Wishing on a star

True! not a huge difference. I am wondering, and I don't think that there is any info or videos... The difference between these as a category Deluxe or Premium might be whether the loungers can be included. I would actually rather have a nice standard height table!

Just a small note... about the cabins on the Sphere. One might imagine that the sphere is the same both forward and aft. Like mirror image, when it comes to how it is lined up with cabins. But, looking at the deck plans, the sphere is not exactly equal in how the cabins line up. We are looking at the first cabin on the sphere.. and I notice on the photos (which all seem to be from the AFT!!!) that the curve of the sphere might make that balcony slightly larger than the first balcony on the front of the sphere. The curved sphere glass seems to overlap a foot or two over onto the adjoining straight balcony, when one looks at deck 11.

Yes, THANK YOU so very much!!! You are a real god-send to us who are still here at home! And, I also agree with this post above, and will issue a huge 'ditto' verbatim... Especially noting that there does not seem to be any adult area, at all, unless one is in a Suite. 😮 I notice the 'not well thought out' comment... I am wondering if Princess, in all of their infinite wisdom and planning, realized that the gated AFT "signature Sun Deck" ( and there does seem to be a gate) is just woefully in adequate for the number of Suite Guests.. so they just took any hope of an adult area or "Sanctuary" away from the rest of us lowly gutter dwellers.

Thanks everyone... The cabin we want is only available on the Port side.. We would be the only large ship there that day... And will be there until later at night. But, looks like there will be no way to tell if we will be on the right side for that harbor view!

I was thinking that the ship would usually pull in forward. But I am now seeing where two ships are backed in at port. Then the Starboard side would be overlooking the Harbor. Can any of you frequent cruisers tell if they usually back in or if they usually pull in forward.

Princess, of course, is very very aware of all of the Vloggers, etc.. onboard. (who knows if this has anything to do with the new minibar setup!!!) If anybody from Princess is watching this CC board, my biggest message to Princess is this: Yes, I will break protocol and put this sentence in all-cap. BRING BACK THE NICE SANCTUARY, AS IT IS ON MANY SHIPS REGAL AND EARLIER. No shade... no upscale vibe/decor/aesthetic... no padded loungers... etc,,, It does not seem to be either a more upscale or a more exclusive area. It does not seem to offer much more personal elbow-room. (are the few located around the pool for Signature overflow/access???) I hope that this is a big 'fail', and that they are giving this due consideration.

Now I am wanting to do the math..... Current occupancy 3861. Ships occupancy 4300. That leaves about 440 guests, possible workers, entertainers, VIP, etc... From what we are reading/seeing here... I get the feeling that the ship is not feeling packed, except for the main 7:00 - 7:30 dinner hour, when everybody seems to want to dine.

Yes, I had wondered if those AFT elevators might be more restricted... Many of the Suites, the Signature Lounge, The Signature Sun Deck, etc... are located AFT. I am not going 'Signature', but I would check them out once, just for the view and novelty!!!

WOW!!!!! I am so loving your posts!!! I am the one who asked about the small wake-view pool... Might be the only one I can really spend time in, as most seem too deep! Nice to see that the ship is sailing so smooth and 'clean' as well !!!

Unless you go after the early breakfast hours and order an omelette!!!! 😮 I know there has been far too much talk about the Sanctuary... I wish they would get this 'ironed out' and make all the details clear... Those dual lounger/seats look ingenious for this venue!!!

The balconies on the inset sections are def. larger!!! But, then you are so far back from the sea. The balconies on the bump-out sections still look pretty small??? Of course, in particular here, we are talking about the balconies on the sphere, which vary quite a bit.

My choice would def. be Princess. The Sapphire. It does sound like a better fit. About the kids. School schedules might have changed quite a bit if you have not been familiar for some time. Our Schools start sometime during the first week of August. Schools start earlier in many cases, and have a Fall Break in early October. If you aren't as familiar with Princess, and these ships? There is a good video tour of the Sapphire from a cruise vlogger channel, from a few weeks ago, Look for - Sapphire Princess Ship Tour! on Youtube.

