Very (very) long review of CB July 1st. cruise

[jillmom2]

We are a family of 4 Mom and Dad 40 and 41 2 boys ages 15 and 11, We arrived in NYC a day before the cruise and stayed at the Marriott Brooklyn bridge hotel. This is a very nice hotel and very close to the Brooklyn terminal. Upon arriving at LGA with a lot of luggage we were able to take a van style taxi cab directly to the hotel for about $35.00. We had way too much luggage , but we were a family of four. We had six pieces of luggage total. 2 large, and 2 medium suitcases and 2 carry-ons. We got in the taxi line but had to wait a few extra minutes for a van-cab to be available.

 

We arrived at the hotel about 3:30 p.m. on June30th. We had a light dinner at the hotel concierge lounge and set out to explore NYC. The hotel is on the Brooklyn side of the bridge approach so we walked across the Brooklyn Bridge into lower Manhattan. (I highly recommend that you do this if time allows, the views cannot be beat.) We explored much of lower Manhattan as it was my children's first visit to NYC. Ground Zero, Downtown area, Battery Park, rode the Staten Island Ferry over and back (its free) to see Statue of Liberty up close, as the ferrys to Liberty and Ellis Island were done for the day. We also stayed in mid-town 2 days after the cruise to see much more of the city.

 

The next morning we decided to wait out the crowd and not rush over to the ship. I called Aricebo car service for pick up at the hotel to get over to the cruise terminal as I did not want to wait on a van-cab or know when one might pass by. Aricebo showed up with a trailblazer style SUV and charged 20 dollars to take us to the port.(A little pricey for only a few blocks, but at least it fit all of us and our luggage, price was only 8 bucks if you just needed a regular car.)I would probably not use them again. Did nothave any trouble but the way they answered the phone in such a hurry,hurry way and hung up before I could finish explaining that we needed a larger car or SUV and brusque attitude upon arrival, I could not comfortably recommend them to others.

 

Arrival at Brooklyn terminal was a breeze. We unloaded and just kept on moving. The line moved so quickly that we never stopped until we were up to a window and checking in. That took all of five minutes and I would say we were on board the ship fifteen minutes total from arrival. The last time we cruised , it was with Disney cruise line and we were the first to arrive at the port. It was nice but then you had and hour or two wait until you could board. It was much nicer to wait this time and be able to board immediately and go right to your cabin.

 

Our cabin was great and it was a mini suite cabin E724 on Emerald deck in the Aft area. Very quiet. The cabin was nice sized overall and was showing a bit of wear and tear. But with heavy use it is to be expected. I don't think a family of four should ever consider a cabin any smaller than this one. We fit very well but it was still cozy. Queen sized bed and pull out sleeper sofa and drop down bunk over the sofa. Bathroom nice sized with a bathtub and plenty of sink and counter space. Nice sized bottles of shampoo and conditioner and soap from the lotus spa is provided. Our cabin steward was Edgar and he did a great job for us all week.

 

I do not like that the sofa bed pulls out and blocks your access to the balcony when in use. On the disney ship the back of the sofa folds down over the bottom half to become the bed and therefore takes up no floor space. That is a much better style than a typical pull out like this. That is my only overall complaint about the room. There could also have been a privacy curtain to pull between and divide the two rooms at night but it was not a really big deal since we were all family. If you are ever sharing this room with others except your children, It could however be a really big deal. Two TV sets are nice so there is one facing each room. The TV facing the sofa area had great reception but the one facing the queen bed was not as good. a little fuzzy most of the time, but who has time to watch TV anyway.

 

We ate every night in the Palm dining room with anytime dining. It seemed less crowded as this was the very back aft dining room.We never had to wait for a table for 4 and we showed up most times around 6 and occasionally went around 8. There were people waiting occasionally when we left. We never made a specific reservation for a certain time. Food was average to good. We just enjoyed being waited on and not have to cook. Chairs were always pulled out for us and napkins placed in our laps. Service was good but not very personable. But since you have different waiters each night there is no incentive for them. We were seated 3-4 nights in a section that Bogdah and Peter were serving in and these two guys were great. We did not request them at all but were seated there randomly but I would highly recommend them.

