Back from Crown 5/22-5/29

[CruiseShelly]

We never cruised NCL before and weren't sure we'd like Freestyle or the small ship. Here's a quick overview:

 

Crown: Great ship although small. I liked the smallness. Very easy to get around. I didn't need more venues than they offered.

 

Staff: the best I've ever cruised with. They could not be a happier, more pleasant, helpful, or hardworking bunch. They made the Cunard staff look like amateurs.

 

Food: the best of any ship I have been on. Some things were a little weird (head chef from Sri Lanka), but the quality, presentation and selections were great. No one went hungry!!!!! It's been hard here bering back with only breakfast at 7:00AM and I am waiting for my Lean Pocket for lunch any minute! The Chocoholic Buffet on Friday afternoon was incredible -- visually and taste-wise. The Breakfast and Lunch Buffets were good, selections only varied a little bit day to day, but that didn't bother us. Room service very good and reliable.

 

Shows. We went to three and enjoyed them. The stage is small and they did the best they could. But the entertainers were very personable and mingled with the passengers which made the shows more interesting each night as we felt we knew them.

 

Shore excursions: same old thing. We only took one, the Bermuda Triangle Nightlife Glass Bottom Boat Ride. It was funny and funky. We saw a wreck and a few fish, had some rum punch and called it a success.

 

Beaches: Tobacco Bay and Snorkel Park. Water was cold but it didn't stop me. Saw lots of fish. Had a good time.

 

Shopped in Hamilton (it rained), and King's Wharf. Trimingham's in Hamilton is going out of business after over 100 years! What a shock.

 

Weather was a bit rough going down on Sunday and Friday night coming back, but it didn't stop us. One of the younger members was down for a few hours each time, but managed to rally. The two young people danced and karaoked and made friends. According to them it was a geriatric cruise. Average age 60-ish. But they had a good time.

 

Amusements. Casino was larger than I expected given the overall size of the ship, but for me it was "cold" and I didn't gamble on this cruise. I have to have the slot machines "talk" to me and they didn't. One of our party won $105 at Bingo. We won the Scavanger Hunt, and the Geography Trivia Game. There were plenty of things to join in, but it seemed most people had no interest. Bands, musicians very good. Drinks weak, but not as pricy as I expected. You could get a drink from between $3.75 to $6.99 (souvenier cup). Sodas $1.50. There was always Water and Iced Tea avaiable in the buffet if you wanted it.

 

Freestyle: I thought I would hate it. I didn't. I did miss everyone not dressing for dinner every night, and the ritual of the same waiters etc. But I tried to be flexible. I would sail with NCL and Freestyle again, no problem. I had very few complaints with Freestyle, NCL or the ship. Biggest complaint was the hair blow dryer. VERY INADEQUATE -- bring your own.

 

Cabin: Larger than I'm used to, even though it was forward on Deck 4. Lots of storage space. Lots. Deck 5 or 6 would be more convenient to meals and entertainment, but walking up and down the staircases helps burn off the calories.

 

Sickness: Hand cleansing stations with alchohol spritz at all the food venues. No evidence or rumors of any intestinal sickness aboard. They were making the effort to eliminate any chance of sickness spreading, so it was the least I could do to cooperate.

 

Overall, I'd rate it an 8. And I can't wait to sail her again! Maybe next time around the Cape Horn!

[TxRose]

Glad to read your review. Sounds like you had a wonderful time. We are sailing next week and I have been concerned about the size of the ship. Got plenty of Bonine ready just in case! :D Couple of questions: Did you use the bus and ferry system to get around? How easy/difficult was it? Was there a piano bar? Any comments from anyonen on the Wildcat excursion? Thanks.

[Mark]

Shelly,

 

I too have always loved the Crown...it was designed as a true cruise ship and therefore has more passenger comforts. However, if you want to cruise on the Crown again, you better not wait too long since I read that NCL is getting rid of the Crown and Majesty after the 2006 season as part of the corporate fleet upgrade. I wonder if NCL will keep the NYC- Bermuda run after 2006 and which ship would do it? Dream? Wind?

[CruiseShelly]

We did not use the ferry/bus system this trip but we had in the past. It is very easy and inexpensive, so don't hesitate using them. The locals are more than willing to help you along with how to buy tickets and where to get on/off.

 

Yes there was a "piano bar" near the casino in the evening. The piano and girl singer/player was off to the side but it was still very pleasant.

