The Crown Princess is the largest ship we'd sailed on, and this was apparent from the get-go, as embarkation was a well-organized but lengthy process: 90 minutes from terminal to boat. In the past, we've sailed onto cruise ships. Not so the Crown Princess. In boarding group 2, we waited as multiple levels of preferred and elite loyalty club passengers made their way onto the ship, followed by group 1. At first glance, the interior of the ship was large and confusing, which made the crew members stationed throughout the entry ways an even more welcome sight, as they directed us to elevators. We dropped our luggage in our stateroom and made our way to a long line for lunch at the buffet. This dining facility is the smallest and least well-laid-out of the ships we've sailed, and we made use of it as seldom as possible. The food was middling good. The dining room offerings were uniformly better at breakfast and lunch. We've never eaten a dinner in a buffet, and probably never will. So we lunched, then went to our cabin to unpack, and began checking out the sundecks.
Our cabin was on deck 10, directly below the 16th deck spa and fitness center, and we used the stairs as frequently as possible. It wasn't long before we gathered in the Princess Theater for the muster drill, led by the cruise director, Dan Falconer. This was a fairly painless process.
Live music was available throughout the days and evenings in various locations on board, which we appreciated. The music was very good. The DJ occasionally blasted tunes too loudly on the sundecks, but it was never long before the Castaway band took the stage. And we enjoyed the mariachis and the showband jazz ensemble in the Piazza. The ship has multiple venues for music and entertainment and we were able to visit all at least once. Each had ample comfortable seating, waitstaff, and excellent music.
Our cabin was comfortable and roomy enough, but best of all was the double-size balcony deck: C206. We were able to watch whales and dolphins, enjoy sunrises and sunsets (depending on ship's direction: this was a port side cabin), and stretch out comfortably with room service breakfast one morning. Our cabin steward, Rose, did a fine job. Best of all, smoking is not permitted on balconies and we had a pleasant group of neighbors who would assist each other in spotting whales and dolphins.
Catamaran sail to Marietas Island to swim through a tunnel-cave to a hidden beach. Short sail to snorkel site. Colorful, varied and plentiful fish to see. Tasty lunch on board. Pleasant fellow passengers, able crew. As usual, they were doing shtick when my husband and I spotted first a sea turtle, then a pair of dolphins...
We took a water taxi to Stone Island, had a dip in the sea, met some Canadian snowbirds who directed us to a snorkel site. Walked thither. Snorkeled in shallow water, saw a few fish. Nice clean beach. Met an expatriate and his trio of dogs. Back to ship and change for a walk into Mazatlan where we visited the zocalo, cathedral and mercado for some shopping and local color. Visited an art studio on our way back to the ship.
Zodiac ride to Los Arcos, then to Chileno Bay and Santa Maria snorkel sites. Cold water. Air could have been warmer. Excellent snorkeling, nice group of passengers, fine crew. Whale sightings on the way back to the pier.
We drove to Long Beach to board the ship. We did not enter or visit the city of Los Angeles.