LIVE from the Crown Princess 12/26/09

[Love Boat Dream]

I love being Elite!

 

There was a long line to get in the building to check in. The first person I asked knew nothing about a separate line or entrance for Elite and said I had to wait on the long line. I just asked someone else and then my son and I were escorted directly to the metal detectors. Walked right up to prefered line. We had to wait on the regular line from there to get the photo taken. (hint: use the elevator and you bypass a lot of it!) From luggage drop off to hearing the "bing" of our first entry to the ship: half hour.

 

The Elite and suite line at the Pursers is a nice perk although no one was monitoring who got on the line.

 

I dialed the Dine line right away to make my Chef's Table reservation, but no one picked up. I went to the line to meet the maitre d and waited about 20 minutes. I was told by the staff that they couldn't help me. Although I did make a reservation for the first formal night at Sabatini's and for New Years at Crown Grill. Then, I called the dine line again and had it on the speaker phone for 40 minutes! I went back to the maitre d' in the Crown Grill. The person there told me the Chef's table was full. I was firm and very polite and he got me in to see the Maitre D' anyway and I explained all I had been through and he put me "on the top" of his waiting list. I'll let you know if I get in!

 

We also had lunch in the dining room. It was not advertised in the Patter. There were just 2 other tables filled. It was a delicious meal.

 

Besides all that, we raced around and got our card stamped for the treasure hunt and we played mini golf. Also managed to start the overflow of calories with a cone from scoops and a treat from the International Cafe.

 

There are a LOT of cruise ships in port today including the humongous Oasis of the Seas. I hope it isn't in port with us at anytime!

 

Our M&G is tomorrow at 11. Can't wait to meet our roll call!

[Kinkacruiser]

Congratulations on achieveing Elite status. We look forward to you cruise updates. We are planning to cruise on the Crown in 2011.

[Clutterlady]

Bon Voyage and have a wonderful time:)

[Coolmama_1]

Looking forward to hearing more. I am in "All Things Crown" mode.:)

[lovevacadays]

Enjoy your trip on the Crown. Check out Phoenix Rising in the Wheelhouse. Really good.

[PrincessNancy]

Can't wait to hear all about your cruise. One question...I will be traveling on the Crown with my friend on March 6th. This vacation is a Girls Getaway Cruise. This is her first cruise and I have elite status. You said you are traveling with your son, is he elite as well? Were there any issues with him not being elite during the checkin process? Will he be able to get tender priority? It may be different when it is family vs a friend.

Good luck getting to do the Chef's Table. My husband and I had a wonderful time at the Chef's Table on our last cruise. I'm hoping to be able to do it again in March.

Thanks for taking the time to post and have a fantastic cruise!

Nancy

[jdavid]

We did the Dec 12-19 cruise and it was superb. We were able to be a Chef's Table guest and it was the highlight of our trip (worth fighting for). Called about 5pm on day 1 and wasn't sure I would get it. The Captain and senior crew joined us in the Galley for canapes. We also did the Crown Grill. Another real treat! Would have liked to visit Sabatini's again but after these two treats also wanted to enjoy the Dining Room. The day we were in Cozumel, there were seven other ships. It was crazy busy. Enjoy and we'll look forward to your review. plan to post our's in a few days.

[Momma Mojito]

We did the Crown's first cruise of the season back to the Caribbean and had a fantastic time.

Please enjoy your cruise and keep us posted on all that your are enjoying. We too enjoying the music of Phoenix Rising in the Wheelhouse Bar. We were a group of eight and spent our nights there, being entertained by their great music. If you get the chance to see them please tell them that Gene and JoAnn said Hi!!! Thanks

[Love Boat Dream]

Just came from the Chef Tasble meeting. There was another couple who had a similar story to mine. There will be 2 Chef's Tables and ours is Wednesday after Cozumel. I told the maitre d' that I don't eat meat and he said he would ask the chef to prepare fish for me. It wasn't an issue the last 3 times I did Chef's table either.

 

My advice to all going to the Dining changes line on the 1st day. Please be patient and polite! Getting angry just makes a bad atmosphere for everyone!

 

Yes, Phoenix Rising is great.I'll say hi for you, JoAnn and Gene!

