Sanctuary - layout/deck plans

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, yet anther Sanctuary question.

I think I have been mistaken, and if so I have the completely wrong idea!!!

I have pulled up photos of the Ruby, and have looked at the deck plans.

The deck plan for the Sanctuary is here:
http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/...ans/index.html

I thought that the entire area on this upper level, what is shown that looks like wood deck AND the forward indoor-outdoor carpeting section, was all The Sanctuary. I had heard that half was not covered, and half (forward section) was covered.

But, now from the online photos, it looks like the actual Sanctuary is what is shown forward,in the green color, and that the other half is actually open public deck.

Can anyone clear is up for me....

I can't imagine the Sanctuary, as exclusive as it is portrayed, being only separated from the shoulder to shoulder blue loungers and public masses by a railing.

[Not an Essex Girl]

HI

We were on the Ruby in July and was also in the Sanctuary

Yes the sanctuary is only seperated by the railings but we always found it very quite.

It was never that busy with people on the blue loungers and and was only people sunbathing so wouldnt be noisy.

Most families would be by one of the pools.


So if you want quietness then you will be ok


Tina

[Wishing on a star]

Wow, just wow...

IMHO, HUGE mistake by Princess...

That entire area should be exclusive.

I can't imagine paying, waiting in line, etc... just to be on one side of a rail....

To me, the whole definition of something like this that is payed for and exclusive is to be separated from and catered to away from the general public.

They could certainly reserve that many Sanctuary Seats on many days.

[Sox Fan Cruiser]

The diagram is a little misleading. Use the pool as a reference. The loungers on the sides of the pool are in the sun. There are only a few of them and the go very quickly. All the rest of the sanctuary forward of the pool is under cover from the sun. I think more of the sanctuary feel is under there. BUT the chairs in the sun do get all the same amenities and if you reserve it for the week, it's yours whenever you want it. You don't need to be there the whole time.

I do see your point as the other deck chairs are right there but I never thought it was a problem. But imagine if you got a family with kids sitting there?!?! They have every right to do so, and then there's little ol' me sitting IN the adults only sanctuary.

[rdsqrl]

If I recall correctly from being on the Crown, there is actually a glass wall/wind break/whatever you want to call it, in front of the loungers on the wood deck. You have to walk around them, through a door or gate or something -- can't remember, to get to the Sanctuary railing and the steps leading down to the Lotus Spa pool. It keeps the two areas separate in terms of noise.

I searched on Webshots and came up with this photo which shows the glass panels:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/226...12476588UFLsZe

Hope this helps.

[Oca]

Gosh, the picture of the Sanctuary on the Crown does not make it look very quiet and/or appealing. We are going to be on the Dawn -- to which a Sanctuary was recently added -- and were thinking of using the Sanctuary but now, I'm not too sure. I guess we will just have to take a look-see when we board.

As far as anyone knows, does the Sanctuary (or any of the Sanctuaries) have its own outside deck/railing so that you can have a lovely view while looking out from the deck railing itself or are all outside railings on all the ships in public areas?

[rdsqrl]

The Sanctuary on the Crown was actually quite nice -- the photo I linked to makes it look kinda dark and cramped but it really wasn't when you saw it in person.

I've been on the Dawn but pre-Sanctuary obviously and so I'm not sure where they're putting it, but that ship had lots of open deck space with railings near both the fore and aft pools, so I'd imagine there'd be open rail nearby.

[Wishing on a star]

Originally Posted by Oca

As far as anyone knows, does the Sanctuary (or any of the Sanctuaries) have its own outside deck/railing so that you can have a lovely view while looking out from the deck railing itself or are all outside railings on all the ships in public areas?

Well, according to the deckplans, photos, and my new understanding...
Nope, they do not, except for that small area right up front, where that railing is, dividing the so called exclusive sanctuary from the teeming general public.

Princess has REALLY missed the mark here.

You should see the photo on webshots that I found of the Ruby...

That railing is RIGHT THERE.... and there are bumper to bumper (no space to even walking between them) regular deck chairs, lined right up to that railing, actually FACING RIGHT INTO the sanctuary.

I hate to post the link, as it is not my photo or webshots account...

By definitiion, a sanctuary and/or and exclusive area is supposed to be separated from, a retreat, from the general masses.
How could Princess get this so wrong.

[irislady]

I agree that the Sanctuary on the Crown was very lovely, and our only regret was that we had not discovered it sooner. The cushions on the lounges were heavenly, the area was so quiet, and we really appreciated the "mostly" shade on the hot day we used it. We also thoroughly enjoyed the smaller, uncrowded pool. The only negative I can say about it is that we really did not experience the service/attention that the Sanctuary is supposed to be known for. As I recall the attendant only came over one time, and that was so see if we wanted to get a "spa lunch". We actually had to track someone down to get something to drink.

[Rosethorn40]

I was on the Emerald in March, which I believe is the sister ship to the Ruby, so I expect the layout is very similar. I had reserved the Sanctuary for the length of the cruise, and on the first morning was up there no later than 8:20. It was very quiet & peaceful. At around 11:00 I told my DH I was going to the cabin to get something, and it wasn't until I walked out of the Sanctuary, and around the blue paneled wind breaks did I see the mass of humanity out on the sun deck (I think they may have used potted palms to screen as well). It was wall to wall people. Each deck chair was only inches away from it's neighbor. However, it was mostly quiet adults reading, napping and sunbathing. It wasn't until I got closer to the main pool decks did I hear any noise. The pools and the decks around them were very noisy, and full of people.

