Crown Princess Review
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The Crown Princess is a nice ship with a great crew. The ship is beginning to show some age. Its not as ornate as the ships you'll find in Royal Carib or Celebrity, but its a good step above Carnival. The food in the main dining rooms was excellent, and Sabatinni's dining room (cover charge) was wonderful. The buffet is drab, and way too small. On day-one and at popular hours, you might have to wait in a long line to get your meal. Meals in the dining rooms are better and more varied. In the dining room, we always had excellent service.
Our veranda cabin was small, but adequate. On deck 10, Our cabin steward never learned our names (a first, on most cruise ships, the stewards usually start calling us by name immediately). The carpet wasn't very clean and a wine cork from a prior guest stayed on the floor in a corner throughout the week. However, the linens were clean, the pillows comfy, and the bed was very comfortable.
The ship has the usual mix of bingo, art aucitons, music, nonsense games, and shops. Ship-board activities are the norm. Shows in the theater were ok. We missed one show (a magic/musical) becuase the theater ran out of seating space. Other members of our group (we had about 40 in our group) enjoyed the show.
Cabin Review
Balcony
Average size balcony room. On the Baja deck (deck 10), the rooms are a bit smaller, but the balconys are deeper. This was the first bacony that we've had that was deep enough to accomodate a fully extended lounge. For me, I'd rather have the larger balcony space than a larger room. If you'd prefer a larger room, go for deck 9 or below.
Port Reviews
Los Angeles
Although we live in North Carolina, LA was my home town. If you are visiting, spend some time at the Santa Monica beach, drive up the Sunset Strip to Hollywood and walk around the Chinese theater. Go to to the Farmer's Market on 3rd street, then over to Fairfax Blvd and pick up some of the world's best bagels and pumpernickel at any of the bakeries. Drive over to Melrose ave and have dinner at any of the restraunts between La Brea and La Cienega.
Puerto Vallarta
Took a cab to town ($5 per person), walked through the downtown area, through flea markets, along the waterfront, and then back to the ship. Many of the tourist type stores have the same items for sale. We did see some unique wind chimes and artwork made from auto transmission parts & glass lenses (cool, but expensive). People are very friendly and the shopkeepers are not overly agressive. There are plenty of taxi's and tour guides waiting as you walk off the ship.
Mazatlan
We chartered a catamaran for about 40 members of our company/family group.
Cabo San Lucas
Boat is tendered in Cabo. Locals are very friendly. Wish we had more time, the ship left way too early at 2 pm.