CROWN PRINCESS remembered in photos and video

[Deck Chair Queen]

Well edited video!

[Bimmer09]

Thank you soooo much for your efforts. We are on the Southbound cruise but I'll enjoy both of your reviews and so will our group!!!!

Skip

 

Skip- I am very flattered that you will use my ramblings as an amuse bouche for your cruising friends. Speaking for myself there is a lot of anticipation (months of it) once you have booked a cruise and any crumbs of insight into what awaits you are welcome. I am glad you found this thread and that it is useful to you.

 

I'm "chuffed" (to use a phrase I don't normally call on while living in the USA)

 

Thanks Skip.

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

The UBD was a fantastic, memorable dinner. We have a quite a few of those at home as Carol is a good cook and I can rattle the pots and pans quite handily on what I would call rustic recipes learned from my mother. Tonight there would be no dishwashing and no Bad Cat (her name is Lucy) trying to lick the plate while one is still eating off it.

 

For us it was an early-bird dinner and we were free to roam from 8 pm onwards, although rather sluggishly as we were stuffed with great food.

 

Our usual night-time entertainment was found either in the Princess theater or Club Fusion where we would enjoy the assistant Cruise Director-Chris who was quick witted and handled things like the Newlywed Game (but in Explorers) and the Yes-No Game (Fusion). Also in Fusion we liked to listen to the karaoke singers some of whom are surprisingly good. The best of them take part in a contest called Princess Pop Star . It's hokey, down-home , parlor game, homespun fun, featuring the people you are traveling with, letting their hair down and enjoying themselves. We like it for what it is. Carol will someday take part in karaoke as she is always singing in the house and is moved by a good singer. As am I-we are Opera lovers after all, even though 80% (I've measured it) of Opera is lame, but the other 20%....well it has enriched my life to no end. It's the same for any genre of music- 80% dull rubbish and 20% makes you feel lucky to be alive to hear it.

 

We don't play bingo or go to the Casino. In Las Vegas we stay only in the Bellagio and have been there maybe 8 times in the past 13 years but never gamble. Not even a quarter in a slot-but it's a stunning, well run hotel. And so is the Crown Princess.

 

If people complain that a Princess Theater show "ain't Las Vegas" I agree 100% with them. Impossible to replicate the excellence of a stay-put multi million dollar Vegas show on a heaving ship with a tiny stage and a small band.

 

If people have had "much better lobster" on a land-based restaurant where they have maybe 100 covers on a busy night I imagine they are speaking the truth but I am amazed that, cooking for 3,000 people over two sittings the Princess Kitchens can turn out food that has me (and no doubt Bad cat Lucy if we could take her with us) licking the plates. We had a better meal last week in a French restaurant in Chicago but it cost over $200 and there was about 8 other people eating there at the time and the same number of staff attending them.

 

I am impressed to date with the value we get on a Princess Cruise. Our faces ache by the end of the week from smiling, from laughing at the stand-up comics we don't have to buy tickets to see, from gorging ourselves throughout each day in a myriad of venues ( I am particularly fond of the Trident Grill). If you are hungry on one of these ships then somewhere there is food for the taking.

 

Anyway, tonight-Wednesday after leaving Aruba, we were in Club Fusion for some karaoke and then the Princess Theater for the International Crew Show which I am sure is held on the last sea night on my other Princess Cruises. Lisa Ball was the CD on this voyage. Captain Nick Nash at the helm.

 

There are some very talented people living below decks. Two of the standouts I can't imagine how and when they get the time to practice when they work such long hours. One of them played a drum solo and another played classic piano and both were richly talented.

 

I have a video of a standout singer-a cook in Sabatini's, singing a Whitney Houston song...only issue is I filmed it on the Diamond Princess...never before seen on CC or Youtube but I may just put it up for all to marvel at...

 

Should I? Shouldn't I?

.

Norris in an ethical quandary

[Ren1216]

Aww - go for it!

[Bimmer09]

Aww - go for it!

 

OK- one vote for, no votes against which is a landslide!

