Live from the Crown Princess–r/t LA-Hawai’i–March 2-17, 2023

[travelin.sisters]

Just now, cr8tiv1 said:

You had much better food at the buffet than you would have had at the Luau.  But I agree, not fair to substitute buffet for Luau.  I wonder if this is because they provided you with "Ha". Did the initial excursion include both the Luau (with Polynesian show) AND "Ha"?

the excursion included both when I booked it...I even printed it out, because in the past I have thought what I booked was not what the excursion was but then maybe I remembered wrong so for the excursions this cruise that they changed I know they are not what we paid for...I expect to pay more for a Princess excursion, because of the promise not to sail without us, but with the changes it was very nearly double what the price of booking with the PCC directly & using their transportation, which is very steep.

[travelin.sisters]

Honolulu~March 7

Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life Show, Maps & Flyers, Thoughts

 

The show was my favorite part of the day & I really wish I could have seen it all. Our driver told us that we had to leave before the show was over so that we would be the first bus out. Maybe three quarters of our group left at the time he told us to. This meant that we missed a substantial part of a show we paid a lot to see & we didn't leave early. In the end, even with leaving later than our driver wanted, we were still back before the excursion was supposed to return & well before the ship would have sailed.

 

The Polynesian Cultural Center is well worth doing, but the Princess excursion is not ideal. If you are on a single day stay in Honolulu, I don't think there is another safe option to assure you get back to the ship before sailing, but I wish, when they told us that we were overnighting in Honolulu, I had canceled & rebooked directly with the Polynesian Cultural Center. We could have either saved a lot of money or had a fancier package for the same price. 

 

Below are some of the various papers from the Polynesian Cultural Center if anyone is interested.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

 

Edited March 15, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[travelin.sisters]

Honolulu~March 7

Onboard the Crown

 

A few shipboard things I discovered…the International Cafe does have soup, it is just way behind the counter, they have full rolls of flatware way off to one side & they will heat your sandwich if you ask…they have the toaster oven rather than the press that most older ships do…also the naturalist’s enrichment lectures are now starting to be added to the TV menu in addition to Tiki Dave’s port talks.

 

 

Unlike the last time we had an overnight stay in a tender port where they closed down for the night, the gangway remained open all night. This meant that many of the crew were going out to explore Honolulu after getting off work. We saw several leaving as we were returning from our excursion.

 

SInce my sister stayed aboard, she was able to go to the Folkloric Performance with Halau Lilia Makonaoe. We were unable to do this on earlier cruises because we had late excursions. She said it was wonderful. She enjoyed her restful, relaxing day onboarrd & was able to find food she liked in the International Cafe. 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

[travelin.sisters]

Honolulu~March 7

Exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)

 

The guest areas of the Gala deck are pretty much the medical department (which I hope to have no opportunity to photograph this cruise) & the gangway area. They will usually have a table filled with towels to take ashore & a bin to return them in on your way back. Disembarking they will scan your Medallion as you leave the ship. On your return your Medallion will be scanned to get into the terminal & again to get on the ship. Metal detectors & scanning of your belongings will either happen in the terminal or onboard. In Honolulu it happened ashore in the terminal. Often when you are exiting or entering the ship, you will be able to see into the long hallways in the crew areas of the Gala deck. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

Edited March 15, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[cr8tiv1]

While you are still on the ship, I would speak to the office in charge at the Excursion Desk and explain your concerns.

 

1.  DIfference in what you booked and what you got.

2.  Price

3.  Having to leave the show early and still wait in the bus.

4.  Considering that this was an overnight stay, there should not have been a rush to get you back.

 

The least they can do is offer you refundable OBC or refund the cost of the excursion. 

[NikiPinkston]

I was curious to see how you liked "Ha." We thought it was amazing and all of the performers were incredibly talented!. So sorry that you didn't get to see the end of the show. I hope that you can get a refund or some OBC.

Edited March 15, 2023 by NikiPinkston

[travelin.sisters]

2 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

While you are still on the ship, I would speak to the office in charge at the Excursion Desk and explain your concerns.

 

1.  DIfference in what you booked and what you got.

2.  Price

3.  Having to leave the show early and still wait in the bus.

4.  Considering that this was an overnight stay, there should not have been a rush to get you back.

 

The least they can do is offer you refundable OBC or refund the cost of the excursion. 

......As much as I don't want to do that, you are right I should at least ask what they will do for us...I know I am more likely to get a positive resolution on the ship than once we are off...

[travelin.sisters]

1 hour ago, NikiPinkston said:

I was curious to see how you liked "Ha." We thought it was amazing and all of the performers were incredibly talented!. So sorry that you didn't get to see the end of the show. I hope that you can get a refund or some OBC.

