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Live from the Crown (Nov. 27 - Dec. 4)

PLHag

By PLHag,
in Princess Cruises

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PLHag

PLHag

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Had a great stay in Hollywood Beach, FL Marriott precruise (totally recommend) and boarded the Crown on Sat. We are anchored in Grand Cayman today and I'm about to cruise around town, but thought I would share a couple observations that I took the time to jot down since boarding:

 

Ship is not sailing full (love the week after TG), I think we have just shy of 2,700 pax and you can definitely tell the difference. No wait to get in anywhere - it's awesome.

 

Chef's Table - sign up doesn't start up until 12:00 or 12:30 depending on who you speak to. There will be 2 seatings on this cruise; ours will be on Wed (Cozumel) night. This is our 4th C/T event and the first time that women are required to wear closed toed shoes in galley. I will change afterward, but just mentioning this so that if you are planning to do Chef's Table, you bring appropriate shoes. I've always been allowed in the galley with high heels, and luckily our travelmates have a pair I can borrow.

 

The old coffee cards work - no problem.

 

Xmas decorations were put up the morning we embarked (Nov. 27). The ship is very nicely decorated.

 

The minibar set up has changed a bit. We were given Dewers instead of Canadian Club (or Seagrams), and only given 2 XX instead or 2 XX and 2 Miller Genuine Drafts.

 

The comedian Rondell Sheridan is FANTASTIC and he performs in Explorers on Sunday & Monday - hope you get the chance to see him (later shows are always better adult material shows).

 

Formal days are Sea Days (Sun & Thurs)

 

Allan & Flora are Crooners bartenders & Allan is superb at making cocktails & performing magic tricks - - check him out if you can.

 

Also, the Louis XIII is not available in Crooners on this ship - only in the casino.

 

Definitely do not care for the piano player at Crooners - seriously, I've seen a lot talent on Princess over the years, but I really do not know how this guy got a gig. And before I get blasted, please note that I DO understand how difficult it it to perform live - - he can sing, but he misses so many notes on the piano that I actually thought it was part of his show. Alas, no. I won't say his name, but I understand he is on until January.

 

That's it for now - I'll check back tonight or tomorrow.

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CrusinAgain

CrusinAgain

Posted
Posted
Had a great stay in Hollywood Beach, FL Marriott precruise (totally recommend) and boarded the Crown on Sat. We are anchored in Grand Cayman today and I'm about to cruise around town, but thought I would share a couple observations that I took the time to jot down since boarding:

 

Ship is not sailing full (love the week after TG), I think we have just shy of 2,700 pax and you can definitely tell the difference. No wait to get in anywhere - it's awesome.

 

Chef's Table - sign up doesn't start up until 12:00 or 12:30 depending on who you speak to. There will be 2 seatings on this cruise; ours will be on Wed (Cozumel) night. This is our 4th C/T event and the first time that women are required to wear closed toed shoes in galley. I will change afterward, but just mentioning this so that if you are planning to do Chef's Table, you bring appropriate shoes. I've always been allowed in the galley with high heels, and luckily our travelmates have a pair I can borrow.

 

The old coffee cards work - no problem.

 

Xmas decorations were put up the morning we embarked (Nov. 27). The ship is very nicely decorated.

 

The minibar set up has changed a bit. We were given Dewers instead of Canadian Club (or Seagrams), and only given 2 XX instead or 2 XX and 2 Miller Genuine Drafts.

 

The comedian Rondell Sheridan is FANTASTIC and he performs in Explorers on Sunday & Monday - hope you get the chance to see him (later shows are always better adult material shows).

 

Formal days are Sea Days (Sun & Thurs)

 

Allan & Flora are Crooners bartenders & Allan is superb at making cocktails & performing magic tricks - - check him out if you can.

 

Also, the Louis XIII is not available in Crooners on this ship - only in the casino.

 

Definitely do not care for the piano player at Crooners - seriously, I've seen a lot talent on Princess over the years, but I really do not know how this guy got a gig. And before I get blasted, please note that I DO understand how difficult it it to perform live - - he can sing, but he misses so many notes on the piano that I actually thought it was part of his show. Alas, no. I won't say his name, but I understand he is on until January.

 

That's it for now - I'll check back tonight or tomorrow.