 

We did not attend any shows in the theater. We went to every show on our last cruise and we always felt rushed to get to dinner, get to the shows and try to see and do it all. This time we were much more laid back and preferred not to attend. From what I heard there was never enough seating anyway. My husband is the type who will dress for dinner (to keep me happy and off his back) but wants to change back into his shorts and be comfortable right afterward. FYI signs are posted and policy is enforced that shorts are not welcome in the dining rooms. We saw one person turned away. Formal night is not super dressy but can be if you want. I observed agout half and half. My husband brought a sports coat and dress pants and wore it for both formal and semi formal nights. Other nights were khaki pants and polo or other collar style shirts.

 

My boys came and went from the kids and teen programs one is 11 and the other is 15. They preferred the basketball court and just hanging by the pool with their new found friends. The 15 year old never made it in before 1 or 2 a.m. I don't think he liked anything particular about the clubs, he just did not want to hang with his parents. I hope he enoyed it because he would never have that much freedom at home. He was very good at picking up a house phone and checking in once in a while or finding us on deck or leaving a note in the cabin. (He knew if he didn't his roaming would end).

 

My husband and I and my 11 yr. old all enjoyed MUTS. and the only time we saw Sarge the comedian was when they beamed his show up to the pool deck and showed it on MUTS screen. He was good, (not great, but still entertaining,) and there was a huge crowd who saw the show on deck. I probably would have watched all of the shows if they had broadcasted them this way, but I had no desire to sit in the theatre when the outside evenings were so beautiful. We were in comfy lounge chairs and had a nice sea breeze.

 

Not overally impressed with the casino onboard, We never stepped foot inside it and would not miss it if it wasn't there. More about spending time with our children and each other. Smoking very noticible onboard. I was not bothered by it but you definitley know the smoke is there. I could also smell it slightly on my balcony once in a while. Much nicer if the ship would be smoke free.

 

The cruise itinerary was changed and we did not get to St. Maarten. We had been there before and so we did not mind seeing Tortola. I did mind that we had reduced times in each port,and I did not like how they would hold us up in lounges to disembark at each port, but this cruise was more about relaxing and so we enjoyed the ship anyway.

 

We got to San Juan late at around 4 or 5 p.m. on the 4th of July. We did not plan any excursions but we were able to hook up with a tour guide with a tour van a couple on their honeymoon and one other family joined us so it was a nice small group and for 20.00 bucks each he drove us around Old and New San Juan and then let us off back by the ship after a couple of hours. We then explored Old San Juan on foot for the next hour or so. It got dark quickly but everything was lit up and people were out and about. Shops were beginning to close up but we were able to get a feel for everything. Disappointed that there were no fireworks displays to be found for the 4th of July

 

We did not book any ship excursions on any island as we find that you can do exactly the same things much cheaper if you just walk off the ship and book with someone at the port, or book online from home ahead of time. (When we were in St, Maarten previously on our first cruise I had reserved a car ahead of time at the port and we picked it up and for 65.00 total for all four of us we drove around the whole island stopped in the French capitol of Marigot and stopped at beaches along the way and went to Orient beach for 2-3 hours and then returned the car and shopped in downtown Philipsburg on the Dutch side where the ship docked)

 

Our next stop was St. thomas.The first time we were here we did an island tour and went to megan's bay and shopped in Havensite. This time we went to Coral world and Coki beach. The beach is nice but I would skip coral world. It was cute and is a good way to spend a couple of hours with young children, and they have a convenient boardwalk down to the beach but I would not go again. But I would go again to Coki beach it was very nice for swimmimg and snorkeling. Next time I would probably try to see St. John's.

 

I did not like the Crown Bay docking location. It is nice and new but nothing there yet. If it gets to the level of shops like Havensite then it will be fine but not just yet.It is also a bit farther from most of the places you want to go on the island.

 

Next was Tortola, we again got off the ship drove around with a driver for about 2and 1/2 hours (we always like a quick tour if we have never have been to the island before to get a feel for the island, this usually determines if I want to return and spend more time) and he took us up to the highest point on the island (He called it "the top of the world") You could see Virgin Gorda, Jost Vandyke and the BVI as well as see all the way to the USVI There is a little restaurant and bar up there to get a beverage. He also gave a beach stop to Cane Garden Beach (beautiful beach and I would go again) and he returned us to the ship. Nothing much was open as it was a Sunday, so no point in shopping but we arent big shoppers anyway. We would much rather spend a day at the beach.(I did buy a new watch in St. Thomas, however)

 

Next day and final island stop was Grand Turk, We got off the ship and stayed right at the cruise terminal, We secured some beach chairs and stayed on the beach for a little while, then my 11 yr old decided that he liked the pool at Margaritaville better than the beach, so we relocated to the pool area. Found some chairs and spent the remainder of the time poolside. It is a beautiful pool area and shopping is very conveniently right there for you. Both boys spent all of their time in the water and as I found out later had a great views of the Miss Margaritaville "booty shakin' contest) There is also a flow-rider surf machine at the pool area. Many people were busy using this, but since both my boys have used this at various indoor and outdoor waterparks that we have visited, it was not a big draw for them.