Thank you, what we saw was fantastic...I am thinking about doing it on our own next year when we have a planned overnight in Honolulu 

[Happiest when cruising]

14 minutes ago, travelin.sisters said:

......As much as I don't want to do that, you are right I should at least ask what they will do for us...I know I am more likely to get a positive resolution on the ship than once we are off...

At the very least, please go onto the Princess site, under the excursions, and give a very  honest review. It will help the rest of us who might be thinking of taking the same one. 
 

[travelin.sisters]

Just now, Happiest when cruising said:

At the very least, please go onto the Princess site, under the excursions, and give a very  honest review. It will help the rest of us who might be thinking of taking the same one. 
 

yes I will do that

[travelin.sisters]

Honolulu~March 7 

Wrap Up & Random Thoughts

 

Because I travel with older, risk adverse people, we pretty much do Princess excursions & have been happy with them. We know that they are more expensive than booking directly, but often have OBC to use for them & like the peace of mind of knowing the ship will not leave without us. This cruise, for the first time, I have been pretty frustrated with them. Two of our three excursions were changed by removing or decreasing parts of the excursion from what had been listed at the time we paid for them without refunding any of the price paid. 

 

We had been booked on an excursion to a pineapple plantation on Maui which they shortened by an hour & removed the lunch. This change we were notified about via email to our travel agent. After thinking about the cost of what we were now getting as well as my people's ability to do this excursion, we chose to cancel it. 

 

The second was today's Polynesian Cultural Center excursion which we only received a letter 2 days before our excursion that we would not be going to the luau (which has apparently been changed for a long time). Because I really wanted to go there, we decided to continue with this excursion.

 

 

When we booked the excursion, I compared the excursion price to booking directly at the Polynesian Cultural Center plus their transportation & decided that  even though it was a steep markup, the convenience & the promise that we would return in time to sail was worth it. My sister was concerned that we would not get to watch the entire show (as happened on her Princess excursion between 10-15 years ago), I (foolishly, apparently) said, no we are staying late & the show ends at 9pm & the excursion information says its an hour & a half bus ride home so there is time. Princess surely knows (& maybe encourages) that the drivers are telling guests to leave the show early, which means they are selling something they know we will not get. All of this feels like fales advertising & I feel the need to address it even if I don't get a decent resolution, I just need to figure out how & who to speak or write to. [after reading Renee @cr8tiv1's response, I will try & make myself go talk to someone about this] 

 

 

Anyway, enough of my rant…it was a lovely day on Oahu & tomorrow we get to explore more…back to enjoying being in Hawai'i...

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7:  exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

[NikiPinkston]

We really enjoyed the Luau last November but, if it's any consolation, it looks like you had a much larger variety of food from which to choose at the buffet. We liked the Luau for the show that was included - removing the roasted pig from the emu and a hula performance - as well as the huge virgin pina coladas we were served, but the food selection wasn't really outstanding.

[travelin.sisters]

Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8

Adventures in Honolulu

  

Up early & got photos of Honolulu & the Aloha Tower lit up with the moon overhead, then the sun coming up. Buffet breakfast again (have you ever wondered why they have a whole section of sandwich items in the breakfast buffet?). 

 

 

 

 

 

 

After our long adventure the day before, BIL decided to stay home & rest up for Maui. My sissy & I were glad for the extra day in Honolulu to go to the Hawai'ian fabric store we had visited before. When cruising, you meet so many friendly & helpful people (also on CC) & the mother of one of the instructors on several 'ukulele cruises had recommended Fabric Mart for Hawai'ian prints. Last time we ubered to the store, but this time we decided to try something different. 

 

 

 

We took the Hilo Hattie shuttle to their store where we received our shell leís & bought replacements for my white plumeria earrings which had broken & won't stay glued together. An interesting connection (at least to me) is that many years (think decades) ago our grandmother was the accountant for Hilo Hattie (the person not the store). 

 

From Hilo Hattie's the GPS said it was only ½ mile to Fabric Mart & we decided that was walkable. It was a lovely morning & not too hot…until there was no shade for the walk & we got further away from the ocean breezes. Then my sissy was wondering if she would make it, fortunately we had brought her walker (which has a seat), water & hats, so she could rest & recover a bit. 

 

Fabric Mart has an entire downstairs area of Hawai’ian print fabrics in a rainbow of colors at very reasonable prices (upstairs they have other kinds of designs). It is hard to restrict yourself to just a little more than you need rather than way more than you need. We ended up with several patterns and of cotton bark cloth & cotton quilting weight fabric, they also have blends. 