 

Eric Stone at Crooners?

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kywildcatfanone

kywildcatfanone

Posted
Posted
Had a great stay in Hollywood Beach, FL Marriott precruise (totally recommend) and boarded the Crown on Sat. We are anchored in Grand Cayman today and I'm about to cruise around town, but thought I would share a couple observations that I took the time to jot down since boarding:

 

Ship is not sailing full (love the week after TG), I think we have just shy of 2,700 pax and you can definitely tell the difference. No wait to get in anywhere - it's awesome.

 

Chef's Table - sign up doesn't start up until 12:00 or 12:30 depending on who you speak to. There will be 2 seatings on this cruise; ours will be on Wed (Cozumel) night. This is our 4th C/T event and the first time that women are required to wear closed toed shoes in galley. I will change afterward, but just mentioning this so that if you are planning to do Chef's Table, you bring appropriate shoes. I've always been allowed in the galley with high heels, and luckily our travelmates have a pair I can borrow.

 

The old coffee cards work - no problem.

 

Xmas decorations were put up the morning we embarked (Nov. 27). The ship is very nicely decorated.

 

The minibar set up has changed a bit. We were given Dewers instead of Canadian Club (or Seagrams), and only given 2 XX instead or 2 XX and 2 Miller Genuine Drafts.

 

The comedian Rondell Sheridan is FANTASTIC and he performs in Explorers on Sunday & Monday - hope you get the chance to see him (later shows are always better adult material shows).

 

Formal days are Sea Days (Sun & Thurs)

 

Allan & Flora are Crooners bartenders & Allan is superb at making cocktails & performing magic tricks - - check him out if you can.

 

Also, the Louis XIII is not available in Crooners on this ship - only in the casino.

 

Definitely do not care for the piano player at Crooners - seriously, I've seen a lot talent on Princess over the years, but I really do not know how this guy got a gig. And before I get blasted, please note that I DO understand how difficult it it to perform live - - he can sing, but he misses so many notes on the piano that I actually thought it was part of his show. Alas, no. I won't say his name, but I understand he is on until January.

 

That's it for now - I'll check back tonight or tomorrow.

 

We were off on Saturday and as I said in another post, loved Rondell Sheriday, the best comedian I have ever heard. Our sailing wasn't full either and you could tell all week, I loved that. We had a coffee card we purchased 2-3 cruises ago and used it all week, no problems either. Enjoy the week, I hope you have good weather like we did most of the week!

 

Mike

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kywildcatfanone

kywildcatfanone

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Looking for more reviews. We will be on the Crown in April.

 

Did they have a seafood buffet in the Hozion Court anytime during your cruise?

 

Did you do any tours?

 

We were on last week, and they had the sailaway seafood buffet, and I think on Thursday night they had one called the Island seafood buffet. Shrimp and lobster claws.

 

Mike

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Host CJSKIDS "Live from...." Rare

Host CJSKIDS

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Thanks for the Live from Thread and I hope you enjoy the rest of your cruise.

 

I totally agree with you about the Piano player!

 

Please tell Allan and Flora that Mrs. Smith from the 10/30 sailing said hello. If you remind them that they kept the good wine glasses for me they'll remember me!

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6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

6MonthsHere6MonthsThere

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Thanks for the live.

 

If its fair game to mention the good then I see no issue with mentioning a crummy piano player, now who is it?

 

 

If it is the same piano player as 2 weeks ago it is ERIC STONE, have never seen the Crooner Bar so empty;), bet the wine waiters cringe as well as they are losing trade with people walking out.

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CrusinAgain

CrusinAgain

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If it is the same piano player as 2 weeks ago it is ERIC STONE, have never seen the Crooner Bar so empty;), bet the wine waiters cringe as well as they are losing trade with people walking out.

 

Yep, he was the same one we had in October on the Crown. Not good at all.

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Host CJSKIDS "Live from...." Rare

Host CJSKIDS

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If it is the same piano player as 2 weeks ago it is ERIC STONE, have never seen the Crooner Bar so empty;), bet the wine waiters cringe as well as they are losing trade with people walking out.

 

I said the same thing in my review. I had never seen Crooners so empty. I enjoyed it however, got a bar stool in front of Allan and Flora every night with my glass of wine!

