Crown Princess Review

[IncredibleCruising]

Embarkation: I will start with boarding. We stayed 3 nights in San Juan before the Crown at the Sherton Old San Juanand we were able to just walk across the street and down to the pier. We found things ran very smoothly , we got there at around 11:40am and we were on the ship by 12:10pm. Took a tour of the ship and went back to our room and had our bags by 2:30pm.

 

Ship/Cabins: The ship was beautiful, I have never been on any of the Grand class ships before and was really surprised by how big it was. We have to say it was the best ship we have been on yet. Wish they had a sports bar on the ship so you could watch some hockey or other sports. We were in a suite room C748 Aft. The room was awesome and big, it'll be hard to go back to any other room if we have to on our next cruise. The room had a living room area with a curtain so you could seperate it from the bedroom area, 2 t.v.'s,a good size closet, desk, vanity were you could put your make-up on and do your hair.The bathroom was so nice it had 2 parts......1st part had your toilet and a sink with some shelves to put some of your stuff.....2nd part had whirlpool bathtub and a seperate shower. Our steward name was Raymond and he was great. He answered and of our request and always kept our room clean. I really liked being at the back of the ship, I was a little worried by what some people said on cruisecritic about it being too rough but I didn't find it that bad. I will have to say it was a bit more rocky than some other places though. Also our balcony was big it had enough room for a table with 4 chairs as well as 2 lounge chairs and still had more room. I also loved the way the ship was designed.

 

Food: Horizon Court is where we had breakfast and lunch everyday. The food was good and there was a good selection to choose from. We had anytime dining and we found the food in there good as well. This was our first time doing the anytime dining and we enjoyed being able to set our own dinner time.

Crown Grill: It was good but expected it to be better for paying the exta $20 each.

 

Service: We found the service around was great no matter what bar or where you were on the ship. For an example one night we were in the Princess Theatre for a show and we ordered a couple of drinks from a waiter and he reconized us from the Coral Princess we were on in 2004. It was nice and it goes a long way when someone remembers you espically after about 3 years and also as many people as he sees in a run of a year. He also remembered the couple that we usually travel with that wasn't with us this time.

 

Ports:

St.Thomas-Did St.Thomas Island Tour. It was a nice tour. There was a

wonderful view at the mountain top with sme shops there as

well. We also got dropped off down town to do some

shopping.

 

St.Kitts- Did the St.Kitts Scenic Railway Tour. We enjoyed this tour it

started with a train ride through the island and ended with a

drive back to the ship. There was some nice views and some

history of the island too. They also had some local girls sing us

some songs and some free drinks.

 

Grenada- Did Spices of Grenada. We took a tour of a herb & spice garden

as well as a jam & jelly factory. Also a factory where they make

some local juices. Had a tour and some history of the island as

well. We bought some spices as well and took them home with

us.

 

Bonaire- Didn't do any tour on this island we just got off and did some

shopping. It seemed like a nice island from what we saw of it.

 

Aruba- Did ATV Tour. It was the best tour we have ever been on, we

loved it. It was my first time being on a ATV and had a blast and

our instructor Ryan was awesome. We had a great view of the

island at one of our stops where you could see pretty much the

whole island. We also did some shopping. This was our favorite

island, it was beautiful and hope to go back again sometime.

 

Disembarkation: Went pretty smooth, we had an early flight at 12:30pm and had to go down and get new luggage tags. We had Pink 3 and we were off the ship and in a cab by 9:30am. Which was good because the airport was busy there was 3 other ships in town on Saturday Feb.10. We got through customs and to our gate with an hour and 20mins to spare.

 

Overall we loved the ship and itinerary and wished we would of done the Crown back to back like some other people did. There really isn't anything that was bad that I could mention or should I say worth mentioning. But then again we are pretty easy going people. We hope to sail the Crown again in the Future.

 

Also to the fellow cruisecritic members that met on the ship. We loved meeting all of you. Espically Klista & Tim(james) and Hedi & Geoff(david) I hope all of you had as much fun as we did. Maybe we will meet again sometime.

 

Sorry for such a long review, if anyone has any questions I would be happy to try and help.

 

Heather:)

[Dixe Lee]

What a wonderful review, Heather !

 

We sail on the Crown for the first time in October (our first time with Princess) and we are sooooooo looking forward to it. So many great things being said about this ship and your review just made it more so :D

[makeup face]

Thank you for your review:) I'm counting down the days until I sail:D

[Nana G]

Heather- thanks for the great review. We sail in April opposite itinerary. A question- What night is Carribbean Night? Plan to do alternate dining and would like info. Thanks again.

[Steven_&_Daniel]

Heather,

 

I really appreciate your review as we are going to be in C748 for the same itinerary (even booked the St. Kitts railway). Sounds like you had a great time.