 

This is the most fake ready-made Island stop we made of all the islands. It is nice and new and modern but is strictly a money making tourist trap.

It is made to cater to the cruise ship passengers and they just throw a beach party bash for a few hours and let people get drunk and head back to the ship. Some people got away from the cruise terminal and went out and about on the island, but most did not.

 

We spent the next two days traveling back to New York. Had about 20 minutes of rain on one of the sea days but it did not ruin anything. Had very good weather and fairly calm seas.

 

Overall a nice trip, but 9 days was long enough I was getting a little restless, NYC was great to explore when we got back. Make sure you have your transportation from the cruise ship arranged as the car services provided are very expensive. Taxis are plentiful though if you can fit all of your baggage in one. We took a car service provided by princess to Mid town and it was 100.00 dollars.

 

Ship is showing some wear and tear (but it is still beautiful) and is ready for dry dock. I did not have extremely high or unrealistic expectations for this trip. I just wanted a nice getaway vacation. Some people were very upset about the itinerary changes and time changes at port, and others were very demanding of the ship workers. Princess is a mainline cruise line and you get what you pay for. It is not high-end service oriented. But the more courteous and polite you can be in your requests, the better service you are likely to receive. We experienced no problems with service of any sort.

 

Service and food average to good, I don't feel it is up to the impeccable standards we experienced on the Disney Magic, but overall we had a very nice vacation and Princess trip was much more reasonable in price. I paid about the same for this trip which was 2 days longer and 2 and 1/2 years later with close to equivalent stateroom accomodations.

 

Had a bit more of an older population than I experienced before, also many multi-generational families. grandparents, parents, and children which is great to see. Also a good amount of families like us. I am also looking at Royal Caribbean but I think they are similar to Princess.

 

Overall a nice vacation, I would recommend this trip to others. If it is a first cruise I am sure most people would think it is wonderful ,but since we have something else to compare it to , I would have to rate it above average to good. Everything was about what I expected it to be. I will probably try other lines like Royal Caribbean before I can decide if I will be back to Princess. Right now I still prefer Disney, but we wanted to also go to NYC which is why we chose princess.

 

We were recommended this cruise by friends with children who just raved about it. However they had never been on Disney. It was a good trip and I never planned to compare Disney and Princess , I knew what I was getting in to and I expected what I got, and overall like I said we had a nice time.

 

I will answer any questions anyone may have

[vickie_bernie]

really appreciate you posting this review. Reviews like yours allow others to gain knowledge about not only the ship but the ports. I particularily enoyed the info on Grand Turk. I also liked the comparisson to Disney.

 

Thanks again

[MoonPet]

Aricebo showed up with a trailblazer style SUV and charged 20 dollars to take us to the port.(A little pricey for only a few blocks, but at least it fit all of us and our luggage, price was only 8 bucks if you just needed a regular car.)I would probably not use them again. Did nothave any trouble but the way they answered the phone in such a hurry,hurry way and hung up before I could finish explaining that we needed a larger car or SUV and brusque attitude upon arrival, I could not comfortably recommend them to others.

 

<snip>

 

This is the most fake ready-made Island stop we made of all the islands. It is nice and new and modern but is strictly a money making tourist trap.

It is made to cater to the cruise ship passengers and they just throw a beach party bash for a few hours and let people get drunk and head back to the ship. Some people got away from the cruise terminal and went out and about on the island, but most did not.

 

 

Great review. BRILLIANT quote about Grand Turk. I agree with you wholeheartedly. It reminds me a little of the port in Costa Maya, Mexico.

 

I wouldn't let Aricebo's phone mannerisms get to you though. All of the major car service dispatchers can be like that at times, especially when they get busy. Typically the dispatcher is on the phone with you and has at least two other conversations going on at the same time. However, if they aren't being reponsive to your request, it's okay to get a little aggressive (in a nice way) and make sure they listen to you.

[resstation]

Lovely review. Thank you.

