CruzeQueen2

Hi Everyone, I looked through the recent topics and didn't see this one posted yet. I would like to know if breakfast - in one of the specialty dining rooms - is still happening. As it is one of the BEST amenities that was formerly included with a SUITE booking, IMHO, it makes a difference for me in booking a suite - or not! I do not see it listed for an upcoming sailing - September 26, 2023 on Majestic, 7 days. TIA

Enjoyed meals at The Catch on Majestic in May. Looking forward to another meal there in September! Enjoy! calamari.heic

They offer afternoon tea in one of the dining rooms on sea days only. Usually well-attended.

@Ken the cruiser ON my recent sailing to Alaska on Crown, the number of days for the top three Most Travelled Guests were 1989, approximately 1800 and 800 days. I was not even close this time! But I have been invited twice to a MTG luncheon in the past, on Alaska sailings. So I will just keep adding to my total, as much as I can. I'm seriously working on it! It's always good to be on a ship.

@ceilidh1 Thanks for sending out this update. However, since Canadians have always had to pick up medallions at the port, I think I will just keep doing it this way. Doesn't really take too much time to line up to get it. I know how the drill works at Canada Place - so well!

These are not part of the Elite perks, but on August 10th or so, here's what I had for tapas at Vines on Crown. Added to my good time there, thanks to Ronnie and Cami. I was looked after very well there. I know...things will be different going forward. However, I still enjoy cruising with Princess. It's the brand that I know and love. I do not see myself as one who is "complaining" about the changes. Just here to learn and to inform others about what is happening, from my first hand experience. Hope you see it that way, as that is my intention. Sharing, as so many others have too. Thanks to all!

About the canapes. I was in the cabin when they were delivered. I ate them right away. If left to sit, they would not have been as nice, I'm sure.

Do it! Why not? @SKCruiser007

Chacun son gout. These are the new canapes. Sorry, I didn't take a photo of the list/order. I enjoyed them, they are different. That said, presentation could be improved... I recall one was beef with some horseradish, one was tuna tataki, another was smoked salmon and ??? Sorry, that's all I've got for you! Crown, August 2023. Last sailing before the new roll out.

@Coral Thank you for your postings earlier on Crown this year. You made it easy for me to be on my own on Crown. I loved it! It was so easy.

Big Bang!

Just completed my first solo cruise on Crown Princess. Many posters on Cruise Critic reported such positive experiences that I felt confident that I would like it. Thank you to all those that shared those reports. I am familiar with Princess in most areas; it is my brand of choice and has met my needs for more than several decades of travel. Without repeating what others have already stated, it worked out well for me in every regard. All dining venues accommodated my requests without any trouble. I was happy at every turn. I met people when I wanted to be social and kept to myself when I wanted that time alone. Very liberating to be cruising alone. All the food, drinks and service one could wish for. I travelled to AK for this first time solo experience since I have been to all of the ports here many times. Next solo adventure will be to new destinations. I'm feeling brave now. Enjoy your solo adventures - in 2025? Take one sooner! I strongly recommend it! Bon Voyage @OTrail

@ThrakI tried it in May 2022 on Royal. I had red leather boots. My sister had brown shoes. They told me that they only had black and brown polish. The brown shoes came back without being too noticeably shiny... but now I know! Curious cruisers like to know, right? My dad had all the paraphernalia for shining his leather shoes. I know how shiny newly buffed shoes can be! The service on the ship was not quite the same as how my dad's shoes came out when he polished them himself. Dear Dad!

Reserve class dining on Crown is still in the mid-ship dining room. Da Vinci, deck 6 I believe. @marden1970 @Prost Seattle I asked the hostess about canceling my reservation on a night or two. She told me that after 15 minutes, the unfilled table for your reservation will be released. I try to give them a heads up when I know that I will not need my reservation though.

@muleevans Agree with Steelers and NOT necessarily Boticelli will get you the same waitstaff and table. The hostess at Da Vinci worked with me to meet my initial request as did the host at Michelangelo DR when the request changed. I ate at a solo table in DV and at a 6-top later on. The hosts and hostesses in all dining rooms accommodated all requests, when they could. It worked out fine. Bon Voyage!

@theloo@Steelers36 For the Crown, in August 2023 - embarkation lunch, ALL breakfasts and sea day lunches were in Boticelli, aft dining room on deck 6. On Majestic in May 2023, breakfasts were also in the aft, deck6 DR - Allegro. Pre-COVID, yes, mid ship DRs were the norm for embarkation lunches AND breakfasts. Things change. Regarding the distance you will be walking, @theloo. The Crown is considered a mid-size ship. I found the walk to the aft stairs, from my cabin, mid-ship, to be very easy and not far at all. On the royal class ships, yes. The walk to the aft stairs from mid-forward is much lengthier. More calories are expended. You will be fine, on Crown. If I can do it, most can too. Enjoy! Yes, on Crown. Boticelli for embarkation lunch, breakfasts and sea day lunches.

Sorry for the repeated responses. Hope you get the answers that you needed. Aft - deck 6 I am the first to admit that sometimes, technology does not work for me. Sorry. Please be kind.

@Steelers36 For the Crown, in August 2023 - embarkation lunch, ALL breakfasts and sea day lunches were in Boticelli, aft dining room on deck 6. On Majestic in May 2023, breakfasts were also in the aft, deck6 DR - Allegro. Pre-COVID, yes, mid ship DRs were the norm for embarkation lunches AND breakfasts. Things change. Yes, on Crown. Boticelli for embarkation lunch, breakfasts and sea day lunches.

Is ordering on the TV back? LOL I don't have a smart phone...I am one of the last dinosaurs, but still enjoy my cruises. I find ways to make things work. I also pay for what I want to do. Like the Winemaker's dinner, Sabatini, etc. Thanks for sharing your experiences while on board! Enjoy your cruise. @HaveDogWillTravel

Additional information for all here. I double checked the confirmation papers that I have for my new bookings.. All deposits are REFUNDABLE.

My cabin was located just aft of where the mid-ship elevators are. Never heard any sounds like "DING" of the elevators. Noisy big-little feet - running up and down the hall- yes. I heard that quite a lot on the last sailing in August I had! I usually don't travel during the summer months, nor during the school holidays. LOL All that aside, I had a fantastic time on Crown last week.

@FirstTeacher I just returned from my trip on the Crown, August 15th. I booked several cruises for 2024 with the Future Cruise desk while on board. Can and Sylvain were both most helpful. One of the agents suggested that I look at the printed list of deals that were applicable for sale prices, while on board. There were two different lists. One for solo travellers and a second list of 50% off fares. I purchased and applied Future Cruise deposits for each one and left an extra FCD in my account to play with later! Yes, new FCDs are now good for one year (only) from purchase date. Previously they were good for two years, but that has changed! Happy shopping. As noted above, it never hurts to ask. The Future Cruise sales guys - Can and Sylvain were excellent on Crown last week.

@moonjelly Ask to speak to Claudio Guiliani, the Director of Restaurant Operations. If he is on board at the time of your sailing, he will look after you very well. He is that good! IMHO Enjoy your trip. If he is there, you are in good hands. Bon voyage!

Delay due to issues with refueling barge. They left at 1:46 am or so.

My bed on the Crown, August 2023, was fine. I was worried after reading so many complaints on this board. I slept well, no issues.