CB 8/13 Review (out of NYC to Eastern Caribbean)

[JulesNJ]

So we are finally back home from our honeymoon cruise (8/13 sailing on the Caribbean Princess out of Red Hook Brooklyn to Eastern Caribbean). We had the most incredible time! I wanted to share some of my thoughts with those of you who may be sailing the CB in the near future. Please feel free to ask any questions. I will state that this is our first ever cruise so we have nothing to compare her to!

The Caribbean Princess is a lovely ship. Very spacious and I like her decor (although others have posted that she looks like something out of the Love Boat - I don't think that to be the case at all). She was very clean. Our mini-suite was the perfect size for us. Loads of closet space and we really enjoyed the balcony.

Embarkation - Princess do a great job of getting everyone on the ship. I was expecting a big old mess with people everywhere, but it wasn't that way at all. Very efficient. We got to the port at around 2:00pm and were on-board by 2:30pm.

The food overall was very good. We enjoyed anytime dining and on occasion, ate at the buffet when we didn't feel like dressing up. There is food everywhere, you certainly won't go hungry. I was expecting quantity over quality and that was not the case. Not all, but most of the food was very good. If you don't like something, just ask for something else and they will bring it to you. No complaints at all. One very pleasant side note
as far as the food - I am originally from London, England but have been in NYC/NJ for 13 years - it is obvious they cater to a lot of Brits on this ship as I encountered food I had not seen in years! Cornish pasties at the buffet and baked beans for breakfast and a lot of other European/British culinary delights. I was in heaven!

The staff - I've read a lot of comments about the staff being overworked and not too friendly. REALLY? Were we on the same ship? lol. Maybe they were having a bad day when you encountered them, I don't know, but everyone we met greeted us with a smile and wonderful service. I'd like to mention Onya (from the Ukraine, who delivered coffee to our stateroom several times). Onya is the sweetest thing, always smiling and pleasant. Roger, our stateroom steward was a gem. He was there when we needed him and always kept our room neat and tidy. We both thought the staff did a great job. I play bingo a lot and a couple of the bar servers aren't as friendly when you only ask for a water, but that didn't bother me. They just didn't say anything to you - I guess they wanted me to drink alcohol lol. Didn't bother me though. Overall, the crew were outstanding.

Ports - we were supposed to stop at St. Thomas and Puerto Rico, but due to a Hurricaine warning, we couldn't. So instead we went to the Bahamas and Port Canaveral. This did not bother us - we still had an amazing time - but boy were some passengers steamed about that LOL. I heard several state they were writing to Princess HQ to ask for credit. When I tried to defend Princess by stating that a hurricaine warning was not their fault, I was told that Carnival managed to stop at St. Thomas and Puerto Rico so why couldn't Princess? I couldn't answer that one, but still - we had an amazing time in the Bahamas and we got to visit the Kennedy Space Center at Port Canaveral which my husband absolutely loved.

Activities - there is SO MUCH to do! I played bingo twice a day every day LOL. No I did not win, but I still had fun! We enjoyed the bands (there was a great lite jazz band one night). No complaints in this department!

I do have one suggestion for Princess - get rid of the soda card. I think it somewhat cheapens a lovely experience. I'd rather they tack on an extra $20 or $30 to the price of the cruise. With the exception of alcohol, I think all drinks should be free, but again, if they have to charge, remove the whole soda card thing and just make those who drink soda pay a little more. The soda card was a pain in my a** just my personal opinion.

Overall the most wonderful vacation!! Hubby says it is the best vacation he has ever had and I have to agree with him. We are planning cruise #2 - will be a while until we can afford it but we are now hooked! I will be sailing Princess again because I thought that for the amount of people they had to cater to - they did a spectacular job.

Feel free to ask me any questions!

By the way, I think I gained 10lbs - i don't know what happened LOL

[DonnaK]

Congratulations on your marriage/honeymoon!!! Thanks for writing such a lovely review.

[-Lew-]

Hi JulesNJ,

So happy to hear you had a wonderful time!! Thanks for the feedback.

Congratulations & best wishes...

Lew

[winnky333]

We were on the same cruise and it was lovely. All staff were wonderful and we had a great time. Anyone who asks for credit because of a hurricane is a real jerk.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review and congrats on the marriage.

[MrE1111]

Was on that same trip. Lots of angry people who weren't afraid to make their anger known.

I am posting my review in a separate thread.

