Just off Crown Today-Brief Review

[lindy sails]

I really enjoyed my week on the Crown. In 2008 we sailed on the Caribbean Princess. Since that time I've been on the Carnival Miracle, Celebrity Solstice and HAL Noordam which were all good in their own way. By far Princess is superior to all theses lines.

 

My friend & cruise buddy had a balcony cabin on the Caibe deck and me an inside on the Riveria deck. We both enjoyed our cabins. With stressful jobs we wanted a week of RR & sun which we got!

 

Boarding was quick and simple. I arrived at the port after 11 and was on board before 12:30. I headed directly to the Sanctuary and my friend began calling the reservation line for the Captains Table. I reserved my seat in the Sanctuary for the week and we were 2 of the 20 guests selected for the Chef's Table. We didn;t find out until the next day when a letter arrived inviting us to attend the Chef's table meeting. I understand there were over 70 people who called and there are 2 chefs tables per cruise. This dinner and experience was definitely worth the money and a lot of fun with the Chef and his great staff.

 

We orginally had traditional late sitting in the B dining room. Our table was in a dark corner of the dining room and we felt eating at 8:15 pm was taking away much of our evening. Plus this dining room is in the Aft of the ship and a hike to reach going up and down. We switched to anytime dining after the first night- liked the flexibility and the dining room location on deck 6. We also met alot of great people by sitting at a different table each night. We were impressed with the dinners and I felt it was some of the best cruise dining I've experienced.

 

I tried the lunch buffet twice but usually went to the dining room, ate at the Sanctuary or International cafe for my other meals. We loved the International Cafe coffee, salads and yummy pastries. Wait until the 2nd day to purchase your coffee card and you will get a 20% discount plus there's a free coupon for the coffee mug in the Princess booklet.

 

Vines and Scooners were two of our favorite places to meet. We participated in 2 of the wine tastings and would highly recommend them. The champagne fountain and past Princess guest formal events were both nice and worth attending.

 

The ports were lovely along with the weather and smooth sailing. I've been to all of the western ports except Roatan.

 

The beds were hard as most people have reported but I asked my cabin stewart for an egg crate and a top sheet and it made the bed feel more comfortable. The staff provided excellent customer service and always greeted you with a smile and very courteous. It seems like they were happy and genuinely wanted to please the guests.

 

Area of improvement: get rid of the smoking!! The casino was horrible even walking through it during the day when it was closed was bad. With only 25% of the population smoking I don;t understand why the cruise lines don;t ban it. I really feel sorry for the staff who work there day after day and have to inhale all that second hand smoke. Princess lost alot of my $$ since I could only stand it for about 10 minutes and had to leave each time due to the smoking.

 

Well we hated getting off the ship this morning but liked our cruise so much we each purchased a future booking! Not sure which ship or the itenerary yet but looking forward to my next Princess cruise and hope it will be very soon!

 

Happy Sailings!

 

 

Lindy Sails

[1 HappyCruiser]

 

I really feel sorry for the staff who work there day after day and have to inhale all that second hand smoke. Princess lost alot of my $$ since I could only stand it for about 10 minutes and had to leave each time due to the smoking.

 

 

Happy Sailings!

 

 

Lindy Sails

 

I really think Princess is setting themselves up for a class action lawsuit making their employees work under those conditions. Like yourself, we'd probably gamble a lot more if the place didn't smell so bad, even on the non smoking nights.

[DeRon]

Thanks for the report and review. Did the ship feel crowded at all to you?

[kywildcatfanone]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. We were on her a month ago and had similar experiences, good weather and enjoyable week!

 

Mike

[janina]

Glad you enjoyed your cruise. Got to agree with you on the smoking in the Casino. I only go on the non-smoking nights.:)

[6pack]

Great review! Couldn't agree with you more on the smoking issue. I would love to visit the casino, however I refuse to saturate my clothes with cigarette smoke. 8 more months and we'll be on the Crown!

 

Thanks again for the review :)

[Richie2pies]

One of the reasons I've been on so many Princess cruises is their smoking policy. When they further limit smoking (more than they already have) I'll choose a different line. Anti-smokers should book on a line that restricts smoking instead of coming here to complain.

[shawilson]

One of the reasons I've been on so many Princess cruises is their smoking policy. When they further limit smoking (more than they already have) I'll choose a different line. Anti-smokers should book on a line that restricts smoking instead of coming here to complain.

 

Yes!

[Putterdude]

Thanks for taking the time to post your review, we quite enjoyed the Crown in January.

