Crown Princess ABC islands Jan 12 to 20, 2018

[Jimorel]

Anyone know what the white tower is?

 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 



 

 

Hello darkness my old friend...

I love the sound of silence as I peruse your wonderful review accompanied absolutely awesome sunset photos. It's almost enough to Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel write a song.

[deladane]

We step back outside

 

 



 

There is a museum section but it doesn't permit photography so I skipped that. I have no religious leanings at all and the history would have been lost on me so I stepped outside onto the street to sit and smoke. Carol did go in and there she met a Docent who showed her an index listing Netherland Antilles Jews going back hundreds of years which listed 4 pages of her family's ancestral name. She also saw a Torah from 1320 smuggled out of Spain, prior to the Spanish Inquisition. She found the experience very moving.

Norris

 

Loving the review so far!! I am so glad you made it to the synagogue in Curacao so I get to see your photos. I don't think we will be back from our tour in time to get there before they close (although we will try if it seems possible!). Can't wait to read the rest of your review :)

[Bimmer09]

BACK ON THE CROWN

I had nothing to do on this hot afternoon but to settle down and write you a line....

(an all-time favorite from a unique singer)

ROD STEWART

 

Correct as always! A sound all of his own. I only ever owned one of his albums-Never a Dull Moment which this is from but I had him singing on a Jeff Beck album in the 1960's. Jeff Beck is one of my favorite guitarists-again a singular voice who doesn't go for speed or flash. The opposite of Nigel Tufnell from the great Spinal Tap.

Glad you are still hanging in there!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Loving the review so far!! I am so glad you made it to the synagogue in Curacao so I get to see your photos. I don't think we will be back from our tour in time to get there before they close (although we will try if it seems possible!). Can't wait to read the rest of your review :)

 

Dana, welcome back!

Loving the review so far? I can guarantee you it ain't going to go downhill all of a sudden-it might even get better! Some great things to show you up around the bend. I went ahead and looked at some pics and am confident that you will continue to tune in. If not- then your money back plus you get to keep the free set of steak knives I sent you!

Can't wait to read the rest of my review? Well I'd better get cracking! I have only 5 more days to blabber about!

Norris

[Bimmer09]

I love the sound of silence as I peruse your wonderful review accompanied absolutely awesome sunset photos. It's almost enough to Paul Simon of Simon and Garfunkel write a song.

 

Jim (?) tonight's sunset was a dud in Curaçao-tomorrow night in Aruba we go on a sunset cruise on a yacht and I get some real color from the sunset. Stay tuned!!

Norris, happy to see you still following

[deladane]

Dana, welcome back!

Loving the review so far? I can guarantee you it ain't going to go downhill all of a sudden-it might even get better! Some great things to show you up around the bend. I went ahead and looked at some pics and am confident that you will continue to tune in. If not- then your money back plus you get to keep the free set of steak knives I sent you!

Can't wait to read the rest of my review? Well I'd better get cracking! I have only 5 more days to blabber about!

Norris

 

TBH, there was never any doubt that I would enjoy your review as I always do! You have 3 weeks to finish up those last 5 days of your trip before I leave for my trip, so you'd better get at it!! ;p

[Bimmer09]

CROWN BY NIGHT

 

I wanted to take pictures of the ship all lit up in the dark and so I went ashore again around 8 p.m before our next commitment and took the tripod with me. Lo and behold when I got off the ship I saw the Monarch who had backed all the way down from her berth into the open water close to us.

 

 

And soon the Monarch was gone into the night so I focused on the Crown again. This was a port where I knew there wasn't a Terminal building that would get in the way of a clean shot.



 

 

Although the aft section of the ship where Skywalkers begins looks clumsy and stacked in a bundle and results in a very short aft pool deck and outdoor seating for Horizon Court, up until and including the funnel assembly this is a beautiful design to me. The Dolphin Beak bow is a fantastic feature that allows you to get right to the tip of the ship about 50 feet ahead of where she cuts through the water due to the long curved bow. Then the stadium seating for MUTS is brilliant and the fact that the sound is contained within the Calypso pool area is something I missed on the Regal. The funnel stacks are high enough that soot isn't an issue on the aft balconies. Our second time on this ship and she continues to delight.





There are a number of people ashore staying close to the ship to milk every last moment out of this port. Little bars are serving them.



 

 



 

 

One last look at the Crown before I have to be onboard for our next engagement-A.J. Clarke the excellent Crooner's singer/pianist is being featured in an 8.30 show in Explorers Lounge and we want to be there.





I meet one of my morning coffee buddies and his wife. Their sons are trying to figure out ways to smuggle liquor onboard. I have no advice to give them except-don't.



Now I would have been perfectly fine with staying on shore for a while longer and having a drink and relaxing in that warm balmy night air, with the sounds of people laughing and enjoying themselves. My mind fast forwarded to our overnight in Havana in January 2019.

