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Another Crown Review from 7/9 to 7/16

jandd728

By jandd728,
in Norwegian Cruise Line

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jandd728

jandd728

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A large group of us (27 people) sailed out of NYC on the Crown on 7/9.

 

This was my first cruise so I have nothing else to compare it to. Getting through customs and check in in NY was the easiest thing. We got to the terminal around 12 and were on the boat eating a friends bday cake in their stateroom by 12:30pm.

 

We left NY at exactly 4pm and that was fun seeing the sights of NY from the boat. Our room was fine...actually bigger than I had expected from what I had heard about from other cruises. Our room steward was very nice and our room and bathroom was cleaned twice a day. We got two towel animals whereas all the rest of the people we were with only got one for the week. We had a window.

 

I was a bit seasick the first day but was the only one. There was one night into day where it was very rough on the way back and that was pretty bad too, even taking dramamine and wearing sea bands, but again it was mostly me. Someone on the boat went to the medical center and got a shot of some sort, but I don't know what it was.

 

The food on the cruise was good. We started out eating breakfast in the buffet but quickly changed to Seven Seas where the food is made to order. Lunch was in the buffet because we usually grabbed something quick. Dinner was generally in the Seven Seas. As I posted somewhere else, the hostess was not particularly fond of the 14 of us who wanted to eat dinner. While we always agreed to be broken down into smaller groups, at times some of us had to wait a half hour for a table of 4, while other 4 people parties were seated. She was never outwardly rude, but you can tell when someone does not like you. Otherwise the staff in all the dining rooms were wonderful. We also ate at Le Bistro and it was great...worth the $15.00. The only night that was annoying was the formal night. It was very crowded and we waited for over a half hour to be seated and then felt rushed while we were eating. It was the only time I felt that Freestyle dining doesn't work because most people wanted to eat about 7pm. Like I said, the food was good...dessert were generally delicious. No one had a problem getting 2 or 3 appetizers, desserts, or even entrees.

 

As for the entertainment, Clint the cruise director was very nice and had a great personality. We bumped into him at Snorkel Beach and chatted with him for a while. We went to only a couple of the shows. The comedian was funny, but I found the older people we were with (60's and above) liked him better than the people in the 30's did. We went to Karoake once or twice which was fun. Also played bingo which I thought was a rip off at $25 for three cards. I'm not sure if this is typical on all cruises, but I thought it was expensive. Also went to some art auctions for the free champagne and ended up with my mother in law and friend winning all four of the raffles, so I am having art sent to me in 6 to 8 weeks. That was fun. WE played trivia one night and one but it was progressive and we missed a few nights when we were in Bermuda so we didn't win anything. That was all the activities we did. Some people used the spa and said everything there was great. I didn't think they had enough to keep you busy every minute. Most time, we were sitting by the pool because there was nothing else to do. There were generally enough chairs and lounges - never had to get up at 6am for one. The casino was good to most of my friends. One won $1100 in slots, a few others took home a couple of hundred in slots also, and one won one of the poker tournaments.

 

Bermuda was incredible - I would go back there in a heartbeat. We went to Horseshoe Bay Beach and Tobacco Beach. Did some shopping in Hamilton, went to the Bermuda Maritime Museum, and snorkel beach(which was not all that impressive to me). WE didn't do any excursions but it was easy enough to explore Bermuda on our own.

 

Coming home through customs was also pretty easy, although it was a little crowded, but we found our luggage easy enough.

 

To sum up, overall it was a good experience. The food and the staff were the positives of the trip. However, I don't think they have enough activities on board to keep you busy all the time. At night besides karoake and the casino there was nothing to do. Generally, when we were in port we went out at night in Bermuda. I'm not sure I would ever do another cruise...I'm more about the destination rather than the trip there in back, but I have to say I had a good time and have nothing really negative to say about the experience of being on the Crown. Whoever else goes on this in the future has nothing to worry about.

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newmexicoNita

newmexicoNita

Posted
Posted
A large group of us (27 people) sailed out of NYC on the Crown on 7/9.

 

This was my first cruise so I have nothing else to compare it to. Getting through customs and check in in NY was the easiest thing. We got to the terminal around 12 and were on the boat eating a friends bday cake in their stateroom by 12:30pm.

 

We left NY at exactly 4pm and that was fun seeing the sights of NY from the boat. Our room was fine...actually bigger than I had expected from what I had heard about from other cruises. Our room steward was very nice and our room and bathroom was cleaned twice a day. We got two towel animals whereas all the rest of the people we were with only got one for the week. We had a window.

 

I was a bit seasick the first day but was the only one. There was one night into day where it was very rough on the way back and that was pretty bad too, even taking dramamine and wearing sea bands, but again it was mostly me. Someone on the boat went to the medical center and got a shot of some sort, but I don't know what it was.

