Jump to content

Park 19 on the Sun Princess


Recommended Posts

4 minutes ago, dides said:

Interested to understand how that works with the pool .which is half in the Seaview Terrace and half in the Dome. Would a kid be able to swim in the Dome part but not swim through to the Seaview part?

Haha! I didn't really see many children in the Dome during the day. It's not a very exciting space for them: the water cascade creates quite a relaxing atmosphere, and there's no real entertainment or hot tub etc. So although children and teens aren't banned, nor does it seem designed to attract them.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

4 hours ago, Leo37 said:

Haha! I didn't really see many children in the Dome during the day. It's not a very exciting space for them: the water cascade creates quite a relaxing atmosphere, and there's no real entertainment or hot tub etc. So although children and teens aren't banned, nor does it seem designed to attract them.

That's not what I've been reading here on CC. Maybe a different trip had more kids? 

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Just now, 555 said:

That's not what I've been reading here on CC. Maybe a different trip had more kids? 

Definitely possible. Were plenty of kids and teens on my cruise, just not in the Dome. Every cruise is different: the demographics, dynamics, nationality split etc changes.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 hours ago, Iamcruzin said:

It's going to take more than a splash pad and some ropes to climb to get Royal Caribbean passengers to make the switch. You can't even compare the two. I won't sail their monster ships but the Anthem Class which is about the same size as Princess ships has way more to offer in entertainment for both Adults and Kids. I haven't sailed on Princess since 2010 and moved on to Royal and Celebrity. I will only sail Princess if the price and itinerary is better than what the other two offer. I started sailing with Princess in 1991 only sailed with them until 2010. When they stopped sailing to the Caribbean and Bermuda from NY I switched to Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.  They also match loyalty status so if a couple wants a more adult atmosphere without the kids they would more than likely sail on Celebrity where they would have the same status based on their Royal Caribbean status and vise versa. My SIL and BIL who are in their late 50's and early 60's and have never strayed from Princess claim that they still feel like the youngest on board. 

Well Mike, it all depends upon what you consider to be important as to which cruise line gives you the most value.  I've cruised over 60 times, primarily on Carnival, but also on RCI, NCL, MSC, Princess and Celebrity.  MSC and Celebrity are permanently in our rear view mirror.  We've sailed on four different classes of ships on X, including 4 times on the Edge Class.  Since they eliminated gratuities as part of their packages and changed things up big time with their drink package, we will no longer sail on them.

We will still occasionally sail on RCI and NCL, but with the dynamic pricing policy and the outrageous cost of the drink package on RCI, it's a major turn off.  

Princess is our current go to and we have 10 future reservations.  The Plus and Premier packages are the best value at sea compared to the other mainstream lines we cruise on and that's why 10/13 current future bookings are all on Princess on either Sphere Class or Royal Class ships.

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)
9 hours ago, nimiq said:

 

Park 19 shows how disconnected the upper management is with the brand.

 

#fail

Have to disagree.  They did fail, but the problem with Park 19 was with the third party that installed the stuff since it was reported that Princess never accepted the area.  

 

Princess wanted to have an area that would appeal to multigenerational cruisers and this was their botched attempt at it.  Can't blame upper management for trying.  The manufacturer and installer dropped the ball.  

 

Not all ships should be the same cookie cutter in a fleet of ships and Princess was trying to come up with something that would appeal towards families on their newest, largest pair of ships.  It was a fail, but there was no disconnect. 

 

The old time Princess cruiser still has a plethora of ships to choose from in the fleet.  There are many that won't step foot on the Royal Class ships let alone a Sphere Class one, with or without Park 19.

Edited by Retired-N-Happy
  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

9 hours ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

When was the last time you sailed on Celebrity?

 

That definitely has not been our experience. 

 

We are looking forward to trying the Sun Princess (our first Princess cruise, which we booked specifically because of Park 19), but I fear the smoking in the casino will be too much to enjoy it. 

 

Such a nasty habit and I'm disappointed that what's supposed to be a premium cruise line still allows this. 

We sailed the Sun Princess June 1 with our family. Like you, specifically because of Park 19 for our Grandkids. Even though Park 19 was not open, they found plenty to do to keep them happy. But still, we did book The Sun just for Park 19. We love Princess and been on just about every ship. But, this casino was the worst one by far with the cigarette smoke. I usually like to enjoy the casino each night for a couple of hours. I could not last 10 minutes in this one. I have no idea why it is so bad, but for me it was unbearable. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

8 minutes ago, Mary Kelly said:

We sailed the Sun Princess June 1 with our family. Like you, specifically because of Park 19 for our Grandkids. Even though Park 19 was not open, they found plenty to do to keep them happy. But still, we did book The Sun just for Park 19. We love Princess and been on just about every ship. But, this casino was the worst one by far with the cigarette smoke. I usually like to enjoy the casino each night for a couple of hours. I could not last 10 minutes in this one. I have no idea why it is so bad, but for me it was unbearable. 

