Sanctuary prices shocked!!

[Little Sister]

how very sad. You say you are a teacher and yet, not only did you fail to read about the shjp/cruise line, but you also don't seem to know the difference between "quite" and "quiet". Additionally, you don't seem to like kids. Perhaps you should pursue not only a different venue for vacations, but also a different career path.

:):):):)

[AE_Collector]

I refuse to pay for something that should be offered free!

 

Who is to say what should and should not be offered for free? (IE: covered by the cost of the cruise)

 

This is my first and last cruise with Princess, peace and quite is the ONLY reason I cruise

 

If I were asked which Sanctuary arrangement is most likely to be the most quiet and relaxing: one that is free for anyone or one that each person there has paid a fee to be there, I think my guess would be the one that has a fee. And since this is the ONLY reason you cruise, I would think Princess would now be your cruise line of CHOICE!

 

it shouldn't cost more that the high price I've already paid just to be on the boat!!!

 

Cruising in a nut shell has NEVER been as inexpensive on average than it is today. So talking about the HIGH price you have paid just to be on board generally wont get a lot of sympathy. It is way less expensive for what you get than anything else that comes to mind. It has become so competitive that they are having to decide what to include and what to charge extra for. This gives us all the ability to pick and choose but of course one should do the research before booking and paying.

 

Terry

Edited March 7, 2014 by AE_Collector
Broke a "Quote" and ACTUALLY went back and FIXED IT!

[Cruise a holic]

Who is to say what should and should not be offered for free? (IE: covered by the cost of the cruise)

 

 

 

If I were asked which Sanctuary arrangement is most likely to be the most quiet and relaxing: one that is free for anyone or one that each person there has paid a fee to be there, I think my guess would be the one that has a fee. And since this is the ONLY reason you cruise, I would think Princess would now be your cruise line of CHOICE!

 

 

 

Cruising in a nut shell has NEVER been as inexpensive on average than it is today. So talking about the HIGH price you have paid just to be on board generally wont get a lot of sympathy. It is way less expensive for what you get than anything else that comes to mind. It has become so competitive that they are having to decide what to include and what to charge extra for. This gives us all the ability to pick and choose but of course one should do the research before booking and paying.

 

Terry

 

One of the best reasons to cruise is that you have choice, for those on a limited budget, you can stay in an inside cabin, perhaps a guarantee and pay as little as $599 pp- or for those who can afford more, they can have a penthouse suite for $5000 or more per person. You can dine in speciality restaurants and pay the fees, or the main dining room and buffet restaurant that are included.

 

Others enjoy lavish shore excursions and spa services. Some people play in the casino and buy "art" work-

 

So if somebody wants to spend money on upgrading the place they want to sit- why not.

 

A cruise is the vacation you want it to be. To each his own!

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited March 7, 2014 by Cruise a holic

[srice]

Will be on the Ruby for a 5 day soon.

Was the Sanctuary sold out on your cruise.

How soon did you book after embarking?

 

You are invited to stop by our combined Sail Away and Meet & Greet at the Horizon Terrace (Deck 15 Aft) immediately after the muster drill on the 10th.

[Loonbeam]

Not to be a cheerleader here, because I am not, but this argument holds no water for the most part, because Princess does offer an adults only area, that should be at least mostly as quiet as the sanctuary. The differentiator for the sanctuary should be facilities and service more so than environment.

 

That said, this becomes a more valid issue when the adult pool rules are not enforced (kids, chair hogs, etc). One should not have to pay extra to get what is promised as a basic amenity and that is a point of concern on some cruises.

[mellon1]

We were on the Emerald for 30 days from 1/18-2/17 and the following cruise they told me that the Sanctuary was doubling their price throughout the fleet. This was a corporate decision. I spoke with many people at the Sanctuary who were on for the next B2B and some said they would pay anything for the Sanctuary and others said they would not. To be there every day it's a mortgage payment for couples. Too many people were complaining because they could not get in. This is why corporate increased the price. As long as people continue to pay, they will continue to leave the prices high.

 

From a business standpoint everything has a value. Nothing is being added as a value and I would say they better spritz people good.

[Jetswdo]

I am a retired school teacher and dh has 1 more year (as a teacher) before retirement.

There should be an enforced quiet pool area onboard. Even if you love kids, teachers deserve to have a quiet vacation, since 5 days a week they are working with kids.