On the second day I asked the stewards to move my lounger out into the sun, closer to the windbreaks and still found it peaceful. After that I went back to the shaded area, but that's because I dread getting a sunburn.

IMO I think the Sanctuary was worth every penny, and even my DH, last of the big-time spenders thought it was worth the additional cost.

[hollydog]

We also thoroughly enjoyed the smaller, uncrowded pool. [/quote]
I'm a little confused by this sentence. Deck plans show the Lotus pool next to the Sanctuary. Is the pool only for those who are using the Sanctuary? I thought all the pools were "public".

[Rosethorn40]

I'm a little confused by this sentence. Deck plans show the Lotus pool next to the Sanctuary. Is the pool only for those who are using the Sanctuary? I thought all the pools were "public".[/quote]

Any adult may use the Lotus pool as well as the two hot tubs there. There are a few loungers there (Not part of the Sanctuary) as well that are for use by adults. I believe there were only about 14 or so, and they filled up quickly, or at least they were being "Reserved" by towels, books, etc. early. Just another reason to love the Sanctuary; no worries about the dreaded chair hogs.

[irislady]

I think anyone could use the Lotus Pool, but there just weren't many people in the whole area except for those using The Sanctuary.

[wilsonqbc]

Hello,
Quick Question, I guess you can book the sanctuary for the entire week.
is it the same price on all Princess ships. How much is it?
We did the Retreat on Eurodam. 300 for 7 days, and are looking at doing a Princess cruise after Xmas. but will def want to have the sanctuary for the week also,
Looking probably at Ruby, maybe Crown.
Thanks

[Rosethorn40]

Originally Posted by wilsonqbc

Hello,
Quick Question, I guess you can book the sanctuary for the entire week.
is it the same price on all Princess ships. How much is it?
We did the Retreat on Eurodam. 300 for 7 days, and are looking at doing a Princess cruise after Xmas. but will def want to have the sanctuary for the week also,
Looking probably at Ruby, maybe Crown.
Thanks

The Sanctuary is $15 a day x the number of days so I expect for a 7-day cruise it would be $105. That's per chaise longue. They do have double chaise longues as well, but I am not sure how much they are. Unlike HAL you can not pre-book the Sanctuary before you get on board, so you need to get to the Sanctuary as soon as you board if you hope to get one for the week. Send the most fleet-footed person in your party up there to reserve.

After you Princess cruise please post a comparison of the Retreat & the Sanctuary! I am thinking of a cruise on Eurodam in early 2010, but what I have read of the Retreat I am not sure if I would like it as much as the Sanctuary.

[SingerEsq]

Originally Posted by Wishing on a star

Well, according to the deckplans, photos, and my new understanding...
Nope, they do not, except for that small area right up front, where that railing is, dividing the so called exclusive sanctuary from the teeming general public.

Princess has REALLY missed the mark here.

You should see the photo on webshots that I found of the Ruby...

That railing is RIGHT THERE.... and there are bumper to bumper (no space to even walking between them) regular deck chairs, lined right up to that railing, actually FACING RIGHT INTO the sanctuary.

I hate to post the link, as it is not my photo or webshots account...

By definitiion, a sanctuary and/or and exclusive area is supposed to be separated from, a retreat, from the general masses.
How could Princess get this so wrong.

Since I cannot see the photos to which are are referring, the partially shaded area of the sanctuary is by no means small. It's quite large and wraps completely around the forward portion of that deck. The open sun area (which flanks both sides of the open well to the Lotus Pool below) of the sanctuary is quite small, by comparison IMO. And, there is a wind break and pathway and gate between the "blue" chair area and where the Sanctuary starts. The blue chair area is quite a distances from the railing into the Sanctuary. Is it visible, yes. But you're not going to be hearing them past the wind break.

The Sanctuary is not so much about being "private" from a viewing standpoint, but rather you have the exclusive use of your chaise and the other ameneties that go along with it. And generally, b/c there is no children's pool nearby, the area just aft of the Sanctuary is usually only occupied by adults. I've never seen that area to be particularly rowdy, as there is no pool. Most of the people there were quiet sun tanners.

Sorry you seem so disappointed, but I've never heard complaints from my friends who prefer the open sun area, rather than the more secluded shaded area.

[SingerEsq]

Originally Posted by irislady

I think anyone could use the Lotus Pool, but there just weren't many people in the whole area except for those using The Sanctuary.

The Lotus Pool is open to all adults and it one deck below the Sanctuary (at least on the Ruby and Emerald). As to whether that pool gets crowded, depends on the cruise. On the Emerald in August it was quite crowded and quite noisy.

[SingerEsq]

Originally Posted by Oca

Gosh, the picture of the Sanctuary on the Crown does not make it look very quiet and/or appealing. We are going to be on the Dawn -- to which a Sanctuary was recently added -- and were thinking of using the Sanctuary but now, I'm not too sure. I guess we will just have to take a look-see when we board.

As far as anyone knows, does the Sanctuary (or any of the Sanctuaries) have its own outside deck/railing so that you can have a lovely view while looking out from the deck railing itself or are all outside railings on all the ships in public areas?

I believe the Dawn is set up differently than the gem-class ships. But on the Ruby and the Emerald, the forward facing loungers (in the shaded area) have an unobstructed floor to ceiling view ... with the exception of possibly, your feet. Some of the other loungers are placed mid-deck, so they to not have that same view. I belive you can also reserve, assuming its avaiable, a lounger in the sun that is right next to the side rail and you would have an unobstructed view from there too.