 

How was the priority boarding? I've scheduled a private transfer and expect to arrive at the ship just after noon. Just wondered what to expect when we arrive. Sounds like you got there earlier than we will but wanted to get your opinion.

 

I also have a question about the balcony. There has been some debate about an air vent that is next to the balcony. Some have complained about noise and bad odors from the vent. Did you notice anything?

 

Our departure flight was changed since originally booked. It is now 11:30 am. We were told to expect to disembark around 9 am. Does this sound right to you? I realize one cruise can be very different from another. I just wondered if we will need to do the "carry your own luggage, walk off early" thing or if we'll be okay with the traditional disembarkation process. What do you think based on your experience?

 

Thanks!

[joyride]

Thanks for the review. We leave on 4/14, and I can't wait!!! Did you happen to talk to anyone who did the river tubing in Grenada? I'm wondering how this excursion is...

 

Steven & Daniel - you are on our cruise! You should hop over to the roll call board and join our roll call. We have over 70 cruise critics going and we are planning a couple of "Meet & Greets" on the ship. My DH Rod and I are also in a PS Suite- on Aloha Deck - it's our first suite - and I can't wait! :):)

[joyride]

First time it's happened to me!

[MauiLvrs]

Wondering what the caution was for:confused:

Seemed like you had a great time:)

[Host CJSKIDS]

Heather,

 

I really appreciate your review as we are going to be in C748 for the same itinerary (even booked the St. Kitts railway). Sounds like you had a great time.

 

How was the priority boarding? I've scheduled a private transfer and expect to arrive at the ship just after noon. Just wondered what to expect when we arrive. Sounds like you got there earlier than we will but wanted to get your opinion.

 

I also have a question about the balcony. There has been some debate about an air vent that is next to the balcony. Some have complained about noise and bad odors from the vent. Did you notice anything?

 

Our departure flight was changed since originally booked. It is now 11:30 am. We were told to expect to disembark around 9 am. Does this sound right to you? I realize one cruise can be very different from another. I just wondered if we will need to do the "carry your own luggage, walk off early" thing or if we'll be okay with the traditional disembarkation process. What do you think based on your experience?

 

Thanks!

 

Since we were in a suite on our November sailing I figured I could jump in with answers for you.

 

The priority boarding doesn't appear to be too much in SJU. You basically still are with everyone but just get to go the the Platinum line to check in. I would still check and see if your deck line is shorter and go with the shortest one.

 

Disembarking was very smooth and easy for our cruise. We didn't bother eating breakfast that am and just went to the disembarkation lounge to wait for our color and drank the most god awful coffee while waiting! (Make sure you go down to the purser's desk by Tuesday/Wednesday with your airline tickert to put in for first disembarkation. There will be a reminder in the patter.) The first groups were called around 8:15 on our sailing and that's when we got off. Our flight was originally at 11 am and we were checked in and through security by 9:10.

[kokonut06]

We were in C751 not C748. The noise from the wake was really loud but we loved it. A few nights we even slept with our door open. Slept like a baby ;) Once in a while we would smell the sewage odor but then it quickly went away. Not sure about the air conditioner noise.

 

You will love the suite. I was so amazing. Our stewert was Chia and he was so great. He made us feel like Royalty all week. Fresh flowers, big bowls of fruit, canapes and chocolate covered strawberries every afternoon, fresh ice every day and robes and I could go on and on. Here are a few pics of the suite. I took these as we were packing so the room may appear to be messy :cool:

 

If you have any questions at all please ask.

 

The only thing we wish we did not have was the beam. We never got to enjoy the loungers together but still loved our balcony. We took the two little tables and used them as foot stools and it worked out just fabulous for us. Do the Ulitmate Balcony dining. So worth it and very romantic if you are into that. We had our IPOD and my husband put together a special mix of my favorite soft music and we played it during dinner. The whole night was amazing. Enjoy....kokonut

I have more pics if you want to see them.

[IncredibleCruising]

Nana G - sorry I'm not sure what night is carribbean night.

 

Steve&Daniel- Like someone already said in SJU priority boarding wasn't much of anything we did get to skip the line to check in at first and get our room cards but then everyone was in the same line after that to go through security and get your bags scaned as well as yourself. I'm not sure if you are able to skip the 2nd line and go to the front you could double check that but when we didn't because there wasn't much of a line and it was going pretty quickly. The with the balcony YES, I meant to mention the noise and forgot in my review. There is a vent and the noise is loud, well let me put it this way we brought a radio with us to listen to on the balcony and we could hear it but not very good. But don't get me wrong you can still have a conversation and still enjoy the balcony. The wake sound was nice as well and we didn't have any beam. You also could still hear it when we were docked at ports. As for the smell I didn't smell any ordors from the vent or anywhere else on the ship. I still loved the balcony even with the noise it would of been even better without the vent but I wouldn't worry about it too much.