Cuba Libre por favor! The smell of cigars and the sound of Cuban rhythms filling the night air as we sit outdoors after a good meal. That's a cruise we are looking forward to as the time ticks by. Azamara Journey, take me away...

[Bimmer09]

We skipped what I am sure would have been another delicious MDR dinner to see this guy

 

He was playing and singing his Broadway favorites and we are glad we got a good seat as the room was packed when he began. He mesmerized the crowd. A fine voice, great taste and wonderful supportive piano playing. A must-see performer.



 

"Dinner" at the International Cafe is a low-key affair, a distant second to a man like me who likes a fresh cooked meal over a microwave reheat any day. I like my courses and my wine but we had a meal that satisfied and allowed us to eat when it was convenient.



 

I had a steak and kidney pie (not a patch on the fresh from the oven Pub Lunch) and we also had on the table green beans and excellent biggish shrimp, a ham and cheese toasted croissant for Carol and Thai Beef salad (great variety from such a small cafe) and roasted garlic soup. Open 24/7 and worth your time! I washed my vittles down with a glass of cold Stella.

[Bimmer09]

TBH, there was never any doubt that I would enjoy your review as I always do! You have 3 weeks to finish up those last 5 days of your trip before I leave for my trip, so you'd better get at it!! ;p

 

Dana, I think 3 weeks should do it.

You must be excited for the Eclipse! I love the S class design.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Sail away from Willemstad happened at 9.45 just 15 minutes behind schedule as some pax were late boarding. I shot a little bit of crap video which was spoiled by wind noise in the tiny Sony microphone. Reliable sources tell me I am getting a good Rode mic for my birthday in a couple of weeks. Hooray!

Although the video may suck mightily it at least brings our day in Curacao to an end and after a good night's sleep we will awake in Aruba ! See you there?

qVQtDZSdEkM

 

Goodnight!

Norris

[temani]

Norris and Carol, your detailed reviews and stunning photos are not to be missed. Thank you.

Your Reflection review last year helped us a lot as we cruised for the first time on another S Class ship Equinox a few months later.

Loved the art-deco Miami shots in particular.

Also loved Chicago and the wonderful skyscraper architecture by the way.

Eric Clapton is my go-to guitar man.

Tessa

[JF - retired RRT]

I love to see chickens roaming around free...

 

If you like to see chickens running free, you should definitely come to Kauai, Hawaii.;p

[JF - retired RRT]

When is your Azamara cruise?

Where are you going?

Will you post on Princess when the review starts with a link (please, please, please)?

[perfect match]

I loved all of your pictures and stories from Curacao! We have only been there once, and most of what I saw that day was beneath the surface of the water. There were many beautiful fish, and some totally awesome sea turtles making for a port day that I truly loved! I can see from your report that there is a whole lot more of Curacao that I would love to see, even that beautiful iguana who posed so nicely for the portrait you took of him. I guess I will just have to go back there! :hearteyes:

 

I keep hearing weather reports about lots of snow and ice in Chicago. I think of the two of you every time I see it, thinking I'm glad this isn't the weekend you are trying to head out on a cruise. I hope both of you are staying safe and warm through the storm.

Edited February 10, 2018 by perfect match

[Bimmer09]

When is your Azamara cruise?

Where are you going?

Will you post on Princess when the review starts with a link (please, please, please)?

 

Hi JF, it's January 15th 2019 for 9 days in an aft cabin on Azamara Journey. It is from Miami and spends 35 hours in Havana, then stops in Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba then a stop in Nassau before Miami again.

I will post a link from this review and it will appear on the Celebrity board.

Thanks for you enthusiastic interest !

Norris

[Liz54]

Hi JF, it's January 15th 2019 for 9 days in an aft cabin on Azamara Journey. It is from Miami and spends 35 hours in Havana, then stops in Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba then a stop in Nassau before Miami again.

I will post a link from this review and it will appear on the Celebrity board.

Thanks for you enthusiastic interest !

Norris

 

 

Three years ago we did a Cuba Cruise. We stayed in Havana for 4 glorious days and then circumnavigated the with 4 stops including Cienfugos and S de Cuba. You will LOVE it. Cant wait for those photos!!

[Bimmer09]

I loved all of your pictures and stories from Curacao! We have only been there once, and most of what I saw that day was beneath the surface of the water. There were many beautiful fish, and some totally awesome sea turtles making for a port day that I truly loved! I can see from your report that there is a whole lot more of Curacao that I would love to see, even that beautiful iguana who posed so nicely for the portrait you took of him. I guess I will just have to go back there! :hearteyes:

 

I keep hearing weather reports about lots of snow and ice in Chicago. I think of the two of you every time I see it, thinking I'm glad this isn't the weekend you are trying to head out on a cruise. I hope both of you are staying safe and warm through the storm.

 

Thank you Nancy!

