I was on the first cruise right after the dry dock (Rome to Fort Lauderdale, Florida on November 10, 2024) and I can confirm that the complimentary saunas were no longer there. Instead, there was just locker rooms for men and women, and a few showers with cold water. Spa manager confirmed to me that saunas were removed due to some safety regulations that apparently apply on Princess only as many other cruise lines are still offering complimentary saunas. However, they can sell you access to the thermal suite if you don't mind paying extra. The thermal suite in Sky Princess was so horrible last year that I didn't even bother to check it in Caribbean Princess. And in principle I didn't like the idea of buying a cruise with complimentary sauna and then having to pay extra for getting the service I had already paid for. Other annoying things included jarring backing tracks in almost all "live" music performances, smell of puke on deck 15 aft, sewer smell in the buffet entrance, TV software crashing, water dripping from ceilings in the buffet, and having to beg for sugar free ice cream, although that last annoyance was my own fault. I didn't want a gallon of ice cream to melt, go bad and be thrown away only for having a tiny scoop for myself. Apparently all the others were sugar junkies.
How can you trust a cruise line that is not keeping their promises? I know I won't trust Princess Cruises again. Next time there might be buffet or shows missing, or an extra charge for the popcorn and using elevators.
Bye bye little fairy Princess,
Santeri
