Live from the 3/29 Crown with pics

[sdptalk]

Hi everyone,

 

Here is a link to some pics I've taken on this trip so far. Today was sea day and I didn't lug my camera around the ship. I'll take some pics the next sea day, though.

 

You may have to copy and paste the link. Anyway, sorry to everyone on the cruise with us. I missed our meet and greet the day of sailing. We were running late getting ready for dinner.

 

Just a note, we were upgraded to the Family Suite right before we sailed. The great thing is we get the free internet, free laundry, etc... However, the balcony is WAY too windy to spend any time out there unless the ship is not moving. Also, we are at the front of the ship and movement can be bad at times. That doesn't bother us, but it may bother some people.

 

We ate at Crown Grill tonight and it was really good. Everything has been great so far. I am in the negative in the casino, but I have seen a few people winning. Sorry this is short but it is late and I need my sleep for the Yacht race tomorrow in St. Maarten. I'll try to upload more pics as time permits.

 

Sandy P.

[Princessmich]

Nice Pics!

Have a great time...we loved the Crown!

Michelle

[mom of four]

Thank you so much for posting those pictures. We leave in four days and I can hardly wait. That was awesome. Were you the only ship at Princess Cays? How much were the bananna boats?

[sdptalk]

I need CPABobby to write this for me. If he would tell the details I could illustrate it for him...haha. It's St. Maarten day and I just got my coffee from the International Cafe and decided to catch up here.

The banana boat was - I believe - $18 per person (or roughly that). We were the only ship on Princess Cay Monday. The locals that work the beach for Princess can be pretty unfriendly. The women seem to be the worst where we signed up for the banana boat ride. The Crown does seem to rock more than other ships we've been on, but it doesn't bother us. It probably would my sister ;-)

The internet access in our cabin is good, but slow at times. I am in the internet area and it is better. As far as food, I'm in agreement with cpabobby, the pizza is pretty good. I didn't notice the dirty fans, they must have cleaned them. Also, I have not had any intimate moments with our shower curtain...haha. It's probably because we have a tub.

We are having a great time. I am excited about the America's Cup yacht race excursion today. I'll take as many pictures as I can of the island and the excursion. I know the pictures are mostly of the boys. Nolan's parents are following the trip with us through the pics.

OH!!! I just wanted to let the people know about the bungalows. It was sooooo worth it! We had a home base, we were waited on for food and drinks, and it was nice to have our own area. It was also really clean. Princess Cay is beautiful and having our own little "home" seemed special. Not having to wait in the food line was also nice ;-)

Sorry if I'm rambling, but I haven't had my full cup of coffee yet...lol

I'll be updating the link in the original post every couple of days.

Sandy

[mom of four]

I know it is posted somewhere but culd you tell me the price of the bungalows. Did anyone who didn't have a bungalow comment on the quaility of the food at Princess Cays or would it have been better to eat lunch on the ship and then go out and about?

 

Also...if you see anywhere to rent jet skis and see the prices, could you let me know. I have asked that question twice to previous Crown passengers and I guess no one has rented any. THANKS

[Host CJSKIDS]

I need CPABobby to write this for me. If he would tell the details I could illustrate it for him...haha. It's St. Maarten day and I just got my coffee from the International Cafe and decided to catch up here.

The banana boat was - I believe - $18 per person (or roughly that). We were the only ship on Princess Cay Monday. The locals that work the beach for Princess can be pretty unfriendly. The women seem to be the worst where we signed up for the banana boat ride. The Crown does seem to rock more than other ships we've been on, but it doesn't bother us. It probably would my sister ;-)

The internet access in our cabin is good, but slow at times. I am in the internet area and it is better. As far as food, I'm in agreement with cpabobby, the pizza is pretty good. I didn't notice the dirty fans, they must have cleaned them. Also, I have not had any intimate moments with our shower curtain...haha. It's probably because we have a tub.

We are having a great time. I am excited about the America's Cup yacht race excursion today. I'll take as many pictures as I can of the island and the excursion. I know the pictures are mostly of the boys. Nolan's parents are following the trip with us through the pics.

OH!!! I just wanted to let the people know about the bungalows. It was sooooo worth it! We had a home base, we were waited on for food and drinks, and it was nice to have our own area. It was also really clean. Princess Cay is beautiful and having our own little "home" seemed special. Not having to wait in the food line was also nice ;-)

Sorry if I'm rambling, but I haven't had my full cup of coffee yet...lol

I'll be updating the link in the original post every couple of days.

Sandy

 

Thanks for all the info and updates Sandy. sounds like you're having a great time.

 

We get on the ship Sunday after you get off so it's fun to hear all the details right now.

 

One question, did you get priority tender tickets with the bungalow?

 

Have fun on the rest of your cruise!

[Host CJSKIDS]

I know it is posted somewhere but culd you tell me the price of the bungalows. Did anyone who didn't have a bungalow comment on the quaility of the food at Princess Cays or would it have been better to eat lunch on the ship and then go out and about?

