The Crown Princess is an aging ship in need of some updating. Staterooms and public areas look past their prime. Some upholstery shabby, décor dated.

Dining room menu seems to be in rotation every few days. Nothing of interest or originality. Poorly prepared at times and often smothered with some gravy or sauce seemingly meant to cover up what lies beneath. One of the more common offerings called cowboy strip steak was anything but, a tough grisly thing, duck so tough it was sent back, roast pork like leather, baked ham again smothered in a sauce. The worst was the Beef Wellington; cut from a large portion with a gravy poured over all destroying the crust and encompassing the spinach and part of the baked potato. Wonder if a chef actually planned these meals as in who was in charge of the kitchen? Overall, the food was not good. Horizon Grill seemed to be leftover heaven. Whatever was on the menu today appeared in a new guise the next. The best meal was the hamburger from deck 15 grill. The wait staff was trying mightily to accommodate all and sadly understaffed. A lot of new crew trying to keep up with the veteran waiters.

The shops are the usual found on cruise ships, merchandise with Princess logo emblazoned and all over priced for the quality of the merchandise. Read more