reiddg

Thanks, I'll look at it. Can't find where I left my look of surprise but when I find it, I'll use it...😉

Early in the thread, it was mentioned that there was a Princess webinar, for TAs I believe, to discuss the new Sanctuary Collection. Anyone on here or following attend it? I'm curious if any meaningful information came out of it.

Wow! Thanks for the details. Yes, I don't see myself booking Suites in the future. That's robbery, plain and simple. I guess it's time to try out MSC who matched my Princess Elite level with Diamond status.

Yes, the lounge is limited to Signature suite guests (agree with your assessment of lounge size). If you look at the Sanctuary Collection description on the PCL website under Premium Amenities and Services, it says "And if you’re a Sanctuary Suite guest, you’ll have exclusive access to the Suite Lounge"

That is correct. That's what the Princess rep told me on chat and said it was for all sailings in 2025. I booked a Reserve mini-suite in April 2023 on the Sun for January 2025, which has now qualified me for the Sanctuary Collection sans the Premier package.

It says in the Sanctuary Collection description that access to the Sanctuary Club is included. For this deal, the only thing in the Collection that is not included is the Premier package. I too booked a Reserve mini-suite.

I’m wondering the same thing. What exactly is the “private” restaurant for the Sanctuary Collection?

Yes, indeed!

Agreed! We like to book the Sanctuary on the Carib cruises as well and you're exactly right, we'll be lucky to find a seat. Are we now going to run into the same issue as at the main pools with people reserving chairs that stay vacant for hours?

That's what I was wondering as well - you've exploded the amount of people with access to the Sanctuary. Yikes!

Mine has changed to show "Sanctuary Class Indicator"

Yes, I recall when booking our Reserve MS that we had our own restaurant but I'm wondering which "private" restaurant they're referring to in the Sanctuary Collection promo.

Exactly. I was wondering though, was the private restaurant originally for both Signature and Reserve or were they separate?

I too received the email informing me of the complimentary upgrade. The note said I should upgrade to the Premier package but when I researched it on the Princess website, it said Premier was included. I reached an agent on chat and she said that the 2025 Sun Princess bookings made prior to April 2023 were given the upgrade but it excluded the Premier package. Same cabin, they're just including the Sanctuary Collection amenities. I couldn't get an answer but I'm guessing she meant the Reserve and Signature bookings were upgraded. I can't imagine ALL bookings were upgraded but who knows? I'm anxious to learn more about it though.

Good to know, thanks.

We've tried offsite parking and every time we use a shuttle (hotel, parking lot, Princess); it's always been a nightmare. I'll pay for the convenience and ease of the terminal parking garage.

I'm on the same cruise as @Alaska Lily and I was just thinking the same thing as some of the respondents here so I'm glad I found this thread. I've done the free Princess shuttle from one terminal to another - it's not pretty and I don't ever want to go through that again. I'm thinking we'll just get to Terminal 21 early, drop the bags and park back in the Terminal 2 garage. I'm guessing Uber and taxis will be busy with disembarkation at Terminal 2 but I'm sure we can find something. I like the idea of excessive tipping to the taxi or Uber to compensate for the short ride. Thanks for the advice!

You are correct in that technology doesn't solve everything. However, I must respectfully disagree that technology can't solve the Sanctuary reservation issue. I've been in IT for over 40 years and have seen some excellent technology solutions created. This one wouldn't be that difficult. Furthermore, it's ridiculous to force passengers to make the mad dash to the Sanctuary to make an in-person reservation and it's equally ridiculous to put the crew through it as well. They have better things to do as do the passengers. I can state unequivocally that a robust reservation system can be implemented without a lot of work. First, the challenges: 1. Sanctuary configurations differ from ship to ship - some more than others. 2. Sun & shade (partial or full) vary by ship, by itinerary, by weather. The solutions: 1. Just like when you buy a reserved seat for a movie, game, concert, or flight, there's a seat map available and you can choose your seat. A lounger map for each ship can be created and displayed in the app or the website. The loungers are always in the same configuration at the start of the day so having fixed positions on a map would be fine. They could even provide a 3D rendering of the actual Sanctuary on each ship so you can do a virtual tour. The map can display occupied and available seats by day and you can have the option to choose the same seat for the entire cruise, if available. A suggested full/partial sun/shade can be specified but personally, I would avoid that or disclaimer the heck out of it (see #2). Just like with dining reservations, they would commence by loyalty/cabin class. 2. First and foremost, a disclaimer is required in a big bold font. Nothing is guaranteed - for the challenges I stated. One can never be assured they will get their desired amount of sun. It's a crap shoot on every cruise. One needs to face facts on this topic. That said, there are loungers on many of the ships that can be designated all/partial sun or all/partial shade. Again, those can be highlighted in the depicted configuration but no guarantees. As I previously stated, it would save the labor supporting in-person reservations and the ridiculous mad dash for passengers to the Sanctuary on embarkation day. On our last cruise, when one couple made it to the Sanctuary podium at the entrance, they were there for almost 20 minutes deciding if they want sun/shade and calling their friends to get their choices. All while the rest of us were standing in the sun waiting. All of us in line did applaud when they finally turned to leave...

Interesting. Thanks for the info!

I would have to agree with you on San Pedro. Not much to it but it was better than FLL for sure. Thank you so much for the ArriveCan info. I had a feeling it was required for entering Canadian waters but you're the first person that's been able to explain it. As you saw in my post, I planned on completing it but was just wondering if it was required. Thanks for clarifying!

Thanks for the info. Since we live in FL, we mostly cruise out of FLL but have left out of LA as well. So far, none of the PELs have been anything more than a separate waiting room near the gangway. Happy to have a smaller waiting room and priority boarding though. I'm glad you brought up ArriveCan. I've filled out everything and am waiting on the 96hr pre-cruise time to complete the app and get the receipt. However, I've found no clear info that we require it. We're not taking any excursions that go into Canada nor are we getting off the ship in Vancouver. Do you know if this is something Princess will verify for everyone or does it happen once in Canada by Canadian authorities?

Thanks for the feedback. It's kind of what I thought - YMMV, but for the most part not enforced. I think we'll just head to the terminal at our normal time and then head to the PEL. Have a great cruise!

We're on the 7-day Inside Passage embarking 8/28 on the Discovery Princess. I've read through a number of threads on the new arrival group boarding process and I'm coming away with the impression that it really doesn't matter what you choose, (and if the Medallion app will function properly to allow you to choose in the first place...), you'll be able to board pretty much whenever you arrive as long as boarding has commenced. It seems to be even more the case if you have Elite or Platinum status or you're in a suite. I've not read anywhere where cruisers were made to wait until their scheduled boarding time. Just want to make sure as we like to arrive early (10:30 - 11:00) and wait in the Elite/Platinum lounge. In all our cruises, we've never had to wait more than 30 minutes or so. I was browsing the Princess Cruises forum on Facebook and saw pictures of horrendous lines outside of the terminal in San Francisco recently and people were saying it was a 2 hour wait to board. I'm thinking that was an anomaly but would like to hear other cruisers experience in the boarding process: breeze through? disorganized mess? enforced/unenforced boarding times? Thanks in Advance and Happy Cruising!

Well, there you go then; CBP requires it.

I am using Port Valet for the first time in August and while I've read that you'll depart in the first group, which for our Noon flight is fine, I don't recall reading that you would be "required" to depart - maybe I missed that. I can't imagine they would require you to leave just because your luggage did, but who knows? Maybe it's a TSA/CBP thing? If you don't get an answer from others on this board that have done it before, I would recommend talking to GS when disembarkation papers arrive in your stateroom and explain the situation. Best of luck.