Live from Crown: Carolyn’s Crown Princess Blog

[shereemcg]

many state offices in trenton and others are closed today and tomorrow due to the flooding. anyone who evacuated last year had to evacuate again.

 

2 questions i/ve seen asked but not answered!! and i've read it all!

cost of coffee card and what it includes

 

was there a seafood buffet the first night

 

ok a 3rd, anyone know why immigration in san juan was so loooong?

 

thanks

[dobie]

Carolyn, thank you for taking the time to answer our questions...

[Kid Jedi]

Hi everyone, first time poster. My wife are less than one week removed from the maiden voyage, and we loved this boat so much we going back! This time it will be the 9/30 Eastern Caribbean, to complement the Western. For future Crown passengers, here is some of our feedback:

 

Pluses

1) MUTS...the stars, the popcorn, the blankets...definitely worth checking out more than once. Although we were scratching our heads as to why they chose to show Titanic one night...not on a cruise ship!

2) Skywalkers, coolest nightclub we've seen in a long time!

3) Grand Turk...we loved it. We got off, talked up a few cabbies and grabed a ride to Pillory Beach, where we spent the day at a small dive resort and got some snorkeling in. The manager, Kelly was a great host!

4) The staff...not much to say except they were awesome.

 

Minuses

1) I hate paying for ice cream, should be a crime.

2) Elevators...yep, you will wait forever. Better to climb and work off the buffet food!

 

Can't wait to go back, only 90+ days!

[lbiSeaGlass]

A heads up on the pillow menu -- it does exist in suites but not in mini-suites so I can't report back on what it's like at this point. My cabin stewardess -- Cristina, she's fabulous -- told me that the pillow menu and pillows arrive in NY on Sunday and so presumably the menu will surface on next week's cruise.

 

Gosh (scratching my chin), maybe I should stay on........:p

 

If anyone out there lives in the Yardley, PA/Trenton, NJ area -- as I do and as well do several other CC members here on the ship -- we'd love any honest to god reports. CNN is useless and we're all anxious to know what's happening in our hometowns.

 

Thanks....

 

Carolyn

 

Carolyn-Chez Odette is just about under water, the waterworks townhouses in New Hope are completly surrounded by the river. Bucks County Playhouse again is totally flooded. Yardley is again under just to the canal on Afton Ave. The river and canal have met. The poor Yardley Inn has to have major damage. The river did crest this afternoon around 5pm. Also the "Island" Area in Trenton is also flooded. So sad for these poor people. Let me know if you need any other info. Oh also the bridges north of the Scuddersfalls Bridge have been closed.

[nana nancy]

I would be interested in hearing about your disembarking experience. We will be 5 couples with 3 handicapped people. One with a scooter, one with a wheelchair and one with a cane. We always worry, and this will be our first Princess experience. Not wishing your trip to fly by, and hope your enjoying every minute! Thanks for all the info, I'm loving it!

[Colo Cruiser]

Hi everyone, first time poster. My wife are less than one week removed from the maiden voyage, and we loved this boat so much we going back! This time it will be the 9/30 Eastern Caribbean, to complement the Western. For future Crown passengers, here is some of our feedback:

 

Pluses

1) MUTS...the stars, the popcorn, the blankets...definitely worth checking out more than once. Although we were scratching our heads as to why they chose to show Titanic one night...not on a cruise ship!

2) Skywalkers, coolest nightclub we've seen in a long time!

3) Grand Turk...we loved it. We got off, talked up a few cabbies and grabed a ride to Pillory Beach, where we spent the day at a small dive resort and got some snorkeling in. The manager, Kelly was a great host!

4) The staff...not much to say except they were awesome.

 

Minuses

1) I hate paying for ice cream, should be a crime.

2) Elevators...yep, you will wait forever. Better to climb and work off the buffet food!

 

Can't wait to go back, only 90+ days!

 

Kid Jedi,

 

How much for the cab to Pillory Beach, how long of a drive, and how good is the snorkling? Thanks

 

Is there a beach next to the ship as well?

[DARNAILZ]

Kid Jedi,

[DARNAILZ]

Kid Jedi,

 

We have a thread going for the 9/30 cruise, join us!

 

Thanks Carolyn for all the info...

 

Sorry about the double post.

[sbcs5390]

Is there a beach next to the ship as well?

Colo,

 

You may want to check out the pictures of the Carnival facilities at Grand Turk.

 

Go to http://www.grandturkcc.com/

 

Click on Image Gallery in the menu, and then Cruise Center. It has a nice beach and what is supposed to be the largest pool in the Carib.

 

Brian

[Colo Cruiser]

Colo,

 

You may want to check out the pictures of the Carnival facilities at Grand Turk.