 

Celebrity does do adult quiet areas (IMHO) much better than Princess. If this is important to you their wonderful adult only area is included with cruise, and very comfortable loungers are everywhere (padded etc.)

 

I always maintain, itinerary comes first. Then the specific ship/line etc. I have been on Princess 2 times, my only complaints were that 1 time the food was just ok, nothing great- the second time, I lost 5 pounds, the food really was that bad. Now that was 5-8 years ago. A friend of mine who did maybe 10 cruises on Princess, did the one around Austrailia. She said the food was horrendous (2 years ago)

 

Anyway, the review regarding Royal Princess food has been nothing but possitive- we like the itinerary better for us for April in the carribean, so that was most important. We are very disappointed with having to pay extra for sanctuary, if we can even get into sanctuary. We would only pay for the week- refuse to get up at 6:00 am to then stand in line to pay a ridiculous price for the next day to use the area. So for this trip, we are reluctantly willing to overpay, as we want some escape from screetching kids. If we don't get into the sactuary- we will just work around that, oh well.

[capriccio]

 

Anyway, the review regarding Royal Princess food has been nothing but possitive- we like the itinerary better for us for April in the carribean, so that was most important. We are very disappointed with having to pay extra for sanctuary, if we can even get into sanctuary. We would only pay for the week- refuse to get up at 6:00 am to then stand in line to pay a ridiculous price for the next day to use the area. So for this trip, we are reluctantly willing to overpay, as we want some escape from screetching kids. If we don't get into the sactuary- we will just work around that, oh well.

 

On the Royal Princess the Retreat Pool is adults only and right next to the Sanctuary. You don't have to pay for a lounger at the Retreat Pool but you do have to pay if you want one of the six cabanas.

[Jetswdo]

I am aware of the Retreat Pool- There have been reports of kids being allowed to run around that area, and Princess staff not doing anything about it. Hoping this won't be the case on my upcoming cruise- but still, having to fight to find two loungers and in an area that we want, is not my idea of a relaxing vacation. Should the cabanas be available, that is my second option, if available for the week. But again, if having an uncrowded adult area is the focus, I don't think I would book Princess---So I do understand the O.P. being upset--

 

I will say that when I was on Sapphire, in spite of the horrendous food on that sailing- It was Alaska itinerary- we spent alot of that time at the covered pool area, and loungers were comfortable- no extra cost- maybe due to that itinerary

I never noticed unruly kids or chair hogs etc. And it was very quiet and relaxing.

One thing I really like Princess over Celebrity is the self service laundry availability. We had a wonderful Celebrity cruise in the Mediterranean last June (10 days)- but the lack of self service laundry did drive us nuts! But we did research beforehand, and packed way more than we would have if we had gone on Princess.

[janetz]

QUOTE:

 

I am aware of the Retreat Pool- There have been reports of kids being allowed to run around that area, and Princess staff not doing anything about it

 

 

 

 

 

Please tell me where you saw this? I would like to read that for myself. This is the FIRST time I have ever read that they allow children in the retreat area.

Edited March 8, 2014 by janetz

[Coveguy4]

I have never seen children in the adult pool, the sanctuary is a pampering "extra" that makes the cruise even more special. I do not book it on every single cruise I take but enjoy it when I do.

[hehny]

Just off Royal last month--visited retreat pool daily and NEVER saw any kids. I've been lurking on cc for a while and never heard of this being an issue.

 

Loved the sanctuary on the Royal. Supply price=demand. Clearly, people are willing to pay so Princess reacted accordingly. Everyone values something different. Some people wouldn't hesitate to drop money on sports tickets, I'd rather sit in front of my tv. To each his own. I always splurge on myself on a vacation. That's why it's a vacation!!!

Edited March 8, 2014 by hehny

[LewesBeach]

Will be on the Ruby for a 5 day soon.

Was the Sanctuary sold out on your cruise.

How soon did you book after embarking?

 

The Sanctuary was sold out every day as far as I know. The loungers reserved for "full cruise" were booked very soon after embarkation. The remaining 40% of the chairs reserved for full and half day passes got booked up every morning between 7:30 & 8AM. I was one of those that got up at 6:30 and stood in line to get a chair. I was amazed at the number of people who strolled by between 11-2 either thinking it was free (despite the clearly marked sign), or wanting to reserve a chair - because it looked like there were empty ones. Princess really should consider putting up a sign saying "FULL" instead of having staff man the booth all day long to tell people that very thing.

