Crown- Thanksgiving cruise

[JanMD]

I have been on Princess- 14 times and several times over Thanksgiving. Also- been on other cruiselines. semi review and some tips:

 

We arrived at the PamAm pier at 2:15 and stood in line for over one hour in the sun/heat, once we got on board we were all shaking- there was no water down at the pier. The luggage bag people demanded tips- we were planning on putting it in the jar- but they woudn't touch your bag until you placed a tip in the jar.

 

The ship is beautiful- the atrium area was just starting to be decorated with Christmas items- it turned out beautiful.

 

We had C750 PS and C752 BB cabin side by side. Our room stewart (Vincent) was a downer- and told us up front and continued this all week- I am stressed out!! All these teenagers in these inside cabins. We had tipped him when he came in the cabin- we had asked for simple things that included- 2 patters each night and 2 extra pool towels each day.

 

The ship had 1,000 PR and 800 Brits on board. The Brits were on the 2nd week of a 2 week cruise- the first week was different islands than the second week.

 

After checking in our cabin we went upstairs to explore- yes we have been on Caribbean Princess 2 times. The buffet didn't have much- we found the pizza place. They have put in dividers in the MUTS swimming area and huge beams that go to the side. They put tables and you had to duck to go through each time to get pizza or just to walk from the front of the ship to the aft. We know they put the seperations there for wind. The first evening- we went to Caribe Cafe and didn't make it down to the dinning room- they had the seafood feast.

 

Monday- sea day- yea... went to the muts and watched that for over an hour and swam in the aft pool it was excellent. Formal night in the dining room. The photographers were everywhere, more than normal. They had every single elevator mid ship blocked by lines for photos. It was not safe at all to get around.

 

M-F, all the islands- we had private tours cabs arranged- cheaper. And that way we could do it as we pleased.

 

On Thursday afternon, walked into the spa area and wanted to find the santuary- but the spa staff just looked like what are you doing here? The pool door was locked the one that we used to use- that is now for the fee only.

 

The steakhouse/seafood house was excellent!!! The service and the food was great. The Itialian Rest- went to that and only 2 people from our party went there and they said it was excellent- it was rich food. Got hooked on Lemonchello now for after dinner drink.

 

The aft area is changed since they put in the Italian Rest and bar/lounge area- they have beautiful water fountains outside of the Italian Rest- on the 16 deck where there used to be lounge chairs and now have very comfty chairs outside. Thus- this limits the lounging space for the aft pool. It is a beautiful area of the ship.

 

One tip with stopping at a different port each day, M-F- was to get off/on the ship on deck 4- then when you get back on- we would go the international cafe deck 5, and get a drink and they have the same comfty chairs in the atrium area and would cool off from the heat and get a bit to eat.

 

The computer room is very open- and it is hard to type and think when there is so much going on. They have a huge area for the future cruises not used since she is only open when the ship is sailing. It is beside the computer cafe.

 

We thought the entertainment was not the best. We went to a few things and finally said forget it. We would be out and about on the port days, in the mornings and only two days did they have a movie showing inside in the afternoon. Since it was such a port extensive trip- the cruise staff had it easier-few activities in the afternoon and morning. And for people that don't get off the ship- there wasn't much to do. The kids program- they would be getting pizza each day at 12:00 for lunch- they were so cute.

 

One thing- is the photographers- they are using photoshop and just clicking photos anywhere- there were long lines to get off the ship the first thing in the morning at each port= photos... and they were very pushy this time. (we saw them on Sat. morning taking down all the photos that they had taken and weren't sold and that is just a waste of paper/man hours, etc.) The price for a 5x7 is up to 21.95!

 

The muts had all the major football games on and in the rooms they were showing the espn games and nbc/fox games which was a great change. We totally enjoyed the muts and actually couldn't hear mi3- the volume was low. We wished they had shown more up to date movies up on muts.

 

We did go through a t-storm on Wed. night - they had to move the Caribbean night to the club fusion and that storm was interesting with all the lightening outside- it was cool. The waters the entire trip was very smooth. We would have little showers the first thing in the morning or late in the afternoon.

 

We noticed that there were not much smoking on board which was excellent. The ship does have the new smoke alarms and sprinklers out on the balconies.

 

I had gotten the coke pass and had no problems getting a soda from a bar or asking the dinning staff upstairs to get one for me as we ate lunch some days.

We never had a problem in the buffet lines- they did have the purrell and a staff member was there to get the great stuff on your hands- and every time you went through or to get pizza there was a staff member to purrell- great job- Princess!!!

 

On Thanksgiving- they did have it's normal display of cakes, etc in the atrium even one turkey had a crab crawling over it. It was beautiful.