 

Go to http://www.grandturkcc.com/

 

Click on Image Gallery in the menu, and then Cruise Center. It has a nice beach and what is supposed to be the largest pool in the Carib.

 

Brian

 

 

Thanks for the link,

some early Crown pictures showed a view form the ship of the surrounding area and there was a beach right next to the ship with

tons of lounge chairs. I can't remember who posted those pictures. :)

[Jules1]

Carolyn,

Could you please comment on whether tours are offered on disembarkation day - we have a late flight out and are wondering if Princess is offering some sort of NYC tour and then an airport drop off. We're thinking this may be an option considering the disembarkation problems with the maiden cruise. Thanks!

[weatherguy]

Attention Carolyn Spencer-Brown---

 

 

Here is a snippet of data from your National Weather Service office that concerns the situation in Trenton, NJ and Yardley, PA. This statement was made on Thursday night, June 29th. I have attempted to highlight the most important information for you appearing in darker, bigger Blue ink down below. Since I have no clue about what counties you are in, I must guess the areas as the road map looks too congested to read. Have a look down below in darker, bigger blue ink, and any of the rest of the statement you feel is applicable to your town ship.

 

Your next chance for rain comes on Sunday and Sunday night, with a break in rain for Friday and Saturday. So Friday and Saturday should be good days for some partial recovery alleviating the flooding rains and rivers which have crested to above flood stage. River stage levels will have a chance to come down, on the next couple days.

 

I'm using the information from Mercer and Buck counties, which looks a little further north and northwest of your town of Yardley, but I cannot see what county Yardley and Trenton is in because the road map is too cluttered to read any counties.

 

 

FLOOD STATEMENT

NATIONAL WEATHER SERVICE MT HOLLY, NEW JERSEY

1000 PM EDT THU JUN 29 2006

 

...THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR THE FOLLOWING RIVERS IN NEW JERSEY...

PENNSYLVANIA

 

DELAWARE RIVER NEAR TOCKS ISLAND AFFECTING SUSSEX...WARREN...MONROE AND

NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT BELVIDERE AFFECTING SUSSEX...WARREN...MONROE AND

NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT EASTON-PHILLIPSBURG BRIDGE AFFECTING HUNTERDON...

WARREN AND NORTHAMPTON COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT RIEGELSVILLE AFFECTING HUNTERDON...MERCER AND BUCKS

COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT FRENCHTOWN AFFECTING HUNTERDON AND BUCKS COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT STOCKTON AFFECTING HUNTERDON AND BUCKS COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT NEW HOPE-LAMBERTVILLE BRIDGE AFFECTING HUNTERDON...

MERCER AND BUCKS COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT WASHINGTON'S CROSSING AFFECTING HUNTERDON...MERCER

AND BUCKS COUNTIES

DELAWARE RIVER AT TRENTON AFFECTING MERCER AND BUCKS COUNTIES

 

...MAJOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING AND EXPECTED TO CONTINUE ON THE DELAWARE

RIVER...

 

NJC019-041-PAC095-301132-

/X.CON.KPHI.FL.W.0021.000000T0000Z-000000T0000Z/

/ESTN4.3.ER.060628T0030Z.060629T1615Z.000000T0000Z.NO/

1000 PM EDT THU JUN 29 2006

 

THE FLOOD WARNING CONTINUES FOR

THE DELAWARE RIVER AT EASTON-PHILLIPSBURG BRIDGE.

* UNTIL FRIDAY EVENING.

 

* AT 800 PM THURSDAY THE STAGE WAS 35.4 FEET.

* MAJOR FLOODING IS OCCURRING.

 

* FLOOD STAGE IS 22.0 FEET.

 

* THE RIVER WILL CONTINUE TO FALL TO BELOW FLOOD STAGE BY FRIDAY NIGHT.

[weatherguy]

Carolyn,

 

One other thing I might add about any showers or thunderstorms weather in the Trenton area and Delaware swollen River is this much:

 

--- Weather Radar Link for Trenton, NJ/Yardley, PA ---

 

You can always check out this radar, as it's a live direct radar updated continuously 24-hours a day, 7-days a week at this URL weblink address: http://radar.weather.gov/radar.php?rid=dix&product=N0R&overlay=11101111&loop=no

 

I don't know when your cruise gets back, so you can use this radar link which reaches easily within range of the New York City harbor seaport where you come back to dock at. Should you need additional info. I will look into it again later on Friday and post again, either same thread or different thread. I think most folks would like to keep this a Crown Princess blog though, so I apologize in advance for taking up this space, but I seen that you asked for weather information on this most pressing crisis, so I interjected. Excuse my unawareness of what counties y'all are in, too. I reside in New Orleans.

[Kid Jedi]

Kid Jedi,

 

How much for the cab to Pillory Beach, how long of a drive, and how good is the snorkling? Thanks

 

Is there a beach next to the ship as well?

