Just off the Crown

[robinpow]

Just finished the reposition cruise from South America to Miami on the Crown. (April 8 - 21)

 

Of course the Crown is one of the smaller older ships, so I won't compare her with the newer super ships. Small ships are defiantly a breed of their own.

 

For her age, things looked and work pretty good. My only real complaint with the cabin was that my local candidates for office blow more hot air the the hair dryer did. One person down the hall from me did have to change cabins one night (3 am) when her whole cabin turned in to a shower.

 

The ship was almost spotless! Always clean and no spots on carpets, walls or furniture.

 

The buffet area did have some problems:

 

Would often run out of clean coffee cups and glasses.

 

Not enough tables, often making a couple of laps around the dinning area looking for a place to sit.

 

Slow cleaning and clearing tables, many times had to remove someone else's dishes, just to have a place to sit and eat.

 

Hot food not being hot, often items like potatoes.

 

At night, they block off the back, and make it into 'Chops' the alternate oriental dining restaurant. This makes it a real pain for half of the people to get to the dessert table. You either have to go out on the deck or back track through the whole dining room if you are sitting on the right side. While making the hike, you need to have someone 'guard' your table, other wise you may return to find that someone has moved your dishes aside and moved in.

 

Don't even dream of having a fried egg for breakfast, you only chance is to have the omelet guy fix you one. Since he's very popular, by the time you wait in line, the rest of your food will be cold.

 

Food over all was fair, it cured hunger but that was about it. Nothing great, just filled a void.

 

The 'Seven Seas' (main dinning room), I can't even write about. For the first week I would go down and look at the menu for the night, it was so weak and boring my 7 casual wear outfits and 3 formals never came off the hangers. I don't mind dressing for dinner, but it needs to be worth the effort.

 

Also was the first cruise that only had smoked salmon a couple of times for breakfast. Every other cruise I've been on had it as a breakfast standard.

 

Crew over all was pretty good.

 

Bar staff wasn't doing too well. Being a cruise with 'mature' guests, translated in to more coffee drinkers than bar drinkers. The first day out, they were pushing the normal 'drink of the day' in the overpriced souvenir glass. However when I asked for the same drink in a regular glass (a couple of dollars less), I was ignored! Only one server, stepped up to bat and appeared happy to sell me the less expensive drink. After I finished it, and walked around with an empty glass, for a long while (was still ignored by servers) my new best friend came by to offer me another.

 

After a few days, the other servers got off their high horse, and appeared to happy to sell anything they could. However I must admit by then, I had decided that one server would get first crack at me. Not only was he happy to serve me what I wanted, but would often go the extra mile, and do little things like find me an empty chair, during the busy times. (aft deck was often full in the days at sea, not enough chairs for everyone)

 

My cabin steward, did his job. Not sure if busy, shy, or not comfortable with his English, but never said more than a couple of words at any given time. After several nights out, I did get my first towel animal and went out of my way to find him in the hallway and give him a big smile and THANKS, from then on I did receive an animal almost every night. However others on ship did mention they never received one. While I would never penalize a steward for not doing it, I do consider a plus when done.

 

Desk staff (excursion & reception) also did their jobs. Polite, handled any need efficiently, but not overly friendly.

 

Casino staff were GREAT! All but one smiled and made you feel welcome. When machines needed coins or you required a cash pay off, the wait was only minutes. By far was the best I've seen on any ship with any cruise line. Also for slot players, they had several machines set loose. While we all know the odds are always in the house's favor, it made it much more enjoyable for everyone. You could win a bit, enjoy the feeling of being a winner... before you put all back in the machine.

 

Photo staff were another exception to the rule. You saw them around, were more than happy to take your picture, but were never pushy.

 

Onboard shopping was very limited (normal for small ships). Staff was there, but would only offer assistance if you asked for it. The only exception was in high end jewelry shop where there was one real salesman. He would greet you as you walked in and ask if he could help you.

 

The Latitudes and future cruise representative, was dropping the ball big time. When I went in to check on a future cruise the first time, he took my information and said I would receive my quote in my cabin. Several days later it came... with the wrong cruise. I went back, this time it came back with the wrong amount of people. NOTHING was even mentioned about onboard credits or any other extras for booking online other than a free facial from the spa. The final straw was he was quoting hundreds of dollars more than the street price for the same cruise. He quoted me in at CAT. II (the lowest) for hundreds more than I could book a CAT. MM using either my personal cruise agent or online companies.

 

Internet, like most all ships EXPENSIVE and very slow. For those you needed to use their machines, and knew what they were doing, had a fair chance. However those needing assistance, it was hit and miss when the staff person would be there. For those you bring their own laptops. There are several 'hot' areas one levels 7 & 8, however again very slow. Many times would time out before a page could load. The good news is, that I spoke to several people to made a complaint about the speed and were given credit (more time on account) to offset the problem.

 

Overall feeling about the Crown.... she's been sold, and is part of a dying breed. Go with the right frame of mind and you will enjoy. Also great ship if you want to loose weight, I'm one size smaller than when I boarded. ;-)

[Lotteryfan]

I'm booked on the Crown for her last journey under NCL on October 28. Still looking forward to the trip. We prefer the smaller ships to the bigger ones anyway.

[Dolphins]

Appreciate the detail of your review. We have sailed the Crown in the past to Bermuda and will do so again in October. We think she is better geared for the seven day Bermuda cruises. Since she is leaving NCL at the end of the year, we wonder about her replacement on the New York?Bermuda run in 2008?

[d5480]

I too just finished the reposition cruise from South America to Miami on the Crown. (April 8 - 21). The review by ROBINPOW in my opinion is very accurate.

[Green3147]

We have 10 going out of philly on 5/20 8 adults and 2 kids this will be my second cruise first was on RCCL Radiance of the Sea I hope I'm not going to be disapointed. I was ok with RCCL I' starting to get worried I will let everybody know how cruise went.

[electricron]

Appreciate the detail of your review. We have sailed the Crown in the past to Bermuda and will do so again in October. We think she is better geared for the seven day Bermuda cruises. Since she is leaving NCL at the end of the year, we wonder about her replacement on the New York?Bermuda run in 2008?

 

In 2008, the Dawn will be sailing to Bermuda from New York during the summer season. The Dream will be sailing to Bermuda from Boston. The Majesty will be sailing to Bermuda from Charleston, Baltimore, and Philadelphia. Both the Dream and Majesty will sail to St. George, the Dawn will sail to King's Wharf.

That should wrap up all the 2008 Bermuda itinerary questions.

Well, maybe not.;)