cruisedoctor

@Wishing on a star As you are aware, I was on the first sailing. I ate dinner every night in the MDR on Deck 7. My table was at the very back of the dining room, right alongside those marvelous floor to ceiling windows. I felt absolutely NO motion at any time. You have to remember that some people are extremely sensitive to any amount motion. Where some amount that you and I wouldn't even think about, as it is what is to be expected on a moving ship, might make someone else extremely uncomfortable.

@KLM3164 The under-sink light is a type of night light, which only comes on when it detects someone coming or leaving the bathroom. Otherwise, it goes off. Like the small motion sensitive lights under the bedside cabinets. They are there to guide your way to the bathroom in the dark. I would think that most passengers keep the bathroom door closed, unless someone is going in or out. So, as you approach the bathroom, the under-sink light comes on, and you see that light coming out from under the bathroom door, to help guide you to it. It gives off enough light that you could use the facilities without turning on the bathroom lights (so as not to disturb others) if you want. It stays on long enough, so you are able to get back to, and into the bed safely, before it turns off. It is NOT super bright like the closet lights on the Royal Class ships.

@Steelers36 I had an opportunity to speak with Chef Rudi Sodamin, Princess' new Head Of Culinary Arts. He was tasked with bringing a new level of excellence and innovation to their culinary product, environmental dining experience, and service delivery. According to him, the Sun is the first vessel to get the upgrade, and based on their experience here, it will get incorporated elsewhere in the fleet. He was inquiring as to my thoughts about the changes, both hits and misses. Some of the misses I mentioned, were ones that he too had noticed, and he is in the process of seeing what could be done to improve those areas. One of those being the bottle-neck occurring in The Eatery and lack of self-serve beverage stations there. I was pleasantly surprised how down to earth Chef Rudi was, and his sincere interest in making improvements, to the improvements that they have already made.

@JimmyVWine The name was originally set to be Kai Sushi. At some point during the first sailing, it was officially changed to Makato Ocean, because it was designed by James Beard Foundation honoree Makoto Okuwa. I guess Mr. Okuwa got jealous that Britto got a venue with his name on it...so it would only be fair to have his venue include his name too.

@dides I believe that is the in-room sensor for the medallion technology. It reads the presence of which medallion(s) are present in the room. To the left of this are a pair of switches for the bathroom lights. In between those switches, is another sensor that detects motion coming towards the bathroom door, and turns on the light underneath the bathroom sink. That under-sink light stays on for a specific time period, and if no other motion is detected it turns that light off.

@fpsphil I spent a great deal of time during the first sailing watching a large group of technicians from the production company working in the Piazza control center. They were programming all the shows and events that will be occurring in that venue. That is, the lighting, sound, the giant electronic screen. Then, the choreographers and dance supervisors were there spending hours on end, watching the singers and dancers run through the numbers that were designed for the Piazza (like the one in the clip CanadianBurger had in Post #909), During some breaks, I spoke with the techs running the boards. One of the questions I asked, was why they weren't using the "lifts" in the Piazza. I was told that "they still aren't functional". In the photo below, the large central circle, and the keyhole section that the hand sanitizing stand is on, are lifts that can be raised, either individually or together, similar to that in The Arena.

@CruzeQueen2 Claudio is the Director Of Restaurant Operations on the Sun, and hasn't changed. I would run into him in the dining room at 7AM during breakfast, during the day at various times/places, and then again during the evening. The man is like the Energizer Bunny...and most importantly, very approachable. He doesn't have his nose up in the air like some restaurant managers.

@KLM3164 While I was on the Sun's maiden voyage I spoke with the manager of the Signature dining room. He said the prime rib "trolley" had yet to be delivered to the ship.

@Globaler I was on the Sun's maiden voyage. I'm a "meat eater" and thought that every meat dish that I had was excellent. Actually, significantly better than on other Princess ships that I sailed on last year. The beef tenderloin and the beef wellington were so tender, you could almost cut them with a fork. Also, the filet mignon in the Crown Grill was excellent too.

@valdean @Sox Fan Cruiser Sox Fan Cruiser, you won that bet. Those white columns are light stands (see photo below). Small black ashtrays are put out on the tables for the smokers to use.

