Sun Princess - A North American Viewpoint

[louden]

Sun Princess Observations – Fijian Jewels – 11 – 22 January, 2012

 

This report will deal primarily with our observations about life aboard the Sun Princess. We are not much for touring and in many cases we don’t even go ashore, preferring instead to enjoy a ship with few passengers aboard. As background, we’re from eastern Canada and with the exception of an Auckland – Sydney cruise three years ago aboard the Diamond Princess, all our other cruises have been North American based.

 

We boarded the Sun Princess in Brisbane on 11 Jan 2012 for our thirteenth Princess cruise, nine different ships (Caribbean, Coral (2), Island, Diamond, Ruby, Emerald (4), Grand, Crown & Sun). We were hoping it wouldn’t be the unlucky thirteenth. The boarding process was speedy and efficient. We’ve boarded in Fort Lauderdale, San Francisco and Vancouver in the past and in our opinion this was the most efficient.

 

Our initial impressions from our contact with the crew were that this crew and ship were up to the standards that we have come to expect from Princess. We liked the layout and facilities of the ship. There are several small and intimate bar/lounge areas. The aft adult’s only pool, spa and sun area were our hang out for the voyage. Considering this is school holiday time and that we have several hundred children and youths aboard we hope that it stays this way. The aft deck area off of Aloha deck is a largely undiscovered area. This is only the second time we have taken an inside cabin for an extended trip. We had A729 and found it very acceptable mainly due to its proximity to the aft sun deck and adult areas that we enjoy. We found the layout and storage areas in this cabin larger and more practical than on the Grand class. In particular, the shower area is slightly larger and with the higher lip and longer curtain you don’t have to spend time trying to avoid the flood. The few extra cubic inches of space helps to eliminate the shower curtain dance.

 

Shortly after boarding we started to discover that this was not a “North American/European Princess ship. First discovery was that this ship did not offer a “bucket of beer” promotion. Next we learned that although there had been a “power hour/happy hour” feature in the recent past this was no longer available. We knew that the ship did not offer anytime dining but after viewing the dining rooms we can’t understand why one or at least part of one dining room can’t be used for anytime dining. The next difference was that the wine card, available on at least some other ships was again not available here. What next, no Platinum/Elite lounge or Happy Hour! We were told by Princess (previous enquiry) that there is no venue deemed suitable but in our opinion no one looked very hard. Why not the Rendezvous bar, Atrium bar, Vista Lounge or Shooters Disco? For the first time we observed cigarettes being sold at a bar by the package. Considering that Princess ships are going almost entirely smokeless for sailings beginning Jan15 we find this unusual. We noted that unlike the other 7 Princess ships we have sailed on the Sun provides no small tables on the deck areas. We’ve found these useful in the past. I realize that having these tables would reduce the number of lounges that could be accommodated in any particular area.

 

We observed that some prices don’t reflect those of the North American based ships. For example, if we recall correctly, the Fabulous Fashion Rings are sold at 2 for $35 in North America but on this ship they go for A$51.95. No doubt the booklet was printed when the Aussie dollar was weaker but current prices don’t reflect current market conditions. Why is it that a bottle of Bacardi sells for about US$17 on the US based ships but it’s A$25 on the Sun? The “Holiday Store at Sea” sale goes for US$10 but here on the Sun it’s A$20? This is unexplainable especially in view of the high value of the A$. I believe the Aussies are being overcharged. On a strong positive note we really appreciate the fact that the posted price is the final price, no 15% to be added to bar charges.

 

We avoided cruising for many years because we believed we would not enjoy the “traditional” dining experience. The introduction by Princess of “Anytime” dining encouraged us to experience cruising. We’ve enjoyed our previous 12 Princess cruises where this feature was available. Our apprehension of “Traditional” dining was confirmed on this voyage. We will endeavour to never again have to undergo this experience. What we don’t understand is why Anytime Dining is not available in one or at least part of one dining room.

 

The first unnecessary problem occurred on the first morning when I went to the Purser’s desk to confirm our account, specifically our credits. Sure enough I had not been given the Military credit nor the Travel Agency $20 wine credit we used last night. Instead of simply verifying my Captain Circle’s account to view my Military status I was asked to produce my documentation. I had an email confirmation from Head office yet this was still not good enough. I don’t need this hassle. Alex, an Officer at the Purser’s desk assured me he would look into the credits and get back to me. I wasn’t contacted but the credits appeared on the Saturday morning check of our account.

