Crown 9/3 Comments

[SeaBunny]

DH and I are working our way through the "mass market" lines. This was our first Princess cruise. We picked it because it was a new ship and had a lot of sea days (We're in it for the ship board experience. Cruising is no way to experience another country, no matter how small.).

 

DH and I had a great time. We always have a great time as long as we're together. However, we'll only do Pricess again if an itinerary attracts us. This cruise did not set Princess apart.

 

The following isn't so much a review as some observations.

 

This ship is full of examples of bad human engineering. From the buffet that had food stations but allowed no room for people to move about at random, to the too-small main theater, to the pools with inadequate deck space for the number of people on board, to the small and poorly programmed elevators -- there just seemed to be a lot of things that weren't right design-wise int he public areas. The staterooms have a great layout, however, with closet placement that creates a private dressing area.

 

The beds need top sheets!!! No wonder everyone is complaining about the lack of AC! Those fluffy duvets are quite toasty -- too toasty for me and DH. I'm suprised I haven't seen a post about this, because almost everyone we spoke to had the same complaint. Only after our wonderful room steward added a top sheet to our bed could we really sleep.

 

There are a few bad apples on the cruise director's staff who think it's entertaining to make jokes at the expense of passengers. We were never the target, but it really burned me up. That was the biggest complaint on my comment card.

 

Otherwise, the service on this ship was the best we've experienced. We're pretty low maintenance -- no room service, no special requests (except for that top sheet) -- so we never missed not having interaction with our room steward before. This guy was always around and smiling. And our wait staff in the dining room was the perfect balance of efficiency and friendliness. Bartenders remebered what I ordered before and always smiled.

 

The stages shows were nicely produced, with better than usual talent. The Motor City show was disturbing, however. It was odd enough having an almost entirely white cast singing all those r&b hits. However, at one point they brought out a bunch of large puppets that looked like black caricatures. That moved the show into offensive.

 

The ports:

 

Grand Turk: I read this somewhere else, but believe me -- book a water-based excursion in Grand Turk, stay on the ship, or just go to Margeritaville. We know Grand Turk well. It's small, sleepy, uterly boring. But the surrounding reefs are amazing. Dive if you can (we've spent two weeks there doing just that). We did the Ultimate Snorkel this trip and thoroughly enjoyed it.

 

St. Thomas: We'd never seen any of St. Thomas beyond Charlotte Amalie and didn't care for that. This time we took a cab to Coki Beach and were completely wow'd. Unbelievably beautiful and awesome snorkeling. BTW, the coldest and cheapest beer is from the lady with the van by the roadside. And see Mail Man for your eats. Don't be put off by the ramshackled look of the place when the taxi drops you off, just walk right past the various buildings to the glorious beach. And, it's not even supposed to be the nicest beach!

 

San Juan and Bermuda: Didn't visit either. Bermuda was really hot and we knew we would be back in November. Florence went to Bermuda instead of us. Those things happen.

 

Some hints:

 

Four flavors of scooped ice cream and all the oppings for sundaes are served each day from 3:30 - 4:30 in the Horizon buffet -- usually (if not always) on the sides that is "closed."

 

If you can't get to the main theatre shows early, approach from the 6th deck and go to the left of the stage. This area is usually the last to fill up.

 

For some shady lounge seating, go aft and port (left). There are some lounges tucked away there that give you a great view of the ocean, are in the shade (depending on the time of day), get a breeze and don't seem to attract any people. They're up high -- kinda on a level between decks.

 

Ask for a top sheet for your bed.

 

Enjoy yourself. We thoroughly did. We just like to analyze things. After all, any problem that has been solved can be solved again in a better way.

[Yankee_Fan]

The beds need top sheets!!! No wonder everyone is complaining about the lack of AC! Those fluffy duvets are quite toasty -- too toasty for me and DH.

 

Did I understand you correctly? Are you saying that the beds only have duvets and the "fitted" sheets? Should I bring my own sheets? (is this summer camp??) Also, what's the deal with the AC? We recently took our first cruise on the RCI Adventure of the Seas, and it seemed that even when the AC was cranked all the way up, the room seemed too warm for me? Is this a general problem with cruise ships?

[mjpjc5]

Did I understand you correctly? Are you saying that the beds only have duvets and the "fitted" sheets? Should I bring my own sheets? (is this summer camp??) Also, what's the deal with the AC? We recently took our first cruise on the RCI Adventure of the Seas, and it seemed that even when the AC was cranked all the way up, the room seemed too warm for me? Is this a general problem with cruise ships?

