crown class ships crowds grossly exaggerated

[icyfrost]

I have cruised grand and goden and twice on crown and once on ruby.

 

Must be lucky or something cause i have not seen any of the comments with huge crowds between the different classes.

 

If i happen to get a lousy seat in the theatre, walk twice around the buffet, wait extra ten minutes for a tender, i will not complain nor exaggerate how crowded the cruise is.

 

The ships are big with lots people so please be patient and don;t sweat the small stuff.

[Doug R.]

I have cruised grand and goden and twice on crown and once on ruby.

 

Must be lucky or something cause i have not seen any of the comments with huge crowds between the different classes.

 

If i happen to get a lousy seat in the theatre, walk twice around the buffet, wait extra ten minutes for a tender, i will not complain nor exaggerate how crowded the cruise is.

 

The ships are big with lots people so please be patient and don;t sweat the small stuff.

 

I concur completely. The only place that I experienced crowding was around the photo area and that attracts a crowd of rude zombies regarless of the size of the ship.

[Pam in CA]

I disagree completely. It all depends on the weather, the itinerary and the passengers. The CD has something to do with it too; if they're creative and plan events during the day that utilize the indoor spaces well, it'll feel less crowded.

 

I've been on some Grand-class ships that felt like there were few people on board and others where you couldn't find a table in the buffet at any time during the day and evening. For instance, we were on the Golden Princess three years ago from Buenos Aires to Santiago. It was too cold and windy to be outdoors on any deck, or even in the covered pool area, everyone was crowded inside. People tended to set up game boards on the tables in the buffet and saved the table from breakfast until dinner. There were no seats anywhere in the Atrium. People would go to the Princess Theater for some place to go and sit. It was awful. Yet I've been on the Caribbean Princess in beautiful weather and it never felt crowded.

[jfv379]

The only place that I experienced crowding was around the photo area and that attracts a crowd of rude zombies regarless of the size of the ship.

 

That is for sure:eek:

[tmitchell82]

The one place I have noticed the larger passenger load on the Crown is at the shows in the explores lounger, particularly the earlier shows. Difficult to get a seat. Did not notice this as much on the Golden or Star with the Vista lounge. The later shows were easier to get a seat in and sometimes they ran the show 3 times, maybe because of the increase in passengers. Have not really noticed the increase in terms of dinning, finding a chair on the deck, tender waiting, buffet.

 

Tim

[icyfrost]

although weather will affect inside of ship on any class.

 

I was on golden in 05 early june western europe, weather not that great but did not experience what you saw.

 

Could be possible on different attitudes. I go with the flow and have some fun.

 

Point is that the extra deck on the crown class is really not noticable as some posts make it seem.

[Shogun]

Hi There,

 

The Grand Class rather than Crown class have a covered pool so more space for folk to hang out in, also the Vista lounge has a part to play,

 

Having been on the Crown a few times different cruises, make up etc makes a big difference while on board.

 

yours Shogun

[sammiedawg]

Let me say first I love Princess, we have done quite a few cruises with them as well as Holland America. I have had no substantial complaints.

There is a problem with space per passenger on the Crown class ships based on our experience on the Carribbean 4 years ago. We noticed the extra 500 people the moment we got in a huge line to embark the ship. They added another deck of passenger cabins but the remainder of the space remained the same. Common areas are definitely more crowded. The pool area especially, the aft pool was quite crowded which is unusual on any ship. The Horizon Court was always packed, no seats. The area called Caribe Cafe had great food choices but was not always open, even the seats in that area would be taken.

The shows were packed and you had to get there very early. The hallways on the atrium decks were quite crowded each evening.

We had no trouble with dinner seating but we made reservations.

This was not a port intensive itinerary, the weather was so so. No covered pool is another negative.

The crowds irritated me, I was ready to get off the ship the following Saturday, usually I am sad when the week is over.

It was not unbearable, we did not hate the ship but this was not one of our better trips.

Positives- beautiful ship, lots of activities to disperse the crowd, the food was better than average.

 

I have not booked a Crown class since, the Caribbean was the last new Princess ship we have sailed. We still go on Princess, we think the Grand class ship handles the crowd very well as does the Coral. Our next trip is next summer on the Star.

 

We had sailed some HAL prior to the Caribbean experience but since we have done 3 HAL cruises on their new midsized ships and each one was terrific. Oosterdam, Eurodam and Nordam. Those ships are 1800 to 2000 and hold the passengers very well.

This time last year the buzz was about the Ruby princess but we chose Eurodam and loved it.

 

My issue is not big ship verses small ship, it is space per passenger. Do the math. We felt the Sun Princess was crowded but the Coral is not because even though the passenger size is about the same the Coral has more tonnage, more space per passenger.

