Caribbean Princess Southern Caribbean Nov 24, 2012 Review

[C Cruise Dude]

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.

 

Thank you and all posters, happy to post the review. I never mentioned egg crate. The bed was not bad at all and I sleep on a waterbed at home.

[C Cruise Dude]

The next day was our second port. A little background, if, I understood the Captain correctly, there was a mechanical problem that caused the ship to travel at a slower speed. The problem was repaired and we started moving at a higher speed. The second problem was weather. It was great outside, sunshine, clear skies and nice temperatures, a little humid at times but nice. The problem was wind slowing the ship. This made for a rough ride. During the night, the drawer in the night stand next to the bed opened and the hangers on the rack were make odd noises. This caused us to be two hours late into Curacao. Most excursions were cancelled so you were on your own after leaving the ship. It worked well for me an a few other passengers. We met a woman outside the port with a minivan, Carla, and for $25 she took us on a two hour tour which ended up closer to three hours (bonus). We traveled the roads and stopped at a distillery, shopping area and a synagogue. We had the option to be dropped across a bay from the location of the port or to be dropped back at the ship. The majority wanted the ship and I had an appointment in the Spa so I also returned.

 

Approaching Curacao

 

 

We had our group and the tour was on.

 

The first stop was a distillery

 

History of the family that owned the distillery

 

Our second stop at a souvenir shop. A view out the back door.

[ccv]

Enjoyed your review and pics so far. Looking forward to the rest.

 

ccv

[C Cruise Dude]

Shot from the bridge below

 

 

 

One of the stops at a shopping area.

 

We stopped at the Synagogue but it was closed

 

Shopping area outside the ship

 

I made it back in time for my spa appointment for a wonderful massage.

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying your review, looking forward to the rest. Thanks for posting.

[Caribensun]

Nice review and photos, Thank you!

[C Cruise Dude]

Aruba: I took a two tank dive at this port. We met in a building outside the ship. The building had venders inside where I purchased a few gifts. The boats for Red Sail Sports met us in the water across from the ship and took us to two dive sites. They ended the tour by stopping at a beach. You had the option of staying at the beach and finding your way back to the ship or take the provided transportation by van to the ship. I returned to the ship, took a shower and returned to an area adjacent to the port. I spent a little time in a casino that paid better than the ship. They accepted US dollars.

 

Aruba

 

The crew on the dive boat were very professional. It was one of my best dive experiences.

 

One of the divers enjoying the 20 minute ride to the first site.

 

Going down!

 

 

Dive Master

[C Cruise Dude]

After the dive, we were dropped at a beach with the option to stay and find our own way back to the port or a van to take us back. I was not sure when we had to be back so I chose to take the van.

 

 

Traffic was heavy, you might want to take that into consideration if you take an excursion on your own.

 

Shops near the port

 

 

Our neighbor Celebrity Eclipse

[C Cruise Dude]

The condition of the ship for the most part was very good. I was surprised when I touched a railing and found it rough, needing refinishing. I overheard passengers express the same experience. I also found it to be very warm inside the ship. I asked passengers that I met if they had sailed on CB before and if the warmth was the norm and they told me no. They also found that it was usually warm. The most comfortable places during those times were my cabin and a night club (Fusion) at the aft of the ship. I also noticed that it was like a sauna in the Horizon Court serving area and very warm in the dinning area of Horizon Court (time of day did not matter except late in the evening after 9:00pm).

 

The layout of the sun decks (where most of the deck chairs are) was different for me. I like to lay in the shade and was able to find a place, on a sea day, without much effort. I say that because most of the chairs are in the sun a good portion of the day. I enjoyed this ship but would not sail her again until after dry dock.

 

 

The International Cafe was nice for snack.

 

 

Vines had sweets for a price.

 

Fudge: 6 pieces for $15

 

[sminfiddle]

I am loving your pictures. For instance the International Cafe sandwich case: you get right up to the subject and take a clear picture where we can see the goods and even read the little signs. This really, really helps!

 

We'll be on the CB exactly one year from now. You can bet I'll be showing my wife your photos. The lemony water in the Spa picture looks downright mouth-watering.

 

Looking forward to more, more, more!

 

Rick

[C Cruise Dude]

Rick, thanks and one more of the International Cafe: These items are free. I think that they sell Coffee or some drinks.

 

Drink preparation International Cafe

 

I love this room. I think that it's in the spa

 

My favorite place on the ship. The Promenade deck. I didn't discover how peaceful it was out there until the last day. I spent most of the afternoon there. I was so pleased when a waiter passed by offering coffee and tea.

 

 

 

A sea day around the pool - Lido

 

Less pleasant but useful was the self service laundry. $2 per load to wash or dry. Great to save a few dollars.

