Wishing on a star

Again... one does not have to travel to get Vanilla. And, as mentioned, I would not know if I trusted these products sold at tourist locations. HINT: It is EASY.... find out where you can locally, or online, Nielsen-Massey Madagascar Bourbon Pure Vanilla Extract. Also, I use this Vanilla for a LOT more than baking.... Frosting, Hot Cocoa, etc... I am not using cheap or imitation Vanilla for any purpose. Anything made with cream, sugar, and this vanilla is absolutely addicting!

I don't know if you are truly partial to a particular Mexican Vanilla.... But the Madagascar Bourbon Vanilla, which seems to be more widely available now, is WONDERFUL!!!!

I notice that Royal Princess goes to Icy strait Point while the Sapphire goes to Skagway I can't offer any comparisons... but you might want to look at these ports, and the excursions, to see if one appeals more than the other. Other than that, the itineraries and times in port are similar. Sapphire has SkyWalkers. The Promenade is great... but we felt that we wanted the better views from higher up when it came to serious viewing like the Glaciers. If you are sailing Southbound, I think you could be coming thru the Inside Passage that has been mentioned early, possibly pre-dawn, as the ship is heading to dock at Vancouver by 7:30 a.m. The ships have a bit of a different look/feel. Check out this recent ship tour video, below. If you are sailing Southbound from Whittier, you might check to see if the 27 Glacier tour, or similar tour, is operating into September. That could be a good opportunity as well. We sailed Southbound in May... We had the Coastal Maritime rain, off and on, the whole way. Only saw real sunshine when we drove inland over the Mountains to Emerald Lake! Happy Planning!

This is some good information that perhaps can be posted here before long... Information about pool access and how deep they are, from end to end. As somebody who isn't getting any younger, and who is also 'vertically challenged'... No way to even enjoy a pool that is over my head and has NO steps.... Just another one of those times where one looks at Princess and sees total lack of common sense and competency. WWTT !!!!

Yes!!!!!!

Yes.. Rex has uploaded a video of the DOME. and mentions ADULT ONLY more than once.... MANY THANKS TO HIM, AND OTHERS ONBOARD, for all they are doing for us! I wonder if Princess is committed to this as an adult only area???? This would be the new open Adult Only area. And, while not exclusive, much nicer than the Sanctuary, as it currently is... with some padded seating. NO STAIRS INTO THE POOL! Are we still awaiting video of the AFT wake view area???

I am glad to see info about hearing the Piazza when just above. THANKS! For anybody wondering... Even when they open the theater and the sphere, I am thinking that there has usually been entertainment in the Piazza until about 11:00.... Isn't the last 'set' at 9:45??? Then any late-nighters would have to go to other venues. I wish now I had booked a Deluxe Balcony in the Sphere... I think that there were a few still available when we started looking to book. Anyhow, I wasn't sure about how they would be, and we are in a Deluxe Balcony on a wider bump-out section.... Seems to be a very small balcony! Wish we had put a couple of cabins on deposit!!!

By back-side and these old bones aren't gettin' any younger..... It's all about the cushions!!!!

Think you about nailed it !!!

Why can we not discuss things that we might not like????? We all have our opinions... like some things, and disappointed in others. I think many things on the new ship are spectacular!!!! The sanctuary... maybe not.

I will have to admit that my house has that open, simple, light/airy/sunny kind of feel mentioned.... And, I really like it! But, I would not call it industrial or minimalistic.

Some people are angry enough to yell directly at other people on a chat board in all caps.

I can see the possible incompetance and delays, that might have caused them to put the loungers, like the regular pool deck loungers they have been putting on other shops.. if they are not been able to get the padded loungers on time.... BUT... Given those early 'images' that Princess released that showed regular, unpadded loungers in the Sanctuary... Something tells me that this is not a 'delay' or a 'mistake. NOT GOOD.

The Sanctuary pool is shared, by all accounts. And, I notice the group of padded ' Signature' loungers lined up around the pool, Perhaps those are for those with Signature benefits. ( I am thinking that they are ) I can remember posting, a long time ago, about the generated images of the Sanctuary and noticing the chairs without padding... even back then. Something tells me this is NOT good. I don't know how all of this will work out. The Dome, and the area there at the bow of the ship, as well as the wakeview terrace, provide some nice areas... But, to me, NOTHING replaces the Sanctuary. I can't believe Princess is actually doing this if they think that this awful, minialistic, no-shade, no padding area is worth a hundred dollars per person per day. WWTT ?????? I do NOT want to be a negative Nellie or a Debbie downer... But, this is making me re-think our future cruising on Princess. I am IN if anyone wants to get a specific thread created with all of these concerns/complaints.

Our booking on the SUN is about $1000. more than when we booked!

Which , of course, is why I showed the photo..... All we can do is hope that new padding/chairs show up on the SUN. And hope... and hope... and hope....

They are padded on Discovery, right???

Chamima, I have seen some walk thru videos, and any shades area is from the 'tarps', at the entry area where there are some tables and chairs.... One wouldn't have a sea-view, but I can see people wanting to make room there for their loungers, if there is any space to do so.

Have seen current video... I believe that this is somebody currently onboard.

I did hear one comment that the Sanctuary cabanas are $499... Maybe that is something that will NOT be true. Last I heard they often do not sell out at half that price. Crazy.....

Cushions for the Sanctuary loungers.... There seems to be a LOT that is not finished onboard. The things that we know about... and many smaller things that we might not. There are workers at work in the Dome... Hot tub in the Sanctuary... the cabanas in the Sanctuary, and probably a good number of other areas. (NO WAY THEY DID NOT KNOW WELL BEFOREHAND THAT THOSE FIRST SAILINGS WOULD BE CANCELLED) I really do NOT see how Princess could begin to expect to charge for unpadded loungers... Of course, we know how off-base and incompetent this corporation has been lately. Whoever was in charge of finalizing the design and decor of the Sanctuary is another person who should no longer be with PCL.

I am wondering about the section of actual PADDED loungers at the bow of the ship, in front of the Dome??? It is shown here, in this video. (great video of the Dome!) at about the 4:30 mark.

Here are a couple photos.... Sometimes photos do not lie..... WOW Sanctuary on REGAL Princess Sanctuary on SUN Princess. ( Does look 'CORPORATE' like the deck at a Hilton we visit.)

Here are a couple photos.... Sometimes photos do not lie..... WOW Sanctuary on REGAL Princess Sanctuary on SUN Princess.

I have not cruised from Sydney... but we are also get-there-and board early. I do not know how the port and waiting area is, but I am assuming that there is an indoor waiting area with seating???? That is absolutely the BEST time... before the ship fills up... getting settled in and seeing everything before there are any crowds... having lunch, etc. I am with you on that one!!! Unless there might be other reasons to not get there early and wait for boarding to begin?????