 

Ren, I'll take another look at the video clip to hear if it is as good as I remember as the Diamond was 14 months ago now. I am not one who usually goes to shows to "tape" them but I was way at the back for this one and as always had my camera bag with me as I take it everywhere on the ship. Some shows I am just too tired and sleepy that I stand at the back for a little while before heading out onto the Promenade deck for some night air and Carol tells me how great the show is afterwards. That's how I missed Billy Highgate the CD on the Diamond whom Carol thought was very funny indeed. I hope to sail with him in the future to catch up.

 

I am not working today and after a drive over to Michigan will have time to get back to this review....

 

Norris

[jbeth]

We love your account of your fantastic trip! We leave in January for a 14 day back to back. Question: we want to do a beach day in Aruba. Where did you tell the cabbie to stop? The Rad. hotel? We want to stop near the beach chair rentals and "food" (drinks, too). Thanks in advance, Julie and Frank from Chico, ca

[Bimmer09]

We love your account of your fantastic trip! We leave in January for a 14 day back to back. Question: we want to do a beach day in Aruba. Where did you tell the cabbie to stop? The Rad. hotel? We want to stop near the beach chair rentals and "food" (drinks, too). Thanks in advance, Julie and Frank from Chico, ca

 

Julie- we just asked for a ride to Palm Beach and there was a long path/road (watch out for cars and minibuses on it) to the beach itself.

If I were planning a "beach day" and not a couple of hours then I might research a hotel like the Radisson to see if they have day-passes were you could get more comfortable chairs under cover from the sun with tables and waiter service.

 

We are not huge beach people ( I am only 5ft 8, 150 lbs) but it was a wonderful relaxing interlude!

 

Norris

[melody hounddog]

I would like to see the video!!!

[RNGALNG]

Vi-de-o

Vi-de-o

Vi-de-o!

 

Another vote to see it! You are making my days until we board go a little quicker! Still loving your humor and view of how things were/are on the Crown!

Thanks!

[Bimmer09]

I thought I had posted the beach video but of course I could be wrong, so here it is. I have also found the Crew talent show video which turns out to have taken place on the Ruby (boy do I need an assistant to keep up with all of this video stuff) and it is baking in the Youtube ovens as we speak. if you like singing that can move you to tears then look out for it. I'll post when I know it's up there to view. Watch this space.

 

Beach video is short so don't blink!

 

 

Norris

Edited November 5, 2013 by Bimmer09
bad bad URL

[Bimmer09]

Here is the video from the Crew Show on the RUBY not the Diamond. This is the brilliant Maria from Mexico who cooks steaks in Sabatini's

 

From the same evening I also found a video of "If I were not upon the Sea" which I will upload later.

 

Norris

[jbeth]

Yes, I will do that and thank you so much....we leave on 1/18...can hardly wait!!! You'll probably hear from me again!

[Ren1216]

Here is the video from the Crew Show on the RUBY not the Diamond. This is the brilliant Maria from Mexico who cooks steaks in Sabatini's

Norris

 

Wow! Fantastic.

[LovesCruising]

Maria's singing brought me to tears! Fabulous!

[Bimmer09]

I had the same reaction. someone who is working in the Sabatini kitchen-but who should be on a stage.

 

Norris, very glad it moved you.

[greenie082756]

Thank you for sharing. That was beautiful. :)

[sjcivilady]

Here is the video from the Crew Show on the RUBY not the Diamond. This is the brilliant Maria from Mexico who cooks steaks in Sabatini's

 

 

Norris

Wow! Thank you for sharing that. And I've been enjoying your trip report!

Edited November 6, 2013 by sjcivilady

[Bimmer09]

I won't have much computer time today and it may be a little early in the day for such jollity but here is a video clip from the Ruby of a skit which you'll see on most Princess Ships.

 

 

Norris

[waverley7]

Must book mark this review, looks like a good one! Pictures are gorgeous, love this ship, she is my favorite! Sailed on her twice! :D

[kaebuckeyelake]

 

We are not huge beach people ( I am only 5ft 8, 150 lbs)

Norris

 

Hahhahahahhahahaha. Love it!:D

[Bimmer09]

Hahhahahahhahahaha. Love it!:D

 

Glad you spotted that and had a chuckle!

