Live from the Crown Princess–r/t LA-Hawai’i–March 2-17, 2023

[gottagoacruzn]

Hey guys, have a great cruise, an don't do anything, we wouldn't enjoy!!!! If you get my drift, just jokin!!

[gottagoacruzn]

Hey travelin sisters, where's dinner, I'm hungry!!!

[cr8tiv1]

Almost 6 PM and you are still sitting along side of the dock.  Good thing you have lots of water between CA and Hawaii to make up the time.  At least you got an embarkation DINNER.

 

Hope you get out of Dodge soon.  Bon Voyage.

[travelin.sisters]

Today was not the calmest, most relaxed start to a cruise & I'm pretty much wiped out, so today's posts will have to wait until mañana. 

 

We are on the boat, finally headed out toward Hawai'i (just about past Catalina), mostly unpacked (still one bag untouched & trying to mock me but I am too tired to care), half decorated, ship half explored, fully well fed & ready to fall asleep to the very gentle rocking of the ship. 

 

More photos, stories & whatnot to come...for tonight I will say, you know you are on your way to Hawai'i when you walk out of dinner to the wonderful sound of Tiki Dave & Leialoha (@Elua) performing Island Style! 

[travelin.sisters]

the bears are ready to go out & kick up their heels (do bears have heels?)...they thought this was a wonderful day & don't know what my problem is... 

 

[travelin.sisters]

5 hours ago, cr8tiv1 said:

Almost 6 PM and you are still sitting along side of the dock.  Good thing you have lots of water between CA and Hawaii to make up the time.  At least you got an embarkation DINNER.

 

Hope you get out of Dodge soon.  Bon Voyage.

thanks so. much! 

[LouChamp]

Aloha.  Looking forward to your reports and of course food pictures!  There is nothing like Hawaii in my opinion.  Have a great time!

[Nolafan]

Hi @travelin.sisters! I am enjoying your trip report. Hawaii is on our bucket list. I am sorry to hear things didn't go too smoothly yesterday. 

Hopefully, the rest of the cruise will be "Smooth Sailing"!

I read somewhere that the Crown was having some new mechanical issues? Is that true? I certainly hope not! 

 

Look forward to reading more of your trip report! 

[gottagoacruzn]

Am hungry, still waitin for dinner!!! Know you're tired, just jokin. Rest up!!!

[travelin.sisters]

1 hour ago, gottagoacruzn said:

Am hungry, still waitin for dinner!!! Know you're tired, just jokin. Rest up!!!

I finally have my laptop plugged in & connected to the internet so hopefully my photos will download & I can start posting yesterday's stuff (last cruise they never would because the internet was so bad, but seems better this cruise)...in the mean time here is a snack to keep you from passing out from hunger (it is delicious)

 

[OccasionalSanta]

First day.... disappointed that the coffee package is not available on this cruise. Guest Services rep seemed as puzzled as me as to why it's not available. I was able to get Mrs. OS a soda package, but later discovered that somehow I also got charged for the non-alcohol package ($600) Still waiting for that charge to be removed.

 

On the plus side.... Went to dinner at 7:30- no reservation. Da Vinci dining room had lines for both those with and without reservations... Dropped down to Michelangelo's on Deck 5... walked right in... 

 

Karaoke in Explorers was not heavily attended, but still fun. Two singers were able to perform twice. One was a very good singer. No comment on the other

 

Day 2... Pop choir sign ups... lots of people... I've done this about 5 or 6 times in the past, but this is the largest starting group (people sometimes flake out as the cruise progresses) and also the  first time the director had each person sing to try to determine vocal range. (Mrs. OS begged off as she had a cold last week and her voice is still recovering... She just said, "I'm an alto," and left it at that.)

