Sun Princess Sanctuary Collection Reviews?

[karmamule]

Thanks for all these pics and info on the new Sanctuary restaurant, menus, and other facilities!

 

We're really looking forward to our cruise coming up middle of November and all this info is sounded very positive. We'll be on the Icon of the Seas the week before so will probably be very ready for a relaxing follow-up week on Sun Princess with lots of lazy days and good food and drink.

[bronzey214]

So - we are what we “seasoned” Princess cruisers but also young for Princess’s typical clientele. (10 Princess cruises under our belt, mid/upper 30s age wise)

 

We might be declaring this a little too soon but Sanctuary Class might smooth over everything we didn’t like about Princess.

 

Pacing at the Sanctuary Restaurant has been PHENOMENAL. We like a slightly quicker pace and we were in and out in 50 minutes. Perfect.

 

 

[Fa-Li]

@bronzey214 this is encouraging! I’m curious if those other Princess cruises were in suites? And if so, what class of ship. Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to share with us!

[bronzey214]

18 minutes ago, Fa-Li said:

@bronzey214 this is encouraging! I’m curious if those other Princess cruises were in suites? And if so, what class of ship. Thanks for taking time out of your vacation to share with us!

No - we’ve exclusively been in balconies with the exception of an Alaskan cruise on the Grand - we were on the Lido deck in an oceanview with floor to ceiling windows (wanted to save some money and if we saw anything cool, we could turn two corners and be on the lido deck)

 

As far as the ships - we started on the Coral but we’ve done the Grand, Sky (x2), Enchanted (x2), Crown (x2), Ruby and Caribbean.

 

The difference between the Sun (Sphere class) and the Royal class of ships is greater than the difference between the Royal and Grand classes but you can still see the “soul” of Princess aboard.

[IndyKid]

Keep 'em coming! Still would like to see how busy the Sanctuary Club on Deck 18 is on a good-weather sea day.

 

Speaking of weather, are you feeling any effects from Oscar? Have they altered your itinerary at all?

[rmsmith]

interesting to see the Sanctuary lunch menu does not have a Club Sandwich on the it.  That is probably a good thing as at least on the transatlantic in the reserve dining room they had no idea what a club sandwich is.

 

Extra lobsters for dinner - did they charge for those are is that a nice perk of sanctuary benefits?

[IndyKid]

Hi @bronzey214! Glad to hear you're enjoying your cruise aboard the Sun. Just curious, what was it you didn't like about Princess that the Sanctuary Class is resolving?

[bronzey214]

Everyone that’s looking for a good-weather day report on Sanctuary - we might have to wait until after St Thomas as rain bands from Oscar are hitting us. Oceans are a little bumpy but nothing bad.

 

also - to be filed under rumor until otherwise confirmed - there were a bank of 15 or so slot machines on deck 7 by Coffee Currants. I thought it was waiting to be moved to storage as the casino received some new machines.

 

this morning though, they were connected and ready for setup. I’m assuming this is the location for the slot tournaments in which case…. why?

 

 

[chamima]

6 minutes ago, bronzey214 said:

Everyone that’s looking for a good-weather day report on Sanctuary - we might have to wait until after St Thomas as rain bands from Oscar are hitting us. Oceans are a little bumpy but nothing bad.

 

also - to be filed under rumor until otherwise confirmed - there were a bank of 15 or so slot machines on deck 7 by Coffee Currants. I thought it was waiting to be moved to storage as the casino received some new machines.

 

this morning though, they were connected and ready for setup. I’m assuming this is the location for the slot tournaments in which case…. why?

 

 

 

 

First thought that comes to mind is - are they going to expand the smoking area because the slot machines are there??

If they did that would be awful!!!!

[bronzey214]

6 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

 

First thought that comes to mind is - are they going to expand the smoking area because the slot machines are there??

If they did that would be awful!!!!

I doubt it since it’s literally the piazza - even if it’s just used for tournaments, why?

[bronzey214]

8 hours ago, IndyKid said:

Hi @bronzey214! Glad to hear you're enjoying your cruise aboard the Sun. Just curious, what was it you didn't like about Princess that the Sanctuary Class is resolving?

We never liked that you could have reservations for dinner and still wait 15-20 minutes for a table and pacing could be upwards of 90 minutes.

 

Also, we felt like the pool decks were lacking a true “quiet” area. There was either music or stuff from the MUTS screen.

 

The menus also were getting a little… repetitive. There are many new things in the Sanctuary class menus but that may be true for the entire Sun dining area.