As far as disembarkation you should be fine with the traditional disembarkation process. They put a note in the Princess Patter to remind people that have early flights to go down to the pursers desk and ask for sign up for early disembarkation. You have to bring them a copy of your flight to show that you really do have a early flight and then the night before they put the new luggage tags in our mail box. As you are in a Suite you are also able to wait in Club Fusion while the embarkation process is going on we ate breakfast and then went there and they had CNN on the t.v.'s as well as coffee and stuff. They give a list of the order for the disembarkation in the Princess Patter the night before so it give's you an idea of when your color is going to be called. They started at 8:15am and like I said in my review we had Pink 3 and we were off by 9:30am. When they were going to call our color next we headed down to the area where you get off so we were on of the first off in our group of Pink 3's. We also took a taxi instead of the bus they provide even though we did pay for the tranfer but I didn't like the way they put 3 bus loads of people's luggage all together. What I mean is the bus they provide only carries the people and then they put all the people's luggage in a seperate truck that I took one look at and said NO way am I putting my luggage on that truck with at least 3 other bus loads of people and getting to the airport and having to wait for my luggage, which if yours was at the back of the truck it could of been awhile. But I really can't say for sure though because I didn't do it that way. Maybe someone could tell you better about that method. The taxi was $24 and that's me and my boyfriend and 4 pieces of luggage. It was worth it to take a cab for me but that's just my opinion. I hope you love the room as much a we did and the ship as well and sorry for such a long answer to your questions. When someone asks me a question a like to give as much detail as I can and sometimes I give too much. HAPPY SAILING!!!

 

joyride- We did talk to a couple that did river tubing but I'm not sure if it was in Grenada or not but they did say they had a good time though. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

 

I wish everyone happy Sailing and have fun and any more questions don't hesitate to ask me I love to talk about my trip as you might of noticed.

 

Heather:)

[Steven_&_Daniel]

Wow, lots of help from everyone. Thanks!

 

Joyride, I've been lurking in your roll call. My Mom posted a message there. We're taking my parents (Noreta & Robert) for their 50th anniversary. My Mom is terrified of getting lost or even separated and said she plans to follow us around like a shadow all week. I was trying to encourage her to hook up with you all so we could have some quiet time to ourselves (it's also our 16th anniversary).

 

CJsKids, thanks for your input. I'll take all the help I can get. It sounds like we won't have any problems making our flight.

 

Kokonut06, thanks for the comments and the photos. You had the mirror-reverse of C750 which is where my parents will be. Yes, I was selfish and gave them the balcony with the infamous beam. Hey, we're paying for the entire trip so I don't feel too guilty.;) I look forward to all the perks and the extra space. I can't wait to sit and watch and listen to the wake. Do you think sailaway is better on the aft balcony or up on deck where you can share everyone's excitement?

 

Heather, LOL, I never mind long answers. I usually ramble on as well. I was a little concerned about the vent after hearing about it but it definitely won't spoil our cruise. Daniel doesn't even know we have a suite (let alone 2 suites). So he'll have a huge surprise when we board. I'll be sure to get to the Purser's Desk early to get our disembarkation scheduled.

 

A question for all of you, I've arranged a private transfer from our Condado hotel to the Crown currently scheduled for a noon pickup. Should I change it to 11 or 11:30? I'd like to board as soon as possible but don't want to wait for the previous passengers to finish disembarkation. We're planning to have lunch as soon as we board. I didn't know if it would be more or less crowded at noon (with priority boarding and, apparently, waiting in the security line). I'd appreciate your input.

 

Thanks!

[joyride]

Sounds like you will be having fun with 2 Suites for you and your parents. I suggest you bring them to the Meet & Greet we are having at 5 PM at the Outrigger. Maybe they will meet some other folks (like dryheat from our roll call - parents also celebrating their 50th) that they could relate to and hang out with. That may free you all up for some alone time!

 

We have had some good experiences meeting some very good friends on cruise critic - people we still keep in touch with. So, you never know! You should just quit lurking on the roll call and pop in to say hi!

 

Hope to see you on the Crown!

 

PS I would have pickup at 11:00 or so if you want to be the first on the ship!!

[IncredibleCruising]

Steven& Daniel- I would suggest a 11:30am pick-up time, it wasn't that busy at that time when we went. But if where you are staying is far away from the pier then maybe 11:00am would be better. Also you can eat when you get on board, we did.

 

Heather:)

[willycruise]

Heather,

 

Thanks for the detailed review. We will be at the Sheraton next Thursday for pre-cruise, any tips?????

