Sun Princess - Why such negative reviews?

[Globaler]

14 hours ago, FLAlaska said:

Right. Celebrity Edge Club only fits 260 and the theater is only 900. 

Agree but the policy of premier having seats saved is a major issue that adds problems trying to find seats.,

[Despegue]

8 USD surcharge per oyster?! 🙄😱 They are nuts.

[Oceansaway17]

8 hours ago, reedprincess said:

And Edge is only 2900 at capacity., with a theater for 900. And while the Club has seating capacity of 261 seats, there's plenty of standing room available.... It was a struggle for sure during the first season of sailing for the Carousel show and such, but died down after a year or so as people saw it and were done .

 

 

While Sun is  4300, at double occupancy.

With a theater that seats 990.. and Dome seats 250.  

 

Apples and oranges, somewhat, given the major difference in ship and capacity size between Edge class and Sphere class...

 

 

Sun double occupancy is 4k +. Not 3k.

500 out of 4000+ can see a Dome show on a night...

Remarkably small venues . 65 more seats in Sun Arena over Regal? For approximately 800 more people in capacity?  .

And still, only two shows a night?  

Well done Princess...

I was just quoting the you tube person who used 3K as point of reference.

nice of you to correct me though.

I am going on Sun next month and won’t even try to see the aerial show since other ships have similar shows. 
NCL also gets criticized for small venues too.

[PacnGoNow]

1 hour ago, Globaler said:

Agree but the policy of premier having seats saved is a major issue that adds problems trying to find seats.,

Yes, for sure.  They are reserved only for the theatre, I hope.  Wonder what percentage?  Another reason to buy a Premier package.  😆 

 

I think it would be wise to see the shows later in the cruise, maybe not so many people?  Or a 1pm matinee, if offered?

 

 

 

 

 

 

[ldubs]

18 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I agree. On you tube a fellow on the ship right now says arguments and issues with trying to see the shows in the dome are becoming out of control.  only 250 people can see the show and they have it twice so that makes 500 out of 3k.

Lucky it is just aerials which other ships do have. But the dome is really for day time not night so much. Seating is supposedly odd as well with 3 rows per level meaning heads are in the way.

 

check out You tube for the fellow from Canada and first letter in name is D.

 

Deciphering the code to the video was easier than I expected!  😃  

 

That is very discouraging.  There is no way I'm going to a show that requires I arrive 3.5 hours ahead of time.  Though, I might show up to watch the fisticuffs!  😃😃

[bstrauss3]

Just now, ldubs said:

 

Deciphering the code to the video was easier than I expected!  😃  

 

That is very discouraging.  There is no way I'm going to a show that requires I arrive 3.5 hours ahead of time.  Though, I might show up to watch the fisticuffs!  😃😃

We will let you know when they start building a cage in the lobby.

[RNRcruisers]

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

. 
NCL also gets criticized for small venues too.

 

That is one reason we now avoid NCL. We will be on the Sun in January, against my initial doubts, so will find out for ourselves. 

[rhobbkf]

We have premier and arrived an hour early for a production show and all the premier seats were already filled.  The attendant said sorry, just the way it is.  So, expecting to have reserved seating on the Sun is futile unless you are willing to go over an hour ahead for the production shows.  Even the 1 pm matinee filled up over 30 mins prior to the show.  We haven't tried for the dome at all because we're just not willing to waste time like that.  Definitely feels like the venues are too small....

[IndyKid]

1 hour ago, rhobbkf said:

We have premier and arrived an hour early for a production show and all the premier seats were already filled.  The attendant said sorry, just the way it is.  So, expecting to have reserved seating on the Sun is futile unless you are willing to go over an hour ahead for the production shows.  Even the 1 pm matinee filled up over 30 mins prior to the show.  We haven't tried for the dome at all because we're just not willing to waste time like that.  Definitely feels like the venues are too small....

We took a cruise aboard Allure Of The Seas 8 years ago, and it also was lacking in space in some of the public areas, although the shows were OK because you had to obtain tickets beforehand and they were reserved seating. But the lines for the elevators were always backed up, and trying to find a place in the Windjammer buffet for breakfast & lunch was a chore.

 

And don't even get me started about all the kids....

