Live From The Crown !!

[crusin'dave]

Susan

Are the mini suite balconys covered or uncovered on the dolphin deck? Don't want to always get sun.

[HotJet]

Susan

Are the mini suite balconys covered or uncovered on the dolphin deck? Don't want to always get sun.

 

Dolphin mini balconies are completely uncovered. Caribe balconies are partially covered. Aloha and Baja covered.

[Eurobistro]

I tried to compile all the stated facts from the 'Live from ..." threads.

Thanks so much for combining, we want to hear from all of you!

Please correct any mistakes, misunderstandings or mix-ups I might have made in my attempt to update this wonderful info you have put out there for us! Any/All of the Maiden Voyagers are encouraged to chime in. Please? Pretty Please? Well, here goes ...and I quote

 

Ship is gorgeous!

A substantial upgrade in class both in the details (wood, marble, and tile finishings everyhwere) but also in the refinements of the layout

The extras are optional, you have choices.

Starboard for Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline (while leaving).

Maurizio in Crooners. He's fantastic.

CD is James Lay. Captain Andrew Proctor

Maitree, the afternoon bartender at the Nepture pool bar, is fantastic, really plays up to kids also. He's a can't miss!!

 

STATEROOMS (mini-suite, so far)

Didn't notice any difference from the minis on Grand, linens are extremely soft and pillows and comforter are wonderful

They do not have jets in the bathtub in the minis, flat screen TVs, yes!

Plenty of storage in the minis - in addition to 2 drawers in each night table, there are several shelves next to the closet and an area under the TVs.

The closet in huge. There isn't a coffee pot.

After closer inspection I decided the balcony furniture is aluminum. The new balcony furniture is actually very comfortable.

The larger balconys still have the two recliners

hairdryer - the one I have home works better. If your hair is long bring your own.

you can ask for a top sheet in addition to the duvet.

The air conditioning actually works about as well as a home window unit,

 

SHOWS

The opening show Destination: Everywhere. One of the most interesting I have seen on a ship

 

MUTS

MUTS is very loud..They show 4-5 during the day and 2 at night, but you can't hear it in any other part of the ship!

Here is what they've shown so far: The Pink Panther, Duma, Herbie Fully Loaded, E>T., Piractes of the Caribbean, Prime, War of the Worlds, Toy Story, Corpse Bride, The Incredibles, Shrek, Failure to Launch, Cinderella Man, Bewitched, Yours, Mine and Ours, Just Like Heaven and CHarlie and the Choc. Factory.

 

"Adults Only" (outside areas)

 

The Sanctuary with the most comfortable outdoor lounges and very personal service ($3/day cover, but free on day of sailing & maiden voyage).

$3 to choose a seat (nothing to walk around). Also, they have a full drink and (looks good, didn't try) food menu of sandwiches, etc. $3 per delivery charge for everything but the drinks, those are just the normal 15%.

It was hard to not fall asleep and they have their own very high grade towels

Note: this includes the spa pool and hot tubs. All no kids.

Nice little touches like a cold near-frozen towel delivered to your chair about every 1/2 hour.

No reservations in the sanctuary. You can just come and go and bring in what you want, no smoking,

 

The Terrace Pool at the stern, with no special service, furniture, but also freee and freeee of kids, including 2 large hot tubs.

The Terrace bar, and access directly to the buffet. Stern adults only area is huge,

differeing only from the Sanctuary in that nobody comes to wait on your every need and it doesn't have the ultra comfortable furniture.

So, you can take your choice.

Stairs & Ladders - The aft pool and spa pool both have stairs. The 2 pools in the middle have ladders

 

PIAZZA

"street performers" in the piazza. They've had magicians, singers, jugglers.

They perform throughout the day and draw large crowds.

 

International Cafe has speciality coffees 24 hours/day at reasonable prices: $1.5 for espresso, $1 for cappucino, etc.

chocolate covered strawberries - 3.00 for 2, candy apples - 1.50.

They also have pastries and sandwiches and tapas - it changes depending on the time of day.

The only things that are not complimentary are the candies and gelati. The sandwiches, pastries, cookies and tapas, etc. are free. Its not clear - they should post a sign

Cappucino is readily available in 2-3 places. 24 hours at the Cafe on Deck 5 Piazza

Don't miss the warm delicious cookies at the International Cafe - (free).

Vines they were serving sushi - $3.00 for 3 pieces, other seafoods?

 

 

HORIZON COURT/ CAFE CARIBE

Horizon Court have changed hours. They close it at 5:30 and set up the buffet in Caribe Cafe.

Coffee/tea/juice carts around the Horizon and Caribe food courts during breakfast. Huge Improvement

Speaking of coffee Horizon Court coffee is vastly improved!

 

Menus

There are many new items, fewer choices on any given night, new every night items. style and print is different (I don't need classes to read).