 

Weather-wise: still cool out and seas are still a bit choppy... Hopefully will improve in the next day or two

[travelin.sisters]

Embarkation Day~March 3

Good Morning, Looking Forward to Boarding

Didn’t sleep in late today even though embarkation was pushed back 3 hours. Checked the ship tracker to see that the Crown was about parallel to Newport Beach in nice seas (light winds/moderate waves) so 9 am arrival seemed accurate. The sea was so much calmer than the day before & even though the temperature was only a few degrees warmer, without the gale force winds it was much more comfortable.

 

When I could see the Crown approaching the outer harbor, I decided to head out to see if I could get some pictures of her coming in & find anything out. She was moving into the harbor at a good pace & was tied up at the dock right around 8:30. I had a good chat with a couple of longshoremen who hadn't been told any more than we had. 

 

 

 

 

Got my pix, shared with my roll call, & headed home to finish getting ready. I figured I had 3 to 4 hours before our ride so I would write this post, catch up on some emails & then work on the projects that didn't get done yesterday…

 

None of that happened before we got a call that our ride was on the way. They were working unloading & reloading the Crown & had a break between off loading & reloading. We took one load of luggage over to the port & the porter said they were allowing people inside the terminal (about 10:30ish) so we went back, got the rest of our people & their walkers & the giant carry-on with 'ukuleles, meds, computer etc. 

 

The line for people with wheelchairs, walkers & such is always very easy & getting the Medallions that hadn't been sent was also quick & easy (mini rabbit trail–am I the only one who wishes I could just get the Medallion without having to get another lanyard & holder that I don’t even use the first one of?). Then we were packed into a tiny, cramped corner to wait for boarding. Terminal 92 is way less spacious for passengers than 93… usually we pretty much walk/wheel on as we arrive, with maybe a short wait for a wheelchair & pusher; but both times I've left out of 92 there have been significant delays (this one because of weather delays arriving & the previous for an unexpected lengthy Coast Guard inspection). But. we were boarding earlier than the time Princess told us not to arrive before. Unlike normal, they did not take the Elite & Platinum wheelchair/walker passengers first, but it was still relatively painless at the end of a rather disorganized scattered morning.

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

Introduction~post 1

Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

Embarkation Day~March 3: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 62

 

 

Edited March 4, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[gottagoacruzn]

2 hours ago, travelin.sisters said:

I finally have my laptop plugged in & connected to the internet so hopefully my photos will download & I can start posting yesterday's stuff (last cruise they never would because the internet was so bad, but seems better this cruise)...in the mean time here is a snack to keep you from passing out from hunger (it is delicious)

 

 

2 hours ago, travelin.sisters said:

I finally have my laptop plugged in & connected to the internet so hopefully my photos will download & I can start posting yesterday's stuff (last cruise they never would because the internet was so bad, but seems better this cruise)...in the mean time here is a snack to keep you from passing out from hunger (it is delicious)

 

What's this of?

[gottagoacruzn]

How bout the desserts? Got to see those!!!

[gottagoacruzn]

Just a snack, huh? Ok.

[travelin.sisters]

1 hour ago, gottagoacruzn said:

 

What's this of?

you have to keep following to find out 😜

[travelin.sisters]

Embarkation Day~March 3

Boarding & First Impressions

Despite everything, we were on board & eating in the (not crowded) International Cafe shortly after 1pm. After getting on the ship (a much quieter entry than our last cruise on the Sapphire where we were  greeted by crowds of crew welcoming us on board for her return to service cruise), we decided to go see if our rooms were available. All up & down the hall, room stewards were rushing to do last minute things, but our rooms were clean & mostly ready. The paperwork like Patters, excursion tickets & such & pre-ordered water bottles were not in the room yet, but the minibar setup was. We dropped the walkers & carryon bag out of the way & headed to find lunch etc. 

 

Even though the schedule did not say anything about MDR lunch I had thought we would look, but my people (or one of them) were just ready to be done with this so we stopped at our muster station to check in & then settled on the International Cafe for our embarkation lunch. They had a decent assortment of sandwiches but no salads & they didn't offer to heat the sandwiches. Lots of dessert choices, but not peanutbutter cookies. This early on embarkation day (shortly after 1pm) it was easy to grab one of the few tables at the International Cafe.

