Crown Vs. Zenith

[ukulelejack]

My girlfriend and I are planning to go from NYC to Bermuda the first week of September--hopefully no hurricanes. We are new to cruising and can't decide between the Norwegian Crown and Celebrity Zenith. We are both in our early 30s, but going on 60, and would prefer an older, quieter crowd--though we like a good disco at night. We also aren't loaded, so cheap is also good. And we'd like plenty of space at the pool. Any opinions from cruisers who've been on both/either Crown and Zenith are much appreciated.
Also, any info on what Bermuda is like in early September would be great!
THANKS!

[Dolphins]

I would also consider RCI's Empress of the Seas. She was just completely renovated and offers alternate 6 and 8 day cruises to Bermuda out of New York. She also has balcony cabins.

[herb]

We sailed on the Zenith to Bermuda and had a wonderful time. No matter which ship you choose Bermuda as a destination is 2 thumbs up [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

I'm also wondering why you didn't list Royal Caribbeans Empress of the Seas (renamed from Nordic Empress). From what I hear a totally renovated ship. Our friends sailed on her last summer and said the ship was beautiful.

Unfortunately I can't comment on Crown. Never sailed this ship nor do I personally know anyone who has.

herb

T.S. Bremen '67
M.S. Europa '67
Carnival Mardi Gras '80
NCL S.S. Norway '81 (honeymoon)
RCCL Majesty of the Seas '95
Carnival Fascination '99
Celebrity Zenith '00
Carnival Victory '01
NCL Norwegian Sea '02
RCI Voyager of the Seas '03

Looking forward to:
NCL Pride of ????? ~ Summer '05 ~ Hawaiian Islands~Aloha
[img]http://www.bauchtanzinfo.de/Bilder%20Animierte%20Gifs/Hula7.gif[/img] [img]http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Nature/Trees/Palms_in_the_sun.gif[/img]

[luv cruising]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_wink.gif[/img]I SECOND ROYAL CARIBB EMPRESS OF THE SEAS I WAS BOOKED ON THE CROWN FOR JUNE 04 CRUISE TO BERMUDA I DID NOT LIKE REVIEWS FROM CRUISERS THAT JUST GOT OFF THAT SHIP . SO I GOT LUCKY AND GOT A BALCONY ON EMPRESS FOR A WEEK LATER.I WAS ON HER WHEN SHE WAS THE NORDIC EMPRESS (SHE IS GETTING A TOUCH UP IN 2 WEEKS)READY FOR THE BERMUDA TRIPS.SHE IS A GOOD SHIP FOR YOU GUYS I WAS IN MY 30'S AND SAILED HER SOLO I HAD A GREAT TIME PLENTY TO DO AND PLENTY OF PLACES TO KICK BACK AND RELAX.HAVE FUN

[ukulelejack]

Wow--I didn't look at the Empress mainly because I didn't think about leaving from Bayonne (I live in NYC), but perhaps it's worth hopping over to Jersey. Thanks for the info. Have any of you sailed to Bermuda in early September? Is the weather okay?

Herb, how was cruising back in the 60s? Must have been very different than it is now.

ukulelejack

[garykool81]

I sailed with a gentleman aboard Norwegian Sea (which we both agreed was far below standards set on most other NCL ships) who had been aboard Nordic Empress, now Empress of the Seas, more than ten times. He absolutely loved the ship and said it was remarkable for an older vessel.

I've also spoken with many people who've sailed aboard Zenith and Horizon. All would recommend that over the smaller NCL Crown.

Gary Kulash
[url="http://www.badelephant.com"]www.badelephant.com[/url]

Carnival Holiday 8/02
NCL Majesty 1/03
NCL Norway 5/25/03
NCL Sea 7/03
Celebrity Galaxy 3/04
Celebrity Mercury 10/04

[luv cruising]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_cool.gif[/img] THAT MAKES ME FEEL REAL GOOD I KNEW I WAS NOT GOING TO BE HAPPY WITH THE CROWN.UKLELEJACK.WE TO ARE FROM NYC.BUT IT SEEMS ITS WORTH THE TRIP OVER TO JERSEY.ALSO TO ANS.YOUR QUESTION I DID SAIL ON NORDIC IN SEPT.THER WAS A HURRICANE AS I RECALL THERE WERE 2 BUT IT WAS FINE.JUST HANG OUT AT THE TOP DECK OUTSIDE THATS WHAT THEY TOLD ME TO DO BUT HURR.SEASON IS I BELIEVE MAY OR JUNE TILL OCT.

[herb]

Unfortunately hurricane season doesn't end till November so there's always that chance. Sailing to Bermuda at any time will be a bit choppy until you get past Cape Hatteras due to ocean currents. It's quite odd that the ship will rock and sway a bit even though the ocean looks so calm. We had a great time in the pool...it was like being in a wave pool at a waterpark [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

herb

T.S. Bremen '67
M.S. Europa '67
Carnival Mardi Gras '80
NCL S.S. Norway '81 (honeymoon)
RCCL Majesty of the Seas '95
Carnival Fascination '99
Celebrity Zenith '00
Carnival Victory '01
NCL Norwegian Sea '02
RCI Voyager of the Seas '03

Looking forward to:
NCL Pride of ????? ~ Summer '05 ~ Hawaiian Islands~Aloha
[img]http://www.bauchtanzinfo.de/Bilder%20Animierte%20Gifs/Hula7.gif[/img] [img]http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Nature/Trees/Palms_in_the_sun.gif[/img]

[Dolphins]

September is a good time to sail to Bermuda because the kids are back in school. I wouldn't worry about hurricanes as Bermuda gets only one good hurricane in 20 years and they had one last year. We sail Empress of the Seas October 2nd, the last 8 day Bermuda cruise before they reposition to the Caribbean.

