Another CB 6/4 - 6/11 Cruiser

[PM Cruisers]

There are several other reviews of this cruise... so I won't bore you with too many details... other than our own unique view. ( We didn't meet Pam and Rex...but wished we would have... I'm sure we did see them in Crooner!!)

 

Embarkation - We went early - as a matter of fact, the shuttle from the Amerisuites wouldn't even take us at 10:45... so we took a cab. It was only $6 and we got our lugguge in the bins and right in to the terminal. We were on the ship by 11:50. It was a different port location so the Princess staff seemed to be a bit confused... but it all worked out fine.

 

Cabin - We booked the lowest category and had looked on-line a couple weeks earlier to fine we had a handicapped cabin (E303). It's an outside "obstructed view". We were very happy.. it was a huge cabin and we could see out fine. We choose not to have a balcony with this cruise and I'm glad... we got a great deal for the money.

 

Favorite Spot -

 

Back of the ship - Outriggers and loungers. Crooners Martini bar. Spa pool.

 

Food - We rarely ate in the buffet... I was surprised so many others ate there every night. We did go up for b-fast and ate out back by the pool.. very nice. It was typical b-fast buffet food. The fruit was great.

 

We ate at Sterlings 3X... couldn't resist.. it was wonderful. (even went for lunch on the last day) The 10oz filet was wonderful. It would have cost at least $150 - $200 for the dinner in our city. We felt that $30 per couple was a great deal!! We ate at Sabatinis 1X... it was OK... but really just too much food. I was almost sick by the time the lobster arrived.. I ate it... but felt terrible. I had to go to bed ... could hardly stay awake. They serve WAY too much food!!! We ate at the Palm 2X.. it was just OK... one night I couldn't eat the entree because it was too salty. (pasta) It was also very hectic and rushed. All in all... I would say the food was fine. It wasn't near as good as the Celebrity cruise we went on in 3/04.

 

Bars - We loved Crooners. We like martinis and really enjoyed the 52 variety. We had several each evening. The servers were great. The pool bars were OK...but the staff weren't very friendly. We bought one "soda card" for soda water... they didn't act very interested in getting you the soda.. .I thought they were really rude to the kids... I didn't bring mine, but did noticed that the bar staff weren't thrilled with the multiple kids wanting Pop.

 

Ports of call - They were OK.. but we didn't do any excursions. If you've been to Disney's Castaway Cay... Princess Cay will be a disappointment. It was very unorganized and crowded. They should skip the food... there were so many flies that I couldn't even eat the food... yuck!!! Some other reviews mentioned the cabanas.. .we laughed as they did look like ovens. Gosh... we were glad we didn't get one. Go early and get a nice place under a palm tree!!

 

Montego Bay -- Took a cab to Jimmy Buffets -- drank margaritas and beer -- went back to ship.

 

Grand Cayman -- Walked around for 1/2 hr... got fed up with the crowds and got back on the ship... great time for enjoying the spa pool (anyone can go to the spa pool... it's very nice)

 

Cozemel -- This port has really improved in the last 10 years... it was very nice. We got off and ate Guac/chips and drank beer within 15 min. The terminal you have to walk through is quite funny... I've never seen so much alcohol in my life... jeez.... there is a mile of it!!! (really)

 

Spa:

 

Advice -- know how to say no! I was shocked when I went for a facial and found that they had charged $300 on my account for products before it was completed. They wanted me to buy over $1000 in products. I had to argue with the women to take the charges off... the facial was suppose to be $105. It really annoyed me and we didn't go back for any other services. Not to mention the changing rooms stunk like the sewer. I didn't smell this in other part of the ship... only the spa????

 

Weather:

 

It did get a bit rocky the last couple days... but not anything we haven't experienced before. I think the captain did a great job keeping the ship out of the bad weather.

 

MUTS: Missed this... each time we went through it was a kids movie and about 100 degrees. We wanted to go later in the week... but it was always raining... too bad!!!

 

Casino: Looked nice.. .but we didn't do anything but walk through. We just didn't want to take the time... too much else to enjoy.

 

Overall:

 

We've cruised on Carnival (2X), NCL, Disney (2X), Celebrity and now Princess. I think this cruise was a good time and wasn't disappointed. I would put Celebrity and Disney above the pack. (Would never cruise Carnival again) Seems to us that NCL and Princess were very similar. We did book another open cruise on the ship. I hope to go again next year!!!!

[CMPERG]

Was our first cruise and I was very impressed with everything. Would not do Sabatini's again either as it was too much food and not my style. Enjoyed Sterlings steakhouse and wish we had done it twice too.

Did tours and enjoyed the whole experience. Just like any vacation, it is what you put in to it that counts. We opted for the balcony on the Caribe and I could have sat there the entire week and been happy. Peaceful and quiet.....now give me a stack of books! Princess Cays is great if you don't mind a crowd, but we got there early and went back to the boat early to enjoy the Spa pool with no crowd.

Definitely sold on the cruise idea and will be looking now for one next year.

Cruise Critic made it so much easier for us to prepare. You have all been great!

[JettaGirl]

PMCruisers.. Good review! I am going on the CB in August and I am so excited.

 

One question.. you mentioned the bar Crooners many times... and how good the martinis were. On average, do you remember how expensive the martinis were? For example, I love apple martinis so would you happen to remember how much they were!? Thank you for any info you can give me!

 

I am glad you enjoyed your first cruise on Princess!

[LARGIN]

If like "Crooners" on the Coral they are $4.95

[PM Cruisers]

:) Yes... $4.95 is the price. We thought this was very reasonable... they were around $8.00 on Celebrity. There is an waiter there from India - Rajiv... he is very funny and will look for you if you go often. They sell the recipies on a deck of cards for $5.00 on the last day.

[Kellie in Texas]

PM Cruisers - How was the Amerisuites hotel? We'll be staying there pre-cruise in October before boarding the Caribbean Princess. Got it for $50 on Priceline, so I was pretty pleased. What's the selection for breakfast? And I take it that it is too far to walk from there to the cruise terminal? Thanks for the info; can't wait to see the CB for myself. Kellie in Texas

[PM Cruisers]

The Amerisuites was fine.. nothing fancy, but clean and nice for one night. They had a nice breakfast .. rolls, fruit, cereal, waffels and eggs. It's within walking distance of the new Publix.. we walked over for last minute items (wine!). It's too far to walk to the pier.. but there is a shuttle. We ended up getting a cab because the shuttle bus driver wouldn't take us there before noon. It only cost $6 and we were one of the first on the ship!

 

 

Enjoy your cruise... I wish I was going again!!! ;)