Crown Princess 01/27 - 02/03 Review/Comments

[NJSunWorshiper]

DeLa,

I think you were sitting behind us at the Boatyard because I pointed out your girls to my daughter, saying "do you want your hair like that?". Were you sitting in the 2nd row? We were in the first row. Did you notice there were a lot of crew members there that day?

 

My daughter got her hair done that day also. I spent an hour under the pier, probably right after you!

[nikita]

thanks for your review. We are doing the same intinerary this coming Sat! Also, our last cruise was on the Valor last June so I'm very interested in hearing some comparisons. We thought the food was pretty good on the Valor - a step up from our previous Carnival cruises. How did this compare to the Crown? Did you try any of the alternative restaurants? How was the entertainment compared to the Valor - we thought the Valor shows were lacking and also the lead singers were terrible (especially the female!) What side of the ship were you on - if the starboard could you tell me of your views while in port? I'm sorry you had to come back to such freezing weather - it is terrible!! Hope you can survive and your first day back at work isn't too torturous for you!

Sailorsbewe - just wondering if you saw these questions - early on in your thread? I'm still interested in the comparisons between the two ships and cruiselines. Thanks a lot!

[jilkatshi]

Hi Larry, so this is where you are hiding. Just Kidding. Great to hear from you. We are doing the Eli's Eco tour in Antiqua. Check it out. Awesome tour it seems. Several of us from the roll call are doing it. Sabitini's is probably what you were thinking about. I tried it last May on the CB. I did not like a few of the things, but you just have to give it a try. Well worth the money. Hope to hear from you soon. Mike probably misses another man on the board, too.

 

 

You will absolutely love Eli and his tour! We did that two years ago and I would do it again if our March Crown cruise was taking us there (we are going on the St. Thomas to Aruba route). Actually, I first discovered CC before that cruise and learned of Eli from the postings. Eli's grandparents settled there after WWII and built a small hotel in the 50's. The subsequent generations have chosen to stay there and have become attorneys and businessmen/women. Eli tells funny stories of how the kids couldn't wait to get out of school and "hit" the water. It was our favorite excursion in four cruises! Have a great time!

[jilkatshi]

Thanks for the great and detailed review. We are leaving on the Crown on March 3 and I have one question. When we were on a Carnival cruise a few years ago, the ship was so cold that we had to wear sweaters most of the time. Since that time we have been on Celebrity and the temperature was comfortable. Was the Crown cold in the dining rooms or casino?

 

Thanks!

[sailorsbewe]

Sailorsbewe - just wondering if you saw these questions - early on in your thread? I'm still interested in the comparisons between the two ships and cruiselines. Thanks a lot!

 

Hi Nikita

To compare the two ships is difficult, as while we were on Valor, we were on with our children, this time on the Crown we were with 3 other couples.

Crown is more geared to adults and if I was taking the children again, I would probably stick to Carnival or try another cruise line. I don't know anything about the Children's activities on Crown, just that they did have few areas tht were definitely for children only, but I never saw anyone using them. There were not alot of kids on this cruise.

 

The food on Valor was actually better I felt, than on the Crown. THe Crown definitely has a seafood flair, but on the Valor, there was a definite variety in the choices of foods.

 

We only went to one nightshow on Crown - it was the Motown show...it was okay, but the dancers didn't have enough room as the stage is smaller, but I think because it is still a newer ship, the shows will only get better. They will have to do some revamping of their ideas. Because we had traditional dining, and a late sitting, we did miss some shows.

I went into the Princess Pop Star contest and made it to the finals - but didn't realize that during the finals, they would have three judges to actually cut you up! I thought that was poor on Princess' part - especially to those who are only in it for fun....I didn't win, but that isn't the point - I was having fun. One of the judges was actually quite rough on two of the contestants and got booed from the audience.

 

We were on the port side of the ship and our views were fine throughout the cruise. The best part of the balconywas that it didn't matter what we saw, when we left port, we saw the other side as well. The captain actually did some 360 degree turns to get into the ports or leave the ports.

Im actually trying to remember the ports

Barbados - port side with another ship to look at

St Lucia - Starboard side but actually came in with port side and turned right around - WOW!

Antigua - Port side

St Maarten - Port side and Carnival Valor was right beside us! I actualy could see right into cabin from Valor:D

(and a fat naked guy who didn't realize that if you do'nt shut the curtains, we can see right in):eek:

St Thomas - Port side

 

If I had to choose? Hard choice

[beemerrider]

That would be Crown Bay and the Crown is supposedly permanently docking there.

 

NJ, when you did Orient Beach, did you pre-arrange to have someone drive you and pick you up?

 

FYI....all Princess ships will be going to Crown Bay for the next 10 years. :( That is the leasing agreement that Princess signed with the port agent.