Food is better than any of my previous Princess cruises. The staff needs some time to work as a team.

 

Afternoon tea is held everyday in one of the dining rooms

 

The soda card is $27.65 and well worth it: coke, dc, sptire, tonic, soda, ginger ale.

 

SPECIALITY RESTAURANTS

Want to go to either of the specialty restaurants, make reservations as soon as you board

They fill up quickly; either by going directly to the restaurants or calling

Review of the Crown Grill.

It was fabulous. They charge 25.00 pp with an extra 9.00 for the lobster.

You can order everything on the menu if you wish. The appetizers and soups are small, main course and desserts were normal size.

Everything was delicious and the service was excellent. Also the bread is wonderful.

 

 

&

Yes, there are individual milk cartons

 

Heiniken: yes.

 

Bon Voyage = tropical fruit punch!

 

Unless you like water sports, there's nothing much in Grand Turk...

 

Help! That's all I could see. Please add on ...Ruth

[moonmom]

Thanks Ruth for putting that all of the recent info together.....made for some great reading! We'll be on her on july 2nd...can't wait to enjoy it all firsthand!

 

jane :)

[Merion_Mom]

We usually get a limo from Clarks Summit,PA,which is where friends of ours live. Where do you get Dave's Shuttle from and about how much does it cost?

Thanks,

Laura

Dave's is a Philadelphia and Philadelphia suburbs company, Laura.

[thereuare]

Originally Posted by thereuare

In your ship travels, can you please check out the area above cabin P246.

 

I can't seem to get a straight answer out of Princess what is directly above this cabin, i've been told: casino, men's room, and the wait service area for the theater.

 

From your opinion, will noise be a problem late at nite in this cabin?

 

THANKS YOU!

 

Hi Thereuare,

 

According to the deckplans that you can view on the Princess website, it appears to me that your cabin is right below the very corner of the Casino on Port side (probably below a few slot machines), and also right below the very corner of a Mens bathroom. Not sure if the noise might come from the slot machine (doubtful), people moving a chair (it's probably carpeted above you so I don't think that will be an issue), the only thing else would be the flushing of the toilet (you got me on that one, but would that be any different from the flushing next door). anyway, good luck, either way.

Thanks for the reply...

 

I've been studying the deck plans on the Princess website and can't make it out exactly (nor could i get a straight answer from Princess reps), which is why i was hoping to get a firsthand report from somebody on the ship.

 

Thanks to anyone that may be able to help!

[momthecruisedirector]

Reservations for dinner: The pay restaurants will probably have a desk open when you board, you can go directly there to make reservations or call the concierge from your cabin. Usually they only let you make reservations for two nights on the first day and then you can make reservations for anything else the next morning.

 

This was the case on the Diamond last year and I am sure it will be the same on the Crown.

[SusieCruisie]

Wow, Ruth, You are so On It!!! Thank you for posting and putting everything in such nice order! Have a great Cruise!!!!!!! :)

[lbiSeaGlass]

Hi, other-side-of-the-city neighbor! Try Dave's shuttle - we're using it, and it is WAY cheaper and less aggravating than driving ourselves! (though you are marginally closer to Brooklyn than I am).

 

1-215-288-1000

 

davesbest24@hotmail.com

 

Carol

 

Thanks so much Carol for this info will def call:D

[Nliedel]

Nancy,

Hi, Neighbor! Rochester Hills now but went to school in A2 and have since lived in Troy then RH.

 

I always enjoy your posts (read your blog, too), and I like your sense of humor. I don't have long hair (just thick) and pack my blow dryer just in case. Mostly, I don't like the location of the stateroom blow dryer - on the desk beside the balcony door - but only shavers can be used in the bathroom. To be on the safe side, take yours along, and, if you don't have to use it, store it in your luggage.

 

I hope that you will write a review of your Crown cruise upon your return (or post during the cruise, if you're so inclined). I will look forward to hearing your observations either way.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

 

PS: Have you chosen a song for Princess Idol yet? You are planning to participate, aren't you? I've been belting "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" around here since I heard Katherine McPhee sing at the coronation ceremony. She also did a memorable rendering of our National Anthem. (I do a better job on "O! Canada!" - not so many high notes).

 

Chris,

 

Hmmm maybe I will bring the hairdryer along then. It's just shoe room I'm going to miss... wait... SHOE ROOM! NOOOOOOOOO!

 

Nope, not selected a song, yet. The Katherine McPhee Idol version was so lovely, but the version they do in Karoke is the Judy Garland version and you can't do much with it, but a straight melody. I'm most assuradly going to have a drink and do the Princess karoke thing. Not sure what song. I'm partial to, "I'm the Only One" by Melissa Etheridge, but the ships often don't have it. I was thinking about carving an hour of free time today and playing with the Karoke feature on cable that we have. Karoke on Cable, who knew? No matter what I'm going to have some fun with the Karoke thing. It's a hoot and a half. :p

 

You'll get afull review. I'll probably be bad and post live from the ship too. I've always wanted to do that and since I am behind on some writing goals I will be bringing my laptop and working while I cruise.