That is my fear! 

 

I'm sure there's a correlation between people who smoke and people who gamble, but I wish they'd have a separate casino for smokers like some other cruise lines.

 

We went to Vegas last year and my wife was coughing for a week following our trip and her doctor said it wasn't a cold/COVID, it was just due to breathing in the smoke in the casinos for a week when her body wasn't used to it. 

 

On a positive note - it's great to hear your grandkids still enjoyed the Sun... I'm confident mine will as well as I know Park 19 would have only filled a few hours of 7 days at most anyways!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

27 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

We will still occasionally sail on RCI and NCL, but with the dynamic pricing policy and the outrageous cost of the drink package on RCI, it's a major turn off.

It's interesting how we all find our own reasons to like/disklike things. 

 

The dynamic pricing of things with RCCL/Celebrity is one of my favorite things about them as it gives me a reason to check on pricing each day, keeping the excitement alive as I try to find the best deals. 

 

It's like a game and I definitely enjoy that.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

11 minutes ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

That is my fear! 

 

I'm sure there's a correlation between people who smoke and people who gamble, but I wish they'd have a separate casino for smokers like some other cruise lines.

 

We went to Vegas last year and my wife was coughing for a week following our trip and her doctor said it wasn't a cold/COVID, it was just due to breathing in the smoke in the casinos for a week when her body wasn't used to it. 

 

On a positive note - it's great to hear your grandkids still enjoyed the Sun... I'm confident mine will as well as I know Park 19 would have only filled a few hours of 7 days at most anyways!

this for reals ... it amazes me when posters state the only or most important is Park 19 ... but hey, I'm not

Link to comment
Share on other sites

10 minutes ago, voljeep said:

this for reals ... it amazes me when posters state the only or most important is Park 19 ... but hey, I'm not

It was what convinced us to book on the Sun Princess but it's definitely not going to ruin our cruise that it's no longer available. 

 

We sailed on the Celebrity Ascent with our kids over Christmas last year and they had an amazing time, so I'm sure this will be no different!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

On 6/23/2024 at 1:10 PM, JimmyVWine said:

My family falls into that category though our cruise is still months away. But I have no expectations of having an operable Park 19 on our cruise. 

I’m just now reading this thread in its entirety already knowing that Park 19 is a no go and this part of your post struck me as being extremely prescient. Always best to go in with no/low expectations, I guess. But I do feel badly for those people who were counting on enjoying the Park 19 experience. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, FamilyAtSea.travel said:

It's interesting how we all find our own reasons to like/disklike things. 

 

The dynamic pricing of things with RCCL/Celebrity is one of my favorite things about them as it gives me a reason to check on pricing each day, keeping the excitement alive as I try to find the best deals. 

 

It's like a game and I definitely enjoy that.

But it's a game that RCI always wins.  The drink package on them is so expensive.  The best we were able to get on our Wonder OTS sailing was 30% off.  It is ridiculous that the newer ships charge higher prices that the rust buckets.  All other lines it's the same price across the board for drink packages, specialty restaurants and excursions.  But not on Royal.  And then once you become Diamond, you have to wait until your next cruise to reap the benefits, unlike Carnival where the benefits kick in on the sailing you earn your status.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Posted (edited)

About the kids in the Dome, but not the Terrace...  I thought of that too.

My thoughts are that Princess, as it seems to do, is changing things around and doing 'trials'.  Flying by the seat of their pants.  Reactionary instead of any leadership.

 

Depending on the number of kids onboard, I would be happy if they created one, non-negotiable, adult area on either the Port or Starboard side.  Just guessing that this could easily be done with signage and a few types of barriers????  This wouldn't create a huge division between the adults and the open area.  But,  IMHO, would be better than nothing.

 

Do I not remember some initial PR that the Dome at night, and the evening events held there, might be adult only?  There was even talk about a 'Miami Beach' vibe?   Not sure this materialized at all.  Like SO many other things.  (shaking my head...  way past eye-rolling)

I had actually hoped they would do this and add some updated 'excitement' onboard.

 

This is more than an identity crises..... This seems like a 'corporate' crisis of huge proportions.

 

Edited by Wishing on a star
  • Haha 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

24 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Just out of curiosity..  to those who post that their kids were happy without an area like Park 19 and found plenty to do.

What did they enjoy doing while onboard???

 

Our Grandsons are 13 and 14, so they enjoyed the teen club, the pools and all the food they could eat 24/7. I think the adults were more upset about the Park 19 not being open than the kids were. 
I will also say that the Sun is a beautiful ship with very Scandinavian decor. It will be a huge improvement when the Butchers Block and The Catch gets moved to a nicer location rather than the cafeteria feel location. 
The Suite Lounge is amazingly beautiful and we spent quite a bit of down time there, as did the Grandsons. 

  • Like 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Leo37 said:

Definitely possible. Were plenty of kids and teens on my cruise, just not in the Dome. Every cruise is different: the demographics, dynamics, nationality split etc changes.

