Do you think it is fair for Sanctuary to be booked by B2B passengers PRIOR to cruise?

[scottydog123]

I booked the sanctuary on every cruise...it's called my Balcony..

 

I don't understand the need to pay extra for a space on a windy deck, where you have assigned seating when in fact most of the chairs on other decks are vacant and traveling during the school year, there is little if no children...food is alway available, even if I have to get it myself...lemon water is always free too and if I want a wet towel, I can easily get it from my room.

 

Princess is playing the supply and demand game...and you are buying into it..you paid for the cruise why pay for a deck?:confused:

Edited February 9, 2014 by scottydog123

[janetz]

Hey Scottydog, we just a hour from you! I am inclined to agree. We have never used the sanctuary but are curious, as it seems so many people say how great it is. We will see. I am certainly not wanting it for a week. There are plenty of nice areas onboard to relax. We have many sea days on our repo and we will find them all. ;)

Edited February 9, 2014 by janetz

[sweetsleep]

Perhaps a way to make the Sanctuary booking more fair to all is to do a lottery system for the full cruise seats.

They could even expand this to the daily bookings as well for those who know which day or days they wish to use the Sanctuary.

Passengers who successfully get a lounger can be contacted through their stateroom phone with a message.

I will repeat that the service we had (or lack of it) on the Emerald last week was very poor to nonexistent. It was terrific on the Coral in October on my Panama Canal cruise.

[scottydog123]

The berkshires is a beautiful part of western mass, you are very lucky. I think because we are not frou frou people, it didn't seem right. I like to come and go as I please, and I can't fathom having to sit in one spot all cruise and still have to walk to the pool...but to each his own

[janetz]

And get up at 630am to go wait in line to see if you can get a chair for the next day. Geez, I have just about talked myself right out of it! :p

Edited February 9, 2014 by janetz

[LewesBeach]

Quote: "Princess is playing the supply and demand game...and you are buying into it..you paid for the cruise why pay for a deck?"

 

I've never used it, but I don't begrudge people for paying for it. It's their 'thing' - same way other people spend money at the casinos, specialty restaurants, spas, wine-tastings, and art auctions. Yes, Princess IS "playing the supply and demand game". SURPRISE! These things are money-makers for the cruise line and if people didn't spend their money on them, we would ALL be paying a lot more for our cruise. Enjoy your cruise, some of us will be subsidizing it.

[Woobstr112G]

I know there are different opinions about allowing B2B'ers signing up/reserving services for the second half while 2nd half cruisers loose out. While I've never had a Sanctuary issue, since I don't always use it, I have been shut out of the Chef's Table on two T/A's in a row by B2B'ers who signed up on the 12 day cruise preceding the T/A. IMHO, the services should be allowed to be booked online pre-cruise to give everyone a chance.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited February 9, 2014 by Woobstr112G

[scottydog123]

especially when the beds are pretty comfortable and they are included in the price of the cruise.

[DonnasMom&Dad]

You won't win by giving up, contact "Princess costumer relations" with your beef and solutions.:D

 

Cato:)

[Pam in CA]

especially when the beds are pretty comfortable and they are included in the price of the cruise.

So true! They are now the most comfortable I've had of the four lines I've sailed on. Love the pillow-tops.

[sminfiddle]

Those who can drive themselves to port get to board before many who take Princess Transfers (and get there whenever the bus does)... fair? :confused:

Elite and Platinum can board before those who aren't Priority Boarding, but one can't simply choose to be Elite/Platinum... fair? :confused:

Anyone can choose to book a Suite and board with the other Priority Boarding perk passengers...

Bon Voyage participants can board before those who have earned or bought the Priority Boarding perk...

 

In-Transit B2B passengers can board before the Bon Voyage group, but only if they aren't doing anything on shore like buying their allowed free wines... And they don't have this advantage when first boarding.

 

It's probably not a perfect pecking order, but it seems "fair" to me as anyone has the right to pay to book a suite, a B2B, or a Bon Voyage.

 

 

~sent using Cruise Critic app~

Edited February 9, 2014 by sminfiddle

[JF - retired RRT]

I know there are different opinions about allowing B2B'ers signing up/reserving services for the second half while 2nd half cruisers loose out. While I've never had a Sanctuary issue, since I don't always use it, I have been shut out of the Chef's Table on two T/A's in a row by B2B'ers who signed up on the 12 day cruise preceding the T/A. IMHO, the services should be allowed to be booked online pre-cruise to give everyone a chance.....:):):)

 

Bob

SOLUTION: take a B2B:D

[Woobstr112G]

SOLUTION: take a B2B:D

 

Good point sir:). After I retire in 2016/2017 (and if DW will allow), I plan to tack on a 12 day eastern med cruise to the T/A sailing.....:):):)

 

Bob

[jagoffee]

Yes, I think it is fair.

 

I would guess that the weekly allocations are not sold out as often as is being implied by the comments on this thread. I purchased the 10 day pass on an Emerald Caribbean cruise and it was never very busy.

[MHMarkL]

I booked the sanctuary on every cruise...it's called my Balcony..

 

I don't understand the need to pay extra for a space on a windy deck, where you have assigned seating when in fact most of the chairs on other decks are vacant and traveling during the school year, there is little if no children...food is alway available, even if I have to get it myself...lemon water is always free too and if I want a wet towel, I can easily get it from my room.

