CU64

Rebeccalouiseagain and Coral you are making me feel much better! Please, tell me more good things. How many people fit in the Thalasstherapy pool? Can you compare the buffets? What about the movie area outside on the Infinity? The photo that I saw made it look rather small. Is it larger than I think?

 

I looked on you tube but didn't find very much. We actually have a very long wait for this cruise so I have plenty of time to ask questions. :)

altho not on Infinity, & have been Concierge C3 and Aqua...loved the service and the ships....you will not be disappointed in Infinity

We disembarked the Crown last Saturday & those in our group who had the NY strip steak in the dining room & the filet mignon in the Crown Grill preferred the NY strip. My experience has always been the opposite but to me the quality of the filet's in the past year on all of my Princess cruises has noticeably decreased. Maybe I've just been unlucky but with the price increase to $29 and less tasty filet mignon & small lobster tails (much larger in the MDR) then our once a cruise CG dinner will not happen again.

 

We went to the Trident Grill during the daytime on the Crown & they were cooking raw ground beef hamburgers to order. At night it apparently may be different when it becomes the Smokehouse BBQ but hopefully boiling burgers is only a shortcut used by a lazy cook. If I had that experience then I would have submitted a question or asked the maître d' about boiling hamburgers to keep them warm resulting in an unacceptable rubberized burger. On other Princess ships there was nothing smokehouse about their food (won't call it BBQ) which is understandable being on a ship. However the boiled beef and ribs that had a dry rub added before broiling were not tasty to me. I seem to recall reading they now use BBQ sauce which may be an improvement.

 

Overall the food on our cruise was what we expect on Princess & for anyone who enjoys Princess food the Crown provided that to me. To me Princess food is overall well presented good banquet quality food prepared to serve thousands of passengers with many options for dining.

 

When sailing with multigenerational family groups it's been on RCCL however I much prefer the Princess food but taste is very subjective. The Crown's food didn't disappoint me (except for the CG filet mignon & small lobster tails) and having sailed on the Crown twice in the past 6 months would happily sail her again. I respect the opinions of other passengers even when my experiences were different.

it is the fat that makes it tasty....I rarely order filets anywhere or cook them myself as they cannot compare to a ribeye

I have same issue with people who do not arrive back on time for the bus or show up late for muster drill....somehow some people think rules are not for them

We typically book minis. We will book an MA gty and hope for a suite upsell. This has happened for us several times. We just managed to score a suite upsell for less than the current cost of a MC mini.

We prefer MC Minis on Emerald with a covered balcony. >>>useful in cold or warm weather...marked NO UPGRADE

sometimes upgrades sound good but are in a lousy location with noisy decks above. Check before you buy.

I loved Star Princess and did this itinerary last year

Any comments on our reservations? Would we have been better off port side? We're on Aloha - Should we have picked a lower deck? Trying to learn for the next time before the first time Our reservations were made by a travel agent used by the family for years. Starboard side is going to best on the Northbound itinerary

 

Any things we should definitely take advantage of on board as 2 60ish cruisers? Best bar? Best viewing area for College Fjords? Glacier Park? Recommendations for the best time for anytime dining? Best place for lunch?

The open deck is the best place to view College Fjords and Glacier Bay (I liked sitting on the promenade deck). There is a hot tub at the back of the ship on Deck 16 that is great to sit in and view the Glaciers. The Skywalker's nightclub (Deck 17 aft) is also good for taking in the scenery.

 

Any thing we should definitely NOT do on board as 2 60ish cruisers?

Fwiw - we're probably over prepared for Alaska. We have rain jackets/pants, binoculars, cameras, and lots of clothing layers.

 

Any comments on whether this voyage is typically smooth or can we expect rocking? Our cruise was very calm. The ships move slowly through Alaska because of the marine life. We didn't have a single rough day on that sailing.

Thanks much.

Aloha Deck is usually below sports deck....Jacuzzi noise in daytime, et al

Sorry to see this however no cruise line will wait if you are late unless you are on a ships tour and that it late returning.

 

I wonder how this turned out and how old the kids are.

 

OP the hubby also missed the ship. He got off to look for her and then they both were bumped.

 

Big question is why was she late??

she was shopping

it was embarkation.

I've had four-hour boardings with every lane staffed.

 

The guiding principals need to be:

 

1) minimize the time people spend standing up

2) minimize the distance they walk from sidewalk to gangway

3) isolate higher-complexity and higher-risk travelers from trusted travelers

4) get people from the hands of officious minor functionaries and government employees into the hand of hospitality professionals as quickly as possible.

 

But I'm with you: CBP operations for marine and air are paid by user fees. I don't understand why we can't get what we're paying for - the standard from

CBP is supposed to be 80% of entries processed within 15 minutes of arrival at the port of entry. I'm absolutely certain that Vancouver preclear at the marine terminal doesn't meet that standard.

Yikes.......when do you suggest?

Crown Princess at Vancouver/Canada Place Port.....first cruise in May....

3 ships in port....going late to ship trying to avoid lines...is IC open

I was shocked with the way I was treated. It started at 8:00 am with diarhea then the throwing up started immediately. When I heard the Captain's announcement at noon, I then contacted the medical center. Called several times because no one returned the call. The nurse, Ann, finally called me at 6:00 pm and chewed me out for not reporting sooner. I immediately corrected her and she then backed down. She even referred to me as "you Americans". On the third day I was able to leave the cabin and went to the pursers desk about something else and told the girl about what I went through. No apology. Only that she thought it was great at what a good job they were doing on the ship. No OBC, nothing. I missed Puerta Vallarta which is my favorite port in Mexico, had to argue to get my excursion refunded, etc. Absolutely nothing from Princess, including Corporate. My throat burned for days from throwing up 26 times in one day, and is still a little sore. I understand that this happens, but I am shocked at Princess' response.