I would not rule out another trip on the Crown class ships but it would be dictated by itinerary and calendar, we would not choose for the ship experience.

[Woodmnky]

I have to agree with the OP. There are times and places that are busier than others. If I don't want to fight a crowd, I avoid those places at that time. I really have to think that it is all in how you look at it. On shore, I don't mind getting to a venue 15 minutes earlier to get a good seat and I continue this mentality while at sea.

I do agree, that the itinerary makes a difference. We saw people on the Star in Alaska that would set up camp at a table in the buffet from morning until night, rather than let them ruin my cruise, I just threw on a sweatshirt and ate outside.

[bhopal21]

although weather will affect inside of ship on any class.

 

I was on golden in 05 early june western europe, weather not that great but did not experience what you saw.

 

Could be possible on different attitudes. I go with the flow and have some fun.

 

Point is that the extra deck on the crown class is really not noticable as some posts make it seem.

 

I don't think it is the extra deck; but the 500 extra passengers it contains in the same length ship.:D

 

Mike:)

[DrivesLikeMario]

I think it depends on your schedule too. We purposely try to go the opposite way of everyone else, do things either earlier or later than everyone else and avoid the peak busy times throughout the ships. For us, we never felt crowded on the Ruby at all, but we didn't "follow the mob" from dinner to the theater to the casino every night or eat breakfast in the HC when everyone else did.

[Tatka]

After sailing on other large cruise ships - RCCL Explorer, CCL Liberty etc, I strongly believe that Grand Class Princess ships handle crowds much better, even Caribbean and Ruby with added deck.

 

Why? I think it's because they are built smart. Dividing the ship into smaller common areas ( pools areas for example) creates feeling that you are not surrounded by a huge crowd.

 

Also smaller but various dining venues, longer hours. I remember a horror of 3700 people trying to get lunch between 12PM and 2PM on Carnival Liberty :mad:. This was worse than a zoo!

 

Almost all our cruises happened during the summer or school vacation with ships sold out, so I am comparing apples to apples. :)

[roe2ship]

While I have not cruised on any of the Grand class ships, I have never experienced major crowding issues on the CB. I would say the photo gallery area, the atriums on formal night are somewhat packed but that I'm sure goes on every cruiseline/ship.

 

I do find it hard to believe that an extra 500 pax are visibly noticeable. Sure it may sound like a great deal of people but when you are on a Grand class ship of 2600…..that is less than a 20% increased capacity on the super Grand or Crown class (whatever Princess calls them) I have to think that not all 500 are in the same place at the same time.

 

I wonder if one who has cruised on the Grand class ships and was clueless about the extra deck of 500 pax before stepping foot onto the Caribbean/Crown/Emerald/Ruby if they would have the same complaints. I somewhat doubt it……it can all be a mind over matter issue.

[roe2ship]

Let me say first I love Princess, we have done quite a few cruises with them as well as Holland America. I have had no substantial complaints.

There is a problem with space per passenger on the Crown class ships based on our experience on the Carribbean 4 years ago. We noticed the extra 500 people the moment we got in a huge line to embark the ship. They added another deck of passenger cabins but the remainder of the space remained the same. Common areas are definitely more crowded. The pool area especially, the aft pool was quite crowded which is unusual on any ship. The Horizon Court was always packed, no seats. The area called Caribe Cafe had great food choices but was not always open, even the seats in that area would be taken.

The shows were packed and you had to get there very early. The hallways on the atrium decks were quite crowded each evening.

We had no trouble with dinner seating but we made reservations.

This was not a port intensive itinerary, the weather was so so. No covered pool is another negative.

The crowds irritated me, I was ready to get off the ship the following Saturday, usually I am sad when the week is over.

It was not unbearable, we did not hate the ship but this was not one of our better trips.

Positives- beautiful ship, lots of activities to disperse the crowd, the food was better than average.

 

I have not booked a Crown class since, the Caribbean was the last new Princess ship we have sailed. We still go on Princess, we think the Grand class ship handles the crowd very well as does the Coral. Our next trip is next summer on the Star.

 

We had sailed some HAL prior to the Caribbean experience but since we have done 3 HAL cruises on their new midsized ships and each one was terrific. Oosterdam, Eurodam and Nordam. Those ships are 1800 to 2000 and hold the passengers very well.

This time last year the buzz was about the Ruby princess but we chose Eurodam and loved it.

 

My issue is not big ship verses small ship, it is space per passenger. Do the math. We felt the Sun Princess was crowded but the Coral is not because even though the passenger size is about the same the Coral has more tonnage, more space per passenger.