 

It is ashame- that the only ship over at the Havensight was Regent Navigator (I have been on that) and we were stuck out at Crown Bay (the old sub base). The fee to get downtown is 4 bucks- and yes they pull over and collect the money on the way in- even wheelchairs have to pay- we told the lady that was against ADA law and she wouldn't drive until the payment was done for the wheelchair, the family paid... That is USVI. That didn't make our visit in St. Thomas that great- so early in the morning for confrontations.

 

We were the last 1,000 to get off the ship and that took over one hour to get off the ship. That has never happened before and we returned to the newer pier.

 

All in all= the new Crown is nice. If you are going out of San Juan- it is tiring and make sure you pace yourself with all the ports. I need to go on another cruise to get my rest- love those sea days....

 

Jan

[willysgrandma]

The pool door was locked the one that we used to use- that is now for the fee only.

 

There is a fee to sit in the Sanctuary area, but not a fee for the pool there - that is the swim against the current pool.

 

When we were on the ship, one door was unlocked and one was open - perhaps you tried the locked door.

[nikita]

JanMD - thanks for the review - I enjoyed it! When you use your soda card - do they give you a can of soda or just a glass? If you don't use your soda card do you get a whole can? Thanks.

[MrSchwump]

When you use your soda card - do they give you a can of soda or just a glass? If you don't use your soda card do you get a whole can? Thanks.

 

When you buy the soda sticker, you get a handsome insulated Coke cup, emblazoned with the Coke logo with an detachable sipping lid. I'd say it holds 10 oz. or so. With ice added, you'll need to refill frequently if you're a heavy drinker like me.

 

Even with the special cup, they're supposed to check your card for the sticker, but I noticed that pretty much stopped after the 2nd day. Anyone with the cup got free Coke.

 

Your old pal,

Joe

[Colo Cruiser]

Willygrandma is right about the spa pool, you probably tried the wrong door as some were locked and some were not.

 

We swam in that pool almost every day and no charge.

 

 

Thanks for the review. :)

[sunprincess]

Jan,

 

Welcome Home. Appreciate your Crown review. I recently was on the Crown too.

Ease back to reality, it's tough.......................

[fti]

M-F, all the islands- we had private tours cabs arranged- cheaper. And that way we could do it as we pleased.

 

Can you elaborate on which islands you were on, how you arranged the cab tours and what you saw on the islands? Thanks.

 

John

[JanMD]

What we have learned is read the book that has the tours in it. Find a map and then plot out what you want to see and talk to the cab driver and get a price and go from there. There were 4 of us.

 

We did Barbadoes- (was there 2 years ago- took a cab tour of the whole island and stopped at some beach that the cab driver knew and we were in the water for half hour--that was fab) this time we went to Rub maker as you would say. And it also included the beach- naturally I didn't realize the location - I got my feet wet.

 

St. Lucia-(again did a Princess tour 5 years ago and went up to a linen shop and other places) this time it was 3 of us and we went down to Pigeon Point Park and went into the park and again- made it to the beach area(had swimsuit and got into the water. The Hyatt is located up there- very rich houses and went to the cc and saw all the new houses being built up there. It was a great 3 hours.

 

Antiqua- went shopping in the port- they have really upscaled the place since the last time we were there- this was our chill out day afternoon. There was 3 ships in port and the crowds were bad.

 

St. Martin- have been there many times. We have taken a cab over to the French side and did a walking tour and then the cab driver will drop us off at Orient Beach on the way back- you can get a cab pretty fast there.

This time- we went shopping in the morning on the Dutch side of the island and then came back to the ship- always get the $5 ferry pass- good all day long. Then some of the group went back into the town and took a cab over the French side- only the French side had the items. Some of the group went back into town and went to the beach close to the ferry location- it is cheap and the water is perfect.

 

St. Thomas- well now... Since Princess is no longer going to Havensight- it has taken alot to get organized this time. (it is further out also--timewise)We normally would have gone in town to shop and then gone to Magan's Bay or up to Frenchman's Reef- Marriott. or there is a public beach maybe Sapphire Beach- close to where you get the ferry to go to St. Johns. And in the afternoon- stopped in at Havensight and purchased anything that we didn't see in the downtown area.

This time- the shops are not open at Crown Bay- and the way in with the confrontation on the shuttle bus- we all went shopping our own way and then met up. We did our 3 hours of shopping- how time flies when you are having fun. We were all so tired- went back to the ship and started to pack. My charge bill had taken a beating the past 2 days. lol..

 

We normally see the sights- shop and swim on each island. We have been to all of these islands before and this time- did a more chill out approach.

Jan