Steelers36

Ahh... so, @charliedalrymple just needs to pony up more to surprise his mate and he can use a credit card. 😉

AFAIK, the only form of payment is charge to the cabin account with a Medallion scan or manually entering cabin nbr and verifying name in the system. Idea: If sailing with a friend, bring friend and have it charged to their cabin. Go to GS and ask them to make a payment on friend's account using your credit card. I presume you are concerned your mate sees it. In my case, I see and pay all the credit card bills and details with online banking, so I'd know about a charge anyway and may or may not pick up on something.

We had no issues last time returning to Civi port. Zipped to FCO in our pre-arranged limo and NP at all with check-in and security. Our troubles came later with the connection at Heathrow. We did make the plane, but just nuts there at the time with the transfer process - and it was BA both segments. I knew it could be a challenge at that airport, but went for the great business class pricing.

A prepaid SD reservation cancelled on board results in a refund to the cabin account as OBC and not to the original credit card.

So, why couldn't the OP arrive at FCO by 9:30am? Just need pre-arranged limo services from Civi port.

Is this an IT bug in the sales/booking process (not the first time errors have happened)? OR.... is this another unannounced change in the booking process that is positive for Princess and negative for guests?

Your question implies booking prior to your cruise date. If so, it is immediate. If booking on the ship, it is charged to your cabin account, but only when you actually dine in the restaurant.

So.. not only no shade, but also no privacy in the area. Totally unlike the other ships.

There was NS at the bar anyway.

I think you missed the point in earlier post. Jones Act has nothing to do with cruise ships... aka passenger vessels.

It's only a little over a year ago we were cruising. Flying is the same whether you are heading to a ship or elsewhere.

Excellent. It is supposed to be sophisticated there.

1. We have never had a problem and rarely if ever bring original bottles. 2. We have managed similar to you and never had weight issue. We have a luggage weigher at home so we know where we stand and no surprises at the airport. 3. 4. Doesn't matter ship nor port - always have DR for embarkation lunch. 11:00am is normal, give or take, these days. Expect terminal doors to open by 10am. Use EZ-Air to book your one-way flight and save a ton of money.

I suppose Fake Sanctuary would be a groaner?

The key word there is "door"!

Our previous two requests received very quick response and approved. It would be useless to have approval two weeks before sailing as @DallasGuy75219 suggested above. For example, our last deviation included a flight to return to port to get on another ship, accommodation bookings, rental car booking, plus travel and sightseeing plans. These could not wait until on the ship or even a month before sailing.

Oh, I still want to experience this ship. I just won't be laying out the dough for the non-Sanctuary.

To summarize what we know so far on pricing for Sun Class Sanctuary. Not all questions have been answered. General Access Fee = $100/pp/day (officially $99, but really now?). What you get is access to regular deck sun beds, perhaps a double-wide padded chair near the pool, some curvy hard plastic loungers at the pool, plus a general seating area that have tables and chairs and appears to be the only area with shade. Suite Guests pay no Access Fee and have access to designated area with comfy padded loungers we are used to. There is a bar. Cabanas cost $500/day (no word on number of guests allowed without paying more, although the number is 2 on older ships). These have full shade and some sun. NO word on part days - it is likely the $100 entry fee applies. NO definitive word on selecting lounger location and it seems unlikely this is still the case. ETA: I'm calling it the "Not-A-Real-Sanctuary Sanctuary", or the Non-Sanctuary for short.

NP.

Delete and start over.

True, but of course the Dome is an open public area and may have more noise.

I had read the same you quoted, but of course PCL did not publish that they were ruining the rest of the Sanctuary for the steerage guests. From the main video provided to date, it makes perfect sense that a Suite guest can come and go as the please and use the entire space. What we do not know is if they show up expecting to use one of their padded loungers, and they are all full, will they be able to plunk down onto a sun bed lounger to wait for one to open up? The Sun Sanctuary must have some capacity control, but that doesn't mean everyone gets a lounger. IMO, we need a detailed report from a guest who interviews the Sanctuary manager and asks them a list of questions on the operation. Until then, I think we have speculated the heck out of the place. In fact, I have been thinking that the Sun Sanctuary needs its own thread topic and all posts in this thread on the subject should be moved to it. ( @Host CJSKIDS, is that too much work now with maybe 100 posts on the Sun Sanctuary- what do you think?)

I think we can safely assume that all these collected gratuities are going into the pool. Same as the rest of it. Your cash tip goes to the waiter.

I am thinking you meant to include a thread link?

It never does for cruise ships.