 

We arrived in Noumea, New Caladonea at 2:00PM Friday. We docked at the container terminal and the ship provided a free bus shuttle out of the terminal to the main cruise ship terminal in town. We did not take any tours. We simply walked around town. There is a Casino Johnson supermarket within two blocks of this terminal. It sells everything. We don’t know the laws but when we attempted to buy 6 beer for about A$10 we were not permitted. The cashier said alcohol sales were prohibited at that time (4:00PM Friday) and would not recommence until the following day.

 

Saturday we’re at Isle of Pines. Tendering was required to go to a beach. We have the ship largely to ourselves so we’ve decided to stay aboard. This evening for the first time in about 130 nights aboard Princess ships I returned a main course. The beef was so tough as to be inedible.

 

On the plus side the ships pools and hot tubs are open until midnight. The hot tubs are also at a consistent high temperature which we have found lacking on other ships. Kelvin and Frenchie head up a great entertainment team. Generally shows were repeated over two nights and were thus easy to attend. We liked having the seminars and shore excursion information available on the TV. We found the breakfast and lunch selections in the Horizon Court to be excellent but were less impressed with the evening selections. This was really the first cruise where we have used the Horizon Court in the evening as we have always had the Anytime Dining option in the past and have rarely used the Horizon Court in the evening. We don’t like Traditional dining!

 

Overall, although we liked the layout of the ship and the crew were of the usual Princess calibre, we would not recommend this ship to frequent North American/ European Princess cruisers. I’ve voiced the complaint before about the lack of consistency of services between ships and in this case I find it excessive. Cruise number thirteen was a definite disappointment. We’re booked for a two day coastal from Brisbane to Sydney on March 1st but after that cruise we definitely won’t be back cruising Princess “downunder”. We’ve always enjoyed our Princess experiences but if we had to rate this cruise it would be at the bottom of the list. Consistency, consistency, consistency is as important to us as location, location, location is to a Real Estate agent!

 

We’re looking forward to our 28 day Tahitian experience in October aboard the Sapphire out of LA.

 

 

 

Dennis & Louise

[RickEk]

Thanks for the review. Please elaborate on your distaste for traditional dining. We've been pretty satisfied when we've experienced traditional dining and choose it more often than not.

[louden]

Thanks for the review. Please elaborate on your distaste for traditional dining. We've been pretty satisfied when we've experienced traditional dining and choose it more often than not.

 

The thought of a fixed timetable at a specific table not of our choosing does not appeal. We enjoy tailoring our dining to how we have spent our day and what our evening plans are. We also prefer a small table near a window and are willing to wait for such a table.

 

As indicated in our post we began sailing because Princess offered the alternative.

 

Dennis & Louise

[paul929207]

We were on the Dawn Princess (sister of the Sun Princess and also part of the Aussie Experience). While the details may be differnet, we had basically the same experience. Especially with finances. I drink Dewars and water. Last spring on the Ocean Princess I paid US$5.70 per drink. On the Dawn It was A$7.60.

 

The Dawn was the only Princess ship that has enforced the rules for bringing alcohol on board beyond even what is in the Passenger Contract. The only allowed one bottle of wine per adult at the embarkation port and none at any other port. The Passage Contract has no such limit. The people at the wineries we visited were not happy with the rules. Nor were we.

[Alessandrina]

Thanks Louden and paul929207 for your observations. A pity that the Princess brand in Oz/NZ is not the same as we are used to. Will have to lower our expectations should we sail on SP or DP.

[lizzy77]

I fully agree with all your comments and as an Australian I get so ticked off that they treat us this way:mad:. I think the attitude is that we will not know any better!! Just send the Aussies the old ships and make a bucket load of money !!

 

We have cruised on both Princess US and Princess Australia and the standards are definitely very different with Princess US being far superior in many ways. We decided to give the Dawn another try 4 weeks ago as it left from our home port. We were even more disappointed and we felt that as the tips are included, the staff don't have to work for them. It was especially noticable in the Horizen Court.

