Sanctuary reservations

[tanyaewa]

We are interested in an 11 day Baltic/ Russia in April/ May in a year that we are able cruise 😉 .
Being from Canada we know what to expect from the weather and think that using the sanctuary or spa for 2 of our sea days might be nice and cozy.  Even after 10 cruises this isn’t an area I’ve used so aren’t familiar with how to book the days. 
Besides running there when we board (which I’ve heard of) what are the other options? 
 

[chrysalis]

running is basically your only option...

[skynight]

15 minutes ago, tanyaewa said:

We are interested in an 11 day Baltic/ Russia in April/ May in a year that we are able cruise 😉 .
Being from Canada we know what to expect from the weather and think that using the sanctuary or spa for 2 of our sea days might be nice and cozy.  Even after 10 cruises this isn’t an area I’ve used so aren’t familiar with how to book the days. 
Besides running there when we board (which I’ve heard of) what are the other options? 
 

That's it.

[Treasure Hunter]

Running. Jump over people. Take the stairs. Go forward and up to deck 17. But on a Baltic cruise the Sanctuary will not be heavily booked. It is outside and at the front of the ship higher than the bridge it gets the wind first. There is nothing cosy  about it. We once ( on the LA to Hawaii) spent 10 of the 15 days wrapped in blankets drinking hot tea and cocoa. But the service is fabulous. You only need to rush in order to pick your days and lounges ( sun or shade).

[voljeep]

24 minutes ago, chrysalis said:

running is basically your only option...

 

11 minutes ago, skynight said:

Besides running there when we board (

i'd run if you really want it

[jondfk]

I've run my share of Sanctuary marathons, most recently, up 11 decks of stairs when the forward elevators were unavailable after boarding.

 

I do wonder however whether this ritual will continue on restart.  Why?  I expect a very structured embarkation process (rather than the mad rush of the past).  Keeping the sanctuary reservation system as it has been will effectively favor those who draw the long straw in the boarding lottery - which is sure to draw howls from Sanctuary fans.  The only way around this is to allow advanced bookings OR no bookings whatsoever until the ship is fully boarded.  Is this likely to be high on Princess radar - no - but is this likely to be one of very many things that just doesn't work the way it used to - yes.

 

  

Edited February 27, 2021 by jondfk

[tanyaewa]

1 hour ago, jondfk said:

I've run my share of Sanctuary marathons, most recently, up 11 decks of stairs when the forward elevators were unavailable after boarding.

 

I do wonder however whether this ritual will continue on restart.  Why?  I expect a very structured embarkation process (rather than the mad rush of the past).  Keeping the sanctuary reservation system as it has been will effectively favor those who draw the long straw in the boarding lottery - which is sure to draw howls from Sanctuary fans.  The only way around this is to allow advanced bookings OR no bookings whatsoever until the ship is fully boarded.  Is this likely to be high on Princess radar - no - but is this likely to be one of very many things that just doesn't work the way it used to - yes.

 

  

Great point. It is honestly an archaic system that completely favours people who are part of message board like this. My friends get very weary of me quoting “the board” lol. Although it’s often to our benefit.

However, our travel companions will absolutely not run the gauntlet to get reservations during the first 1/2 hour of an expensive relaxing vacation.  Unless perhaps it was to a cocktail bar with a view 

Sanctuary reservations may be one of the system upgrade benefits of Covid.  
It’s interesting to note that I have been unable to find ANY information in the Princess literature about how to make the reservations.

[Treasure Hunter]

People will go nuts. If they change boarding times. Before  The suite guests got to board first and within that group there was a pecking order. Even so there was always a line upstairs 10 minutes after boarding. I don’t know where they came from. Remember back to back cruisers have the advantage in that they can book the last day of their cruise for the next week. Also the casino holds back some cabanas for high rollers. An up front tip to the manager will be helpful if the location you want within the Sanctuary is not available. lounges can be dragged from one place to another. It’s an extremely stressful situation until you've locked it in.  We’ve complained to no avail. Very frustrating especially if you paid big bucks for a suite. As there isn’t a suite “retreat” or sun deck like Celebrity or NCL Haven. 

[Steelers36]

7 hours ago, jondfk said:

I've run my share of Sanctuary marathons, most recently, up 11 decks of stairs when the forward elevators were unavailable after boarding.

 

I do wonder however whether this ritual will continue on restart.  Why?  I expect a very structured embarkation process (rather than the mad rush of the past).  Keeping the sanctuary reservation system as it has been will effectively favor those who draw the long straw in the boarding lottery - which is sure to draw howls from Sanctuary fans.  The only way around this is to allow advanced bookings OR no bookings whatsoever until the ship is fully boarded.  Is this likely to be high on Princess radar - no - but is this likely to be one of very many things that just doesn't work the way it used to - yes.

 

  

Me too, but I would not worry too much about access on a Baltic cruise.  The mad dashes are mostly for the Caribbean itineraries.  The OP, @tanyaewa, mentioned sailing in April/May.  It is going to be generally cool then and won't be much demand for Sanctuary. 

