Review of Caribbean Princess-Aug 22-29 New England-Canada

[CraigRDR1]

Overall impression of the cruise was fine...There were a few minor things that could have been better but I think that's just nikpicking... Ok here goes...

We live in Queens NYC so travel to the port was a 20 minute ride into Brooklyn. We dropped our bags off outside the check in area, went through security and checked-in very quickly. We had been upgraded from a mini-suite to a full suite a week or two before (cabin R408) and as platinum members we had perferred boarding passes. This allowed us to skip the waiting area and board the Caribbean Princess immediately. This was a nice perk. The cabin was spacious. Lots of closet space and a huge bathroom with shower and whirlpool tub. Our stewart who was very efficient through out the trip had champagne and canapies waiting for us.

Cabin had a pair of flat screen TVs, a pull out bed for our daughter with a privacy curtain. Double balcony with extra large chairs and loungers were an added plus. We headed up to the Horizon Court buffet for lunch. The food was fine but nothing special. This was not unexpected as this was our 7th cruise with Princess. Reasonable food but nothing to die for.

As Hurricane Bill was looming in the Atlantic so the Captain decided to skip our first call in Newport RI and spend the night in NYC. This was not unexpected since Newport would be a tender port. The only real negative was that the casino and shops were all closed since we could not leave port. With only one production show (which my wife and I aren't huge fans) there wasn't a whole lot to do but eat dinnner and call it an early night.

Since we were in a full suite there were a few nice perks on a daily basis...Daily canapies, an Elite private cocktail hour with small snacks in the Skywalker Lounge and the best was a private breakfast daily in Sabatinis only for suite guests.

I thought the private breakast in Sabatinis was very nice and we were well taken care of on a daily basis. I can't say as much for the regular dinning room. My main complaint here was the long waits for a table. 45-60 minutes is way too long and trying to make a reservation after the first day was impossible. I also noticed that during dinner time they close the main buffet (Horizon Court) and only had the small buffet available (Cafe Caribe). This may have lead to the overcrowding in the dining rooms. Whatever the reason maybe they really need to look into the problem. I dont remember having to wait an hour to eat on past cruises.

We finally arrived in Boston on Monday and had a lovely day there. Princess ran a shuttle into Quincy Market every 15-20 minutes (for $15 per person) which was fine and allowed us a full day to explore Boston. We walked the freedom trail and through out the north end. Ate lunch at the Union Oyster Bar, explored Fanieul Hall and Quincy Market.

Tuesday was Bar Harbor. Beautiful day and an beautiful little town. We did the ships tour of Acadia National Park and Lobster Bake. The tour was very nice, with great weather we had beautiful scenery. The Lobster bake was at a local country club/spa/hotel. The food here was very well done and the lobster was excellent.

Wed was St John. Weather turned cold and foggy but we made the most of it. We walked all over St John (City Market, Town Square,shopping etc) and ended with a late lunch at Lobster Steamer Co. across the street from the dock. We had a very nice lunch there (more lobster) and headed back to the ship. St John did a wonderful job of making their guests feel welcome. As you exit the ship they greet the ladies with roses and the men with lapel pins and flags. Nicely done!

Thurs was Halifax. Again my family and I explored the city on foot and had a lovely day with great weather. All the ports were very easy to navigate on foot with lots of interesting things to see and experience. There was no real need to book tours unless there was something out of the way you really wanted to see. Besides, we enjoy walking.

Overall the entertainment aboard ship was fine... A trio of solid comedians and a decent production show (as a NYers we are spoiled by Broadway). My wife and I enjoy the art auctions but found this one a bit dull. Not enough fresh art and not enough art that folks could afford. After 3 days the auctioneer couldn't figure out why no one would bid on the 10,000 dollar Picasso... Maybe a little less pricy and alot more regular art. We did buy 2 pieces and we were the big spenders in the room (that doesnt really say much). It could have been more fun. Other auctioneers have fun with it, this one seemed a bit business minded which killed the fun.

Overall, it was a relaxing week...nice cabin...our only complaint was the long waits for dinner... But life isnt perfect you roll with the punches. My daughter had a wonderful time in the teen center meeting new friends and hanging out till the wee hours. I'd say that she'd do this cruise again in a heart beat. It was a very worthwhile vacation and we all gave it a thumbs up.

[RickEk]

Originally Posted by CraigRDR1

Overall impression of the cruise was fine...There were a few minor things that could have been better but I think that's just nikpicking... Ok here goes...

