Caribbean Princess Review 7/3/04

[roe2ship]

My husband and I had a wonderful time on the magnificent Caribbean Princess. This was our first cruise and definitely not our last. Naturally we have nothing to compare it to, but Princess has us coming back within the next 4 years. Oh yes indeed I did an onboard open booking and also received our “share the wealth” coupons for our 3 children next time. I like to first say it was great meeting the people from the CC boards. Hello to everybody! Okay, I will take a shot at this…..

 

 

Embarkation – Arrived at Ft. Lauderdale airport at 9:30 am, grabbed our cab (very unpleasant driver) to stop at Publix for wine, water and soda and made the embarkation line at 10:45. At 11:30, they opened the doors and we were in our cabin in 20 minutes.

 

 

Cabin - We had a BB category cabin (C752). Room a bit small, but “oh wow” what a balcony! Huge and private with two lounge chairs w/cushions, two other chairs and a small table with 2 chairs. My husband repeatedly said to me during the cruise, he only wants this cabin from now on.;) What a sight from this balcony watching and listening to the wake. DH called our cabin steward for an ashtray and he knocked on our door within 1 minute. He introduced himself (Edgar) and we asked for robes and the ashtray and he came back with both in less than 2 minutes. He also gave us the really fluffy robes. He was good the entire week.

 

 

Dining – We had PC dining and never had a problem getting a table for two. The Palm Dining room appears to have many tables for two, although there are a few that are about 2 inches apart. Our first evening, we had table #44 which was close to a window all the way in the back and real private. DH wanted to reserve that specific table, but I really didn’t want to be on a schedule. The rest of the week we just walked in at different times with no reservations and were seated right away. We thought the service was very good and all the waiters were friendly. If you like to turn PC into traditional and looking for that table for two, #44 is wonderful.

 

 

Food – Dining room food was excellent every night. Only one night, my husband ordered the steak from the always available menu and said it was pretty bad. He is also hooked on the love boat dream dessert. :D The lobster tails on formal night simply melt in your mouth. Absolutely delicious! The food portions did seem a bit small however I hear this is the case on every cruise line. Horizon Court and Café Caribe are very good with a big variety. We did not think that these are confusing buffets as people here have complained about before. We did go to Sabatini’s and enjoyed it very much and would go back in a heartbeat. Prego’s and the Trident Grill by the pool are also very good.

 

 

Room Service – Only ordered once on the first formal night. I called to order at about 6:00 pm, they advised me that I really cannot order from the dining room menu because they need to prepare the food for the dining room only. After stated that many friends had ordered in the past from the dining room menu, he gladly took our order. They arrived within 20 – 25 minutes.

 

 

Entertainment – Enjoyed the shows in this order – Caribbean Caliente, Comedians Hal Spear and Sarge, Kimika, Marriage Game Show, Princess Idol and Let’s Rock. There was always plenty to see but not enough time.

Ports – St. Thomas – We already had planned to go to St. John. The ride to get there was real wild. No guard rails on top of mountains and riding on the left side of the road. So peaceful at St. John, it is truly paradise. We did some shopping afterwards but St. Maarten has cheaper prices. At St. Maarten, we went to Orient Beach and we personally did not like it. From there we went to Great Bay Beach and that was just okay. Princess Cays is beautiful. Clean water, plenty of chairs with a nice barbeque. Get your food before noon because there is a long line afterward.

 

 

Caribbean Princess has such a rich elegant feel. Mid-tone colors throughout the ship and never felt crowded only by the pool areas which again is on every cruise line. We always found a deck chair somewhere. The pool band (Kruz Kontrol) really puts you in the Caribbean mood. We enjoyed listening to them immensely. Movies under the Stars is real neat but you need to make reservations as soon as you board. I called on Saturday night for the 10:30 show time but it was sold out. One disappointment was the sail away party. I expected it to be more glorified. Graham Seymore is very funny but I never saw him walking around once as previous posters have stated here. This vacation was fantastic. Princess does a wonderful job. By the end of the cruise, DH sounded like a Princess cheerleader.:D On our way back from Princess Cays, he stepped right into a conversation between two men sharing some negativity against the service and shows. I will be happy to answer any questions I can. Thanks everybody for the great info that I learned from here. To all those waiting to sail her, you are in for a real treat!

[sue d. miller]

Roe, What a wonderful review. :) I am so glad you had such a great time, and that you loved your cabin!! :D Welcome home!!!

[roe2ship]

Sue, thank you, the only part we enjoyed coming home was we really couldn't wait to see the kids. By the way, the aft terrace behind the Cafe Caribe does have about 6 to 8 tables back there. You came to mind as soon as I passed it the first time.;) Great advice on that aft cabin! Thank you!

[sue d. miller]

I am just so happy it was everything you hoped it would be. Now that you are an expierienced cruiser,You can jump right in to answer all the newbies questions. You will find when they go on their first cruise, it is like parents sending their kids off to camp for the first time. You can't wait for them to return, to tell you everything you told them worked out just fine!!!! :D

[learning to fly]

great review! sorry you didn't get to see much of graham! that's a shame; but i'm glad you enjoyed him! we all have! :D

[roo803]

My hubby and I are thinking about going on our first cruise in the Fall (for our 10 year anniversary). I was looking at Celebrity, but now think Princess looks like a better fit. I'm so overwhelmed with the info on staterooms, etc. I looked at the deck layout for the CP and saw that you were at one end of the ship (there's probably some lingo for this, but I'm not there, yet!). Was this room recommended? Was it too far away from the elevators, etc.? I thought I'd read that it's better to be closer to the middle of the ship. Any advice you could send my way would be great! Also, what is "aft"?