 

Colo Cruiser - I forget the exact amount, but it was like $10 one way for the both of us. The name of the resort was BOHIO.

 

The snorkeling was average but fun nonetheless. Not a lot to see, but we did run across some interesting corals and school of rainbow fish. Kelly rented us the equipment for $10 each, unlimited use.

 

There is beach/pool/Jimmy Buffett's restaurant right by the terminal, and the next closest beach is Governor's Beach. We tried to walk it at first, but got attacked by tons of mosquitos and went back. Plus, we heard 300+ passengers were also headed to Governor's so we wanted to be somewhere else less busy. At Pillory I counted exactly 6 other fellow passengers.

[tpmartin]

Thank you - again - Jules! I will see what I can get when we book - which should be soon, once DH hears from his boss as to what weeks are cleared for his vacation.

 

Gee, I love this place - :)

Twinky

These are mini suites, we are booked in the E720 and have the kids across from us in the inside.

Tom

[Mur-cruiser]

Hi everyone, first time poster. My wife are less than one week removed from the maiden voyage, and we loved this boat so much we going back! This time it will be the 9/30 Eastern Caribbean, to complement the Western. For future Crown passengers, here is some of our feedback:

 

Pluses

1) MUTS...the stars, the popcorn, the blankets...definitely worth checking out more than once. Although we were scratching our heads as to why they chose to show Titanic one night...not on a cruise ship!

2) Skywalkers, coolest nightclub we've seen in a long time!

3) Grand Turk...we loved it. We got off, talked up a few cabbies and grabed a ride to Pillory Beach, where we spent the day at a small dive resort and got some snorkeling in. The manager, Kelly was a great host!

4) The staff...not much to say except they were awesome.

 

Minuses

1) I hate paying for ice cream, should be a crime.

2) Elevators...yep, you will wait forever. Better to climb and work off the buffet food!

 

Can't wait to go back, only 90+ days!

 

Have you joined our roll call? If so welcome if not please join us!!!:D

[editor@cruisecritic]

The lectures have generally been well-attended, definitely an interesting range of choices. The most popular has been the “white house guy” (a former U.S. marine who as social aide whose job was to er, aide social events there); the legendary maritime historian John Maxtone-Graham, who’s talking about various and sundry issues relating to cruise tradition and history, a geologist and a woman who speaks on how to write a journal. All these are free (if you can tear yourself away from MUTS, the pool, the Sanctuary, etc.).

For-fee activities include things like scrapbooking and ceramics (materials’ costs) and computer classes. I wanted to take Photo Shop but gosh, again, it was hard to pull myself away.

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

In Grand Turk I signed up for power snorkeling (it’s also available in, I think, St. Thomas). Kind of a strange concept as snorkeling the traditional way is one of the most relaxing activities in the world! So we head out by mini-bus for about ten minutes to a beach…you can see the reef areas underwater from the road! The tour includes the usual “instruction” and kitting out of face masks, flippers and the like, and then we’re handed these contraptions that resemble a combination mini-dolphin and, er, mini-space shuttle.

They do power you along at a brisker pace. You actually hold it below you, level, and there’s a gentle whirring. I found myself snorkeling far further than I would have had I been swimming so that was cool. The downside? You tend to get obsessed more by the machine than the fish.

 

It’s definitely snorkeling for the Nascar generation.

One of the challenges of the excursion, and you can tell that the operators – at least this operator – in Grand Turk, which has only been operating since spring, are still tweaking tours. In our case there was no guide, just a don’t-worry-be-happy driver, no problem there, except he was rather vague on details like pick-up, etc. The folks at Oasis, who ran the snorkeling part, were also rather vague, when asked basic questions like “how long do we get to snorkel” (answers, from three different people, were 30 minutes, 45 minutes and “maybe an hour”).

I came in early from snorkeling, intrigued by an adjacent shack/restaurant called The Water’s Edge. It had a big porch and palm trees under which there were tables and, after reading Melissa’s port profile on Grand Turk (she spent three days here, lucky girl and had recommended the conch fritters) it lured me. Conch is a specialty here, and if you’re like me you’ve had conch elsewhere but it never tasted as real and spicy and rich as it did, sitting on the porch under a tree at Water’s Edge, sipping the local Turk’s Head brew.

Trouble is, my shore excursion didn’t leave time for such a foray (but I figured there were so many ship-oriented mini-buses going back and forth that I’d just grab another). Turns out it doesn’t work that way but I got back just fine.

A hint: The Hop-On Hop-Off bus allows you to travel around the island, getting off (and on) at any time, and next time I’ll definitely try that (we only had a half day call) but beware: if there’s more than one ship or particular demand for a certain stop, such as the Grand Turk Lighthouse, you may not find space in the first (or second) bus that comes by.

