Live from ... Cruise Critic's Caribbean Kick-Off on Crown Princess (11/7 - 14)

[Dan Askin]

Will be on Crown 11/28 - we really enjoyed her on the Eastern Caribbean last November. I think there will be some time changes while onboard. The person we booked a scuba dive through in Cozumel has asked whether we will be on local time. I think Princess normally changes to be on the local time. Can you confirm & let us know when/if the time changes are happening. Also would love to hear what the menus are each night (Italian, etc.). We can then decide what night to book Sabatini's or Crown Grill. Thanks & enjoy.

Debi

 

Hi Cosmo,

 

Princess operates on local time, so we had a change (one hour back) when sailing from Grand Cayman to Roatan, and we'll switch the clocks forward again when we depart Cozumel tomorrow for Fort Lauderdale. I remember thinking how odd it was when on my first cruise I discovered "ship's time." I was in a safari cab in St. Thomas during rush hour. It was 5:20. All aboard was at 5:30. I could see the ship in the distance, smoke pouring from the funnels ... but we weren't moving, stuck in the Caribbean haze among dented cars, endless s-curves and thick foliage. I panicked, bailed from the cab and bolted off down the hill towards the pier, jumping turnstiles, racing through first the jungle, then residential neighborhoods. Was even joined briefly in my mile-long sprint by a local dog. The residents seemed to get a kick out of it. Winded, dripping with sweat, I made it to the ship ... to find that it was 4:30.

 

Going to be talking food tomorrow, so hang tight.

[NauticalPaul]

I just love your writing style. I'm glued to your posts.

[Dan Askin]

x

Gelato/ice cream at the International Cafe is $1.50 for 3 scoops, everything else is free.

 

The CD mentioned on the morning program that sushi in Vines is free.

 

Soft-serve ice cream is free - it is right next to the pizzeria on Deck 15 near the pool. It is not self-serve. It is available from 11-11.

 

Thanks Coral, you got it.

 

Re-boarded the ship after a rainy-day shore excursion in Roatan and decided to pay the $1.50 for three scoops of the International Cafe's gelato. Was a very peaceful scene (the ivory white piano lay idle), with folks chatting over coffees and pastries. The table of women next to me were sharing funny pet stories (then some other salacious stuff about in-laws, but it's rude to eaves drop). Some people had computers, others were reading. Anyway, gelato is all about consistency, and two of the three flavors were a bit too icy. The "nutella" (chocolate-like) has a bit of an edge to it as well. Points for presentation though, and you get three very healthy scoops for $1.50 ... an amount easily shared between two people.

 

[mit01]

Dan,

Do you know if there is Guiness and Bass on tap in any of the pubs? On RCCL Explorer of the Seas last year, I was extremely dissapointed to find out that I could not get a Black and Tan in the Irish pub.

 

Thanks,

Steve

[Dan Askin]

Hi Dan! So exciting to hear from you on this thread, as we will be on the Crown for Thanksgiving. I have a couple of questions:

 

Last year many of the tapas in the International Cafe were cost items. As it was confusing for many, can you clarify which items are paid for, and which are free? Are the sushi in Vines also gratis?

 

We hear there is a self-serve soft serve for free on board. True? Where is it?

 

You mention that Adagios is a Cognac and Cigar bar. Has it become a smoking lounge? (oh yuck) Do they still serve the tiramasu martini? Who is bartending there? That was our fave hangout last year.

 

thanks

 

Marianne

 

Hi,

 

Re: Adagio's, affirmative on the tiramisu martini. Main bartenders are Percy and Paula. I spoke with Percy, from the Philippines, and he told me how his wife is a big Twitterer ... she's a massive fan of the "Twilight" series, so she primarily tweets about that (got a response from one of the actors, too). I told him about Cruise Critic's Twitter page in return. Does he look familiar?

 

As to Adagios, I've been to this dimly lit top-ship bar a few times now, and I think it's the best spot onboard for those looking for quiet pre-dinner chat (there's some piano tinkling, too, but volume's down). Along with the bar list (lots of martinis options), they offer olives stuffed with bleu cheese, garlic, etc.

