Admittedly, I’m not someone who opts to spend money on things I don’t need or experiences that just aren’t worth it. One of the reasons why cruising is so popular is because you get so much for your money. You often get to visit multiple countries, enjoy unlimited food and drinks, and enjoy a combination of cultural immersion and onboard relaxation. And when it comes to those at-sea days when you really want to live a life of leisure and soak up all of those sun rays, there’s only one spot on the ship where I want to be.
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I recently went on a cruise with my mom, and to get the most out of our experience, we went into go-go-go mode for the whole trip. Our Mediterranean trip aboard the Sun Princess stopped in a handful of European ports, including Corfu, Barcelona, Sorrento, and Sicily, and at each location, we hopped off the ship and tried to cram in as much activity as we possibly could. In the evenings, our schedule was packed with dinners (there are a whopping 30-plus restaurants and bars aboard the vessel), taking in a show, and hitting the hay early for our next day of adventure. Even our at-sea days had itineraries that had us hoofing it, from sampling high tea at Good Spirits to wine tastings with a virtual Gerard Bertrand.
Fast forward to the final days of the cruise, and you can imagine how exhausted we became. While I am one to pack the most into any travel schedule to get the most out of the destination, sometimes you just need some downtime. And on a ship as big as the Sun Princess, it’s worth partaking in some of the vessel’s more luxurious offerings. While we were able to sneak in some much-needed spa time earlier in the week, these brief bouts of relaxation were much too short compared to all of the hustle and bustle we immersed ourselves in the rest of each day. So when it came time to tackle that final day at sea, there was really only one place I wanted to be. And that was by the pool.
Aboard any cruise ship of substantial size, there is likely to be more than one pool area for the myriad guests aboard to enjoy. However, these tend to get crowded and claimed early in the day and you might find yourself searching high and low for a chair to call your own. Add to that the children that are bound to be running around and splashing in the pool and the dance parties and games that often take place poolside throughout the day and you might not be in for the relaxing day you had planned. That’s why I think it’s worth every penny to shell out for access to the more exclusive adults-only area of the ship.
Before cruising, guests can book their stay within the Sanctuary Collection, a ship-within-a-ship concept with premium cabins that also provide exclusive access to the top deck’s retreat area, high-end amenities, and exclusive private dining and relaxation areas. When I cruised this past summer, this space was simply called The Sanctuary (it has since rebranded and become exclusive to those who purchase a full cruise pass), and patrons who didn’t spend their savings on this package still had the option to purchase a day pass for access to the Retreat pool next door to the Sanctuary.
This adults-only area, especially after a week of activity, is heaven on earth for the weary traveler. Not only is it much more subdued than all of the other pool areas on board, but it’s also equipped with cabanas (which you could rent for an additional charge) and poolside service should you want to treat yourself to a daiquiri or two. The cabanas are outfitted with cushy couches, refreshing snacks and a welcome cocktail, a TV with noise-canceling headphones, and a robe and slippers. While the cabanas were trés chic, we simply splayed ourselves across one of the many loungers that sat by the pool. Here, we ordered a bento box of fruit and other edible goodies and quite a few frozen cocktails—because vacation. This was the perfect spot to chill out and read a book or cool off in the water. It was the idyllic culmination of a fast and furious trip and well worth the price tag.
If the next cruise you take has adults-only spaces on board (Carnival and Royal Caribbean both offer them), check out if day passes are available. To give you an idea, day passes on the Sun Princess were $50 for a half-day and $99 for a full day. If that fails, you can always pony up for a day pass at the spa to soak in some quiet time. After a week on a crowded ship, this serene space is just what the doctor ordered.