Jennygirl Posted November 2, 2006 #1 Share Posted November 2, 2006 I have no problem paying the xtra $$ for me and my husband to use this amenity but question......when and where do you go to secure a seat for this thing? Do you suggest going "there" (wherever there is) as soon as you board the ship to sign up or is there another way?? Do you have to do it daily or can you pre-sign up for certain days??? Also...does anyone know if there are seperate showers in the minisuites?? Thanks :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clotheshorse11 Posted November 2, 2006 #2 Share Posted November 2, 2006 Having used the sanctuary almost daily on our voyage, I would recommend that you wait until the first sea day and see how the weather is. The staff isnt supposed to take reservations in advance. It is suppose to be on a first come first serve basis On our first sea day the weather was poor in the morning and they refunded us our $$$. Typically, they ask you at the end of the am session if you would like to reserve the chairs for the afternoon. I highly recommend taking advantage of this service. We thought it was great. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
S&M in Pgh Posted November 2, 2006 #3 Share Posted November 2, 2006 So what if you go around 11 am and get a couple of seats, do they kick you out at noon? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
serene56 Posted November 2, 2006 #4 Share Posted November 2, 2006 The sanctuary??? what is that and what does it cost? this is the first I read about that.. Sailing on the CB maybe they dont have one. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mexico5 Posted November 2, 2006 #5 Share Posted November 2, 2006 I am also very interested in knowing about this. Seems like it would be worth the price to secure a lounge chair. We only have 2 sea days, so I am not sure if we will or not. We will be on the Star. Is there a pool at the Sanctuary? Drink service? First time cruiser! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
katisdale Posted November 2, 2006 #6 Share Posted November 2, 2006 The only ship with the sanctuary - so far - is the Crown. I'm not a fan of sitting outside on sea days. I like being on the inside looking out and enjoying the air conditioning. We did love the Crown and all the various areas where one could relax and watch the ocean, especially Skywalkers at the top rear of the ship which was not used much during the day. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
donna5 Posted November 2, 2006 #7 Share Posted November 2, 2006 I have no problem paying the xtra $$ for me and my husband to use this amenity but question......when and where do you go to secure a seat for this thing? Do you suggest going "there" (wherever there is) as soon as you board the ship to sign up or is there another way?? Do you have to do it daily or can you pre-sign up for certain days??? Also...does anyone know if there are seperate showers in the minisuites?? Thanks :) Most mini's have the tub/w shower in the tub. Mini's on the Dawn/Sun have sep. shower and tub.(Also cost a heck of a lot more.) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RvrCrzr Posted November 3, 2006 #8 Share Posted November 3, 2006 I think some people are getting confused by the title SANCTUARY. It's the same title used by the SPA area on ships (Island Princess, etc) as well. The Sanctuary on Island Princess is an are on the Spa you pay a fee to use as well. There are dry saunas, hot stone beds, aromatherapy steam rooms to use. The price was $150 per couple (15 day cruise) or you could pay a daily fee. Sounds like it's a totally different thing on Crown Princess. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
clotheshorse11 Posted November 3, 2006 #9 Share Posted November 3, 2006 The rental times are from 8;00 a.m. until noon and 1;00 -5;00 p.m. So if you come down at 11;00 a.m. it wouldn't pay for you to rent the chairs for the morning session. BTW they don't kick you out from noon to one. The sanctuary has dedicated staff assigned to the area. Yes the chairs aand towels are a lot nicer than the ordinary ones but its more than that. The area is very quiet and peaceful. It is very appealing to me to be able to order lunch there and just totally relaz. There is a pool one deck below but it is not exclusively for the sanctuary. It is though an adult only pool. Ultimately, it is up to each individual to decide for themselves is this is an ammenity they wish to pay for.As I posted earlier, if there wasn't a fee associated with it you would have the typical chair hogs sleeping there the night before to secure their spot in the most desirable area.The Crown is the only ship that has the sanctuary. It is my understanding that future ships in this class will have this area. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Katie333 Posted November 3, 2006 #10 Share Posted November 3, 2006 When I first heard about the Santuary I was really excited about the concept. Kid-free relaxing area. Then the fee for service was introduced and I was totally turned off. I realize a lot of people have no issue paying an extra $15 for 4 hours of peacefulness. I also realize the fee was introduced when the number of people wanting Santuary time became too much to handle. I think there are other ways it could have been handled, such as taking reservations for set timeframes without cost and only allow reserved guests to partake. Or perhaps allowing it as a perk for Captains Circle members. From what I understand there are further fees (for speciality foods and services) when in the Santuary. All in all, this adds to the nickel and diming I dislike on cruising. When on the Crown this past September we didn't even venture to the Santuary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jennygirl Posted November 3, 2006 Author #11 Share Posted November 3, 2006 very much!! It sounds wonderful. Thanks for the info and the tips. I will just have to check it out myself when I get there. A nice early lunch and then 1-5 there sounds good to me!! Then I'll be all relaxed to party into the wee hours!!! hahaha :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickster 1662 Posted November 4, 2006 #12 Share Posted November 4, 2006 Is there a charge for food and drink at the Sanctuary?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Giorgi-one Posted November 4, 2006 #13 Share Posted November 4, 2006 When I first heard about the Santuary I was really excited about the concept. Kid-free relaxing area. Then the fee for service was introduced and I was totally turned off. I realize a lot of people have no issue paying an extra $15 for 4 hours of peacefulness. I also realize the fee was introduced when the number of people wanting Santuary time became too much to handle. I think there are other ways it could have been handled, such as taking reservations for set timeframes without cost and only allow reserved guests to partake. Or perhaps allowing it as a perk for Captains Circle members. From what I understand there are further fees (for speciality foods and services) when in the Santuary. All in all, this adds to the nickel and diming I dislike on cruising. When on the Crown this past September we didn't even venture to the Santuary. About 50% of the people on a cruise are Captain's Circle members. I do not consider this nickel and diming. I have been on 18 cruises and none of them has a Sanctuary. Like eveything else in life, there are different levels of enjoyment which are based on cost. Much nicer to drive a Ferrari than a Honda. Much nicer to fly first class than coach. You get the point. Even on a ship, people in suites have amenities that non-suite passengers don't get - like the Courtyard suites on NCL. Unlike most of those I have mentioned, the Sanctuary can be enjoyed for a lousy $15. Sounds like a great deal to me. And if you want speciatly foods, they may be extra. You probably didn't even know you were missing it until you read this post. LIke most people here, I much prefer to have a single price for cabin and food and pay extra for any other services I want to use. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rickster 1662 Posted November 4, 2006 #14 Share Posted November 4, 2006 What else do you get gratis for the $15/half day? Food, Drink etc?? Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dresch25 Posted November 4, 2006 #15 Share Posted November 4, 2006 My parents are on the Crown now and they were on the repositioning cruise and on the days that the ship is in port the Sanctuary runs a special $10.00 for the whole day. They have wait staff that will bring you drinks and food but you pay a service charge of a few dollars. Vicki Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pink1 Posted November 4, 2006 #16 Share Posted November 4, 2006 My DH and I were on the crown 10/18 voyage out of ny. We only used the sanctuary because we purchased a couples massage that was given under one of the cabanas in the sanctuary. The area of the ship was beautiful - mostly shaded. It was very peaceful because NO ONE WAS THERE! Honestly, everytime I went anywhere near there I would look in and a handful of people were there. So I'm not so sure you'd have to worry about reserving chairs. Also, consider the time of year you are going on your cruise. If its during summer, spring or any other "school" break, there may be more adults in there trying to get away from the kids. Enjoy! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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