Crwon Review 4-7-2007/4-14-2007....lido Deck Cabin

[loving2cruise]

Crown Princess April 7h, 2007-April 14, 2007

Captain-Andy Proctor

Cruise Director-"Kelvin"

Capacity-Full

Weather-85-90 degrees

1st Princess cruise (3 others with Royal Carbbean)

We arrived in San Juan the day before the cruise started (American Airlines). We stayed at the Marriott Courtyard Hotel (1 mile from the airport). I wasn't thrilled with the room, but the hotel itself was nice as well as the beautiful beach, pools and casino on the premisis. Stores (supermarket) were in walking distance to purchase essentials.

Embarkation-We checked out of the hotel and arrived at the cruise terminal approx. 1:30pm. The terminal was crowded but organized for the large volume of people boarding. There was a liquor store at the terminal. We purchased rum for $14.00 (at home it's double that price). We had it in the the carry on bags. It went through security with no problem.

We ate lunch in the Caribe Cafe and explored the rest of the ship for the remainder of the day.

We purchased 2 coffee cards, as we are coffee drinkers (1 would have been sufficient enough). Three of our four pieces of luggage arrived at the room. The last piece arrived at 10pm. If you plan on changing your clothes after boarding, then I suggest you bring additional clothes in the carry on, just in case.

LIDO DECK CABIN

Let me start by saying that we LOVED our Lido deck cabin and it's location. Since I have found this Cruise Critic website, Lido deck cabins have been a topic of several threads with curious people like myself. So here's my review...We stayed in cabin L103 Lido as far front as you can get just at the bridge. The view from the large picture window was partially obstructed with the bridge, which was just fine. The bridge was so close to our room that we used it in the beginning as our own private deck (A big one at that) until other passengers found out about it later in the week. We enjoyed hanging out at the bridge. We met alot of nice people. The room was cheerful and clean with plenty of spacious closets. The blow dryer was not as poweful as mine at home. (Wished I had brought mine- more powerful for thick hard to dry hair). I ordered foam egg crates for the bed from the cabin steward. The bed was OH...SO...COMFY!!The room's temperature was a tad bid warmer than I like so we called service. They promptly came to the cabin, adjusted the AC and it worked fine for the rest of the week.The Lido deck location was very convenient to the pools, bars, food and action. I would definately book a cabin on that Lido deck again. The motion was minimal and no problem. (not any more than on any other cruise ship I've been on)

THE SHIP

Wow...it was SO...beautiful!! The only issue I had with it was the fact that it was quite a maze sometimes on some floors to get from the front of the ship to the back of the ship (except on the Lido deck) Everyone looked lost all week in getting to their final resting spot. The ship never felt crowded even though it was filled to capacity. We were amazed to find out from the cruise director that there were 1,200 kids on board that week due to the Easter Holiday school closings. You would have never known it. The staff was friendly and accomadating all week.

The pizza that everyone raves about is true, it was delicious (coming from a non-pizza lover) (so was the Knockwerst, DH favorite). The buffet food had a very large variety and was always good. We gained some pounds there!:(

1st seating, Bochelli dining room we had. Our waiter Mario was from Portugal. He was great. Food was ok.

THE SHOWS

We did not attend all of them. We saw the "Motown Show" which was ok, talented performers they have. Another night we saw a performer from Australia who was really good. Then...of course, "Sarge", the comedian that everyone talks about. He came on board the last evening. Yes...I too, laughed till I cried. We never got to sit down and see the MUTS (Main reason for choosing the Crown over RC). We passed throught he area going to other activities. It looked relaxing.

ITINERARY....Barbados, St.Lucia, Antiqua, St.Marteen, St. Thomas,San Juan

BARBADOS

Didn't book any excursion through Princess on this island. We planned to just sit by the pool and relax but then decided at the last minute to catch a tour at the terminal. We took a tour with "Elan" ($20 each) along with another family of 5. Elan was fabulous. He had a great sense of humor and was very pleasant. We lucked out this time with a great tour guide. There was some shopping at the pier.

ST. LUCIA

We Pre-booked a private tour with "Herod" ($49 each) who was highly recommended on this website. It was from 9:30-1:30 but we felt he somewhat rushed it along. There were 6 of us on this excursion. There was shopping at the pier.

ANTIQUA

My second favorite island. We booked an excursion through Princess "Castaways Beach Break with lunch" ($69 each). A nice day at the beach. The water was the most beautiful color I have ever seen in my entire life. It was a gorgeous light blue. We really like Antiqua. A beautful island. Good shopping at pier.