 

Yes --the beds only have duvat's . I found the covering great.

 

As to the A/C --- I was on the Baja deck with a balcony. My room was cool but if I left my drapes open the room became warm. The temps were in the high 80's with humidity in the 70's for the trip. Most parts of the ship were cool but near any of the doors that led outdoors it was it was on the warm side. Some of the elevators also were on the hot side.

 

M

[azdmelani]

seabunny-

 

can i ask who you didnt like out of the CDs?? I have a feeling i know which two you are talking about. Everyone is different and while they didnt offend me, someone else might be sensitive about a particular subject.

[Yankee_Fan]

Yes --the beds only have duvat's . I found the covering great.

 

I assume they wash these duvets? I have visions of nasty bedcovers that never get washed (as in a hotel) :eek:

[bluefintuna]

Re: the duvets: I would imagine they would strip the covers after every cruise and wash them. Not having any top sheets would cut the laundry in half. Also by having light weight waffle robes instead of terry is also a time and water saver. That's why I would never have those huge, fluffy bath towels in my home. I have enough laundry, thank you very much. This is not rocket science, folks, with 3,100 people onboard just think about the piles of d. room linens, napkins, etc. etc. etc. It must be never ending.

[SeaBunny]

can i ask who you didnt like out of the CDs?? I have a feeling i know which two you are talking about. Everyone is different and while they didnt offend me, someone else might be sensitive about a particular subject.

 

I hesitate to name names in public. But let me give you an example. Someone made a quip about this individual having to wear chaps week after week. Now, this quip certainly deserves a smarty response, but does it deserve: "Yes, but I'll still be here and you'll be back in your miserable little house, at your miserable little job.":eek:

 

And that is just one example.

 

Our air was just cool enough for us, but we were very careful to keep the balcony door shut and in locked position if we weren't out there. The wind would push the door open if it was fully closed but not locked. And, whoosh, there goes all your cool air.

[Hello-Kitty]

I agree you need a top sheet, the first thing i noticed when i got into bed, no top sheet??

 

I found the down comforters a real treat!!! On the other hand my husband was sweating to death.

 

The bedding was the best yet. I really felt comfy and cozy but would have preferred a top sheet, i did not find the bedding to be dirty or soiled at all.

[Colo Cruiser]

Nice review. :)

[jccruiser]

We only use duvets at home - haven't used blankets in over 25 years. Here's how it works.

The duvet is in a cover, which is removed and washed, just as you would take the top sheet off from under the blankets and wash it. So the duvet never actually comes into contact with your body, it just replaces the blanket or comforter.

 

The idea of no top sheet is that the duvet (in its cover) traps the warm air around you as it moulds to your body shape, to keep you cozy and warm. If it gets too warm try shaking the feathers down to the bottom of the duvet.

 

And it takes only seconds to make up the bed in the morning, just a quick shake of the duvet, and no tucking in required!!

:)

[mjpjc5]

I assume they wash these duvets? I have visions of nasty bedcovers that never get washed (as in a hotel) :eek:

 

The last day of the 9/3 sailing there was a clean duvet in the closet - waiting to be put in for the next cruise

 

Marie

[lawra09]

Just returned - were with 6 other couples and we had a wonderful time. The Crown is by far the prettiest ship we've been on and this was our 29th cruise!

We had a mini suite on Dolphin deck and I could've sailed around the world in these accommodations - they were great!

 

We did however have some negatives on the cruise which I will try to set out. First of all, we stayed in Manhattan for 2 nights pre cruise.l When we tried to get a cab to take us to the port, 6 of them refused stating they were not sure where it was. We finally were forced to take a Lincoln Town Car that happened to be in front of the hotel and he charged us $60. Our friends staying at another hotel took a cab for $20. This pier evidently is not set up for 3,000 people returning from a cruise at once. We waited in a cab line for over 30 minutes and it would've been another 30 at least if we hadn't found a van to take 6 of us to Laguardia - for $20 per person. By the way, the ship was charging $40 per person for transfers to Laguardia - what a ripoff.

 

And that is my main complaint. We love Princess - we're elite members of the Circle Club but noticed that they are really nickel & diming people. For instance:

 

They get $15 pp for the Sanctuary which is lovely but then charge $3 service charge to bring you a slice of pizza, veggie wrap, hot dog or hamburger. Also charge $10 if you want to use a portable cd player. All you get for your $15 is a very comfy lounge chair in nice surroundings. The pool below which is supposed to be for adults only and signs signify "Quiet Area" is far from quiet.

