What are the "pros"of cruising on a Sun class ship vs a Grand class?

[lkmamom]

After all of the emotion here..............I thought that I would try to diffuse some of it and ask a cruise question

 

I am sure that this has been asked before, so please just play along....no flames okay.:)

 

We have always sailed on the larger ships. I guess we have always thought that they were family oriented and "bigger meant better"?? We are planning for the summer and our interests now are leaning toward a Sun class ship. To be honest, we are a little burned out with the Grand class ships now and are ready for a change. For those that have cruised on a Grand class ship and then went to a Sun class......was it an adjustment?Thanks for your help:D

Linda

[chrysalis]

we did the Grand and the Golden before we "saw the light" and moved to the Sun Class ships (Sun and Sea). No adjustment was necessary. So far, they are our favourites. We have two more booked. The size seems to fit us perfectly. (but we are looking forward to trying the new Royal)

[aring75]

I absolutely ADORE the Sun Princess. We much prefer her to the larger Grand Class ships (though we have only sailed the CB and the Grand). I love the warmth and intimacy. Love, love, LOVE Verdi's Pizzeria. The Mini-suites are amazing. The itineraries are fantastic. The staff has always been out of this world.

 

In fact, we're dragging my parents along on the Sun in March for their first ever cruise. We decided it must be experienced on the Sun! Hope it doesn't spoil them for other cruises...:p

[Druke I]

Very subjective at best.

 

We've been on Golden (a Grand class) and Sun, and prefer the size of the Sun Princess. The Sun's balconies are "hull cut", and hence all covered.

 

The Sun's minis are quite large, and equivalent to suites on many ships.

 

In heavy seas, we think the Sun class rides better.

[PescadoAmarillo]

Fewer crowds and the wonderful pizza/Italian restaurant on Deck 8.

[chrysalis]

crowds is a big factor...huge difference at ports getting 1900 people off the ship compared to 3000...same goes for disembarking and at Princess Cays.

 

,,,right about the pizza restaurant...and "Sterlings Under the Stars" on the Sea is fantastic

[Toto2Kansas]

We have sailed on many of the Grand Class ships, and the Caribbean Princess twice. We normally will sail on the larger class for a quick get away or because an itineary is only available on the larger vessels.

We have also sailed on the Sun, Sea and Dawn. We prefer the smaller class of ship as they seem to have more of the atmosphere we are looking for. We enjoy cruising itself, don't need to be entertained 24/7 and love seeing the same people time an time again throughout the cruise.

The larger ships to us, are just too impersonal whereas the smaller ships seem more intimate.

If we have a choice, we always choose the smaller Sun Class ships in the Princess fleet.

[TinaLee]

We've sailed Caribbean Princess x2, Grand Princess x2, and are booked on Crown in January, but we've also sailed Dawn and Sea Princess (and the OLD Crown Princess... but that's another story all together), and we also prefer the Sun class ships.

 

Have to agree we love the indoor pizzeria, the outdoor dining at Sterling. We thought the food was a bit better prepared (maybe because they're cooking for fewer folks?). We developed a much better relationship with the staff across the board on the Sun ships as well.

 

HOWEVER, on the newer Grand class ships we also love the MUTS and the Cafe Caribe. And I think the spas are nicer on the Grand class ships... as are the gyms. Also, Caribe deck balconies, although partially open and partially covered, are really lovely.

 

One of my biggest complaints about the Grand class ships (and the Voyager class on RCI, monsters on Carnival), is that you may meet a perfectly lovely person or persons somewhere... at open seating breakfast or lunch, out on the deck, in the bar before dinner, at a show... and then you never see them again!! There are just too many people!

[WeBeGone]

It doesn't matter to us - we pick the itinerary first. To us, a ship is a ship is a ship. Just glad to be on one! :)

[lkmamom]

Thanks everyone........:) I agree the crowds on the Grand class ships were starting to get to us. We actually took a HAL cruise this past summer and the passenger rate was a little less and we liked that, so wondered if going to the Sun class would be okay. Thanks for your help, excuse me............I have a cruise to work on:D

Linda

[kpauley]

In fact, we're dragging my parents along on the Sun in March for their first ever cruise. We decided it must be experienced on the Sun! Hope it doesn't spoil them for other cruises...:p

 

aring75 - It would appear from your countdown clock you're on the Sun's 3/30 sailing. Please join our Roll Call http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=304448

[spongerob]

The one thing I remember about Sea Princess, that isn't present on the Grand-class ships is the very impressive atrium. My favorite spot was at the cocktail lounge (can't remember the name or the deck) which was strategically located to provide a great view of the entire area.

