capriccio

What makes you think that? I just pulled up the Skagway Port Schedule for September (https://www.cruisemapper.com/ports/skagway-port-408?month=2024-09#schedule) and ships of just about every cruise line will be making over 75 port stops. @Donbar after 3 Alaska cruises with Princess I would still pick an itinerary that includes Glacier Bay. The scenery is fantastic. Princess and HAL have the most permits (only 2 ships a day IIRC are allowed). National Park Service rangers board the ship at the mouth of the bay and give a running commentary. Princess (and HAL I think) have full time naturalists on board who give presentations in the theater and narrate wildlife sightings from the bridge. You can get more info on the Princess North to Alaska program at https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/north-to-alaska-cruise-activities.

The new Sun class of ships is Princess's first foray into the ship within a ship setup. It is a significant change and it is very much a work in progress. We are frequent Princess cruisers booking mini-suites. We had tried Princess suites for a period that ended about 10 years ago when we decided that while the cabins were nice, the perks didn't amount to much. Before covid we took our first MSC Yacht Club cruise (Meraviglia) and took our second last December (Seascape). When Princess started touting the new perks offered with the Signature Suites on the new Sun Princess - dedicated dining room with a unique menu, dedicated sun deck, dedicated lounge - in January we decided to make a reservation just to check it out. Since then Princess has diminished the perks and raised the prices. No longer is there a dedicated Sun Deck; suite passengers will share the Sanctuary area (now includes the Sun Deck) with many more passengers. Whether the restaurant will still have unique menus has not been mentioned and most likely some of the passengers in the current reserve restaurant will be accommodated in the suite restaurant (where else could they go?). But the lounge is still just for suite passengers. If you want an earful about the current changes check out https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3004897-sanctuary-collection-on-sun-princess/ Now for some of what is still missing comparing the Princess ship within a ship offering to the MSC Yacht Club: Cabins are not located in a single area No personalized check-in and boarding No butlers No unlimited alcohol (new bookings have the premier package) The Sun deck does not include a grill (it does have a bar) offering breakfast and lunch. Specifically to your questions and concerns about the Sanctuary, it has been reported here that the "only guests over 16" Sanctuary rule on all other Princess ships is still the rule on the Sun. The obvious question of what about kids traveling in suites is answered exactly like that. Suites Do get priority disembarkation when tendering. There is a concierge (I don't know the hours) in the Suites Lounge. Priority theater seating now is a perk of the premier package so I would think that since that package is now included (assuming you just made the reservations or booked with the premier package earlier). The premier package also includes unlimited Wi-Fi and daily crew appreciation gratuities.

I live 12 mile north of Port Everglades and will not go anywhere near Fort Lauderdale beach during March. The traffic along A1A (the beach is on one side of the road and hotels, restaurants and bars are on the other) is horrific in large part due to the number of clueless jaywalkers trying to get to and from the beach. The first (and only) year we made the mistake of driving down there I couldn't believe that portions of the beach were standing room only in the mid-afternoon. All that said, if you can swing the price of Lago Mar (right on the south end of the beach) or Pelican Grand (on the north end of the beach) you would have a wonderful beach vacation. They are too expensive for students and secluded from the spring break madness. Another alternative would be the Sonesta which is across the street from the beach at the north end. There aren't any surrounding hotels nearby so that part of the beach is less crowded.

I hope your high school student appreciates all the primary source material contributed on this thread and provides appropriate footnotes in his assignment.

For specific unique events on an Alaska itinerary check out the North to Alaska program: https://www.princess.com/en-us/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/north-to-alaska-cruise-activities Every Alaska cruise has a full time naturalist on board that gives lectures in the theater and provides commentary from the bridge (for example, in the case of wildlife sightings). If your itinerary includes Glacier Bay, National Park Rangers board for the day and provide commentary. This is all in addition to the daily free events on board. To get an idea of the extent of them take a look at any Patter posted for this season (I realize it has just begun but postings should be available soon).

Some additional information would help people make recommendations: How many passengers? When are your traveling? Budget (in dollars)? What time do you arrive in FLL? Hotels are cheaper in Fort Lauderdale than Miami so if arriving late in the day with no Miami specific plans for the late afternoon and evening, you could save money by getting a hotel in Fort Lauderdale and traveling directly to Port Miami the next day.

Our experience is similar. We used it on two cruises last year (28 days and 7 days) and throughout the ship. I can remember 2 times when we didn't receive our food orders. We assumed they were delivered to someone else since the app read delivered. They were quickly corrected. Considering that we were using the delivery system multiple times a day I thought that was very good.

Unlimited free laundry happens with elite status (after 15 cruises or 150 days cruising on Princess). That can be a significant perk especially if you take long cruises.

That information is on the port's official website: https://www.porttb.com/cruise-schedules

And the new Sun Princess has shower glass doors in all cabins (finally!).

Don't miss the Tattoo. It is a great experience! https://www.edinburghfestivalcity.com/festivals/the-royal-edinburgh-military-tattoo https://www.edintattoo.co.uk/

But @blue_wateris cruising next April which will still be high season especially if the cruise dates are just before or after Easter. Value Trips will publish their rates and black out dates for 2025 sometime late in 2024. OP - if you book something refundable soon you can keep an eye out for the 2025 VT prices.

Where? The current suites dining room and adjacent kitchen were designed for the suite passengers from the very beginning.

On our two Princess cruises in 2023 we had twice a day service by our steward. Hopefully someone will chime in if that has changed since last summer.

Thank you so much. This was very kind of you! Hope you are enjoying your cruise.