 

The bar service in all lounges is extremely slow - our group loves to meet for martinis before dinner but the only lounge we found serving them in the proper glasses was Adagio. The rest all serve them in Manhattan glasses which are smaller.

 

Princess now charges for capuccino in the dining room when they didn't used to.

 

I totally agree with comments about the buffet area - totally disorganized - butter with the fruit instead of the breads - no planning with the flow of foods.

 

The foregoing were just little observations but in spite of them - we had a great time!

[makeup face]

Thanks for the review. It seems all the buffet areas on the Princess ships have a "traffic flow" issue:eek: I thought they would have taken care of that problem on the Crown with a new design......but I guess not

[azdmelani]

I hesitate to name names in public. But let me give you an example. Someone made a quip about this individual having to wear chaps week after week. Now, this quip certainly deserves a smarty response, but does it deserve: "Yes, but I'll still be here and you'll be back in your miserable little house, at your miserable little job.":eek:

 

And that is just one example.

 

Our air was just cool enough for us, but we were very careful to keep the balcony door shut and in locked position if we weren't out there. The wind would push the door open if it was fully closed but not locked. And, whoosh, there goes all your cool air.

 

 

okay fair enough, i know who you are talking about now... the two who stood together in the theater before the shows correct? :)

[SeaBunny]

okay fair enough, i know who you are talking about now... the two who stood together in the theater before the shows correct?

 

You got it. Mainly the taller of the two. I just couldn't believe the things that came out of his mouth. He never passed up an opportunity to make a joke at someone else's expense. Even major Princess fans. It made me think of grade school show offs.

[barbarah33]

Thank you for the review. We only got fitted sheets and duvets on the Caribbean last year but were happily given top sheets when we asked.

[Johnsy81]

Cruise lines with European backgrounds (Princess and Cunard to name a few) only use duvets. We were just on QM2 and had the same issue...no top sheet. We got used to sleeping without the sheet but know that a quick call to our cabin steward would have resulted in a top sheet.

[katisdale]

I think they change the duvets each cruise. The new one,wrapped in plastic, was placed under the bed on the last day of the cruise.

[Studebaker59]

You got it. Mainly the taller of the two. I just couldn't believe the things that came out of his mouth. He never passed up an opportunity to make a joke at someone else's expense. Even major Princess fans. It made me think of grade school show offs.

I know exactly who he is. When I played an audience participation game, he made fun of my answer by saying "What kind of answer would you expect from a blonde?" My feelings really were hurt because I felt my answer was correct. I didn't appreciate being the butt of a joke in front of a large group of people.

[willysgrandma]

l When we tried to get a cab to take us to the port, 6 of them refused stating they were not sure where it was.

 

That is illegal. I wrote a letter a few weeks ago to the Brooklyn Borough President after another cruise passenger stated the same thing. I was told that if that ever happens, take down the cab # and call the NYC Taxi & Limo Commission and report it. They have to take you, and all you need is the address. And the borough president was reporting it to the TLC as well.

[Sandytoes]

Loved your review.

 

I agree with the a/c and the duvet cover. My feet were always sticking out of them. Not good if you're tall....:eek: The room never got cold. They are keeping the a/c at a certain temp for energy cons. I never needed a cover-up/sweater. Which I liked.... On past cruises I had always brought a sweater - thought I was not in the Caribbean but Alaska....

[Hello-Kitty]

I know exactly who he is. When I played an audience participation game, he made fun of my answer by saying "What kind of answer would you expect from a blonde?" My feelings really were hurt because I felt my answer was correct. I didn't appreciate being the butt of a joke in front of a large group of people.

 

omg i am glad i wasnt there i would have smacked him! I hate a smart a$$

 

People only poke fun at other people b/c they are small and shallow themselves:mad:

[Hello-Kitty]

I know exactly who he is. When I played an audience participation game, he made fun of my answer by saying "What kind of answer would you expect from a blonde?" My feelings really were hurt because I felt my answer was correct. I didn't appreciate being the butt of a joke in front of a large group of people.

 

Thank god i didnt go to that and heard him, i would have had to say something:cool: is this a member???

 

Really, people that poke fun at other people are shallow and useless and need to do that to make themselves feel better, i dislike nasty people:D