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Crown Princess ABC islands Jan 12 to 20, 2018

Bimmer09

By Bimmer09,
in Princess Cruises

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

Bimmer09

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Yay for Food Porn :D We live in Swindon right now but are shortly relocating to Milton Keynes (exciting I know). However we both grew up in Yorkshire (Skipton for me, Hull for him). And you know what they say, you can take the girl outta Yorkshire...

Where did you live when in the UK? I am very excited for the rest of your review! And also jealous because it's been a month of cold drizzle here.

 

I used to drive up to Milton Keynes in 1978 when it was a gigantic building site with very few buildings completed so I definitely wouldn't recognize it now.

I lived in N. Ireland until I was 18 then moved to London and back to N Ireland from 72-74 then back to London from 74 to 86 when I joined Royal Caribbean in Miami.

Thanks for the response!

Norris

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

Bimmer09

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Norris, I'm here! Much earlier on than your last review, the one when I was fortunate enough to be in the ABC islands when you started writing it! I'm excited to see those islands we enjoyed so much through your eyes, and, of course, through the lens of your wonderful camera!

 

I think I may have to consider staying in that Marriott the next time we cruise out of Ft Lauderdale. It looks beautiful! Do all of the rooms have balconies, or just the suites? After our last trip, we decided that even though Ft Lauderdale is normally just a 3.5 hour drive from our house, we can't always count on everything being normal. :eek: We did drive to FLL the day before our last cruise, and were very glad we did. We plan to do the same on any future cruises out of FLL or MIA.

 

Nancy! Welcome back!

All the rooms have balconies but as you'll see at the end of the cruise a fraction of the size of the suites. I'll include photos of the interior, taken from an earlier cruise, at the end.

Norris

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

Bimmer09

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Just found your review and am subscribed. Norris, you write the best reviews and I always take away great tips and information. Keep up the great work and please post links to your upcoming cruise reports here on Princess for Celebrity and Azamara as many of us read on our iPhones and don’t have signatures turned on.

 

Looking forward to sailing with you and Carol one of these days.

 

Jackie

Solivita Lady

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Jackie, it's always nice to have you reading along!

Welcome.

Norris

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

Bimmer09

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E 734

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These pics were taken on the last sea day. The shower curtain in the tiny shower was never an issue. The steel beam on the balcony we worked around. Not ideal but it was our only aft cabin choice. On a couple of nights we fell asleep to the throb of a bass guitar in Club Fusion. Again not ideal nor a deal-breaker. We had a good room steward-our first female-named Meilani from the Philippines. The robes we requested on the Personalizer weren't there but I did nothing about it as they are fairly useless.

The usual boarding routine-wipe down all the handles, phone, TV remote, balcony furniture metal parts etc then I scampered up to the Sanctuary to choose our loungers for the week. The two I chose were right at the front in line with the foremast/webcam but had a metal roof that would keep the rain and wind off. This would prove a sound decision later in the week. 2 people times 4 sea days @ $40 a day came to $320 for the week. I heard an MDR lunch calling our names...

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MustangGT

MustangGT

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I did a Venice to Rome review and I couldn't put the camera down for a minute. Ocean Princess was a lovely little intimate ship but she is now with Oceania. I particularly loved being out taking pics from 5 a.m to 7 a.m in Venice. That was a highlight of my life.

Norris

 

We were on the Pacific Princess for our cruise and were spoiled with the small ship service!

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

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Before we visit the Da Vinci MDR for lunch, there's another photo to include from our introduction to our balcony cabin.

 

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I thought at first it was some Elite perk I had forgotten or was a new bonus but on inspecting it Carol found a gift note-from Chris and Brenda wishing us Bon Voyage!

Such a classy touch and much appreciated!

Norris

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lola2013

lola2013

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WOW WOW & DOUBLE WOW...just yesterday I finally got around to starting to read your "Comparing Princess & Celebrity" thread...and now this! That one is close to 50 pages long and I only made it to page 20 (right around to comparing "festive events")...hoping I get caught up before my upcoming Caribbean Princess cruise. I was keeping an eye on your progress last week on the webcam and knew I'd have this amazing review to look forward to.

Can't wait for the rest.....

Susan

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

Bimmer09

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Thank you for your detailed reviews.

I have read them all, including non-Princess.