[mrrom92]

What is the deal with the Sun - there is no club apparently? So what do people even do on this ship?

 

I am booked but already regretting it and considering a cancellation

[reedprincess]

1 minute ago, mrrom92 said:

What is the deal with the Sun - there is no club apparently? So what do people even do on this ship?

 

I am booked but already regretting it and considering a cancellation

Nope, no club. Nightclub type Dancing is in the atrium, or in the Dome some few nights.  

 

[mrrom92]

25 minutes ago, reedprincess said:

Nope, no club. Nightclub type Dancing is in the atrium, or in the Dome some few nights.  

 

Appreciate the clarification on that, thank you. From what I can see from online ship tour videos, these hardly seem like the appropriate type of venue for that sort of thing, the “vibe” is just off… but it’s better than absolutely nothing. Just kinda disappointing for me, personally.

Edited October 4 by mrrom92

[reedprincess]

42 minutes ago, mrrom92 said:

Appreciate the clarification on that, thank you. From what I can see from online ship tour videos, these hardly seem like the appropriate type of venue for that sort of thing, the “vibe” is just off… but it’s better than absolutely nothing. Just kinda disappointing for me, personally.

It's majorly disappointing to me. Princess has done away with property clubs on all their newer builds - and those that had them, like Club 6 on Royal and Regal or Take 5 on Discovery, Enchanted, etc are all being converted to more casino space. Go figure. 

 

It's sent us to other lines actually. We'll still sail Princess, but dancing in the lobby aka atrium /piazza (for all intents and purposes) is not my thing...

Edge class ships with Celebrity or MSc for me! Proper clubs, DJs, loads of live music, and people who actually dance, instead of sitting around the edges watching the cruise staff try to get anyone up and participating! 

 

[bstrauss3]

The beauty of the cruise industry is that there are a dozen major lines each tuned for a different passenger focus/interest.

 

There is a lot to like on SP.

 

There are some things I don't like that are structural and can't be fixed.

 

There are a lot of operational issues, and P just hasn't figured out how to operate their ship. These will be learnings and they will fix them over time. But what they learned doing 14 day med cruises with a euro population doesn't translate to a TATL. And won't translate to a 7 day Carribe grind.

 

Rando examples...

 

The shows will have to move to a ticket system.

 

I like the automatic nightlights in the room, they're just too bright by 4x.

 

The lighted hanger bar in the closet is decorative, but /a/ too high unless you are 6'+ and /b/ shines right in your eyes as you are trying to grab something. The solution would be to turn it 90 degrees so the light bounces off the back of the closet.

 

There is a TON of storage in our mini suite. It's DEEP not the many shallow drawers and cubbies. You have to learn how to arrange your clothing,  especially if you have two climes to deal with.

 

The elevators work fab. Except for the chronic drunks and those who refuse to learn. But it's a 2-3 day learning curve and that's going to be a problem with 7 day cruises.

 

Even there, P is trialing two changes. One in our bank is locked into a maintenance mode which shows traditional buttons not just the floor #s in a line. More confusing than convenient as people try to push the indicators and get annoyed when the Artificial Stupid overrides them. Elsewhere  they have a bank board showing each elevator and what has been requested/will be served. 

 

The medallions mostly just work.

 

Staff has figured out how to work around the tap system. In a quiet bar, when you walk up, they see the picture popup and know whom they are serving. They just greet you by name! What can I get you Mr. FirstName. Even in a busy bar, they can scroll the list of all the medallions nearby and find you (pro tip: upload a good picture of yourself).

 

The Estery on 9 works. Felt odd vs. the typical Lido, but it's nicer to have a space focused on eating, vs. an adjunct to the pool. And there are five food choices AT the pool. The Chicken Shawarma needs more seasoning in the marinade.

 

The water on the table is nice, but having to ask for a glass and/or ice is nuts and delays eating.

 

Structurally the service plates are nice heavy stoneware but are room temp and food cools too rapidly. Especially if you have to wait for a beverage. 

 

Food is definitely a notch below pre pandemic for P. P's target was always good+ now it seems good to good-. Several dishes just need a little amp up on the seasonings. All of the beef is tough. 

 

Pro tip: all of the cases in the eatery with hinges and a plexi handle can be self serve. You don't have to wait for a member of staff to hand you your Raspberry Flourless Chocolate cake. You can, but...

