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Sailing on a family cruise was a dream come true. Everyone had a great time. From the kids club to the dining, it made for a great family vacation!
We were so excited to make our first cruise together as a family with Princess Cruises aboard the Crown Princess. Tons of thanks to Princess Cruises PR for hosting us on this special cruise. All opinions are mine and those of family. We hope you enjoy this insight, review, and tips of the Princess Cruises California Coastal Cruise.
I’m writing this post a week and a half after we returned from our cruise. I’m going to be honest, it’s hard to look at these pictures, especially of The Sanctuary, because I want to be back there right now!
We didn’t really discover The Sanctuary until the last full day and Pete and I both said this has to be at the top of the list of things to do on a Princess Cruise.
It was THAT awesome. Let’s talk more about it.
The Sanctuary is located at the back of the ship in a somewhat secluded area. A few days before my oldest and I attended the astronomy session and it was right in front of The Sanctuary because the location is so quiet.
When we were in The Sanctuary it wasn’t filled up… we also went on a port day so that might have helped. I’ve heard that it gets very busy so you will want to make your reservations as soon as you can. We just went over first thing in the morning to secure our spots.
When we got there we paid for the upgrade fee to use The Sanctuary ($20 for 1/2 day and $40 for full-day per person, must be over 18). After that, we picked out our chairs, and then they got working on getting them ready for us. Since we did a half day, when we returned later that afternoon our lounge chairs were all prepared for us with towels and blankets.
Pete actually came up while I was getting a pedicure so this is how I found him when I arrived… I haven’t seen him this relaxed in a long time!
We had the area to ourselves… but even if it had been full it wouldn’t have felt that way. There was a nice amount of space around each over-sized lounge chair.
The Sanctuary has its own special menu that you can order off of for a $3 per person delivery charge. The options are made to be on the healthier side and we found them all to be very tasty! Pete had the veggie burger (not pictured) so there are vegetarian options too!
Right when you arrive you are offered drinks and your water is topped off constantly. It’s a whole new level of pampering!
And then at 3 pm, they serve traditional tea. I love tea! It’s the same tea that is served in the main dining room, but tea in The Sanctuary is a whole new experience. I was so bummed that it was the last day or I would have done this every single day had I know how awesome it would be. Pete’s not a “tea” person and they had coffee for him.
It was such a relaxing afternoon… and you can even schedule massages in their private cabanas if you like. I highly recommend spending at least one day at The Sanctuary! You will love it!
How do you like to relax?
PS. See our complete Crown Princess, Princess Cruises Review and Detailed Daily Posts Here.
Now THAT is something I could totally get into. I would LOVE the sanctuary. What a great way to relax!
Wow! That looks amazing and so relaxing. I am so jealous.
This place looks amazing. What a great place to relax and unwind.
I love to relax with a massage and then sitting and reading in the quiet! Your trip has looked amazing!
Wow, this cruise looks so beautiful! I would love to be able to take a cruise sometime!
Oh, yes! I would have a hard time leaving such a relaxing spot! Food, drinks and lounging is the perfect combination!
I am very fond of personal attention and this sounds like perfection. The menu options are a big plus too.
oh man… this looks like a really relaxing spot! I can just stay there all day!
Wow, we are not truly a cruise family but these pictures are gorgeous! Looks like you had an amazing trip.
That sounds so relaxing! It’s nice to have a quiet space to unwind, even while on a family vacation.
I am sure it is a trip you will never forget. I hope you all feel refreshed 🙂
That looks like an amazing way to cruise. I would love to go on one.
Ok, Yeah, next time you go I am packing myself in your bag! This looks AWESOME!! So blissful with the children playing somewhere else! 😉 We all need that break!
I would love to go oN a cruise so that I can relax in the sunshine. But instead I’m relaxing in my bed while reading a few of my blogger’s blog posts.
I would love to go oN a cruise so that I can relax in the sunshine. But instead I’m relaxing in my bed while reading a few of my blogger’s blog posts.
Wow! What a beautiful cruise!
It looks like a great sanctuary indeed!
This spells F-U-N! Great you had amazing trip. You deserve it!
Can’t wait for our vacay 🙂
WOW!!! I want to join a ship like that someday, just enjoy lots of sun!
If you could get me to go on a cruise then I would probably go on this one and spend the entire time in The Sanctuary!! Just lying back quietly, reading perhaps, and being pampered—-LOVE that idea.
I would love this. Sounds so neat and relaxing.
It sounds absolutely amazing! I would love a cruise!
I need a whole week in The Sanctuary. And a massage. And a pedi. I just need to go on a cruise.
That looks so amazing! I would love to take a family cruise, or really any cruise! I’ll have to check out the Princess Cruises website.
That looks like a nice place to relax and just getaway. It looks like you had a great time!
The Sanctuary looks amazing! I wish I was there RIGHT now! 🙂 Such a fun way to spend time. I am putting this on my bucket list!
Wow a dream come true place and journey!! Loved the interior and views!! Thanks
Now I really want to take a cruise! Looks like you had a lot of fun…thanks for sharing your pics with us!
Wow how beautiful! 🙂 Looks like a beautiful ship!! I love cruises.
That looks like a wonderfully relaxing place. I am definitely going to go on a cruise. You’ve convinced me how wonderful they are!
The cruise looks very relaxing, and would make a nice getaway with my sweetie. I’d like to go on one sometime soon.
Looks like a lovely vessel and a great time!
Looks like this was quite a bit of Heaven on Water!
This is sooo fabulous. I would love to go.
I need this everyday! Sounds like a full day of pampering!!
Looks amazing to me. Oh how I would love to be there instead of at home
This indeed looks like the place to be and should have been one of the top places to check out on the ship. I so wish I could even spend an hour on the ship. It looks so relaxing for sure. Thanks for sharing.
I would love to relax just like that. Everything about the water makes me instantly relaxed.
Looks like a great trip for sure!
I haven’t been to a yacht and it with your photos, it looks so heavenly and relaxing.