Caribbean Princess 10/14 - 10/21 - Excellent!

[Missybud]

OK Laura, if Rommel and Jon are still onboard, Sharon and I will join you for dinner.......lol! Lana (Missybud)

[mortysmama]

Babs...again, I must compliment you on your review. It was exceptionally well written and so descriptive. Since I've been on a similar cruise...you took me right back. Thank you so very much. Just one question please. Could you elaborate a bit on the seafood buffets. Our family is really looking forward to that. I understand they have cold one nite and hot another....if I'm not mistaken. What I'd really like to know is the variety of seafood available. For instance...do they have a raw bar with clams and oysters etc? and just fill me in on anything you can remember. We absolutley love any kind of shell fish so we'd be interested in what they serve at these buffets.

I thank you so much for this review....only a bit more than 4 months to go.

 

Happy cruising!

[mrs. meziggy]

Babs-d

 

I have read many, many reviews, and yours has just been the best!! Thank you for taking the time. We have been on 15 cruises ( I thought I knew all the tricks) and you have given me some very good tips!

 

We will be sailing on the Caribbean Princess this Dec and I am getting excited.

Again, thank's for taking the time to post.

[babs-d]

mortysmama - I wish I could be of more help on the seafood buffet question. We did hit the cold buffet the first night but we didn't look past the crab legs, lobster claws and shrimp. We only wanted a small sample so that we would still be able to go to dinner in the dining room. We completely forgot about the hot buffet, darn it - we were too busy doing nothing!!!! If you post a question about it I'm sure you'll find out all that was offered. I will say this, we ate alot of seafood on this cruise.

[Christapie]

Babs-d

 

You are a credit to princess!! We will be on the CB in Dec. and you have helped me sooo much!

 

Thanks again.

[paulfredo]

Very Good review and helpful hints. Thanks for taking the time.

 

paulfredo

[J&B in GA]

Babs-d,

What a fantastic review ! Especially appreciate how you have broken

it up in chapters, allowing others to ask questions, while we are all

anticipating what will come next ! :D

 

We will be on the CB in late Nov. and will be in a Port side Caribe Deck

Balcony Cabin located near the aft elevators. As we have Anytime Dining,

we were planning on using the Palm (Aft Dinning Room) most of the

time for dinner, as we heard wait times for this dinning room were less

than for the Coral Dining Room, located near the mid ship elevators.

We will definately request to be seated at Rommel's & Jon's station.

 

Did you request a specific time/table each evening, or just Rommel's &

Jon's station ? Did you dine alone or with others ?

 

We are taking a tour on St. Thomas with Sunny Liston with many CC

members from our Roll Call thread. I believe we are currently 18 in all.

Our final tour stop, early afternoon, will be at Sapphire Beach ! Hope it's

not too crowded or hot by then. :(

 

We also want to try Sterling Steakhouse, and will be sure to order the Filet

or Poterhouse for my DW, not the Rib-Eye. :rolleyes: As we also enjoy Lobster,

Crab Legs, and Rack of Lamb, can you suggest which night would be best

for Sterling Steakhouse? We were thinking embarkation night.

 

Can't wait for your Final Thoughts chapter !

Thanks again for all the suggestions and recommendations.

[babs-d]

J&B in GA - We really liked our cabin location and I think you will too. Hop on the elevator, go up to 15, you're at the Horizon and Caribe Cafe's. Go down to 6, you're at the Palm Dining Room. Sounds like I'm all about the food, huh? It really was convenient for ice and coffee runs, too. Shortly after we got on the ship,we made a standing reservation for the Palm Dining room and requested Rommel. The first night they seated us at table 139. It was probably the least desirable table in his section! We didn't say anything that night but the next night we asked if we could sit at a different table. The maitre d' was very accomodating and took us over to his section and said take your pick. We had dinner alone this cruise, but enjoyed meeting others at breakfast and lunch a couple days. It's a tough decision as to which night to miss in the dining room. I do remember they had an incredible desert on embarkation night. It was raspberries and blackberries with little round puff pastries and this sinfully delicious whipped cream like I've never tasted. That was my favorite dessert! Whatever you decide, you'll have a great cruise.

[J&B in GA]

Thanks Babs-d,

I guess we'll ask the Maitre d' to show us Rommel's station the first

night, so we can also make a great selection. We hope to dine with

at least one or two other couples from our CC roll call some evenings,

so we hope Rommel serves a larger table as well as one for two.

 

As far as the Sterling Steakhouse, we will just check the dining room

menu each day amd decide from there. What is the Cover Chg. these

days for Sterling and Sabatini's, $15/pp ? Did you try Sabatini's ?

We did on the Island Princess 3 years ago. Enjoyed the service, but

way too much food for us and of course it's mostly CARBS ! :eek:

 

Thanks again !

[babs-d]

And finally….

 

I tired to think if there was anything we disliked or would have liked done differently about this cruise. The few things I thought of are so trivial they are really not worth mentioning. There was one thing that I couldn’t figure out the last time we were on the Caribbean Princess and again this time. I don’t understand why they have the comedians perform in the lounges. Both times we got to the lounge 30 minutes early and it was already standing room only. They really should consider having them perform in the theater. The other thing I saw room for improvement was with the coffee. I still drank it, I just had to put twice as much sugar and three times as much cream! For some reason the dining room coffee is better than the horizon/caribe café’s coffee. I asked Rommel about this and he said it’s the same coffee. Go figure.

 

And now to finish on a positive note because this was an outstanding cruise. My favorite things about the Caribbean Princess:

 

I love…..the variety of food offered (how do they come up with all those recipes).

I love…..the pleasant staff (they always seem happy, even though they work so hard).

