reedprincess

🤷🏻‍♀️ Worth is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I'd find it worth it as the MDR, even the special dining for suites/ Reserve, doesn't wow me, on any line. While the dedicated Sanctuary restaurants on Sun will be a welcome change from suite/Reserve dining simply being a separate portion of the MDR, I still don't expect much to be a wow or big step up over the main dining.. Although I do enjoy the Yacht Club restaurant the most out of Princess, Celebrity, RCCL and MSc suite experiences... And even then, we do our Diamond dinner and usually at least one or two other specialty dinners on week long sailings, so three included would be a bonus to us.. YMMV.

FYI - you'll also have the actual Suite perks: specialty dining comped on embarkation evening, minibar set-up, laundry, etc. Those aren't going away..

Made reservations for 9 people for multiple different nights, at different times, via app, for my past CB sailing, via old app And currently making reservations for 5 (2 different bookings) for December on Sun via app, different times and venues each night, via new app. Linked on the dining page and with them opening yesterday, no problem. I'm one of those who've not ever had app issues..has worked as advertised from her go, both new and old app, and the even older precovid apps. No idea what the secret may be...Android user.. Go figure.

Nope. Same menus.

There's no library aboard, both according to deck plan and via reports from those who've sailed. There's boardgames available via a cart in the Wheelhouse.. but library? Nope. There may be a book swap at Guest Services similar to other Princess ships. Personally, even with a "library" aboard, Kindle all the way as I can load it with things I know I'd like to read, just in case. Plus much lighter and easier to throw in a bag for poolside, long bus rides, etc.

Is that the point though? At least Celebrity treats their guests like adults when it comes to their beverage packages whereas Princess (Carnival Corp actually, given several of their brands have the same limit) thinks we need some type of imposed limit. Go figure.

Correct. No indoor smoking on any ship sailing out of Australia/NZ. Casino, etc will be all smoke free.

FYI - ongoing thread started yesterday on reservations being open, through December at least. In case you missed it: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/3006121-sun-princess-dining-reservations-opened/#comment-67320520

You can "customize" food and drinks, to some extent, on the app ie choose bread type, mustard or not, things like that. There is no way to customize a cocktail - it's the standard drink. Coffees - you can generally choose milk type, things like that. You can try customizing a drink by calling room service, but I wouldn't hold my breath it'll come out correctly - have you ever played "telephone"?! Lol. For custom drinks, order in person... The app is handy for glasses of wine or beers or standard cocktails, water, soda.. not so much for anything fancier or customized .

Casino is open every evening, approximately an hour or so after sailing. And on sea days. There's a dispensation in Alaskan laws to allow gambling on licensed cruise ships even while in territorial waters. If you should win some OBC, very easy to go set up an account on a slot machine, load it with the OBC amount, maybe take a spin and cash out. Go to the cashier, and get your winnings. Don't wait til the last night though, it's often closed early on approach to Vancouver..

Neither Spellbound nor Love by Britto are available on my Dec sailings. Everything else is .

FWIW - Sun Princess is a one off when it comes to dining and app reservations. Literally just opened this afternoon for June 2024 and onwards. Status didn't make any difference, they simply hadn't loaded times. And phone reps are woefully incorrect on a lot of things Sun related as it's been such a one off process. Princess does not release all dining reservations in advance of sailing. They hold some for onboard reservations, as they're well aware that not everyone makes plans months or years in advance for dinner time.. You'll be able to make reservations once you're paid in full. Two options - wait til final payment and make it then, and then do reservations. Or pay in ful in advance and then make reservations - this being the option if you're really that concerned about not getting a reservation. Keep in mind that there's a known glitch for some with Premier Cruise Package and specialty dining - sometimes the app doesn't correctly register that you have dining credits - and you end up having to pay in advance. Those payments are credited back as refundable OBC aboard. Yes, it's dumb and ridiculous that they haven't fixed it. There you go . Personally, works fine for me, lots of other have experienced this glitch. YMMV Good luck, happy sails .