I would not rule out another trip on the Crown class ships but it would be dictated by itinerary and calendar, we would not choose for the ship experience.

Sorry, but your line of noticing the extra 500 pax on the embarkation line is over the top. How is that possible?

 

The space per passenger ratio is not really that accurate. I have been on ships with a higher ratio than the CB and felt more issues with crowds on those ships. It's all in the design of the ships and Princess does this well....they have a very good passenger flow.

 

As far as gross tonnage, I believe the Grand class ships are 109,000 and the super Grand are listed at 113,000, so there is more space. Public areas such as the International Cafe, Vines, Adagios are new. Horizon Court is extended with more seating and from what I understand the Sabatini's on Crown/Emerald/Ruby is larger with more tables.

[sammiedawg]

I stand by what I said, the Caribbean Princess extra 500 passengers was noticeable to me even when we were in line to board. The line stretched wayyyyy down the sidewalk, we are platinum as most everyone else was. It did not make any difference. I have never seen that large of a line. I have never seen the pool chair areas or the Horizon court so crowded. I have never seen the hallways on the atrium levels , theatre levels so crowded.

 

I did not say I hated the ship or had a bad cruise, I said the crowds were irritating and we were more than ready to disembark on the last day. I listed some positive comments and noted there were lots of activities to disperse the crowds.

 

It is not mind over matter, I did not go into the cruise with preconceived notions it would be too crowded. I like Princess, we sailed them before and after this experience.

 

As I said do the math and tell me the space per passenger ratio is not an issue.

[CruiserGus]

I've been on the Golden, Caribbean (2), and Ruby. I never felt that the ships were crowded. The Explorer's Lounge and Princess Theatre do get crowded during the first performance but that happens at most venues at home. We get there reasonably early, get a good seat and enjoy the show! I have no sympathy for people that think the can arrive at the last minute and expect a front row seat.

 

I feel the same about people that sleep in until 1:00 P.M. and complain that the cannot get a front row seat in the pool areas. Don't get me wrong, I occasionally sleep in late and have settled for chairs that are away from the main pool areas but that's the trade off. I have also gotten up early and had my breakfast in some primo seats in the pool area that the late risers would love to have.

 

The areas around the photo displays do get crowded. My guesss is that this is by design so that people linger around to buy more of the expensive photos (that's another thread altogether!)

 

Bad weather is another issue. When it is too cold or rainy outside it puts pressure on the other venues to accommodate more passengers. These ships were built to spread out passengers all over the ship.

[TorontoTL]

I've sailed on the Golden, Star, Diamond, Sapphire, Caribbean x 2, Crown and Emerald as well as the Sun, Dawn and Coral, did I miss any? ;) I have to say that I agree with the issue of weather and itinerary affecting how crowded ships feel. In very port intensive cruises you don't notice how busy a ship may feel as much except when disembarking or embarking. If the weather is poor, you will always notice more crowds as the passengers aren't spending any time outdoors on deck.

 

I would have to say that yes, I notice that there are more people on the Crown/CB/Emerald ships compared with the Golden/Star/Diamond/Sapphire, however, the difference isn't enormous. I will also say that I feel that the CB doesn't handle the extra passengers as well as the newer Crown/Emerald ships because in the Crown/Emerald, they have moved things around and added a few extra things such as the Adagio, thus spreading passengers out better than on the CB. The extra passengers certainly aren't a hinderance to me enjoyment of a cruise on the ships with the largest pax numbers, however, there are times and places that you will notice them.

[Spender Nui]

The Princess entertainment venues are much too small for the passenger load. The Princess Theater and Explorer's Lounge just don't have enough space to accommodate the number of passengers. Also, the seating layout creates poor sight lines in the Explorer's Lounge.

 

On a recent Ruby cruise the Horizon Court and cafe Carib restaurants were mobbed and seats hard to come by.

[stoneharborlady]

My only two cruises were on the CB, both in July, full passenger load, with lots of children. Never noticed crowds, with the exception of the theater, and of course HC on embarkation day.

 

Karen

[sammiedawg]

FYI

Math is not my forte, this information is from **************.com. I did not recheck the math. I could not find this info on the Princess web site

Comparisons of ship size in tonnage, passenger capacity, space ratio.

USA Today also has published similiar information in their travel section as a way to compare and contrast value in cruising. I read the article after my Caribbean Princess cruise, the article made perfect sense to me.

 

Grand Princess 108,806 tons, 2600 passengers, space ratio 35.0 per person

Caribbean princess 116,000 tons, 3100 passengers, space ratio 29.8 per person

Sapphire Princess 115,875 tons, 2634 passengers, space ratio 37.3.

