By: Ariane DeVizio, a Marvelous Mouse Travels agent
You've probably heard of Princess Cruise Line and may be familiar with their distinctive logo. Princess Cruise Line is an upscale line, catering in general to an older/adult demographic. We got to tour the Enchanted Princess and see how their ships are elegant and offer entertainment and activities a bit more on the quieter side than other lines do with their new, massive ships. While most Princess ships have a kids club, only 3 have waterslides or splash pads for kids. This makes room for more adult activities and areas, such as the Sanctuary!
The Sanctuary is a quiet, outdoor spot for you to escape to when you simply want to relax and ignore everything else for a little while. It's also adults-only, which only adds to the tranquil experience.
On most cruise ships the Sanctuary is open to all guests 18 + and, as an add-on with a cost, time in the Sanctuary can be purchased once onboard. Be aware, the line to add this can be long due to its popularity! Sanctuary on most Princess cruise ships is open for all guests regardless of stateroom category they have booked.
When you are reserving, a crew member will walk you around the area letting you know what loungers are available so you can pick your favorite spot. The Sanctuary has a hot tub, TV's, beverages, light snacks, windows offering gorgeous views, and you can order meals from any of the included restaurants onboard. Rent a cabana and schedule a massage; the cabanas are equipped with their on TV's, loungers, and a refrigerator!
Pricing for loungers are $40 for a whole day and $20 for half; $140 for a cabana and all prices are subject to change. Reserve for your at sea days, reserve for a port day and enjoy an uncrowded Sanctuary. Reserve for all days of your cruise for the most relaxing experience ever!
*Note that on the new Princess ships, the Star and Sun, Sanctuary staterooms are a bookable category and the Sanctuary is only open to those in Sanctuary staterooms.*
Princess Cruise Line also has that great evening entertainment you're used to on other lines! And when it comes to my favorite dining, Princess offers 3 distinct experiences: complimentary dining, which is always included; casual dining, which includes less formal sit down dining and casual "pop ups" with a small fee for most guests, and then their signature dining which is also at cost for most guests. Each ship has a large array of dining choices that will satisfy everyone. If you upgrade your level from Princess Standard to Princess Plus, you'll get some casual dining credits included! Your travel agent can go over the different fare levels and inclusions when you work with Marvelous Mouse Travels to book your Princess cruise.
While touring the Enchanted Princess we were treated to lunch in one of the main dining rooms and I was very pleased with our meal! Just look at how cute those desserts were.
Princess Cruise Line is a great option for those cruising without children, with adult children, and for those who want a more refined sailing experience.