 

 

 

 

After a quick lunch it was up one floor to guest services. The line was not too long, but really slow, however we soon enough got our turn & had our Medallions set to each unlock both doors, put all the onboard accounts on one CC (credit card not Cruise Critic 😉 which makes it easier for me to monitor them all for strange charges, and check on the pre-ordered coffee card. I was first told that the coffee card no longer existed, but when I mentioned that they had not credited it back to the account (looking at the printout he had just given me when changing the CC) he looked it up. Apparently (as of now, on the Crown) they are honoring the old coffee package if it was purchased before the changes were made. We will see when BIL tries to order one!  

 

The work done, I loaded my people on to a very crowded elevator to head back to the rooms to rest & headed out to explore the Crown. First impressions: she is a little in need of maintenance, things like railings are pretty tarnished (or rather the gold coating is chipped off), but she is clean & so far most things are working. She is one of the older ladies of the fleet, aging pretty well, but definitely aging. The crew is friendly but a little stressed & tired after the craziness of the past couple days. The central piazza areas seem smaller & tighter than I remember. One happy surprise was the Hawai'ian music playing softly throughout the ship…I don't remember music in the hallways etc. before & it is (for me) a nice addition. 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

Introduction~post 1

Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

Embarkation Day~March 3: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 63

Embarkation Day~March 3: boarding & first impressions~post 67

Edited March 4, 2023 by travelin.sisters

[Bettyboop66]

I am really enjoying cruising along with you…….can’t wait to read more🙂

[travelin.sisters]

Embarkation Day~March 3

Exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) Decks Aft

After a detour to make sure a couple I encountered got safely to their rooms & the rest of their group which had gotten separated & misdirected, I decided to start at the top & work my way down. Going all the way aft (back) I took the elevator as far as it went & ended up at Skywalker’s.

The Sky Deck (18) aft has Skywalkers Nightclub, a bar with great views that is used for various groups like the Meet & Greet, throughout the cruise but otherwise can provide a nice place to get away from the crowds. The doors out the back to the stairs down were cordoned off so I wandered until I found stairs up to the Star Deck (19)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I was surprised that people had already found their way to the Star Deck to enjoy the putting green, corn hole & pickleball (center) court. There was also bocce ball & a jogging track. I was glad I had done this first, as it was scary enough that high when we were not moving!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

From there it was down 2 flights of outdoor stairs to the Sports Deck (17) which had two small pools & loungers. This is also where the kids & teens areas are & they were doing registration by the elevators. It was not clear to me if the whole area was for the kids/teen program or not but there were adults using the area on this day.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

Introduction~post 1

Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

Embarkation Day~March 3: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

Embarkation Day~March 3: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

[travelin.sisters]

Embarkation Day~March 3

Exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks Midship & Forward

The sun deck is the highest one to have public space continuously from forward to aft. Exiting the aft elevators, you find Adagio bar & Sabatini's Italian Trattoria. I think this Sabatini’s is the largest one I have been in & is very nicely laid out.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Moving forward to midship & outside, you find Movies Under the Stars (AKA MUTS). I was impressed by the way the upper decks are designed to have not just one level of seating above the LIdo Deck but 3 extending up into the Sports & Sky Decks (I did not go up here). There were a number of people out enjoying a concert (I think) despite the relatively chilly weather. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Beyond MUTS there is a Tradewinds Bar. There is another walking path around the forward end of the Sun Deck.  Taking the stairs up from the Sun Deck the Sports Deck has more lounging areas & then the Sanctuary. Up more stairs the Sky Deck has a small viewing area. Inside the forward elevator area, behind Tradewinds Bar is the spa & the exercise equipment. Hearts & Minds which is also used as a Wedding Chapel is also in this area.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

Introduction~post 1

Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

Embarkation Day~March 3: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

Embarkation Day~March 3: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

Embarkation Day~March 3: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

 

 

Edited March 4, 2023 by travelin.sisters
photow

[Nolafan]

Thanks for such a detailed description with pics of the decks! I am enjoyed reading your trip report and appreciate all of the details of the decks.