 

It was also a fun ship to explore. The public areas are spread out over two or three decks, so it was a fun trying to figure out different ways to get from place to place.

[sunviking82]

I like the Sun Class (Sun, Dawn & Sea only) for their public spaces, ship size, upfront Horizon Court and outstanding indoor Pizziaria. The gym, spa and cabin size are smaller and need to be updated.

The Grand Class the cabins and balacanies, gym, spa, enclosed pool, aft pool, skywalkers, explorers lounge and dinning room layout are superior, but the Horizon Court (except for the Crown and Caribbean) some public spaces (paino bar and wheelhouse lounge) seem more crowded at times. The pizzia is also not as good on the Grand Class (it's outside by the pool and rather soggy). That being said of the Grand Class ships so far I perfer the updated Caribbean and Dianmond / Sapphire designs to the original Grand. We are going on the Star in 10 days and will see how we like her.

All in all, the service, experience and food quality have been very good to excellent on all of our trips.

 

Hope this helps.

 

Sun Viking 82

Nordic Prince 84

Song of America 89

Dawn Princess 97, 02

Sun Princess 98

Galaxy 99

Grand Princess 01

Disney Wonder 03

Sapphire Princess 04

Caribbean Princess 05

Star Princess in 10 days - 06

[woodofpine]

More impressive (and more user friendly) atrium... with pizzaria on top...

Nicer piano bar adjacent atrium...

More forward viewing areas on deck and inside...

Plush intimate (user friendly) library outlooking onto adjacent promenade...

360 degree teak deck promenade...

Superior mini-suite floorplans...

 

Also, a sleeker more nautically sound appearance overall without those (cig butt catching) balcony terraces of so many ship classes...

 

I'm ready...

 

I still have to HOOT at the general perception of the Sun as a "smaller" ship... She was the largest cruise ship ever commissioned when launched! Many still think the nicest... the rest is just more bodies...

[Pam in CA]

I've been on Sun-class ships several times and the same with Grand-class ships. Here are some of my pros and cons:

 

Sun-class pros:

* Mini-suites are as large as full suites on Grand-class. They are two rooms with a "real" living room, not just an elongated cabin with an extra TV and a couch.

 

* The Promenade deck wraps completely around the ship so that you can walk 360o. There are also teak loungers where you can relax, read a book, talk to friends, etc. and watch the ocean go by.

 

* The aft of Aloha deck is completely open and public with lots of loungers in the sun or under cover. No need to pay for an aft balcony or put up with pool games. The waiters come by to take your drink or soft drink orders.

 

* Not as many people and it feels a lot less crowded. You're still cruising with almost 2000 people but the public rooms seem to be better laid-out and the "people flow" is better.

 

* The balconies are cut from the hull (see below) so that there is a lot more privacy on the balcony. There is also a lot less smoke or sound "bleed" between balconies. You also get more wind protection if it's cooler outside.

 

Sun-class cons:

* The balconies are cut out of the hull which means that they are fully-enclosed by metal and covered. There aren't the plastic dividers or open air feeling you get on a Coral- or Grand-class ship.

 

* The balconies are also pretty small -- just big enough for two small chairs and a table. No larger Caribe deck balconies.

 

Except for the balcony size on the Coral- and Grand-class ships, I much prefer the Sun-class and smaller ships.

[corkpopr]

have been on ocean and sea as well as grand and golden. much prefer the sun class for all the same reasons listed previously!

[FLACRUISER99]

I say the Bigger the Ship the Better.:eek: I think the tendering is better on the Grand Class due to the fact that they run more of then at Half Moon Cay.

[pejay]

After being on the Golden, Caribbean, and Star before, we were on the Dawn last May. I noticed that it was harder finding a table in the Horizon Court on the Dawn. It's not the two separate areas as on the larger ships. Also, I like the idea of just being able to pick up a piece of pizza instead of being seated and having to wait for it.

 

Other than that I really didn't notice any difference between the classes.

[TourneyKit]

Our upcoming cruise will be the largest ship we have ever been on (KP)and frankly I am little concerned it will be to big. We were on the Dawn last year and just loved our Riviera Balcony room. Going to try the Caribe deck balcony room this time because of its overall size. Must have the balcony. Previously we were on much smaller ships and although the step up to the Dawn concerned me, it didn't turn out being an issue. I'm hopeful that the move up to the Crown will also not be one. Seems that for the most part all the reviews say that the ship has many areas where you "feel" you're on a smaller ship, more intimate. But then, we are easy to please, just being on a cruise is in and of itself a pleasure.

