Live from Crown: Carolyn’s Crown Princess Blog

[erntrish]

In NY stores are not allowed to sell liquor prior to noon on Sunday (including wine and Beer). Perhaps this law has changed but it been like this for the past 30 years.

 

 

Your comment was true for more than 200 years...that is, until May, 2003, when NY State changed the law to enable stores to open on Sunday- only in exchange for closing another day of the week. Few stores chose to do so, since the additional demand/sales from opening on Sunday did not offset the loss of another operating day. We'll see how long this lasts, as the law is set to sunset (=expire) in 2008. NYS liquor stores are not allowed to sell wine or beer at any time, just like other types of stores can not sell liquor (spirits). It makes it tough for those of us planning Sunday afternoon BBQs, with all the running around!

 

Just this past week, as the state legislature closed for the summer, they approved a law changing the time grocery and other stores can sell beer on Sundays from noon to 8 AM. Under the newly-revised law (if signed by the Gov.), stores can not sell beer or wine between the hours of 3am and 8am on Sundays.

[Mur-cruiser]

Did you have a CC Meet & Mingle? Did Princess help with it? I can't seem to geet a straight answer from Jan. All we want is a place to meet, maybe coffee and pastries. The answer I got was "there is a charge for what is ordered"???? They charge for what is normally free:eek:

 

Thanks.

[bulldogatl]

Hi Carolyn,

I'm thinking about going on the Crown (9/3). Love the itinerary. However, going as a single, I need to know if they have the following:

 

(a) Texas Hold'em Poker in the Casinos

(b) A lively post dinner atmosphere

© Any singles type activities on the daily planner.

[dmerc]

Hi Carolyn, thanks so much for all of the info you have given so far two questions. first when did you make your reservations for sabatini and why did you chosse the night you did? Do they let you know what theme night it is for traditional dining or are yu doing P/C dining.

Also did you drive yourself to the piers and what tiem did you arrive. don't remember if you have covered these questions already. I am trying to read so much i forget who has covered what. thanks in advance.

donna

[w&gfan]

I am enjoying reading this and learning so much about the Crown Princess. Thanks to everyone for all the information posted. I'm glad I'm not the only one teary-eyed at the Engagement under the Stars story and cracking up at mindykatz's antics!

 

P.S. peteinsonj -- I love cruising! I love cruising! :D

[thepinkpanther]

Carolyn,

 

You are doing a great service by providing all this information about the Crown. With 50 days and a wake-up until me & bf are on board, I can't wait!

 

I have one quick question, though it may sound a bit weird. Do they bars still offer a discounted drink of the day? I've seen on past Princess Patters that there is a drink of the day and if you get it in the hurricane cup it is only $3 or $4. Do you know if this is so on the Crown? I've checked out the patters from the 6/14 sailing and haven't seen anything of the like.

 

Thanks again!

Zia:o

[Jana]

I too am learning a lot about Crown Princess from your reports.

 

The info about the wi-fi is disappointing to me, though. I had hoped that on this ship a lot of the awkwardness would be eliminated and the available hot spots would be expanded. Too bad.

 

I personally think it's great that members of the editorial team are "mingling" with the members. I'm all for it! ;)

[momthecruisedirector]

downtheshoreguy - have you joined our roll call yet? There is quite a group of us sailing on 7/2......

[Studebaker59]

We were on the Crown Inaugural Sailing.

 

To answer some questions:

 

We had an informal CC get-together at the Calypso Bar 15 minutes after the fire muster.

 

We had our Meet & Greet at 10 A.M. the next day, our first full day. Princess only provided some pretzels and nuts on each table in the Wheelhouse. The Captain and Cruise Director came for a few minutes.

 

As for disembarkation time, we were in the middle of the colors being called, and we walked out of the terminal at 9:45 A.M. Of course, on our itinerary, we went through Immigration in Port Canaveral because that was our first stop entering the U.S.A.

 

We also had a wedding proposal at the Deck Party. I had no idea there was an extra charge for it. Just thought it was fun to be there when it happened. The CD did introduce the fellow so everyone paid attention & heard what was happening.

 

The speakers, including the astronaut, Walter Cunningham, were all excellent. We also had wonderful lectures about inside the White House, show business history, and great cruiseships. They were highlights of the trip for us!

[Sandytoes]

Carolyn,

 

Can you please tell me what the "Corkage Fee" is on the Crown?

Have you looked at their wine list and prices.

 

I'm asking this since I do not know if I should bring my favorite Champagne and Wine.

[Sandytoes]

Carolyn,

 

Can you please tell me what the "Corkage Fee" is on the Crown?

Have you looked at their wine list and prices.

 

I'm asking this since I do not know if I should bring my favorite Champagne and Wine or order a bottle.

