Shogun Live from The Crown

[TorontoTL]

Shogun, I hope you have a great cruise and that your bags show up in good time.

[Shogun]

Hi All,

 

To up date you all,

 

Bags arrived after dinner bit late but all were there.

 

As to dinner first night sorry Princess not good, meal was only warm, and the cheese cake looked like it was made last week, they need to do better.

 

Cabin very clean, room steward very neat and tidy, ice in bucket before we got to room, bottle of champs from guess who arrived that evening, next day box of chocs from CD and nice card with message, who I have never met, May be this is why I like Princess these little things.

 

One door did fall off a unit in my cabin but I am sure maintenance will fix .this

 

Tried casino did not like roulette as it is $1 a go. Not like the Sea Princess won on the first spin then lost the lot.

 

Did a great tour of Tuscany thanks Ytraveller for this, vine yards wine and great food.

 

Genoa port very hot sunny weather had a tour booked, well turned out only to be a driver, nice merc etc but did not give much info. Went to Cinque Terre very nice area, got a day ticket for 8.50euros lets you walk take bus or train. We walked to far up hill, if going back more planning required.

 

Got letter tonight chefs table for us in tomorrow , will need to stop eating now to make room for it all.

 

For those that know James he says hello and thanks for messages.

 

Chat more later.

 

yours Shogun

[caribill]

My sister on this cruise says "it appears that they have upgraded the coffee and it is actually drinkable."

 

Is that your experience?

[margord]

My sister on this cruise says "it appears that they have upgraded the coffee and it is actually drinkable."

 

Is that your experience?

 

Wouldn't that be nice?

 

Marilee

[Balernocalling]

Hi Shogun,

Glad to hear your bags arrived ok. The weather looks fantastic!! Mind you it has been nice here the last couple of days apart from the odd downpour but thankfully later in the day!! Gala day tomorrow so hope the sun shines!! Enjoy the trip and look forward to reading further installments!!

Cheers!;)

[caber]

Hi Shogun,

So far so good. Keep it coming.

Caber

[Host Carolyn]

We had so much fun doing Chef's Table on the Crown in February.. The "divine" Giuseppe's were perfect hosts. The seafood cocktail they served in champagne glasses back in the galley was to die for.. sorry dining room not up to par.

I love Genoa actually but just did it on our own for 2 days..

[junglejane]

We'll be on the Crown next month. Can you tell us who's the CD?

[vickie_bernie]

glad you are having a fine time.... if I close my eyes hard enough I can picture myself right there along with you. But darn it if I don't have to go to work tomorrow.

 

Chef's table tomorrow -- that is quick, and good idea - Stop Eating now!

 

Hi back to PSD, we are looking forward to seeing him and the ship in January.

 

What do you have planned for the ports?

 

Who is the CD?

[Kiwi Kruzer]

Arrived in Cannes...

 

[ANYPORT]

Shogun I'm loving this thread.... just realised I can subscribe, saves me scrolling threads to find it :o Keen to hear about Chefs Table as I'd like to do this next month. Tks & Happy Cruising

[Momma Mojito]

Shogun,

I'm also ejoying your posts, keep up the good work, but also do take time for enjoying your cruise. We were on the Crown last October and will will be on the Crown with you in November. Isn't she a beautiful ship? Sorry the first nights dinner was a disappointment, sure hope it improves. See you in November! JoAnn

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Lets talk food,

 

So far no breakfasts so can not help there, but may be will have details later.

 

First night not so good,

 

2nd Ate big meal while on tour so only ate a cheese burger very late, it was good cooked to order same with french fries so far the best food we have had on the ship,

 

3rd night dinning room again food was fine not great but was only warm not hot, but dessert was great.

 

Tonight chefs table and tomorrow Crown grill so expecting things will get a lot better.

 

Today was Cannes, great port need a week here not a day went to Monaco and Monte Carlo even better, went Farreri spotting saw loads,

 

along with cars do not even know the name of apart from they cost a lot.

 

Weather is out standing seas calm temp around 29c and very sunny.

 

Very few teens about crowd of Russians around 200 onboard but do not see them about much.

 

Casino not good just now but will give it another try.

 

All is well with the ship, appears to be very clean, crew nice some old faces, but help crew now spotting us from past cruises.

 

yours Shogun

[Pam in CA]

Shogun, is James Deering going to be the CD on the Crown in July? We're on her 7/19 around the British Isles and were wondering who the CD would be. Thanks!

[High C's]

Shogun, is James Deering going to be the CD on the Crown in July? We're on her 7/19 around the British Isles and were wondering who the CD would be. Thanks!

 

Is James Deering a CD now? When we met him, he was the Passenger Services Director. What a WONDERFUL man. But I can't imagine him having an "over the top" personality that so many CD's have in terms of entertainment.

