Caribbean Princess 4/3/04

[minooka]

First, let me say that this was our 7th Princess cruise, we love the Princess product and will sail with them again...just not on this ship.

Embarkation was a breeze at check in - Princess really has this down pat. However, when we took the escalator to the upper floor to board, we came to a complete halt. They have two boarding gangways, one for fore and one for aft cabins. They only had one card reader at the doorway of each gangway, which created a huge bottleneck. It took us app. 5 minutes to get checked in and almost 40 min. to board the ship. At one point, people coming up the escalator had to turn around and go back down, as there was no place for them to stand, literally no floor space. This could be improved enormously with 2 card readers at each gangway and, hopefully, this will happen soon.

I really did not feel there was any more crowding on this ship than any of the other Grand Class ships, with the exception of the dinning rooms, which I will address later. The pool areas were busy on sea days but that is always the case. There seemed to be more than enough lounge chairs to go around for everyone and the only shortage I noticed was bar attendants, of all things! There really didn’t seem to be enough of them to cover the area and you were better off just going to the bar and getting your own drink.

The Movies Under the Stars seemed to be a big hit and looked liked fun. The lounge chairs are arranged in a semi-circle fashion facing the screen, blankets are left folded at the foot of each chair and stewards come around handing out small bags of popcorn. You must get tickets for this event, which is held twice nightly at 7:30 and 10:30, by calling the Concierge number. The same movie is shown throughout the week (Something's Gotta Give) along with a child's film one evening (Finding Nemo) and some video concerts that do not require reservations (first and last nights). They do ask that you vacate the Calypso Pool area at 5:30pm so they can set this up. It is quite loud when the film is running and being on the upper decks is not much of an option.

The 2 PC dinning rooms were complete chaos the first 3 nights! We got to the Coral dinning room quite early on the first night (app. 6:20) and were able to get a table for 2 with a little cajoling. There are NO TABLES FOR TWO in either dinning room. They will seat you at a table for 4 and remove two of the place settings. The second night we got to the dinning room at 6:45 and were told we could not get a table until 9:30! They were really encouraging everyone to make a standing reservation which, to my mind defeats the whole purpose of Anytime Dinning. We were also told that it is all “shared dinning” but that is not the case if you stand your ground and insist on a table for 2. DH is a diabetic so eating at 9:30 was not an option. We went up to the Horizon Court, always a happy alternative for us, and found out it was CLOSED! The only option left was the Cafe Caribe dinner buffet so we went there. It was the worst food I have ever seen on any buffet anywhere. Most things were unrecognizable and even after I read the sign telling me what it was, I still didn’t have a clue. Beans and rice I knew - I don’t like them but at least I recognized them - and I finally found some grilled shrimp and salad greens. DH, who never met a plate of food he didn’t like, took one bite of his zucchini dish and made a dive for the water glass - too spicy even for him and this man puts Tabasco sauce on eggs! The Horizon Court was closed every day at 5:30 and didn’t open again till breakfast at 6:00am the next morning. I feel this is a big mistake as there are app. 500 more people on this ship but the dinning rooms are no bigger than any other Grand Class ship. Where do they expect these people to go? The 3rd night the computers went down and all the reservations were unavailable! This was formal night and at this point I actually felt sorry for the headwaiters trying to soothe everyone and all they could do was seat on a first come, first served basis. They did not seem to have a good grasp of the computer program and spent a lot of time staring at the screen while more and more people backed up in line. I’m sure that will improve as time goes on. We finally ended up getting a standing reservation for 8:00pm and at least had a place to eat for the rest of the week, with a little juggling of schedule to accommodate the diabetes. The food was very good to excellent in the dinning room and their “always available” menu blows away every one else's - do not hesitate to order the sirloin steak, it was tender, tasty and cooked to order perfectly.

My last complaint is with the casino. Only those who play video poker will understand completely but I will try and explain so it at least makes some sense. When you play a quarter machine, you put in 5 quarters in order to get the jackpot / the Royal Flush, which pays 4000 credits or $1000. This is consistent no matter where you play, Las Vegas, Reno, Biloxi, Atlantic City or any gaming establishment. When you play some “bonus” video poker machines you give up some of the smaller payouts (example: only getting 5 credits instead of 10 for two pair) in order to get extra credits for higher paying hands (example: 4000 credits for 4 Aces with a 2,3 or 4). In this casino you were forced to play 10 quarters (in effect you are playing halves) in order to get a true jackpot payout. If you only played 5 quarters, your Royal Flush paid $526.50 and three of a kind only paid 10 credits not the usual 15. To me, this is a cheap and petty way to generate income and the majority of the passengers will never know they are being cheated. The odds are always with the house and this is such an unnecessary ploy - the casino will always make more, much more, than it ever pays out even if it runs an honest game. I know there are those of you who will say “just stay out of the casino” but it is a form of entertainment I enjoy and it is not this way on any of the other Princess ships, just Caribbean Princess.

