Sea Princess C744 question, ever been bumped?

[Sailkeywest]

Hubby and I will be taking our first Princess Cruise next year, going to Alaska. Because of how much I loved the views from the Aft cabins seen in pictures, I also booked a Princess aft mini-suite (C744) for the following year (Barbados to Ft Lauderdale).

 

After doing a little research, I happened along a thread about how this is a popular cabin, and that some long-time Princess traveler sometimes stays in that particular cabin for months on end. I also learned that anyone that books that cabin has the risk of being bumped from the cabin, even if they have their reservation marked "No Upgrades."

 

I am wondering, does anyone have any experience with this topic, either from this ship or any other? What sort of "compensation" do they usually offer for such an imposition? I really don't care to be upgraded to a full suite, I am loving that particular cabin (563 square feet with a 10x16 corner veranda).

 

I already put a downpayment on this cruise, but honestly, if we were bumped from that cabin, I don't think that I would have chosen that particular cruise. Any input is appreciated, Thank You. :)

[Sailkeywest]

Btw, I checked with Princess, and this person does indeed exist, but they cannot tell me this soon in advance what will come of it, or if that person will even be on the ship at that time.

[Toto2Kansas]

I did a lot of research when we sailed on the Sun Class ships in past years, and have sailed on the Sea Princess twice before in mini suites.

 

Not sure where you are getting the sq footage of the stateroom plus balcony info, but I drug out the booklet I kept the info on these staterooms in when I did the reseach on all three ships.

 

What I show is that the Caribe Deck mini suites aft on the Sea Princess are 536 sq ft 'including balcony'. The Caribe Deck has the largest sq footage of the aft mini suites on the Sea Princess, but I have never seen those sizes you are quoting for a mini on the Sea Princess. In fact, the size you are stating (added together would be 723 sq ft for the mini and balcony when combined) is actually larger than the full suites onboard, so something isn't right here. Full suites on Caribe Deck are 695 sq ft including balcony though.

FYI-Baja Deck minis are 365 sq ft including balcony and Dolphin Deck minis are 416 including balcony.

 

 

 

Last cruise on the Sea Princess, friends had an aft mini on Caribe Deck (corner mini) and the one thing they were disappointed in was the size of the balcony. Although we were on Baja Deck aft in a mini, and had a smaller balcony as that was all that was left. They expected a much larger balcony since they were able to grab up a Caribe Deck aft mini, and didn't find that when they arrived. Also, the actual interior of both our minis were the same.

 

As for someone that often stays in this mini, hadn't actually heard of that on the Sea Princess since Loraine moved on to the Royal. I know that Loraine Anzt moved to the Sea Princess while waiting for the new Royal to be finished, but she has moved permanently to the Royal now. So, I am wondering if that isn't who they are referring to?

 

If it isn't her, then I have no idea who it could be. And as far as getting bumped when marking your booking no upgrade. Hummmmm, not sure about that either, haven't heard of this happening before. But bumped would mean to a full suite and I would grab that up in a minute on the Sea Princess as they are much nicer than the aft mini suites. Good Luck on this one. ;)

[Sailkeywest]

I got the info from this thread: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=361388

 

When I mentioned the square footage to the Princess rep on the phone, they did not correct me and say that I had the wrong info regarding cabin size/veranda size. :S But I did mean to say that it "included" the veranda, so ty. :)

 

I don't know who the person is either, but the Princess rep did tell me that they have a "few world travelers" that they will on occasion bump someone from their cabin to accommodate. They did inform me that if this were to happen, that we would be "compensated," but did not mention what that compensation would include.

 

Was hoping someone might have experience with this, to enlighten me. Thank you, as always :)

[Toto2Kansas]

Since that post that you posted the link to was back in 2006, my guess someone reversed the figures quoted, Instead of 563 sq ft it should have read 536 sq ft (at least according to all my research and notes), I am sure the numbers were just hit in the wrong order. I also noticed that thread discussed the AA mini suites onboard, which do not exist. AA is the full suite letters (these are the only ones that have AA full suites) for the Sun Class ships, and AB and AC are the only mini suites onboard the Sun Class ships. As said, I can guarantee you that the minis are not larger or anywhere near the size of the full suites on the Sun Class ships, as we have sailed in both. ;)

I just checked the one site I still have access to for the size of the mini suites on the Sun Class ships. Nothing has changed, it still lists the largest mini on the Sea Princess as 536 including balcony. :)

 

Most Princess reps are just 'order takers' and know almost nothing about the ships or the sq footage of different staterooms unless they are the standard measurements for a stateroom they can read off the computer screen. It doesn't surprise me at all that they didn't correct your figures. ;)

 

As for a permanent or semi permanent guest on the Sea, I am going to again say it would be when Loraine was moved from the old Royal while waiting for the new Royal Princess, as she spent quite some time on the Sea until the new ship debuted.

