Sun Princess - Original

[dides]

This article about the shipyard visit from Insider Travel Report has more information about the casino and elevators:

 

“Around the perimeter, are LED ribbons,” Parker said. “And wrapped around these columns and around the back are also LED strips. So, if someone hits the jackpot, this place will come alive.”

When asked about smoking in the casino, Parker said: “it will be smoking and non-smoking. One new innovation we have on this ship is 100 percent fresh-air replenishment in this casino. So that is a separate system that’s been installed in here to continuously replace this space with fresh air.”

 

Though seemingly a pedestrian topic, Sun Princess’ elevators will be “smart.”

“When you walk up to an elevator, you hit the deck you want to go to, and it tells you which elevator to get in,” said Parker.

Sun Princess’ three elevator bank—located at the ship’s fore, mid and aft—offer guests six or eight cars each. The elevator bank’s computer will calculate the number of floor-stops per car and identify the quickest ride for guests to reach their destination.

“We have 4,300 guests, potentially 1,000 uppers, but we wanted the ship still to feel small and intimate,” said Parker. “You’ll see by the way we’ve organized the lobbies and the elevators. It should be very easy for our guests to get around the ship.”

 

[chamima]

This is the first new Princess ship that I have been excited to sail on.

EVEN with the HUGE passenger load, which we usually hate!

[d9704011]

11 minutes ago, chamima said:

This is the first new Princess ship that I have been excited to sail on.

EVEN with the HUGE passenger load, which we usually hate!

If you hate something, why would you voluntarily do it?

[c-boy]

2 hours ago, dides said:

This article about the shipyard visit from Insider Travel Report has more information about the casino and elevators:

 

“Around the perimeter, are LED ribbons,” Parker said. “And wrapped around these columns and around the back are also LED strips. So, if someone hits the jackpot, this place will come alive.”

When asked about smoking in the casino, Parker said: “it will be smoking and non-smoking. One new innovation we have on this ship is 100 percent fresh-air replenishment in this casino. So that is a separate system that’s been installed in here to continuously replace this space with fresh air.”

 

Though seemingly a pedestrian topic, Sun Princess’ elevators will be “smart.”

“When you walk up to an elevator, you hit the deck you want to go to, and it tells you which elevator to get in,” said Parker.

Sun Princess’ three elevator bank—located at the ship’s fore, mid and aft—offer guests six or eight cars each. The elevator bank’s computer will calculate the number of floor-stops per car and identify the quickest ride for guests to reach their destination.

“We have 4,300 guests, potentially 1,000 uppers, but we wanted the ship still to feel small and intimate,” said Parker. “You’ll see by the way we’ve organized the lobbies and the elevators. It should be very easy for our guests to get around the ship.”

 

 ...." So, if someone hits the jackpot, this place will come alive.”

 

😄  and you will have two dozen new friends. 

[Geoffa30]

Have to admit, the content resulting from the recent ship visit has been very disappointing. Always think it’s weird that people get invited on the freebie trips by cruise lines in the cruise line’s hope that it leads to free publicity but it seems it seldom does. It’s as though invitees take the money (free trip) and run.

[snoozecrooze]

1 hour ago, Geoffa30 said:

Have to admit, the content resulting from the recent ship visit has been very disappointing. Always think it’s weird that people get invited on the freebie trips by cruise lines in the cruise line’s hope that it leads to free publicity but it seems it seldom does. It’s as though invitees take the money (free trip) and run.

Agreed.

 

Also, Princess has its hands very full when Star Princess will debut the very same month as...Star of the Seas, which will undoubtedly get more attention.

[vividharp]

Wow, didn’t realize that!

[snoozecrooze]

6 hours ago, dides said:

If you want to geek out on more detail then this longer video below of the shipyard visit from an Argentinian channel will tick a few boxes- you can switch on subtitles in English to try and catch some of the commentary. 

Some interesting sections along the way.