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PLHag

PLHag

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We called the "Dine" line to make reservations after stopping by the Purser's Desk to get cruise cards punched.

 

Yes, it is Eric Stone - ugh... he really wasn't any better last night. At least Allan & Flora and the rest of the Crooner's staff make up for him.

 

Carolyn - - I will pass along your message to Flora. I had already told her that someone on the board asked me to say hi, but I could only remember your login name and not Carolyn so I will tell her today.

 

I was wrong about first night Chef's Table. Apparently first night is tonight, which is Caribbean night by the way. I wish we had C/T tonight, but we have it on "Chef's Dinner" night, which is tomorrow night. Last night was Italian night. As of next cruise the wait staff will no longer be wearing their green jackets and will be wearing gold vests (& maybe jackets) instead.

 

I hope to check out the new Addagio bar tonight. I am so not used to Sabatinni's being on deck 16 and this is the bar that is next to the restaurant. I was told that there is live music and that it is good.

 

As far as tours go, my DH is diving with the ship at all 3 ports. Yesterday, there were about 8-10 in his group in GC and he enjoyed the dive although 2 people were not really prepared or perhaps qualified for the deep dive. It didn't mess things up too much and DH's dive buddy is a CC member that was arranged in advance.

 

My friend, her DH, and I are going to Tobayyan Beach today in Roatan. My first time here and we are doing it on our own. Weather was great in GC yesterday and I am hoping for the same today. We did push back the clock one hour last night.

 

Promenade Deck was very wet when I walked at 6:00 this morning, but they had a full crew cleaning the water off.

 

Deck Party is tonight. Good 'ol Stu is on board & I chatted with him at the coffee bar yesterday morning. Met Ron Goodman last night after the comedy show and he is really friendly and likeable. He said he just renewed his contract for this ship so he'll be on for a while.

 

I think I answered everyone's questions so far. Oh one more thing, the sanctuary was almost sold out on embarkation day - - DF's DH went yesterday & got one of 5 seats left....even though the place looked empty. Personally, I much prefer the aft sanctuary setup & am looking forward to it when we sail the canal in April.

 

Well, toodles for now.

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Host CJSKIDS "Live from...." Rare

Host CJSKIDS

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We called the "Dine" line to make reservations after stopping by the Purser's Desk to get cruise cards punched.

 

Yes, it is Eric Stone - ugh... he really wasn't any better last night. At least Allan & Flora and the rest of the Crooner's staff make up for him.

 

Carolyn - - I will pass along your message to Flora. I had already told her that someone on the board asked me to say hi, but I could only remember your login name and not Carolyn so I will tell her today.

 

I was wrong about first night Chef's Table. Apparently first night is tonight, which is Caribbean night by the way. I wish we had C/T tonight, but we have it on "Chef's Dinner" night, which is tomorrow night. Last night was Italian night. As of next cruise the wait staff will no longer be wearing their green jackets and will be wearing gold vests (& maybe jackets) instead.

 

I hope to check out the new Addagio bar tonight. I am so not used to Sabatinni's being on deck 16 and this is the bar that is next to the restaurant. I was told that there is live music and that it is good.

 

As far as tours go, my DH is diving with the ship at all 3 ports. Yesterday, there were about 8-10 in his group in GC and he enjoyed the dive although 2 people were not really prepared or perhaps qualified for the deep dive. It didn't mess things up too much and DH's dive buddy is a CC member that was arranged in advance.

 

My friend, her DH, and I are going to Tobayyan Beach today in Roatan. My first time here and we are doing it on our own. Weather was great in GC yesterday and I am hoping for the same today. We did push back the clock one hour last night.

 

Promenade Deck was very wet when I walked at 6:00 this morning, but they had a full crew cleaning the water off.

 

Deck Party is tonight. Good 'ol Stu is on board & I chatted with him at the coffee bar yesterday morning. Met Ron Goodman last night after the comedy show and he is really friendly and likeable. He said he just renewed his contract for this ship so he'll be on for a while.

 

I think I answered everyone's questions so far. Oh one more thing, the sanctuary was almost sold out on embarkation day - - DF's DH went yesterday & got one of 5 seats left....even though the place looked empty. Personally, I much prefer the aft sanctuary setup & am looking forward to it when we sail the canal in April.