Princess has the Plus and Premier Cruise Packages, which are much more comprehensive than Celebrity's All In packages. The Cruise Packages include their respective beverage packages, WiFi (1 or 4 devices), daily gratuity/Crew Appreciation, casual dining, room service delivery fee, Ocean Now activation fee (this is for using the app to order food/drinks to delivery virtually anywhere aboard), plus some other things like medallion shipping, juice bar, premium desserts, exercise classes and so forth . Celebrity doesn't have anything as a package that compares. Win for Princess. The standalone Plus or Premier beverage packages (either included in the Cruise Package bundles or on their own), cover 15 alcoholic drinks q day up to $15/20usd respectively. Non-alcoholic beverages are unlimited - Celebrity wins there with the unlimited aspect for anything covered under their Classic or Premium beverage packages. Food - subjective. If you've enjoyed the food in buffet/MDR on Celebrity, you'll likely enjoy on Princess also. Celebrity has somewhat more options and more variety, particularly on Edge class ships, but Princess does pasta sand and fish quite well (usually), and there's enough choice. International Cafe on Princess beats Cafe al Bacio, hands down. Open 24/7, food is all included with exception of gelato and the premium cakes (large 7 layer cake slices and such). Specialty coffees and teas at charge, included in Cruise and beverage packages.. Room Service menu is more extensive on Princess, including being able to order a la carte from the specialty restaurants. And the delivery fee is cheaper, with no 18% added like Celebrity. And, if you purchase one of the Cruise Packages, room service and ON delivery/activation is included. This includes drinks to your cabin, handy when enjoying your balcony.. win for Princess, IMO. Decor - more traditional on Princess, more contemporary on Celebrity.. wash - depends on your taste. Standard balcony cabins - way more storage on Princess, at the expense of a sofa. The walk-in closets separating the bathroom from the bedroom and providing a small entry hall of sorts is wonderful, particularly on longer cruises where more clothes, etc come into olay..Showers are similar size - except Princess has shower curtains. If you're wanting a sofa, depend I on ship type, you'll either be looking at a Deluxe Balcony cabin, or a mini-suite ****Caveat - Sun Princess now has an ottoman or sofa in every single cabin type, much smaller nightstands (like Edge class) and much smaller closets - and rectangular glass shower door shower (larger than the Edge and Solstice capsules)****. Cabin category - a wash for us. Prefer the setup on Princess, and a Deluxe Balcony is our sweet spot, but happily sail insides, OV, Suites, etc depending on itinerary, etc. Celebrity does suites better, by far. The new Sun Princess is an attempt at a sort of ship within a ship - they're not there yet. Activities - 6 of one, half dozen of the other. Similar on both, although over all, I'd say Princess has a little more to do, including more sports and the Movies Under the Stars.. game shows, audience participation activities, shows, comedy, trivia, etc. Service - friendly and helpful on both. Officers are more visible on Celebrity - it's literally in their work day hours and descriptions for walk around time, guest interaction time, etc. There's some few interaction times on Princess, ie guest versus crew type games, but otherwise, officers are busy and not as visible. The rest of the crew : both lines do well. Overall, Princess gets the nod, for whatever reason, they just seem more personable and interact a little more, ie bartenders having time to chat with you a bit, or buffet servers chatting a little, things like that. Medallion - this is a big win for me. The app works great for me, love the wristband and medallion combo, and absolutely miss it whenever I sail Celebrity, MSc, RCCL.. The lines are more alike than different really.. Celebrity has definitely been the more expensive of the two for a while - drinks, specialty dining, room service delivery, etc - Princess is trying to catch up, lol.. If you've like Celebrity - Princess may be a very good fit, for less $$$. Try one of the newer ships though - Royal and up. Happy sails!

I'm able to book as far out as Dec 28 sailing at this point..

FWIW - we did the Off the Beaten Path, and only ate at the lodges a couple times. Denali Lodge is across the street from a largish shopping and restaurant center. McKinley, we took the shuttle into town, explored, ate out there. Only at Copper River did we eat all our meals there, as the shuttle to the town diner was down... Worked out much less expensive for us, and we had a much wider, more local experience. We're also not big breakfast eaters, vastly prefer the extra sleep. If breakfast is a must for you, a tour that includes it may be a better fit.. some water and a snack bar later in the morning is more than enough for us, any day! Our rooms were in great locations at the different lodges. Views of the river at Denali, faced the mountain at McKinley and Cooper River.. Our drivers and guide were excellent..

Yoga, Pure Barre, Stretch lab and something else...you can go to as many as you like. Doubt there's an upper age limit - use common sense on what your body can handle. They're all group beginning level courses, not anything super intensive or one on one. Times and days vary by itinerary, ship, etc. Expect some morning, some evening, etc.

Maybe.. depends on itinerary, your passport nationality and so forth. You have plenty of time to get it renewed before your travels if needed.

You are incorrect The website is very clear it's ONE bottle per passenger corkage free (not two) and any additional bottles at $20 corkage.... Maybe go to the website yourself and read up...