My choice would def. be Princess. The Sapphire. It does sound like a better fit. About the kids. School schedules might have changed quite a bit if you have not been familiar for some time. Our Schools start sometime during the first week of August. Schools start earlier in many cases, and have a Fall Break in early October. I recently had posted a link to a really good ships tour of the Sapphire, on another thread about which Princess ship to Alaska.

That aft terrace infinity pool looks amazing!!! But am I the only one wishing that front panel weren't see-thru glass... I would look like a floating blubber blowfish in there!!! Hahahaha!!! How deep is that pool???? I wonder if could even touch the bottom with my face above water???

Did you post that cabin number correctly? 14433 should be the next-to-the-last - aft section of the sphere, starboard. It is a Deluxe Balcony, and not a category Premium Deluxe balcony, so I would very much doubt that it would have loungers, even if there was room to squeeze them in.. just going by category. We have a similar Deluxe Balcony booked... and I would be very very surprised to learn that it might have loungers. Here is a video with a good close shot of the aft of the sphere, from just outside the ship.. you might be able to locate your cabin there.... The link to this video has also been posted here on Cruise Critic this morning. Look at about 1:50 min. mark.

WOW... we can not thank you enough for all of this information and photos... That is great info about how to use the elevators. I hope more and more cruisers begin to understand the system! And, those photos... just stunning! We are all indebted to you!!!

FOOD!!! love this topic... No Souffle on embarkation lunch???? That was supposed to be my first soufflé on our next cruise!! I wonder how many of the Embarkation Lunch fans here might 'develop' food allergies!!! And... What is a Bratwurst Dog???? Is it the standard hot-dog, dressed differently? What the heck does 'curry' have to do with Bratwurst??? Bring back the 'wurst with kraut'!!!

Thank you SO much!!!! WOW!!!! You are already providing the best information and photos yet. You mentioned those sited in Barcelona being jaw-dropping.... Even just on my screen (full size computer screen) I am going Wow, and Amazing. And, I am really noticing those martini glasses! Thanks for the info on the better toilet! I am one who had posted a tip about occasionally rinsing the toilet down with a bottle/cup of hot water..... That makes a big difference!!!

Can anybody share information about the SPA. If there is any idea what the daily rate for the thermal suite area might be? The pass for our cruise is showing about $25. per day... So, almost $50.00 per day for two.

I too am hoping that the Vloggers and Influencers will be posting a lot. It might take a bit of time for them to put their videos together and start posting. But, I think we will get a lot more info and feedback.

Yes, those loungers seem to be on the Premium Deluxe Balconies... I am hoping for one of the Deluxe Balconies that are a bit larger, but of course, none of those seem to have the loungers. MiniSuites and Premium Deluxe balconies used to have a real table. That seems to be gone. I would want my table!

If one is a sun-seeker, then the one shown above, for sure!!! If one likes some cover and a bit more privacy.. one of these on the Sphere... but hopefully not the very deepest available. For me, the Sphere would win out. But, I can see the draw of that huge extended balcony as shown above!!!! PS: I would be bringing my latex yoga mat, which is perfect lounger pad!!!!

Yes, that video just above shows that it might not be as dark or 'cavernous' as one might think from that photo. That is one deck above... deck 14. What do you guys think about the first (or last) balcony on the sphere, that is next to the straight regular balconies. That would give a bit more space... but really angled.... Any downsides???

Just to change the topic a bit... I just wish somebody on my SUN sailing would cancel a Sphere Balcony cabin, move to larger cabin... Too bad I hesitated in booking, until all were booked up. There were a few available when we first started looking!!!!

I do not see any topic or comment here that is not valid.... If Princess, as a corporation, would take care of things and offer a bit of transparancy, then 90% of these questions and comments would immediately go away.