 

 

BK

[Jacqueline]

Thanks !

[we2cruze]

Raymond was our room steward last month in C736 for a b2b. He was friendly and efficient. I showed him pictures of our kids and he told me about his family... he has a toddler and his wife is expecting. These families sacrifice a lot while trying to get ahead by working on the cruiseships.

[Steven_&_Daniel]

I changed out pickup time to 11 am. We'll be at the Condado Plaza Hotel; I figure by the time we get the luggage loaded, drive to Pier 4, and offload, it should be close to 11:30.

 

Thanks for everyone's help!

[IncredibleCruising]

Willycruise, Sorry so late getting back to you but I came down with the norovirus(sorry about the spelling) since wednesday and I am now just feeling better.

 

As far as staying in San Juan before the cruise we loved this place called Senor Frogs we went there Friday night and had a blast. Also I'm not sure which type of room you have or where it is located but if you have a view of the pier than get up early if you would like, we had a partical view of the pier and we got up at 5:30am and seen the Crown Princess come in port it was exciting and then we went back to sleep for a couple of hours.

You may not care to see that but thought I'd let you know anyways.

Also we took a tour of the Rum Factory, Fort, and the city we booked it in the lobby of the hotel not at the desk but by the Casino. I think we paid $90.00 for both of us but I think it was worth it, I would reccomend it if your looking for something to do. Our driver was very informative and nice but I can't think of his name. They picked us up at the hotel lobby at 12:45pm and the tour was done between 5-6pm, it might sound long but you get to see alot. We didn't go to any beaches so I can't comment on any of them.

 

Overall the hotel was pretty good but I think for the price it wasn't worth it, we paid $350.00 a night and I've stayed at nice hotels before that would be worth $350/night but I guess they can charge that because of the location. We sent them a email telling them but haven't heard anything back yet. But don't get me wrong it wasn't horrible or anything like that. The room was clean and the bed was nice, maybe I'm just used to better rooms for that price. My boyfriend and I travel alot espically him more so then me and I've stayed in nicer rooms for less. Here in Canada for that price you can get a Suite with a whirlpool tub and seperate living room from the bedroom. Anyways I'm complaining too much. You will probably enjoy it don't let what I said worry you. The one reason that would make me stay there again would be because of the location it was easy to take our luggage and walk across and down the street. But keep in mind if you have lots of luggage that is heavy then you might want to get a cab because it is a little bit of a walk when your trying to carry heavy luggage. There are lots of cabs everyday waiting outside the hotel.

 

Hope you have a great trip and happy sailing. Look forward to everyone's reviews.

Heather:)

[sea girl2]

We just book a mini suite. And the first time on Princess. We have always done Carnival.Could some one tell me about a mini suite,LOL our first time in a suite too.:D We are in the front of the ship.Never been in there ether. Lot of first for us this year. Thanks for any help.

Anne

 

 

[Maraprince]

SEA GIRL

 

We booked a mini suite since we will 3 on our sailing at the end of May. It gives you more space than a balacony cabin since the cabin is divided into 2 sections. All the beds are on the floor -- no overheads. There is a sitting area where the couch opens up to a bed. So everyone has a place to sit without using the beds during the daytime. You will also have 2 TVs but when one remote is hit, it changes the station on both TVs!

 

As far as being in the front of the ship, not my choice. I rather be in the middle or towards the back. More motion in the front of the ship since it is higher out of the water.

 

Since the Crown is a very large ship, you will have a lot of walking from one end to the other! Most of the entertainment venues are in the front of the ship while most of the food (buffets and dining rooms) are in the rear of the ship. Shopping is in the middle.

 

You will enjoy the ship. Make sure to consult the little map you get when you board so you can locate the areas you want to visit.

 

Enjoy your sailing!

 

 

MARAPRINCE

[lysolqn]

We'll be on Crown this summer and have heard that A/C in cabins isn't what it should be. DH loves it cold - are we going to have a problem?

[IncredibleCruising]

Sea girl2- I never had a mini-suite on Princess before but I'm sure it will be nice. We have also been on Carnival in the past, I think Carnival is o.k. but I do prefer Princess though. I also have never been on the front of any ship so I can't help you there. Like Maraprince said you will have some walking to do, we were at the very back and had to walk alot but I didn't mind it help burn some of that food off.

 

Lysolgn- The A/C in our cabin was just fine I even had to turn it down one day because it was too cold, not sure about some other cabins. I didn't hear any complaints when we talked to anyone around the ship.

 

Hope everyone has a happy sailing.

Heather:)

[brady19]

I was on the Carribean Princess last year and we had the A/C issue. What I did was remove the difusser in front of the AC on the ceiling and the room got cold.