We were planning on using the Dome during the day but it doesn't look like there's anywhere to hide from the sun?

 

 

 

2 hours ago, Mary Kelly said:

We love Princess and been on just about every ship. But, this casino was the worst one by far with the cigarette smoke. I usually like to enjoy the casino each night for a couple of hours. I could not last 10 minutes in this one. I have no idea why it is so bad, but for me it was unbearable. 

And here all along I though the Enchanted had the worst smoke problems in the casino. 😡

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The Dome itself is all inside, with air conditioning I think (although does still get warm in the day). The Seaview area is more open, although there's some glass canopy to provide partial shielding 

  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

1 hour ago, Wishing on a star said:

About the kids in the Dome, but not the Terrace...  I thought of that too.

My thoughts are that Princess, as it seems to do, is changing things around and doing 'trials'.  Flying by the seat of their pants.  Reactionary instead of any leadership.

 

Depending on the number of kids onboard, I would be happy if they created one, non-negotiable, adult area on either the Port or Starboard side.  Just guessing that this could easily be done with signage and a few types of barriers????  This wouldn't create a huge division between the adults and the open area.  But,  IMHO, would be better than nothing.

 

Do I not remember some initial PR that the Dome at night, and the evening events held there, might be adult only?  There was even talk about a 'Miami Beach' vibe?   Not sure this materialized at all.  Like SO many other things.  (shaking my head...  way past eye-rolling)

I had actually hoped they would do this and add some updated 'excitement' onboard.

 

This is more than an identity crises..... This seems like a 'corporate' crisis of huge proportions.

 

The easy thing to do is make the Wake view terrace at the aft section of deck 8 adult only.  I believe that a certain section here is smoking so it would make sense to make the entire section back there adults only since there's a bar, a small pool and two hot tubs.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

3 hours ago, Mary Kelly said:

But, this casino was the worst one by far with the cigarette smoke. 

 

33 minutes ago, 555 said:

And here all along I though the Enchanted had the worst smoke problems in the casino. 

 

30 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

And I thought for sure it had to be the Ruby. 

RCI has replaced their jazz club on the Oasis Class ships with a small non-smoking casino.  Celebrity of course is all non smoking.  NCL and Carnival do have separate sections and some NCL ships have a separate smoking section with its own fan extraction system.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

2 minutes ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

 

 

RCI has replaced their jazz club on the Oasis Class ships with a small non-smoking casino.  Celebrity of course is all non smoking.  NCL and Carnival do have separate sections and some NCL ships have a separate smoking section with its own fan extraction system.


I wish princess would have a separate smoking and non smoking casino.  On our last Sky Princess cruise I could not even sit at Good Spirits due to the smoke from the casino.  They should have the main casino smoke free and a small casino with closed doors for smoking.  I love to use the slot machines, but cannot on most ships due to my asthma with the smoke.

  • Like 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

While we personally have little interest in the Sun now after following the reviews and realizing we just prefer sailing on cruises without so many people, we do sympathize with families who are going to be disappointed by this turn of events. It did sound like a fun space for kids of all ages. 
 

That being said, I am going to sound like an old curmudgeon here - and I’m really not that old. But I have come to feel

that we are doing a disservice to our kids these days by catering to every expectation for constant stimulation or entertainment as catering to their whims. I mean, regardless of the bells and whistles, how lucky are any of these young people to be going on cruises to wonderful places on beautiful ships even if they don’t have slides, parks, gliders, or rope courses. 
 

When we first started cruising Princess with our kiddos, they had the kids clubs, small arcades, putting greens and sports court, pools, and games in the library. And guess what? They had wonderful, memorable, and amazing experiences even without wave riders, slides, go karts, and laser tag. 
 

We played games as a family, they joined us at trivia and karaoke, they did the kids talent shows, they made friends and went to parties in the clubs, enjoyed family friendly entertainment, great food, and best of all, they traveled to wonderful destinations. They were LUCKY kids to have wonderful family vacations - spoiled for sure. 
 

So, I get that it is disappointing and it would have been a cool add on, but ultimately how blessed are these children to be traveling like this. I can’t imagine any young person feeling bored or disappointed to be treated to such an experience - with or without Park 19. Maybe it will open up opportunity for families to find other options for fun onboard  which are still ample. 

  • Like 5
  • Thanks 2
Link to comment
Share on other sites

46 minutes ago, PescadoAmarillo said:

And I thought for sure it had to be the Ruby. 

We have been on the Enchanted and the Ruby. The Sun was the worst by far as far as the smoke in the casino. Hopefully they can get this resolved. I could easily gamble at a table on the Enchanted and Ruby, I couldn’t last 10 minutes at a table on the Sun. 

  • Like 1
  • Thanks 1
Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share

  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • Hurricane Zone 2024
      • Cruise Insurance Q&A w/ Steve Dasseos of Tripinsurancestore.com Summer 2024
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...