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Just off Caribbean Princess 3/29/09

BURNSMN

By BURNSMN,
in Princess Cruises

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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Thought I would post a comparison of Caribbean Princess Cruise 3/29/09 vs Crown Princess Cruise 3/29/08 both out of San Juan.

 

Embarkation: This year was out of the Pan American Pier vs Old San Juan Pier last year. We arrived at the piers at similar times each year after 12 noon checkouts at pre-cruise hotels. Both years we were on the ship about a half an hour after arrival at the pier. At Old San Juan we spent more time outside in the sun vs Pan American where we sat inside in chairs awaiting check in.

 

Ship Info: The two ships are very similar after Caribbean Princess drydock. Slight difference in the location of shops, bars, casino, restaurant, library, internet cafe etc. in the Main Piazza area of Decks 5-7. Probably the biggest difference in the two ships would be the location of Sabatini's which is on Deck 16 on the Crown vs Deck 7 on the Caribbean. There is also the Adagio Bar on Deck 16 of the Crown.

 

Stateroom: The interior of the rooms on the two ships seem to be the same. The Caribbean Princess does have new flat screen TV's this year which the Crown did not have last year. There has been much discussion about motion on the ships this year. This is a tough comparison because we had an outside oceanview on the middle of the Emerald Deck (8) last year on the Crown vs a aft balcony on the Aloha Deck (12) this year. There definitely was more motion this year but it could very well have been from room location. It was never more than a slight side to side rocking similar to what you feel on a train.

 

Dining: We felt that there was a slight downgrading of food choices this year, especially at dinner. It could possibly be due to the economy and did not effect our overall enjoyment of the cruise. We were on anytime dining and did not eat at the specialty restaurants. We did do the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and it was fantastic. Will talk more about it in my Cruise Review Posting.

 

Entertainment: On both cruises we went to all the shows in the Princess Theater. The three production shows, comedians, and other acts seemed to be of equal quality on both ships. We thought our Cruise Director this year (Dan Styne) did a better job than last year's director (JJ Ulrich).

 

Itinerary: The Crown in 2008 did the Classic Southern vs The Caribbean's Southern Caribbean Explorer this year. Both itineraries feature stops on five separate islands with St. Thomas being the only duplication. Both are highly enjoyable and I would not pick one over the other

 

Disembarkation: This was much easier for us at the Pan American Pier. This year we stayed on the ship as long as we could which allowed almost all of our baggage group to be picked up before we got there. Also, because we waiited unitl the end, the taxi lines were short. We left the ship at 10:30 AM and took a taxi to SJU for a 3:00 PM Flight. Last year we were off the ship at 8:00 AM and dealing with luggage, customs, etc took much longer.

 

Overall: I would rate the two cruise experiences very similar. The Southern Caribbean Itineraries are highly enjoyable and the two ships are almost identical.

 

I would be happy to answer any questions and do plan on posting a lengthly cruise and ports of call reiview.

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LoraJ

LoraJ

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Welcome home!!!

 

We'll be on this itinerary next week. Really looking forward to it.

 

My only question is, if you were in the casino, did you notice if they had the Game King/video poker slots? That's DH's fave. I know they had them in the old casino, just making sure they made it in the move.

 

Looking forward to your review, especially about the ports.

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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Welcome home!!!

 

We'll be on this itinerary next week. Really looking forward to it.

 

My only question is, if you were in the casino, did you notice if they had the Game King/video poker slots? That's DH's fave. I know they had them in the old casino, just making sure they made it in the move.

 

Looking forward to your review, especially about the ports.

There were definitely Game King/Video Poker Slots!

Enjoy your cruise!

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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One more question, do you know what day they had the Mexican theme for the lunch buffet? I read somewhere about a nacho bar and started to drool. :)

The Mexican lunch buffet was from Noon to 2:00pm on Wednesday which was the Bonaire Day. It was located in the Cafe Caribe.

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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How was the trident grill? How was the pizza? Did the horizon food court have any comfort food late at night, like pizza/burgers etc?

Trident Grill is always good for a quick burger, brat, hot dog, fries, etc. They were open till about midnite. Same goes for Prego Pizza which is right next to the Trident Grill. Good pizza, also open till about midnite. The Horizon Court or Cafe Caribe would have all of the dinner buffet items until about 11:00 pm then they would switch over to late night snacks, etc. like sandwiches but no pizza or burgers that I ever saw.

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BehrHunter

BehrHunter

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Thought I would post a comparison of Caribbean Princess Cruise 3/29/09 vs Crown Princess Cruise 3/29/08 both out of San Juan.

 

Dining: We felt that there was a slight downgrading of food choices this year, especially at dinner. It could possibly be due to the economy and did not effect our overall enjoyment of the cruise. We were on anytime dining and did not eat at the specialty restaurants. We did do the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and it was fantastic.

.

 

I was on this cruise also. It was my first. On the subject of food I thought the quality in the main dining room was bad. So bad we ate 3 nights in the The Crown Grill and Sabatini's. The main dining room served below standard hotel type banquet food. Having worked in hotels in a past life, I know it is tough to serve several hundred people at one sitting but I have seen a lot better quality at a Marriott.

