Sun Princess Sanctuary Mini-Suite Review: Is It Worth the Upgrade?
The Middle-Ground Masterpiece: Sun Princess Sanctuary Mini-Suite Review
Thinking about upgrading your next cruise but not ready to spring for a full suite? We spent 14 glorious days last fall in the Mediterranean aboard the magnificent Sun Princess. With 4,300 passengers onboard, the main public decks were bustling and vibrant. Upgrading to a Sanctuary Mini-Suite became our ultimate ticket to peace and tranquility.
The Best of Both Worlds
The Sanctuary Mini-Suite strikes an ideal balance for cruisers who want an elevated experience without the full suite price tag. The spacious mini-suite featured two living areas equipped with two entertainment systems, seamlessly divided by a generous bank of closets, a mirrored vanity area, and a privacy curtain. To create this exclusive tier, Princess has designated a select number of these premium-location mini-suites as part of the "Sanctuary" class. That name change is your golden ticket to massive, exclusive perks outside your stateroom door.
Perks Packed into the Premier Package
Our Sanctuary Mini-Suite automatically included the Ultimate Princess Premier package. We always purchase this package anyway. The premier benefits include:
Unlimited specialty dining at top-tier venues
Premium beverage package includes drinks up to $15
Multi-device high-speed Wi-Fi
Full digital photo package
Expedited boarding at the cruise terminal
Reserved theater seating sections for evening shows
Prepaid crew appreciation gratuities
Exclusive Sanctuary Upgrades
By upgrading to the Sanctuary level, your onboard experience transforms. While your mini-suite and balcony remain identical in size, the ship's crowds disappear thanks to several exclusive, restricted-access VIP areas. Additionally, the Sanctuary mini-suites are located at premium locations on the ship. The upgrades include:
The Sanctuary Restaurant: A private, intimate dining room with custom menus, no reservation lines, and highly attentive service.
The Sanctuary Retreat: A restricted, adults-only top-deck paradise. It boasts a private pool, hot tubs, a full bar, and a specialty menu with a dedicated wait staff. It quickly became a favorite spot—my husband especially loved hanging out at the bar to watch soccer games with the bartenders.
Elevated Vibe: The retreat features multiple plush seating options, soft background music, and occasional light live entertainment.
Luxury Cabanas: Private cabanas are available for a fee if you want the ultimate VIP lounging experience.
The Verdict
Our autumn Mediterranean cruise was extraordinary, and the Sanctuary upgrade was well worth the cost. Even though the mini-suite structure and balcony size are identical to a regular mini-suite, having premium locations and a quiet, uncrowded oasis to escape to made a massive difference on a large ship. We fully plan to cruise at the Sanctuary level in the future whenever it is available.