We live in Queens NYC so travel to the port was a 20 minute ride into Brooklyn. We dropped our bags off outside the check in area, went through security and checked-in very quickly. We had been upgraded from a mini-suite to a full suite a week or two before (cabin R408) and as platinum members we had perferred boarding passes. This allowed us to skip the waiting area and board the Caribbean Princess immediately. This was a nice perk. The cabin was spacious. Lots of closet space and a huge bathroom with shower and whirlpool tub. Our stewart who was very efficient through out the trip had champagne and canapies waiting for us.

Cabin had a pair of flat screen TVs, a pull out bed for our daughter with a privacy curtain. Double balcony with extra large chairs and loungers were an added plus. We headed up to the Horizon Court buffet for lunch. The food was fine but nothing special. This was not unexpected as this was our 7th cruise with Princess. Reasonable food but nothing to die for.

As Hurricane Bill was looming in the Atlantic so the Captain decided to skip our first call in Newport RI and spend the night in NYC. This was not unexpected since Newport would be a tender port. The only real negative was that the casino and shops were all closed since we could not leave port. With only one production show (which my wife and I aren't huge fans) there wasn't a whole lot to do but eat dinnner and call it an early night.

Since we were in a full suite there were a few nice perks on a daily basis...Daily canapies, an Elite private cocktail hour with small snacks in the Skywalker Lounge and the best was a private breakfast daily in Sabatinis only for suite guests.

I thought the private breakast in Sabatinis was very nice and we were well taken care of on a daily basis. I can't say as much for the regular dinning room. My main complaint here was the long waits for a table. 45-60 minutes is way too long and trying to make a reservation after the first day was impossible. I also noticed that during dinner time they close the main buffet (Horizon Court) and only had the small buffet available (Cafe Caribe). This may have lead to the overcrowding in the dining rooms. Whatever the reason maybe they really need to look into the problem. I dont remember having to wait an hour to eat on past cruises.

We finally arrived in Boston on Monday and had a lovely day there. Princess ran a shuttle into Quincy Market every 15-20 minutes (for $15 per person) which was fine and allowed us a full day to explore Boston. We walked the freedom trail and through out the north end. Ate lunch at the Union Oyster Bar, explored Fanieul Hall and Quincy Market.

Tuesday was Bar Harbor. Beautiful day and an beautiful little town. We did the ships tour of Acadia National Park and Lobster Bake. The tour was very nice, with great weather we had beautiful scenery. The Lobster bake was at a local country club/spa/hotel. The food here was very well done and the lobster was excellent.

Wed was St John. Weather turned cold and foggy but we made the most of it. We walked all over St John (City Market, Town Square,shopping etc) and ended with a late lunch at Lobster Steamer Co. across the street from the dock. We had a very nice lunch there (more lobster) and headed back to the ship. St John did a wonderful job of making their guests feel welcome. As you exit the ship they greet the ladies with roses and the men with lapel pins and flags. Nicely done!

Thurs was Halifax. Again my family and I explored the city on foot and had a lovely day with great weather. All the ports were very easy to navigate on foot with lots of interesting things to see and experience. There was no real need to book tours unless there was something out of the way you really wanted to see. Besides, we enjoy walking.

Overall the entertainment aboard ship was fine... A trio of solid comedians and a decent production show (as a NYers we are spoiled by Broadway). My wife and I enjoy the art auctions but found this one a bit dull. Not enough fresh art and not enough art that folks could afford. After 3 days the auctioneer couldn't figure out why no one would bid on the 10,000 dollar Picasso... Maybe a little less pricy and alot more regular art. We did buy 2 pieces and we were the big spenders in the room (that doesnt really say much). It could have been more fun. Other auctioneers have fun with it, this one seemed a bit business minded which killed the fun.

Overall, it was a relaxing week...nice cabin...our only complaint was the long waits for dinner... But life isnt perfect you roll with the punches. My daughter had a wonderful time in the teen center meeting new friends and hanging out till the wee hours. I'd say that she'd do this cruise again in a heart beat. It was a very worthwhile vacation and we all gave it a thumbs up.

Thanks for the review!

[jjdc]

Thanks for posting a review so soon after your return home! You mentioned waits for dining. Did you go at any particular time or did it seem to be a long wait no matter when you went to dinner? Were you asking for a table just for your self and traveling companions or were you willing to be at a table with others? I'm really not looking forward to long waits, and since my friend and I are willing to share with others, I'm hoping that might reduce our wait time.

