WehoAtlantis

Mike,

 

I'm sorry I didn't have a chance to thank you sooner for your response to my question about Crooners! I've been busy and haven't had a chance to get on here much!

 

Anyway, I do appreciate your reply as well as the time you took to post the pictures and help so many of us. I plan to go back and look at all of them again. We're leaving in just 3 short weeks!

 

Marilyn :)

Marilyn,

Please take pics and let me know if you try The Salty Dog in Wheelhouse. I would love to hear about it since we skipped it.

--Mike

It's been a few years since we last sailed with Princess. Celebrity has become our cruise line of choice, but we are always open to any line that has the right itinerary. We love that Celebrity has eliminated formal nights and was hoping Princess has done the same. Can anyone confirm that? Thank you.

Hi workstocruise,

Yes, they still have formal nights. We got off Crown a few weeks ago and just wore nice shirts and pants. We had no problem in and around the ship or in the dining rooms by not wearing a tux or a suit.

--Mike

WehoAtlantis,

 

Thanks for the wonderful pics of your trip. So detailed and you seem to have covered everything. We sailed on the Crown many years ago (before they added another deck) and read that they did a minor dry dock in 2011. We are contemplating a trip on the Crown in spring 2017 with my sister and BIL which will be their introduction to cruising. I am a little concerned at some of the reviews I have read about the condition of the ship, staff not up to Princess standards and, some said, its tired, shabby condition. I would like them to have a wonderful first trip and wonder if I am worrying for nothing. What do you think?

Hi colonialinnkeeper,

It was my first time on Crown but not my first princess cruise. I found that the staff was professional and up to the standards. I thought the ship condition was just fine. We really had a great time and so did everyone else we met. It is all relative, but some people are just nit picky and look for flaws. I'm been around the block with cruising and you have nothing to worry about.

Plus any bad apples probably won't have a renewed contract by the time you sail!

--Mike

Why would someone purchase a drink package if instead money can be placed in an OBC account. Am I missing something??? Maybe I don't understand, but from reading the posts here on CC, I am under the impression that I can gift myself OBC and then use that money for the spa, alcoholic drinks, soda, water, etc. and then whatever I don't use will be refunded to me.

Am I right? Because I've been trying to justify the cost of the drink package and from my calculations we need to drink about 7 drinks a day ( YIKES! Will I even remember the cruise:D) not to mention the days we are off the boat not drinking anything until the evening. We definitely want to just enjoy ourselves and not nickel and dime decisions we make while on board - so if a drink package is a better decision please let me know. Thanks in advance!

We always buy the drink package and always come out ahead. It even worked in Vines on Crown where you buy a glass of wine and get tapas or sushi / sashimi. Our drink package covered that. Then again we are pros lol!

--Mike

I too enjoyed your cruise pictures. You mentioned that Salty Dog has taken over so much of the space from the Wheelhouse Bar. This is a shame. The Wheelhouse Bar was my favorite hang out. From everything I've been reading on the forum, it seems that both Salty Dog & SHARE aren't the success Princess was hoping for. As for SHARE, I can say that from pictures I've seen, this has to be the UGLIEST public room on a ship I've ever seen ! I hope that whoever made the decision to green light this project has been fully relived from any further responsibilities at Princess, lol.

Hi Myrtle Ave. Mayhem,

First of all, great username!

I think it just boils down to people not wanting to spend $19.00 per person to eat there. I really did want to try the Poutine and Lobster mac n cheese. But we were spending our money on many other things. Thirty eight bucks seems a little steep with so many other dining options. Especially if you plan on dining in Sabatini's or Crown Grill.

--Mike

Could you please post your experiences? Such as what you did in Port and how the weather was. We will be on this Cruise in 2 weeks

Hi joeyancho, I know you saw my pics but thought I would chime in.

In San Fran, why not try Alioto's Restaurant on Fisherman's Wharf. If you like Chinese food or the culture, stroll through China Town. A more upscale option is the Fairmont Hotel which houses the Tonga Room & Hurricane Bar. It is a cool place. A google search will show this.

In Santa Barbara, hit up State Street for a variety of restaurants and shopping. Unless you have a wine tour etc. We ate on the pier at the Harbour restaurant.

In San Diego, If you're in a walking mood as well as a historical military mood, tour the USS Midway. It is right next to where the ship docks. The Gas Light District and Little Italy are other options.

Ensenada is up in the air. It really is just shopping and eating the local cuisine. If your up for it like we did, head to Cantina Hussong´s which I think is the birthplace of the Margarita. Pappas and Beer is just too loud.

Just suggestions and hope you have a great cruise!

--Mike

I hope I answered everyone's questions and thank you to the rest that stopped by to say thanks. I wish you the best on your cruise whether it is from the USA or UK.

--Mike

Hi Mike,

 

Just wanted to add a further thanks to you. I so appreciate the time you are taking to personally answer mine and all the other individual questions.

 

Did you really use your phone to take all of these pictures? What phone do you have/

 

Carole

Thanks Carole!

I used the iPhone 6 plus. I just wish I was a little more detailed on getting all the patters, drink menus, pool decks etc.

Oh well, I'll remember to on our next cruise. Currently looking.

--Mike

Do you still have the dining room menu from the second formal night? My Dh wants to know the main courses before he decides which night to dine at the Crown Grill. First formal night or second one.

Thanks

Hi atdahop,

I believe its the menu that is first on page 3 of my crown album that included The Roasted Farm-Raised Pheasant. This was formal night in San Diego.

My phone says the pic was taken on Thursday so I hope that was the case.

--Mike

Thanks for the photos. So helpful during this week of anticipation. We are starting this cruise Sat the 2nd. Detailed information from the official Princess website is sparse.

