chisoxfan

Well one reason we opted for a suite was the special lifeboats reserved for us...... oh... Princess said not to talk about it.... Seriously when we go on a Carib cruise we just like to hang at the pool. At times this experience became so frustrating (no doubt due in part to chair hogs) that we gravitated towards suites with dedicated pool areas (Retreat, YC) or used the Sanctuary (on Grand class where pool was directly below) or HAL cabanas near pool. So maybe a bit sensitive if spacing is challenged in Sun Sanctuary. We will do a balcony on HAL immediately after our Sun cruise... with no dedicated pool we never look at a suite.

I think Princess is falling into the let's see 'what the market will bear suite pricing' as have X and NCL. The upgrade programs seem to act as ultimate support for pricing. This appears as low hanging fruit short term but IMHO erodes loyalty. We were long term X cruisers but rarely even consider them currently. MSC YC has maintained (even with strong demand) some consistency in pricing.

Totally agree. MSC YC has been a beacon of reasonable pricing and transparency. Our only 'complaints' where that we personally were not enamored with the experience on the rest of the ship. We personally were not fans of non-refundable deposits which CCL lines have so far resisted. We even revisited a YC cruise where as Diamond members we could have saved around 500 over Sun suite pricing (but really wanted to try a new ship). With the apparently new sanctuary pricing YC becomes the remaining game in town for value suites. As I looked at clamshells at the Princess private island I was reminded how YC guests are well treated on their private island.

Well we can ask Princess management or try the 'lucky magic eight ball toy'.... right now I have more confidence in the magic eight ball toy. They really have created a lose/ lose scenario. We booked a suite (at what I felt was a fair price) largely to enjoy the Sanctuary in the Carib. With the now seemingly increased numbers of passengers using it I cannot imagine they will maintain the 'suite only section' as they will need all the space for newly minted users. I guess we will have to see but doesn't look good. Selflishly I would hope they would maintain a suite area as originally promised. While I cannot speak for others, some of us who purchased a premiere package might feel slighted as this is now standard. The Princess retort would be 'you got a better price'. I think what most of us want is just clarity. I know pricing will change but when you have drastic movement and changes in benefits/ categories (especially on a brand new ship) it does not lend confidence to future cruise bookings. I can emphasize with somebody who was looking to book a suite a few days ago and finding out it is now 35% more. Maybe to put an exclamation point on their (Princess') confusion I had looked at clamshells for an upcoming cruise. I never indicated I wanted to purchase and when one does initiate a purchase it typically requires a CC or use of OBC to reserve. This morning I received an invoice from Princess for three clamshells. Not difficult to cancel but not reassuring either (was hoping Princess would have had some provison for suite passengers on the private island). Not trying to overreact as things will likely change but I went from X Retreat to Princess Sphere class to now?........ MSC YC seems to be the last remaining survivor for cruisers who want a reasonably priced inclusive suite experience on a large cruise ship.

Thoroughly confusing. We had booked a "signature" suite for Jan. 25 and received the 'congratulations you have been upgraded" even though we fully expected everything listed. As commented by some our cruise now shows Sanctuary catagories where they had listed Reserve and Signature previously. We paid 6k for Suite and the same dealio is now approx 8500. I fully expected the sanctuary to be for suite guests only but it does appear they are trying to expand the categories that use it. A heck of a way to market a new ship- it seems they do not know what they are doing. So excited Princess offered a great price on a suite but now they apparently playing in the more rarified air of X whose pricing got crazy. I guess the point is like the weather wait a day and it (pricing) will change.

To each their own of course. We like the variety of entertainment, dining, and bars on the 'larger' ships. I looked at the Splendor that you cited and it certainly is a beautiful ship. Compared to Retreat it also would seem a bargain as a one week Jan. cruise in Carib for a 'discounted' balcony was around 11k (had to set up an account with phone number to get actual price and refund policy which I believe is fairly restrictive?). Overall we just like many options for nightime entertainment on larger ships even though I would agree that quality varies. My wife enjoys slots and the casino on Splendor just has a few table games. We really enjoy BB Kings on HAL ships. We also enjoy some of the private islands. For us the cruise is a just a fun getaway and we just ask decent food and service.... we don't need Mastro's quality steaks every night or a butler. A clean modern room with a balcony suffices for us. Our primary reason (maybe only) for doing a suite is a dedicated pool area and restaurant. So I can see where you are enamored with Regent but doesn't really ring our bell despite the value.