[Jetswdo]

Sorry folks, I stand corrected---apparently I mixed up cruise lines with regards to adult pool--- I had read that on one ship, not Princess, this had happenned on a few sailings---- so I totally appologize! Good to know that Princess DOES monitor Retreat pool. When I come off the Reflection next month, I will write a detailed and totally honest review, to pay it forward. Again, sorry for my apparently mistaken statement regarding retreat pool.

[janetz]

Sorry folks, I stand corrected---apparently I mixed up cruise lines with regards to adult pool--- I had read that on one ship, not Princess, this had happenned on a few sailings---- so I totally appologize! Good to know that Princess DOES monitor Retreat pool. When I come off the Reflection next month, I will write a detailed and totally honest review, to pay it forward. Again, sorry for my apparently mistaken statement regarding retreat pool.

 

 

All good. ;)

[hehny]

I loved the Royal. This time I didn't book the sanctuary or retreat cabanas. On port days, there was always a seat at the retreat. On sea days, you could usually find a pair of loungers by 9:30 I found more chair hogs in the main pool area, than the Retreat. Never any children.

 

With that said, I found complaints about lack of seating on Royal to be unfounded. There were always free loungers. Just not by the pool or together. I went at all times and could always find a lounger in the main area just not by the pool or enough for a couple. Obviously if I wanted to sit with my family, I got up early. But I wouldn't stress about it.

 

Enjoy your vacation!

[caribill]

With that said, I found complaints about lack of seating on Royal to be unfounded. There were always free loungers. Just not by the pool or together.

 

The bigger problem, I understand, is that there are very few seats in true shade at the Retreat area.

[chamima]

The bigger problem, I understand, is that there are very few seats in true shade at the Retreat area.

 

There were very few seats (actually none that we found, other than in the Sanctuary) in true shade anywhere on the ship.

I suggested in my post-cruise survey that they replace all of the tables and chairs in the shaded area next to the main pool with loungers. That area was in real shade but I don't want to spend my day sitting at a table. :(

[hehny]

There were very few seats (actually none that we found, other than in the Sanctuary) in true shade anywhere on the ship.

I suggested in my post-cruise survey that they replace all of the tables and chairs in the shaded area next to the main pool with loungers. That area was in real shade but I don't want to spend my day sitting at a table. :(

 

One of the reasons we splurged on a cabana in the sanctuary for our first trip. The only guaranteed shade.

[chamima]

One of the reasons we splurged on a cabana in the sanctuary for our first trip. The only guaranteed shade.

 

If I remember the prices correctly that really was a splurge!

$1500/day was what I remember the sign saying!

[Steelers36]

Princess really should consider putting up a sign saying "FULL" instead of having staff man the booth all day long to tell people that very thing.

 

No one mans the booth all day, but the attendants are always present and one will always step and greet a new arrival or deal with an inquiry.

[bob111]

Grand, 2-15/3-5

Day 1 patter listed pricing as 10/20.

Sanctuary had pricing 20/40. Attendant said pricing raised.

Day 2 or 3, patter had pricing 10/40.

Went up a couple of times, not to use, just to see if anyone using, saw at most, 2-4. Maybe Princess will wake up after a few cruises with very little revenue, and lower prices.

Bob

[HRPro]

Just off the Star Princess-2/17 to 3/5 and Sanctuary prices listed in the Patter were $20 for half day and $40 for full day. Not worth it to me especially since our weather except for the days in Hawaii were pretty cool.

[ashley@cruisecritic]

Hi all,

 

The pricing was officially doubled in January across all ships in the fleet. It's now $40 per person for a full day or $20 per person for a half-day. (Prices can go up or down, though, depending on demand.)

 

Here's our story: http://www.cruisecritic.com/news/news.cfm?ID=5777.

[4realrod]

I cruise on Carnival and Princess almost exclusively. Just off the Miracle and thoroughly enjoyed their serenity area (for free). I have never paid the extra cost for the sanctuary. I usually hang on the Grand Class ships by the lotus pool or the aft adult pool. By the lotus pool I have never had issues with kids so that probably wouldn't change. The extra cost are starting to become annoying however a cruise vacation is still the best bang for the buck.