ST. MARTEEN-Hurrah..my cell phone comes back to life as we dock (Verizon Wireless). This was by far my favorite island. A beautiful island. We booked an excursion through Princess "The best of St. Marteen". We toured on a big air-conditioned bus (unlike the non-airconditoned shock needing vans on the other islands). We started with the french side and stopped for some shopping for 30 minutes (power shopping) at a small flea market type place. Then we went to "Orient Beach" for 90 minutes before heading back to the ship. It was a good one. The most stores for shopping at the pier.

ST. THOMAS

We didn't dock at Crown Bay as previouly was told. The "Queen Mary" Ship was in town docking there.

After we were cleared by immigration (which went fast and smooth) we headed off the boat at 7:30am, took a short taxi ride to town. We found a cute outdoor cafe to have breakfast (Stores opened at 9am M-F) Went shopping in town. The store owners practially beg you to come in and browse, buy etc...That turns me off. We met a store worker who relocated there from NY who told us tourism is way way down there. He said store rents are tremendous there and that the store owners are pretty desperate for sales so they can keep their business open. It was very sad to hear that. We bought quite a bit there. We took a tour in an air conditioned van from a tour guide in town ($20 each). There were 8 of us. There was good shopping a the pier.

SAN JUAN

Disembark- At approx. 10:30 we were off the ship. We were one of the first colors called (AFter the people with flights to catch) Since we were staying in San Juan for 2 more days, we booked a room at the Marriott Hotel and Stellers Casino. Now this Marriott was great!!!! The room view was fabulous (14 floor facing the ocean). The room was clean and nice (They told us the all hotel rooms were recently renovated.) On the premisis they had an Italian restaurant, an Oceanveiw restaurant, a coffee shop type with snacks, a chinese food counter in the casino (not recommended). a huge lobby bar serving apps., a lounge attached where a live band comes in every night and plays music, 2 pools and a wonderful beach. We did not have to leave the hotel, it was that nice!! We did go out to get Dunkin Donuts coffee (within walking distance). There was also a Starbucks accross the street from the hotel. WARNING...If you do not like strong coffee...you will not like Puerto Rician coffee. It will make your hair stand on edge. We enjoyed our first day at their beach. The chairs were free..the umbrellas were $10 or $20 for the entire day. (Can't remember the price). That evening we ventured downstairs about 6pm for dinner and the lounge party was in full swing with the latin band playing and latin dancers. It was fun to see as we walked by. The place was packed with people. We gambled a little in the casino, ate at the chinese place in the casino (yuk), then headed to the room after a very long and tired day. I would highly recommend this hotel. It was fun and a very clean place.

We flew home the next day (Continental Airlines).

We had such a great week with Princess Crown and the whole experience. Thanks Princess!!:)

[East Coaster]

loving2cruise - thanks for a great review! As we just booked the Crown for November, I really enjoy the reviews. Glad you really liked the ship.

 

What was the tour of Barbados like and how long was it?

[loving2cruise]

loving2cruise - thanks for a great review! As we just booked the Crown for November, I really enjoy the reviews. Glad you really liked the ship.

 

What was the tour of Barbados like and how long was it?

 

"Elan" took us around showing us some VIP homes. Then we stopped for refreshments at a souveneir/refreshments store high above a hilltop away from the populated areas where the view was spectacular. Beautiful countryside. Everyone is friendly there.

Alot of towns are really poverty sticken though. It was sad to see people washing their laundry in the streams. It makes you really appreciate what we take for granted here at home.

The roads were extremely narrow and very bumpy. (They don't have a highway dept. there, that is for sure) Drivers beep the horn as they drive so the other drivers can hear them comming around the corners.... Barely 2 passing cars can fit on the road going in the opposite direction at the same time. They are used to it, so they are experienced at it. The tour took about 2 or 3 hours. It was well worth it. If you are interested in a tour with "Elan", I have his business card.

[play21cw]

Great review, thanks!! I cant wait until I sail her in August!

 

Cheers

[loving2cruise]

Great review, thanks!! I cant wait until I sail her in August!

 

Cheers

 

 

Thank you.....Have a great cruise. You will love it!!! :D

[ramcruzrs]

loving2cruise

 

Just booked the cabin next door for our cruise in January. Do you have any pictures of the cabin or your "private" deck?

 

Thanks, Beth

[loving2cruise]

loving2cruise

 

Just booked the cabin next door for our cruise in January. Do you have any pictures of the cabin or your "private" deck?

 

Thanks, Beth

Yes...I will try to get them on here soon.