NCL Crown 9/30 Bermuda Review

[paulyjsob]

We just got back from the 9/30 Bermuda sailing on the Crown. All in all it was a nice cruise. My wife and I traveled with our 13 month old and my parents. We were on deck 8 oceanview.

We got to NYC at around noon and immediately boarded the ship via the Latitudes line. It was great. We went right to our room which was ready when we got there. We got settled and went to the buffet for lunch. The food in the buffet was OK all week. No complaints. Leaving NY was great.

 

I'll start with the positive things...

 

The room was very nice, clean, and had a good amount of storage. The shop was very well taken care of and didn't look its age. The staff was very friendly and helpful. The food at seven seas was very tasty although some of the portions were ridiculously small. One night my salad had 6 lettuce leafs in it. :confused:

Bermuda is my new favorite island. Simply beautiful. I can't wait to go back. We went to tobacco beach in st george and horsehouse bay in Hamilton. Getting on and off the ship was alway painless and the eat ashore program is great.

 

Now onto the negative things...

 

My daughter's bedtime is around 7:30 and we were tired so we hit the room early. Here is where I have a major complaint. Around 7:30 we put our daughter down in her crib and she was startled with being a new environment. She ended up crying for over 30 minutes. Apparently, someone had complained and had called the front desk. Anyway, she fell asleep at around 8:15 and at 9PM we get a call from the front desk saying guest are complaining about a crying baby. We get this call 45 minutes AFTER she fell asleep. They also threatened to call security?!?!?!:eek: Call security for a crying baby?!?! What a joke. I find it sad how it took them over 45 minutes to look into a complaint. Pretty sad. Anyway, she slept fine all night and every night there on.

Two night they had karaoke at 10:45PM in the main lobby. Way too late for such an event on such a small ship. Our room was directly above and it was extremely loud. I REALLY hope that the people that complained about a crying baby at 7:30 also complained about karaoke at 10:45. Karaoke is fine, just do it in a part of the ship that doesn't keep 3 floors of the ship up for a while late at night.

Also music from the bar could be heard in our room until 3AM. Very annoying. Especially since the music was fairly repetitive. Sleeping with Celine Dion in the background is a difficult.

It seems like this ship was the smokiest of any ship we've sailed on. Our hallway always smelled of smoke.

We decided to get off the ship sunday morning early carrying our own luggage. We were told to wait in the rooms until out tag color was called. All the sudden we hear an announcement that EVERYONE getting off the ship early must report to the gangway on floor 6. STUPID!! There's no better way to create a mess then to have everyone leaving early to rush to the gangway. The hallways and elevators were PACKED with people and all there luggage. People were in line on the stairs because there was no room. USE THE COLOR TAG SYSTEM NCL!!! NO TOO DIFFICULT.

 

All in all it was a nice cruise. The Crown is a nice, well taken care of ship that's great for Bermuda.

[Hobbsey]

Pauly, Welcome home.

 

I agree that there is just too much noise and smoke at the center of the ship. Right at the top of the "grand" staircase they do Wii torunments and Kareoke, in the middle of a very narrow walkway. And, it's just outside of the Casino bar where they will play one set of music against competing set of music in the casino itself WHILE they have sports playing in the very same lounge. Uggg

 

It is odd that they would be so threatening over a crying baby!

 

Early disembarkation: You must not have read through the paperwork. You were to go to the desk and get a special pass to get off early. You were to disregard your color tags. You were to either meet in the show lounge or your room and then go to deck 6 to debark when they called for Express Disembarkation.

 

Indeed it was a jam when we did it too, 3 weeks ago. But, it moved fine once the doors were open and we were off the ship a full hour earlier than our suite disembarkation was scheduled. It had to be an added hassle for you with a one year old in tow.

[paulyjsob]

We did register for the early disembarkment. I was told to wait for early disembarkment people to be called down by tag color. I was told this 3 times by 3 different workers.

[Hobbsey]

Yeah, I found some confusion among the staff on a few items. I think it speaks to the transitional nature of this ship and it's crew.

 

Well, you got off in one piece and home safely.

 

I hope you also had some time to relax. I think that Bermuda is my favorite cruise stop too. The Island is simply beautiful. It is safe and clean too. Even the high school kids getting off and on the buses are polite.

[paulyjsob]

I loved Bermuda. We were walking along the street past what looked like 2 Bermuda "Thugs" drinking on a park bench. As we walked by they both kindly smiled and said Hi. I was amazed and the friendliness of everyone. Oh how I'd love to live there...