 

Good Luck!

[Sailkeywest]

Thank You for the detailed information. 536? hm, maybe I should do a little more research!

[Toto2Kansas]

Just for future reference. The full suites on Baja Deck on the Sea Princess are 695 sq ft including balcony. Compared to the 536 sq ft. for the Baja aft mini suites. ;) Also, the AB minis on the Sea do have a wet bar, where as the AC minis on port and starboard do not. The aft minis are a totally different layout then the side minis.

If you would like to see the difference for comparion, here is a link to the aft mini we had on Baja Deck on the Sea Princess with a very small totally covered balcony: http://family.webshots.com/album/556677136gKLOlX?vhost=family

 

And here is a link to the AC side mini we had on Sun princess (they are identical in comparison to the AC's on the Sea, so we didn't take a lot of pictures of the AC mini on the Sea, since we had some many we took on the Sun) http://travel.webshots.com/album/133123604noDdgi?vhost=travel

 

Happy research. I know when we were sailing mainly on the Sun Class ships I researched until my eyes crossed. lol I was so disappointed when two of the ships went down under. But I did keep all my notes, just in case they ever come back.

[pretenda]

Toto

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread but should be grateful if you could answer my questions please.

Thanks for the pictures - very useful. We have C744 booked for MB to MB on Sea Princess at the end of February. I too was expecting a bigger balcony. :( That said, if I can get a lounger on there I shan't complain.

We have also sailed in an AC mini (side) on PandO Oceana which is identical. Although the balcony is long it is very narrow, but we enjoyed the layout of the room. I'm sure it had a separate walk in shower, but I could be getting confused with an aft suite we had on Arcadia (that had a superb, huge, wrap balcony):):)

Could you tell me please if the room is separated by a curtain in the aft mini (makes it look like a separate bedroom)? Is it much smaller than the side mini?

Many thanks in anticipation.

Best Regards

Glenda

[Sailkeywest]

Thank You again for the detailed response, and with pictures! I am not sure what to do now. I just fell in <3 with the mini-suite and liked the itinerary, so jumped on it and booked. April 2011 does seem far away to be planning a vacation. :P

[pretenda]

I'm so pleased you raised this question as it will be interesting to see if anything happens to our booking too.

I was really looking forward to the cabin too - I do hope that we shan't be disappointed. The ship has a refit this month sometime so it will interesting to see what additions she has and what the refurbishment will bring.

Best regards

Glenda

[Sailkeywest]

Since you are going way before me, please post a cruise review! Good luck and good questions, I would like to know also! Safe Travels :)

[pretenda]

Yes I certainly will. I'll try and upload some pictures too. even though it's quite far away I'm excited. Hope you have a wonderful cruise too.

Glenda

[Toto2Kansas]

Toto

 

I hope I'm not hijacking the thread but should be grateful if

Could you tell me please if the room is separated by a curtain in the aft mini (makes it look like a separate bedroom)? Is it much smaller than the side mini?

 

Many thanks in anticipation.

 

Best Regards

 

Glenda

 

I can tell you that OUR AB mini on Baja Deck did have a curtain that could seperate the sleeping area from the sitting area. I am sure the other AB's have the layout the same way. ;)

 

As for the size in comparison to the AC side minis? It's hard to tell, since they have such a different layout. And ours had that long hallway once you enter the stateroom. I would say maybe the AB's are slightly larger if you are talking about sq ft. (I never actually kept records of the sq footage of the AC's, so it's kind of difficult to compare). There was a seperate glass shower in the bathroom though, so that should put a smile on your face. :)

 

I wish I would have taken pictures of our friends AB mini on Caribe Deck to compare. But didn't do it, and this was a few years ago so my memory is failing me just a bit here on just how much difference there was in the size of the balcony.

 

Hope some these answers were what you were looking for.

[Sailkeywest]

Yes, Toto, and Thank you very much for taking the time to write such detailed (and enlightening) replies. I am sort of a cruise newb, so I appreciate the insight of those 'in the know.' Take care, and Safe Travels!

[Toto2Kansas]

Yes, Toto, and Thank you very much for taking the time to write such detailed (and enlightening) replies. I am sort of a cruise newb, so I appreciate the insight of those 'in the know.' Take care, and Safe Travels!