 

Last night we had dinner in the (anytime) dining room. Just had Fettucine Alfredo as my main. Service was very good.

 

Saw "Night at the Museum 2" at MUTS and then the Welcome show. On MUTS tonight and tomorrow: Football. They are also going to show the New Years Day football games.

 

Tonight: Formal night and Sabatini's!

[Love Boat Dream]

Forgot to add: we had our M&G. Only about 20 people came (60 registered!) but we had a nice time. No visit from the Captain or PSD this time!

[Bryan&Roger]

Can't wait to hear all about your cruise. One question...I will be traveling on the Crown with my friend on March 6th. This vacation is a Girls Getaway Cruise. This is her first cruise and I have elite status. You said you are traveling with your son, is he elite as well? Were there any issues with him not being elite during the checkin process? Will he be able to get tender priority? It may be different when it is family vs a friend.

Good luck getting to do the Chef's Table. My husband and I had a wonderful time at the Chef's Table on our last cruise. I'm hoping to be able to do it again in March.

Thanks for taking the time to post and have a fantastic cruise!

Nancy

Hi Hi Hi and merry merry. Hope we get to cruise again soon.

Happy N Y to you both.

Bryan and Roger :D

[Momma Mojito]

Yes, Phoenix Rising is great.I'll say hi for you, JoAnn and Gene

 

 

So glad to hear that you like "Phoenix Rising". They play a variety of music and keep you dancing all night. Ask Joey if he will play the "Hawaiin Wedding Song" Really the song I meant to ask him to play was "Can't Help Falling In Love" but I instead I requested the "Hawaiin Wedding Song" He just shook his head and laughed.

 

If you get a chance try the Farfalle ala Rustica, EXCELLANT!! I'm not sure they still call it that it might just be Bow Ties with Peas and Mushrooms.

 

Enjoy your cruise and thanks for givings us updates,

[Love Boat Dream]

Happy New Year to you too, Bryan and Roger!

 

A few random things...

 

It's drizzling now but the pool games are still going on!

 

There IS a drive near each computer where you czn insert your memory card and upload photos.

 

I've never seen the kids club open the first night but it was open last night.

 

Spa is fully booked today.

 

Ship is in beautiful condition.

 

The photo gallery is offering a photobook (like you can get on Shutterfly) with ships photos, the ones you purchase and you can upload your own too.

 

Boutiques have 10% off the first 2 days only.

 

For the elite/ non elite question: if you are sharing a cabin with a nion elite, that person can check in with you on the preferred line and go with you to priority tendering.

 

Time for Princess grapevine!

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for taking the time for posting the "Live From" thread. Enjoy your cruise and hope you get choosen for the Chef's Table. We missed out on the Ruby in October. Too many people had a "hook up" with Generoso, before he got off the ship, and were given special prefrence.

 

Have A Wonderful Cruise.

 

Bob

[cruiser4959]

What is treasure hunt?

[PrincessNancy]

Hi Hi Hi and merry merry. Hope we get to cruise again soon.

Happy N Y to you both.

Bryan and Roger :D

 

Hi Guys

Great to hear from you both. Looks like you'll be having a fabulous start to the new year! Have a great cruise on the Crown! Hope you have gorgeous weather.

Phil's a little sad he won't be on my Girls Getaway cruise on the Crown in March!

Nancy and Phil

[Love Boat Dream]

Treasure hunt: when you board, you are given a card that has 8 spaces for stamps. You run around to the difference stations and get stamped and then you bring it to the Sailaway party and there is a drawing for prizes.

 

Sabatini's was delicious. Menu a little different than the CB. Appetizer a little different and no pizza course. The desserts were yummy but my son didn't care for any so the asst waiter ran down to the ice cream bar to get him a sundae.

 

Formal night: a larger percentage than usual not very dressed up.

 

Grand Cayman: We did the Dolphin and Stingray tour (ship tour) and it was excellent. The day was gorgeous too! Bought an unbeleiveable ring at "The Last Tender" and Kyle, our shopping guide helped me to get a great price.

 

Ate in the dining room last night. The head waiter was making Penne with Basil and Garlic and I had that as a main. After dinner, we saw Princess Pop Star although they didn't have a lot of people enter.