 

The food on the cruise was good. We started out eating breakfast in the buffet but quickly changed to Seven Seas where the food is made to order. Lunch was in the buffet because we usually grabbed something quick. Dinner was generally in the Seven Seas. As I posted somewhere else, the hostess was not particularly fond of the 14 of us who wanted to eat dinner. While we always agreed to be broken down into smaller groups, at times some of us had to wait a half hour for a table of 4, while other 4 people parties were seated. She was never outwardly rude, but you can tell when someone does not like you. Otherwise the staff in all the dining rooms were wonderful. We also ate at Le Bistro and it was great...worth the $15.00. The only night that was annoying was the formal night. It was very crowded and we waited for over a half hour to be seated and then felt rushed while we were eating. It was the only time I felt that Freestyle dining doesn't work because most people wanted to eat about 7pm. Like I said, the food was good...dessert were generally delicious. No one had a problem getting 2 or 3 appetizers, desserts, or even entrees.

 

As for the entertainment, Clint the cruise director was very nice and had a great personality. We bumped into him at Snorkel Beach and chatted with him for a while. We went to only a couple of the shows. The comedian was funny, but I found the older people we were with (60's and above) liked him better than the people in the 30's did. We went to Karoake once or twice which was fun. Also played bingo which I thought was a rip off at $25 for three cards. I'm not sure if this is typical on all cruises, but I thought it was expensive. Also went to some art auctions for the free champagne and ended up with my mother in law and friend winning all four of the raffles, so I am having art sent to me in 6 to 8 weeks. That was fun. WE played trivia one night and one but it was progressive and we missed a few nights when we were in Bermuda so we didn't win anything. That was all the activities we did. Some people used the spa and said everything there was great. I didn't think they had enough to keep you busy every minute. Most time, we were sitting by the pool because there was nothing else to do. There were generally enough chairs and lounges - never had to get up at 6am for one. The casino was good to most of my friends. One won $1100 in slots, a few others took home a couple of hundred in slots also, and one won one of the poker tournaments.

 

Bermuda was incredible - I would go back there in a heartbeat. We went to Horseshoe Bay Beach and Tobacco Beach. Did some shopping in Hamilton, went to the Bermuda Maritime Museum, and snorkel beach(which was not all that impressive to me). WE didn't do any excursions but it was easy enough to explore Bermuda on our own.

 

Coming home through customs was also pretty easy, although it was a little crowded, but we found our luggage easy enough.

 

To sum up, overall it was a good experience. The food and the staff were the positives of the trip. However, I don't think they have enough activities on board to keep you busy all the time. At night besides karoake and the casino there was nothing to do. Generally, when we were in port we went out at night in Bermuda. I'm not sure I would ever do another cruise...I'm more about the destination rather than the trip there in back, but I have to say I had a good time and have nothing really negative to say about the experience of being on the Crown. Whoever else goes on this in the future has nothing to worry about.

you say there wasn't anything to do at night: didn't they have a piano bar and what about a nightly show? We have always enjoyed sitting at the martini bar or some other bar and listening to the piano player for an hour or so, plus most nights we go to a show. With a show, a bar, karoake and the casino, it seems to me you could stay pretty busy. Maybe we are just old enough not to care about all night activities. NMnita

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Jeanne S

Jeanne S

Posted
Posted
you say there wasn't anything to do at night: didn't they have a piano bar and what about a nightly show? We have always enjoyed sitting at the martini bar or some other bar and listening to the piano player for an hour or so, plus most nights we go to a show. With a show, a bar, karoake and the casino, it seems to me you could stay pretty busy. Maybe we are just old enough not to care about all night activities. NMnita

 

Hi Nita:

 

We were on the 7/2 Crown cruise out of NYC and I am returning on this ship on 8/20 (this time in an AA Apartment on deck 10 which I have visited and highly recommend).

 

The piano player was subbing for the regular Marcus Dagan who seems to have a following on CC. He would play in the lounge adjacent the Casino. There seemed to be plenty of entertainment to my way of thinking. There were nightly shows and then the Liars Club and Not So Newlywed games were a hoot on this cruise.

 

Personally, I love small ships and given this ship is only 34,000 tons, I thought that there was plenty to do compared to say the same sized Radisson Navigator to Bermuda.

 

Jeannie

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Jeanne S

Jeanne S

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Posted

Jan:

 

 

Thank you for your review. I think that you would probably find more activities on the Dawn. Also on small ships there is no 24hr restaurant. I would get hungry at 2-3am and all that was available was room service limited menu. But if you were say sitting out on the deck watching the moon set, all there was was the coffee and tea in the Yacht Club. On the Dawn you could dine 24/7.

 

My sister and I were with my 81 yr old parents. My dad refused to wait on any line so we had to meet them at the dining room entrance no later than 5:20 so we could then wait 10 minutes to be first in line. He told the Assistant Maitre d'hotel what table he wanted and we got it. She seemed afraid of my Dad. The Maitre d'hotel was very good to us - could order off the menu with no problem. If it was possible to make something for me, they did.

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