More Crown Questions ???

[Bassethound]

A couple of answers, from my experience on the maiden voyage....

 

Yes, sake is served in Vines. But, I'd only drink it hot, not for cold drinking.

 

Absolutely no noise but the wake on the balconies of the stern cabins.

 

Shower heads in standard BA cabins are removable. Likely the same in the handicapped. Also, optional to attach a hose type on request.

 

Sprinklers on every balcony.:o

 

Holly is great for teeth whitening

 

Anything else????

[Merion_Mom]

What time did you board, Mike?

[Merion_Mom]

OOOO, wait, MUCH more important question...........

 

Is there a Princess Barhop on the Crown???

[C&F]

Yes, is there? Someone said they think there was.

[SI Cruiser]

I never read or heard of any official bar hop or crawl. I did my own and all I can say is that there are 18 bars and each has its own personailty and following. For example, on the 6/23 sailing Crooners drew the over 65 crowd while Adagio was home for many with alternative lifestyles (FOD). The Wheelhouse drew many of the 40 - 50ish couples. while Vines(wine bar) was empty most of the time. The Explorer lounge was home to many husbands as the wives would be checking the photos in the photo gallery. This is also a great place to sit and listen to the comedians perform as you can get up and leave the show without anyone noticing.

[Merion_Mom]

SI: Just in case there is no "official" Princess Barhop (by which I mean, no cards to tell me *where to go* :D), would you please list all 18 bars for me?

 

I only have nine days; I wouldn't want to miss any. :D :D :D

[blondee_yvr]

How noisy are the inside cabins (walls). Can you hear your neighbours?

 

Would you recommend this ship for those going on a budget ie. cant afford an outside or balcony cabin?

 

We are looking for something quiet and relaxing and would like adequate pool access without a lot of crowds.

[SI Cruiser]

The rooms are very quiet and there is no problem with noise from neighbors' cabins. However if you want a bargain cruise you are better off looking for a 5 or 7 day cruise.

 

With the Crown on a 9 day schedule it does cost much more than a 5 day Canadian or Bermuda cruise. Don't forget you need to tip $10 per person per day. So for 2 people that is a miinimum tip of $180 on top of your fare. Add to that the cost of excursions along with daily bar or soda tabs.

 

With over 3,000 people on board it is hard to find quiet pool time for yourself unless if you go to the Sanctuary where you need to pay $15 for half a day. I managed to have the pool at the back of deck 14 all to myself while we were docked in Puerto Rico.

[Bassethound]

What time did you get to Brooklyn? About 11 am

 

Was there a Princess Barhop? ??????????????

 

Where did you eat the first night?Dining room, first seating

 

Did you like Adagio?Didn't go, heard great things.

 

How old are you? (frame of reference for your answers) 49

 

How was Skywalkers? Great. Alot of kids, smoking section was large and smoking, but I am a smoker. Christian works the bar, always makes a place better.

 

Others have said that they were disappointed in the Wheelhouse; that it used to be a highlight/favorite, but this one isn't so great. What do you think? Whole heartedly agree, exactly our sentiments. We nearly always are in there after dinner, but not once this trip.

 

Kids? Lots, few, visible, doing anything bad? Not so much. The 15-21 male crowd was at the full court basketball all afternoon.

 

Shows in theatre? Any don't-misses?Almost all of them were great. Expecially the comedians, don't miss 'em.

 

Casino comments?Best one I have seen on the water yet.

 

How did you like Grand Turk? Did you do an excursion?DO NOT GO POWER SNORKELING!!!!!!!!!! GT is famed for reefs and we had 90% sand.:mad:

 

I liked the town, the local food shops for stocking the fridge. Not east to find though. A couple of them on Pond street.

[blondee_yvr]

Thanks, SI Cruiser!

 

How does Princess enforce their "no bringing your own alcohol" on board?

 

I recall hearing from friends who went to Alaska on Celebrity that they brough several bottles of wine and liquor aboard purchased in port and had no problems.

[MiamiU72]

What time did you get to Brooklyn? About 11 am

 

Where did you eat the first night?Dining room, first seating>>

 

 

Were you able to watch the sailaway and still make dinner? Did your cruise leave at 5pm as scheduled? First seating is 6pm....right. Usually done by 7:30 or 8:00 (when is the 2nd seating?)

[SI Cruiser]

Thanks, SI Cruiser!

 

How does Princess enforce their "no bringing your own alcohol" on board?

 

I recall hearing from friends who went to Alaska on Celebrity that they brough several bottles of wine and liquor aboard purchased in port and had no problems.

 

I bought 3 bottles of booze in Puerto Rico and walked right on the ship with them. I didn't try to sneak them on at all. They went through the scanner and then I brought them right to the room. Same thing in St. Thomas, a buddy and I were thirsty while waiting for the ladies to finish up shopping. We bought two six-packs, had a couple and then walked right onto the ship with them.

