Caribbean Princess Review

9 nights in crowded paradise

Review for the Eastern Caribbean Cruise on Caribbean Princess
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Melabby
First Time Cruiser • Age 40s

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Sail Date: Jul 2009

This is the second time I've sailed on Princess.  The first was such an enjoyable experience that my friend and I couldn't wait to sail from our hometown (Brooklyn) onboard another Princess ship. We sailed this time on the Caribbean Princess instead of the Crown.  The Crown is a newer and nicer ship.  The Caribbean Princess, though similar to the Crown looks a bit worn and is difficult to navigate.  This was the first time I've ever sailed during peak travel time and I will not make that mistakeagain.  The ship was overrun with kids and teenagers.  They were not rude but just loud and like ants, all over the place.  Alot of families with babies were onboard and that is what made this a less enjoyable cruise than the first one I took.  If you are planning to travel during peak times here are some tips.1try to get the Sanctuary pass for $135, it is good for the length of the cruise and they only offer 20.  If you don't you can forget about getting into the adult only Sanctuary.  People lined up from 6am to buy day passes and they sold out by 8am because the spots are limited.  The Sanctuary is worth the $20 for a day's use, the seats are plump and plush, some are in shaded areas, very tranquil area.  If you are unable, like me to get the pass, the area right by the Sanctuary is quiet compared to the rest of the ship and loungers are more readily available.2The specialty restaurants Sabitini's and The Crown Grill are worth the $20/$25 dollar charge book reservations the first day you board.  They fill up quickly and you won't be able to enjoy this wonderful dining experience.  Don't call, go directly to the restaurants to make reservations.  Don't go on the 1st night of the trip or the 1st formal night if you are a seafood lover.3If you get anytime dining, make reservations or you will have a long wait unless you go after 9pm.4 The comdey show and the mentalist shows are worth seeing, go early or you will have to stand.5 The swim against the current pool is a blast but get there early to get a lounger and to have the pool to yourself, after 9 30am, it is crowded and becomes standing room only. (Biggest peeve, the pool is small and has about 25 people just standing in it, several of whom were reading.  What the hell, it is a swim against the current pool, not stand and read in pool.  They were so annoying)6The adult only pool on Deck 14, right next to the Caribe is great a rarely crowded but under a shade so it tends to be cooler.EMBARKING/DISEMBARKINGA breeze, got out the cab and was on the ship within 10minutes.  I did the carry my own luggage walk off, it was a long walk with all the bags and bottles of alcohol but I was off the ship by 8am and home by 9am.PORTSBermuda- for $12 you can buy an unlimited day pass for the bus and it takes you everywhere in Bermuda, even includes the ferry.  I used mine to go the Crystal and Fantasy Caves.  A wonderful experience, the cost for both caves were $26 for adults.  The caves are great, wear sneakers, it is slippery and wet, I fell on the ramp, didn't get hurt but I was embarrassed.  Everyone makes a big deal about the 82 steps you have to climb up for the fantasy caves, they are easy plus you are in a large group that moves at snails pace.  Go see the caves, it is worth it.  Afterwards you can board a bus to shop in Hamilton.  The bus is a great way to see the island and get a slice of local flavor.  We had a friendly chatty driver who showed us cool sites along his route.San JuanYou can walk to Old San Juan from the pier.  The shopping there is nice, you can then walk to the ferry port to catch the ferry to Cantano.  The ferry is .50cents each trip, it runs every 15minutes.  Once in Cantano you can take the local bus for $1 to the Bacardi Rum factory or a taxi.  Don't do the excursions, way too over priced.  The alcohol is cheaper at the factory by a $1 than it is at the duty free shop at the port but they package it better at the port.  They inflate a bubble wrap around each bottle at the port and seal the bags, easier to travel with.  Stayed in Cantano for a street festival and had dinner at Don Tello restaurant, lively local restaurant selling spanish food, meal for 4 was $85.St. Thomas the best port, I booked an excursion through the cruise.  The Champagne catamaran to St. John's.  Worth the $99.  The ship provided a trolley ride to Charotte Amalie, a wild a crazy ride with hairpin turns on mountain roads!!  I loved it.  Then we boarded a catamaran for a 45minute sail to St John, what view!  great music, funny crew, but the view was the charmer.  Once near to St John, the captain docked a few feet from the beach, the water was 15ft deep but I used the dingy to get to the beach.  The beach was a dream, ripples of waves in crystal clear water, warm like a bath.  It was wonderful, the sand was fine and smooth, and a wooded area for hikinh was right behind the beach.  An absolutely perfect day.  After the sail, there was enough time to go shopping.  I highly recommend this adventure, see if you can book it on your own. might save more.  Lunch and drinks were served.Grand Turk DO NOT USE THE BEACH RIGHT BY THE SHIP.  The area is rocky,slippery, dangerous and no fun.  Margaritaville offers a nice pool with a slide but i'd rather hit a less crowded beach.  You can get a taxi for $7 pp each way to Bohio beach.  You can rent a beach chair for $10, there is a bar and eatery right there as well as rest and changing rooms.  The beach is lovely, with shade available.  You can rent kayaks as well, plus you are away from the crowd.  The taxi driver will return for you.  Afterwards we went to Magaritaville and had their cheeseburgers in paradise, it was good but their frozen drinks are more desirable.  The wait staff are flirty and friendly, fun lively music and party atmosphere.  Not much shopping other than run of the mill souvenirs made in South America or China.Tips for the ShipGo the Lotus spa towards the end of the cruise, after the first 3 days prices drop dramatically.  I got a facial, body scrub, and hot stone massage for $99.  They offer 2 treatments for $89 or 3 for $99, they are 20 minutes each.  The thermal suite they want to charge $20 for is very nice with the aroma saunas, cermaic heated loungers, and tropical showers but scrap the $20.  People just walked in and used them for free.Photos Do not wait for the last days to buy the pictures, most people do because the 2nd formal is on the 7th night.  Don't, they raise the prices by $5.Aggie the bartender on deck 6 is awesome, makes a good martini and a fun person to talk to.  Giovani was our room steward, we were on Baja deck, the odd side.  He was so sweet, did a great job with our rooms and attended to all of our needs promptly.The cruise director, I don't recall his name, he was very funny and charming.  I think he looks like a husky Daniel Craig, very fun and approachable man.  The entire staff were attentive, polite, and helpful.DiningOther than the seafood buffet for the first night, which was awesome!!! Cracked steamed crab legs, shrmp cooked in every way, and lobster tails, after the first night, avoid the buffet.  The food is ok, the area is to crowded, you have to wait too long to find a table, free drinks are warm and flavorless.Must try the afternoon tea, warm freshly made scones, finger sandwiches, and cookies, all were yummy yummy.  Also try the London luch offerred at the Crown grill at no additional cost.  The fish and chips were scrumptous. The sushi on deck 5 is really good but costly.  Avoid the sushi buffet in the caribe.  Mass produced sushi is disgusting, the rice was overcooked and congealed.RoomI travelled with 3 friends, we did two per room in an inside cabin.  The room was roomy, I never felt closed in.  The closet space is huge for 2, we were able to put out oll of our clothes and put the suitcases away.  There are enough drawers and cupboard space.  Our room had a safe and a fridge.  Overall, my friends and I had a blast, I mean I go on vacation and I will have fun. The only thing I would change is the time I go.  No more peak travel for me, all off peak, no kids!!!

Cabin Review

B241 good location not to far from elevators, midship, spacious closet

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