 

Also...if you see anywhere to rent jet skis and see the prices, could you let me know. I have asked that question twice to previous Crown passengers and I guess no one has rented any. THANKS

 

The bungalows are $199.

 

Unless you purchase the extra food at the bungalows which is $49 per person extra, the barbecue is the same for everyone.

[Princessmich]

I thought the food was pretty bad. Maybe it was because I waited awhile to eat but it kept me from eating very much. It actually worked out well because we did Sabatini's that night and by the time we got there, I was starving:)

Michelle

[go noles]

My understanding from another thread is there are no motorized rentals on Princess Cays.

[sherman931]

Thanks, enjoyed the pics. The barbeque food at Princess Cay looked like something I would cook. :D

[TorontoTL]

I'm glad to hear that you're having a good time, I have friends on the Crown with you now. If you meet Debbie and Dave, tell them Benny says hi.

[cpabobby]

You don't need me Sandy, you're doing a GREAT job. Thanks for the live review and have a fantastic cruise!

 

Bobby

[Toto2Kansas]

Thanks for the report, and loved the pictures. Congrats on that family suite upgrade! Enjoy your sailing. :)

[Dorie24]

Great Pics! Thanks so much...

We are Sooooooo ready for this cruise! We appreciate your report. Enjoy the rest of your cruise and save some sun for us!

Dorie

[lv2teach]

I loved the photo's. We will be on the Crown on Sunday. Can't wait.

Thanks for the great review.

[sdptalk]

Let me answer a few questions first:

Mom of Four - Cjskids is correct, the price of the bungalows is $199. I was pleasantly surprised when the waiter brought our lunch! I had read on another post that Princess had stopped doing that.

Cjskids - Yes, we did get priority tender tickets. They were in our room when we returned from dinner the first night.

Go Noles - I did not see any motorized rentals. The only jet ski I saw was the lifeguard's.

 

I know food is a HUGE issue. All I can say is that I have had better, and I have had worse (my own cooking comes to mind), but we don't cruise to eat so it hasn't been an issue with us. My son, Alex, is an extremely picky eater so as long as he has pepperoni pizza and bacon, he's happy. He thinks french fries and onion rings are vegetables.

Anyway, for everyone getting ready to cruise on the Crown, you will have a GREAT time! Vacation is what you make it, not what someone else does. The ship is clean and the people have been very friendly and courteous. As I write this I am drinking my coffee and watching the wide open ocean...it's paradise!

 

We were in St. Thomas yesterday and chartered a sail boat to take us snorkeling at St. John. Most of the pictures I took were with our digital underwater camera and my compact flash card reader won't work with that kind of memory card. So, those photos will be posted when we get home.

 

One more thing, since we left St. Maarten our balcony has been WONDERFUL!!!!! The ship has slowed enough that we have been able to spend time out there and take full advantage of it. It is huge and curves so the kids have really enjoyed watching the ship dock. We have the best front row seats in the house!

 

I'll give an update later after we leave Grand Turk. Chao everyone!!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions.

 

Enjoy the rest of your wonderful cruise!

[DEERINH2O]

Thanks for the updates, we are sailing the Ruby, but looking at doing the Crown later this year.

Because of your photos I just booked the banana boat for our boys.

We too have a bungalow, hope they bring us food :D

 

Kathy

[PtownGirlz-NH]

You don't need me Sandy, you're doing a GREAT job. Thanks for the live review and have a fantastic cruise!

 

Bobby

 

Bobby, everyone needs you! if you EVER want to retire from CPAing, you definately have an illustrious career with writing!!! The coffee story you wrote gave me perhaps the most vidid images I have ever had while reading a story! THANKS.

[lv2teach]

Love the Photo's DS now wants to find that towel and get his picture taken with it. LOL Should of never shown him the pictures.

[Caribbean Sunsets]

Nice photos. Glad to hear you are enjoying the cruise. The Crown is a beautiful ship.

[Host CJSKIDS]

Sandy,

 

The new pictures are great. It looks like the boys are having a fantastic time. Love the pics in St. Martin.

[AliceS]

What category was the upgrade from and how many of you are there? We might be bringing some of the family along in February and I'd be interested in that information. Thanks.

[sdptalk]

Alice...we were originally booked in a mini suite and an inside cabin. We were upgraded to the Family Suite which is pretty much the same thing we had only now connected together with a living room. The motion in the front of the ship is very noticable. If we book the Crown again, we will book a suite, but one in the middle of the ship.

 

We are still in port at Grand Turk. The water is beautiful and I heard some people talking about how great the snorkeling is. We did the horseback ride and it was fun. The guides were great. I'm glad we did it, but if we ever come back we will just walk around or snorkel. The island still has a lot of hurricane damage. Our bus driver was very good about explaining what everything is/was and the history of the island.

 

We decided to skip the dining room tonight and just have burgers and pizza. The movie that is playing right now is Pirates of the Caribbean. I'm not sure what is scheduled for tonight.

 

Well, time to get in the shower and head out for the evening. Tomorrow is a sea day so I'll work on the rest of the pictures then.

 

Sandy P.