 

[editor@cruisecritic]

While we're on the subject -- Dan, if you could do the ship's pub tour crawl and tell us about it, that'd be great!

 

Carolyn

 

 

Dan-

 

Your updates have been great! Thanks so much for letting all of us tag along. We will be on the 11/28 sailing and one of our cruise traditions is a ship pub crawl. Can you confirm all the places onboard that serve alcohol? here's what I pulled from the Princess web site, but want to check as we're going to make up a little sheet to fill out as we go along for our post cruise memories. Thanks!

 

Princess Theatre

Aft Pool

MUTS Pool Bar

Neptune's Reef Pool Bar

Gatsby's Casino

Explorers Lounge

Skywalkers Nightclub

Club Fusion

Wheelhouse Bar

Adagio Bar

Crooners Bar

Speakeasy cigar lounge

[editor@cruisecritic]

Hey -- know that Ida has gone to her rest but what have sea conditions been like this week, especially about now --

 

Any impact?

 

Carolyn

[Dan Askin]

This isn't really apropos to anything cruise-question related, but I found these two pieces in the onboard art gallery strangely hypnotic. I can honestly think of no place in any home where they'd work -- unless you're looking for the showpiece in a "The Wizard of Oz" or Einstein shrine room (I'd approve more of Einstein, who may or may not have said, "The only way to beat roulette is to steal the money while the dealer's not looking." I ignored his advice and lost $200 last night). "Guess Were [sic] Not in Kansas" by Leighton Jones has a reserve of $37,500.

 

 

[Dan Askin]

Dan,

Do you know if there is Guiness and Bass on tap in any of the pubs? On RCCL Explorer of the Seas last year, I was extremely dissapointed to find out that I could not get a Black and Tan in the Irish pub.

 

Thanks,

Steve

 

Hi Steve,

 

Crown Princess' "Brit-style" pub, the Wheelhouse Pub, doesn't have anything but Stella Artois on tap. For the purist, Guinness in a can and Bass in a bottle equals Black and Tan mediocrity. I know Cunard's Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria have draught Guinness and Bass in their Golden Lion pubs, but I'm thinking Cunard might be one of the few, if only that does ... but I'd imagine you wouldn't make a ship choice based solely on beer selection? That'd be some serious dedication.

[TwinCruiserMom]

Hi Dan,

 

Have you been able to find any information about the Ultimate beverage sticker? No one seems to know how the Crown is handling this.

 

Thanks so much!

[Dan Askin]

Hey -- know that Ida has gone to her rest but what have sea conditions been like this week, especially about now --

 

Any impact?

 

Carolyn

 

After a rocky start as we tried to avoid Ida -- dinner in Sabatini's on Sunday was a bit bumpy (we had a tripmate who was feeling ill excuse herself) -- we've had a couple days of very smooth sailing.

 

We're actually going through some slight choppiness right now, but I'm not sure if or how it's related to Ida in a meteorological sense. Could be some of the extratropical remnants, since we're basically mirroring the path the storm took along the Yucatan a few days ago. There are also some small clouds over on the National Hurricane radar chart over our current location. It's windy outside and mist is spraying everywhere.

[jdavid]

The $1.50 gelato is a treat we look forward to. So many thingas are discovered later on a cruise and wish that you had found earlier. No one say we were not tipped. Thanks for the picture. Maybe this time I'll try sushi in Vines. We on 12/12/09

[Cosmo30068]

I am really enjoying your posts. Thanks for letting us know about when the time changes are. I am looking forward to your dining posts. Enjoy!

[billybathgate]

We are taking our entire family on this cruise on January 23rd. We are looking forward to seeing new places as Grand Cayman, Honduras and Cozumel. We have been on two other Princess cruises and loved them. We are so glad to take our family and are excited about the new experiences they will share.

 

If you want to swim with the dolphins, try the dolphinarius tours in Cozumel, outstanding

[2Fltravelers]

Please let us know if Mayan Princess on Roatan still sells day passes. We were there in May and loved it and desparate to return. We had heard they stopped selling the day passes to cruise passengers. We will be on the Crown December 12th. Thank you very much in advance for any information.

