First Time Cruiser - Questions for Princess Sun

[mtnesterz]

1 hour ago, newcruiserny said:

Would you guys recommend Sun Princess or is another ship a better choice. I guess I don’t want crowded and more laid back

If this is your priority, then the Sun Princess has the least space per passenger of any in the fleet. About the same amount of space (1:34 cu.ft./passenger) as a Carnival or RCI ship. The most space per passenger is the Coral Princess, even though is is currently also the smallest in the fleet.

I'd pick the ship by which ports you want to visit and what you like to do. Looking at the Princess website for March-May '25, even though it's older, I'd choose the Caribbean Princess because it has a Skywalkers lounge. Just me, I don't like the newer, bigger ships.

[memoak]

3 hours ago, newcruiserny said:

Ya it sounds like premier is the way to go.   At least I don’t need to think.  So March- May it sounds like may is the least crowded.   But isn’t princess an older crowd?   Wouldn’t spring breakers be on carnival?   

I have not been on any ship in the past 18 months that was not at least 90% full

[newcruiserny]

Thank you guys.  This community is so helpful.   I’m very grateful.   I’m watching videos on the Sun.  Looks nice and new.  If all ships are 90% full why doesn’t everybody pick the newest?   

[Wishing on a star]

There are preferences and some things that might be better about some of the older (and smaller) ships.    I am one who would pick something newer and not older, with smaller dated cabins, etc.   But, there is a lot of character in the design, and things that can be appealing about the other ships.

 

I will give you one example, just IMHO...  Check out the Atrium of the Regal, for example...  Compared to this, the SUN comes off as more 'convention hall'.

 

The other, newer, Royal class ships have taken away the nice Adult Only Retreat Pool area, and enclosed it with cabins.   Another reason I would choose different ship than these.

 

Sounds like you will enjoy the new, open, light, contemporary SUN princess!

[Globaler]

8 hours ago, newcruiserny said:

Thank you guys.  This community is so helpful.   I’m very grateful.   I’m watching videos on the Sun.  Looks nice and new.  If all ships are 90% full why doesn’t everybody pick the newest?   

I did not think the casino on the Sun was Smokey at all. It is a large casino with high ceilings. You didn’t mention what you like to play. There were plenty of slots, VP and table games. If craps is your thing I’ll mention that on our cruise the crap table opened at 8 and closed early - once when we had money on the table. Certainly disappointing but they were very understaffed.

[happy42cruise]

You asked about the unlimited specialty dining.  Prior to this recent change (and price increase) to the premier package there were only 2 included specialty dinners.  Now you have the option to dine in a specialty restaurant every night included in the package.  You are also welcome to eat in the main dining room (etc.) or the buffet or any of the casual dining venues.  You do not need any package to eat in any of the venues but there is a charge for casual, specialty, or experiential dining.

 

About bidding for an upgrade - if you would prefer a different cabin category you should ask how much more it would be to reserve the cabin you would like when making your reservation.  We always book a higher category cabin when we have a free interior, waiting to bid you have no guarantee of getting an upgrade.  I highly recommend using a TA or CVP to help you book exactly what you want.

 

Every ship is different (they are similar to each other in their "class" but are not identical).  The Sun is the newest & largest so far.  There are many "Live" reports you might read about the various ships & the opinions of the person posting.  The Sun has many different things from all the other Princess ships.  Some people love the differences & some don't.  You will have a great time no matter which cruise you decide on.

[newcruiserny]

Question.   Can I get early boarding if I’m not in a suite ?   I know other cruise lines have packages that include this such as holland America club orange.  

[getaway101]

On 9/14/2024 at 12:02 PM, newcruiserny said:

I understand unlimited but if i can only eat dinner that would be 7 for a 7 day cruise 

Since when is the Premier Package unlimited specialty dining?  My think says 2 per cruise with unlimited casual dining.

[memoak]

2 minutes ago, getaway101 said:

Since when is the Premier Package unlimited specialty dining?  My think says 2 per cruise with unlimited casual dining.

If you have the original premier 80 package it is 2 per cruise. If you upgrade to premier 90 it is supposedly unlimited although some have questioned availability especially between 5:00 and 7:30 which appear to be many peoples preferred times

[Wishing on a star]

Princess does not allow one to buy a package or become a member to get early boarding.