[kr1st1nm]

Hi - We're sailing on the Crown 10/28 with OUR 13 month old! Any tips or tricks you learned or things you wish you would have brought?

 

Were you able to bring your daughter in the pool? I've read mixed reviews on these rules. We're thinking about bringing a small blow up pool for our son to play in. Good idea or not worth it?

 

What was the high chair situation? Readily available or should I bring some kind of hook-on seat? I'm thinking that in the buffet restaurants he'll probably just eat in his stroller. Did you eat in Le Bistro? Was it at all kid-friendly?

 

What did the ship provide for a crib or did you bring your own Pack N Play? I'm guessing there will be enough room next to the beds once they're pushed together? We're in a Cat.D - way aft on the Laguna Deck. Just underneath the Seven Seas kitchen and the pool right above that. There are cabins on either side but no one across from us. I cannot believe someone called to complain about your daughter crying! What did they think was going to be done about it? I know I'm not a fan of a crying baby either (especially on vacation) but it takes some nerve to call the desk about it!!!

 

Was the staff helpful in regard to your daughter? I know this is not a Disney cruise and they don't offer kids programs until 2 years old, but I hope we don't feel "umwelcome" for bringing our baby on vacation!

 

Thanks for the review and any additional info you can give.

 

Kristin in NJ

[paulyjsob]

Hey Kristin. The staff was very accommodating towards my daughter. We had a portable delivered to out room when we arrived. It was nice and clean and in good shape. A high chair was available at the yacht club (buffet) at all times. The staff would always wash and sterilize the high chair for us before. They were great. My daughter didn't do so well eating at the restaurants though. She's at that stage were she wants to touch and play with EVERYTHING. So she was distracted. A few times we actually took food back to out room and fed her there.

As far as the pool goes, we did see people take their unpottie trained kids in. I personally didn't want to take my daughter in knowing what was in the water. But to each their own.

A small pool might not be a bad idea. Although there wasn't much room on the deck when at see. Any while you're in Bermuda you'll probably be at the beach anyway.

I was very irritated by the whole baby crying complaint. And the fact that reception called 45 minutes later to threaten me with security. What would they do, duct tape her mouth shut?!?!? I'm almost tempted to complain to NCL about that. I could see people complaining and reception addressing the issue if it was 2AM and repetitive from night to night, but at 7:30PM on the first night??? Give me a break.

 

 

Anyway, my daughter had fun and we did as well. Although it wasn't exactly a super relaxing vacation.

Have fun! I look forward to reading about your trip!

 

Paul

[kr1st1nm]

Thanks Paul. I'm glad to hear the staff was helpful. I can't wait!

[Smellytoes]

Hey Kristin. The staff was very accommodating towards my daughter. We had a portable delivered to out room when we arrived. It was nice and clean and in good shape. A high chair was available at the yacht club (buffet) at all times. The staff would always wash and sterilize the high chair for us before. They were great. My daughter didn't do so well eating at the restaurants though. She's at that stage were she wants to touch and play with EVERYTHING. So she was distracted. A few times we actually took food back to out room and fed her there.

As far as the pool goes, we did see people take their unpottie trained kids in. I personally didn't want to take my daughter in knowing what was in the water. But to each their own.

A small pool might not be a bad idea. Although there wasn't much room on the deck when at see. Any while you're in Bermuda you'll probably be at the beach anyway.

I was very irritated by the whole baby crying complaint. And the fact that reception called 45 minutes later to threaten me with security. What would they do, duct tape her mouth shut?!?!? I'm almost tempted to complain to NCL about that. I could see people complaining and reception addressing the issue if it was 2AM and repetitive from night to night, but at 7:30PM on the first night??? Give me a break.

 

 

Anyway, my daughter had fun and we did as well. Although it wasn't exactly a super relaxing vacation.

Have fun! I look forward to reading about your trip!

 

Paul

 

I know how you feel about the ridiculous complaint. We were on the Majesty once and were getting the kids (they were older ) ready for dinner at about 7:15pm. AFTER dinner, while everyone was in bed we got a call from the front desk complaining that our cabin was too loud at 7:15.

Apparently we had next door neighbors who put their kids to bed at 7:00 and were mad that they could hear us at 7:15.

[paulyjsob]

Honestly though.. You're on a boat with over a thousand other people. What do you expect?