 

I took a Bonine every morning and felt no effects from the sea. One of our 22 year old members took it but was still "down for the count" during some somewhat rough seas.

[souperjen24]

Shelly, thanks for the review, glad to hear you had a great time!

 

We're sailing the Crown in October for 13 nights... I'm pretty excited, but was a little nervous after reading some of the reviews. I know I will have a great time, but it's always good to read these good reviews!

 

I have a question - I heard there were no washer and dryers available. Is this true do you know? If so that would definitely stink... I was hoping to pack only like a week's worth of clothes and then be able to do laundry on the ship.

 

Also, what kind of cabin did you have? We have an outside and I was wondering how big the window is... if it is a porthole or not.

 

Thanks!

[CruiseShelly]

There are no washers/dryers on board. They offered a $20.00 per bag deal on Wednesday, return on Saturday night. All you could stuff in their laundry bag for $20.00.

 

We had in inside cabin on Deck 4, but looking through open doors on other decks the windows looked large enough to give a view and plenty of light. I only sleep, shower and change clothes in the cabin, so never splurge for outside cabin.

 

You'll have a great time on the Crown as long as you are not expecting Megaship amenitites, venues and diversions. The staff more than makes up for the smallness of the ship. I rather enjoyed the smallness for a change.

[run4fun]

CruiseShelly, thanks for all the info. We are cruising her to Bermuda June 26th and am glad to hear that you had a great time. I especially appreciated the tip about the laundry. Did you get it back the next day? Wow, that would mean I could get by on one suitcase. I had heard that they have sanitation stations everywhere and plan on using them. Just hope everyone else does too.

 

Linda

[bermudashorts]

Nice review, looks like you had a great time.

We are going in Sept and the waiting is killing us.

 

This was asked in another thread but wasnt answered by anyone who was on the Crown

 

Did you see the helmets of beer ?

Thanks

[CruiseShelly]

I packed enough in one suitcase for the week and actually packed too many clothes!!! I am not used to Freestyle. So we didn't use the laundry service. I didn't understand the "give it to them Wednesday, but don't get it back until Saturday" idea. If I was going to do that, I'd just wait until Sunday and wash it all when I get home.

 

I saw Helmets of Beer. Beer cans were in the helmets, no one was wearing the helmets. I guess they were easy enough to obtain.

 

At the entrances to the eating venues and at the gangway returning to the ship after shore excursions were the hand sanitizing stations. I believe it's an alcohol based spritz that you rub around on your hands and it dries quickly. Everyone was complying without incident, and I heard of no sickness on the ship other than seasickness due to bouncy sea conditions.

[bermudashorts]

Thanks cruiseShelly

I think you made 3 guys in my group very happy that the helmets of beer are available on the Crown.

When we did RCCL they have buckets of beer and they love the concept of having them available at all times;)

 

Bermuda Triangle Nightlife Glass Bottom Boat Ride, do you remember how much this cost?

[A.S.]

Glad to hear that you had a good time.

 

Did you notice if any of the tables for 2 in the dining room are situated by a window?

 

Also, was lobster served at all?

 

Thanks for any info.

[steph8564]

Please tell us all you can about these excursions:

 

Rising Son Catamaran

Wildcat Round the Island

Restless Native Catamaran

Turtle Bay Catamaran

 

I want to do one of them. They sound similar but would like to here from someone who has done any of them. Thanks

[CruiseShelly]

We didn't do these escursions but everyone on board that did loved them. (Rising Son Catamaran, Wildcat Round the Island, Restless Native Catamaran, Turtle Bay Catamaran). Many people on these boards have loved the Turtle Bay catamaran excursion and have mentioned it.

 

Bermuda Triangle Nightlife Cruise set us back $55 per person. A little steep for what it was, but after all, it is Bermuda and we did have a good time.

 

Lobster was served one night -- lobster tails, slightly overdone, but passable. I heard several people saying they were going to order more than one which they serve without murmur. I would say it was the Monday night, Captain's Night, but I'm not sure. Originally I had heard it would be the Friday night, but it was earlier in the week on our cruise.

 

Most of the tables by the window appear to be tables for "6", but are really a table for 4 (window) with a table for 2 (aisle) about 1 inch away. We were a party of six so we were sat at this arrangement every evening. If you arrive early enough you can ask for a table for 2 next to the window. They will seat you at the table for 4, then sit another party of 2 at the end table for 2 with two seats between you. Later in the evening it is much tougher to get what you want.