 

I bought a coffee card on the Star Princess and it was $25 US, on the Dawn it was $35 AUS. The 1 bottle of wine per passenger is ridiculous and the cosmetic and perfume prices were no cheaper than what I can buy them for online. Clinique makeup was $28Aus on the Dawn and $18 US on the Star. Most drinks were dearer even with the tips included.

 

Some of us in Aus are starting to talk with our feet and we are moving away from Princess as other cruiselines are finally sending us some newer ships for the Summer season like Voyager of the seas and Celebrity Solstice. Bring it on I say:D

[Cruise Junky]

Would you see these kind of prices on Diamond when she's sailing AU/NZ? Or is it just Dawn, Sea and Sun?

 

Thanks

[lizzy77]

Would you see these kind of prices on Diamond when she's sailing AU/NZ? Or is it just Dawn, Sea and Sun?

 

Thanks

 

The prices on the Diamond would be the same as what they are when they are when sailing anywhere else other than Aus. The prices are dearer on the Aussie based ships. We did the Sapphire Princess cruise to NZ a couple of years ago and the prices were the same as what you would pay on any US based ship.

[Cruise Junky]

The prices on the Diamond would be the same as what they are when they are when sailing anywhere else other than Aus. The prices are dearer on the Aussie based ships. We did the Sapphire Princess cruise to NZ a couple of years ago and the prices were the same as what you would pay on any US based ship.

 

Excellent - thank you

[Te Aroha]

I have to whole heartly agree with this post. I am a kiwi who has sailed twice on the Diamond Princess and once on the Sun Princess.

I was very disappointed in the Sun Princess as I assumed that it would be the same as the Diamond and have vowed never to sail on an Australian based Princess ship again due to the experiences on board the Sun.

Princess needs to take note of the number is past passengers now voting with their feet and switching to other lines here.

[NSWP]

I fully agree with all your comments and as an Australian I get so ticked off that they treat us this way:mad:. I think the attitude is that we will not know any better!! Just send the Aussies the old ships and make a bucket load of money !!

 

We have cruised on both Princess US and Princess Australia and the standards are definitely very different with Princess US being far superior in many ways. We decided to give the Dawn another try 4 weeks ago as it left from our home port. We were even more disappointed and we felt that as the tips are included, the staff don't have to work for them. It was especially noticable in the Horizen Court.

 

I bought a coffee card on the Star Princess and it was $25 US, on the Dawn it was $35 AUS. The 1 bottle of wine per passenger is ridiculous and the cosmetic and perfume prices were no cheaper than what I can buy them for online. Clinique makeup was $28Aus on the Dawn and $18 US on the Star. Most drinks were dearer even with the tips included.

 

Some of us in Aus are starting to talk with our feet and we are moving away from Princess as other cruiselines are finally sending us some newer ships for the Summer season like Voyager of the seas and Celebrity Solstice. Bring it on I say:D

Totally agree with Liz, I have cruised on both the Australian Princess ships and several 'American Princess ships.' Like chalk and cheese, different product. I too would not sail on Dawn or Sun Princess again out of Australia.

 

Princess have dropped the ball in Australia. Trouble is many Aussies take their first ever cruse on Sun or Dawn Princess (just check out all the blue cruise cards round the necks)and think it is all great. Well I assure you it is not.

 

And as for different policies re byo wine etc, don't get me started.

 

Oh I forgot, Louden..excellent report, I totally agree with most of your issues.

Edited February 24, 2012 by NSWP

[caribill]

I

I bought a coffee card on the Star Princess and it was $25 US, on the Dawn it was $35 AUS.

 

Coffee card on Star Princess is now $31, but still less than on the Australian based ships.

[Tikibird]

Louden, we are also on the upcoming Sun Princess cruise and I agree with you about Anytime dining. It would drive me nuts to be locked in to a fixed time and be forced to cut a port visit short. We took early dining for this cruise because we are early diners at home and there are no port visits to worry about but I have had to rethink our upcoming cruise to the Med in 2014. I was originally thinking to do the Holy Land but it seems the ships that do that itinerary are smaller ones with no Anytime dining so now I am I am thinking to do the Grand Mediterranean and tag on a short land trip to Israel before or after the cruise. Those European ports have so much to see and I want to maximize time in port.