 

On embarkation day, you mentioned that it was a breeze getting through the lines and onto the ship. About what time did you arrive at the terminal?

[dforeigner]

Thank you for taking time to write a review. You are right. The when you pull out the bed from the sofa (in a mini suite) it blocks the access to the balcony. That's a bummer, but oh well.

[Melissa5920]

Did nothave any trouble but the way they answered the phone in such a hurry,hurry way and hung up before I could finish explaining that we needed a larger car or SUV and brusque attitude upon arrival, I could not comfortably recommend them to others.

Thanks for the review!

LOL.. this is just about every car service in NYC.

[pokey's mom]

It is a shame you did not get further into town in Grand Turk. While there really is not much of a shopping district, it is up and coming. We have been there twice , the first time while walking back from "town" we found a small resort on our walk. We went in for a drink and fell in love. We sat on their patio watching the sea having a wonderfully relaxed drink. The resort is called the Osprey and it is beautiful. We even thought briefly about buying it. There is a flight of stairs to go down to the beach , which is empty. If any one is going to Grand Turk please check it out. You will have to take a short inexpensive taxi ride , but it is well worth getting away from the tourist trap, port area.

[kendon]

I,m so sorry you chose the Caribbean Princess for your first Princess cruise. In MY opinion, comparing it to all others, the ship and itinerary are both mediocre. Nine days is way too long for the itinerary...too many sea days and too long of a trip to get anywhere leaving NYC. Again, MY opinion.

[SingerEsq]

I,m so sorry you chose the Caribbean Princess for your first Princess cruise. In MY opinion, comparing it to all others, the ship and itinerary are both mediocre. Nine days is way too long for the itinerary...too many sea days and too long of a trip to get anywhere leaving NYC. Again, MY opinion.

 

Can't comment on the itinerary, but I agree with you about the Caribbean Princess. Of all our cruises, this was our LEAST favorite ship (even though it's identical to the Golden). I know a lot of people love her, but I'd be hard pressed to do another cruise on her.

 

and ... thanks for the review.

[Casshew]

Hi there, thansk for you review :)

 

Can you reall the movies they were showing on MUTS?

 

Thanks

[jillmom2]

Lovely review. Thank you.

 

On embarkation day, you mentioned that it was a breeze getting through the lines and onto the ship. About what time did you arrive at the terminal?

 

 

we arrived between 12:30 and 1 p.m.

[jillmom2]

Hi there, thansk for you review :)

 

Can you reall the movies they were showing on MUTS?

 

Thanks

 

I have all of the patters so here goes...

 

July 1st

movies: Finding Nemo and The Game Plan (Concerts were shown at other times ..Barry Manilow, Tina Turner Bob Marley U2 etc....)

 

July 2nd: Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Dan in Real Life and

National Treasure:Book of Secrets

 

July3rd: Sunbed Bingo, Raiders of the Lost Ark , Grease and

The Great Debaters

 

July4th: Spiderman 2, Batman Begins, Atonement and

Rocky Horror Picture Show...

 

July5th : Bridge to Terabithia, Pirates of Caribean At worlds End,The Bee Movie, American Ganster

 

July6th: Toy Story, Ice Age, Splash, Water Horse, and The Bucket List

 

July 7th Transformers, Cars, Ratatouille, No Country for old Men

 

July8th: Night at the Museum, ET, High School Musical 2, Sweeny Todd

 

July 9th:Big, Shrek 3, I am Legend , Bourne Ultimatum

 

There was also an assortment of afternoon movies showing in the Princess theatre.

[jillmom2]

Can't comment on the itinerary, but I agree with you about the Caribbean Princess. Of all our cruises, this was our LEAST favorite ship (even though it's identical to the Golden). I know a lot of people love her, but I'd be hard pressed to do another cruise on her.

 

and ... thanks for the review.

I was looking at the list of your past cruises, and I see you were on the SS Independence in Hawaii...that was my very first cruise.... Christmas/New Year's week 1989-1990 for my parents 25th anniversary..it was fun, but Im glad ships have come such a long way since then!! :)

[cruzinchris]

While DH and I have no plans to sail out of NYC, we have been on the CB three times since 2005 - nice ship that will probably be even better with the "jewel" upgrades.

 

I mostly read your review mostly because I saw that you live in S.E. Michigan. We cruise mostly in January/February to escape our harsh winters in the Metro-Detroit area, although we are doing a 7-night Alaskan cruise on the Star, 9/14-21.

