Crown Princess Review
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This was my 3rd cruise and second Princess cruise. Wife, Daughter and I picked Christmas week 12/21 to 12/28 to cruise to the Bahamas, Curacao, and Aruba. It was wonderful. We were in a starboard (blue waves in the carpet pointing forward-port side has red waves in the carpet pointing aft) mini-suite on the Dolphin deck with an uncovered balcony. I enjoyed the uncovered balcony and did not really care if people were “looking down” from above-never really noticed them. The room was fantastic. The bed was comfortable – I slept like a rock every night. The bathroom was fine – toilet worked all trip, the air conditioning worked all trip (people-close the balcony door-sheees).The room steward was excellent – he had been doing this for 18 years and took care of us very well. Our cabin had 2 TV’s so my kid could watch her show and I could watch my show when we were in the cabin. (Love Boat rerun TV episodes of course!) 9 yo daughter had the fold out bed from the couch next to the balcony. She had no trouble sleeping either. Ship was decorated beautifully for Christmas. All 600 kids on the cruise got a present from Santa if they wanted one. 3200 Pax on board this trip – but I could always find a quiet place to curl up with a book. Skywalker’s nightclub was my favorite during the day-excellent panoramic view as well. DINING – we chose the traditional 17:30 sit down dinner in the DaVinci. It was great. Seated at a table for 8 and had great company – a couple from FL in their 80’s with 41 cruises under their belt and another couple from FL (with their 30 yo daughter) who had numerous cruise trips as well. We all shared great conversation and stories from their lives and the day’s events – truly wonderful company. The food was very good. The fettuccini Alfred was delicious-may be the best I ever had! Jane our waitress took very good care of us. I ate very well-even got a special birthday cake that was chocolate heaven.
Loved the International Cafe in the Atrium – great salads and sandwiches and breakfast goodies. We all liked the pizza, hot dogs, cooked to order burgers and soft-serve ice cream at the poolside grill. Daughter wanted to go to the tasty buffet for breakfast every day-a bountiful spread. The French toast extravaganza was yummy. We did opt for room service and had our continental breakfast on the balcony a couple days when we were too lazy to go out of the cabin and eat. It was well done – right on time and very good. There is something very peaceful about relaxing on your balcony having morning coffee with a fresh baked Danish pastry.
Wife and I met with the Cruise Critic roll call people in Skywalker’s lounge (what a view)- thanks for doing that Ken, et al, A great group and I would highly recommend a get together early in the cruise – Much good advice from seasoned travelers.
Cabin Review
When you enter the Dolphin deck cabins you go hmmm quite big/long. Decorated tastefully and appropriately for Princess Cruise ships. Very clean. This cabin has more room than the decks above. A sliding door leads to the balcony which is uncovered - which I liked - but some people might not like people looking down from above- I loved this balcony. Queen size bed with a topper that can be reconfigured to two separate beds and toward the balcony door is a couch that folds out into a bed a night - perfect for my 9 yo. I slept like a log as the slight vibration you get on a ship just knocks me out! Big closet for hanging clothes and another locker of shelves that included a safe which was nice to stow the valuables. You step up into the bathroom that has a full-size tub with shower and a single sink. Toilet always worked. There is adequate counter space for the women's stuff and the men get three small shelves to stow our toiletries-LOL. Towels were nice and thick. The bathroom worked fine for three people as there is a small desk in the cabin where wife would do her makeup when daughter was in the bathroom. Two TVs in this cabin which was nice as the kid could watch her kid shows while I was watching manly shows - like Love Boat reruns! There is a small fridge where we chilled the box wine we brought on board with us. It was nice to have a convenient chilled glass of wine on the balcony before dinner. There are lots of places to store stuff - we did not use all the numerous drawers in the cabin. This cabin is not too far from the aft elevators and was very quiet. Occasional kid running down the hall but no noise from the adjacent cabins. Cabin steward was excellent - they always are in my opinion. I would book this cabin again.