valdean

I used to be able to grab ice by the buffet in addition to the other places I mentioned, but as vjmatty says, the reports of the lack of self serve beverages made me hesitate to mention it. But one can always check!

I don't recall there ever being ice machines available on Princess, but I am quite the ice user and never had trouble obtaining ice. I always ask the cabin steward to leave ice (usually brings fresh ice at each housekeeping visit). I have also asked room service (they bring a very large bucket!), or I have even taken my little ice bucket to any bar/lounge.

Thanks, DOG and NASA1974. I did not realize there was a separate thread for the D0. It's been a little crazy keeping up! Fortunately, I asked my Princess agent when booking in January. His boss said no benefits. I booked anyway for the nice balcony (I think I can sit privately by the divider and still have a lovely view and keep out of the direct wind) and because there was a stateroom available next to mine for my brother. So I'm hoping for a nice little family corner! But how unfair if folks booked believing there were Signature benefits and even now may not be aware that there are no Signature benefits if they do not read the forums - they will have an unexpected surprise when onboard.

Since no one has posted this information yet, I'll go ahead and dive in. Those who have followed the many Sun Princess forums are aware of the various conversations about the D0 (Premium Deluxe Balcony staterooms in AFT) regarding Signature Benefits. When clicking on the Princess deck plans for the Sun Princess and the Star Princess on the Princess website, as well as the "Confirm Your Selection" page in the Princess app, a message would pop up for the D0 staterooms: "Enjoy Signature upgrades and benefits." However, the booking confirmations/travel summaries for the D0 did not mention Signature upgrades and benefits. This caused confusion with folks asking if D0 has Signature benefits or not. That statement has now been removed from both the Sun Princess and Star Princess deck plans on the Princess website. Cruisedeckplans has also corrected its deck plans. The only question remaining: some D0 stateroom folks have dining reservations titled "Signature Restaurant" plus one complimentary specialty dinner; what will happen? Maybe that will eventually go away as well, or maybe that will stay as a "sorry for the glitch." Or when a D0 passenger shows up at the Signature Restaurant, they get guided to the Horizon! Time will tell!

Thanks for sharing! I'll pass the info on. Sox Fan Cruiser is off the hook indeed! I kept looking for photos of the Port side to see if the poles were there as well. I could only find a Princess photo which looked like one of those "pre" photos (no poles). Lights make sense, although easy to run into if you are not paying attention.

I do not smoke nor drink alcohol (lucky Sox Fan $), but I have been researching for my brother who is a smoker and will be on the Sun Princess cruise with me in December. He thought those white "poles" could be the ashtrays, but one can only know for sure when on board. I searched the internet and found that there are many types of "pole" ashtrays, even wider or skinnier than what is in the photo. But we may eventually find out those poles keep Deck 8 from slipping too close to Deck 7, ha! ha! It could be Princess is using a type of ashtray that does not show up in photos. My brother was happy to hear that Deck 8 AFT is one of the smoking areas since our cabins are in the back AFT section of the ship. Deck 8 AFT may be a good location so the smoke drifts away over the water. So Sox Fan, if you find out anything interesting about Deck 8 AFT Starboard, I'll pass on the info to my brother, thanks!

And here's a photo of the Deck 8, AFT Starboard area (posted by someone else). The white poles look like the receptacles for cigarette ashes/butts.

Here is the photo - person said it was stated in the Princess Patter.

I have had cabins with both variations. My personal preference is bed by entrance, sofa by balcony. When I am sleeping, I don't care about the view. But when sitting on the sofa, it's nice to have the beautiful view right there. In addition, the deluxe balcony rooms have the desk across from the sofa, so I want the desk by the window/view as well. I've read there are nightlights, so that may help no matter the bed location.

Thanks! I believe that is true. I was finally able to find this on Princess website: These Cabanas are located on Deck 9 with limited entry to an extra-large lounge space with unique outdoor furniture... So hopefully that limits crowds in front of folks' cabana rooms!