[Sandytoes]

Carolyn,

 

Can you please tell me what the "Corkage Fee" is on the Crown?

Have you looked at their wine list and prices.

 

I'm asking this since I do not know if I should bring my favorite Champagne and Wine or order whie dining.

[barbarah33]

Thank you so much for all the information you are giving us. It's so wonderful to finally hear about the Crown - even if I do still have to wait until October. In the brochure for the Crown Princess boasted that the Wheelhouse bar would offer 'pub grub.' Did you see anything - if so what is their idea of pub grub and was it free or an additional charge?

 

Thank you so much!

[tgl]

Hi Carolyn,

I'm thinking about going on the Crown (9/3). Love the itinerary. However, going as a single, I need to know if they have the following:

 

(a) Texas Hold'em Poker in the Casinos

(b) A lively post dinner atmosphere

© Any singles type activities on the daily planner.

 

 

Bulldogatl - i too am cruising as a single in oct...let me know how it went for you when you return

[CaroleLee]

Carolyn,

 

Can you please tell me what the "Corkage Fee" is on the Crown?

Have you looked at their wine list and prices.

 

I'm asking this since I do not know if I should bring my favorite Champagne and Wine or order whie dining.

Hi,

 

It's $15.00 ( yikes!!- have gone to NYC restaurants where it was $5-10 and sometimes waived if we were repeat clients)

We are on 7-11 & bringing several splits of champagne. We will enjoy these on on balcony.

Carole

[snorklinbarb]

Hi Carolyn,

Thanks for the interesting blog. Hope you continue to have a great time.

 

There's been quite a discussion here on the inadequate size of the main theater, seating only 800. Even with 2 shows a night offered, many pax will not be able to get in. Some here advise arriving 45-60 mins. ahead of time.:eek:

What has been your experience?

 

Have you been to Cafe Caribe yet? Are some nights hot buffet and others cold? I've read about a cold seafood buffet on the 2nd formal night, but read about "Madras night," which I assume would mean hot food. Can you shed any light?

 

Do I understand correctly that all those lectures by the White House guy, astronaut, etc. are complimentary? Only the computer-related "Scholarship at Sea" or ceramic classes have a fee? The Patters really didn't make it clear though all of them are highlighted in blue.

 

Glad to see positive feedback on the dance classes. DH has been fighting me on this for over 20 yrs.:eek: Maybe this time......:)

[Quenby]

I will be on the itinerary that stops at Port Canaveral. Do I understand correctly that we will NOT have to go through customs in New York because we've done it in Florida?

 

Thanks so much for all this information.:D

[English Teacher]

Hi--thanks for the live updates! My friend Rhonda is on with you. If you see her, say hi from the English Teacher. Have a marvelous cruise!

[cruzjunkie22]

Princess has introduced a new MUTS possibility on this ship: Engagement Under the Stars.

So we saw one last night! (I was weeping – sentimental, I admit).

 

Carolyn

 

This is so romantic! Wonder what he'll do to top it for the wedding!!:eek:

I've been passing it to some of my friends who got weepy! Some of us can only dream about that!:o

[hill6]

One way around the corkage fee is to carry your own corkscrew. If you have a flight put it in your checked baggage as I doubt it is allowed through security.

[peteinsonj]

Quenby --

 

unfortunately, you go through immigration/customs BOTH in Florida and NY!

 

Pete

[Laurab23]

Do you have to get off the ship in FL to go through customs even if you aren't planning to get off the ship otherwise?

 

Laura

[JAKE3337]

We were just on the inaugural Crown cruise. We had to meet at 6:40am to clear immigration in Port Canaveral and didn't get through the lineup in immigration until 8:45. This didn't give us much time to do anything being that we had to be back on the ship by 12:30pm. We found that most people that didn't book a Princess excursion, just went around in a circle and re-boarded the ship. I found it a waste of a port. This was the only major complaint that we had with the entire cruise. It was not organized very well at all.

 

As for disembarkation in NYC, it was great. We had the option to carry our own luggage off the ship and were out at our car at 8:05am. If you can carry your luggage, this is a great option and saved a lot of waiting around time. I have never had this option before with Carnival or Holland America.:)

[JAKE3337]

Forgot to mention, yes everyone had to get off the ship to clear immigration in Port Canaveral, even if you weren't going anywhere. :mad:

 

If you didn't wait in the line-ups, they ended up calling your cabin #'s over the PA system.

[LARGIN]

One way around the corkage fee is to carry your own corkscrew. If you have a flight put it in your checked baggage as I doubt it is allowed through security.

Nope.. you can still get charged corkage. They still have to get the wine glass and serve the wine. Bringing an opened bottle of wine into the dining room to avoid corkage is tacky.