Familycruzer11

Thank you. We are on Dolphin and will see if we can move to Baja - there are still a couple left for our trip though our PCP is away until March 13th. Would you happen to know if they have the fitness classes in the gym that come with Premier (Yoga, etc..)?

We are sailing on Island Princess in 2025. For those of you who are on Island, or are familiar with her (since last refurbish) I have the following questions 1) Looks like the fitness center is all inside (no windows) and very small. Do they still offer the fitness classes that come with Premier Package (is there space for them?) 2) I notice several midship Reserve Mini class suites available on Dolphin Deck, and very few on Caribe or Baja. Any advantages/disadvantages over one or the other? I know it's a drawing, but balcony seems bigger on Dolphin - why are there so many not taken? TIA

Well spotted! That was completely invisible to me!

Sorry, I cannot recall if this is already on your list - I noticed the description for an S9 Suite now says it includes access to Lotus Spa Thermal Suite. I don't recall seeing that before. Is it true?

VERY CURIOUS to hear reports about that when Park 19 is fully open! That would be a truly epic fail.

Since it seems the Sanctuary is the only Adults Only space on Sun, I don't expect that to change. I agree when booking it should be made clear that the space is for 16+ when booking families. There also seems to be plenty of other space throughout the ship for families, and kids. It is not unreasonable for kids to want to be with other kids in the clubs, and parents can have some alone, adult time. There are many other Suite perks (like concierge lounge, Signature restaurant,) that all family members can still enjoy.

We too like to 'report in' to the dining room, get our spot, our help, our dietary preferences.. Free specialty restaurant though -- and so many to choose from on Sun -- My plan is to still report in to Signature Dining room earlier in the day - introduce ourselves, let them know what time we expect to be there most days, etc . Will also be sure to have breakfast there..- and then still take advantage of the included Specialty Restaurant so as not to lose the perk - just some food for thought (lol), Looking forward to hearing all about it when you return - thanks for doing this and enjoy your trip!

I've done Pilates for years, and my husband, never. We both enjoyed the Pilates classes very much and as we had the Premier package, we did them (and other) gym classes each day. If you are experienced, you know how to make it more challenging, and as mentioned above, there are modifications for beginners too. We also had some bumpy sea days for extra challenge (and laughs)

Does anyone know when Europe/Mediterranean for 2026 may come out?

I noticed this as well - one Vegan main dish. I am optimistic that the vegetarian dishes can be prepared vegan, especially if ordered in advance. My husband is vegan and we typically have to choose his food day before. Seems the Vegan menu will give more options. Also noticed addition of vegan cheeses, plant based burgers. It's come a very long way from our first cruise when he had to bring many cans of beans on board to feed himself - lol.

I suspect you will find many higher end brands fall within the premier limit - and are some of the highest available brands on the ship. Of course there are bottles of wine, champagne, etc that will be above what comes with the package, but you will be charged the difference of what your package covers ($20 for premier) and the cost of the higher brand + 18% of that price difference. I think you will be pleasantly surprised by what the premier will include.

Exactly - I am going in Jan 2025, so am eagerly awaiting more first-hand reports to see how things shake out. I do believe it will all work out and am really looking forward to our Sun Princess cruise - full steam ahead.

This is where I think it gets even more muddy. In the original post of this thread, OP states (from Sanctuary Manager) that Signature Suite access to loungers is first come, first served - and that guest aquires their lounger - for the day. As @CatMom72 is pointing out - in the traditional system - after racing upstairs to purchase guaranteed Sanctuary access, one receives their assigned lounger for the day(week as the case may be) to come and go as they please. That's the beauty of it in my opinion and a benefit of paying the premium price. Now, for Signature class, we are basically paying the premium price up front with our cruise fare. Yes, we have guaranteed access - and now seems we need to get up there early to get a good (or any?) lounger - and it also seems, from what OP posted - it is now yours for that day. Therefore- that should not make me a chair hog, if I come and go as I please - as per usual - in the Sanctuary space.

Good question - I believe they are, but would defer to anyone who's been on the ship to say for sure

I think this can be solved by listing this Signature amenity as "Access to the Adults-Only Sanctuary for Signaure Suite guests 16+" Guests can choose to book, or not, knowing what they are getting. As mentioned several times, the Sun has more to offer kids and families than any other Princess ship without bringing kids into the Sanctuary, and there are plenty of other Signature Suite amenities to be enjoyed by the whole family.

Right! Forgot about that. I think time will tell as the weather warms, Park 19 fully opens, and the Sanctuary fills up. It sounds awful, and I am hoping that Princess has thought of this because putting a Sanctuary below a Playground is well... 🥺 We don't go until Jan 2025 so will be watching ...

I wonder how this will work. I too, would rush to Sanctuary, get my loungers or cabana for the days/week and know I have my spot to come and go as I please and was willing to pay for it. Make no mistake, paying for Signature Class on Sun, is still paying for it. Look at S9 mini-suite - exact same room as any other mini-suite - the (lots of) extra money, is for Signature perks, Sanctuary included. Having said that, when I show up early each day (and I will), and get my lounger 'assigned for the day', will I now look like a chair hog when I come and go as I please for the day, as I usually do in Sanctuary?

I believe the live thread has since said that a medallion will be required to have the elevator stop at the Sanctuary (with staff monitoring until it is in place). Now a new question has arisen - since we've learned that the Sanctuary is intended as a perk for Signature guests - will it still be adults only? That is a big game changer for me (sorry kids... you have Park 19 and kids clubs and every other pool- we need at least one place for just us adults...)

Thank you for volunteering to provide answers in this topic. I am interested to learn about the Specialty Restaurant experience on the first night (which I believe is one of the Signature amenities) - any issue getting the time and place you want ? . Like many, also curious about the Signature area of the Sanctuary lastly (for now?) I heard that parts of the Signature Restaurant was noisy due to entertainment in the Piazza. I wonder if that will change once all the venues are open. many thanks again

Exactly. Hoping that someone on the Sun can weigh in on how that is.

well, now I know how they came up with $99 for the fee 😄

I agree I prefer bed by door. On Sun, I think (?) this is the first time that the mini-suites have the alternating configurations. We are already booked for Jan 2025 on a B2B with a bed closer to the balcony on Sun in an S9 (too late to change it, believe it or not) , so wondering what that experience is like. I am likely to make a middle of the night run to the restroom and don't want to bump into furniture or an obstacle course. I know about the nighttime lights- we will cover them so as not to wake the other up - so this will be in the dark. If anyone on the Sun is in this type of room, appreciate hearing about your experience.

I am curious to know the experience in the mini suites on Sun with the different configuration options (bed closer to door, bed closer to balcony). We've always had bed closer to the door (think that has been the only option on other ships in mini suite) and wonder how it is with bed closer to balcony - specifically - navigating to the rest room in the middle of night, or any other nuances to consider. TIA

We sail on Sun in January 25 but have been eagerly awaiting the inaugural as if I were booked myself. Can’t wait for the reviews, hopefully Live From, and first hand feedback. Bon Voyage to all of you setting sail tomorrow and the coming weeks!

I have confirmed with my Princess Cruise Planner that there is no limit to how many AARP gift cards can be used. We use them A LOT with no issues.