With her highly anticipated upcoming U.S. debut, the world’s largest Sphere Class vessel will be undergoing some major culinary changes before she gets to Fort Lauderdale this October.
New reports of major revisions being made to the ships dining venues has some passengers getting nervous — especially those who’ve already paid top dollar for exclusive packages.
While excitement is building for the ship’s debut Caribbean season, the recent dining venue changes are stirring up concerns among guests who booked with specific promises in mind, particularly around the new Sanctuary Restaurant and what it means for Signature Suite passengers.
The Sanctuary Collection, an ultra-luxe “ship-within-a-ship” concept, is being hailed as the ultimate in cruise indulgence. On the surface, it sounds fantastic—80 suites, 123 mini-suites, and 12 premium deluxe balcony rooms all bundled with the Princess Premier amenities package.
This includes access to a top-deck retreat, private dining, and a world apart from the bustle of the main ship. But for those who were expecting the Signature Class experience—especially a quiet, exclusive dining space—the recent changes have sparked a fair amount of lively conversation.
Specifically the new Sanctuary Restaurant on Deck 8 aft, which replaces the more casual Americana Diner. This dining space, with a custom chef’s menu and sweeping ocean views, promises to elevate the culinary experience to something truly special. However, many Signature Suite guests booked their trips under the impression that they’d have access to a dedicated, intimate dining room.
Now, that smaller space has been replaced by a dining venue open to all Sanctuary Collection passengers, including those staying in the reserve mini-suites and premium balcony rooms.
Mixing these suite categories together, while improving the overall experience for more guests, could potentially dilute the exclusivity that Signature Suite passengers were expecting.
Frederic22 had no doubt where he stood. Writing on the Cruise Critic forum, he penned: “Wow.. this is truly awful! I paid a lot of money for a Signature Suite because there was to be a dedicated Signature Class suite restaurant. And now, everyone is lumped into “Sanctuary collection” and we are now in a main dining room? Wow… I have no words.“
The Signature Suite area itself is still separate from the main dining rooms, but the new arrangement feels like a shift in focus, blending the high-end experience across a wider swath of passengers.
There’s also the concern that expanding the dining room’s capacity could lead to a busier, noisier environment—not exactly what Signature Suite guests were expecting.
More changes afoot
It’s not just the Sanctuary Restaurant, the entire ship is going through a dining venue shuffle. The Catch by Rudi, the seafood-focused restaurant from celebrity chef Rudi Sodamin, is moving to Deck 7 next to the Piazza, previously the location of the Signature Restaurant.
Meanwhile, Butcher’s Block by Dario, helmed by world-famous butcher Dario Cecchini, is relocating to Deck 7 forward, taking over the Crown Grill spot.
“With the relocation and transformation of these popular specialty restaurants, we’re not only enhancing the ambiance but also optimising the overall dining experience for our guests,” Sami Kohen, Vice President of Food and Beverage for Princess Cruises, said in a statement.
“These new locations allow us to expand capacity while also creating more intimate and immersive culinary environments, ensuring that every meal aboard Sun Princess is truly exceptional.”
The changes don’t stop with restaurants. Deck 6’s Horizons Dining Room has been rebranded as the Soleil Dining Room, and its Deck 7 counterpart is now called the Eclipse Dining Room. These are not just name changes; they signal a new direction in how Princess Cruises is thinking about space and experience—an approach designed to enhance ambiance.
By relocating certain restaurants and rethinking the ship’s flow these changes could easily be seen as upgrades, but for those already locked in with their high-end packages may feel like a bit of a bait and switch, even if the intentions are good.
A round up of the new locations
– The new Sanctuary Restaurant, exclusive for all Sanctuary Collection guests, will be found on Deck 8 aft (prior location of the Americana Diner). With a custom chef’s menu, dedicated waitstaff and stunning ocean views, this exclusive space takes luxury to a new level.
– The Catch by Rudi is moving to deck 7, adjacent to the Piazza (former location of the Signature Restaurant). This venue offers a fresh take on seafood with Chef Rudi Sodamin’s contemporary interpretations of classic dishes, international fusion influences, highly creative presentations and an engaging dining experience.
– The Butcher’s Block by Dario is moving to deck 7 forward (in the former location of Crown Grill). In partnership with the world’s most famous butcher, Dario Cecchini, this specialty experience features a shared, family-style table serving up a carnivore’s paradise.
– Crown Grill will be found on deck 7 aft (former location of the Reserve Collection Restaurant). This iconic specialty restaurant offers an intimate dining experience in a classically-elegant setting, with top-quality cuts of beef, chops and seafood.
– The Americana Diner will be located on deck 9 aft. Serving up breakfast, lunch and dinner favourites all day long, this eatery is an excellent option for those looking to sit down for a casual meal at any time of day.