Not sure why you did not go to the Med Center instead of calling. If I was that sick, I would be there ASAP.

Equinox 12 day Med. Upgaded to Blu to give it a try. Cabin and perks not as nice as Concierge 3. Storage less than adequate as well as bed too close to closet.

BLU was over hyped, IMHO. Rather eat in Sp Rest. The so called healthy food may have less fat or smaller servings but compensates with more sugar. One can eat equally as "healthy" on other venues on ship. I think it has become more of a status thing....to each his own.

Went back to C3.

We have been informed that the Crown will not start boarding until 3pm this Saturday. We arrive at LAX at 10 and have Princess transfers to the ship. Does anyone know how Princess handles this? Will we be able to check our luggage upon arrival? If we arrive at the pier early, do you have any suggestions as to places to eat or something to do before boarding?

this is why I never buy cruise line transfers to or from ship at any port/not any cheaper than taxi or shuttle/ big bus/loading and unloading slow/smell of gas fumes.........

The ship itinerary and the make up of the passengers.

I totally agree.

just did not want to take a chance on bass vibrations E730 & could care less about bigger balcony esp on May Alaska when likely to be raining

Barbaa

E 731 is my go to cabin that I always try to book. On my upcoming Alaska cruise on the Ruby it was already gone, so I booked E730, for the same extended balcony. Noise usually is not an issue for me. Actually looking forward to seeing if it makes a major difference or if its much ado about nothing....

I called Princess and got the above info as the Voice of the Seas rehearsals during the day might have moved me to starboard. I think we are going to stay with E730 and hope that Club Fusion shuts down by 11 on the Alaska early May cruise.

I am doing this as I think I want to go Northbound on Port, RT from Vancouver.

Barbara

Instead of Karaoke, they have the Voice at Sea. So this involves rehearsals. Normally, the bass thing does not bother me as it normally ends around 11 pm. Under this new format with the Voice, they have rehearsals which makes taking a nap impossible. Emerald deck mini suites are our choice. if it were me, I would go with one of the Starboard side.

I might have to switch to starboard because of this very thing.

BL

Starboard cabins on Emerald deck do not hear sounds from below. It's mostly the last two cabins on the port side. IMHO, any starboard cabin would be great. I've had E725 on the Crown and two other ships and never heard anything.

What say you, Pam? When I booked, only E70 and E26 available. Going to Glacier Bay this cruise.

BL

Crown Princess to Alaska early May

We have E730 and E726 (Port)... E721, E723, E725 (Starboard) just popped up.

I know all about the possible Club Fusion noise.

Please give me subjective advise from those of you who know the details.

Thanking you in advance.

Barbara

Thanks! I have seen the website and have been studying it fiercely!

Book minisuites on Emerald Deck, fully covered on most ships. Coral has other covered balconies. I would NOT worry about vibrations. Better to be close to aft elevators and/or stairs to get to all dining rooms. + straight down to medical facility. Get covered on Alaska Cruise if possible. Otherwise, don't worry.....you can always take your Mom up to skywalkers for 360 view if weather bad.

Barbara

Last Cruise the MyTime Dining was a long line mess. Not interested in the beeper go get a drink concept. Back to traditional and sp restaurants or go the lazy route with buffet or RS.

Just sayin'

Barbara

Yes....it sucks your hair into the dryer and burns it off. I bring a small, packable travel hair dryer that works great.

Mine folds in half... much better

BL

Thank you for sharing your experience. There are 3 of us, so I was hoping to make reservations. If we're not able to switch to our preferred time after boarding, I may just cancel the remaining reservations and take our chances.

If you want to go later, then you should sign up for Anytime Dining or (MyTime Dining) and make your reserved times when you get on board asap.

The reason they have Traditional set times is because you will have the same table, tablemates, and waiters every night. They will get to know you and your food preference needs. The times between the 2 seatings are for cleanup and new table settings for the LATE Traditional at 8.

If you sign up for MyTime Dining, they will charge your gratuities before you go since you will have different waiters every time, usually, unless you make consistent times every day.

It is not a good idea to think you can show up at the MDR anytime you wish and you will be seated. .....you CAN show up at MyTime Dining and stand in line with No Reservations.

Barbara

Thanks! I guess I'll stick with RCL again, to reach platinum.

you will get more pts by upgrading to concierge class on aqua on celebrity...

I got to platinum because of reciprocal on both lines because of these classes.

You may need think the extra money is worth it.

Barbara

If you take snacks off the ship, make sure they are prepackaged and sealed. You cannot take fruits, vegetables, meats, cheeses, etc. off the ship.

this is exactly what held up the customs' line at demarcation 3/6......food violations among other things

Barbara

Thank you for your review.

 

How many people were on the Galveston Express? I need transportation but really thinking about using something private.

I was on same cruise. We were to leave at 9:30......got off at 12PM. Action Limo waited for 3 hrs for the 2 of us. I kept driver informed all the way. We arrived IAH one hour before boarding. We used them Sat from IAH to Galveston.

If you get caught like this again, use a Porter after you get luggage, They have separate Customs' line. Worth the $20 tip. We were in Porter Line behind about 25 individuals. Thot other line looked not too much longer....did not see snake lines. Bad decision. Luckily, other than standing in the line for 1 hr, snaking....we had Action Limo,

Barbara