 

Glad I could be of assistance and could provide some pictures for you. A description is good only to a point, where as a picture tells the true stateroom story. ;)

Whatever cruise you end up sailing, I hope it is wonderful. Enjoy!

[Toto2Kansas]

Possible error about the seperate shower in the AB. I was just looking at our webshots album of the AB mini suite on the Sea. I could have confused that mini with others we have had, or with the AC's on the same ship, as there is no picture of a seperate shower in my album, and I see a shower curtain over the jacuzzi tub, which normally they don't have unless there is no seperate shower.

 

So, the seperate shower might be a 'maybe' as I honestly can't remember for sure. Sorry!

[Sailkeywest]

Np, Thank you for taking the time to check! I am hoping this cabin is worth it as it is twice as expensive as a regular balcony cabin!

[Toto2Kansas]

Np, Thank you for taking the time to check! I am hoping this cabin is worth it as it is twice as expensive as a regular balcony cabin!

 

We felt it was worth the price, if that is any consulation. As said, it is a strange set up compared to the other AC minis, but very comfortable. And we absolutely love the wet bar offered in these mini suites.

The only thing we were not fond of (remember, we were on Baja Deck, so yours will be a bit different) was our very small balcony (we expected it to be a bit larger). All ours had on it were two lounges, no table and chairs, which we use often to dine on our balcony usually.

[SuiteCruising]

We had the same cabin, but on the Ocean Princess and we were thrilled with it. It has a separate powder room off of the hallway and the the entry hall is very impressive. Friends had an aft mini on baja deck and were impessed with the size of our balcony. It had two lounges, a table and chairs for dining. Fabulous room!

[can786]

Possible error about the seperate shower in the AB. I was just looking at our webshots album of the AB mini suite on the Sea. I could have confused that mini with others we have had, or with the AC's on the same ship, as there is no picture of a seperate shower in my album, and I see a shower curtain over the jacuzzi tub, which normally they don't have unless there is no seperate shower.

 

So, the seperate shower might be a 'maybe' as I honestly can't remember for sure. Sorry!

 

I have stayed in both an AC (port side) minisuite and an AA (aft) full suite on the Sea Princess. Both of these had a separate shower from the whirlpool tub. When we were in the full suite I got nosy on the morning of disembarkation and walked through the AB minisuite that was next door after the occupants had vacated it. It definitely did not have a separate tub and shower like we had in the AC minisuite on the side of the ship.

[Toto2Kansas]

I have stayed in both an AC (port side) minisuite and an AA (aft) full suite on the Sea Princess. Both of these had a separate shower from the whirlpool tub. When we were in the full suite I got nosy on the morning of disembarkation and walked through the AB minisuite that was next door after the occupants had vacated it. It definitely did not have a separate tub and shower like we had in the AC minisuite on the side of the ship.

 

Thanks! I realized when I went back and looked at my webshots album that I was probably wrong. That shower curtain over the jacuzzi tub is what reminded me that this was one of the only minis on the Sun Class ships that didn't provide a seperate shower from the tub. ;) Thanks for confirming it for the OP! ;)

 

We have sailed in minis and full suites on all of the Sun Class ships, and I have to admit, sometimes I have to refer back to the webshots album to rattle my memory just a bit as to which offered what.

[Sailkeywest]

Can786, I don't suppose you have any pictures? Thanks for the input! :)

[Sailkeywest]

Also, I chose c744 as opposed to c747 because of the direction that the cruise was going (Barbados to Ft Lauderdale). Anyone been on this cruise and knows which side faces land? (if any)

[pretenda]

all for your detailed replies. Very much appreciated. I think I shall cope without the separate shower:D It's always good to have as much information as possible so that our expectations are well managed. It won't disappoint me now:) We have a wonderful itinerary with only a couple of sea days out of 14.

Now all I need is for them to increase the size of the casino fourfold when they do the refit - then I'll be very, very happy!

Thanks again and happy sailing to you all.

Glenda

[Toto2Kansas]

all for your detailed replies. Very much appreciated. I think I shall cope without the separate shower:D It's always good to have as much information as possible so that our expectations are well managed. It won't disappoint me now:) We have a wonderful itinerary with only a couple of sea days out of 14.

 

Now all I need is for them to increase the size of the casino fourfold when they do the refit - then I'll be very, very happy!

 

Thanks again and happy sailing to you all.

 

Glenda

 

Glenda, the casino is small, I admit that. But I have to tell you, I won more, and had more fun in that tiny casino then in the larger ones on the Grand Class ships. ;)