 

Thanks for sharing your recent cruise experience here at CC.

Chris

[Casshew]

Holy Crap, I can't believe they showed Sweeny Todd. (I just saw it, lots of blood and gore)

 

thanks for the list of movies, we are sailing on the CB in 4 weeks!!

[resstation]

I didn't realize they played movies and other programs for what seems all day and night. I thought MUTS had one movie each night (silly me). So that entire area is reserved for those who want to watch MUTS throughout the day/evening? Sounds like fun. I wonder if they will have Monday Night Football. We will be on the CB in October. I hope its not too cold for MUTS! (Blanket time).

[mollyanne]

Thanks for the info on the BB Marriott. We are booked there before our CB repo cruise in October and again next May before we take the CB 9-day voyage out of New York.

 

If you had to guess - how long would you say it took to cross the bridge on your walking trip into Manhattan?

 

Thanks!:)

[jillmom2]

Thanks for the info on the BB Marriott. We are booked there before our CB repo cruise in October and again next May before we take the CB 9-day voyage out of New York.

 

If you had to guess - how long would you say it took to cross the bridge on your walking trip into Manhattan?

 

Thanks!:)

It took us between 30-45 minutes, I wasn't keeping that close watch on the time, I was busy looking at the view...there are two lanes one for walkers and one for bike riders, roller blades etc. the traffic is below you....but stay in your walking lane or you will get run over :eek: .....many many bikers..what a great way to commute to work. It was a lot of fun... plenty of benches along the way to sit and rest if needed...This was probably one of the coolest things my boys think we did...

[jillmom2]

I didn't realize they played movies and other programs for what seems all day and night. I thought MUTS had one movie each night (silly me). So that entire area is reserved for those who want to watch MUTS throughout the day/evening? Sounds like fun. I wonder if they will have Monday Night Football. We will be on the CB in October. I hope its not too cold for MUTS! (Blanket time).

 

nothing is reserved during the day and they only put the covers on the loungers for the main evening shows... starting around 7p.m. During the day the shows are just playing for whom ever is lounging around the pool or swimming....some people may be paying attention but for most it is just background....at the other main pool a band is usually playing...

[fathercop]

Thanks for a fair, honest and balanced reviewed that was nicely described. We were on the ship the 9 days before you and we did enjoy our cruise - the big reason we picked it is so that we could spend a few days in New York. As for the ship, I was hoping we could be on it after it was suppose to have been in drydock this past spring. I think the updates would have enhanced the CB.

 

We did go further into Grand Turk and found some lovely places to walk around, or enjoy a quiet drink. The nice thing about that island is that it has the lowest crime rate in the Caribbean, so I have been told. With the sea days, I have to say, my wife and I love sea days. They are so laid back and relaxing. I just wake up around 10 AM, sit by the pool with a drink or two, maybe go for a lecture, or maybe not, of course eat and then sit by the pool with a drink or two.

 

Again, thanks for a good review!

[jkudzu]

I,m so sorry you chose the Caribbean Princess for your first Princess cruise. In MY opinion, comparing it to all others, the ship and itinerary are both mediocre. Nine days is way too long for the itinerary...too many sea days and too long of a trip to get anywhere leaving NYC. Again, MY opinion.

 

Opinions are like noses--everyone has one! I've done two cruises on the CB with the last one being 9 days and leaving NYC. I loved every minute of both of them and would still be there if they had let us stay on board. The sea days were so relaxing and it was just what a vacation should be. :)

[mollyanne]

It took us between 30-45 minutes, I wasn't keeping that close watch on the time, I was busy looking at the view...there are two lanes one for walkers and one for bike riders, roller blades etc. the traffic is below you....but stay in your walking lane or you will get run over :eek: .....many many bikers..what a great way to commute to work. It was a lot of fun... plenty of benches along the way to sit and rest if needed...This was probably one of the coolest things my boys think we did...

 

Thanks so much for the info! We will give this a try.

[spongerob]

Thanks for your review, there's lot of good information there.

[Clutterlady]

Opinions are like noses--everyone has one! I've done two cruises on the CB with the last one being 9 days and leaving NYC. I loved every minute of both of them and would still be there if they had let us stay on board. The sea days were so relaxing and it was just what a vacation should be. :)

 

Couldn't agree with you more! Love, sea days. That's part of the reason we choose certain itineraries and cruising....to relax and enjoy.

 

Loved the CB, great ship and would sail her again anytime:) :)