Sun Princess

[Ombud]

I'm looking at a B2B 29 total day milestone cruise 4/21-5/21 on this ship. Not interested in feedback on ports but ---- I've never been on a 'Sun Class' ship unless the old Regal was one. Not a fan of that ship. 

 

Has anyone been on it? This would be my celebration of reaching SSA age 🥳

Edited June 11, 2019 by Ombud
Typo

[BarbinMich]

We sailed on the Sun P in Jan 2005 (out of FLL to Grenada, St. Lucia, Martinique, Princess Cays).  It was only our second Princess cruise, the first being on that old Regal (repositioning from Rome to Copenhagen) in 2003.  As it was a tad newer (1995) and totally different design than the old Regal (built in 1991 and now the Pacific Dawn), we were quite impressed!  Especially loved the atrium, much smaller then than the ones on the newer ships.  We sailed on her again in 2007 to some different ports (Antigua, St. Lucia, Martinique, St. Thomas, Princess Cays).  Other than the atrium, I don't remember much about her. 🙄

[MargoK]

We have sailed on the Sun Princess twice in the last two years. 

I rather like the Sun.  Has a nice feel. 

In contrast we did 25 days recently on the Majestic Princess, which is quite different. 

Found the Sun Princess much more friendly - passengers and crew. An intimate feel. 

[By The Bay]

I have recently cruised on the Sun. I like the International Cafe in the Atrium and a walk around the deck 7 promenade.  Not as flash as the newer ships, but a lot less passengers.

[NeptuneSeas]

I've sailed on Sun, Sea & Dawn  and many other Princess classes. Haven't been on Sun for a while.

If you like the old feel of sailing, as I do, Sun class are perfect IMO. Less pax. Depending whether you like the extra dining options, there's not as many restaurants/dining rooms. Sterling Steakhouse was in a designated area of Horizons. Sun has real teak decking (not that fake stuff!) on Promenande Deck which goes full length (no stairs at bow like newer ones). There is no Skywalkers for Elite/Platinum for 5-7pm drinks/canape buffet, though nightclub area (Deck 7 midships) was used on Sea this year; no view like Skywalkers).  Sanctuary, MUTS, Wheelhouse Bar,  Princess Theater, casino etc the same, though smaller. No Explorers Lounge midship.  I believe there was refurbishment to suit Japanese market. Being older, cabins with balconies have solid steel railings, unlike newer ships ( many complain are rusty -  I don't care)  none overlook balconies below like newer ships. My minisuite on Sea was very large and well designed, though balcony narrower of course. If you want the latest design & more dining choices etc, Sun class won't have it. If you want a cruise with less pax, same level of safety, food & service etc, Sun class is perfect IMO. I'm happy on any Princess & grateful I can be on a Princesss. I don't care if furnishings are old style and there's rust, as long as I smell the sea air and have a safe, relaxing voyage. Hope this helps. Neptune.

 

Edited June 12, 2019 by NeptuneSeas
typo

[Ombud]

It's got Kai Sushi & International Cafe which is a plus. 

 

Does it have same quality musicians? Were the rooms noticeably smaller? 

Edited June 12, 2019 by Ombud

[NeptuneSeas]

that's good news. Bon Voyage!

[NeptuneSeas]

Yes, same quality Princess musicians & dancers, same Princess shows (which you may have seen on previous ships), as well as guest artists, trio/quartet/pianist etc playing in atrium/bars, theme nights (tropical, western etc).

Rooms not smaller to me; I use balcony or minisuite. If you check Princess site, you can compare  room areas; just the layout may be slightly different, furniture is standard type, no walk in robe area in inside, oceanview & balcony cabins, but plenty of wardrobe/drawer space. There is a walk in robe & many drawers/storage in minisuites & suites, balcony furniture  ok, had the new Princess comfy mattress & bedding, same bathroom type/size!!! except minisuite on Sea had HUGE  bathroom with spa bath (some say larger than the newer ships)  As Sun, Sea and former Dawn are sisters, they're same layout, etc. I haven't been in a suite on Sun class ships.

 

Sun is a cosy feeling ship; I like the motion of these, you might come across the same person again on the cruise - unlike on the bigger newer Princesses , if you like to meet people again!

Edited June 12, 2019 by NeptuneSeas
typo

[HaveDogWillTravel]

This is a great thread.  I’ve got an interesting itinerary in May 2021. We take Pacific Princess LA to Vancouver, get 4 days on land (independent) then sail Sun Princess back to LA. It’s unusual to find a ship sailing south in May. 

I’ve not been on either ship but have read a lot about Pacific Princess. Haven’t found too much on Sun. We have a Club Class aft mini D751, on the Sun. It is 413 sq ft. Haven’t been able to find pictures.  Looking forward to trying out Pacific and Sun. 

[geoherb]

We sailed on the Sun Princess on a holiday cruise. I did not like that there were so many children on that cruise without quiet places to get away from them. On the Grand class and newer ships, we get to enjoy the adults only pools without a bunch of children. 

[OzKiwiJJ]

11 hours ago, geoherb said:

We sailed on the Sun Princess on a holiday cruise. I did not like that there were so many children on that cruise without quiet places to get away from them. On the Grand class and newer ships, we get to enjoy the adults only pools without a bunch of children. 

There is an adults-only pool on Sun - the Lotus Spa Pool aft. However it's set down below the deck above so doesn't have good sunlounger space. 