Can any passenger use the Cabana sun deck? Or is that restricted to Cabana cabin passengers only?

I went back and found it! Hopefully, this info is consistent for anyone. The photos are on page 113, Post #2804; the video is on page 114, Post #2839. The poster is BOREAL.

So funny! I love these type of elevators -- Marriott Times Square has had them for years. But the true test will be DISEMBARKATION DAY !! In "theory" I think it may improve that process. It should help folks in wheelchairs and scooters. It was an absolute nightmare trying to disembark with my mother in a scooter; the lifts were usually full whether up or down as passengers got in regardless. This way you know which elevator is yours and line up accordingly. We'll see. So fingers, toes, hairs, and eyes all crossed that this will be an improvement all the way around - without extra cost or restrictions!

To BOREAL, I say, THANK YOU for the photos of the 17604 balcony and video of the room. It all confirms that I love my choice for a December 2024 cruise on the Sun Princess. I chose a D0 on Deck 15 so I will be a little further away from the overhang (the overhang was a pain when trying to take photos of tall mountains in Alaska). The nice-sized balcony looks just as I hoped -- one can sit privately yet have a curved view. Or one can go to the railing and see what's happening. I think I see a connecting door on the balcony, so I am hoping that it can be opened since my brother will be in the next cabin. If not, we'll both just hang out over the railing and chat! Again, thanks to everyone for all the photos, videos, links, and information. Now don't forget to take time for fun! My guess on the untitled photo with the long tunnel balcony is a Premium Deluxe Balcony room (D1) on Deck 14, 15 or (D2) on Deck 16 in the Sphere -- the diagram shows very long boxes for the balcony.

D0 Premium Deluxe Balcony: I have been reading the posts here about the D0 Premium Deluxe Balcony with great interest. In January I noticed the statement "Enjoy Signature Upgrades and Benefits" on the D0 when clicking on the deck plan, as many here have stated. (In addition, one website calls them "Signature Balcony.") I asked my Princess agent about it; he responded that his boss said no and that the boss said he would report to the Princess web team and have them look into the wording on the description of those cabins. Like someone posted earlier, this back AFT section is full of Signature Suites so this lonely balcony room may have been caught up in the Signature labeling. As of today that Signature wording still shows up when clicking on the D0 cabins on the deck plans. I went ahead and booked a D0 (December 2024 cruise) starboard because I wanted the "bump-out" balcony facing forward and booked my brother in the DD cabin next to mine. (If I had been told the D0 was Signature benefits, I would have booked him in the D0 on the port side of the deck. But since I was told no Signature benefits on D0, I figured it was better to be side-by-side.) With Elite status, I was able to book my dining reservations earlier this week. Lo and behold, it came up as Signature Dining and a free Specialty Dining, both Signature Benefits. I am not holding my breath -- that could all disappear in the wink of an eye if it is a glitch. However, if it holds true, not sure what happens to my brother for dining! Signature Suites: The Signature Suites seem to be the same size as Mini-Suites (looking at Deck 14 measurements in the AFT section with Mini-Suites and Signature Suites together in a row). Signature Suites are more expensive, and rightfully so with the Signature Benefits. So it appears that Signature Suites are Mini Suites with the extra Signature Benefits. But until passengers report back, everything is speculation. Privacy on the D0 balconies: I had Mini-Suites with "angular" balconies on Sky Princess and Regal Princess. When I went all the way out to the side rail, I could indeed see the balconies of the "bump-in" cabins, so anyone standing at their railings could also see me. However, I could back closer to the cabin if I did not want to be seen. I did not see all that many people hanging out at the railings anyway. So I'll see how this works with the D0 balcony. My brother and I hope to have the little "divider door" opened between our balconies so we can enjoy more flexible balcony space. I believe most of us are looking forward to seeing photos and reading reports! Not long now . .