paradiseprincess

FYI- I booked in February a Signature Suite for a Jan 2025 sailing. Much has changed!!! I was very disappointed in the plan for the new Sanctuary dining as compared to the original venue but I can appreciate that newly booked guests will have the premium package and will likely dine in specialty venues. The good news is that TODAY, I checked fares and learned that the exact same room type that I booked in February as Signature was now available (three doors down) with the Premium package AND it was $1100 less! So, I cancelled my original and booked the better option. Keep an eye out cruisers!

I would agree that this is an attempt to push sanctuary guests to opt for specialty dining and the premier package. It has eroded my sense of value as a loyal passenger. Deck 6 has live ambient music, soaring views, open aft view spaces that are touted on any ship as being most desirable. Deck 8 Sanctuary dining "premium" space will have guests moving from Wake Terrace bar and pool through the dining room in bathing suits and views of a bar, loungers and promenade with foot traffic. Consider this....Deck 7 for Sanctuary, 6 for traditional & Walk ins as well as 8 for Walk Ins overflow would have made far more sense. I would also add that we are traveling with family who booked a Reserve Mini and they were considering upgrading to a Signature suite to dine with us but guess what, while paying considerably less, they are now getting the same upgrade to Sanctuary. I'm just disappointed in this transition and decisions made by Princess. For sure, the two other speciality dining rooms needed an upgrade but the allocation of space in the MDR is not right. I'll still have a great time but I worked hard for decades and this is my retirement trip and I now wish I would have selected a tried and true Royal Class ship. I hope to have more time to cruise in retirement and now I am looking at other brands.