Coral Princess, 91,627 tons, 1974 passengers, space ratio 35.3.

Crown Princess, 118,000 tons, 3114 passengers, space ratio 30.6

 

I have been on Sun, Grand, Golden, Sea, Diamond, Sapphire, Coral, Caribbean Princess, several of the ships more than once. We felt crowded on the Caribbean Princess, the comparison above indicates significantly less space per passenger.

 

Next up for us is the Star, same class and size as the Grand. I know we will be happy with it. We also may do a Coral to Alaska and that ship is divine.

[CruisenLexie]

...It all depends on the weather, the itinerary and the passengers...I've been on some Grand-class ships that felt like there were few people on board and others where you couldn't find a table in the buffet at any time during the day and evening....It was too cold and windy to be outdoors on any deck...everyone was crowded inside. People tended to set up game boards on the tables in the buffet and saved the table from breakfast until dinner. Yet I've been on the Caribbean Princess in beautiful weather and it never felt crowded.

 

That is exactly what we have experienced. I REALLY enjoy walking around with a plate trying to find a place to sit and watching people taking up tables playing cards or boardgames. I thought and am glad to have it confirmed that I can expect something better in the Caribbean.

[caribill]

Times that it is crowded:

 

a) When Princess sets up sale tables around the atrium and people trying to get past cannot get around shoppers and those watching atrium entertainment.

b) When Princess invites 3200 passengers to the atrium for an event such as the Captain's welcome party and Champagne waterfall. Crowded when even only half the passengers show up.

c) When all tour busses return at about the same time and there is a single line for port security (not Princess' fault).

d) Outside the Traditional dining room the first evening when everyone is escorted to his/her table.

e) When a port change means everyone is trying to arrange new shore excursions at the same time (see picture below, taken on a 1200 passenger Princess ship)

f) The area around the future cruise consultant because so many passengers just can't wait to book another Princess cruise.

[sultan_sfo]

Ruby: (We had warm weather)

 

Buffet Seating Area -- very crowded. I think the outside area is smaller -- tables near the pool are fewer.

 

Breakfast Buffet Itself -- IMO, worse now with one entrance and one exit. Princess has accommodated the wishes of those who could never understand the previous more efficient chaotic system and kept complaining. But Cafe Caribe is a help when open.

 

Piazza / Int. Cafe -- crowded all day with those just sitting there (without buying coffee or drinks).

 

 

Late Traditional Dining: Half empty from day 1.

 

Elevators: We gave up -- just took the stairs most of the time even from Deck 5 up to Deck 10!

 

Explorer's Lounge -- impossible, specially because one show finished at 10 pm and very few left resulting in no vacant seats for the the 10pm show.

 

On other ships, crowding in Horizon Court was only on cold days with groups playing cards and reading.

 

Also I fully agree with Caribill's comments.

[cbrio]

I traveled 2 times on the Golden for the Southern Caribbean cruise out or San Jan. Both times were excellent and the ship never felt crowded. I am just off the Nov 4th Ruby Southern Caribbean Medley from Ft. Lauderdale and although the ship is real nice, I will never sail on this ship again.

 

Every morning my wife and I had to search for a table at the Buffet. It was common to see people playing cards, checkers, chess, ect... and drinking coffee all morning long. Also, we were never able to get a seat at the explorers lounge for a show. It was common for the walkway outside this lounge to be packed with people trying to listen to the comedian. When going to the 10:30 PM shows in the Princess theater we had to arrive more than a half hour early to get a good seat.

 

The captains party in the atrium was so packed that it took us 10 minutes to get from deck 7 down to 5 (Botticelli) for dinner.

 

We booked the Sanctuary for the entire trip and it was well worth it, we escaped there during the days on the ship and after being on shore. Even though we did not spend any time around the pools, midship, we always walked along the upper decks to get to and from our room. It was always very crowded, Many times it was difficult to get up and down the stairs because they were were blocked by loungers. People were constantly blocking the walkways. This was also common in the mornings.

 

We also gave up on the elevators after day 1.

 

I definitely noticed the additional 500 passengers on this ship.

 

We still had a wonderful vacation.

[RevSmith]

I don't have a lot of experience on Princes ships, but it is all on the "Crown class ships". What I found that on sea days and right after regular dinner the areas around the atrium were very crowded, so much so that I felt claustraphobic, so I just got out of that area as quickly as possibe. The thing that amazed me more than the crowded feeling, which was such a small part of the cruise, was the fact that on many, many occations, I seemed to have the ship all to myself, I would not see a soul, or see very few people. There were a lot of "quiet" little spots on these ships and I loved that.