 

 

 

 

We debated getting an uber for the trip back to the ship, but my sister thought she was able to walk. The sun was at a different angle, so it didn’t feel as intense. It wasn’t the prettiest part of Honolulu, but anywhere in Hawai’i there is beauty to be found.

 

 

 

 

We stopped at Walmart to look for wasabi macadamia nuts for my BIL. The didn’t have any so we only bought bottles of lemonade to drink. Back at Ala Moana shopping center we saw the Kanilea ‘Ukulele store which looked more like an art or jewelry store. Their ‘ukuleles are so beautiful & displayed like works of art. Back at Hilo Hattie’s there a long list for the shuttle but fortunately we were in the second load back to the Crown. 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7:  exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7:  wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

 

 

 

 

Edited March 15, 2023 by travelin.sisters
photos

[toronto.gal]

If you are staying in a minisuite - or have access - can you tell me if there is a curtain separating the areas, as there is on the Royal class and later ships.

TIA,

Judy

[travelin.sisters]

50 minutes ago, toronto.gal said:

If you are staying in a minisuite - or have access - can you tell me if there is a curtain separating the areas, as there is on the Royal class and later ships.

TIA,

Judy

sorry, no minisuite....anyone else?

[travelin.sisters]

Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8

Patter, Weather, Progress & Photo of the Day

Weather was warm & humid, but no rain while we were out. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7:  exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7:  wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263

[CruzeQueen2]

Thank you again @travelin.sisters. Your reports for this voyage are such a pleasure to read. You write with such a friendly style; I feel that you are sharing your experiences as if you are writing to your friends - i.e., friends on CC! 

I have one of these voyages booked for 2024 and appreciate that you are sharing so much helpful information with us. Mahalo! Any tips or tricks about this ship are also appreciated, as I have a booking for this ship coming up in August.

 

As an aside, I would like to encourage you to report to the shore excursion desk to tell them about your disappointing experiences. You are so articulate here; you can easily share your thoughts with the ship, in the same manner, yes?  I think there are comment forms... perhaps you could ask for one to record your comments on paper, take a photo, as a copy of your comments. See what follows...

Good luck!

Keep us posted, if you can, as time permits. Enjoy those sea days coming up!

[Sea&SkiCruiser]

I am enjoying reading about your adventures.  DH and I did this cruise on the Crown over Christmas and New Year’s.  Luckily the weather and seas cooperated and we were able to visit all four ports.  If you haven’t already, I too encourage you to visit the shore excursion desk.   After I looked at our pre-purchased shore excursion tickets I noticed that something wasn’t right, that they had given us the wrong tickets for the PCC.  The tickets indicated a buffet, no luau.  I inquired about it at the excursion desk and was told that the PCC no longer does the luau with the pig in emu.  The guy at the desk said that Germaine’s also quit doing the pig in emu.  Well, imagine my surprise when we arrived at the PCC to find out that there was a luau, one that we had paid for but weren’t able to attend.  I was just a little upset, but managed to enjoy visiting the villages.  The buffet was good.  We loved the show and were able to stay until the end.  On a sea day on the way back to LA I visited the excursion desk again and expressed my dissatisfaction with the lack of a luau and requested a partial refund.  I was told that they would check with corporate and get back with me.  About a day or two later we received a “goodwill credit” of $50. each on our account.  It’s worth a try if you haven’t tried already.

[travelin.sisters]

Since so many of you have encouraged me to go to the Shore Excursion desk I will make take a break in our regularly scheduled 'live' (can I still call it a live when I am a week behind in my posts?) to let you know that I did go talk to them & they gave us each a $50 good will credit (apparently a lot of people have been to discuss our driver making us leave early)...more when we get to today....Mahalo to all of you who encouraged me to do this

[cr8tiv1]

3 hours ago, toronto.gal said:

If you are staying in a minisuite - or have access - can you tell me if there is a curtain separating the areas, as there is on the Royal class and later ships.

TIA,

Judy

 

The Grand Class ships do not have curtains separating the two areas. 

 

Easy remedy is magnetic hooks on the ceiling and a cloth shower curtain.

[travelin.sisters]

Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8

Leaving for Maui

 

When it was time to leave port, the Captain warned us there would be strong enough winds to cause the ship to lean & make water shuttle operations the next day difficult. Watching as we left the port was the first time I have ever wondered if the pilot would be able to get off the ship onto his transport. I actually thought he might have to fly back from Maui the next day. The lean the Captain spoke about was definitely noticeable. Daylight sail away from Honolulu was beautiful.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7:  exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7:  wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

[toronto.gal]

1 hour ago, cr8tiv1 said:

 

The Grand Class ships do not have curtains separating the two areas. 