 

Norris

[Bimmer09]

We loved this itinerary where we had two sea days at the end. The clock was now ticking down towards the end of our cruise.

 

We had been the only cruise ship in each of the ports and so we had the sea all to ourselves.

 

 

I did write a review of this cruise on the CC Member's review board but in that review with words only I covered the experience by segregating everything into categories-Excursions, Food, Entertainment, The Ship and so on. When it comes to video/photo reviews I take the day-by-day approach and the pictures and videos follow in chronological sequence and help me better remember what I did and didn't do on the ship. There's usually some thing that I don't get to and can say "next time". Too many choices and not enough time. There was for example an International Cafe and a Vines on board. I didn't visit the latter at all and the former was just a stopping place for an early morning coffee to take on deck.

I later visited the IC when sailing on the Ruby and no way will I miss out on that again. Loved the shrimp salad.

 

Although I walk past it many times I have yet to sit down in an evening and enjoy the piano music in Crooners. So that is on my list especially if I find I am on a ship where David Moore is playing. I love the room and the art...

 

 



 

The usual two breakfasts for me, with Carol joining me for the Sabatini's one.

 

 

 

A couple of hours in the Sanctuary after breakfast, napping and reading. The early afternoon would feature a Pop Choir rehearsal for Carol and for me around 1pm was my first Ultimate Ship Tour where cameras weren't welcome. As tonight was a formal night (Thursday) we had booked our first Crown Grill experience.

 

So- much to look forward to that day.

[Bimmer09]

I won't go into the UST in detail here as I have done so in reviews of Diamond Princess and the Ruby. It follows the same path on each Grand Class ship I have sailed on, sometimes starting in the morning (Diamond) where the bridge came first and on the others in the afternoon where the starting point was also our meeting place- The Princess Theater. Either way for $150 per person (max 12 on the tour plus photographer and cruise staff member) you get to see the Theater operations and dressing rooms, the fly tower where the scenery gets hoisted-it and the costume storage rise up 3 decks. You'll head to the bow of the ship and see the mooring room, down to the bowels of the ship to visit the laundry and food storage. You'll visit the Medical center on deck 4, the Engine Control room where you can ask questions of the Chief Engineer, the main galley where there is a glass of champagne and some delectable munchies while talking to the Head Chef (in this case Jeremy Snowden whom I also met on the Diamond later that year)

 

There are the visits to the small but busy print room and the photo workshop both of them tight spaces. Mostly you use the elevators to get around but in some cases you use the metal crew stairs. The tour has always ended up inside the funnel with the Staff Captain. There you will be climbing some steep ladders and be in a hot noisy place. You will get to stand on the bridge while the ship is sailing and meet the Captain. On the Crown that was Nick Nash, very witty and personable man. The photographer will in various rooms take a group photo and you get a copy of each as well as a bathrobe, chef's jacket and personalized notepad from the print shop. It's a lot to pack so on the Ruby I just left it behind in the cabin.

 

The tour will take 3 to 4 hours and questions are welcomed and the Officers very responsive and passionate about their jobs. As a behind-the-scenes of a major ship it is well worth the spend to me. You have to sign up for it upon boarding at Passenger Services and an invitation will appear in your mail the day before it takes place.

 

I am a complete ship nerd so I will usually take part in the tour.

 

After the Crown tour we were led to the Adagio bar where champagne and canapés were waiting. Nice touch!

[sminfiddle]

The photographer will in various rooms take a group photo and you get a copy of each as well as a bathrobe, chef's jacket and personalized notepad from the print shop. It's a lot to pack so on the Ruby I just left it behind in the cabin.

 

I think that sound was of many jaws dropping.

[Bimmer09]

I think that sound was of many jaws dropping.

 

I kept the notepad!

 

When I sail on the CB in January I may return the "goodies" to Passenger Services and they can use them as a trivia prize. I really don't need all that stuff.

I guess I could just drop the bag in a hallway and hope that someone with space in their luggage would find it and appreciate it.

 

Norris