@CaptainKirk Category “D0” Premium Deluxe Balcony do NOT get Signature benefits/upgrades. When the ship initially opened for sale, there were 3 types of balcony staterooms: Cove Balconies - Categories DG & DH Deluxe Balconies - Categories DA, DB, DC, DD, DE & DF Premium Balconies - Categories D1 & D2 Then as time went on, and the initial sailing drew near, Princess decided to do a re-categorization based on the booking pattern they were observing. They changed the name of the D# categories to Premium Deluxe Balcony to make it clear that the interior design of the room itself, is like the rest of the Deluxe Balcony categories, and the “Premium” referred to these rooms having an extensive balcony. At the same time, they added the now infamous D0 category, and put the previous aft-located D1 rooms into this new category, at a higher price point, than when they were D1’s. Historically, cruise lines will move staterooms that are in most demand, into higher categories, in order to increase their profitability. Having closely observed this ship since the first steel was cut, it became apparent to me that one hand didn’t know what the other was doing. Deck plans on the Sun Princess dedicated website, didn’t match those on the main Princess website, or on the app(s). Changes would occur in one place, but not elsewhere. When this “late in the game” re-categorization took place it looks like someone “not in the know” was assigned the task of updating things. They made an incorrect assumption, that since these new “D0” rooms were near the suites, they must get the same benefits, and cut-and-pasted the benefits from the “S_” categories onto these new “D0” in error. Princess has two versions of booking system, a new more elaborate one that travel agents have access to, and an old text based version that Princess agents (including those based on board the ships) use. Currently, in neither of these systems, does the Category “D0” indicate any “Signature” benefits. However, based on screen shots that have been posted on this thread, the incorrect misinformation must still be floating around in the passenger-facing website. The person I spoke with mentioned, that if someone booked this category based on seeing that misinformation, and could prove with enough evidence, they might be able to coerce the cruise line to honor it (once they get on board). But, that would likely be on a case-by-case basis, and you would need to come prepared with as much written evidence as possible. Remember, if something looks too good to be true, it almost always isn’t. But, then again, hope springs eternal. Dr. J

@Pixelskaya The only pool on the Seaview Terrace is the one that has a small portion inside of the dome. This picture is deceiving, in that it looks much bigger than it really is. I would categorize it as a short, but wider “lap pool”.

There is an area of the casino where the slot machines are designated non-smoking. Either during a Zoom presentation about the casino to the travel agent community, or during one of Richard Parker’s shipyard tours, it was mentioned that they have installed a sophisticated air filtration system that continually exchanges the air in the casino, to reduce the effects of the smoking. Also, the 10 foot ceilings are supposed to help, as the smoke will rise up. I haven’t been in the casino when it has been crowded with a lot of smokers, so I can’t comment on how successful this system is. I would recommend that everyone who would prefer the casino be non-smoking, make that suggestion in your post-cruise survey.

UPDATES & OBSERVATIONS (1). After having been on board for 8 days, it is important that you know that all the crew members I have encountered, have been OUTSTANDING…and have helped make a less than optimal situation better. (2). Still no word as to when SPELLBOUND will go into operation. However, I did learn today, that the experience will begin with a fixed 3-course dinner, located in the farthest aft portion of the Horizon Dining room located on Deck 8. The exact menu for that dinner is still unknown by the Deck 8 restaurant manager I spoke with. (3) The Dome has been closed except for 3 hours per day recently, as they are still working on getting the technical aspects for the shows up and running. This morning I noticed that the Cirque Éloize performers were in there practicing some of their aerial work, which is a good sign for the next sailing. (4) Happen to be in an elevator with a Princess construction employee this afternoon. I noticed that his shirt had a monogram on the shirt pocket reading “Princess New Build Group”, which means he is near the top of the food chain. I asked how things are going, and when all the venues would be complete. Soon, was his response, and that he was scheduled to go back to the U.S. on March 19th. Another good sign. (5). We were treated to a second 4 minute dance number by the Sun Princess singers and dancers in the Piazza this evening. I guess this was supposed to make up for the “four spectacular Arena shows” that were originally promised…but couldn’t be delivered. (6). I always eat breakfast every morning in the main dining room, and usually the first one there when service begins. I believe it is important to bring humor into people’s lives whenever appropriate, so I normally kid around with the hostesses, waiters, and two dining room managers. I treat them like family, which they really appreciate, and reciprocate when possible. This morning we had an early arrival to Sicily. When I got to the dining room, one of the managers apologized that the usual extensive breakfast menu was not going to be available this morning. In its place, was a very limited “Express Breakfast” menu instead. It seems that there were over 1000 passengers scheduled on early morning shore excursions, and that would mean those folks would want to eat a quick breakfast before heading out. I’ve sailed on Princess extensively over the years, on all their different ships, and I can’t remember ever experiencing a dining room “takeover” like this. Without any hard proof, I can only conjecture that management felt the buffet wouldn’t be able to handle this number of passengers, and they would need a suitable overflow outlet. To test my theory, I did a buffet walk-thru when I finished eating, and every table was full, with more passengers in line getting food, and soon would be looking for a place to sit.

@CaptainKirk The 2 aft glass elevators service decks 8 thru 18. While they can be used by anyone who knows of their existence, they would be the fastest way for passengers residing in any of the “S” level suites located at the aft end of the ship, to quickly/easily access the suite lounge, or suite sun deck.

@vividharp The pasta making kitchen (see photos below) is outside of the entrance to Sabatini’s.

@azbirdmom Alfredo’s on the Sun will NOT have any pasta on the menu. The entrees are either a pizza or the calzone. The desert menu does have more than the rest of the fleet. I’ve had the cannoli twice and it was good.