[GoodAsGold]

I missed having my pizza out by the pool when I was on the Sun Princess.

 

My daughter and I will be on the Golden Princess for 10 days out of San Francisco to Mexico next April. I could have sailed on the Dawn for 11 days for less money....my TA likes the Sun class better and encouraged me to go for the Dawn.

 

However, since we'll be at sea for 5 days, much of it on the Pacific coast, chances are it's going to be cooler. This area is not tropical. The Golden will have the pool with the retractable ceiling for those who still want to swim. Also, I just love those two main pools with their mosaic and pretty design. Gorgeous.

 

My daughter has never been on Princess and I really want her to see the Grand class. Her sisters have been on both the Sun and the Star. So it's her turn. I know she'll be impressed by those pools. If the Dawn had been our only choice, we would have gone with that one, no problem.

 

Now that my in-laws and their sons are joining us, I wish that the Golden's mini suites looked like the ones on the Sun. I like their configuration.They'll be in a mini suite. But, I know their boys love to swim and are used to indoor pool, so it will be nice having that covered pool if the weather isn't real warm sailing down and back up from Mexico. They're also the types to just grab a piece of pizza rather than having to go and sit down. I think the casino is larger on the Golden, too. My brother in law will like that.

 

I liked karaoke in Explorer's Lounge on the Star Princess. On the Sun it was held in a small disco.

 

Yes, there are pros and cons of both classes and I would gladly sail on either one, however, I also feel for this particular itinerary out of SF, the Golden will better serve our purposes. I hope I'm right! :)

 

 

 

After being on the Golden, Caribbean, and Star before, we were on the Dawn last May. I noticed that it was harder finding a table in the Horizon Court on the Dawn. It's not the two separate areas as on the larger ships. Also, I like the idea of just being able to pick up a piece of pizza instead of being seated and having to wait for it.

 

Other than that I really didn't notice any difference between the classes.

[JolleyRoger]

Is she a Sun or Grand... or somewhere in between?

[nanaguz]

We are choosing between two Mediterranean itineraries Sept. of next year. One is on the Emerald and the other on the new Royal. We did the European Explorer on the Golden last month and we loved it. We want to go on the Royal next year but are concerned it might be too small to handle the big waves here and there. What is the difference between a large 2600+ passenger ship and a 700 passenger ship with regards to the intensity of rolls you will feel? Will it be bumpier on the larger ship?

[LARGIN]

Is she a Sun or Grand... or somewhere in between?

Somewhere in between..

 

The Coral is 14 ft longer than the Grand and 109 feet longer than the Sun

The Coral is 92,000 gross tons compared to 109,000 GT for the Grand and 77,000 GT for the Sun.

The Coral carries 1970 passengers compared to 2600 on the Grand and 1950 on the Sun..

 

The Coral Princess is our favorite... Almost as large as the Grand with 630 less passengers..

[PescadoAmarillo]

It was asked if there was ANYONE who enjoyed the Grand Class more....I do! But the OP asked for the pros of cruising on the Sun Class, and there are some. But I much prefer the Grand Class, or, more specifically, the Diamond or Sapphire (with a center staircase and with Skywalkers tucked forward). I love a buffet on the back of the ship, where I can take my food outside and eat overlooking the wake. I love the larger fitness centers. And I love the covered pool.

 

On the Princess ships we've been on (Sun and Grand Classes only), I haven't quite figured out why Deck 7, which is the main cross deck, is designed to only allow through traffic on the starboard side. Talk about Grand Central Station! And then let's post the photo gallery right there too, to really close things up! That is the only part of the ship that has felt really crowded to me (aside from the Horizon Court at 8am and noon), but it feels equally crowded to me on either class of ship.

[JolleyRoger]

Somewhere in between..

 

The Coral is 14 ft longer than the Grand and 109 feet longer than the Sun

The Coral is 92,000 gross tons compared to 109,000 GT for the Grand and 77,000 GT for the Sun.

The Coral carries 1970 passengers compared to 2600 on the Grand and 1950 on the Sun..

 

The Coral Princess is our favorite... Almost as large as the Grand with 630 less passengers..

 

It's difficult finding some of this info on the net... I appreciate your efforts.