Crown Princess Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,240 reviews

Fab Four

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Crown Princess
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Council Man
First Time Cruiser • Age 20s

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Sail Date: Mar 2009

Embarkation was shortly after noon both uneventful and quite smooth. No long lines. After going to our rooms we had lunch in the Lido. This is a fiasco. Food lines have minimal space and poor circulation. Also, not enough tables. By the time we finally got a table our food was cold. We decided to scratch this area off our list. Ate all breakfasts in the DaVinci Dining Room. The ship appeared very compartmentalized. It was difficult to get the flow or general arrangement. First night, our dinner seating was anytime dining. We prefer late seating and the same waiter and assistant each night. Have developed many good acquaintances this way. Finally got that changed the second night. Next day we were at Princess Cay. This doesn't compare to Half Moon Cay (Holland America). Beach was very limited with much coral. Typical tourist trap shops. Large barbecue for lunch was good. Had an unusual drink, three berry daiquiri, because the bar tender couldn't make a rumrunner. Very good. Returned to the ship around 2:30 to set sail for 4pm. Weather was perfect. Received notice we were granted seating at table#18 at 8:15pm. After several martinis at the Crooners Bar we went to the Botticelli Dining Room only to find table #18 occupied. Martinis were excellent at the Crooners BAr and service by Cheryl(Philippines)was excellent. We were then seated at table #16 where we met Ira & Hemda from DC and Alan & Michelle from Phoenix. Head waiter was Paul from Romania with Victor as assistant from Hungary. Paul was outstanding. Dinner, veal scallopini, was OK. After dinner we took in the Motor City Show. Very monotonous singing and dancing. Coninuous same rhythm. Our friends slept thru the production. Seas were the roughest that night due to crossing the Gulf Stream. Tuesday we were at sea. Got some sun, attended the shopping guide show & a service club meeting. Tuesday night was the first formal night and the Commodore's Party. Yes, we had the Commodore, not a Captain. Typical party. Varied drinks & hors d'oeuvres. Dinner received special attention from Amaro the maitre d' with special Italian dishes. This was customary every evening due to a complaint submitted by another couple at the table. Wednesday we arrived in St. Maarten. Perfect weather, clear skies and 75 degrees. Surprised to see the pier construction. Allowing more ships to dock will only ruin the town and island. Phillipsburg is crowded now. Two other ships in port, RCCL and Carnival. Since we had been to St Maarten on 3 previous occasions, we shopped all day. Dinner that night, cioppino, was excellent. NExt day was St. THomas. We docked on the opposite side of the bay called Crown Point. Not very interesting and still developing the shops. We spent the day taking a tour to St Johns. 45 minute boat ride on the Island Girl to Cruz Bay. We then boarded open air taxis for a circle tour of the island. Saw Caneel, Hawksnest, Trunk, Cinnamon and Maho Bay Beaches. Beautiful area and one of the highlites of the cruise. After two rounds of bushwackers at Crown Point we again boarded and set sail for Grand Turk. Didn't arrive until 1pm therefore I attended the navigation seminar presented by one of the ship's officers. Very interesting and a must to hear. Seas were rough again that night as usual when you sail north of Puerto Rico. Due to the beautiful water, arrival at Grand Turk is impressive but the island is a waste for a port stop. Typical tourist trap shops and of course the overpriced Margaritaville. Saturday was our final day at sea. Again beautiful calm weather. Sunday morning back in Ft Lauderdale. Disembarkation went smoothly and quickly. All in all, a good cruise but not outstanding.

Cabin Review

Good storage space, adequate size bathroom, very quiet, very clean.

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