[worldtraveller]

Do they offer cold soups anymore?  I know some people don't like them but we did and I haven't seen them on any of the Sun menus.

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

Have you compared these menus to the MDR menus? 

 

I've read reports from numerous people saying the Sanctuary Restaurant has the same menu items as the MDR.

 

For what we pay for the Sanctuary, I truly hope that's not the case.

[bronzey214]

2 hours ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

Have you compared these menus to the MDR menus? 

 

I've read reports from numerous people saying the Sanctuary Restaurant has the same menu items as the MDR.

 

For what we pay for the Sanctuary, I truly hope that's not the case.

There is definite overlap but I’d say one or two items are swapped between the MDR and Sanctuary.

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

11 minutes ago, bronzey214 said:

There is definite overlap but I’d say one or two items are swapped between the MDR and Sanctuary.

Disappointing when you consider the cost, but it definitely seems like Princess has a lot to learn about providing a suite experience for guests. 

 

Thanks for the reply!

[BILLBILL888]

Great review!

 

One question:

Since you bid for the Sanctuary, do you get the premier package comes with the Sanctuary Collection or just the Sanctuary Dinning and a New location but larger balcony room?

[bronzey214]

22 minutes ago, BILLBILL888 said:

Great review!

 

One question:

Since you bid for the Sanctuary, do you get the premier package comes with the Sanctuary Collection or just the Sanctuary Dinning and a New location but larger balcony room?

You just get the Sanctuary Dining and the new room - you do not get premier.

[IndyKid]

1 minute ago, bronzey214 said:

You just get the Sanctuary Dining and the new room - you do not get premier.

 

I initially had booked a cove balcony with the Plus package for the wife and I for our trip next May in the Mediterranean, but decided to upgrade to a Sanctuary Balcony for $500/apiece, having access to the Sanctuary Club, Restaurant and nicer room was worth it.The Premier package is just icing on the cake.

 

The only real advantage I've seen with the new Premier package is the unlimited speciality dining. Had I bid for an upgrade and gotten it, I'd be happy to stay with the Plus package and eat every night in the Sanctuary Dining Room. 

 

I want to see if it's possible to OD on prime rib...😋

[Avalon35]

I will be cruising shortly in Sanctuary Collection. I have, perhaps an unrealistic ,  expectation that the Sanctuary Restaurant, for the price delta of Sanctuary Collection,  should be a higher level so it would be comparable to the specialty restaurants. The fact that we are competing with everyone for a Specialty restaurant reservation has me frustrated. We managed to get 3 reservations after several phone calls etc, but I dont want to be running around on day 1 booking specialty restaurants. As most others, could not get Teppanyaki restaurant. I am also looking forward to the Sanctuary Club and hope it provides a nice level of service. I have booked a 20+ day cruise in the future on the Star princess and am testing the waters of Sanctuary Collection. The uplift dollar wise is substantial and I hope that it lives up to the hype. The biggest issues I see repeatedly is due to all the Premiers and unlimited, it is difficult to book specialty restaurant,  the show venues are busy (maybe just the early shows?) and the ship might be still going thru growing pains and is a tad understaffed. Hope all is corrected before long. 

[FamilyAtSea.travel]

7 minutes ago, Avalon35 said:

I will be cruising shortly in Sanctuary Collection. I have, perhaps an unrealistic ,  expectation that the Sanctuary Restaurant, for the price delta of Sanctuary Collection,  should be a higher level so it would be comparable to the specialty restaurants. The fact that we are competing with everyone for a Specialty restaurant reservation has me frustrated. We managed to get 3 reservations after several phone calls etc, but I dont want to be running around on day 1 booking specialty restaurants. As most others, could not get Teppanyaki restaurant. I am also looking forward to the Sanctuary Club and hope it provides a nice level of service. I have booked a 20+ day cruise in the future on the Star princess and am testing the waters of Sanctuary Collection. The uplift dollar wise is substantial and I hope that it lives up to the hype. The biggest issues I see repeatedly is due to all the Premiers and unlimited, it is difficult to book specialty restaurant,  the show venues are busy (maybe just the early shows?) and the ship might be still going thru growing pains and is a tad understaffed. Hope all is corrected before long. 

My guess is the Sanctuary will be a one and done for most of us who aren't blindly loyal to Princess (or any other cruise line).

 

I even read today (maybe in this thread?) that Sanctuary guests don't have priority embarkation even though that's what they advertise. 