 

On your second paragraph, I tend to agree in that it seems pretty apparent that Princess is going to be doing much more control on check-in process and timing in order to space people out at first.  We will have to wait and see if Suites and Elites can show up anytime.  With arbitrary enforced check-ins by deck, a Caribbean itinerary is going to see Sanctuary gone to B2B'ers and the first deck(s) to board.  I would not be a happy camper in this situation if not able to check-in early.  If I want Sanctuary days, I ensure we are about the first to board in order to secure chairs when and where I want them. 

 

If they wait to open up reservations after the last group is boarding, that won't help as there will be a line-up from the early boarders.  If they wait until the next morning, it will simply re-start the "old days" when folks had to get up a 6am or no later than 7am and get up top to line up for the 8 or 8:30am opening.  I guess that does give everyone a fair shot at it, but it eliminates the advantage early boarders have - which are Suites and Elites.  It is an interesting situation to see what happens and who knows if anyone at Princess is considering the implications.  I do really think the biggest issue is going to be Caribbean itineraries.  Cannot comment on West Coast voyages.

 

[caribill]

4 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

People will go nuts. If they change boarding times.

 

1 hour ago, Steelers36 said:

I tend to agree in that it seems pretty apparent that Princess is going to be doing much more control on check-in process and timing in order to space people out at first. 

 

 

It is Covid-19 that may lead to changes to the boarding times. And as more and more people do get vaccinated, the changes to boarding may or may not be significant.

 

Of course there has always been a problem in trying to make a fixed assignment time for boarding by decks or status.  Factors such as when flights arrive, how family groups are split up on different decks, etc. mean that one set of rigid requirements really does not work well with everyone.

 

I have experienced the way CCL does it one time (I do not know if they do it the same now).

 

Basically, you would sign up for a 30-minute time window. If the window you wanted was full, then you had to pick another time. Thus the deck you were on played no part in this (but how early you booked the cruise did play a big part). You would pick a time that met your flight or other way of getting to the cruise. If you missed your time slot, you could board with any later group. But if you showed up too early, you had to wait.

 

Note that this would not necessarily solve the Covid-19 problem. The next group waiting to board is always large when you have cruise ships with 3000+ passengers and in the past were close to each other, not lined up at 6-foot intervals.

 

If you have a ship such as the Royal with 3560 passengers (more if 3rd and 4th berths are occupied) and a four hour boarding window (noon-4 PM), there are only eight 30-minute time slots which would mean, if evenly assigned, 445 passengers in each group. A single line for each group spaced out at 6 feet apart would be a half mile long.

 

Of course this is about boarding on embarkation day. When reboarding at each port there are often long lines as many tours seem to end at the same time. We have been on Grand Class ships where we have waited on a line to reboard for over an hour.

[Steelers36]

On 2/28/2021 at 2:52 AM, caribill said:

 

 

It is Covid-19 that may lead to changes to the boarding times. And as more and more people do get vaccinated, the changes to boarding may or may not be significant.

 

Of course there has always been a problem in trying to make a fixed assignment time for boarding by decks or status.  Factors such as when flights arrive, how family groups are split up on different decks, etc. mean that one set of rigid requirements really does not work well with everyone.

 

I have experienced the way CCL does it one time (I do not know if they do it the same now).

 

Basically, you would sign up for a 30-minute time window. If the window you wanted was full, then you had to pick another time. Thus the deck you were on played no part in this (but how early you booked the cruise did play a big part). You would pick a time that met your flight or other way of getting to the cruise. If you missed your time slot, you could board with any later group. But if you showed up too early, you had to wait.

 

Note that this would not necessarily solve the Covid-19 problem. The next group waiting to board is always large when you have cruise ships with 3000+ passengers and in the past were close to each other, not lined up at 6-foot intervals.

 

If you have a ship such as the Royal with 3560 passengers (more if 3rd and 4th berths are occupied) and a four hour boarding window (noon-4 PM), there are only eight 30-minute time slots which would mean, if evenly assigned, 445 passengers in each group. A single line for each group spaced out at 6 feet apart would be a half mile long.

 

Of course this is about boarding on embarkation day. When reboarding at each port there are often long lines as many tours seem to end at the same time. We have been on Grand Class ships where we have waited on a line to reboard for over an hour.

My only concern about having to comply with a fixed boarding window is IF I was intending to book the Sanctuary, or get on the list for one of the special dinners.  Otherwise, it is just nice to be on board for lunch and then be settled in well before muster and sailing time.

 

[JF - retired RRT]

On 2/27/2021 at 1:35 PM, Treasure Hunter said:

We once ( on the LA to Hawaii) spent 10 of the 15 days wrapped in blankets drinking hot tea and cocoa. But the service is fabulous. You only need to rush in order to pick your days and lounges ( sun or shade).

Not our experience AT ALL!! Spent one morning in the Sanctuary in Ensenada. We were the only ones there. It was cold, rainy and miserable.

We had to almost beg for blankets. None of the stewards (3?) came around to see if we needed anything...and we did needed more than one blanket. I had to go to them to request more.

We managed to hang on until they offered the morning nourishment. One of the stewards plopped down a dish with a small sandwich and some pastries, brought tea (DH doesn't drink tea) and disappeared.