[Tika]

Welcome home and Congratualtions! What wonderful memories you will have of your honeymoon!!!!!!!
I agree with you wholeheartedly about the crew, food & service on the CB. We have cruised many times both the smaller luxury pax ships and the mega liners like the CB. I was amazed at how Princess in particular manages to service over 3000+pax in such a grand manner. It is almost imcomprehensible how they do it ! Thanks for the positive review ........it was so refreshing to read. Of course, sometimes things aren't always perfect and don't meet our expectations at the moment but eventurally many times we find with a little patience etc. things work out for the best.......sounds like your a winner in that department. Hoping you experience many wonderful cruises in the future!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[JulesNJ]

Thank you all for the good wishes! We could not have asked for a better honeymoon cruise!

My husband and I cannot wait to sail again with Princess. We are both extremely impressed with their service and crew.

[Colo Cruiser]

Originally Posted by MrE1111

Was on that same trip. Lots of angry people who weren't afraid to make their anger known.

I am posting my review in a separate thread.

Can't wait for the details.

[jcastro1202]

Congratulations! I'm glad you had a great honeymoon. I'm glad to see that you and your husband didn't let the little things bother you and still managed to have a great time even though fellow cruisers were complaining.

My fiance and I will be celebrating our honeymoon on the CB in March and can't wait.

Thanks for the review!

[sept10dsm]

Glad you had a wonderful honeymoon. Welcome back to rainy NJ!! It's nice to hear that the CB was great. We will be on her Oct 17 on the last CAnada/New England cruise. Thanks again!!!

[Clutterlady]

First, congratulations and so very glad you enjoyed your honeymoon and the CB! So refreshing to read your review and was glad to hear that you overlooked some minor problems. It is hurricane season so everyone has to be prepared for some disappointments! Can't wait to board the CB again

[rdsqrl]

Congratulations! So glad to hear you enjoyed your cruise (welcome to the addiction!) and made the best out of the itinerary change. Thank you for a very lively, enjoyable review.

[bubbie617]

Originally Posted by JulesNJ

By the way, I think I gained 10lbs - i don't know what happened LOL

Now you know - you get on the ship as a passenger and get off as cargo!!

I'm glad you had such a good experience. We board CB in just a week. Hope there are no more hurricanes in our future!

[Sandytoes]

JulesNJ

Don't feel so bad, I also gained a few extra pounds.
Worth every forkful...
The food on this cruise was outstanding.

We were slightly disappointed in missing the ports.
Couldn't use my Coach 20% off coupon
My DH was extremely happy!!!

At Port Canaveral we just stayed on the ship.
Lack of excursions. Tour desk had no information when we questioned the port.
In Nassau we wanted to go to Paradise Beach, since we stayed there
a long time ago and wanted to see the changes. Taxi driver dropped us off at Atlantis. We had to take this long walk through the hotel to find a beach where cruise passengers are accepted. We ended up on Cabbage Beach.

[cantstopcruising]

Welcome home and thanks for the positive review. Good to hear you enjoyed your honeymoon.

You too Sandytoes thanks

[JulesNJ]

Originally Posted by Sandytoes

JulesNJ

Don't feel so bad, I also gained a few extra pounds.
Worth every forkful...
The food on this cruise was outstanding.

Wasn't the food great? I am embarrassed to admit this but on one occasion in the dining room, I had the most amazing appetizer (creamy chicken and mushroom in puff pastry - it looked like a little chicken pot pie). I ate THREE OF THEM. The rib tips at the buffet one night were also incredible - I had two plates. I can't believe how much I ate, but as you stated, it was worth every forkful! Back to the gym tomorrow LOL

[rcacace]

Originally Posted by JulesNJ

I do have one suggestion for Princess - get rid of the soda card. I think it somewhat cheapens a lovely experience. I'd rather they tack on an extra $20 or $30 to the price of the cruise. With the exception of alcohol, I think all drinks should be free, but again, if they have to charge, remove the whole soda card thing and just make those who drink soda pay a little more. The soda card was a pain in my a** just my personal opinion.

Although it might make things more convenient I doubt if the non-soda drinkers would be to happy subsidizing the cost of that program.

[JulesNJ]

Originally Posted by rcacace

Although it might make things more convenient I doubt if the non-soda drinkers would be to happy subsidizing the cost of that program.

Just for those who drink soda, as mentioned in my post
Just an idea...it was just a pain to me with the whole soda card thing

[caribill]

Originally Posted by JulesNJ

Just an idea...it was just a pain to me with the whole soda card thing

If you have a sticker on your card, I so not see where that causes pain.

If you do not want a sticker, the pain comes from the numerous times you are approached to purchase one.