 

Today was Roatan. Beautiful island. Very lush. We took Rony's Tour. Felix was our driver. Very nice man! We went to several scenic vantage points and drove aroudn the entire island. We stopped to see Victor Bodden's monkeys. The entry just went from $2 to $5! But, it was very interesting and a sweet girl named Chelsea showed around. We decided to zipline there (if you do, no charge to see the monkeys and birds) It is the lowest to the ground ziplining on the island. But, as soon as we got to the 1st platform, it started to POUR. we kept going although it was a bit slippery.

 

After, we stopped at the cameo factory. A disappointment because you don't really get to see the factory and the cameos are expensive.

 

We went to the shop "Yaba Ding Ding" and I highly recommend it. A lot of local art and interesting things.

 

Mahogony Bay Cruise port is very nice. Very much like Grand Turk, but better. Nice beach with a chair lift to get you there ($5 charge) Shops too. And, there is a zip line place right outside.

 

I hope it isn't raining so we can do MUTS tonight.

 

We saw "What a Swell Party" (production show) and I was shocked that the theater was half empty for the late show! Tonight is "Destination Anywhere." Ihave seen all of the shows on the ship several times and I wish they would come out with some new ones!

 

That's it for now!

[justluv2cruisewithhubby]

Thank you very much for posting live...I appreciate it, sounds like your having a great time.

[justluv2cruisewithhubby]

What location did you go to when you boarded the ship to make your dining changes and place your reservations for the Chef's Table?

[Love Boat Dream]

What location did you go to when you boarded the ship to make your dining changes and place your reservations for the Chef's Table?

 

Crown Grill

[Love Boat Dream]

Little drizzly last night so we watched MUTS from under the overhang. We saw G Force. Later movie was Time Travelers Wife. Tonight is Julie and Julia.

 

Production show "Destination Anywhere" was excellent. Theater empty again. Ron (CD) swaid this is typical for holiday week. Full ship, but lots of families who don't go to shows. International Crew show was good, but not too may entertainers. The waiter who sang "Don't Worry, be happy" was funy. "If I were not upon the sea" was a hoot.

 

Today: Cozumel. We went to XCaret. Fantastic place but 4.5 hours is not enough! Ferry ride across was very rough. Some people seasick.

 

Tonight: CHEF'S TABLE!!!!

 

See you all tomorrow!

[cat26]

Thanks for the great reviews!! We are on the Crown next month!!!

[Love Boat Dream]

Running low on my free internet time so I'll make thisw short and write more when I get home!

 

Princess Cays canceled today because of high winds. But, a sea day is ok with me.

 

New Years Eve was awesome with a balloon drop inside and anotehr party outside. Lot's of champagne flowing too.

 

Chef's Table was great and so was Crown Grill. Details on both later.

 

A couple of random thoughts:

 

Linen photo albums and scrapbooks with ship's name being phased out and put on sale. New books coming out soon.

 

Lobsters in Crown Grill: the little ones that you can get without the surcharge are frozen but are better quality than the MDR. The whole Maine lobster for $9 more is fresh (they are live on the ship!) and the brazilian is frozen too but great quality.

 

No beignets in the IC!

 

Time for spa. More from me on Sunday or Monday.

 

Happy New Year!!

[Cruise Lover Kathy]

To Lady 45 and Gene--Happy New Year!

Cruisin' Kathy and Lee

[Love Boat Dream]

Writing from home. Back to the snow!

 

Disembarkation went very smoothly. We took the excursion to the Everglades this morning (and then on to the airport) It was 50° which is freezing for Florida! The airboat ride was fun, but a bit brisk!

 

EZ check worked beautifully!

 

Overall: a great trip. Too short!

 

Food was very good, but not exceptional.

 

Crew was helpful and friendly 99.9% of the time.

 

Loved the cruise director and staff. Ron Goodman is the best CD I've ever seen. I loved the 2 Brett's ("boy" Brett could be a CD himself and "girl" Brett was lovely. Told her, I'd call her "Lady" Brett instead of girl Brett!)

 

Ship was well kept and clean. Our steward, Garrick, was good. Kept our cabin in good shape, made towel animals and was also around when we needed him.

 

I'm ready to go again as soon as I can get someone to pay for my ticket!