We will sail on the Royal kater this year.

Have never used the Sanctuary but consenting it got this trip.

Do you remember if it is totally covered or are there some places to get some sun...and, if you choose those seats, must you stick with them the entire time?

 

Thanks for reading all of my reviews!

There are a dozen or so loungers out in the full sun as you enter the Sanctuary. If it rains they will cover them up. You will be very close to the adult swimming pool down below. It has 2 hot tubs. You could ask to be moved as there are often seats not booked.

Norris

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callmedeb

callmedeb

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I always look forward to your reviews (but lurk more than comment). Thank you for taking the time to do this! It is very much appreciated...

 

...and timely as I board the Crown for a short cruise on Sunday.

 

If you have the info (and the time) would you be able to remember the names of the Entertainment staff? I know Mr. Moir is the head, but who are his minions? ;)

 

Thanks =)

 

Cheers,

 

Deb

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jlf1

jlf1

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Norris,

 

Only now just found your review. Only about 100 posts to catch up. Looking forward to yet another great read and/ or review.

 

Judy

 

Sent from my SM-T560NU using Tapatalk

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deladane Great Review Rare

deladane

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Norris!!! I am so thrilled that I stumbled upon your review! We are visiting the ABC's for the first time in March on our Celebrity Eclipse cruise so I can't wait to read your review and see your wonderful photos! :D

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

Bimmer09

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I always look forward to your reviews (but lurk more than comment). Thank you for taking the time to do this! It is very much appreciated...

 

...and timely as I board the Crown for a short cruise on Sunday.

 

If you have the info (and the time) would you be able to remember the names of the Entertainment staff? I know Mr. Moir is the head, but who are his minions? ;)

Thanks =Cheers,Deb

 

Deb, hi and thanks for stepping out of the shadows! Lurk no more!

Your question- my answer is I have no idea who the minions were. I saw an African American guy with a beard doing the fruit carving commentary which I video taped. He was very low key.

I also saw a perky blond gal (English) who coached the Pop Choir and a super perky gal doing the Voice auditions. Corey is the star though and instantly likable in our opinion. He is very high energy and maybe drinks more espresso than I do which is hard to imagine. Sorry I am so vague.

Norris

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perfect match Holiday Sharing Rare

perfect match

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Daylight come and me wanna go home (NOT!)

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Day-O (Banana Boat Song) Harry Belafonte

 

Do I get a virtual pillow chocolate? :D

 

 

I am not, never have been, never will be a morning person, though I've tried many times throughout my life to reset my biological time clock. Your awesome sunrise pictures make me really wish I could succeed at adjusting to mornings but alas, I am destined to be a night owl.

 

 

Our friends were on the Crown sailing right before yours so I plan to show them your picture of their return to port.

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Bimmer09 "Live from...." Rare

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IT STARTS NOW

Up until now everything we have done since driving to the ship has been a task, one after the other. The room has been Cloroxed wiped and the Sanctuary booked and now we get to go to lunch and we ain't talking buffet! We are greeted warmly at Da Vinci where they had the doors open (no pretending its the buffet or nothing) We are led to a 2 top by a window by a smiling head waiter called Dorde.

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For Carol the cruise/relaxing begins at the moment when a smiling waiter drapes the napkin across her lap. She always smiles at me as I know this is the beginning for her. The Escaping Completely. No surprises in the menu but a surprise when I check the wine list and see my beloved Decero Malbec there at $37. I'll have that!! The surprise was the waiter saying we are out of it. Say what? We are leaving Port Everglades without Decero? If that is the case then the Food and Beverage manager has some explaining to do. They do have a cheaper one called Diseno at $32. Ok I'll have that but the bottom line just lost $5.

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He scurries away without asking Carol if she wants a drink (which happens everytime and we make a joke about it). When he returns I hand him the "wine glass" on the table and ask for a Riedel glass (thin glass, generous bowl). He stares at me for a second and then turns and heads to the galley. A good wine glass returns and I like the first tasting splash so let him pop a goodly measure to get me through a much-anticipated lunch.

By the way-the Club Class entrance is the left door to Da Vinci. Lunch runs from 12 to 1.30.

Carol's Bay shrimp and avocado

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My Tuscan chickpea soup

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Carol's mixed green salad with oak leaves

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More...

 

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