next cabin, 9204, is "bed by entrance" and the next, 9208, is "sofa by entrance and this pattern continues all the way to 9354.  Same with Deck 10.

Edited June 10 by JimmyVWine

[lhsail]

5 hours ago, JimmyVWine said:

It appears to.  Based on my reading of the two configurations, before 10/14, there are 4 categories of Cabana Cabins:

1.  C1-"Cabana Deck Reserve Collection".  They are all on Deck 9.  These open up to the shared space with the partition that separates the end of the balcony from the shared space being a 4 foot glass panel.  The 8 foot glass panel is at the edge of the ship. These cabins have access to the shared space and have Reserve benefits including entry into the Reserve Restaurant.

 

2.  C2-"Cabana Deck Reserve Collection"  Again, are all on Deck 9.  These do not open up to the shared space and instead end at the edge of the ship.  The 8 foot glass panel is at the end of the balcony as shown below.  Look at the lowest visible deck and see how the glass panel extends way above the brown wood railing. These cabins also have access to the shared space and have Reserve benefits including entry into the Reserve Restaurant.

 

 

3. and 4. CA and CB Cabana Cabins-These are on Decks 10 and 11.  On Deck 10, CA is mid-ship, some in the Sphere, and CB are further aft.  On Deck 11, there are just a few CAs and they are all in the Sphere.  There are no CBs on that deck.  Other than location, there is no difference.  These cabins do not have access to the shared space, do not have Reserve benefits, and have a glass partition at the end of the balcony that is "standard" with the panel ending at the height of the wood railing.

 

After 10/14, the only thing that changes that that C1 and C2 lose their Reserve benefits privileges, so no private dining room for them.  They will still all be on Deck 9 and will all still have access to the shared space.

Thank you. Our cruise is late August and we bid on the Cabana Mini, not the Reserve Cabana Mini, so feeling confident we would not get a cabin with the full glass on the balcony. However, we are cruising for 23 days, we booked as one cruise but it’s actually three B2Bs. Looking at availability, it’s a long shot. 

[vjmatty]

3 hours ago, 3Shelaghs said:

As to the bed vs sofa location. It is a mix up dependant upon deck. Most of deck 9 are sofa beside Bathroom. Deck 10 more aft showing bed beside bath. 

I'm wondering about kids on Cabana deck, kids in jacuzzi, large groups, guests using deck but not registered for that deck? Noise/smoke from casino below or restaurants?

If you’re not booked in a Deck 9 cabana mini, your medallion will not open the door to the cabana deck. So guests will not have access unless they are registered.