As for the smoking I couldn't agree more. With fewer people smoking each year I can't help but believe that it won't be long before Princess places greater restrictions on smoking....and it won't be too soon for me.

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review. Sounds like you had a great time.

[mph045]

Thnak You for the review-Glad you enjoyed yourselves and got a FCC!:p

[DeRon]

One of the reasons I've been on so many Princess cruises is their smoking policy. When they further limit smoking (more than they already have) I'll choose a different line. Anti-smokers should book on a line that restricts smoking instead of coming here to complain.

 

Because this is called "Cruise Critic". The same back to you...why badger someone who expresses their opinion and experience? You don't have to agree, but telling someone they shouldn't complain is crazy.

[macbest]

Because this is called "Cruise Critic". The same back to you...why badger someone who expresses their opinion and experience? You don't have to agree, but telling someone they shouldn't complain is crazy.

 

Amen to that.

 

 

We also felt the smoking was unbearable, but not only in the casino where it was the worse. There is no reason they can not put out something like ammonia or similar when people are not there to clear the air. Even when the casino was closed it smelled really bad. And the one night they did have no smoking (really, one night?) I found someone smoking and told the casino staff. At least this smoker felt that he was above the rules.

 

Smoking is also allowed, surprisingly, in the rooms and balconies. Many other cruise lines have stopped this. I believe Princess must be considering this as we were sent a survey on just smoking so they are obviously considering something more restrictive.

[dforeigner]

Thanks for taking time to write a review.

[hillslife]

Great review - thanks for taking the time. We will be on the Crown for a TA in Aug...so glad to hear all is well.

 

Ditto for the smokers - hate the smell and the stench it leaves in my hair and clothes....banning it totally would be my preference:rolleyes:

 

Why do you get 20% discount on the coffee card on day 2??? We have used the mug coupon and are Elite so we get 10% off, but never heard of the 20% deal...???

 

Thanks again - welcome home!!

[6pack]

Did you notice if the Bar drink specials are still available after 8pm? The Grand has done away with this and now only offers a "Power Hour" between 4 and 6pm for $3.99

 

I'm guessing that the other ships will follow suite, however here's hoping!!

 

Dave

[mgord]

Amen to that.

 

 

We also felt the smoking was unbearable, but not only in the casino where it was the worse. There is no reason they can not put out something like ammonia or similar when people are not there to clear the air. Even when the casino was closed it smelled really bad. And the one night they did have no smoking (really, one night?) I found someone smoking and told the casino staff. At least this smoker felt that he was above the rules.

 

Smoking is also allowed, surprisingly, in the rooms and balconies. Many other cruise lines have stopped this. I believe Princess must be considering this as we were sent a survey on just smoking so they are obviously considering something more restrictive.

 

I find it hard to believe they cant install smoke clearing ionizers to control that nasty smell better

[lindy sails]

Thanks everyone for your responses. We never once felt crowded on the ship. No lines anytime. The ship is layed out so nicely there is ample space in all of the public areas, bars & lounges. I had a chair in the Sanctuary- there were a few times on sea days the adult pool was crowed but its a small pool and it wasn't an issue. Princess passengers are the best.

The 20% off coupon for the coffee card was in the Patters on day 2. I believe there were power hours prices on certain drinks between 4 & 6. One afternoon late in the day I stopped at the outrigger bar for a pina colada during an island sail away & paid $2.99. Although I had to ask for a rum floater on the top since I couldn't taste the alcohol! I usually drink wine or had great martinis

at Scooners.

[NJRonbo]

Also on the same cruise (see my review in the Crown Princess review area), I thought we had a very smooth sailing and a sensational week overall.

 

Best thing about this week is that it was pretty much kid-free. Did not see many kids on the ship except for a few preschoolers. I was amazed how many adults were in the main pool without kids diving in around them.

 

Ship did not feel crowded at all. Internet was super speedy all week. Did not seem there were many laptops aboard.

[coops]

We where on the same cruise and I found the internet to be very slow till the last day. Took almost half hour to get my email. I never had that problem before. Maybe because I was getting free internet. Noticed alot of people having problems also.

 

Dawn

[grandmaa]

Agree with you about the smoking issue. It must be devastating for the crew members health wise that have to work in the enclosed area of the casino. I do wish that Princess would become a non smoking line or make some ships non smoking doing the same itineraries. They should try something like this and see how it works out..which ships are fuller..smoking or non smoking and then make a corporation decision. JMHO