caribbean Princess Jan 23 - key points

[mina]

We just returned from San Juan and a wonderful cruise. Below are some thoughts, new things we experienced. Overall, the CB was wonderful, looked great, service was excellent and food was great - even in Horizon Court.

 

Embarkation: We arrived at pan am pier around 11 am -- small line, they opened the hall about three minutes after we arrived -- very quick through security. Separate seating area for platnium and elite -- check in and boarding started at 12:15. We were about the 12th in line. Gentleman fell backwards halfway up the escalator a few people in front of us -- horrible to watch -- could not catch his balance and was tumbling over and over -- and the emergency STOP button did not work -- husband finally made his way through the folks blocking the steps watching in order to try to get to the man. He had righted himself by the time DH got there. DH carried his bag up the next escalator (the bag was bigger than the man who fell -- probably caused his tumble -- don't know why he did not check it through).

 

Cabin and Contraband: We had coveted aft corner balcony on Caribe -- wonderful - as usual. Only one bag arrived. Got a call around 6 pm saying our bag was being held in security due to suspicious items. What??? Would not tell us what it was -- just told to report to security on deck 4. Got to the security office on deck 4 -- no one there. Finally found someone who told us to walk aft to where they were loading luggage -- had to walk through crew area -- and finally found the baggage crew and security. Could have told us more specifically where to go and not been so secretive about the whole thing -- (I don't like authority figures who try to act bossy). They opened our luggage and found a battery operated coleman lantern. Said -- we thought it was a coffee maker -- you know you can't bring those on board. Oh well -- got our bag finally and avoided going to the brink for a contraband lantern!

 

Muster: was at 8 pm.

 

Dining: Ate at crown grill twice -- WONDERFUL - best of the many CGs we have eaten at. Dining Room once -- not impressed -- had table for two -- served all surrounding tables for two at the same time -- so we ended up sitting since we don't do salads. etc.

 

Ultimate Balcony Dinner: What can I say, wonderful as usual. This was our third time doing it -- it was good -- not as good as on other ships -- but still well worth the $50 per person. The crab cakes were a bit cold -- and not as tasty as others and the salad was huge and mainly just greens. The lobster was fantastic and dessert -- excellent. Well worth it. Other few nites had dinner in Cafe Caribe and it was fine.

 

Casino: Nicely laid out -- tight slots - but video poker was okay -- could play for a while on $20. Hit 4 deuces on deuces wild. Table dealers were good. We actually lost less than what we had budgeted to lose - so that was a good deal.

 

Crowd: Very subdued - no rowdy events or people, it was a very laid back cruise, few kids. Nothing like had been reported on a few previous cruises. We had no issues getting loungers for movies under the starts, got lounger at the lotus pool every time I went. Had no issues getting tables in Horizon Court. Always got an elevator quickly -- rarely crowded elevators and people were polite getting on and off them. Could be that we were off hours and typically stayed away from the crowd activities.

 

St. Lucia was our highlight of the ports -- did a private couples tour with serenity -- WOW it was wonderful. A once in a lifetime experience. Loved it.

 

Smoking: Smoking areas are much smaller than they were on other ships (portion of lido and small section in aft pool). Casino was every other nite non-smoking. We never had a problem finding a place to stand or sit in the smoking areas. Saw no abuses of smoking guidelines - unless you count the woman who hassled my husband for smoking in a designated area by telling him he could not smoke in the caribbean, it was against the law.

 

Disembarkation: Got off at 8:15 am -- waited in platnium lounge -- uneventful from Princess' efforts -- customs/immigration were very slow, lines were long. But we were not leaving till Monday - so no issues. Stayed at San Juan Marriott pre and post cruise -- WONDERFUL hotel, great service.

 

All and all another wonderful Princess cruise. Can't wait to book the next one.

[mina]

Forgot to add another tip! We love Cafe Rico (Puerto Rican Coffee) -- sold in little bricks -- brought back five bricks in our carry on luggage. Placed our DVD player on top of them in the bag -- BIG MISTAKE -- security thought we were carrying a bomb as the bricks and electronics on top of them looked very suspicious!! So be aware of what you pack with them if bringing back the coffee bricks!

[mytime53]

Forgot to add another tip! We love Cafe Rico (Puerto Rican Coffee) -- sold in little bricks -- brought back five bricks in our carry on luggage. Placed our DVD player on top of them in the bag -- BIG MISTAKE -- security thought we were carrying a bomb as the bricks and electronics on top of them looked very suspicious!! So be aware of what you pack with them if bringing back the coffee bricks!

LOL, now I can go about the rest of my day, knowing I've had at least one laugh!

[Tralynn]

Well, Mina, between your coffee bricks and your lantern, I'd say you've become quite acquainted with security! LOL I'm glad you had a wonderful cruise. We loved the Caribbean Princess as well. We also absolutely loved the Marriott.

[zacc]

Forgot to add another tip! We love Cafe Rico (Puerto Rican Coffee) -- sold in little bricks -- brought back five bricks in our carry on luggage. Placed our DVD player on top of them in the bag -- BIG MISTAKE -- security thought we were carrying a bomb as the bricks and electronics on top of them looked very suspicious!! So be aware of what you pack with them if bringing back the coffee bricks!

 

Between this and the lantern I have decided I want to travel in your company.....you sound like alot of fun!!

[Chesie]

Thanks for your report. We will be boarding her Sunday. Can't wait to get out of this winter weather!

[AlexandNessa]

Forgot to add another tip! We love Cafe Rico (Puerto Rican Coffee) -- sold in little bricks -- brought back five bricks in our carry on luggage. Placed our DVD player on top of them in the bag -- BIG MISTAKE -- security thought we were carrying a bomb as the bricks and electronics on top of them looked very suspicious!! So be aware of what you pack with them if bringing back the coffee bricks!

 

 

Thanks for the laugh. :D

enjoyed your review. :)