[windsor26]

Sad that you did not enjoy your cruise on the Sun I love traditional dining but when I know that is what is available why would I moan all the time. There is the horizon court and there is the pizza cafe.

 

We have spent many threads bemoaning the lack of happy hour the no platinum and elite evening get together There were buckets of beer on the 140 odd days we have spent on the Sun so I dont know why this has been changed.

 

The prices you mention although I know they are higher on the Australian ships don't forget to make a little adjustment for the lack of 15% surcharge and NO TIPPING

 

Yes we do have a bum steer down here with the Australian rules but it is not as bad as you make out. and YES I have had many USA Princess cruises as well to compare.

 

If you cruise RCI Australia you will also find higher prices and still gratuities charged and 15% added to the drinks etc. and you cant take wine on board at all.

 

I always take well in excess of one bottle of wine on board and have never been challenged

 

Sorry you will miss out on some great itineries by closing your purse to Australian based ships

Edited February 25, 2012 by windsor26

[paul929207]

Several of the posts above mention Aussie voting with their feet and not sailing Princess. When we were on the Dawn in September the overwhelming majority were from Australia. We had 320 days on Princess and did not make the Most Traveled lunch for the Circumnavigation. So it wasn't just first timers.

[kuldalai]

Princess Australia are pretty blase and complacent . They have had it too good for too long on their own . Now a bit more competition is arriving downunder things should smarten up, and Aussies should enjoy the benefits of more competitive pricing as enjoyed by US and Canadian cruisers.

 

As for Anytime Dining it could be provided on SUN, DAWN and SEA Princess whilst operating out of Australia . The three ships are all identical sisters of the "Sun"class . Princess Australia say Anytime Dining cannot be done here which is B/S !

Fact 1 : SEA Princess when in Alaskan waters offers Anytime Dining, but not in Australian waters.

Fact 2: If Anytime Dining can be provided on SEA in Alaska it can be done in Australia too , but Princess Australia are just to lazy to organize it .

Fact 3: So Anytime Dining can be done on SEA, SUN and DAWN in Australia and Princess HO need to get Princess Australia to comply and meet CUSTOMER needs.

[louden]

Sad that you did not enjoy your cruise on the Sun I love traditional dining but when I know that is what is available why would I moan all the time. There is the horizon court and there is the pizza cafe.

 

We have spent many threads bemoaning the lack of happy hour the no platinum and elite evening get together There were buckets of beer on the 140 odd days we have spent on the Sun so I dont know why this has been changed.

 

The prices you mention although I know they are higher on the Australian ships don't forget to make a little adjustment for the lack of 15% surcharge and NO TIPPING

 

Yes we do have a bum steer down here with the Australian rules but it is not as bad as you make out. and YES I have had many USA Princess cruises as well to compare.

 

If you cruise RCI Australia you will also find higher prices and still gratuities charged and 15% added to the drinks etc. and you cant take wine on board at all.

 

I always take well in excess of one bottle of wine on board and have never been challenged

 

Sorry you will miss out on some great itineries by closing your purse to Australian based ships

 

"Sad that you did not enjoy your cruise on the Sun I love traditional dining but when I know that is what is available why would I moan all the time. There is the horizon court and there is the pizza cafe."

 

I hate to think I was moaning. This trip was part of a winter escape from Canada. We are following the cruise with an eight week stay on the Gold Coast. We are also returning to the Sun for a two day trip to Sydney so we can get our Elite status. We booked the trip knowing Anytime Dining was not available. We thought that it was perhaps because of the design or other shortcomings of the ship. However, with two identical dining rooms served by the same kitchen and when another Board member states that Anytime dining is available when the ship is in other waters then there is no reason not to have this option. This is what attracted us to Princess. To suggest that the Horizon Court or pizza cafe is a suitable alternative is to compare "feeding" to dining!

 

"We have spent many threads bemoaning the lack of happy hour the no platinum and elite evening get together There were buckets of beer on the 140 odd days we have spent on the Sun so I dont know why this has been changed."

 

We were told by the bar manager that in order to promote responsible drinking the Happy Hour/Power hour and Bucket of Beer promotion had been suspended because of the large number of young people aboard. This cruise was during the Australian school holidays. Also on this cruise the drinking age is 18 rather than 21 as on the America's based ships.