 

Room service will bring you food and drink and all the amenities of your cabin at at your disposal like, private bathroom, pillows, mini-bar (if Elite or in a suite). I don't understand the draw of the Sanctuary for folks in a cabin with a balcony. On the other hand, we have never tried the Sanctuary so I cant speak from experience.

[Pam in CA]

I don't understand the draw of the Sanctuary for folks in a cabin with a balcony. On the other hand, we have never tried the Sanctuary so I cant speak from experience.

You may want to experience it. :) For me, it's being pampered while relaxing on a super comfortable lounger. You don't have to call to have something delivered, they come by and give you iced towels if it's hot, blankets if it's chilly, etc. It's not for everyone but now with the new balcony furniture so uncomfortable, no more balconies for me. Which would you rather lounge on? The right or the left? :)

[crows nest club]

Of course everyone has their own idea of what is fair, but for every idea there will be someone not happy because the "Idea" doesn't work for them. I think it really boils down to simple economics; raise the price so the number of available loungers matches the number of people willing to pay that price.

 

I personally don't know what my price point would be, but at some dollar amount I would drop out of contention and DH and I would be two less people vying for a spot.

 

We will be on the Emerald Princess in less than 3-weeks. I want two spots in the Sanctuary, and have my game plan all mapped out to get those coveted spots, but I also know that fate could place all kinds of obstacles in my path. If I don't get week passes then I guess I'm getting up early and waiting in line.

 

Be careful what you wish for. Obviously, Princess take note of comments on these boards, as the Sanctuary cost has just been increased double to $40 per day and $20 per half day. They obviously see an opportunity to increase revenue from this venue. Whether this will stop the 'rush' on embarkation day day to reserve for the whole cruise, we will have to wait and see. They may get their fingers burnt with such a high increase.

 

On some of our cruises we have seen minimal usage of this facility, even at the previous lower prices.

[sfo2008]

Be careful what you wish for. Obviously, Princess take note of comments on these boards, as the Sanctuary cost has just been increased double to $40 per day and $20 per half day. They obviously see an opportunity to increase revenue from this venue. Whether this will stop the 'rush' on embarkation day day to reserve for the whole cruise, we will have to wait and see. They may get their fingers burnt with such a high increase.

 

On some of our cruises we have seen minimal usage of this facility, even at the previous lower prices.

 

If a bunch of economists were allowed to run the sanctuary, they would take bids and fulfill them from highest to lowest. Theoretically each person could then bid what they thought it was worth to them and Princess could award the seats from highest to lowest.

[Loonbeam]

Honestly? That would be the fairest method!

 

If a bunch of economists were allowed to run the sanctuary, they would take bids and fulfill them from highest to lowest. Theoretically each person could then bid what they thought it was worth to them and Princess could award the seats from highest to lowest.

[scrosso]

Hi everyone, i am sailing on the Royal for the 1st time - March 2nd, and have a question about the Sanctuary. Looking at the photos it seems that a lot of it is covered. Is this actually the case, my wife and i want somewhere we can lie out in the sun but cant seem to find if the Sanctuary does offer sunbeds out in the open?

 

Also if you book for the week, do you get the same sunbeds reserved for the week? we are slightly odd in the fact once we settle for 1 day we like going back to the same place each day for the rest of the cruise.

 

If its not outdoors, i guess we need to take our chances on getting a sunbed by the pool. any tips on what sort of times these fill up?

[crows nest club]

Hi everyone, i am sailing on the Royal for the 1st time - March 2nd, and have a question about the Sanctuary. Looking at the photos it seems that a lot of it is covered. Is this actually the case, my wife and i want somewhere we can lie out in the sun but cant seem to find if the Sanctuary does offer sunbeds out in the open?

 

Also if you book for the week, do you get the same sunbeds reserved for the week? we are slightly odd in the fact once we settle for 1 day we like going back to the same place each day for the rest of the cruise.

 

If its not outdoors, i guess we need to take our chances on getting a sunbed by the pool. any tips on what sort of times these fill up?

 

There are places in the sun and the shade. If the Sanctuary is not busy, then the attendants may move your lounger from sun to shade, or vice versa.

 

Yes, the lounger you choose is yours for the whole cruise if booked for the whole time.

[caber]

We are just off Emerald B2B, 20 nights and I don`t think the Sanctuary was anywhere near full on either of the cruises. There seemed to be plenty of spare beds around.

[crows nest club]

We are just off Emerald B2B, 20 nights and I don`t think the Sanctuary was anywhere near full on either of the cruises. There seemed to be plenty of spare beds around.

 

Just curious, but did you use the Sanctuary? If so, had the increased prices been implemented?

[Pam in CA]

Hi everyone, i am sailing on the Royal for the 1st time - March 2nd, and have a question about the Sanctuary. Looking at the photos it seems that a lot of it is covered. Is this actually the case, my wife and i want somewhere we can lie out in the sun but cant seem to find if the Sanctuary does offer sunbeds out in the open?

All of the Sanctuary is outdoors. There are light coverings over part of it. Here are some photos of the Royal's Sanctuary. Some are directly in the sun, most have the light-filtering covers but you'll still get some sun.

 

 

[cccc1747]

Princess may know what they're doing because a person like me would be willing to "pony-up" double the double price and more...I still think it should be first to book are first to be able to reserve online ahead of time. No running, no getting up early and no waiting in another line. If they REALLY knew what they were doing they would book ahead like they do the excursions and spa treatments.