C Cruise Dude Posted December 10, 2012 #1 Share Posted December 10, 2012 This cruise was a relaxation cruise. I was originally looking at 10 day cruises but due to lack of vacation time I had to reduce it to 7 days. I looked at Princess, Royal Caribbean and Norwegian Cruise lines. I chose Princess because they were a brand that I wanted to try, I was not familiar with the Royal Caribbean ship (Vision of the Seas) that I was considering for the 10 day, it was a smaller ship and I’m not a fan of the NCL Sun although a good cruise can be had on that ship. When I booked the cruise with Princess, they had a sale on and in addition, I was given a discount because I had sailed on Carnival Cruise Line (Carnival and Princess are owned by Carnival Corporation). On my first cruise I was so tired by the end of the first day on the ship that I missed activities. I now fly in the day before embarkation and relax. This time I flew into Fort Lauderdale and booked the Best Western Plus Oakland Park. The hotel is the type where the rooms are outside. The hotel received bad reviews on Cruise Critic and other sources. I was amazed when I opened the door to my room. It looked better than some other brands upscale rooms for almost twice the price. The free shuttle from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to the port was great. The hotel had a swimming pool inside a high security fence and a bar at the end of the pool. There was also a coin laundry in the building opposite the office. The office staff was very helpful and professional. There was a hot breakfast (free) the next morning with scrambled eggs, sausage and breads (cereal was available as well as coffee and juice). The major plus for me is that I like a hotel that is within walking distance of restaurants and stores so that I can pick up last minute items for the cruise. There was a shopping mall at the next corner (within sight of the hotel) and good food near it. The Coral Mall has a Publix Supermarket, Target and several other stores inside the mall. There was a Wendy’s half a block down one street from the mall and the best sub/pizza shop across from Target; Time Square Pizza. They had the best Italian sub (great bread, filled with meat and cheese) with a drink for $8. Best Western Plus Oakland Park Coral Ridge Mall down the street Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 10, 2012 Author #2 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Embarkation was a breeze. I arrived at about 11:25am and was on the ship by 12:30pm. They had a line for VIP but there was not many in it. Princess has moved into the 21 Century by using hand held devices to check you on and off the ship. No more large machine to slide the sign and sail card into, they scan it like the devices in supermarkets. This was first time that I arrived on the ship before 2:00pm and was able to go directly to my cabin which is great because I use a carry on. I met my Steward in the hallway and went inside. Arrival at the port Line for check in Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KirkNC Posted December 10, 2012 #3 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks for the review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 10, 2012 Author #4 Share Posted December 10, 2012 The cabin was B228 (11th floor, forward). I was upgraded to the cabin by Princess (email a month before sailing). I was originally in D716 (9th floor, aft) which I thought would be better but I accepted the upgrade because I had never sailed in a forward cabin and have considered port hole cabins on Carnival and wanted to see if the motion was any different there then the midship and aft cabins that I had occupied on my previous 10 cruises. First let me talk about the cabin and then I will talk about the motion. The inside cabin has Princess beautiful off white and wood trim with a large framed mirror over the bed (love that décor). When you first walk in, to the right is the open closet (first for me), a tall cabinet with large shelves and the safe. The bathroom is across from the closet. I had the beds in the king sized configuration since I was cruising solo. There was a round glass top wooden table at the corner of the foot of the bed. I put that in the closet because it was in the way. The bed had two night stands on each side with two drawers and about three drawers in the desk. The refrigerator was in the corner below the flat screen TV and counter. I love that Princess keeps the ice bucket in the frig to make the ice last longer. There was a large bottle of water and 4 cans of Coke products in the refrigerator. The bathroom was standard except that this was the smallest shower that I had ever used. I affectionately refer to it as the girdle. The shower head with permanently affixed to the wall and there is little room to move around in there. The closet was really big and had the most hangers that I recall on cruise. These are real hangers that come off the rack not the type that have the bottom portion that slip into a hook on the permanent part that stays on the rack. There was a hair dryer above the desk and a phone with your