[Thrak]

Our first cruise was on Sea Princess - sister ship to Sun Princess. I absolutely knew without a doubt I would hate everything about cruising. When we got off in SF I wanted to turn around and get right back on the ship. It was a wonderful experience. Yes, it's smaller than the Grand class or their big sisters with the Rivera Deck (which doesn't bother me at all) but it doesn't have to be "the same" to be great. We have yet to sail on a Royal class ship but I don't think "bigger" will be "better".

Edited June 13, 2019 by Thrak

[Coral]

I have sailed on the Sun, Sea and Dawn Princess several times. I actually like the ship and the layout. I would sail on them again in a heart beat. They are more personal and staff has always been great.

 

The rooms are slightly smaller and the balconies are cut from the hull (steel all around). On the flip side, every balcony on the sides are protected from the elements and the aft suites and mini suites have huge balconies.

 

The mini suites on this ship are actually quite large. They look like suites.

 

I actually like the size of these ships. I don't subscribe to "bigger is always better". The only thing I would advise is to stay away from balcony cabins that are for 3 or 4 people. They are set up odd. Just avoid these cabins.

[Coral]

The old Regal was not a Sun Class. There was the Sun, Dawn, Sea and then Ocean Princess. The Ocean Princess wasn't with Princess that long and went to P&O or Australia (don't remember).

 

They used to call them "the Baby Grand Princess ships" as some of them were being built when the Grand Princess came out.

[Coral]

38 minutes ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

There is an adults-only pool on Sun - the Lotus Spa Pool aft. However it's set down below the deck above so doesn't have good sunlounger space. 

[geoherb]

When we sailed on the Sun, that pool was not adults only. The adults only one shared the open deck space with the Riviera Pool. This was before the refurb in 2007. 

[Expat Cruise]

The Sun Class is our favorite in the Princess Line. Yes it is smaller at 80,000 tons and only 2000 passengers, but it is a real ship.  The ship is never crowded, it feels like more like a private ship, than a floating hotel. It has the full walk around Deck 7 Promenande Deck. The staff is great, and the ship handles the ocean well. We have done 3 cruises on her in the last year, including 18 days Australia to Hong Kong. 

 

We like the fact that never a wait, Anytime Dinning was always within 5 minutes for private tables and no wait for sharing tables. The buffet was always easy to find seats, the main Plaza area was only busy on port days. International Cafe, was right on deck 5 Plaza and lots of seating. Pool Deck Chairs for daytime swimming or movie nights easy and open, no chair hogs. 

 

The food was very good, Restaurants like Share and Sterlings were great. The only area of the ship that seem to be full was the night time stage shows, you could show up 10 minutes before but limited seating. Went to several things during the day, even late and always able to get seats.  

 

Here are a few pictures from March 2019 18 days on the Sun Princess. All Pictures taken  Daytime (9:30 am to 7:00 pm), this is how the ship was most of the time on sea days, very open and no crowds.  Bridge photo taken after crossing the equator. 

 

[Ombud]

Beautiful atrium! Booking it. Thanks everyone 

[Coral]

20 minutes ago, Ombud said:

Beautiful atrium! Booking it. Thanks everyone 

It is a great ship! Congrats!

 

I would still sail it if they were close by.

[HaveDogWillTravel]

Thank you for the pictures. I love those window seat lounge spaces!  

[cheznandy]

2 hours ago, Coral said:

It is a great ship! Congrats!

 

I would still sail it if they were close by.

We are booked  Tokyo to Vancouver May  2021, I am not sure what the Sun Princess is doing when it gets to LA, but my folio is USD not AUD as it is when the Sea/Sun do world cruises/Circle Pacific from Australia.

The cruise is not advertised as a Circle Pacific but departs Sydney/Perth/Singapore/Tokyo then on to LA via Alaska.

I am thinking it may stay and do the Alaska season?  Our Sydney port schedule is not updated that far to see when it returns to OZ. if it does??

Anyway, those that wish to sail on the Sun Class again may get the opportunity, even if it is a pacific crossing via Hawaii😃

 

[Sarah Jane Smith]

On 6/12/2019 at 3:00 PM, HaveDogWillTravel said:

This is a great thread.  I’ve got an interesting itinerary in May 2021. We take Pacific Princess LA to Vancouver, get 4 days on land (independent) then sail Sun Princess back to LA. It’s unusual to find a ship sailing south in May. 

I’ve not been on either ship but have read a lot about Pacific Princess. Haven’t found too much on Sun. We have a Club Class aft mini D751, on the Sun. It is 413 sq ft. Haven’t been able to find pictures.  Looking forward to trying out Pacific and Sun. 

Hi HaveDogWillTravel

We had a short cruise in D751 in the Sea Princess this year. Loved the room, particularly the aft facing balcony and the relaxing sound of the wake. I think this room would be very similar to the one on the Sun Princess.

Enjoy your cruises - don't think they will let you take your dog 🙂

 

[OzKiwiJJ]

5 hours ago, Coral said:

Yes, that's the one. I'm not sure if the deck above, where the sunloungers are, is adults-only though. The pool certainly was when we were on Sun last in 2016.

[OzKiwiJJ]

3 hours ago, Ombud said:

Beautiful atrium! Booking it. Thanks everyone 

Happy cruising!

[Coral]

3 hours ago, OzKiwiJJ said:

Yes, that's the one. I'm not sure if the deck above, where the sunloungers are, is adults-only though. The pool certainly was when we were on Sun last in 2016.

I don't know either.