We are pretty much done with X, although we like the Retreat experience the pricing is insane. Only on two Retreat cruises (Ascent, Apex) but we were struck with how inconsistent overall service was which is not a positive for spending big money for a suite. We were once pretty satisfied AQ cruises but refuse to give up the balconies and prefer newer ships. So X not leaving much for us. We have looked at the semi luxury lines but frankly like a larger ship with many things to do. For those that enjoy smaller ships the value does generally seem to eclipse X Retreat. To the point, we definitely would recommend MSC YC and feel it equivalent to Retreat at 1/2 price. We only book suites on Caribbean itineraries as we feel time spent on ship for Med/ Europe cruises is so limited that we don't need a suite. We are interested also in Princess' new Sphere class ship which has dedicated suite area (lounge, pool, restaraunt) and have booked this at about 60-65% less than comparable Retreat on X. We are also doing a HAL Club Orange balcony which is a great value and on Pinnacle class ships has dedicated suite restaurant. A great advantage (for us) on CCL ships is fully refundable deposits. Our value prop on a Caribbean cruise or all inclusive is that we should be able to enjoy a week for under 6k. Back to back on HAL Nieuw Amsterdam with and Princess Sun suite (drinks, internet, tips, etc.) will be less than a Sky Suite week on Ascent this next winter.

Well guessing Princess will adapt to some concerns. First as surmised by some posters (including me)I think they may do away with pay as you go Sanctuary or make it more limited access except for suites. Being at back of ship (less windy) is likely a positive and the larger dedicated pool is a huge bene. They can change chairs, add umbrellas, maybe cover up some areas as needed. On the X Retreat there was some issue finding shade- very windy in front of ship on most days and the pool is 1/2 size of Sanctuary. So in short I think they have the making of a nice area depending how they elect to manage it.

We used to like Sanctuary on Grand Class when you could walk down to Lotus Spa Pool. Always thought that was the best of all worlds.

We frankly had a different experience. It was a long bus ride and we were greeted with long lines of cars and tour buses upon arrival. Much of the time (for seemingly everyone there) was spent waiting to use a single dilapidated toilet. I'm sure a few beers on the bus (a good idea although) would hasten this need. The crater lake is beautiful just not sure the overall experience was worth it. We have only regretted two excursions in our years of travel and this was one (and this was free using excursion credit). We wished we would have wandered the town instead which is easy to do. This was in October and no other ships in port and could not understand where all these tourists came from.

Thanks so much for sharing this. I wasn't expecting to count number of boards on balcony and it appears 10 and 11 deck balconies are the same and 8 was a 'normal' balcony. I was always aware of the 'giant' balconies everyone wants but never realized these more narrow balconies existed (we have only been on Westerdam and Eurodam). Thank you again.

Glad I ran across this. Goes to show you need to be ever vigilant when cruising. We booked Nieuw Statendam Club Orange and took 10027. We like balconies in front if aft not available and I thought what the heck the VQ must be better than standard balcony. The deck plan doesn't show a smaller balcony. It sounds as if we book on 11 ie probably 11027 we would at least have a normal balcony? I am going to do some more searches but appreciate any comments/ input. Thanks.

Wow, Thank you for the effort!

I appreciate your view of the ship and you have great insight actually being on it. But every ship I have ever been on has a pool area bar(s) if you are in a wet suit. I saw the Wake View Terrace and if a side access is blocked off for operational purposes that isn't ideal but it is not typical? It would appear you could go down from the buffet area by steps or elevator. I also saw your later 'expanded' review and understand you disliked the ship layout and and the food was 'some good, some terrible'.... OK not much to go on here. The ship's entertainment is 'missing'- totally get the frustration, maybe to be expected on new ship but Princess should make good on this. However not a harbinger for future cruisers. Too hot... well not drawing immediate conclusion that Princess has fatal flaw in their new ship design... maybe they do but let's wait to see this out. Non working jets in the Enclave and you complain that they send a paper check as reimbursement. As far as the 15 drink rule...... this has been in place forever and while you may not think it adequate not sure what the deal is. I am not a huge Princess fan and after many trips we had a terrible Panama cruise on Caribbean Princess 'swore them off' but did have somewhat redeeming Enchanted Princess transatlantic. Excited to try the Sun suites (mostly a X Retreat option) and will keep eyes posted on reviews to ferret out the true pros and cons of the groundbreaking (for Princess) ship. Certainly respect your right to leave Princess and be unhappy, just personally waiting for more measured reviews of the Sun.

I also agreed with the poster that it would be nice for breakfast times to be extended but this is not just a Princess thing. In X Retreat breakfast was also over at 9 and it was variable depending on port or sea day. Pretty sure some mornings it was closed at 8:30. However as you state earlier post of menu showed breakfast was all day (what a deal) ! Can't find a bar comment ...... there is no ship I have ever sailed on where this has been a problem.