It is mostly by 'status', number of cruises.  It is Special Guests, Suite/Elite, Platinum, then boarding is open for everyone.    It actually does not usually take that long for them to call the early boarding.. So you can still board fairly early.   

The big thing has been on all the ships before the SUN where people rushed up to the Sanctuary, so that they might get in and book a lounger.   On the SUN, it doesn't work that way (as of Oct. 14).  Sanctuary is one for those booked in Sanctuary Class cabins.  So, might not be too much of an issue to be among the very first to board.

 

Just get there early, wait for them to call thru the early boarding guests, waiting to board as soon as is possible.

[Wishing on a star]

Yes, Getaway, as mentioned,  Princess announced the NEW Premier some time ago.

People have had mixed results trying to upgrade from Premier the NEW Premier,  You might find that you can not do this until you board.  (are you sailing soon?)

 

Because of demand for the Specialty Restaurants, The NEW Premier could be capacity controlled.  So, if you want to upgrade you might want to see if there is any way you, or your TA, or Princess Planner, can get this done now.

[JGmf]

@newcruiserny I'm sure you'll have a good time whichever ship you choose.  I echo the other contributors on this thread and add the following:

 

• Try to book whenever you are confident that it's not spring break or school vacations.
• Yeah, Princess skews older, but you'll see plenty of adults 20's-50's on the ships, especially on a spring Caribbean itinerary
• Don't even worry 10 seconds about early boarding, as once you are past security and check-in, the waits are negligible, that is, if there's even a wait
• Sleeping in an inside cabin is like sleeping in a lights-out cave.  You may never get a better sleep
• For peace of mind and quiet, select mid-ship on a deck without rooms above and below you
• Food is subjective, but I've found every Princess ship I've sailed on to have very good options, even if you don't get the specialty dining
• Finally, Princess is a very good place to gamble as they are fairly generous and transparent on their comps.  Check out this board for more casino information

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/455-cruise-casinos/

 

[getaway101]

15 minutes ago, Wishing on a star said:

Yes, Getaway, as mentioned,  Princess announced the NEW Premier some time ago.

People have had mixed results trying to upgrade from Premier the NEW Premier,  You might find that you can not do this until you board.  (are you sailing soon?)

 

Because of demand for the Specialty Restaurants, The NEW Premier could be capacity controlled.  So, if you want to upgrade you might want to see if there is any way you, or your TA, or Princess Planner, can get this done now.

Yes we sail in 20 days.  They are offering the Premier but only at the $80.  We are in a full suite and like the reserve dining.  How many steaks can one eat on a 21 day cruise?

[memoak]

58 minutes ago, getaway101 said:

Yes we sail in 20 days.  They are offering the Premier but only at the $80.  We are in a full suite and like the reserve dining.  How many steaks can one eat on a 21 day cruise?

We are like you. We sail in suites so we have reserve dining so no worry about deciding ahead of time when we will eat or stand in line   Embarkation night is a free specialty dinner we may buy one more and we always take plus for drinks, grats and Wi-Fi. I don’t see a need to pay another $20 or $30 a day per person

[mtnesterz]

On 9/15/2024 at 9:34 AM, newcruiserny said:

If all ships are 90% full why doesn’t everybody pick the newest?

People select a ship for what is important to them. You stated your priorities, "...to relax, eat and gamble at sea." Others have theirs.  A walk around the ship for exercise on the Promenade deck. Newer, bigger ships don't have them.  Hanging out in Skywalkers. Not there on newer, bigger ships. Inside Passage in Alaska? Royal Class and Sun are too big. They go around.

More personal touches. On the now 25 year old Pacific Princess. (Azamara Onward) We continued emailing with the CD because he was a huge Tim Burton fan and I grew up in the same town as Tim. Emailed him a photo of us, when boys in the '60's. You don't get personal with people on the big ships.

Sadly, these days, a small ship also means a luxury line with a price to match. But we feel a smaller ship generally offers more of what we consider cruising, regardless of ship age.

Edited Wednesday at 11:18 PM by mtnesterz