[Pam in CA]

Is James Deering a CD now? When we met him' date=' he was the Passenger Services Director. What a WONDERFUL man. But I can't imagine him having an "over the top" personality that so many CD's have in terms of entertainment.[/quote']I probably have it wrong. There was a reference to James Deering and I assumed he was the CD. Would love to know who the CD is.

 

FYI, IMHO, the better CDs don't have the "over the top" personality but rather are good organizers, planners, are creative and resourceful. That, to me, is the mark of a good CD. It doesn't matter a whit whether they can sing or dance. That's not what a CD does. Just like in any organization, a good boss is one who is a leader.

[High C's]

FYI, IMHO, the better CDs don't have the "over the top" personality but rather are good organizers, planners, are creative and resourceful. That, to me, is the mark of a good CD. It doesn't matter a whit whether they can sing or dance. That's not what a CD does. Just like in any organization, a good boss is one who is a leader.

 

Well, perhaps you misunderstood what I meant, Pam. My "over the top" reference was not meant as a negative. What I meant was that they are, in my experience, usually quite outgoing. I do realize their job entails much more than simply entertaining me with their jokes. But that being said, they also host shows, quite often tell jokes or share amusing stories, etc.

 

Mr. Deering is class personified. But I just cannot imagine him telling jokes in the Princess Theatre.

 

Of course, this is all based on the ONE CRUISE I have done with him!!!:rolleyes:

 

But in all other aspects of what you mention, Pam, Mr. Deering would certainly excel.:) I could never get over how he met us once at our CC meeting, and remembered our names for the rest of the trip. And we were just 2 people on one cruise!!! Definitely a class act!

 

But now you have my curiosity piqued - I wonder if he is a CD now? Is a CD a promotion from a PSD? Just curious - I have no idea.

[beckcab]

I agree. James Deering is the best Passenger Services Director ever. I saw him everywhere last year. Wish he was going to be on the CB again this summer.

[BRUCENLYNN]

Enjoying the live report -- we'll be on the Crown in August. Can't wait!

[Kiwi Kruzer]

[caber]

Hi Shogun,

 

I am disappointed about the food. I hope this is not going to be the normal. Tell them they have to get their act together before October. :p

 

Are you doing Traditional or Anytime Dining?

 

I am glad you are enjoying the ports.

 

Hope you had a great Captain`s Table.

 

Caber

[vickie_bernie]

I would have to agree about what a class act James Deering is... he is the best PSD we have ever encountered and certainly went over and above the call of duty. In fact we have found ever PSD on every ship to be outstanding.

[Kiwi Kruzer]

 

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Its another hot, hot day here on the Crown, ship is quite as everyone has hit the town.

 

James is PSD and still the best, will check to see who CD is although he did send a cards and a gift to cabin can not recal his name. Name is Ron Goodman.

 

Last night was chefs table, having done one before I can compare stands and food.

 

First the galley tour was a lot better this time around all the cooks etc were so nice chatting waving to us. Table this time was not in middle of the room which was a pity, nice to see everyone asking whats going on etc.

 

Food some was very good some not to my lilking, still loads of wine etc.

 

Overall I would still say the chefs table on Sea was better, however the night was still worth the money and anyone planning to do will have a great evening.

 

Photos were delivered to table before we finished , signed cook book and flowers as before.

 

Tonight Crown Grill so things should be good, chatting to others everyone so far says food overall is fine to good but not great, no bad reports on food.

 

Onboard service is up to Princess standards all crew have smiley faces, and can not do enough to assist you.

 

Casino paid out at long last with a couple of good wins over the $100 mark.

 

Requested new pillows got them straight away.

 

Have found the standard electrical items left by past passengers in cabin.

 

Offered to had it in but ship said might not have been from last passengers, understand we leave tons of stuff behind every cruise.

 

Tomorrow formal night and no shirts left them behind, today Sunday and shops closed, tried ships shop only stock one size small, have you ever seen anyone on a cruise who is small size,

 

So black tie with tee white tee shirt ?.

 

So far this has been an odd cruise, first three days were long hard 10 hour tours, not been on deck, not been to a pool,not been to MUTS not been to horizon court, not had, break fast or lunch. We have toured washed eaten stop at casinio on way back to cabin and gone to bed.

 

James was saying that on other Med cruises with only one sea day passengers were to tired to get of ship on last few ports as they had only one sea day.

 

Well its coming up to mid day now so time to get of ship.

 

Got to walk of last nights dinner and make room for to nights. And then formal night the following , CC meet tomorrow so will up date you all again.

 

So far a very nice cruise. Only a few tears

 

yours Shogun

[Shogun]

Hi Folks,

 

Been another great day in Barcelona, more sun sun sun all day,

 

ask the DW what she will recall from this visit, well it would be the naked man walking down town, words like **** like a donkey were used by a number of the ladies, well if you got it why not show it of, or may be not.

 

yours Shogun