 

Was also going to plug this video here! I sub to his content and think he's a good travel vlogger for the Spanish-speaking cruiser community and for traveling in general.

 

Anyways, I did see a few things he shared that I thought were peculiar. Notably, the couch in the interior cabin was really more like a futon or long stool, and with no backrest - a bit unfortunate. Additionally, the more I looked at the bathroom for the interior and deluxe balcony cabins, it really did seem like there was no drawer that opened out. Also, there seem to be no more "alcoves" within the pairs of stateroom doors in the hallways, so dirty plates and suitcases will likely be impediments to accessibility. Overall, though, I like the finishes they chose, especially for the couches in the cabins, as they appear nice to the touch.

 

There was a rendering he showed of the "Street Eats"-esque concept on the outside of the buffet on deck 9 that I don't recall seeing before, which I hope will have distinct choices we haven't seen yet. I wouldn't recommend living on deck 10 above this area if staying in the cabin is important, however.

[chamima]

50 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

Agreed.

 

Also, Princess has its hands very full when Star Princess will debut the very same month as...Star of the Seas, which will undoubtedly get more attention.

The Star of the Seas debut is almost a year and a half  later.

 

"Star of the Seas is a cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International and will be the second Icon-class cruise ship built. The name was announced on October 5, 2023. She is expected to enter service on 17 August 2025, "

[dides]

15 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

Anyways, I did see a few things he shared that I thought were peculiar. Notably, the couch in the interior cabin was really more like a futon or long stool, and with no backrest - a bit unfortunate.

Ahh yes I spotted that too - that is NOT like the interior sofa from the room layout picture at all!

 

 

I did wonder if they needed more room for the ladder so just put something there that would fit lol

 

There was this stray couch in the corridor outside the mockup rooms - where would that go do you think?

 

15 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

Additionally, the more I looked at the bathroom for the interior and deluxe balcony cabins, it really did seem like there was no drawer that opened out.

 

Good spot on the drawer - mini-suites get the drawer but the standard bathrooms don't!

 

Mini-suite

 

Standard bathroom

[vividharp]

24 minutes ago, chamima said:

The Star of the Seas debut is almost a year and a half  later.

 

"Star of the Seas is a cruise ship built for Royal Caribbean International and will be the second Icon-class cruise ship built. The name was announced on October 5, 2023. She is expected to enter service on 17 August 2025, "

I looked, both Star princess and Star of the seas debut August 2025. 

[chamima]

13 minutes ago, vividharp said:

I looked, both Star princess and Star of the seas debut August 2025. 

Sorry - I was comparing the SUN to the Royal Caribbean ship, not the Star.

[chamima]

18 minutes ago, dides said:

Good spot on the drawer - mini-suites get the drawer but the standard bathrooms don't!

 

Mini-suite

 

Standard bathroom

 

 

Hopefully it's just the picture but the mini suite bathroom doesn't seem to have the wall plug in the bathroom.

But the bar of soap is back!!!! 😁

Edited December 16, 2023 by chamima

[dides]

50 minutes ago, snoozecrooze said:

There was a rendering he showed of the "Street Eats"-esque concept on the outside of the buffet on deck 9 that I don't recall seeing before, which I hope will have distinct choices we haven't seen yet. I wouldn't recommend living on deck 10 above this area if staying in the cabin is important, however.

For info, Princess did release a rendering for The Promenade in their September dining update and the one during the shipyard visit was just a slightly updated rendering without the sofas

 

Original version

 

Shipyard version

[dides]

6 minutes ago, chamima said:

 

 

Hopefully it's just the picture but the mini suite bathroom doesn't seem to have the wall plug in the bathroom.

Just the picture - was focussing on the drawer but the plug thing is there

 

[snoozecrooze]

22 minutes ago, dides said:

There was this stray couch in the corridor outside the mockup rooms - where would that go do you think?

This really did pique my interest. Alas, we may not know until she debuts. A long stool really doesn't feel the same as the couch lol. I do think the long stool is likely what we will get for, at least the 4-bed cabins, due to the ladder, as you've said. I couldn't imagine them exchanging the furniture out regularly.