 

[Esprit]

4 hours ago, mrrom92 said:

Appreciate the clarification on that, thank you. From what I can see from online ship tour videos, these hardly seem like the appropriate type of venue for that sort of thing, the “vibe” is just off… but it’s better than absolutely nothing. Just kinda disappointing for me, personally.

Well we enjoyed the night club vibe up in the Dome. It was rocking every night from 11.45 pm until 2 am. Not that we stayed that late!

[Esprit]

I thought the atmosphere in the Piazza was much better than what you get on Celebrity Solstice class atriums.

 

Edited October 4 by Esprit

[555]

8 hours ago, rhobbkf said:

  Even the 1 pm matinee filled up over 30 mins prior to the show.  We haven't tried for the dome at all because we're just not willing to waste time like that.  Definitely feels like the venues are too small....

Were the matinee shows identical to those in the evening?

 

 

5 hours ago, mrrom92 said:

Appreciate the clarification on that, thank you. From what I can see from online ship tour videos, these hardly seem like the appropriate type of venue for that sort of thing, the “vibe” is just off… but it’s better than absolutely nothing. Just kinda disappointing for me, personally.

The whole ship just seems dysfunctional.  

[mrrom92]

1 hour ago, Esprit said:

Well we enjoyed the night club vibe up in the Dome. It was rocking every night from 11.45 pm until 2 am. Not that we stayed that late!

This is somewhat reassuring, if not for the fact that it looks completely empty in the video. But appreciate the personal insight anyhow. I remain apprehensive but we shall see…

 

I sailed Princess for the first time earlier this year, the club on the Emerald wasn’t great mind you or even well attended, but at least it existed. We made the most of it…

[rhobbkf]

The matinee is the same show. 

 

The ship is beautiful, IMO, and the crew outstanding.  Although it seems a lot of the crew is leaving because they've been on since launch and are going on break.  I would encourage people to try the Sun.  They are fixing a lot of issues (grinding has stopped, restaurant moves will mean more availability, etc).  And while it will be a bit of a learning curve finding new venues, you will find your way.  We prefer smaller ships, but would do the Sun again if the itinerary was right.

[Esprit]

53 minutes ago, mrrom92 said:

This is somewhat reassuring, if not for the fact that it looks completely empty in the video. But appreciate the personal insight anyhow. I remain apprehensive but we shall see…

 

I sailed Princess for the first time earlier this year, the club on the Emerald wasn’t great mind you or even well attended, but at least it existed. We made the most of it…

It was empty as the Deck party was still in full swing. I just wanted to see what the Dome looked like before everyone moved into it.

This was a Mediterranean cruise with lots of Spanish people aboard who like to party late.

 

 

[Globaler]

8 hours ago, mrrom92 said:

What is the deal with the Sun - there is no club apparently? So what do people even do on this ship?

 

I am booked but already regretting it and considering a cancellation

lol - you can hang out in the Piazza!

[bstrauss3]

Just now, Globaler said:

lol - you can hang out in the Piazza!

With bar service to your seat!

[RNRcruisers]

Going in January with a group who likes to dance - we made the most of Club 6 on the Regal in 2022 (before it was downsized 😬). I hope we can find a similar location for late evening hanging out. 

[JGmf]

2 hours ago, mrrom92 said:

This is somewhat reassuring, if not for the fact that it looks completely empty in the video. But appreciate the personal insight anyhow. I remain apprehensive but we shall see…

 

@mrrom92 I too like a late night vibe, but understand that with Princess it's not as expected as much as with, say, Carnival.  That said, I'm still looking forward to my Sun Princess sailing in January regardless.  Crossing my fingers that there is activity at or around midnight, but we'll see.  Note that on other Princess ships, if you find a similarly-minded group, you could still hang out somewhere and order drinks via the medallion even when bars are closed.

 

@RNRcruisers I'm on the Jan 26 sailing.  Maybe you're on the same one.  If so, see you out and about!

Edited October 4 by JGmf

[RNRcruisers]

7 minutes ago, JGmf said:

 

 

@RNRcruisers I'm on the Jan 26 sailing.  Maybe you're on the same one.  If so, see you out and about!

January 25th? See you at the disco 😁