Review - CB 7/17/09 - 7/26/09

[bskmom]

was Enrico... He came around every night to see how dinner was. Boring but he tried.

I can't remember the name of the cruise director. Their staff is so big I kept getting them confused. Maybe Tim??

Obscure things.... My SIL went to every dance lesson. Loved them. I only did one slot tournament. Nephews girlfriend made it to finals. Came in 3rd and got tshirt and hat.

played Bingo and lost.... but that is Bingo for me. If I ever won I don't even know what I would do.

Two of our party got massages on ship and liked them.

brought wine and beer on board with no problem. Didn't hide it just checked it.

got soda cards for kids. well worth it. bar staff was very good about getting them sodas too. they didn't ignore them. Have to say they didn't really push the drinks like other lines. If you said no they just smiled no problems.

Used laundry twice. Loved that. Have to much stuff to pack so it was useful for me.

Deck was very slippery. One person who fell was 6 weeks pregnant. I hope she is ok. One person hurt his head very bad. Dont know his outcome.

Never used room service.

Oh.... I was nervous about the ship rocking. I actually felt the ship handled things quite well. My first time cruiser SIL took me up on the Bonine and sea bands I had packed but she was fine after a couple of days. No one else was bothered. Again it is funny how it can be so different for different people. I am usually bothered and wasn't.

Lots of hangars and closet space. Again I was very impressed by room size and layout.

Used wake up call service with no problems. 3 of our party did golf excursion in Bermuda and said it was great. Other than that we did our own thing.

Well if there are other questions while it is still fresh???

[TracieABD]

Glad this was a good cruise for you. Sorry about the Purser's desk staff. I have found that it can be pretty dicey there. (I would not want their job!)

[herb]

Embarkation/Debarkation.... A+ The BEST ever!!

 

Ship ... pretty identical to the Crown Princess..

 

Pools... something for everyone... was not thrilled at all with aft pool for adults... Skywalkers pretty much obscured any sunlight whatsoever from hitting the pool ... water was very cold

 

Pool Band... good ... but a bit too LOUD!

 

Food... pretty good.. think of it as high end catering food...

 

Crowds... yes, it is a very crowded ship & most noticeable when there's a show and you can't find a seat even though you show up 1/2 hour early

 

Cabins... well appointed, nice layout... WARM!

 

Public Areas... well appointed and identical in most part to other Princess ships of that class, except for Wheelhouse Bar/Sabatinis ... right in the middle of the Photo Area...:confused:

 

AIR CONDITIONING :mad:... forget the casino, you might as well wear your bathing suit there!! Most other public rooms were not cold ... what you expect when you walk onto a cruise ship (where you usually need a sweater)! Back of the Cafe Caribe I could have sworn they turned the heat on by mistake!!

 

Staff... very efficient.. but not really very personable...

 

Well, back to reality... :(

[Robinob]

Hi!

 

Which beach was this?

 

Laura

 

Pillary Beach. 10 minute cab ride. It is where the Bioho (sp?) "resort" is located. Very nice. Reminded me of Orient Beach in St. Maarten w/o the nudity. The cab driver said that the entire area is called Pillary Beach.

[Robinob]

I remember a Natalie from the CB from last year. If it's the same one, she had the patience of a gnat:p Think she was part of the CD staff.

 

Was she blond? If so, I know what you mean. I offered to help her off of a railing in the AM. I was walking on deck 7 and she was putting up decorations (standing on a railing). I asked if she needed help getting down and she said "I can do it myself. I am waiting for you to move". Bit rude. If not her, then there are two rude CD staff people.

[boating girl]

Was she blond? If so, I know what you mean. I offered to help her off of a railing in the AM. I was walking on deck 7 and she was putting up decorations (standing on a railing). I asked if she needed help getting down and she said "I can do it myself. I am waiting for you to move". Bit rude. If not her, then there are two rude CD staff people.

 

Yes, the Natalie I am referring to is blonde and stocky with a British accent. Is not friendly at all and should not be part of the CD staff. I was hoping not to see her again on a Princess cruise.

[Colo Cruiser]

Embarkation/Debarkation.... A+ The BEST ever!!

 

Ship ... pretty identical to the Crown Princess..