 

We are on the Crown this Sat. and booked a transfer with Rony Bennett to the Mayan Princess. He is picking up the passes before he picks us up. I have not heard that anything has changed but I will email him and see what he says. I'll post his response here.

[kimmiekaz]

Hi Dan,

 

Really enjoying your posts from back here in chilly New Jersey. I remember the lemon-flavored gelato really standing out as a winner on my Ruby Princess cruise back in February. Try that one if you care to indulge a bit more -- it was very refreshing!

 

 

 

Thanks Coral, you got it.

 

Re-boarded the ship after a rainy-day shore excursion in Roatan and decided to pay the $1.50 for three scoops of the International Cafe's gelato. Was a very peaceful scene (the ivory white piano lay idle), with folks chatting over coffees and pastries. The table of women next to me were sharing funny pet stories (then some other salacious stuff about in-laws, but it's rude to eaves drop). Some people had computers, others were reading. Anyway, gelato is all about consistency, and two of the three flavors were a bit too icy. The "nutella" (chocolate-like) has a bit of an edge to it as well. Points for presentation though, and you get three very healthy scoops for the $1.50, easily shared between two people.

 

[jmbdt]

Dan,

Thanks so much for all your posts. My family and I are embarking on our first Princess cruise on the Crown in Jan. I've read in other posts that it is necessary to climb some ladders on some of the ship tours. Is this the case on the Crown? My father is hoping to do the tour, he's 69 and can handle lots of walking, but not so sure about ladders. Again... thanks for the posts, its really ramping up the excitement factor for me.

[Dan Askin]

Hi Dan,

 

Have you been able to find any information about the Ultimate beverage sticker? No one seems to know how the Crown is handling this.

 

Thanks so much!

 

Hey TwinCruiserMom,

 

Haven't obtained an answer on this one yet ... hopefully tomorrow when I have the F&B guy for some face time.

 

Dan

[Dan Askin]

We are on the Crown this Sat. and booked a transfer with Rony Bennett to the Mayan Princess. He is picking up the passes before he picks us up. I have not heard that anything has changed but I will email him and see what he says. I'll post his response here.

 

Thanks 2Fltravelers,

 

Really appreciate your help on this one ...

 

Dan

[ladyselene]

I am so happy I found this thread. We are on the Dec. 5th sailing and are really looking forward to it.

I know that this is probably answered elsewhere but this is the first time for my DH on Princess, can you bring a flat of water and your own 12 pack of coca cola in your checked luggage? I know you can on RC.

Also, I see you had CC gatherings on your sailing but they are not arranged thru Princess like the M&Ms are on RC? We would like to go but I am not sure what is up on our 12/5 sailing.

Thanks so much for your postings, the gelato looks great. I look forward to hearing more about your cruise on the Crown.

Thanks,

Selene

[Kerry&LuAnn]

Dan, we hope you are finding some time to enjoy yourself in the midst of investigating answers to all of our questions! :)

[2Fltravelers]

Thanks 2Fltravelers,

 

Really appreciate your help on this one ...

 

Dan

 

You are so welcome. I emailed Rony Bennet about the passes and I'm waiting for a reply.

 

BTW, can you tell me at which pier the ship docks in Cozumel? Also, were you able to find out about the weekly cost of the thermal suite and if there's a couples pass? Thanks.

[LauraS]

Also, I see you had CC gatherings on your sailing but they are not arranged thru Princess like the M&Ms are on RC? We would like to go but I am not sure what is up on our 12/5 sailing.

 

Selene

 

Hi Selene: Any "gatherings" on Princess cruises would be arranged by our members. Have you checked the ROLL CALL for your sailing; perhaps someone has already arranged something. If not, it is easily done on your own -- a simple "meet & mingle" at sailaway works really well!

 

Lauras

[elou]

Love your posts. Never been to Roatan. Have you heard anyone taking the semi-sub or seeing the YUBA people. Thanks in advance.

[sunsetme]

please check the earliest debarkation time for do it yourselfers. thanks