 

Very interesting how the two renderings of The Promenade differ. Wondering what else we've seen that is likely to have these stylistic differences from the renderings we have been shown.

[CruizinSusan70]

12 hours ago, chamima said:

This is the first new Princess ship that I have been excited to sail on.

EVEN with the HUGE passenger load, which we usually hate!

We currently have 28 days booked on the Sun and will be booking the Star on Wednesday when bookings open up.  We have sailed the Excel Class ships on Carnival with almost 2000 more passengers than the Sphere Class and we enjoyed ourselves.

[dides]

On another site it's been pointed out that a new category of Premium Deluxe Balcony D0 has just been created which now falls under the Signature collection. These are the aft based ones only- the deck plan indicates they get Signature benefits but it doesn't mention this when you click to reserve a particular stateroom under special notes and the pricing hasn't yet changed. Can anyone confirm? This will be a nice surprise for anyone already booked! 

 

 

 

 

[dog]

4 hours ago, dides said:

On another site it's been pointed out that a new category of Premium Deluxe Balcony D0 has just been created which now falls under the Signature collection. These are the aft based ones only- the deck plan indicates they get Signature benefits but it doesn't mention this when you click to reserve a particular stateroom under special notes and the pricing hasn't yet changed. Can anyone confirm? This will be a nice surprise for anyone already booked! 

 

 

 

 

I see this message on iPhone but not on laptop.

could be a glitch.

 

earlier in week I booked specialty dining for Sun and reserv disappeared 3 days later.

 

 

[crossingfan]

18 hours ago, dides said:

On another site it's been pointed out that a new category of Premium Deluxe Balcony D0 has just been created which now falls under the Signature collection. These are the aft based ones only- the deck plan indicates they get Signature benefits but it doesn't mention this when you click to reserve a particular stateroom under special notes and the pricing hasn't yet changed. Can anyone confirm? This will be a nice surprise for anyone already booked! 

 

 

 

 

I too noticed this cabin category and that it included the Signature benefits and booked the last on open for the September transatlantic crossing. 
Like you I don’t understand why the written confirmation doesn’t list this benefit.  I called Princess and the person in reservations had to check with someone about the Sanctuary being included.  Didn’t say anything about the separate dining room.  I don’t think that Princess has trained or advised res staff of some of the unique aspects of this ship

[dog]

5 hours ago, crossingfan said:

I too noticed this cabin category and that it included the Signature benefits and booked the last on open for the September transatlantic crossing. 
Like you I don’t understand why the written confirmation doesn’t list this benefit.  I called Princess and the person in reservations had to check with someone about the Sanctuary being included.  Didn’t say anything about the separate dining room.  I don’t think that Princess has trained or advised res staff of some of the unique aspects of this ship

Let us know what you find out about the D0 category aft.

 

i have Oct 14/24 booked in a S9 signature suite aft  & Oct 19/24 booked in a D0 premium deluxe balcony. Aft.

 

 

[crossingfan]

5 hours ago, dog said:

Let us know what you find out about the D0 category aft.

 

i have Oct 14/24 booked in a S9 signature suite aft  & Oct 19/24 booked in a D0 premium deluxe balcony. Aft.

 

 

Wil do.  Seeing as they only have a handful of this cabin category available, it presents a relative bargain to gain the benefits of Signature Class

[dog]

9 minutes ago, crossingfan said:

Wil do.  Seeing as they only have a handful of this cabin category available, it presents a relative bargain to gain the benefits of Signature Class

It may mean only a few benefits that Signature suites get.  My suite description says the Signature benefits are exclusive.

[HBCcruiser]

38 minutes ago, dog said:

It may mean only a few benefits that Signature suites get.  My suite description says the Signature benefits are exclusive.

This is the S9 description on the Princess website.

[Pixelskaya]

So it’s only the amenities? Like the soap, bathrobe and such?