 

Pools... something for everyone... was not thrilled at all with aft pool for adults... Skywalkers pretty much obscured any sunlight whatsoever from hitting the pool ... water was very cold

 

Pool Band... good ... but a bit too LOUD!

 

Food... pretty good.. think of it as high end catering food...

 

Crowds... yes, it is a very crowded ship & most noticeable when there's a show and you can't find a seat even though you show up 1/2 hour early

 

Cabins... well appointed, nice layout... WARM!

 

Public Areas... well appointed and identical in most part to other Princess ships of that class, except for Wheelhouse Bar/Sabatinis ... right in the middle of the Photo Area...:confused:

 

AIR CONDITIONING :mad:... forget the casino, you might as well wear your bathing suit there!! Most other public rooms were not cold ... what you expect when you walk onto a cruise ship (where you usually need a sweater)! Back of the Cafe Caribe I could have sworn they turned the heat on by mistake!!

 

Staff... very efficient.. but not really very personable...

 

Well, back to reality... :(

 

 

Hey herb, by chance do you have the Embarkatiom day patter with the ships officers listed?

[herb]

Hey herb, by chance do you have the Embarkatiom day patter with the ships officers listed?

 

yep!

[Colo Cruiser]

yep!

 

Could I trouble you for the list?

[herb]

Could I trouble you for the list?

 

don't have a scanner.. what would you like to know..?

[bskmom]

was blonde too. I was hesitant to post that since I am blonde too but she puts the B in blonde.

Colo Cruiser they give you a nice log at the end of the cruise that has the officers. I can send the official titles via email if you want.

Here is the list

Karl Austin

Johnathan Baranski

Cristiano Chite

Luca Schisano

Michele Moro

Darin Marcolin

Ronan Carroll

Andrew Hogg

Patti

 

PS I realize the Pursers desk is probably the worst place to work but she actually made me feel bad about asking a question.. I wasn't disputing my bill I just wanted my coupon books. And yes I wanted the free coffee card and $20 photo coupon. My husband used the internet coupon. On the plus side all the various coupons in question were credited with no problem. It just would have been nice to have them in the first place.

[jtvmi77]

I was also on this voyage. I submitted a member review (my first), as this was the first cruise I have taken in many years (previous cruises on NCL Starward and Windward and RCI Song of Norway). This is the first cruise I have taken as a bon fide adult (31). I found the boards to be helpful in preparing for the voyage; but, some of the information I'm seeing is maybe a little embellished regarding the temperature of the ship. I was on the Emerald Deck (Deck 8) in an obstructed view cabin on the port side in the stern. The air conditioning was comfortable the entire voyage, and I never felt hot in the room. Public areas such as the bars/lounges on Deck 7 (Promenade) were also very comfortable. The buffet and, sometimes, the main dining rooms (Coral/Island) could tend to be a bit warmer; however, not enough to be a considerable bother to me. My main issue with the Horizon Court was the poor organization and mediocre food; but, that is to be expected (the food quality, anyway) when catering for 3500 pax 24 hours a day. I had a wonderful time on this trip, and highly recommend the ship and line to others. I am already planning a vacation for next spring/summer to Europe and am very strongly considering a Princess cruise, as it was such a great time. please check for my full review when it is published. It was great to back on a cruise after decades away.

[Clutterlady]

Was she blond? If so, I know what you mean. I offered to help her off of a railing in the AM. I was walking on deck 7 and she was putting up decorations (standing on a railing). I asked if she needed help getting down and she said "I can do it myself. I am waiting for you to move". Bit rude. If not her, then there are two rude CD staff people.

 

Yep, she was blond and a little stocky. Surprised that they would have someone with a 0 personality on the CD staff:confused:

[Robinob]

Many were complaining about the AC. I really don't feel that this is embellished. The pursers were discussing the engineers that would be coming aboard in NYC to work on the problem. i overheard the conversation. I also heard a maitenance person tell another to take off the grate and the air flow would be better. We kept our cabin cool by keeping the curtains closed.

[bskmom]

AS I stated my room on deck 8 was comfortable. My husband right next door was very warm. There were definitely some warm areas on the ship. Like someone posted before cruise ships are usually cool that you might need a sweater on a ship. This was definitely not the case. Some areas were warm. No one is saying they were unbearable. But in the case of the woman with the husband with asthma if she got a room like my husbands she should move. My husband never complains and he said it was difficult to sleep because it was so warm. His fault for putting up with it but enough people felt that some areas and rooms could be uncomfortable. I am glad your room was not one of them.