 

Both the Crown and Sabatinis were excellent. Highly recommended and worth the extra charge.

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CruisingJs

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That was a great idea for a post. Thanks for sharing. Your having an easier time with late disembarkation gave me something to think about. We're spending two nights post cruise in San Juan, so there is no hurry to get off the ship. It sounds like we might benefit by hanging around and waiting for the rush to end.

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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How many ships disembarked that day? I am just a little worried about at least 2 ships disembarking and most heading toward that small airport in San Juan.

Three ships disembarked that I know of on Sunday. One Princess, one RCI, and one Carnival. The San Juan airport is a zoo on these days. I posted a few tips under SJU tips title. There are ways to avoid some of the lines and to stay out of the crowds.

 

#1 Do not forget to first do your USDA inspection of your bags.

#2 After you check in with your airline head towards the American Airlines terminal before you go through security.

#3 If you have time to kill stay on that side of the airport either before or after American Airlines security (even though it says American anyone can use their security checkpoint).

#4 Don't go over to the other concourse until you need to. You will be able to walk over to the other concourse without going back through security.

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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That was a great idea for a post. Thanks for sharing. Your having an easier time with late disembarkation gave me something to think about. We're spending two nights post cruise in San Juan, so there is no hurry to get off the ship. It sounds like we might benefit by hanging around and waiting for the rush to end.

If you are in no rush to get off of the ship you can go to the Explorer's Lounge where they will let you wait until the last group of departing passengers are getting off. This week it was 10:30am. CNN is on a theater screen and when you are ready you just go down to Deck 4 and depart. It will also be much easier to find your luggage as most all of your color group will have departed.

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smilz

smilz

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That was a great idea for a post. Thanks for sharing. Your having an easier time with late disembarkation gave me something to think about. We're spending two nights post cruise in San Juan, so there is no hurry to get off the ship. It sounds like we might benefit by hanging around and waiting for the rush to end.

 

We disembarked at 8:45 and saw no backlog of people. There were tons of taxis and early transfer buses had left already. If you are booked at a hotel already, why not leave the masses and go? The hotel will hold your luggage and you can tour or go to the beach. Enjoy!:)

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Sandytoes

Sandytoes

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Dining: We felt that there was a slight downgrading of food choices this year, especially at dinner. It could possibly be due to the economy and did not effect our overall enjoyment of the cruise. We were on anytime dining and did not eat at the specialty restaurants. We did do the Ultimate Balcony Dinner and it was fantastic. Will talk more about it in my Cruise Review Posting.

 

Burnsmn -

 

Thanks for a great comparison review.

 

In general, I've always enjoyed the food on a cruise, however, each year I, as well as others, have noticed a change in quality and presentation. And it's not for the better.

 

Being served high quality food in the main dining will never be the same.

To get it, you'll need to pay for it.

Cruise lines are cutting the quality of the food in the main dining rooms to tempt you into eating in one of the "extra fee" Specialty dining rooms.

It's all in the $$$.

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Whitewings2

Whitewings2

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Glad to hear you had a good time.

What time did the cruise depart San Juan? We are on that cruise on May 3rd and I see the departure is 11PM! I saw on one thread the muster is at 8pm. What's the best way of handling this, since we have anytime dining? Was there a sail away party where you could eat very casually after the muster, or were some people eating early and others going to the muster dressed for dinner? If there is a sail away, what time does it start? Thanks.

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CruiseGem

CruiseGem

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Burnsmn -

 

Thanks for a great comparison review.

 

In general, I've always enjoyed the food on a cruise, however, each year I, as well as others, have noticed a change in quality and presentation. And it's not for the better.

 

Being served high quality food in the main dining will never be the same.

To get it, you'll need to pay for it.

Cruise lines are cutting the quality of the food in the main dining rooms to tempt you into eating in one of the "extra fee" Specialty dining rooms.

It's all in the $$$.

maybe!!! Im not saying this is not true but I was just on caribbean princess and they continue to offer the medalions as a alternate choice they are as good as any filet mignon !!!! and the filet was on the menu as well as new england lobster I guess you should try RCCL and let us know how it goes;)

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minnow12

minnow12

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Trident Grill is always good for a quick burger, brat, hot dog, fries, etc. They were open till about midnite. Same goes for Prego Pizza which is right next to the Trident Grill. Good pizza, also open till about midnite. The Horizon Court or Cafe Caribe would have all of the dinner buffet items until about 11:00 pm then they would switch over to late night snacks, etc. like sandwiches but no pizza or burgers that I ever saw.

 

Do they charge extra for the Trident Grill or the Pizza?

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BURNSMN

BURNSMN

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Glad to hear you had a good time.

What time did the cruise depart San Juan? We are on that cruise on May 3rd and I see the departure is 11PM! I saw on one thread the muster is at 8pm. What's the best way of handling this, since we have anytime dining? Was there a sail away party where you could eat very casually after the muster, or were some people eating early and others going to the muster dressed for dinner? If there is a sail away, what time does it start? Thanks.

We departed at 11pm and the muster was at 8pm. We ate lunch at the Horizon Court/Cafe Caribe after boarding. Also went back to the Horizon Court/Cafe Caribe after the muster drill for dinner. Sailaway party started at 9:00pm.

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