 

Well, toodles for now.

 

sounds like you are having a wonderful time. That's great.

 

Boy, we really did feel the same way about Crooners.

 

I'll keep my fingers crossed that you have fantastic weather the rest of your sailing.

 

Enjoy!!!

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PLHag

PLHag

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Crappy day in Cozumel. We were the first ship to arrive and we seemed to have a real tough time with the strong winds. About an hour later, there were 3 ships on final approach. Disney Magic docked downtown, and the Oasis pulled up to the dock next to us - it had to back in very slowly because the winds were really kicking. Carnival Valor was next and docked along side of us and finally the Carnival Imagination showed up. Quite a busy day in port, too bad the weather didn't cooperate for all 19k passengers. It's been raining off & on all day. In fact, DH's dive trip was tanked due to the nasty weather; at least he had two really good dives both in GC & Roatan.

 

We got off the ship for a bit today; this was the only port we were required to show picture id to get back on board (at the security gate at the end of the dock). I hadn't been to Coz in a few years - Princess really did a nice job on the cruise terminal & shops here. We enjoyed some yummy chips & guac at Pancho's Backyard and cruised through the shops pointlessly trying to dodge the rain like everyone else. DH found a nice Cohiba across the street which I am guessing he will enjoy tonight after the Chef's Table dinner.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day & we have a couple new entertainers onboard. According to the planner, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of entertainment on the Friday night (our last night). I did notice the Farewell show includes Cabaret Entertainer, Eric Stone...

 

We haven't made it to the Elite cocktail party yet (I keep forgetting), but will hopefully make it by week's end. Lots of movies onboard (more than I can ever remember).

 

Hoping we catch some rays on the way to Princess Cays - - my tan is pretty dismal at this point.

 

BTW, we really liked Roatan. DH even suggested we book a weeklong land trip -- the diving was spectacular and island pricing was incredibly reasonable. Princess did a great job with Mahoney Bay Beach & I'll provide some additional information on this port in my full review.

 

Well, I'm off to find an open bar.;)

 

P.S. - Carolyn, I relayed your message to Flora and she was thrilled to hear from you. One of the guests took her (and Allan too, I think) horseback riding yesterday.

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Woobstr112G "Live from...." Rare

Woobstr112G

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Crappy day in Cozumel. We were the first ship to arrive and we seemed to have a real tough time with the strong winds. About an hour later, there were 3 ships on final approach. Disney Magic docked downtown, and the Oasis pulled up to the dock next to us - it had to back in very slowly because the winds were really kicking. Carnival Valor was next and docked along side of us and finally the Carnival Imagination showed up. Quite a busy day in port, too bad the weather didn't cooperate for all 19k passengers. It's been raining off & on all day. In fact, DH's dive trip was tanked due to the nasty weather; at least he had two really good dives both in GC & Roatan.

 

We got off the ship for a bit today; this was the only port we were required to show picture id to get back on board (at the security gate at the end of the dock). I hadn't been to Coz in a few years - Princess really did a nice job on the cruise terminal & shops here. We enjoyed some yummy chips & guac at Pancho's Backyard and cruised through the shops pointlessly trying to dodge the rain like everyone else. DH found a nice Cohiba across the street which I am guessing he will enjoy tonight after the Chef's Table dinner.

 

Tomorrow is a sea day & we have a couple new entertainers onboard. According to the planner, there doesn't seem to be much in the way of entertainment on the Friday night (our last night). I did notice the Farewell show includes Cabaret Entertainer, Eric Stone...

 

We haven't made it to the Elite cocktail party yet (I keep forgetting), but will hopefully make it by week's end. Lots of movies onboard (more than I can ever remember).

 

Hoping we catch some rays on the way to Princess Cays - - my tan is pretty dismal at this point.

 

BTW, we really liked Roatan. DH even suggested we book a weeklong land trip -- the diving was spectacular and island pricing was incredibly reasonable. Princess did a great job with Mahoney Bay Beach & I'll provide some additional information on this port in my full review.

 

Well, I'm off to find an open bar.;)

 

P.S. - Carolyn, I relayed your message to Flora and she was thrilled to hear from you. One of the guests took her (and Allan too, I think) horseback riding yesterday.

 

Enjoy the sea day.....:):):)

 

Bob

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