Crown Princess ABC islands Jan 12 to 20, 2018

My last comment for this review. Norris, you have out done yourself.

 

Wow, what a great review.

 

I have your cruise next January bookmarked to look for your review.

 

Until adieu.....

 

Judy

 

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Judy- I am not done yet! More to come....

Norris, thanking you for your kind compliments.

Now you already know that I am in Heaven. The Winter Olympics finale show, and the Super Bowl Half-Time show are dull in comparison to my being on deck on a morning when half a dozen beautiful cruise ships come home, gliding slowly and quietly back to their berths with thousands of satisfied customers.

I look for another to arrive

 

There's no airhorns or people on the rocks waving (because I am not down there with a camera)

and no ship horns. It's too early for that. It is quiet on deck, just a few people up near Tradewinds getting coffee and some taking pictures. There were camera people I would speak to, people who would ask me questions which I was happy to answer. One lovely woman about my age had just bought herself a new DSLR camera so she could have a hobby that would tax her brain was one who talked to me everyday. I told her about CC and how she could find the photos I was taking but I don't know if she ever followed-up.



There aren't many cruise ships that excite me just for their design- I do love the Oasis design achievement, and the look of the Disney ships. Celebrity S Class is undoubtedly my favorite of all. Princess Grand class with the aft Skywalkers (Star, Golden,Caribbean) get me every time-so striking! I can't think of a Carnival design that raises my pulse. Interior-wise I know that they don't all have the Joe Farcus "designs" any longer. That's a relief. They were headache inducing, dark and overwrought, mishmashes of vomitus historical periods, clashing from deck to deck and room to room. Let there be light and relief from ornamentation! Less is more. The Regal Princess is a good example of modern interior design-very soothing and pleasing color palate. S -Class of X and M Class ditto.

However undistinguished in my eye the Carnival ships carry a lot of happy people and Captains and officers and crew no less good at their jobs, I imagine, than Princess. They are all pulling from the same International crew pool. Carnival is not for me but it is for a lot of people so kudos to the line for their growth and dominance in the industry.





* I am not a Joe Farcus hater-just his designs which Micky Arison signed off on, not being an arbiter of good taste. Joe was very passionate about his work and had a reason for every explosion in a paintshop. I have watched all of his Youtube interviews and admire his work ethic but not the work itself. I just don't like over-design which is why Japan and Norway looks good to me but St Petersburg holds no interest. Gilded palaces I would never line up for.

I am a working class guy from Northern Ireland for Pete's sake, who drinks Guinness and eats his own weight in potatoes weekly.



Here comes one of the few Carnival ships (maybe the only one now?) that call PE home- the Conquest



 

 



 

 



 

I look away for a moment to catch up with the Coral

 

I love the ship porn! They all look so beautiful all lit up like that.

I love the ship porn! They all look so beautiful all lit up like that.

You'll get no argument from me, Nancy!

Taking night pictures was the main reason I bought a new camera and the model I did.

The ships are a blaze of light out at sea, often so far away that you can't tell which ship and sometimes which line they are from unless you have good binoculars.

Here I got to see them close up. You can see that a lot of people are up already by the cabin lights.

I always make a point of being up early to see sights like these.

Norris

 

 

 

 

 

Ahhh yes in 25 more days I will be on the Conquest I agree with you Norris about the Farcus designs are too much at times, even though I do sail Carnival (with a NCL and MSC in between)when I do cruise. I like the brand and for the money for my family it is worth it to me. I cruise for Itineraries and cost and to some extent the ship.

 

 

You should have a look at the Vista or the new ship Horizon coming out in a few weeks the décor is NOTHING like Farcus they have done a total 360, and the only thing I missed when I did sail the Vista compared the Conquest, Liberty or Glory was the vast atrium. Other than that the Vista and new Horizon are spot on elegant and you might want to try the Havana Suites

 

 

I just scratch my head at why they went with the Farcus designs for so long-I know they made the ship interiors unique in the modern cruising world but not unique in a good way, IMHO.