[NJSunWorshiper]

I went into the Princess Pop Star contest and made it to the finals

 

sailorsbewe,

Which song did you sing??? I saw the pop Star finals and there were several really good people.. it was a very tough choice! That 3rd judge was kind of annoying. He made no sense.

[NJSunWorshiper]

When we were on a Carnival cruise a few years ago, the ship was so cold that we had to wear sweaters most of the time. Since that time we have been on Celebrity and the temperature was comfortable. Was the Crown cold in the dining rooms or casino?

 

Thanks!

 

I am probably the coldest person you've ever heard of. I would keep the room 78 at all times if I could. If I'm warm everyone else is sweating. Having said that, the last 2 years on the Star and Golden I absolutely froze my butt off. Sweaters at night werent even enough (I'm sure the sunburn doesnt help) I avoided the Princess theater because it was so cold.

 

Anyway, I can happily say that this year the Crown was much better. I still wore my sweaters (because I'm not normal) but I didnt freeze and my sisters thought that it was comfortable. It was definately more "normal" than the past years. Of course the men are always warm on formal nights in their long sleeves, jackets, socks, shoes, while we have our sleeveless dresses on with open-toe shoes! But rest assured, I think you will find it pleasantly confortable! I can't speak for the casino because I never stepped foot in it.

[DeLa Cruisers]

DeLa,

I think you were sitting behind us at the Boatyard because I pointed out your girls to my daughter, saying "do you want your hair like that?". Were you sitting in the 2nd row? We were in the first row. Did you notice there were a lot of crew members there that day?

 

My daughter got her hair done that day also. I spent an hour under the pier, probably right after you!

 

Yep, we were sitting in the second row!! Did you have a lady in your party who wore a purple flowered swimming cap? If so, I spent a few minutes talking with her shortly after we arrived (very nice lady, BTW). And I think I did see you and your dtr under the pier as we were leaving, cuz I looked back one last time at the beach and saw the girl braiding hair. Hey, wait a minute, are you the one I was talking to about the gross guy in the grey speedo?? :eek:

 

Isn't it funny that half of us were probably all within a few feet of eachother and didn't even know it!!

 

Unfortunately, I didn't make it to the Tradewinds Bar on Sat. I couldn't tear the kids away from the pool. Did anyone else miss the meeting?

[DeLa Cruisers]

Sorry, double post.

[sailorsbewe]

I missed the meeting, but I think we were there when there were still people there too (at Tradewinds) We were wearing our Bob's Friends tshirts....Bob's wife, and Im Bob! There were 8 of us being silly and having fun.

The guys kept saying "There's a Storm A Brewin!" throughout the whole cruise!

[newbie2468]

To all who just came back... when you were on shore did you have to take your passports now that the new law in in effect? Or will the ship id work (unless of course you get left :eek: ) Just curious.. what would one do if they got left??? Thanks... Also, my son and his girlfriend are doing the St. Lucia zipline... I just can imagine him... maybe I should tell him to take an extra pair of pants :D

[NJSunWorshiper]

Did you have a lady in your party who wore a purple flowered swimming cap? If so, I spent a few minutes talking with her shortly after we arrived (very nice lady, BTW).

 

That was my mother! She always wears a cap! I dont remember discussing the speedo, maybe it was one of my sisters or my s-i-l you spoke to. I did notice a girl in a thong in your row closer to the pier. (or more accurately, my husband noticed her!)

 

I walked by Tradewinds at 11 and there was basically nobody there. I wasnt about to start asking who was from cruisecritic!

 

Salorsbewe, I was looking for those tshirts, but didnt see them!

[NJSunWorshiper]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

[DeLa Cruisers]

That was my mother! She always wears a cap! I dont remember discussing the speedo, maybe it was one of my sisters or my s-i-l you spoke to. I did notice a girl in a thong in your row closer to the pier. (or more accurately, my husband noticed her!)

 

I walked by Tradewinds at 11 and there was basically nobody there. I wasnt about to start asking who was from cruisecritic!

 

Salorsbewe, I was looking for those tshirts, but didnt see them!

 

Yep, we say the girl in the thong, too:eek: My kids had a good chuckle once they stopped being grossed out:D

 

Maybe the one I was speaking to was you one of your sisters or SIL. She had come by twice when my girls were getting their hair braided and joked about the length of time it was taking. It was then that we saw the guy in the pale grey speedos that had a pink trim:confused: on the top. She ended up taking a picture of him to gross out her teenage dtr who wanted pictures of hot guys:p

[DeLa Cruisers]

That was my mother! She always wears a cap! I dont remember discussing the speedo, maybe it was one of my sisters or my s-i-l you spoke to. I did notice a girl in a thong in your row closer to the pier. (or more accurately, my husband noticed her!)