[STEVEPCPA]

Hi, other-side-of-the-city neighbor! Try Dave's shuttle - we're using it, and it is WAY cheaper and less aggravating than driving ourselves! (though you are marginally closer to Brooklyn than I am).

 

1-215-288-1000

 

davesbest24@hotmail.com

 

Carol

 

We just started looking into Dave's Shuttle. What time will they be getting you to the pier, and what are you paying? Thanks. We leave on July 29th.

[Jon&Cheryl]

Thanks so much, you guys are doing a fantastic job of preparing future passengers for their Crown cruise. We are looking forward to our sale date on 9 Oct.

 

Question: I'm hearing speculation that the theater (for evening shows) is not large enough to accomodate all of the passengers wanting to see the evening shows - even with 2 shows per night. I've heard discussion that people need to arrive AN HOUR early to get seats. What is your experience?

 

Thanks - Jon

[MadamG2U]

Ruth, thank you thank you! You truely are on point!

 

MadamG2U

[Katie333]

Great great info as always! I'm strangely relieved that the Int Cafe has complimentary choices as well. :) I really appreciate that being checked out. The thought of a fresh cookie or afternoon tapas is fantastic! Not that there hasn't been great food to choose from in the past, but this just makes me feel better about the nickel and diming issue.

 

Getting so excited for the Sept run!

 

Q re: balcony room - the mini suites have extra balcony furniture I believe, but reg balconies just have the little table and two chairs, correct?

[editor@cruisecritic]

Thank you so much -- and thanks to those onboard who've so generously given us key info!

One question I didn't see -- forgive if I missed it. But does anyone know if the minisuites have DVD players?

Best,

Carolyn

[Redsgj]

Q re: balcony room - the mini suites have extra balcony furniture I believe, but reg balconies just have the little table and two chairs, correct?

 

From pictures I've seen and posts I've read, the Riviera, Aloha and Baja deck just have the table and two chairs. The Caribe deck balconies have the two recliner chairs same as the minis as the balconies are bigger. It looks like they also have a small side table also.

 

You can kind of see it in this picture especially if you select to view full size. The dolphin deck (minis) are the farthest left, you can see half of the caribes next to the right. I'm pretty sure the chairs with the blue "fabric" are the reclining ones.

 

http://community.webshots.com/photo/551363876/2694318150062385534JtTTKv

[spingal]

Question.......it has been reported that the Crown has flat screen TV's. But the pictures I have seen of some of the cabins show that they have the regular small screen tube TV's that are on other ships.

 

Can anyone confirm the type of TV's? Do they perhaps differ by cabin type? :confused:

[caviargal]

Question.......it has been reported that the Crown has flat screen TV's. But the pictures I have seen of some of the cabins show that they have the regular small screen tube TV's that are on other ships.

 

Can anyone confirm the type of TV's? Do they perhaps differ by cabin type? :confused:

 

Several have posted that they do indeed differ by cabin type. Standard balconies (and below of course) do not have them.

[spingal]

Several have posted that they do indeed differ by cabin type. Standard balconies (and below of course) do not have them.

Got it!! Thanks!!! :D Obviously I missed those other posts! :eek:

[CTChickCruiser]

So how has it been on sea days with the lounge chairs?? Does it seem like there is enough or do you have to wake up at the crack of down to get a chair???

[barbarah33]

Thank you all very much for the Crown reviews, info, reports, etc. I do have a question though. I read that the Wheelhouse Bar was going to offer 'pub grub.' Is this true? If so what do they offer, is it only at specific times and is there an additional charge for it?

 

I appreciate your taking the time to report back while on your vacation!!

[djheart007]

Hello - How does cabin B431 on the baja deck on the crown princess look,

Anyone have this cabin?

Thanks

[Brad1185]

What about Vines, or what ever they are calling the sea food bar as far as extra costs?

[Xlurkers]

Thanks for sending so much info "live from the Crown."

 

For our November trip, I tried to book a late seating table for two in the traditional dining area and was told by customer service that the smallest table the system could book for me was a table for four. could you try to see if there are indeed any two tables in the traditional dining room.

 

hope your trip is everything I am expecting ours to be.

 

thanks

[gussue]

In your ship travels, can you please check out the area above cabin P246.

 

 

THANKS YOU!

 

Hi

We aere on the ship on ^/10 with Phyllis. The casino is definitely ABOVE your cabin. It is the very end of the casino so hopefully you won't hear the noise. We are in cabin P340 and were assured there would be no problem. There will be a great complaint from me if there is as we have sailed over 400 days with Princess and never had a noise problem.

Gussue@Aol.com