Disembarkation was the usual, early flights off first and then colors called by deck. Disembarkation began a little before 8:30am and seemed to go as smoothly as any other ship. I will be glad to answer questions, if I can....happy cruising, Carol

16 cruises and still counting...

[CruiseFever]

Any way your could write off the problems you experienced as typical shake-down cruise stuff?

Did the dining experience improve toward the end of the week or was it just as unorganized at the end as it was in the beginning?

What you describe sound, to me, like opening night jitters...yes? no?

Thanks so much for the detailed account

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[nick1234]

If the Horizon Buffet was closed at night what are your options on formal nights??? We are not going formal and planned on the buffet. The more I read about this boat the more I am not looking forward to going!

Ali

[minooka]

Hi Cruising - yes, I think most of the problems will be worked out but I have my doubts about the dinning situation. Though it did improve toward the end of the cruise it seemed to be because most people opted for making a reservation in the PC dinning room rather than hassle for a table "anytime". It would be interesting to know what the capacity of each dinning room is and be able to do the math to see if the 500 extra people really affect the situation.

Nick, your only options if you don't go to the dinning room are the specialty restaurants, Sterling Steak House or Sabatinis at an extra charge, or the Cafe Carobe. Perhaps others will have a more favorable review of the Cafe Caribe. There were 3100 people on board and I only spoke with 3 of them. We all hated the Cafe (including spouses) but there were 3092 people I never talked to! We have always enjoyed the Horizon Court so much that it was a great disappointment to have it closed for dinner.

Happy cruising...Carol

16 cruises and still counting...

[S.S.Oceanlover]

So if you don't fill up at dinner there is nothing else to eat all night? I thought the Horizon Court was always open. This sure doesn't sound good.

Bill

http://home.comcast.net/~w.coleman43/1a.jpg


Caribbean Princess Eastern Caribbean cruise page (http://home.comcast.net/~w.coleman43)

[robbie2201]

????if the horizon court is closed at night why do they advertise that it is open 24hrs????, I am seariously thinking of cancelling my booking

Senation-98
Spirit-02
Legend-03
Legend-04

[minooka]

Hi All - though the Horizon Court is closed at 5:30, the Cafe Caribe offers something described at "Bistro" from 11:00pm to 4:00am but I was never up there then and have no idea what is offered. They also have breakfast pastries and beverages from 4:00am to 6:00am, at which time the Horizon open for full breakfast. Dinner in the Cafe Caribe does run from 5:30pm to 11:00pm so there is definitely 24 hour dining. Also, the Coral Dining Room has open seating breakfast from 7:30 to 9:30, open seating lunch from noon to 2:00pm and tea from 3:30 to 4:30 on all days, sea or port. Hope this helps...Carol

16 cruises and still counting...

[CruiseFever]

This issue concerns me but I am getting it straight in my head on another thread. I see the Cafe Caribe now on your deck plans Bill, just aft of the Horizon Court. It appears that the Horizon court is NOT open at night at all. I wonder if that was just on that sailing? Seems odd to leave it sit there all night closed.

Not sure yet what the hours of the Caribe Cafe are but if its not open all night that leaves a very busy room service I'd imagine.

I will say that I did go to the Horizon Court at 2 or 3AM a few times and found a very limited offering and few passengers so maybe thats why they threw in the towel?

I am getting close to understanding this, I really do think I am

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[sue d. miller]

Did they still have Island nite on the aft deck?

Sue
7 days on Star Princess 10/24

[CruiseFever]

Thanks Carol, by jove I think I have it!

Happy Cruising

Chris

www.LifeIsCruising.com (http://www.LifeIsCruising.com)

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Carnival Victory 12/19/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[cruzenmama]

You answered all the questions I had! Thanks

Jeanne-Marie

Caribbean Princess 10/16/2004
Triumph 4/26/2003
Triumph 4/13/2002
Sensation 96-01
Destiny 97
Costa Victoria 99
Horizon 95
Noordam 89
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=9400d3&cdt=2004;10;16;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500
http://animatedgif.net/nauticalboats/islesun_e0.gif

[SF]

I've read that the Cafe Caribe is mainly spicy food which my family won't eat, is this true? If so then it doesn't sound like there's much choice if they want a snack or dessert in the evening after dinner. I think they made a mistake not keeping the Horizon court open until atleast midnight. Not everyone likes spicy food.