@esstheman I received a question as to whether there is a difference between The Crown Grill and The Butcher’s Block, since Princess put out a news release last October insinuating that Dario was revamping the Crown Grill’s menu. I had dinner in the Crown Grill this evening, and spoke with the venue manager about this. Here is the Princess release from last October; In addition, the cruise line’s signature steakhouse, Crown Grill, will feature a refined upscale menu designed by Cecchini. The menu proudly features the highly coveted "Bistecca Alla Fiorentina," a distinctive Florentine Steak prepared with the bone, sourced directly from the prestigious Antica Macelleria Cecchini butcher shop in Panzano. I was told that the menu in the Crown Grill has not changed, and is similar to its counterparts on the rest of the fleet. What has changed on the Sun, is the experiential “Chef’s Dinner” within the Crown Grill. On the Sun, it will be called “Chef’s Dinner By Dario” and it will include his special cuts of meat, similar to that served in the Butcher’s Block. In other words, in order to dine on Dario’s special cuts of meat, you need to dine in the Butcher’s Block, OR sign up for the experiential “Chef’s Dinner By Dario” offered a few time per sailing in the Crown Grill. This hasn’t been offered on the first sailing, and he didn’t know what the price would be yet.

I received a question, on a different thread, as to whether there is a difference between The Crown Grill and The Butcher’s Block, since Princess put out a news release last October insinuating that Dario was revamping the Crown Grill’s menu. I had dinner in the Crown Grill this evening, and spoke with the venue manager about this. Here is the Princess release from last October; In addition, the cruise line’s signature steakhouse, Crown Grill, will feature a refined upscale menu designed by Cecchini. The menu proudly features the highly coveted "Bistecca Alla Fiorentina," a distinctive Florentine Steak prepared with the bone, sourced directly from the prestigious Antica Macelleria Cecchini butcher shop in Panzano. I was told that the menu in the Crown Grill has not changed, and is similar to its counterparts on the rest of the fleet. What has changed on the Sun, is the experiential “Chef’s Dinner” within the Crown Grill. On the Sun it will be called “Chef’s Dinner By Dario” and it will include his special cuts of meat, similar to that served in the Butcher’s Block. In other words, in order to get Dario’s special meat (other than at the Butcher’s Block”), you have to sign up for the experiential “Chef’s Dinner By Dario” in the Crown Grill. This hasn’t been offered on the first sailing, and he didn’t know what the price would be yet.

I received another question, on a different thread, as to whether there is a difference between The Crown Grill and The Butcher’s Block, since Princess put out a news release last October insinuating that Dario was revamping the Crown Grill’s menu. I had dinner in the Crown Grill this evening, and spoke with the venue manager about this. Here is the Princess release from last October; In addition, the cruise line’s signature steakhouse, Crown Grill, will feature a refined upscale menu designed by Cecchini. The menu proudly features the highly coveted "Bistecca Alla Fiorentina," a distinctive Florentine Steak prepared with the bone, sourced directly from the prestigious Antica Macelleria Cecchini butcher shop in Panzano. I was told that the menu in the Crown Grill has not changed, and is similar to its counterparts on the rest of the fleet. What has changed on the Sun, is the experiential “Chef’s Dinner” within the Crown Grill. On the Sun, it will be called “Chef’s Dinner By Dario” and it will include his special cuts of meat, similar to that served in the Butcher’s Block.

UPDATES BASED ON QUESTIONS I RECEIVED ABOUT MY ORIGINAL POSTING. (1). The red numbers on the menu (next to the cuts of meat) refer back to a poster showing where on the steer these cuts come from. (2). The three cuts of meat #9, #11, #12, & #16 are each presented to the diners by the butcher. You can order(take) any or ALL of them…it’s up to you. (3) As to the cook of the meat you select, they prepare it medium-rare. However, if you want yours cooked further they will certainly do it for you.

@Wishing on a star I’ve heard and read in several places that The Arena has seating for at least 1000.

Snuck into The Arena early this morning. Obvious progress being made, in that the electronic screens are now operational. While it was reported in an earlier post, that Padgett said The Arena would be ready for the next sailing, they said something similar about the ship and then cancelled the 2/18 sailing. I certainly hope at least some of the shows will be available to those on the next sailing. I’ll have to wait to see them on the September Transatlantic.

@esstheman According to the fine print on the bottom of the Butcher’s Block Menu: “The meat I serve is raised on my behalf in Caalunya (Spain).” I’m having dinner tomorrow in Crown Grill, so I will find out if anything on their menu comes from that same special source. I’m guessing not, unless that item would be at a “extra cost”.

The ship was pretty much deserted early this morning as everyone had gone ashore in Kusadasi. As I was walking around gathering information, I crossed paths several times with a handful of top Princess executives (including John Padgett) being led around by Princess’ Director Of Product Development for the Sun. It sounded like he was updating the group about the areas they were inspecting. I wanted so badly to go up to them, to pleasantly thank them for the generous 4-day notice of the cancellation of my 2/18 sailing, and refusal to reimburse all of the $ losses it caused. I changed my mind, as I pictured 3 security guards greeting me at my stateroom door, escorting me and my luggage off the ship. Some things are best unsaid!