Thanks!

[radtech]

roe2ship & Bo - glad to see you posted. It was great talking to both of you. I wish we were still on the ship. We are still trying to recover from the experience especially the catamaran ride in St. Maarten. :D Stay in touch. Still have not gone back to work. But I am not looking forward to it. :(

 

Debbie.

[Froufie]

Sounds like you had a great time - and we are anxiously awaiting our turn (4 weeks) on the CP.

 

Couple of questions:

 

1) Can you confirm which evening the "Caribbean Dinner" is served in the dining room (I believe it is on Wed/St. Maarten day?)

 

2) Snorkel gear - are fins available for rent on the ship? We are planning to bring our masks/snorkels but those fins will take up most of our luggage space...can fins be rented on board? (by the week/day/hour?)

 

Thanks and welcome home!

[cruzenmama]

Roe, glad you have a terrific trip. I will pass on the advise to stop at Publix for my kids to pick up there liquid "necessities". ;)

[stevewiz]

The Caribbean Dinner is served on Tuesday and much to my suprise the Pork dish was excellent. We also had the seafood medley which was great. This dinner was a pleasant suprise.

[West Coast]

Room Service – Only ordered once on the first formal night. I called to order at about 6:00 pm, they advised me that I really cannot order from the dining room menu because they need to prepare the food for the dining room only. After stated that many friends had ordered in the past from the dining room menu, he gladly took our order. They arrived within 20 – 25 minutes.

It seems more and more people are 'discovering' this little secret and Princess is becoming less and less accomodating. Similar to ordering regular items off the 'breakfast card' you hang on your door. We were on the Island a few months ago and ordered eggs... but they didn't arrive. When we questioned this with the room service staff they simply said, "eggs were not on the menu."

[roe2ship]

Roo803, an aft cabin in located at the back of the ship. The cabin I had was actually facing the back of the ship and real private. Located in a corner the front entrance is by itself, no neighbor right next to you. The cabin is not far from elevators and very convenient to getting to the Palm Dining room, Horizon Court, Cafe Caribe, Club Fusion. The theater and casino are on the other side of the ship (forward) but the walk never bothered us as we would use these two places at night right after one another. Yes the middle section is probably best if you think you will feel motion sickness. Our cabin did have a bit of vibration, although my husband who is has a sensitive stomach was fine the entire week.

 

Hey there Radtech! It was a pleasure seeing you guys everyday. Our 2 year old almost didn't recognize us when we came home. It took him about 5 minutes to loosen up. Good luck with your daughter's college preparation.

 

Froufie - Yes as Steve said, the Caribbean dinner is Tuesday if you are doing the Easter Caribbean. Sorry, we did not snorkel so I cannot answer this one for you. I am pretty sure you can rent all snorkel gear at Princess Cays.

[roe2ship]

It seems more and more people are 'discovering' this little secret and Princess is becoming less and less accomodating. Similar to ordering regular items off the 'breakfast card' you hang on your door. We were on the Island a few months ago and ordered eggs... but they didn't arrive. When we questioned this with the room service staff they simply said, "eggs were not on the menu."

Yes you are right. Even when I asked for the dining room menu to take with me for room service, the MD was reluctant to give one to me.

[karen_cpa]

Thanks for the review!!!! The more I read, the more I want to book a cruise for next year on the CP!!!!! Sounds heavenly!!!!

[sunsetme]

how was the spa/ gym and the casino?

[jennat]

Thanks for the great review. Looking forward to our sailing in Sept!

 

Jen

[thomasale]

I have been reading some of the info available on Caribbean Princess.I loved the look of the balconies. I love to Celebrity but have been on Carnival (not for me) and RCCL ( I have enjoyed). I want to expand and feel this would make most sense. Is the dining open or are there assigned tables?

[IKE]

Thank you for such a detailed review. So happy you enjoyed your First Cruise. I myself am addicted to Cruising. Will be going on #41 in Sept. No Vacation like it......

[Shelli]

Thanks for a great review! We're going on the Caribbean Princess in September and can't wait-- and the more we learn about the ship in advance, the happier we feel. :)

[Riskywood]

I found that fins were not really needed anywhere that I snorkeled - St. Thomas and Princess Cays.

[mandiecandie5]

Just wondering how you manage the stop at Publix. Does your cab wait outside or do you just take two separate ones? Any insight would be helpful. Thanxs and welcome back! :)

[chuleta]

You mentioned about reservations. Where do you make them and how many nights do they have the movies? Thanks!

[roo803]

Roe - Thank you for the info. I actually did dig a bit more today and found what "aft" is. There is so much information, but it takes awhile to get to it!!! I could sit on these message boards all day long! - Roo

[prophotogirl]

Do you remember the waiter's names at Table 44? I'll be there in September and have been told to dine in the Palm Dining room.

[Pam in CA]

Thomasale... if you have traditional dining, it's the same on Princess as on RCI. You eat at an assigned table at an assigned time. If you choose Personal Choice, you can either show up at either of the two PC dining rooms at any time or you can call ahead and make a reservation for a particular time. It's the same as you would do at home at a local restaurant. If, however, you go to the PC dining room and you want to return to a particular table and/or a particular waiter/assistant waiter team, you can call and make a reservation for that table and/or team. The main difference is that instead of eating at 6 or 6:15PM, or 8:15 or 8:30PM for Traditional, you can eat at the time you want or make a reservation to eat at the time you want with PC dining. Keep in mind that the more popular times might not have any reservations available.