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Crown Princess January 14-21, 2012

jpg1747

By jpg1747,
in Princess Cruises

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jpg1747

jpg1747

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I'm not going to write a full, formal review since there have been so many written recently and I pretty much agree with what they all said. There are just a couple of things I want to touch on though.

 

First, Cabin E405, which is designated a DD oceanview. True enough if you are looking straight out the window. However, looking to the left, and moreso to the right, there are deck obstructions. This is a starboard side cabin and in port (at least for Aruba and Curacao) it was irrelevant as it faces the water. Otherwise it is a great cabin as far as location and it's very quiet, located above one of the shops.

 

Second, the first sea day formal wine tasting event. It's worth the $25 .... mostly. The invitation you receive in your cabin lists the wines to be tasted - 3 red and 3 white. When you enter you are given a glass of champagne and shown to a table. There are plates of small bites (each plate with enough for 2 people) on the table, along with the requisite wine glasses. Different staff talk about the various wines. However, there is no instruction as to what to eat with each wine and when to eat it. People were snacking all during the tasting. But the thing that ruined the entire event for me was the blatant push by a spa representative for a teeth whitening session at the end -- because we were drinking red wine!

 

All in all, it was exactly the cruise I wanted - very low key and relaxing. If you have any questions, I'll try to answer them.

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cruzinchris

cruzinchris

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Wow, that's a new one for me. Having a commercial during a wine tasting event. It's a good thing it was at the end when you had the opertunity to walk out. :p

 

Counterproductive to both causes, as well. The wine tasting events encourage attendees to purchase wines with their evening meals. The spa hopes you'll take advantage of the teeth-whitening service offered onboard after which you'll be instructed to avoid drinking red wine following treatment. Wonder whose brilliant - not so much! - idea this was :rolleyes:

 

Cheers!

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Ginnyfyr

Ginnyfyr

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Second, the first sea day formal wine tasting event. It's worth the $25 .... mostly.

 

Do you have to sign up ahead of time for this wine tasting or do they just scan your card when you show up?? This sounds like something my hubby would enjoy when we're on the Crown in March; I think he did something similar on the CB last spring but I can't recall if he had to sign up ahead of time. Thanks for your review!

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cruzinchris

cruzinchris

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Do you have to sign up ahead of time for this wine tasting or do they just scan your card when you show up?? This sounds like something my hubby would enjoy when we're on the Crown in March; I think he did something similar on the CB last spring but I can't recall if he had to sign up ahead of time. Thanks for your review!

 

The $25 wine tasting Maitre d' Wine Club used to require pre-registration and attendance was limited. It was best to sign up beforehand so that you were assured a spot at the event. The first wine tasting cost less and was held prior to the Wine Club and waiters recruited guests then. Over the past few years, the pricier wine tasting is held first with the cheaper one taking place later in the cruise.

 

I always attend the Wine Club tasting and have found that it is very crowded. If you think you might want to attend, sign up so you're assured a spot. If you change your mind, you won't be charged if you don't attend. jmo

 

Cheers!

Chris

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Yackswife

Yackswife

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Very glad to hear that you were happy with E405. That's the cabin we booked for our March 17th cruise. The location and quietness were priority and although not a perfect view I'm happy that we won't be staring at a lifeboat. We too are looking forward to a relaxing cruise that's why I liked the three days at sea.

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preschool teacher

preschool teacher

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Very glad to hear that you were happy with E405. That's the cabin we booked for our March 17th cruise. The location and quietness were priority and although not a perfect view I'm happy that we won't be staring at a lifeboat. We too are looking forward to a relaxing cruise that's why I liked the three days at sea.

 

I'm on the march 17th cruise too....Are you on our roll call? If not please join in......

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jpg1747

jpg1747

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Do you have to sign up ahead of time for this wine tasting or do they just scan your card when you show up?? This sounds like something my hubby would enjoy when we're on the Crown in March; I think he did something similar on the CB last spring but I can't recall if he had to sign up ahead of time. Thanks for your review!

 

You sign up in advance with the same people who are hawking the wine packages. Then you get your invitation in your stateroom. Hold on to your receipt. I didn't get my invitation until a couple of hours before the event and wouldn't have known it was in my cabin if I hadn't gone there for something else.

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jpg1747

jpg1747

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I'd like to know how the ports were.....and how the bands were....thanks..I'll be on in march.

 

What exactly do you want to know about the ports?

 

At Princess Cays I rented a clamshell - it was very nice, but I couldn't turn it when the sun shifted in the afternoon.

 

In Curacao I took the ships tour to Hato Caves with a walking tour of Willemstad.

 

In Aruba I took the ships tour of the Ostrich Farm, the natural bridge, the rock formations and the lighthouse. Included in the tour (at no extra charge) the driver pointed out every resort, casino and shopping mall on the way back to the ship. <insert sarcasm symbol here> The tour description says it includes shopping, but other than what was at each stop, we didn't make a stop specifically for that.

 

I really liked the band that played on deck and in the Explorers Lounge (sorry, I can't remember their name). High energy and songs that I can sing along to. I didn't spend any time with any other of the music acts.

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palolake

palolake

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I really liked the band that played on deck and in the Explorers Lounge (sorry, I can't remember their name). High energy and songs that I can sing along to. I didn't spend any time with any other of the music acts.

 

The band was Elements. They were great, weren't they?

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jpg1747

jpg1747

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Thanks for the information on the wine tasting. We live in wine country in PA and really would enjoy that. Do you know if you can prebook the Sanctuary prior to sailing. Thanks...

 

From what I understand (and I may be wrong), you have to do it onboard. I do know that you can't book a single day in advance.

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