 

I noticed some micro brew bottled beer in one of the photos. Were those only available during the pub event or in certain lounges?

 

The beers they offer in the 5 for 4 packages on the main crown website are pretty mainstream. I am hoping for some better options!

Hi pspehar,

I had the Boddingtons Pub Ale at the pub lunch and Stella Artois in Crooners. I am not sure about the rest, but I am sure they have other options besides the mainstream beers. Considering there are passengers from around the world you would hope they would have them available.

I wish I had taken a pic of the drink menu in Crooners.

--Mike

I have been the route several times and the sea days can be windy and cold and sometimes rocky.

This is all relative though as to where you r from. But we have experienced some sea days that can be so windy that chairs r tied down and the pools are sloshing....on a March 4th, MR coming back from Esenada it was suggested no use of the balconies because of the wind, no one was lying out by the pool. But on these cruises Princess provides many inside activities and the wind doesn't always mean a rocking ship.

 

 

OP was it windy up on deck, were people able to enjoy the pool on the sea days?

Hi Land Lover,

I did not spend a lot of time up by pools, but there were many people out enjoying the sun, the pools and hot tubs. It never seemed too windy when I was getting pizza and hot dogs at Trident and the Pizzeria.

--Mike

Thanks for posting your pictures. Question- How were the seas? Smooth for most part? I am interested in visiting CA and this type or cruise looks great to hit several of the cities. I've been told it can be a little rough sailing in the Pacific around Enscenda.

 

Thanks !

Hi NCGal,

The sailing was pretty smooth the whole time. Obviously you cannot predict the weather or the waves. But we did feel the sway now and again. Nothing like going to Hawaii where I thought I would fall out of my bed.

--Mike

Great pictures! Thank you!

Did you have fixed or anytime dining? If you had anytime, was it smooth or long lines?

Was the Maitre'd Neville from India or someone else?

Hi Victory2020,

We had anytime dining and there was no wait. But we had just the two of us. I don't recall seeing any lines to eat in the two anytime dining rooms. We also ate in The Vines bar, poolside, The International Cafe as well as the cabin.

I do not remember the the names of the Maitre'd, but I believe both were from Croatia in DaVinci and Michelangelo which were the anytime dining rooms.

--Mike

I just looked at all your pictures Mike. Thanks for sharing! I'll be on the Crown for a Pacific Coastal April 30th. My friend and I love to sit in Crooners in the evenings. Would you be able to tell me about the entertainer there?

 

Marilyn

Hi Marilyn,

The singer / piano player was Tommy McPhee. He sounds like Elton John and has a great voice. He usually started around 9:00 pm in the Crooners.

I bet your hoping the next four weeks goes by quick!

--Mike

We ordered bacon, sausage, eggs and other items that were not listed on the breakfast menu for your cabin. Just ask and they are usually pretty good about bringing it.

--Mike

Thank you for the wonderful pictures. A few questions as I will be on the April 23 sailing.

What days were the formal ones? In San Francisco is the Hop on Hop off bus in the terminal? Were there any issues with the trolley in Santa Barbara if you do it on your own? What night was the 50's- 60's rock and roll?

 

Thank you,

Carole

Hi Carole,

Formal nights were Sunday (at sea) and Thursday (San Diego). We took a cab into San Francisco, but there were double decker buses in the terminal. Not sure if that is what you meant and I am not sure of the price.

No issues in Santa Barbara. State street is an easy walk away. The trolley line was close to the tender drop off with a fifteen minute or so wait. The trolley always seemed filled as many passengers used it. There is a bike taxi that seats two for $5.00 per person as well. He was waiting by the shuttle line. We just walked to State street and then had lunch on the Pier at The Harbor Restaurant.

I do not remember the night for the 50's and 60's rock n roll. It may have been on Tuesday since that is the only Princess Patter I cannot find.

Hi Astro Flyer,

We wanted to but never made it in. It seemed to take a lot of space from the Wheelhouse Bar. I wanted to try the Poutine and Lobster Mac n Cheese. Only to add on more weight:) It was never filled probably due to the $19.00 per person fee. I like the concept though.

We enjoyed having Sushi and Sashimi and the Tapas in The Vines Bar and the British Pub lunch in The Crown Grill was great. The Fish n Chips were much better than at The Harbor on the pier in Santa Barbara. The pub lunch was only one day.

--Mike

Hi all!

Just returned from Crown Princess on a 7 day California Coastal Cruise that included Los Angeles (San Pedro), San Francisco, Santa Barbara, San Diego and Encenada. For those interested, I've included some Princess Patter info, menu's and plenty of photos from our cruise. I'm in the process of labeling the pics and they should be finished by the end of the weekend. Hope you enjoy if you haven't been on Crown or are just interested. It is the last album in my sets.

--Mike

http://www.flickr.com/photos/hotsauce34/sets/

Just booked this cruise last minute. Anyone joining us?

--Mike

That is too bad that you felt this way about the Sapphire. We were on the 4 day cruise before yours and we had a great time. We did notice the shops and casino were obviously in a transition. But I agree, the food was very good and personally I thought the service was too. Especially in the Crooners bar which was our second home as it was on Diamond.

--Mike

Thank you Colo Cruiser. Always fun to share with everyone, especially if it helps.

--Mike B

We just returned from C753 on Sapphire Princess. I have pics in my signature for those currently booking of course. It is the 2014 cruise.

--Mike

Hi Rick,

Sounds great! Will be a good time!

Mike

We are cruising with our friends Bob and Bryan. We are from West Hollywood, CA. Hope you are joining us!

Mike and Paul

We were in 1601 and it was a larger balcony.