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Jewel of the Seas 12/26/2004

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Caribbean Princess 2/26/2005


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[ahracer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by SF:
I've read that the Cafe Caribe is mainly spicy food which my family won't eat, is this true? If so then it doesn't sound like there's much choice if they want a snack or dessert in the evening after dinner. I think they made a mistake not keeping the Horizon court open until atleast midnight. Not everyone likes spicy food.

<HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

I don't see why you still couldn't have dessert. I'm not aware of many spicy desserts.

Also i'd find it hard to believe that there wouldn't be a few non spicy items you could find to snack on.


Scott

[minooka]

Hi All - this might help! The Trident Grill (hamburgers, etc.)and the Prego Pizzeria is open from 11:00am to 8:00pm and Scoops (ice cream) is open from 11:00am t0 5:30pm and again from 7:30pm to 10:30pm so snacks are available till 10:30pm if you like ice cream. The desserts in the Cafe Caribe were very limited the night we were there - some kind of cake and a couple of little things, nothing like what you find on the buffet. Happy cruising...Carol

16 cruises and still counting...

[SF]

We like to get a snack around midnight or 1am. Is anything besides Cafe Caribe open?

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Jewel of the Seas 12/26/2004

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Caribbean Princess 2/26/2005


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[Seayalater]

http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_eek.gifwe're waitlisted for the late traditional dining June 26.
Did you speak to anyone who dined there and how it went.
Also, if the outdoor movies are shown at 7:15, who is going at that time? seems early for movie showing.

Maria

Century 2000
Millenium 2002
Caribbean Princess 2004

[minnjudy]

Is Scoops free? or is there a charge?

Seayalater....We booked about 90 days ago and were #70 something on the waiting list for the four of us for traditional late dining....I checked last week and we are less than 10 now.

RC Nordic Empress 1/92 Bahamas
RC Enchantment W Carib 1/01 Legend to Hawaii 3/03
Next:
Carib Princess E Carib 6/04

[bcollan]

SF, Cafe Caribe has standard fare from 11pm till 4am, yes you can get a sirloin steak at 2 in the morning.

minnjudy, Scoops charge $1.50 for two (scoops!) and toppings. I didn't try ir myself, but my wife and daughter say it was worth every penny.

Bill C.

[torbs]

SF:

Scoops is a little more if you go for one of the standard sundaes, 3.50 if i recall.

Until 4/3 Caribbean Princess
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=008000&cdt=2004;4;3;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500


Caribbean Princess 4/3/04
Navigator of the Seas 8/03
Voyager of the Seas 6/01

[SF]

Thanks to all for the info.

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Caribbean Princess 2/26/2005


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[suzw]

what type of food was in cafe caribe for dinner?

[SF]

One more question. Does Cafe Caribe serve pineapple or fruit late into the evening (after 11PM)?

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Caribbean Princess 2/26/2005


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[Seayalater]

thanks for the reply
i am glad we have booked traditional seating as PC doesn't sound like the way to go.
Did this itinerary go to Princess Cays? Did anyone go snorkeling there?

Maria

Century 2000
Millenium 2002
Caribbean Princess 2004

[Rustynail]

Does PC dining mean that you can get a table for two? or is it so crowded that you'll end up at the end of somebody else's table?

Dan

http://www.animatedgif.net/animals/dogs/stikdog_e0.gif

CARRIBEAN PRINCESS JAN 2005
http://escati.linkopp.net/cgi-bin/countdown.cgi?trgb=000000&srgb=00ff00&prgb=ff0000&cdt=2005;01;22;17;00;00&timezone=GMT-0500

CARNIVAL'S LEGEND JAN 2003
CELEBRITY'S CENTURY DEC 2003
http://www.animatedgif.net/animals/dogs/cflbird2dog_e0.gif

[minooka]

Hi Rusty - the night the computers went down we ate at a table with another couple (lovely people) but the other nights we were able to get a table for the 2 of us, even though it was set for 4 people. I think they have done this (no tables just for 2) in anticipation of the extra 500 passengers. I really feel most of these problems with be worked out as time goes on. I just don't like the Horizon Court being closed, and it was closed when we went up to eat on Sunday. I'm wondering if people are confusing the 2 areas, as the Cafe Caribe is right behind the Horizon Court and you basically go to the same place just make a different turn once you get there. Happy cruising...Carol

16 cruises and still counting...

[sue d. miller]

Carol, I learned today that one side of the horizon was closed at 5:30 for passover, and the other side stayed open till 11:30. The the Carib kicked in for sit down menu with a varied menu till 4:00 a.m. Then the horizon reopened for pre breakfast with pastries and coffee.