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

In an earlier post I noted that you could buy coffee cards. These sell for $24.95 and allow you 15 drinks and are worth it if you drink a lot). The savings is about 20 percent over ordering the same number of coffee drinks independently.

Anyway, someone asked what’s included. It’s the usual stuff, espresso, cappuccino, latte, and mocha, along with premium Jamaica Blue Mountain coffee, hot chocolate and premium tea.

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

LoveBoatDream asked a great question about the Savvy Traveler book. Here it’s called Passport to Value. They’re handed out liberally, no cost to buy one. The discounts are often faux ones, other times good ones, such as 15 percent off spa treatments on port days, 10 percent off a purchase of Steiner products in the spa as long as you buy more than $250 worth (?), sign up for three for-fee computer classes and get the fourth frere. That kind of stuff.

[editor@cruisecritic]

I can’t remember if I mentioned the Sanctuary massage (after the fact). It was nice, a tad warm, and I’m glad I tried it, but not really any more special than in a treatment room. Also, they police the Sanctuary (it’s not like you can go early and enjoy the ambience); you wait for your therapist in the regular relaxation room and are escorted out of the Sanctuary afterward.

Admittedly, you’re not paying anything extra to have your massage there…. I did ask what the deal was with the hour “free” in the Sanctuary and that, according to my therapist, is strictly space-available-only.

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

Lots of questions on this one…it’s beyond the confines of the Sanctuary but serves, effectively, as the most convenient pool for those in the Sanctuary.

It’s a lovely, small, adults-only pool. There are also two whirlpools. There are nine teak loungers with puffy cushions lined around it. They were always occupied! Every time I checked! There’s also a stadium seating kind of bleacher set-up but it’s hot and not terribly comfortable. Better as a place to drop your towel….

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

One of the least publicized (we’ll get to that part in a minute) dinner options isn’t to dine at the Crown Grill, the new alternative restaurant that’s both a fish and chop place, though I’d advise you to make a reservation and go! The food is exquisite. What’s even more fun than the traditional experience is that the restaurant designer has include a bar area, facing the open kitchen, where you dine more informally and watch the action. And if you enjoy restaurants and/or cooking, it’s a fabulous show.

Lobsters writhe on crushed ice. Big, meaty steaks are slapped on the grill. The sweetest, most succulent Alaskan king crab legs, poking out of a crushed ice mountain, are warmed and served with butter – and they’re so good you don’t even need the butter.

You order normally…but one of the things we liked about this type of more informal experience was that you can eat more casually and not feel like you have to go through every course. Or so we thought. Our favorites were the lobster bisque, the aforementioned crab claws, the scallops and foie gras (oy), lamb chops, perfectly cooked to order, that were covered with a mustard crust and drizzled with mint sauce (not jelly, though that option is available). For sides you could choose from corn casserole (my favorite), mashed potatoes, spinach, tiny asparagus – picking one or all.

For dessert, order the “indulgence” which offers tapas-sized tastes of all but one of the menu options. And, despite our best intentions (eating light), we rolled out of there, heavy, but in high spirits. This was our favorite dinner onboard – the feeling that you’re in something that’s more than simply a restaurant on a cruise ship but entertainment as well.

The only crimp in the so-called ointment is that when we arrived at the restaurant it was fully-booked and the hostess didn’t know anything about the bar seating (it’s apparently such a new concept the staffers don’t know about it!). This has happened a few times on this trip – the pillow menu comes easily to mind, as does the outdoor dining at Sabatini’s – where stuff isn’t yet in place that’s been promoted beforehand. It’s part of the shake-down and understandable on a new ship but can also be disappointing if you’re anticipating it.

In our case, my husband stood his ground, saying “we were told you offered this service” and the girl said “by whom?” and he replied “by Rai Calouri.” Rai just happens to be the executive vice president of fleet operations, LOL, (and it’s true, he did tell us) and even if he’s not onboard the very mention of his name wields a lot of power. We were seated immiedately. But I will say there was no designated server to take care of us. We sat for a good 15 minutes, no drink order, no place settings, no menu, nothing. That was poor. We were only saved because the maitre’d spotted us, knew us from before, and – toot suite – took care of it.

We were lucky, though.

And let’s hope the folks at Crown Grill get this sorted out. Because it’s completely fabulous and worthwhile.

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

I'm sitting here in Club Fusion pasting in my responses to all your great emails and watching, at the same time, the Ballroom Blitz work-out. It's fabulous...I'll go into more detail later but it's a new Princess entertainment offering in which a dance couple teaches the steps to sexy songs (merengue, etc.) and then there's a competition.

It's just winding up and now the place is packed for Bingo. PACKED.

 

Carolyn

[editor@cruisecritic]

It’s usable in any bar and in the dining room….

Carolyn