[frofro]

Pillary Beach. 10 minute cab ride. It is where the Bioho (sp?) "resort" is located. Very nice. Reminded me of Orient Beach in St. Maarten w/o the nudity. The cab driver said that the entire area is called Pillary Beach.

 

Bohio Dive Resort on Pillory Beach is so nice. I always recommend that beach to cruisers instead of staying at Margaritaville...

[bskmom]

We must of posted at the same time. You just cleared something up for me.... thanks. Every time I entered my room my shades were drawn. I couldn't understand why my steward closed my shades in the middle of the day. I am sure it was to keep the room cooler. Poor guy. I was always opening them.... LOL... I also heard other people complaining. I didnt feel like we were embellishing either and I thought we were just presenting the facts. Again sorry I missed you.

Patti

[jtvmi77]

I certainly meant no offense with my choice of words. I read many accounts of how hot the ship was prior to embarking, and was very worried that it would be uncomfortable. In my experience this was not the case once I got onboard. I fully recognize that, given a ship with 3500 passengers onboard, and lord knows how many cabins, others may have had different experiences. I hope you had a pleasant trip in any regard.

[doolange]

OMG the comment about the blond CD......On the first sea day, they had pool games. One of the rules of the game was NO DIVING WHEN YOU ENTERED THE POOL. One of the teams that the blond girl was supposedly monitoring, kept diving every time their team member entered the pool. When that team won (due to the advantage they got from diving) an older woman made a comment about her not stopping them from diving. She walked right over to the woman and confronted her by saying "What did you say" and then was extremely rude and obnoxious. I thought the same thing and was wondering why she was still onboard. I should have wrote that on the comment card and put it at the front desk. Princess really listens to those.

[bskmom]

I actually thought my husband was exaggerating how warm his room was since mine was right next door. That was until I walked into it. It sounds like from Robin that they are working on the problem anyway so hopefully it wont be an issue. We really did have a nice trip. Glad you did too! 8 of my party were first time cruisers and they are hooked so I was glad it seemed like everyone in my party of 16 had fun. I enjoy the differences each line offers. I would have pros/cons for each line I have been on. Even with my own family we disagree. Like I said my husband thought that this cruise had the best food we have had. I felt it was to "fancy". I liked RCCL food. He didn't like it. We both agree that NCL is "good". Either way the PIZZA is the best and I don't think you will find to many people who disagree with that. Well the laundry is calling. Love hearing what others had to say. I wish I knew about the other beach on Grand Turk. I now know for next time. These boards offer so much info it is great. That is why I like to take the time to post my thoughts. I have gained so much from others. I will try to post a review as well.

Patti

[Colo Cruiser]

don't have a scanner.. what would you like to know..?

 

 

PSD

CD

Thanks.

[Colo Cruiser]

Colo Cruiser they give you a nice log at the end of the cruise that has the officers. I can send the official titles via email if you want.

Here is the list

Karl Austin

Johnathan Baranski

Cristiano Chite

Luca Schisano

Michele Moro

Darin Marcolin

Ronan Carroll

Andrew Hogg

Patti

 

 

 

Thank you,

Andy Hogg is a poster here on CC, nice guy!!

We followed him through his cadetship with Princess and P&O with his posts on his progress!

[rdsqrl]

PSD

CD

Thanks.

I can tell you that, unless something changed this week, Tim Donovan is the CD -- he's been on her all summer; other reviews have mentioned him, and I tend to remember when I see his name as I really disliked him when he was CD on one of my past cruises -- I thought he was a dreadful man, so full of himself, and very unfriendly. Your mileage may vary. . . .

[jtvmi77]

Tim was the cruise director on the last voyage 7/17-7/26.

[Colo Cruiser]

I can tell you that, unless something changed this week, Tim Donovan is the CD -- he's been on her all summer; other reviews have mentioned him, and I tend to remember when I see his name as I really disliked him when he was CD on one of my past cruises -- I thought he was a dreadful man, so full of himself, and very unfriendly. Your mileage may vary. . . .

 

 

Thanks, don't recall ever sailing with him. ;)