 

We are cruising on the Crown in June to Alaska and this is helping me a better visual of the ship.

 

I hope you are enjoying yourselves and I look forward to reading more of your cruise report.  

[travelin.sisters]

6 minutes ago, Nolafan said:

Thanks for such a detailed description with pics of the decks! I am enjoyed reading your trip report and appreciate all of the details of the decks.

 

We are cruising on the Crown in June to Alaska and this is helping me a better visual of the ship.

 

I hope you are enjoying yourselves and I look forward to reading more of your cruise report.  

Thank you so much...I was wondering if it was too much detail of the decks, but I always like to get myself orientated. We are having a good time which is why I am not stressing about this still being the first day's report!

 

Alaska is also a wonderful place to cruise...I think by the end of this cruise the Crown won't be my favorite Princess ship I've sailed, but neither will she be my least favorite...there are a lot of little things that aren't the best or are a little old (more to come) but so far not big problems like we have experienced on other older ships...there is every reason to believe you will have a very good cruise to Alaska.

 

[jrobinso]

Thank you for the Live post. Love all of the photos! I will be following you. Can’t wait for our  March 2024 Hawaii cruise.

[travelin.sisters]

9 minutes ago, jrobinso said:

Thank you for the Live post. Love all of the photos! I will be following you. Can’t wait for our  March 2024 Hawaii cruise.

As soon as this one is over I will start planning for that one!

[travelin.sisters]

Embarkation Day~March 3

Exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15) 

Next, everyone's favorite, the Lido Deck! Pools, bars & food; what more do you need? Exiting the forward elevators there are cabins. Moving aft & outside you will find the Mix Bar on the port side & Salty Dog Grill on the Starboard. Neptune’s Reef & Pool are the first you come to & they will not have the MUTS screen & sound. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The central elevators & stairs are inside out of the wind & weather. Around the port side on the outside of this area is Coffee & Cones & Slice. In this small space they are trying to serve pizza (2 types always available & one special each day) & then in the other section are the specialty coffees & teas, soft serve, juices & the new premium desserts. This was very crowded even on the first day. The starboard side has a station for the ocean ready accessories & displays of the screens (it was not staffed on embarkation day). Aft of the central elevators is the Calypso Reef & Pool & Calypso Bar. You can watch MUTS from here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next is the buffet. there are 2 Horizon Court sections (port & starboard) & there will be signs if only one is open. They are very compact buffet areas & unlike many ships have the desserts, breads & pastries all in this small space. There are no handwashing sinks, just sanitizer. Aft of the Horizon Court is Cafe Caribe. I think if all three are open they will be serving the same foods, but I have been on ships which serve different foods (Mexican lunch for example) in Cafe Caribe at sometimes, if I find out this is true in the Crown I will let you know. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Between these three buffet areas are the aft elevators. Out the back of the buffets is the Horizon Terrace with Outriggers bar & access to the Terrace Pool on deck 14.

 

 

 

 

List of my posts in this LIVE: 

Introduction~post 1

Pre-cruise: packing~post 10

Pre-cruise:  booking & trip prep~post 29

Pre-cruise: last day stuff & weather~ post 43

Embarkation Day~March 3: good morning, looking forward to boarding~post 67

Embarkation Day~March 3: exploring the Crown Princess~Star (19), Sky (18) & Sport (17) decks aft~post 69

Embarkation Day~March 3: exploring the Crown Princess~Sun Deck (16) with Sports & Sky Decks midship & forward~post 70

Embarkation Day~March 3: exploring the Crown Princess~Lido Deck (15)~post 75