 

"The prices you mention although I know they are higher on the Australian ships don't forget to make a little adjustment for the lack of 15% surcharge and NO TIPPING"

 

I believe most of the prices I quoted referred to the Boutiques on whos charges the 15% is not added. I believe these prices were set long ago and do not reflect the current value of the A$.

 

"Yes we do have a bum steer down here with the Australian rules but it is not as bad as you make out. and YES I have had many USA Princess cruises as well to compare."

 

Sorry but I don't know about Australian rules or as someone else mentioned Princess Australia. As far as I am concerned there is one Princess brand and there should be one standard product where ever ship design permits. I forwarded my comments to Princess HQ and the reply came from California.

 

"If you cruise RCI Australia you will also find higher prices and still gratuities charged and 15% added to the drinks etc. and you cant take wine on board at all."

 

Sorry, but comparing to RCI is irrelevant. I'm talking Princess product here.

 

When asked on my critique form if the cruise met our expectations the answer was a resounding NO! How could it be otherwise when so many features that we have come to take for granted were not provided. We're booked for 28 days on the Sapphire and 20 days on the Emerald and we hope to get a cabin on the Royal for its trans Atlantic passage.

 

Dennis & Louise

[jig]

I spent 15 days on the sun last year. I am an american and my GF is Australian. You can not have anytime dining because the Australians refuse to be part of the tipping pool. I was on the pacific Princess sailing from Cape Town to Sydney once and all the Australians ran to the front desk to remove the tips before the door closed. They at least try to have you at one table so you might give something. At my table I am sure the waiter would have been stiffed if we had not been there. I paid the US price and it was $1300 less pp but they did put the $11pd charge which we did remove and gave in cash like they asked the Australians to. So lets see $11pd x 15 days $165 with the dreaded service charge or $1300 without. $5.75 a drink + 15% = $6.70 or $8.95 +0% = $8.95. It's not that you are beening cheated it's that you want to stiff the staff. Princess has to make up the difference or they can't get anyone to work those ships. As do all the other cruise lines. Just the way it is.

 

Jeffrey

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

But that is the problem........ you can't compare Princess USA to Princess Australia.... they are run independantly, even though they have the same parent company! I have travelled both and they are like chalk and cheese. I know not to expect the level of amenities and extras you get on USA based ships with the Aussie based ones.... I do not put service in that category though.... the service on the Aussie ships is as wonderful as on the USA ships. The ships they send down to us are the rejects that are no longer wanted in the US market. Now us Aussies, with the $ so good, are travelling more and are getting a taste of the product that we are missing out on and are not happy about it at all. Princess Australia will just have to take notice and lift their game if they want to keep the business florishing and it is a VERY big growing industry in Australia.

 

Princess Australia is run out of Australia.

Princess USA is run out of the USA.

 

Princess Australia set their own rules and have done so since they have been down here..... and between them and P & O Australia, they have had the monopoly. Now there are more ships and companies coming downunder and yes, things are finally changing for the better! Princess Australia is going to have to listen to the customer and give them what they want..... the rest of 2012 and 2013 is going to be very interesting! :)

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

I spent 15 days on the sun last year. I am an american and my GF is Australian. You can not have anytime dining because the Australians refuse to be part of the tipping pool. I was on the pacific Princess sailing from Cape Town to Sydney once and all the Australians ran to the front desk to remove the tips before the door closed. They at least try to have you at one table so you might give something. At my table I am sure the waiter would have been stiffed if we had not been there. I paid the US price and it was $1300 less pp but they did put the $11pd charge which we did remove and gave in cash like they asked the Australians to. So lets see $11pd x 15 days $165 with the dreaded service charge or $1300 without. $5.75 a drink + 15% = $6.70 or $8.95 +0% = $8.95. It's not that you are beening cheated it's that you want to stiff the staff. Princess has to make up the difference or they can't get anyone to work those ships. As do all the other cruise lines. Just the way it is.

 

Jeffrey

 

OMG... another person pontificating about tipping and Aussies...... boring and old hat! You don't know what you are talking about... which surprises me because your GF is Australian. It is all to do with our culture. Princess Australia and P & O Australia recognises this and has adjusted it accordingly. Have you ever asked the staff if they are happy with this arrangement because if you did you would find they are (the many ones we have spoken to anyway) They get paid a lot more and don't have to rely on tips (which they still get from a lot anyway) so they actually make more money! They are run under Australian wage laws.