[CraigRDR1]

Originally Posted by jjdc

Thanks for posting a review so soon after your return home! You mentioned waits for dining. Did you go at any particular time or did it seem to be a long wait no matter when you went to dinner? Were you asking for a table just for your self and traveling companions or were you willing to be at a table with others? I'm really not looking forward to long waits, and since my friend and I are willing to share with others, I'm hoping that might reduce our wait time.

If you went at peak times..say between 5:30-7:30 it didnt matter if you were willing to share a table or not..the wait was long. If you went after 8PM then the dinning room quieted down...Why?? everyone was going to the show at 8:15 or 8:30...But eating at 8 or later cut into show time. Maybe this crowd was a bit older and liked an early dinner, early show and early bedtime. Personally, I think it was a combo of closing the main buffet for dinner, under staffing and an older crowd. All had a hand in the dinning room wait times.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review.

Looks like the anytime res problems continue.

Glad we switched back to late trad.

[Clutterlady]

Welcome home! Looks like we may be eating in the Cafe Caribe a lot on the 5th No long waits for me in the MDR.

[Rockymountainsparky]

That was a wonderful review. Thank you so much.

[CraigRDR1]

Originally Posted by Clutterlady

Welcome home! Looks like we may be eating in the Cafe Caribe a lot on the 5th No long waits for me in the MDR.

Make reservations for MDR as soon as you get aboard...Cafe Caribe was quiet..we ate there 2 nights

[Toto2Kansas]

Thanks for a well balanced review. I agree, sometimes standards are up to where you like them to be, sometimes they aren't, but you enjoy the cruise none the less. Welcome Home!

[CraigRDR1]

Originally Posted by Toto2Kansas

Thanks for a well balanced review. I agree, sometimes standards are up to where you like them to be, sometimes they aren't, but you enjoy the cruise none the less. Welcome Home!

I think sometimes people expect WAY too much... and when a little bump in the road occurs it throws them out of wack. Plus, my experience on board is if you treat the staff nicely they will treat well and do the all they can to please you. Ive seen people just get plain old nasty with the staff and generally those are the folks that say it was an awful cruise. The staff are employees not your personal slave for the week.

[Colo Cruiser]

I don't think having the Caribe Cafe only open during dinner is new, is it?
I seem to remember a few time the HC closing in the afternoon and the Cafe Caribe opening for dinner?

[nanfromatlanta]

Great review. One question... Did they have the Seafood Buffet either on sailaway evening or at any other time during the cruise??

[CraigRDR1]

Originally Posted by Colo Cruiser

I don't think having the Caribe Cafe only open during dinner is new, is it?
I seem to remember a few time the HC closing in the afternoon and the Cafe Caribe opening for dinner?

Last cruise was the British Isles on the Grand...they had both sides of the HC open..and the Caribe opened later at night for snacks.

[CraigRDR1]

Originally Posted by nanfromatlanta

Great review. One question... Did they have the Seafood Buffet either on sailaway evening or at any other time during the cruise??

I can't say for sure because we don't like eating at the buffet. The 2 nights we did eat there we didn't have a seafood buffet. Also, they may not do a seafood buffet on the this run because every port is HUGE on lobster, crab, chowder..etc..etc...I know I didnt want lobster for dinner after a huge lobster lunch.

[roe2ship]

Thanks for taking to time to post a review. Glad you had a wonderful cruise.

It is too bad you had such long waits for anytime dining. I remember the first sailing to Canada last year had reports of problems also with long waits.

[roe2ship]

Originally Posted by Colo Cruiser

I don't think having the Caribe Cafe only open during dinner is new, is it?
I seem to remember a few time the HC closing in the afternoon and the Cafe Caribe opening for dinner?

I remember the same thing.

Originally Posted by CraigRDR1

Last cruise was the British Isles on the Grand...they had both sides of the HC open..and the Caribe opened later at night for snacks.

The Grand does not have the extension area Cafe Caribe.

[dforeigner]

Thanks for taking time to write a review.

[CraigRDR1]

Originally Posted by roe2ship

I remember the same thing.

The Grand does not have the extension area Cafe Caribe.

Ok..maybe Im thinking of the Crown...but I do remember having the HC open for dinner

[edste]

What a wonderful review. We're taking the cruise in October and it was wonderful reading the review. One question though. Do you remember which nights were formal nights. I'm guessing the first day in Newport and the last port day.

Thanks again. Edna

[kooljamming]

Thanks for the review!