Sue
7 days on Star Princess 10/24

[suzw]

so will the Horizon be open for dinner on future sailings?
Suzanne

[wolf5367]

First of several- please see below

The good-

This was our first Princess cruise.We have only been on one other,RC's Sovereign of the Seas.We had the same cabin cat on both sailings.We chose PC dining just to try it out for flexibility.

The ship was gorgeous.Despite the fact it was full, we very seldom had trouble with lounge chairs and crowds, other than at dinner.The movie screen was awesome but could get loud.The dealers at the casino tables we very nice and willing to explaint the games to newbies.

The buffets were pretty good.Breakfast at the horizon court was more traditional and the Caribe Cafe was contenintal.We really enjoyed the Caribe Cafe'. You were promptly seated and drinks ordered. The selection was ecletic but quite good. The waitstaff was attentive and friendly.It was not your standard buffet line by any means.That would be the Horizon court.The only thing I did not like about the buffets were you never knew which was open or closed.But sice they were so close together, it was not a big deal.

Embarking/disembarking/tendering all went pretty smoothly.We were quite pleased with that.

[wolf5367]

2nd of several-

the bad-

The first night out, the boat had some pretty good rocking going on.Several people we seasick.The seas did not seem to be that bad.In comparison, the only time we felt the S.O.S rock was when we skirted a hurricane!. There also seemed to be a constant vibration, almost as if the propeller had a bent shaft or blade. You could feel it on any deck, particullary if you were aft.

We could not get our cabin to really cool off the entire cruise, even though the thermostat was set all the way down.Several people we spoke with had the opposite problem,

While the entertainment was pretty good, there just wasn't a lot of it. They really only had one major thing happening twice a night. And the broadway type production was cancelled after the fist showing due to tech problems with the set.

More to come

[wolf5367]

the ugly---

PC Dining. Never again. There was constantly a wait, normally about two hours, even though we were willing to share a table with strangers.The service was lackluster and impersonal, The portions were small but tasty.We could not get a reservation earlier than 8:30.

Sterling Steakhouse. I expected a lot from this place. Instead they screwed up our reservation and we had to come back an hour later.The maitre'd was bussing and resetting tables due to being understaffed. The service was impersonal and barely there. The steaks were not cooked to order and quite honestly just ordinary.We saw at least three get sent back but we decided not to wait.Finally more waiters, the head maitre'd, and one of the ship's officer showed up (individually) By that time we were done, our drinks had not been refilled and we left mad that we had spent $15pp.

[wolf5367]

summary---(the last I promise!)

We really liked the ship and its amenities. However, it lacked a lot in the service aspect compared to our experience on RC.I do think that many of the problems were due to being the maiden voyage. However, the small, almost intangible things were what we missed.Like the towel animals every night in our cabin, service that really seemd happy to be there, and the variety of entertaintment.

Im almost curious enough to take another one next year just to see the difference, but I don't think I could convince my wife of that!

(climbing off of soapbox) Im working on a full revue which will have more details.

[ladymist]

hey there~ I'm Wolf's wife Beth

As a restaurant manager I wanted to add two cents to the whole restaurant experience from my perspective.

I have been involved with the biz for over almost 10 years and have not only staffed family-to-fine dining but have been ground level on several openings.

Sterling Steakhouse - the night we went, the whole place was crashing, in flames, beyond the weeds, etc. I would have been on the phone with everyone, including the marines, calling for assistance. This was the kind of situation where every available set of hands (including children- most of the times my own or the owner's) can only help. That being said I have never see waitstaff, service personnel responsible for 20 passengers/diners when things are so new. I felt deeply for the maitre'd, our server, and EVERYONE else involved. I would have leant a hand if I hadn't felt like I would have embarrassed a few people. Bad Management. Completely.

Main dining room - Computer reseveration system, shambles. SOMEONE should have had hosts, greeters, seaters, waiters and Maitre'd's fully trained to do the whole process of dining room flow on paper. Wasn't done. Computers crashed and no one knew what to do. Our waiter and assist. waiter responsible for 24 passengers. There is NO reason for a water glass to remain empty at 9:30 PM. I found all-in-all the staff more reserved and less animated (personality-wise) than I expected but that could be due to a bunch of different factors.

Carib Cafe and Horizon Court - all the service was located there. I am an unrepentant food snob and would happily deal with less than supurb food for a beverage once in a while.

I think many of these problems will become resolved with time and experience. I remain however, a fan of traditional dining. Formals dining is just NOT the place to have 8 tops coming and going at odd times without a staff trained to the nines.

Anyway - nuff for tonight, I have to open in the morning. http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif