Crown Princess Review

4.5 / 5.0
2,240 reviews

Not A Very Merry Christmas

Review for the Western Caribbean Cruise on Crown Princess
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mkurkemelis
First Time Cruiser • Age 60s

Rating by category

Value for Money
Embarkation
Dining
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Additional details

Sail Date: Dec 2009
Traveled with children

This was our 3rd Princess cruise and our first Christmas Cruise. Our family are "seasoned" cruisers and believers that the best vacation is a CRUISE. This was our 9th cruise others on NCL, RCL, Celebrity and Premier. We flew into Ft. Lauderdale just missing the snow that hit the northeast. We were very greatful to have made it on schedule especially after finding out about the 5 passengers that had to fly to Grand Cayman because they missed the boat! Embarking was simple, probably the easiest ever. Passing the annoying photo people we entered the atrium and saw Santa, who was a really "nice one" and the decorations. We so looked forward to Christmas on a cruise. we expected lots of decorations. We were a bit dissapointed. Most of the decor was centered in this area. A tree here and there and some nice garland on the banister. There was a Christmas pick on our cabin door but that was quickly stolen by someone the first night. Our cabin, a balcony room was just as we had expected. In fact, everything about the ship was as if you were on another Princess. They all look relatively the same. But that's OK. Our cabin steward was nice but we didn't see much of hime. In the past I remember seeing them more. They were stranging not around...alot. Especially on the last day. We couldn't find him. Our daughter, 16, joined the teen club and had a ball. She met some really nice families and is keeping in touch with them. Thanks to all the Canadians! We had so many on our cruise!

The Food- Well it's the same cruise food. I think it's getting worst. The ethnic food is really strange. There seemed to be lots of ethnic food and they mixed everything up at the buffets. You had to circle the buffet to get an idea of what meal you were going to put together. I think the quality of the food on the buffet is not as good as the restaurants, especially the premium restaurants. I don't think that you should HAVE to go to the premium restaurants for better food and service. The two dining room (we ate there twice) were OK. Not as good as in the past. Mostly a service issue. Most of the staff didn't seem happy. Maybe they were homesick...but I really don't want to see that. I think the breakfast buffet is the best. Pizza always seemed available but it will never compare to NY/NJ pizza. The grill was especially busy, guess everyone was freaked by the strange food at the buffets.

The Entertainment was OK. We enjoyed the comics the best. Carlos Oscar(we saw two different shows) and James Michael. We played trivia and watched Princess Pop Star, lined danced and Kareoke. All were what we expected and fun. The shows were a bit disappointing since we had seen two of them on out last cruise almost three yeasr ago! Princess should would on that. We still enjoyed them. Days at sea seemed long since all the outdoor games and event were either canceled or it was not nice enoght to be out to watch them. Princess should have more plans in place when you are cooped up at sea. We found ourselves a bit bored this time around but with all the rain and clouds I guess this will happen. Wish there was more shopping! Our last port on Christmas day was Princess Cays. We have been here before and wanted to do the Eleuthera tour. Princess Cays is just about sun and water and if the weather does not cooperate don't bother getting off the ship. We opted to bail on our excursion since the waters seemed more rough than Grand Cayman and we would have to be tossled around in the tender. It was a beautiful, sunny day until about noon when the clouds rolled in and the rain started. so glad we did not have to get on the tender in that. We watched the tenders come back with soaked passengers while we made gingerbread houses in the Atrium. Lost three hundred dollars from our excursion but we were dry and not seasick and it was Christmas!

Cabin Review

B 505- Typical balcony room. Greta for two people. Three is a bit crammed. The buck is over the main bed. No room to dress privately. Everyone has to take turns. The toilet seems to clog more this time. The balcony is very small. Great for two. But three cannot sit since there is only two chairs and the third would not fit. The balcony does have covering so if it rains you are protected. Bad for sunning though.

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