I love…. the cleanliness of the ship (ridiculously clean).

I love…. the muster drills (only compared to other cruise lines).

I love…. the traditional and anytime dining (we get to choose!)

I love…. that there is always a buffet available (with plenty of choices, too)

I love…..the cocktail parties (real drinks, not puny ones like some other cruise lines).

I love…..that they have plenty of hangers (not always the case).

I love…. the “always available” fettucini alfredo and the cheesecake (so yummy).

I love…. the reasonable drink prices (can’t get a martini at home for $5.25).

I love…. the express debarkation (if we’ve got to go, make it painless!)

[New York1414]

Great review, this was our 1st cruise--we can't wait to do it again, next time we want to go eastern. Although I'm sure every server there is fantastic- we had Leon, and Sylvia, in the Palm (anytime dining) and we thought they were THE BEST!! My 1yr old neice has food allergies, and I swear her food was there almost as quikly as we sat down. We were highly impressed about all of the srvc aboard. As I'm a waitress I know how hard it is to keep up a smile, and the crew works harder than any other group I've ever seen. We tipped extra to those that go above and beyond. And it helps for extra good srvc. We found some people in the casino not as helpful I understand it's more of a buisness there, and they don't want you to win, but they were fairly pushy which doesn't entice you to keep spending. There was a guy that won a BMW on the 2 cent slots while we were there. Don't expect that one to pay off for a while :) Oh, and last but not least, no corona or light, very limited beer selection. It was the best time ever!! Have fun!!

[Kal Kruzers]

Hi Babs!

Thanks so much for your wonderful review! Two questions, does the Caribbean Princess have ping pong tables? We had planned to go to St. John but may go to Sapphire beach after your review, is St. John not to be missed in good weather?

Thanks!

[SeaYa52]

We have visited several times and spent a week on SJI in 05 I would not miss a chance to visit St. John - a lovely clean little island - with some of the most beautiful beaches in the world. Saphire Beach sounds nice - but after experiencing St. John I can't miss the chance to return - even if just for a day.....hopefully the weather will be sunny and clear on your visit. Two great little bars right at the ferry - Beach Bar - adjacent to the dock - out door bar with great food & drink (get the lime&coconut) or Woody's - just up the street - small but always packed (you might even see Kenny Chesney there) Make sure you take a picture of yourselves sitting at the one little table out front (right on the street)....hey - that's my little table - you'll see it posted in alot of trip photo's.

[sunvalley cruisers]

slsmartin--what do you think is the best plan of action for some 1st timers to St. John. I think the guys in our group (45-65) would enjoy some easy snorkeling while the women would like the beautiful beaches scenery.

[SeaYa52]

slsmartin--what do you think is the best plan of action for some 1st timers to St. John. I think the guys in our group (45-65) would enjoy some easy snorkeling while the women would like the beautiful beaches scenery.

 

We're in the same age group, and I think all of you will love it. Everything about St. John is BEAUTIFUL. The water was the best I've seen in the Caribbean (and HAwaii - although BoraBora has it beat). Great snorkeling off the beaches - and beautiful beaches to just sit and relax on.....so pretty.....the stuff dreams are made of. Can't wait to go back. Make sure you take your camera - and a water camera too.

Two options - grab a taxi and head for Trunk - cut & paste these links - or rent a car (they're right near the ferry dock - walking distance - but I'd reserve ahead). There is so much more to St. John than just Trunk Bay....it's fun to drive and hit a number of beaches. Personally, I'd rent a car.

 

Woody's Bar is near the ferry - walk straight ahead about a block - GREAT FUN.

 

Enjoy,

Sandy

 

BayImage results for trunk bay

Trunk BayTrunk Bay, site of the Virgin Island National Park Underwater Snorkel Trail.

stjohnbeachguide.com/Trunk%20Bay.htm - 7k - Cached - Similar pages

 

 

Trunk Bay ImagesMorning at Trunk Bay, St. John USVI · Ground Sea, Trunk Bay, St. John US Virgin Islands · Trunk Cay, Trunk Bay Underwater Snorkel Trail Site ...

stjohnbeachguide.com/Trunk%20Bay%20images.htm - 3k - Cached - Similar pages

 

 

Trunk Bay - Virgin Islands National Park - Reviews of Trunk Bay ...Trunk Bay: Visit TripAdvisor, your source for the web's best unbiased reviews and articles about Trunk Bay in Virgin Islands National Park, St. John.

http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g147411-d147590-Reviews-Trunk_Bay-Virgin_Islands_National_Park_St_J... - 79k - Cached - Similar pages

[savannah2117]

I noticed you said that you signed up for that? What exactly is it? Our flight leaves Ft. Lauderdale at 10:07am? We got it RT for $175 so we couldn't pass it up, I'm just a bit nervous about the time. Princess recommended not flights before 10:30am, Will we be ok?

[serene56]

I noticed you said that you signed up for that? What exactly is it? Our flight leaves Ft. Lauderdale at 10:07am? We got it RT for $175 so we couldn't pass it up, I'm just a bit nervous about the time. Princess recommended not flights before 10:30am, Will we be ok?

 

oh mi- where does it state that Princess does not recommend flights before 10:30am?? I have always saw 1:00 or so.

 

Airlines want you at the airport about 2 hours before. If you can carry off all your own luggage with no help from porters you just might make it.. if nothing stands in the way of the ship clearing. Listen on the morning of debarkation for how many names they call-- these people never cleared their account and owe mony. Until they come to the pursers desk the ship will not clear. You will be needing to be off that ship by 8am.

Airport is not so bad that time of morning.

Could you possibly change that flight?? You just had a nice relaxing vacation and will be stressing the last day on making that flight.