Lets start off by saying all six of our group were first time cruisers, so none of us have any prior comparisons to make. Before cruising I spent quite a bit of time on this site and was a little alarmed to read some of the comments about the Crown. I need not have worried. Coming from the upper midwest perhaps we are not used to being pampered, or perhaps we don't sweat the small stuff. One of my major concerns was the sheer size of the ship and the number of people. Again, except for around the main two pool areas, there never was a feeling of being too crowded.
Embarkation was a breeze, the ship was immaculate, the balcony cabin was great, our cabin steward (Manny) was polite, never missed a beat, was attentive but not over powering. Fruit for the cabin was delivered, ice was kept fresh in the fridge, towels were changed the moment they hit the ground! We chose to have an early tea and light breakfast delivered to our cabin before we showered each morning, and on the morning the breakfast was a little late for our early shore excursion, a bowl of unexpected chocolate dipped strawberries were delivered later as an apology!
The departing seafood buffet was enjoyable, and yes there were times that the buffets were crowded and the flow of people a little hap-hazard, but what is the rush - you're on vacation. The food was plentiful, the choices more than adequate, the coffee hot and always a choice of hot and cold. The buffets changed throughout the cruise and if you like seafood you will not go short.