 

I walked by Tradewinds at 11 and there was basically nobody there. I wasnt about to start asking who was from cruisecritic!

 

Salorsbewe, I was looking for those tshirts, but didnt see them!

 

Yep, we say the girl in the thong, too:eek: My kids had a good chuckle once they stopped being grossed out:D

 

Maybe the one I was speaking to was you one of your sisters or SIL. She had come by twice when my girls were getting their hair braided and joked about the length of time it was taking. It was then that we saw the guy in the pale grey speedos that had a pink trim:confused: on the top. She ended up taking a picture of him to gross out her teenage dtr who wanted pictures of hot guys:p

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

I was in the Pop Star finals too - I went second - sang the ABBA song. Sorry you didn't see our shirts - mine said "Bob's Friend" on the back with a picture of myself and Bob.

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

I was in the Pop Star finals too - I went second - sang the ABBA song. Sorry you didn't see our shirts - mine said "Bob's Friend" on the back with a picture of myself and Bob.

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

Sorry if I confused you....when I said Im Bob in an earlier post, I meant that one of the shifts said "Im Bob" My shirt actually said Bob's friend.

 

At the Princess Popstar finals - I was the 2nd singer - Judy from Canada - and I sang the ABBA song "Thank you for the Music". The third judge who was strange said that he thought I should have sung "Jailhouse Rock" because I work in a prison, but I quickly told him that Im not allowed to sing that unless Im at work.

 

For the other contestants I thought he was just mean - and you are right, the stuff he said didn't make any sense.

 

Sorry if this is posted earlier - my computer is acting up!

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

Sorry if I confused you....when I said Im Bob in an earlier post, I meant that one of the shifts said "Im Bob" My shirt actually said Bob's friend.

 

At the Princess Popstar finals - I was the 2nd singer - Judy from Canada - and I sang the ABBA song "Thank you for the Music". The third judge who was strange said that he thought I should have sung "Jailhouse Rock" because I work in a prison, but I quickly told him that Im not allowed to sing that unless Im at work.

 

For the other contestants I thought he was just mean - and you are right, the stuff he said didn't make any sense.

 

Sorry if this is posted earlier - my computer is acting up!

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

Sorry if I confused you....when I said Im Bob in an earlier post, I meant that one of the shifts said "Im Bob" My shirt actually said Bob's friend.

 

At the Princess Popstar finals - I was the 2nd singer - Judy from Canada - and I sang the ABBA song "Thank you for the Music". The third judge who was strange said that he thought I should have sung "Jailhouse Rock" because I work in a prison, but I quickly told him that Im not allowed to sing that unless Im at work.

 

For the other contestants I thought he was just mean - and you are right, the stuff he said didn't make any sense.

 

Sorry if this is posted earlier - my computer is acting up!

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

Im having trouble with the posts - I don't know if all of a sudden my last three replies will show up and if they do - I apologize.

 

Sorry if I was confusing - Im not Bob - Bob was in my group and it was his birthday. My shirt said Bob's Friend.

 

I was in the Princess Pop Star Finals - Judy from Canada - and sang the ABBA Song - Thank you for the Music. The third judge asked me why I didn't sing Jailhouse Rock because they said I worked in a jail. I thought he was just weird , so I quickly said that I wasn't allowed to sing it in if I wasn't at work.

 

Anyway - I took my camera to the shop and they recovered all my pictures (well, all but 2) and Im pleased. I now have recollections of all the places that I have been.

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

Sorry for the confusion......I was wearing a shirt that said "Bob's Friend" and there was also people in our group that had shirts that said Bob's Wife, and Bob wore a shirt that said "Im Bob" Each of the shirts had a picture of each of us with Bob. His wife did a great job getting all of this done and Bob didn't even know!

 

I did sing in the finals for the Pop star, but I was Judy from Canada. I sang the ABBA song "Thank you for the Music" I sang second.

[sailorsbewe]

Bob, I thought you were great in the Pop Star finals! You went first, if I remember correctly. I think that hurts your chances of winning. Better luck next time!

 

Sorry for the confusion......I was wearing a shirt that said "Bob's Friend" and there was also people in our group that had shirts that said Bob's Wife, and Bob wore a shirt that said "Im Bob" Each of the shirts had a picture of each of us with Bob. His wife did a great job getting all of this done and Bob didn't even know!

 

I did sing in the finals for the Pop star, but I was Judy from Canada. I sang the ABBA song "Thank you for the Music" I sang second.

[lynninsc]

So glad to read all of these positive remarks about Crown! Cannot wait until April! NJSunworshipper, you said in St. Lucia you took a boat trip up the coast, did you arrange that prior to arriving or did you just book it at the dock? My husband and I would be very interested in doing something like that for a few hours. I would love to know who you went with and how you made the arrangements. So glad that all of you had such a good vacation.