What is the difference between the Thermal Suite and Sanctuary

[sjde]

On the Island Princess I see mini-suite guests get complimentary use of the thermal suite. What is this and how is it different from the Sanctuary?  TIA!

[cr8tiv1]

Only FULL suites have complimentary use of the thermal suites.  Mini-Suites are not included in this perk. 

 

Thermal Suites have additional amenities.  Usually they have hot stone beds and sometimes a very nice "rain" pool.  

[skynight]

The sanctuary is an outdoor lounge area on the upper decks. You can get a massage there, fees involved. The thermal suite is an indoor spa area with heated beds, maybe special showers or sauna. Pretty sure there is no thermal pool in the Island's thermal suite. Mini suites do not have comp. access to the thermal suite. This would be an extra fee for the cruise. Below is the information from Princess regarding mini suites. In the top reference the column on the left are the extra amenities. The other two columns are the same as all other cat. cabins. Club Class minis come with a few additional amenities the most important of which is club class dining.

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/ships/products/staterooms/default-mini-suite.html

https://www.princess.com/downloads/pdf/ships/club-class/ClubClass-eFlyer.pdf

 

[Tak8]

I enjoy the thermal suite experience.  Very relaxing steam sauna aromatherapy combo.  I haven't done the Sanctuary.  It doesn't seem worth the money to me, but that is very subjective.

[Papa Yoda]

The Island Princess (and Coral) Thermal Suite Lido aft has 4 heated tile loungers and 2 "gentle" steam rooms, aromatherapy room, and separate locker/changing room - no thalassotherapy pool.

 

Saunas with lockers and showers open to all are down the hall forward - it takes folks a while to discover them.

[tanyaewa]

Can anyone  access the thermal suite area to enjoy the pools and loungers? 

[skynight]

5 hours ago, tanyaewa said:

Can anyone  access the thermal suite area to enjoy the pools and loungers? 

Not every ship has a thermal suite,  only the royal class ships have thermal pools in the thermal suite which is called The Enclave on royal class ships.. There is a fee to use the thermal suite/Enclave. Full suites get complementary access on select ships the Island, Coral, Crown, Caribbean, Emerald, Ruby, Diamond and Sapphire.

Anyone can pay the fee and get access, but there is an upper limit of passes sold. Visit the spa desk on boarding day to inquire. Believe the fee is for the entire cruise and not a day pass.

There are free steam and sauna rooms on Grand Class ships forward by the lap/spa pool.

[tanyaewa]

Thanks.  What about Enchantment?  Does one go to spa desk to get access?

[Lady Arwen]

10 minutes ago, tanyaewa said:

Thanks.  What about Enchantment?  Does one go to spa desk to get access?

Enchanted Princess has an Enclave experience and you would need to go to the spa to book if you book onboard.  However, you can probably book it online prior to your cruise.  Just go to “Manage My Cruise” and it will be with the Spa offerings on your sailing.

[skynight]

4 hours ago, tanyaewa said:

Thanks.  What about Enchantment?  Does one go to spa desk to get access?

If the Enclave can not be pre-booked go to the spa desk on boarding day, deck 5 by the forward elevators.

[CruisinFinsUp]

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/wellness/

 

Princess has a video of each of the Sanctuary and the Spa (which includes either Thermal Suite or Enclave, depending on the ship)

 

The Sanctuary video shows only the Sanctuary.    The Spa video includes the massages available up in the sanctuary -which I think adds to the confusion!    

 

The Thermal Suite / Enclave are located within the Spa on each ship, and are limited access, pay extra fee for the entire cruise.  

 

The Sanctuary is on the upper deck, pay extra, but you can reserve only a day or half day if that is all you want.  Within the Sanctuary there are additional services available for pay more extra fees, such as massages.   

 

On ships with a "Spa Pool" - this pool is NOT part of either the Spa or Sanctuary and is "free" to use, but is adults only.  

 

 

Edited March 2, 2021 by cruisintoddler

[tanyaewa]

15 hours ago, cruisintoddler said:

https://www.princess.com/ships-and-experience/onboard-experience/wellness/

 

Princess has a video of each of the Sanctuary and the Spa (which includes either Thermal Suite or Enclave, depending on the ship)

 

The Sanctuary video shows only the Sanctuary.    The Spa video includes the massages available up in the sanctuary -which I think adds to the confusion!    

 

The Thermal Suite / Enclave are located within the Spa on each ship, and are limited access, pay extra fee for the entire cruise.  

 

The Sanctuary is on the upper deck, pay extra, but you can reserve only a day or half day if that is all you want.  Within the Sanctuary there are additional services available for pay more extra fees, such as massages.   

 

On ships with a "Spa Pool" - this pool is NOT part of either the Spa or Sanctuary and is "free" to use, but is adults only.  

 

 

Awesome info thx 

[Pluto_fan]

On 2/28/2021 at 7:13 AM, skynight said:

There are free steam and sauna rooms on Grand Class ships forward by the lap/spa pool.

 

On 3/2/2021 at 9:19 AM, CruisinFinsUp said:

 

On ships with a "Spa Pool" - this pool is NOT part of either the Spa or Sanctuary and is "free" to use, but is adults only.  

 

 

Sorry to bring up an old thread, but I searched for my question and hopefully this information is still valid.

 

We will be on the Sapphire Princess in a regular balcony cabin.  Am I understanding correctly that we may use the steam room, sauna, and pool in the spa area without additional charge?  Thanks!