[cmitch9999]

We booked the Crown to Bermuda based on these factors:
has the best itinerary in Bermuda--stops at all 3 ports and will be in St. George and Hamilton the nights they have their street parties

Freestyle cruising instead of the fixed seating times on RCL or Celebrity. We want that flexibility to be open to eat dinner when we want.

Optional formal nights-- we are happy not to have to bring the formal attire along on a cruise.

Love sailing past the statue of liberty.

Bus service available from Baltimore for $50pp.

Have sailed both RCL on Nordic Empress our 1st cruise ever that got us hooked, it's a great ship but the majority of cabins are very very TINY!! The one sailing we did on Celebrity we were turned off by the 'formal' atmosphere and stuffy passengers.

whatever ship you choose, have a great cruise
Chris Mitchell

16 Voyages completed 1999-2004, 81 wonderful days at sea
dreaming of ....
Norwegian Crown 8/04
Carnival Fascination 11/04

[tug]

cmitch9999,

You just stated all the reasons why my husband is keeping us on the Crown. Which cruise in Aug are you on? We're on the 8/8.

~tug

[cmitch9999]

Hi Tug
we will also be sailing on 8/8, have 11 of us coming from Baltimore celebrating my Dad's 80th birthday. Looking forward to a great cruise!!!!

Chris Mitchell

16 Voyages completed 1999-2004, 81 wonderful days at sea
dreaming of ....
Norwegian Crown 8/04
Carnival Fascination 11/04

[ukulelejack]

Thanks everybody for your helpful responses. I am torn--the Empress sounds wonderful, but I do like the sound of the Crown's casual atmosphere. My tuxedo definitely isn't coming with me to Bermuda!

One more question: Any recommendations on best cabins to book--or avoid--on the Crown? I don't want to be under the disco, for instance, or stuck looking out at a life boat.

Thanks again--ukulelejack

[davy jones]

I have sailed on Bermuda cruises in the first and second weeks of September. If there are no hurricanes, the weather is very good, warm enough for the pool. Keep in mind that a tropical storm 500 miles away can result in rough seas, even if the weather is sunny.

If I recall, night time entertaimnent on ships in port in Bermuda is limited. It is usually the disco and the house band, piano player, etc. No production shows. I think it's Bermuda regulations.

[tug]

Any kids with you? my daughter will be 10 [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]


<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by cmitch9999:
Hi Tug
we will also be sailing on 8/8, have 11 of us coming from Baltimore celebrating my Dad's 80th birthday. Looking forward to a great cruise!!!!

Chris Mitchell

16 Voyages completed 1999-2004, 81 wonderful days at sea
dreaming of ....
Norwegian Crown 8/04
Carnival Fascination 11/04<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

[cmitch9999]

Tug-
my boys are 13 and 15 (soon 16) and a daughter 22-- I am sure there will be others in the age group for your daughter. Unfortunately my guys won't join in the cruise activities. Sister's girls are now 23 and 25...we first sailed to Bermuda 5 yrs ago when the boys were around your daughter's ages. They had a blast on the ship with all the activities. Make sure she will try to go the first night to the kid's club , they have the ice breaker activities to get the kids comfortable.
Chris Mitchell

16 Voyages completed 1999-2004, 81 wonderful days at sea
dreaming of ....
Norwegian Crown 8/04
Carnival Fascination 11/04

[Barb C]

Hi UkuleleJack,
I love talking about Bermuda Cruises. This is my favorite itinerary. I've been on the Zenith 3 Septembers in a row. Last year we went in between 2 hurricanes, Fabian (which as you know hit Bermuda) and Isabel which was threatening our area. It was still a beautiful trip. The Bermudians were glad to see us since the ship the week before had been diverted to New England. I've heard good things about the Empress of the Seas too. I always pick the Zenith because you dock right on Front Street in Bermuda. On Wed and Thurs you dock in St. Georges (my favorite) you can walk anywhere from here. We walked 1/2 hour to Fort St. Catherine beach. On the way back we bought an ice cream cone in the town square and watched the festivities the towns people put on. It's very quaint. Bermuda is beautiful in September and not crowded.

[Dan p]

We sailed on the Crown on a repo cruise march 22,2004.The ship was nice but the crew seemed very unhappy.We broke down[yes] in aruba and left port 6 hours late.
The casino staff were very friendly.And if you have any questions to ask I would ask them.
We were in a inside cabin on the ninth deck,9078.It was a nice big room for an inside but we felt nothing.The area where this room is used to be were the teather was when it was part of the Orient lines.Location was nice to the pool and you were in the aft.
But as far as fun you make your own.

[ukulelejack]

Thanks again everyone--your responses have been really helpful. My girlfriend and I are leaning towards the Crown, mostly because the idea of freestyle dining really appeals. We don't want to have to rush back to the ship, or away from an activity, to make a meal seating, and we also aren't so interested in the formal nights. THEN someone told us that with freestyle dining you get LONG LINES of people waiting to eat. If anyone can tell us about their experience with freestyle dining, it would be great! What are the pros and cons?

Thanks again, Ukulelejack

[SailorsMate]

I am also going on the Crown -- 8/29- I decided to go for all the reasons one of the posters above cited-- no formal night, freestyle, etc. I was on the Dawn 2/29- Freestyle Dining was fine- No wait- I wanted a table for two- We dined at 6 PM since we wanted to see the shows and generally keep our evening open.. Only time I encountered a wait was the last night- I wanted a table for two, they took my name and told me to come back in 30 minutes.. The table was ready. IF you are more flexible and agree to a "share" immediate seating would have been available that evening as well..