 

I also spoke to a number of people that mentioned that they brought wine from home.

[HotJet]

I bought 3 bottles of booze in Puerto Rico and walked right on the ship with them. I didn't try to sneak them on at all. They went through the scanner and then I brought them right to the room. Same thing in St. Thomas, a buddy and I were thirsty while waiting for the ladies to finish up shopping. We bought two six-packs, had a couple and then walked right onto the ship with them.

 

I also spoke to a number of people that mentioned that they brought wine from home.

 

Princess permits you to bring beer and wine onboard. Their rules do not allow hard liquor to be brought onboard. Much discussion on other threads about this policy...seems that it is inconsistently enforced at port calls. Some have had liquor held until disembarkation and others have walked right on with their JD or rum.:)

 

Any recent Crown returnees who can let us know first hand the actual policy on the Crown??

[SI Cruiser]

The Policy:

Question: What is the alcohol policy onboard Princess Cruises?

Answer: We kindly request that you do not bring alcoholic beverages (other than wine and/or champagne) onboard for consumption. Alcoholic beverages that are purchased duty free from the ship's gift shop or at ports of call will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage. A member of our Security Staff will be at the gangway to assist with the storage of your alcoholic beverage purchases.

 

My experience from the June 23rd sailing:

Although the policy states one thing, the only enforcement that took place pertained to alcohol purchased in the ship's gift shop. At all ports you would see people bringing the alcohol back onto the ship. At no time did a security officer ask you to check your package in for safekeeping.

[14A04]

I was on the Star in February and the Sapphire in late April. I never once saw someone waiting to collect liquor for "safe keeping" until the end of the cruise like I had on previous cruises.

[kingtns]

Also back from the 6-23 Crown cruise...I sat with someone at the pool who bought lot's of Rum & Vodka in port, they brought it up to their room, & was being enjoyed by themselves for the remainder of the cruise. Security did see it when they boarded...hmmmmm!!!!!!

[SI Cruiser]

On previous cruises that I took, security was standing by right at the scanner and would log in and store away all liquor which was clearly identifiable in the boxes that the stores place them in. On the Crown there was no separate station for dropping off your liquor. I had no intention of trying to sneak my purchases on board. The procedure for boarding had you place your packages through the scanner, pick it up after scanning, and then proceed to your room. The security people never had any intent of preventing you from taking liqour to your room.

[Hve2cruise]

SI Cruiser........What form of transportation did you take to the pier.....limo, car etc. I also live on SI and looking for a good limo company. What time did you arrive and how long did it take to get on board.

 

Thanks!

 

Helane

[SI Cruiser]

I use Beckett's car service all the time 718 979-1253. They are expensive but they pick you up on time and they will be there for the return trip also. I paid $85 each way excluding tip. They only have van's, no limo's, but it doesn't matter to me. All I want is a reliable service that will not break down on the way to the port.

 

We were picked up in Willowbrook at noon, we were at the pier at 12:30 and in our room by 1:00. Brooklyn runs a very smooth operation. It is the best I have ever experienced. For the trip home, our color tag was called at 9:30, after clearing immigration and customs I called the car service to let them know we were ready for pick-up. They were at the pick-up area within 5 minutes and we were home by 10:15. It doesn't get any better than that.

[swom]

How did you like Grand Turk? Did you do an excursion?DO NOT GO POWER SNORKELING!!!!!!!!!! GT is famed for reefs and we had 90% sand.:mad:

 

I liked the town, the local food shops for stocking the fridge. Not east to find though. A couple of them on Pond street.

 

Bassethound,

What about the power snorkel in general? Did you like it or do you prefer regular snorkling better?

I am thinking of doing the power snorkling in Aruba and wanted to get opinions of it first hand. Can you help me out?

Thanks in advance!

[lrm]

Does the casino have 5 cent slots? I like to play if the machines are cheap and fun (like the ones with monkeys/apes dancing, etc)--I don't expect to come out a winner! lrm

[kingtns]

Does the casino have 5 cent slots? I like to play if the machines are cheap and fun (like the ones with monkeys/apes dancing, etc)--I don't expect to come out a winner! lrm

They did!

[Soccrmom65]

Do you have any of the following that you will be posting...I am a CC junkie and need more and more info....thanks.

[Bassethound]

What time did you get to Brooklyn? About 11 am

 

Where did you eat the first night?Dining room, first seating>>

 

 

Were you able to watch the sailaway and still make dinner? Did your cruise leave at 5pm as scheduled? First seating is 6pm....right. Usually done by 7:30 or 8:00 (when is the 2nd seating?)

 

Yes, we were able to do both. Just after passing under the bridge it was dinner time even though we left about 25 minutes late.

 

2nd seating: 8:15 pm.

[Hve2cruise]

Thanks for the info. We are 6 people with at least 10 pieces of luggage so we need to get a limo. I couldn't care less as long as I get there. We will be on the 8/25 sailing. Any and all information is appreciated.

 

Helane