NCL's reception staff should have more common sense. Let's call a room 45 minutes after getting a complaint and risk waking a baby up again. VERY SMART!! Its a good think the phone was right next to my head and I was able to pick it up in half a ring. If the call woke up my daughter and started another crying session, I would've taken her downstairs and sat down right next to the reception desk with a crying baby just to piss them off..

[lou_vnj]

Kristin, I haven't been on the Crown but have done 4 Dawn cruises, first one with a 14 month old son, then added a little brother in the mix! Last cruise was at 4 yr and 2yrs old. I would recommend bringing some jarred food, something your son likes, just in case, as you never know what they will like and at least they will get some nutrition if they get picky. Those disposable spoons are great too. We also took some juice for sippy cups, even formula and then soy milk cause the younger one is allergic to cow's milk. Every cruise has been different, but my sons actually have been more picky as they get older. Some Goldfish or other snacks are good to have around, as their schedule will be off. Basic infant medications like Infant Tylenol and Advil are a must too. From your location I assume you're driving to the pier. This makes it a whole lot easier. I would over pack if possible.

 

We have always taken an inflatable pool, it has worked out great. Only potty trained are allowed in the pools. We also brought an inflatable "duck" bathtub that we put in the shower for bathing the kids. Something like a Leapster helps occupy them at dinner, if you are to have them at dinner every night like we have.

 

Our cruises have been 1 7day and 3 10 days, and it has been harder and harder to do with 2 boys. I think they actually adapt better when they are younger!

[salty dingo]

About the crying baby, I wonder who it was bothering at 8:15 PM? Who tries to sleep at that early hour???

 

Anyway, I would like to see the security come knocking about the baby. What are they going to do - gag it? Throw it in the brig? Sounds to me like some inexperienced crew were manning the help desk! I would not worry about it! Sounds like everything worked out well.

[kr1st1nm]

Lou - Thanks for the tips. I agree - the younger, the easier. We took our son to Florida at 2 months, 6 months & 8 months and it was harder each time(mostly on the plane). This trip will be interesting. He is a good eater (although I do plan to bring some baby food, snacks and formula) and he's always been good in restaurants - the main dining room however should be a bit of an adventure. As long as the courses come out pretty quickly and there's a bread basket on the table we should be OK. I hate to think that we have to eat at the buffet every night!

 

One question - how did you fill up the baby pool? I read one post where they bought the "bucket of beer" and used that - just looking for another possible option.

 

And yes, driving to the pier & totally overpacking! If you think of anything else, I'd love to hear it!

 

Kristin

[lou_vnj]

Kristin,

The courses don't usually come out too quickly, we've had to try and push things along in the dining rooms (tell waiter bring appetizer and salad together, etc). Many times the bread basket is empty, the kids are full and ready to leave and our entree is arriving! But definitely don't go to the buffet for dinner, enjoy your meal! Between coloring, Leapster and waiters helping out, we always make out ok. We usually eat breakfast and some lunches in the dining room, the buffets are usually chaotic, and the dining rooms are not so busy, and my kids enjoy pancakes, waffles, eggs and pastries. Actually, breakfast might be their best meal.

 

We have had a balcony to put our pool on, but the Crown doesn't have many (or any). We used a Rubbermaid or Sterilite tub to fill the pool (beer bucket would work very well!), we always pack a couple tubs to use as a dishpan for washing sippy cups and bottles. We use the lids to set them out to dry. We also bring our portable DVD player for a before bed video for the kids. I also bring that blue painter's tape to tape a couple pieces of paper over a fluorescent ceiling light to make a night light. Umbrella stroller is a must, these can also be used in the dining room for a sleeping child, or just to bring them down there, the waiters will store it in a corner til your ready to leave. As said by others, the staff are usually very good with the little ones.

 

If you have any specific questions, feel free to PM me and I'll try to answer.

Enjoy the Crown and Bermuda!

[Mahalia]

Nobody likes screaming kids, but sheesh a little baby? For a few minutes? At that hour? It's not like bratty unsupervised kids knocking on your walls or messing around with the elevator.

 

Nobody WANTS their baby to cry and it's hardly a security issue. I would have made a major stink about that, but I'm a bit of a loudmouth ;) We were all little once, how soon people forget.

 

I loved all the little ones on our cruise, watching Mom and Dad race to eat to keep baby happy reminded me of home ;)

 

If it is really bugging you, I say phone NCL, it seems to have left a mark on an otherwise enjoyable trip.

 

Good Luck!