You could check with Shashamane Water Taxi or Israel King Water Taxi or Joe Knows or Captain Dells for water taxi down to Soufriere. They'll pick up right at the port Then, once I. Soufriere, grab a taxi to Fond Doux, tour the working plantation and the chocolate experience there (they grow some for Hershey still)... amazing lunch on site, they grow virtually all their produce, etc. all locally owned and operated, unlike Hotel Chocolat, owned offshore and you can't even buy the chocolate here in St Lucia! Lol.. or the water taxi guys will arrange the whole day for you .. If you do go by land to Soufriere, stop at Cacao St Lucie in Belvedere for some amazing local chocolatiers.. The all women locally owned and operated artisanal chocolate shop and restaurant is divine..the do Sunday brunch, and usually lunch - all cocao inspired . And their various artisanal chocolates are sublime.. hit Soufriere Beach Park, eat at Seashells right there at The Still on the beach.... Rendezvous is a beautiful, laid back AO resort, you could walk from the ship, may e 20-25 minutes or so, from Pointe Seraphine, 30+ from La Place Caranage.. can is $10. Beautiful lush grounds, lovely beach, delicious food, activities or quiet Calabash Cove is one of my favorite happy places on island. The views, the food, the serenity, the staff - all works together for our delight. . Pigeon Island, if you haven't been, is wonderful - history, hikes (easy), beach, SNUBA, facilities.... Good luck deciding..

Yes. There's something every night currently in the Arena, although only one of the promised 4 production show is happening. The rest is guest entertainers.. The Dome has 2 of the 3 promised shows running, but they're not every night, according to reports of those aboard. There has been some of the guest entertainers in there, ie guitarist and such... Princess Live is repurposed as Laugh Lounge for comedians some nights. Love by Britto is still closed, although due for Grand Opening on April 27, from what I've read. And Park 19 is still closed, although more extensive training and trials have been going on currently.. so, soon - although no one seems to have a date. Essentially, everything else is open. When the other 3 Arena shows will come online or the Dome show, no word .

Dang it - I meant buy booze in the casino. And I noted in my first comment that she could gamble, etc. Oops. Thanks for pointing out my very obvious mistake.

She's going to compare it to Disney that's natural and to be expected. The hope is to make favorable comparisons! As she's now 18 everything, every lounge, venue and activity is open to her - except gambling on the casino. Puppies in the Piazza will probably be a big hit - they bring in sled dog puppies in one port, usually Juneau I think...she can cuddle them, etc. No one else does this. She can join karaoke, join in the game shows (Yes/No is pretty funny - she has to last 2 minutes without saying yes or no to questions and conversation, nor any/yeah, or variations of. It's quite funny!). She can hit the dance club, etc. Focus on what she can do, the sightseeing, etc. It'll be great!

Not my complaint But, in general - yes, the Sanctuary was the only AO section of Sun/Star, even though it was pay to play (and more than twice any other ship). and now there's none for anyone unless they pay for a Sanctuary Club cabin... Whereas other ships, there was both upgraded pay, and other included options.. yet another major departure by Princess... Also, and unfortunately - the Sanctuary being AO/16 and up - means families booking Sanctuary Club rooms for space, amenities, whatever - can't use it together - unlike "ship within sjio" concept private decks on all other kines...And there's no larger cabins in lower categories for families or larger non-Sanctuary Club options... Very weird departure for Princess to both build a ship more appealing to multiple generations, then make the choice to block those same multiple generations from some areas, even if they're a perk of the cabin... Marketing genius at work I guess...

Yes, the Sanctuary was a pay area,and at $40 for a day, reasonable for most, and available to anyone regardless of cabin type. There was ALSO no fee/free adult only deck and pool areas available to everyone, regardless of cabin type. Aft wake pool and deck. Retreat Pool and deck/bar.. Lotus Spa poo and deck space. Those were all included, no extra charge, adult only areas - lovely. None are available on Sun, including Sanctuary - unless you buy a certain cabin class.

Pigeon Island? Ruins, beach, hikes . Vigie Beach? Calabash Cove and beach? Day pass at Rendezvous? Lunch at Pink Plantation and Vigie Beach? Around the island, spending 3 or 4 hours at Laborie Beach? Fond Doux tour and pool, lunch, chocolate experience? Reduit Beach, but stay in the south end by Marie's Fish Shack? Soufriere Beach Park really is lovely, well taken care of, local feel but very warm and welcoming to visitors, and not crowded at all - long stretch of beach.. Without knowing everything you've already done, it's tough to make suggestions. Good luck and enjoy