As I was driving yesterday morning at 6 a.m 800 flights had already been canceled from Chicago airports which would have put us in a panic had we been flying to FLL. The roads were in terrible shape. I saw one snow plough during my 6 mile drive.

Snowing as I write.

Norris

[mstea]

Yes and on this cruise with its total of 4 sea days it was served on the Saturday (first sea day) and Friday (last sea day). They have Heinz malt vinegar for the "chips". Served scalding hot.

Enjoy your cruise on this fine ship!

Norris

 

 

Thank you so much !!!

Love those Fish and Chips !!:hearteyes:

[Bimmer09]

Norris and Carol, your detailed reviews and stunning photos are not to be missed. Thank you.

Your Reflection review last year helped us a lot as we cruised for the first time on another S Class ship Equinox a few months later.

Loved the art-deco Miami shots in particular.

Also loved Chicago and the wonderful skyscraper architecture by the way.

Eric Clapton is my go-to guitar man.

Tessa

 

Thank you Tessa, for stopping by to say such nice things. In particular the Reflection review being helpful-that's a super added bonus for me to know that.

We ran through the art deco section in Miami really and we both wished we had the time to savor each classic building and go in and see the interior. My socks were knocked off by the two we did go into-the National and the Essex House. We need to revisit South Beach.

Eric Clapton-a Prince if ever there was one and I was a big fan starting with the Yardbirds and then that John Mayall album where he was reading the Beano comic on the cover. Of course I loved Cream. After that I lost interest but always thought him classy.

Norris

[Bimmer09]

Three years ago we did a Cuba Cruise. We stayed in Havana for 4 glorious days and then circumnavigated the with 4 stops including Cienfugos and S de Cuba. You will LOVE it. Cant wait for those photos!!

 

Liz, I hear lots of good reports from people visiting Cuba-even from a curmudgeon friend who hates everything. We have been listening to the Cuban bands since the original Buena Vista Social Club CD in 1997. It was our driving late at night music.

Gambee has a photo review from his cruise on an NCL ship last year-worth a look for the eye candy buildings and cars.

It's almost a year away and gives me plenty of time to learn how to get the best out of my new camera.

Thanks for the response!

Norris

[jlf1]

Hi JF, it's January 15th 2019 for 9 days in an aft cabin on Azamara Journey. It is from Miami and spends 35 hours in Havana, then stops in Cienfuegos and Santiago de Cuba then a stop in Nassau before Miami again.

I will post a link from this review and it will appear on the Celebrity board.

Thanks for you enthusiastic interest !

Norris

I have the date marked in my calendar.

 

Sent from my HUAWEI SCL-L04 using Tapatalk

[Bimmer09]

ARUBA SUNRISE

Halfway through our cruise. We boarded on a Friday so have been on the ship for 4 of the 8 days we signed up for. Monday was our first port Willemstad in Curaçao and today it's

Oranjestad, Aruba.



You remember how my day begins-wake early around 5 and am up on deck 16 at Tradewinds Bar to smoke around 5.30 having grabbed a cup of coffee syrup at the Horizon Court where they are fixing the hot breakfast for a 6 a.m. service.



This guy is always here. My Pittsburgh buddy who wore jersey number 86 when watching the NFL on Sunday. He often is sitting alone, very quiet in his thoughts. He stays up late to play in the casino, enjoying a drink. I give him some time to himself and then one of us speaks and we sit together and talk about last night and what's to come today. For him it is usually a round of golf ashore with some other Pittsburgians on board.

[

 

Like most I meet he has never heard of Cruisecritic.com. Before I get off the ship I will give him instructions on how to find the Princess Board there. He's an easy salt of the earth guy to talk to. I show him some of my sunset photos when he's around as he doesn't take any pictures and is always asking what shots I have taken as several others would do.



When it gets later in the morning and I sense a sunrise I bounce up and down from my chair and walk to the railing to see if I need to take action.



 

I'll go back and sit down. Another sip of coffee. Over to the rail again, just in case.

I'm down on deck 7 now as my favorite Public restroom is by the Princess Theater just a short elevator ride down.



 

 



 

 

[Bimmer09]

Oil rigs and ships on the horizon

 

 

Back up on 16 and the coffee station has been set up so I get a fresh cup



 

 

 



 

 

The decks are often wet in the morning after a night's drizzle. A double rainbow appears



 

 



 

 

 

[Bimmer09]

 

 



 

 



 

 

I never regret setting an alarm and getting up early on vacation.



 

Norris

[Jimorel]

 

 



 

 



 

 

I never regret setting an alarm and getting up early on vacation.



 

Norris

You say hello darkness my old friend and I say hello sunrise my friend. I love sunrises, but somehow I just never to be up for good pictures. I do still love to hear The Sounds of Silence (and everything else by S&G). It occurred to me that you should be a lecturer on cruise ships, explaining how to take good pictures onboard.