 

There's about a hundred reasons I feel like I should cancel this booking but I feel like I'm committed to seeing if it's truly as bad as it seems it's going to be.

[IndyKid]

11 minutes ago, Avalon35 said:

I will be cruising shortly in Sanctuary Collection. I have, perhaps an unrealistic ,  expectation that the Sanctuary Restaurant, for the price delta of Sanctuary Collection,  should be a higher level so it would be comparable to the specialty restaurants. The fact that we are competing with everyone for a Specialty restaurant reservation has me frustrated. We managed to get 3 reservations after several phone calls etc, but I dont want to be running around on day 1 booking specialty restaurant.

@Avalon35, when is your cruise? I usually book all our dining and excursions right after I book the cruise. 

[jwattle]

6 hours ago, chamima said:

 

 

First thought that comes to mind is - are they going to expand the smoking area because the slot machines are there??

If they did that would be awful!!!!

Maybe it's the new NON-smoking machines 🙂

[FLAlaska]

20 minutes ago, Avalon35 said:

I will be cruising shortly in Sanctuary Collection. I have, perhaps an unrealistic ,  expectation that the Sanctuary Restaurant, for the price delta of Sanctuary Collection,  should be a higher level so it would be comparable to the specialty restaurants. The fact that we are competing with everyone for a Specialty restaurant reservation has me frustrated. We managed to get 3 reservations after several phone calls etc, but I dont want to be running around on day 1 booking specialty restaurants. As most others, could not get Teppanyaki restaurant. I am also looking forward to the Sanctuary Club and hope it provides a nice level of service. I have booked a 20+ day cruise in the future on the Star princess and am testing the waters of Sanctuary Collection. The uplift dollar wise is substantial and I hope that it lives up to the hype. The biggest issues I see repeatedly is due to all the Premiers and unlimited, it is difficult to book specialty restaurant,  the show venues are busy (maybe just the early shows?) and the ship might be still going thru growing pains and is a tad understaffed. Hope all is corrected before long. 

Are  you in a suite? If so, please ask the concierge for help. They are very helpful

[Fa-Li]

7 minutes ago, Avalon35 said:

I will be cruising shortly in Sanctuary Collection. I have, perhaps an unrealistic ,  expectation that the Sanctuary Restaurant, for the price delta of Sanctuary Collection,  should be a higher level so it would be comparable to the specialty restaurants. The fact that we are competing with everyone for a Specialty restaurant reservation has me frustrated. We managed to get 3 reservations after several phone calls etc, but I dont want to be running around on day 1 booking specialty restaurants. As most others, could not get Teppanyaki restaurant. I am also looking forward to the Sanctuary Club and hope it provides a nice level of service. I have booked a 20+ day cruise in the future on the Star princess and am testing the waters of Sanctuary Collection. The uplift dollar wise is substantial and I hope that it lives up to the hype. The biggest issues I see repeatedly is due to all the Premiers and unlimited, it is difficult to book specialty restaurant,  the show venues are busy (maybe just the early shows?) and the ship might be still going thru growing pains and is a tad understaffed. Hope all is corrected before long. 

I agree with your expectation. We also sail Royal Caribbean, in suites on ships with a Coastal Kitchen. This just-for-suites dining room does, in our opinion, provide superior food and experience than the MDR, and on par with some of their specialty restaurants. Also, the small size and excellent wait staff combines with the attitude of catering to suite passengers’ every whim to make CK worth the suite price delta to us. We’ve had some over-the-top wonderful service and food. 
 

We booked our 2026 Sun Princess cruise when the sanctuary restaurant 

looked to offer a similar experience, before the whole “collection” change. I’m watching closely all the reviews. I’m getting the impression that for people who normally eat in the non Reserve section of the MDR, the Sanctuary restaurant is an improvement. What I can’t tell yet is if the addition of so many more passengers, and the change in location, takes away the convenience and pampering for suite guests that were the original reasons we booked it. 
 

I’m glad we have plenty of time for the growing pains to pass and to hopefully get reports from a variety of sanctuary guests before we have to decide whether to keep our booking. 

[JGmf]

21 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

I even read today (maybe in this thread?) that Sanctuary guests don't have priority embarkation even though that's what they advertise. 

 

@FamilyAtSea.travel I'm assuming you are a seasoned cruiser.  Should this be true, as you know, it's of really no consequence given the extremely rapid embarkation process Princess has seemingly perfected (for all passengers). 

 

That said, if it's not part of the perks, yeah, they should get rid of it.  It's likely that some website update staffer has it on a Post-It note to get to...one of these days.