I read Carnival photo reviews and if the Vista is the one with basically just a big movie screen in the central Piazza/Atrium then that is another head-scratcher. It looks so boxy and closed in.





Are the Havana suites in a separate area of the ship like the Yacht Club on MSC or Haven on NCL?

Norris

Pics of beautiful ships gliding in; such is the life through your lens Norris. We actually went on the RC Oasis the first year it sailed just to see what a huge ship is like. It was so odd you had to book your entertainment in advance but my OCD planning worked and we saw some amazing shows. Other than that one and done. We got to say we did it but huge ships are not for us. Too large and just too much. We actually also went on RC's smallest ship, Rhapsody, for one of our Alaska trips, and enjoyed it more. To each their own. Can't wait to see more pics Norris!

Well I have seen some fine ships and there are no more waiting to come in so I can now drink my coffee and then wander a little. There are restrooms aft of the Calypso pool...

There's already a guy working at the Trident Grill which won't open until 11 a.m. I regret I only ate there once this cruise as I really love the food there. It's on Lido just under Tradewinds, starboard side. Just for us Brits they have Heinz Malt Vinegar and HP sauce.

Soft serve ice cream and pizza are also available on Lido deck for pool lovers who need a snack. I have never been in a Princess pool. Carol has while up at the Sanctuary.

There's no real need for Princess to have beautiful art like this in the vestibule between the pool deck and the elevators-but they do it anyway and I love them for it. It says, sunshine, crystal blue waters and animals I don't see much of in Chicago. It beats Swarovski Crystals any day.

 



 

Back on deck

With the clocks having gone forward one hour and our request to vacate our cabin by 8 a.m we would be having an earlier than usual breakfast in Da Vinci. So it was time to hustle on down there and leave the sunrise to do it's thing.

While I am making my way to the MDR here is that Ft. Lauderdale sunrise I mentioned earlier....from January 2013 on the Ruby. It was foggy which seemed to help the colors.

 

I love that no sunrise or set is ever the same. That pic from 2013 is incredible. I see why you love it so much.

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Glad you like it Crystal and I agree that no two are the same as there are so many variables involved-in this case a thick fog. I often see spectacular ones as I am driving to work but don't have a camera at the ready and have to focus on driving in Chicago. When I do get the chance though I am up early and waiting. My next photo safari will see me in June in one of our favorite cities-San Francisco where I am at the Ferry Building each morning waiting for the sun over the Bay Bridge.

Thanks for the response!

Norris

Pics of beautiful ships gliding in; such is the life through your lens Norris. We actually went on the RC Oasis the first year it sailed just to see what a huge ship is like. It was so odd you had to book your entertainment in advance but my OCD planning worked and we saw some amazing shows. Other than that one and done. We got to say we did it but huge ships are not for us. Too large and just too much. We actually also went on RC's smallest ship, Rhapsody, for one of our Alaska trips, and enjoyed it more. To each their own. Can't wait to see more pics Norris!

Rhapsody, is part of my favorite RC class, the Radiance class. Nice size indeed.

Oasis class is a home run for RC and a very bold piece of marine engineering and thinking outside the box but too many people aboard for us to consider it.

I have about 50 pics left to show you.

Norris

I just scratch my head at why they went with the Farcus designs for so long-I know they made the ship interiors unique in the modern cruising world but not unique in a good way, IMHO.

I read Carnival photo reviews and if the Vista is the one with basically just a big movie screen in the central Piazza/Atrium then that is another head-scratcher. It looks so boxy and closed in.

Are the Havana suites in a separate area of the ship like the Yacht Club on MSC or Haven on NCL?

Norris[/left]

I agree maybe the Beards were thinking how can we separate ourselves from other lines if that is the case I'm glad someone said we need to get a bit more modern here folks.

The big movie screen they call the dreamscape and it goes from deck 3 to deck 5 and they surrounded it with a bar on deck 3 atrium. This dreamscape changes to different scenes throughout the day and night. My personal opinion is scrap it and give me the wow factor when I walk into the ship. I want to see the vastness of her size, and be like the Friendly Giant and say..... look up wayyyyyy up and be dazzled.