name on the caller ID. Your name is also on the mail box outside your cabin. There was serious motion (high winds and moving fast), more than I have experienced before in rougher waters. The drawer in the night stand kept sliding open and it got so bad one night that I took all the unused hangers off the rack because they were making an annoying noise all night. The bed was shaking at times during the night. I would not recommend this area of the ship to someone who is sensitive to motion. Elevators B228 Large Open Closet - Cabinet from floor to ceiling to the right Refrigerator Shower (girdle) Desk, Phone, and Hair Dryer Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Babr Posted December 10, 2012 #5 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Love the pictures and all the details. Thanks for taking the time to do this. Most helpful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 10, 2012 Author #6 Share Posted December 10, 2012 (edited) After settling in my cabin, I took a walk around the Lido Deck looking for eats and checking out my home for the next 7 days. The burgers looked good but I wanted something more at that time. The ice cream bar was my first target (my favorite on the ship). I wanted to try the shakes that I had heard about but wanted a cone for now. I made a visual on the pizza but plenty of time for that later. The pools are nice but I almost never use the pools on cruise. I expected more people outside but was surprised how few were present. Lido Pool Sitting area next to the burgers My favorite place on the ship - Ice Cream Bar -Popcorn Machine for MUTS Our neighbors in the port. Liberty of the Seas and Grand Princess among others. Kids Pool Pizza (next to the burgers) Lido Deck Edited December 10, 2012 by C Cruise Dude add more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 10, 2012 Author #7 Share Posted December 10, 2012 I continued my tour on other decks. It was my chance to visit the Sanctuary because I knew that I would not pay the fee to use the area. I have to say that after seeing the area it was tempting. Sanctuary Mini Golf near the Sanctuary Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 10, 2012 Author #8 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Well it was time for the life boat drill. We met in the theater and had to bring our life jackets from our cabins. I haven't done that since my first cruise 9 years ago. It was pretty painless. We then had sail away. It was fun watching all the ships in Port Everglades. We had to put our life jackets on after the demonstration from the crew. Grand Princess left before we did So did Liberty of the Seas These must be the hands that you wave to for the webcam. I had heard of these, now here they are. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
letsgoaway Posted December 10, 2012 #9 Share Posted December 10, 2012 Thanks for the great review. Looking forward to more Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 11, 2012 Author #10 Share Posted December 11, 2012 We were ready for sail away. I continued to roam the ship to get a feel of the place. Sail Away Party - Lido Line Dance I was pleased at the end of the night to find chocolates on the bed, no towel animals. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 11, 2012 Author #11 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Sunday morning was our first port; Princess Cay. I started out the day with breakfast in Horizon Court. It was crowded as usual so I had breakfast outside near the adult pool. Aft - Adult Pool area for breakfast The Princess bag that the lady has on her shoulder was a gift from Princess. My Steward left one on my desk - very nice. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 11, 2012 Author #12 Share Posted December 11, 2012 The first port was Princess Cay. The private island was one of the best that I have been to. Princess used the life boats as tenders. You picked up a ticket and waited for your number to be called leave the ship. The transfer to the island was quick and efficient. Actually, Princess gets kudos from me because they used this disembarkation at every port. You picked up the ticket and prepared any last minutes activities until your number was called. No crowed stairs with people herding to get off the ship. The island was nice for me because they had more pavements, sand is nice but it is hard to walk on. The water was cold when it hit you (it was November) but warm when you submerged. The food area was great with a good variety to choose from including ribs. The eating area was not crowded. The only drawback to the island was the hard sand as you entered the water. You almost needed Crocs on it was so hard. I have experienced this at other private islands and the Cruise Director did warn people before getting off the ship. The shop was another thing. The same items that could be purchased in the ships store, the water proof case with Princess written on it was $3 in the ship’s store and $13 on the island. Other than that, it was a great port. Boarding a life boat used as tenders Inside the life boat Venders on the island Entertainment on the Island (very good). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Roxymax Posted December 11, 2012 #13 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Thanks for all the pics...can't wait to see the rest.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CleoPat Posted December 11, 2012 #14 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Can't wait for more. I'll be cruising Princess for the first time in April on this same ship and itinerary:D Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 11, 2012 Author #15 Share Posted December 11, 2012 The food area was the best that I have seen on private islands. It was very clean, duel lines so shorter waits. They have a good selection of food. Grill Princess Cay Seating area of grill Another view from the seating area of the grill Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Working 2 Cruise Posted December 11, 2012 #16 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Thank you for a wonderful pictorial review! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C Cruise Dude Posted December 11, 2012 Author #17 Share Posted December 11, 2012 The following day was a sea day. There was plenty of activities on the ship. It started for me with our meet and greet (M&G). I can say it was one of the best M &G that I have attended. The gift exchange was really nice. We stayed and talked a little after the meeting in Skywalkers but had to leave because there was another group scheduled in there. Meet & Greet/Gift Exchange in Skywalkers Other activities on the ship: Live Band in the Atrium with dance music Upstairs in a bar there was ballroom dancing with the ship's band at the same time there was football on the big screen (Movies Under The Stars - MUTS) and a show in the theater. Flamenco dancers after the band finished Dancing in Skywalkers after 11:00pm with a DJ Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
beshears Posted December 11, 2012 #18 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Your write-up and pictures are great.:) I like some of the rest are looking forward to the rest of your review. My friend and I are to do this same itinerary the end of March 2013. You had mentioned (I believe) about getting the egg crate mattress or cover for the bed. I also ordered that through my TA also. I know when I was on Princess before the beds are very HARD.:mad: Some people like this. I LOVE Carnivals beds/and beddings.:) Since Princess is owned by Carnival, they need to "change" their beds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
capriccio Posted December 11, 2012 #19 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Since Princess is owned by Carnival, they need to "change" their beds. They are changing their beds - just do a search on new mattresses or new beds. We had the pillow top mattresses on both our cruises in the last 6 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
funinthesun86 Posted December 11, 2012 #20 Share Posted December 11, 2012 Great review! Loving the pictures... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tfox1018 Posted December 12, 2012 #21 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Awesome review! Getting me very excited for January!!!!!!:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lovevacadays Posted December 12, 2012 #22 Share Posted December 12, 2012 (edited) Thanks for your review. I love reading reviews like yours that have pictures. Also, nice to read what a first time Princess cruiser has to say. Especially enjoying reading it as I'm taking a break between my full day at work and having to leave in an hour and a half for work networking event - yuck. Not my favorite thing. Looking forward to the rest of your reviewl Edited December 12, 2012 by MichelleinOC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WisCruiser2 Posted December 12, 2012 #23 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Enjoying the review - we're on the CB at the end of January. We booked our pre-cruise night at the Best Western because of POSITIVE reviews on CC -- glad you had good things to say about it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SAC69 Posted December 12, 2012 #24 Share Posted December 12, 2012 Timely review thanks. We are on the ship in 10 days! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nimiq Posted December 12, 2012 #25 Share Posted December 12, 2012 So far love your review continue Sea ya Eric Tba fall cruise 2013 Caribbean Princess Feb 2013 Carnival Liberty Nov2012 Hal Westerdam March2012 Ruby Princess Nov2010 Sapphire Princess Sep2010 Rccl Adventure Of The Seas April 2010 Carnival Miracle Feb2010 Rccl Oassis of the Seas Feb2010 Rccl Majesty of the Seas Nov2009 Rccl Navigator of Seas Sep2009 Hal Westerdam Nov&Dec2008 Caribbean Princess Nov2007 Sea Princess Nov&Dec 2006 Diamond Princess Apr2005 Rccl Navigator Dec2004 NCL SUN Nov2004 Visit of QM2 Oct2004 Carnival Victory Nov2003 Golden Princess Apr2003 Celebrity Mercury Nov2002 Carnival Elation Nov2001 NCL SKY Nov2000 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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