 

You stated that you paid $1300 less than the Aussies onboard - there is the problem too in one statement. We pay more for our cruises. So you want the Aussies to pay more and to follow American customs as well and tip everyone that comes in coo-ee distance.

 

BTW we do tip even on Australian cruises but we understand why a lot of Aussies don't want to do this.....

[KruzPrincess]

But that is the problem........ you can't compare Princess USA to Princess Australia.... they are run independantly' date=' even though they have the same parent company! I have travelled both and they are like chalk and cheese. I know not to expect the level of amenities and extras you get on USA based ships with the Aussie based ones.... I do not put service in that category though.... the service on the Aussie ships is as wonderful as on the USA ships. The ships they send down to us are the rejects that are no longer wanted in the US market. Now us Aussies, with the $ so good, are travelling more and are getting a taste of the product that we are missing out on and are not happy about it at all. Princess Australia will just have to take notice and lift their game if they want to keep the business florishing and it is a VERY big growing industry in Australia.

 

Princess Australia is run out of Australia.

Princess USA is run out of the USA.

 

Princess Australia set their own rules and have done so since they have been down here..... and between them and P & O Australia, they have had the monopoly. Now there are more ships and companies coming downunder and yes, things are finally changing for the better! Princess Australia is going to have to listen to the customer and give them what they want..... the rest of 2012 and 2013 is going to be very interesting! :)

 

Frankly, I wish the Sun Class ships were in the US market. I loved those smaller ships. The Sun Class ships are/were my favorite. I'd be happy if they'd send a Grand Class ship down there and we could have a Sun Class ship in the Caribbean. JMO.

 

Interesting to read about the differences, though. I hope to cruise AU/NZ one day and it's all good to know what to expect.

[Billy and Charlie's Mum]

Frankly, I wish the Sun Class ships were in the US market. I loved those smaller ships. The Sun Class ships are/were my favorite. I'd be happy if they'd send a Grand Class ship down there and we could have a Sun Class ship in the Caribbean. JMO.

 

Interesting to read about the differences, though. I hope to cruise AU/NZ one day and it's all good to know what to expect.

 

Sounds good to me.....we now have the three down here, no variety. If we could have the Ruby or Coral in exchange, that would be wonderful! LOL

[windsor26]

The OP's original and continuous moan was about not having any time dining.

They wanted and said that it could be done on the Sun and Dawn if Princess would 'bother to sort it out'

 

We don't really want any time dining and the thought of giving over half a restaurant to this and having people walking in and out at various times all evening would spoil the ambiance of the great dining experience we have with Traditional Dining

 

Just imagine having a table reasonably close tot the entrance and having the doors open all the time and it being a walking thorough-fair of continuous movement. Not for me thank you.

OK on a larger ship perhaps with an additional dining room but leave us as we are please:p:p:p:p

[jig]

Sorry, but when they mover the regal to the pacific dawn the crew was forced to stay. Anyone who wanted out was told they couldn't. Yes, they make "more" but not because they are "paid" more. Princess subsidises the tip pool. All tips on the Princess Australia are pooled just like on the other Princess ships. What people don't understand, when you pull out of the pool all cash tips MUST be put into the pool. Yes, My GF is from Moree and Sydney and been in Australia since 1829. Nothing makes her cringe more then when we are on a ship and she see's all those people on line to defund the crew.

Getting back to the main point. There will be anytime dining without the service charges. Royal Carib requires you to pre pay the charge if you request to opt out of fixed dining. Anyway, we are able to book anycruise we want in the USa as I have a USA address. So I don't feel the pinch.

 

Jeffrey

[Jasperdo]

 

As for Anytime Dining it could be provided on SUN, DAWN and SEA Princess whilst operating out of Australia . The three ships are all identical sisters of the "Sun"class . Princess Australia say Anytime Dining cannot be done here which is B/S !

This is true. My wife and I were on the Dawn Princess when she was still sailing to the Caribbean out of Fort Lauderdale. They had Anytime Dining on our sailing. We used it every night.