Yes the Havana Cabins and suites are a different area and need a special card to get into some areas of it they are aft of the ship on Deck 5 and 7 I believe.

https://mycruisestories.com/2017/03/03/carnival-vista-havana-cabins/

I agree maybe the Beards were thinking how can we separate ourselves from other lines if that is the case I'm glad someone said we need to get a bit more modern here folks.

 

The big movie screen they call the dreamscape and it goes from deck 3 to deck 5 and they surrounded it with a bar on deck 3 atrium. This dreamscape changes to different scenes throughout the day and night. My personal opinion is scrap it and give me the wow factor when I walk into the ship. I want to see the vastness of her size, and be like the Friendly Giant and say..... look up wayyyyyy up and be dazzled.

 

Yes the Havana Cabins and suites are a different area and need a special card to get into some areas of it they are aft of the ship on Deck 5 and 7 I believe.

 

https://mycruisestories.com/2017/03/03/carnival-vista-havana-cabins/

Thanks for the link! I went on the Carnival Website last night and searched for havana suites but nothing came up.

The Dreamscape sounds like a dud-a slide show to add ambiance? Is that about it? Odd decision vs a soaring atrium with panoramic elevators to create that wow impression.

I looked at their cruises to Cuba-duds with very little time in Havana. Even their "overnight" leaves at 2 a.m. They are using some older ships with balconies attached long after they launched. I need Cuba immersion! NCL and Royal are no better. Princess a non-starter but Azamara gives us 35 hours in Havana and 8 hours or so in each of two other ports.

Cheers!

Norris

Thanks for the link! I went on the Carnival Website last night and searched for havana suites but nothing came up.

The Dreamscape sounds like a dud-a slide show to add ambiance? Is that about it? Odd decision vs a soaring atrium with panoramic elevators to create that wow impression.

I looked at their cruises to Cuba-duds with very little time in Havana. Even their "overnight" leaves at 2 a.m. They are using some older ships with balconies attached long after they launched. I need Cuba immersion! NCL and Royal are no better. Princess a non-starter but Azamara gives us 35 hours in Havana and 8 hours or so in each of two other ports.

Cheers!

Norris

You would be in the same mindset as I a dud or since its close to Easter they laid an egg in my opinion.

Our last breakfast in the MDR-probably the thing I miss most about being on a ship now that I'm not, took some getting to as we suddenly became aware of how many people were on the ship doing a walk-off with their bags. Wherever we tried to go, via elevator or stairs there was a swarm of people to negotiate, even using the casino as a roundabout maneuver. Luggage was everywhere so we tip-toed through, driven by hunger.

Our hunger was sated once we sat down and for the last time Carol had that "napkin placed on the lap" moment.

I have those amazingly refreshing Kadota figs again

 

 

and oatmeal, brown sugar and raisins to set me up for the day



 

Club Fusion is a big room and so the people who have to wait in there before their luggage tag color /number determines that it is time to leave have ample room to spread out comfortably. There was some water and orange juice provided. Maybe coffee and tea but don't quote me. Carol's plan was to stay put there with her Kindle until we were called and told it was "go time". She would endure the peace and quiet shattering videos of the islands we had just visited, played on a loop-excursion videos of the ABCs.

My plan is to spend zero time here as there are still places on the ship to be visited with the camera and some coffee up at Tradewinds would be nice.

One of my favorite room designs lies aft on deck 16 and it's Adagio Lounge

 



 

 

Belly-up to the bar



 

In that far corner there is a small stage big enough for a baby grand piano, a small drum kit and an amp or two. A small jazz combo may play here. Check those Patters.

 

 

That window at the back looks over the wake and the deck where Sabatini's serves breakfast outdoors. This is one cosy room, isn't it? It's not a modern edgy design with Scandinavian furniture which is a big plus for me.



 

 

View from the stage area (where there is an exit to the open deck) looking back towards the entrance.



 

 

 

Wonderful review, thank you!

Thanks Norris for days to reading pleasure! Please tell us again what, where and when you are sailing again. Karen

I love love the Bimmer09 reviews. Such fun to read and wonderful pictures!

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