We were extremely disappointed and haven't booked the Sanctuary since.

[voljeep]

9 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

My only concern about having to comply with a fixed boarding window is IF I was intending to book the Sanctuary, or get on the list for one of the special dinners.  Otherwise, it is just nice to be on board for lunch and then be settled in well before muster and sailing time.

 

and wasting valuable drink package time 🍻 🍷 🥃

 

stay safe 😷

stay hydrated 🧊

get vaccinated 🥼

[caribill]

21 minutes ago, Steelers36 said:

My only concern about having to comply with a fixed boarding window is IF I was intending to book the Sanctuary, or get on the list for one of the special dinners.  Otherwise, it is just nice to be on board for lunch and then be settled in well before muster and sailing time.

 

My concerns are more about

a) Arriving by plane at 9 AM but not being able to check-in until 6.5 hours later.

or

b) Having to check-out of a hotel by 11 AM and not being able to check-in until 4.5 hours later

[Steelers36]

1 hour ago, caribill said:

My concerns are more about

a) Arriving by plane at 9 AM but not being able to check-in until 6.5 hours later.

or

b) Having to check-out of a hotel by 11 AM and not being able to check-in until 4.5 hours later

Right.  We are always arriving the day prior.

[Treasure Hunter]

On 3/1/2021 at 10:41 AM, JF - retired RRT said:

Not our experience AT ALL!! Spent one morning in the Sanctuary in Ensenada. We were the only ones there. It was cold, rainy and miserable.

We had to almost beg for blankets. None of the stewards (3?) came around to see if we needed anything...and we did needed more than one blanket. I had to go to them to request more.

We managed to hang on until they offered the morning nourishment. One of the stewards plopped down a dish with a small sandwich and some pastries, brought tea (DH doesn't drink tea) and disappeared.

We were extremely disappointed and haven't booked the Sanctuary since.

Sorry it worked out like that for you. The weather always impacts the Sanctuary. Did you stay for the afternoon English Tea? We've never been up there in the rain. There isn't any cover. We've gotten the Sanctuary for all the days of the cruise since they invented it. I feel bad that you didn't have a better experience. Give it another try on a different ship. I know the Emerald and the Regal were both outstanding. 

[JF - retired RRT]

2 hours ago, Treasure Hunter said:

Sorry it worked out like that for you. The weather always impacts the Sanctuary. Did you stay for the afternoon English Tea? We've never been up there in the rain. There isn't any cover. We've gotten the Sanctuary for all the days of the cruise since they invented it. I feel bad that you didn't have a better experience. Give it another try on a different ship. I know the Emerald and the Regal were both outstanding. 

Only had the AM booked. If we'd booked for the whole day we wouldn't have stayed.

We should have complained & asked for a refund, but didn't...we generally only use OBC (usually have a LOT).

[Syracusefan44]

I sent an email to Princess suggesting that with COVID19 protocols and the new boarding procedures they should allow passengers to book The Sanctuary through the Onboard Services / Lotus Spa reservations of our bookings.  The last thing they need is a large group of people standing in line immediately after boarding hoping to reserve a lounge chair in The Sanctuary.

[Syracusefan44]

My wife and I love The Sanctuary and find it one of the most relaxing parts of our cruises. 

Edited March 3, 2021 by Syracusefan44

[kitty2264]

3 hours ago, Syracusefan44 said:

The last thing they need is a large group of people standing in line immediately after boarding hoping to reserve a lounge chair in The Sanctuary.

 Funny, after all this time, even standing in line outside the sanctuary sounds good.

[Treasure Hunter]

We were in a mid ship suite on deck 14 on the Emerald ( Ruby sister ship) and the Regal and they are lovely and quiet. Never heard anything from above. 

[Treasure Hunter]

4 minutes ago, Treasure Hunter said:

We were in a mid ship suite on deck 14 on the Emerald ( Ruby sister ship) and the Regal and they are lovely and quiet. Never heard anything from above. 

Sorry this response should be in another category 

[rbtan]

On 3/2/2021 at 5:11 PM, Treasure Hunter said:

Sorry it worked out like that for you. The weather always impacts the Sanctuary. Did you stay for the afternoon English Tea? We've never been up there in the rain. There isn't any cover. We've gotten the Sanctuary for all the days of the cruise since they invented it. I feel bad that you didn't have a better experience. Give it another try on a different ship. I know the Emerald and the Regal were both outstanding. 

On our Hawaii trip last Ja.-Fed(one of the last)It's a cold 3-4 days out. I booked the Sanctuary for 4 days out & 5 days back. Moritsio(Star Princess) took care of me like a new born! Always made sure I had plenty of blankets & brought nice lunches & tea service each day. Normally there was no more than 2-4 people the whole time. Just would zone out to the soft music. My spouse would stay a few times, but hated the cold. I often looked like a "Wooly Bear" caterpillar all bundled up.

[Treasure Hunter]

I love it. I don’t care if it’s cold. That’s a better experience than a packed hot Caribbean cruise. But any experience is what you make of it and your attitude ( glass half full?) what I wouldn’t give to be in the Sanctuary now😢