 

Easy remedy is magnetic hooks on the ceiling and a cloth shower curtain.

Thanks - great idea. Judy

[travelin.sisters]

Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8

DaVinci Dinner & A Show

 

We were easily seated at our table & they welcomed us back after missing the night before while on our excursion (we had let them know we would be gone). Our waiter said even he was having trouble walking with the ship’s movement.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Starters: cocktail of bay scallops, calamari, shrimp & black mussels, grilled chicken satay, barbecue chicken broth, Princess shrimp cocktail (everything was very good except the chicken satay which was flavorful but the chicken was a bit over cooked & rubbery…the beef satay is much better)

 

 

 

 

 

Entrees: wok flashed shrimp with Leihua honey, roast pork tenderloin with lavender fig butter, sirloin steak Diane (it was all very good except the William potatoes…Princess has a whole collection of potato dishes with different fancy names, but all of which taste like my mother’s leftover mashed potato pancake things, which are as unappetizing now as they were when I was a kid)

 

 

 

 

Desserts: pineapple cheesecake with midori liquor (good), watermelon sorbet (I like their sorbets as a refreshing bite after dinner), lychee, raspberry & rose mousse (my sissy didn’t want dessert, so i ordered this for her as I wanted to see what it was…not good), white chocolate mocha tart (our waiter recommended this, but when no one ordered it, he ordered it for us…it was quite good & the white chocolate was not noticeable)

 

 

 

 

 

No one wanted to go to the production show, Magic to Do with me except Baby Brother Bear so we went. He made a new friend & I visited with a very interesting woman who had grown up in Germany during WWII. I had forgotten that I had seen (& not enjoyed) this show before…I still didn’t, but as all the shows I saw this cruise the cast was excellent.

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

• Introduction~post 1

• Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

• Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

• Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

• Embarkation Day~March 2: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

• Embarkation. Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

• Embarkation Day~March 2: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75

• Embarkation Day~March 2: back to the cabin~Aloha Deck (12)~post 78

• Embarkation Day~March 2:  the papers & the patter~post 89

• Embarkation Day~March 2: DaVinci dinner~post 104

• Embarkation Day~March 2: wrap up & random thoughts~post 114

• Sea Day~March 3: good (very early) morning~post 142

• Sea Day~March 3: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 147

• Sea Day~March 3: mid-morning adventures~post 148

• Sea Day~March 3: lunch & a (mostly) lazy afternoon~post 149

• Sea Day~March 3: DaVinci dinner~post 150

• Sea Day~March 3: wrap up & random thoughts~post 151

• Sea Day~March 4: a (not so early) morning & DaVinci breakfast~post 167

• Sea Day~March 4 buffet lunch & afternoon adventures~post 172

• Sea Day~March 4: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 173

• Sea Day~March 4: DaVinci dinner & evening~post 175

• Sea Day~March 4: wrap up & random thoughts~post 176

• Sea Day~March 5: another relaxing day & Salty Dog Grill lunch~post 204

• Sea Day~March 5: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 205

• Sea Day~March 5: formal night, DaVinci dinner & a show~post 206

• Sea Day~March 5: wrap up & random thoughts~post 208

• Sea Day~March 6: another beautiful morning~post 216

• Sea Day~March 6: pub lunch & elite tea, oh my!~post 221

• Sea Day~March 6: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 224

• Sea Day~March 6: DaVinci dinner~post 225

• Sea Day~March 6: wrap up & random thoughts~post 226

• Honolulu~March 7: good morning, Honolulu~post 228

• Honolulu~March 7: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 229

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting there~post 230

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~getting in~post 231

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~islands of polynesia~post 233

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~exploring the islands of polynesia~post 239

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~spending time in Samoa~post 240

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~enjoying the beauty~post 241

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Gateway Buffet~post 249

• Honolulu~March 7: Polynesian Cultural Center~Ha Breath of Life show, maps & flyers, thoughts~post 252

• Honolulu~March 7: onboard the Crown~post 253

• Honolulu~March 7:  exploring the Crown Princess~Gala Deck (4)~post 254

• Honolulu~March 7:  wrap up & random thoughts~post 261

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: adventures in Honolulu~post 263 

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: patter, weather, progress & photo of the day~post 266

• Not Kauai; More Honolulu~March 8: leaving for Maui~post 271

[gottagoacruzn]

My, it sure does look yummy!!!

[mbglib]

Thank you so much for writing this. I am enjoying your trip!