[Mom33]

I love this room. I think that it's in the spa

 

 

 

 

 

Actually, this is the waiting area outside of the Princess Theater.

[C Cruise Dude]

I saved this section for last because of a complicated situation that I dealt with concerning my waiter. I will start my comments from embarkation and go on.

 

There is a buffet area (Horizon Court) on the ship in addition to the International Cafe (sandwiches, coffee, deserts) on deck 5 and the main dining rooms (MDR). On embarkation, I headed for Horizon Court. The first thing that I noticed was that it was very hot in the serving area. I found the selection limited compared to all previous cruises. The food that was served was very good. It was very nice to have a service staff that was very willing to provide drinks for you, tea, water, juice in the morning. I was so pleased one morning when the waitress noticed me leaving the serving area with my plate and escorted me to a table. It was, as a rule, difficult to find a table in Horizon Court. I had breakfast on the bar type area near the adult pool my first morning.

 

Adult pool aft of Horizon Court

 

 

 

The ice cream bar was the best thing on the Lido Deck. They had soft and hard serve. You could purchase shakes for $2.00, small but good. You also had burger and fries in addition to pizza. I did not like the taste of the pizza, tried cheese and pepperoni. The cheese burgers and fries were really good.

 

 

Ice Cream Bar

 

 

 

I chose traditional dinning and was assigned to the Palm Dinning Room, first sitting at 5:45pm. My experience there was unique of all my cruises. The first night there was two couples and three ladies at the table. The second night I found only a couple (new) at the table. In short the make up of the table changed from night to night. The service was less than desirable because of the personality of my waiter. She was not the model of waiters that I have had on previous cruises (male and female). Waiters are usually very reserve, professional yet engaging. They remember any special drinks that you have each night (tea, water with lemon, etc) and address you by name. I did not experience this on this cruise. The most annoying behavior was the waiter asking me to promise to return to the dinning room on a night when I knew that my table mates would not be there and suggesting to me and the other table mates that she should receive a perfect score on the review. I have never experienced this before. The waiter’s assistants were great. I and other table mates had a problem with ice cream being somewhat melted when it was served and it seemed to me that the scoops were smaller than other cruise lines. I was surprised that I could not substitute items on certain dishes. Example, I have ordered fries as a substitute for a mashed potatoes on other lines, I was told by my waiter that I could not. Overall, the food was good. I did find some meats to be tough. The best was the lobster on formal night and mango sorbet.

 

 

Lobster on Formal Night

 

Mango Sorbet

 

This was a combination of shrimp,crab and a third fish. It was very good.

[RickEk]

 

 

I love this room. I think that it's in the spa

 

 

FYI... I'm pretty sure this is the lower entrance to the Princess Theater...

[C Cruise Dude]

FYI... I'm pretty sure this is the lower entrance to the Princess Theater...

 

It could be, Rick. :confused:

[C Cruise Dude]

Cafe Caribe located aft of Horizon Courts was a secret jewel. After 5:30pm, they replace Horizon Court for dinning. I usually went up there after 9:00pm. You can get selections that were in the dinning room earlier that evening. If you missed something that you wanted to try you get a second chance. They also had other selections that were tasty.

 

 

 

Fried Tomatoes

 

 

 

Black Mussel Mariner Garlic Parsley

 

Banana Brioche

[C Cruise Dude]

Time to go home.

 

 

Disembarkation

 

I’m not sure if I selected it but I was designated a “Walk Off”. I might have chosen it in My Princess but I don’t recall. I was informed that I could leave the ship at 7:50am. I was not happy with that idea as I like to stay on as late as possible. I was ready to leave at a little after that time and was amazed. It was the best disembarkation (leaving the ship anyway) that I have experienced. There were no lines for the elevators and walked right off the ship with no problems. The only slow down was going through Customs and that process only took about 30 minutes. I was disappointed that I could not purchase a Princess transfer at the port (you can with Carnival). I took a cab which was faster and cost $7 less.

 

This was a very good cruise. I would consider taking it again. Hope the info was helpful to those considering this voyage.

[RickEk]

Time to go home.

 

 

Disembarkation

 

I’m not sure if I selected it but I was designated a “Walk Off”. I might have chosen it in My Princess but I don’t recall. I was informed that I could leave the ship at 7:50am. I was not happy with that idea as I like to stay on as late as possible. I was ready to leave at a little after that time and was amazed. It was the best disembarkation (leaving the ship anyway) that I have experienced. There were no lines for the elevators and walked right off the ship with no problems. The only slow down was going through Customs and that process only took about 30 minutes. I was disappointed that I could not purchase a Princess transfer at the port (you can with Carnival). I took a cab which was faster and cost $7 less.

 

 

This was a very good cruise. I would consider taking it again. Hope the info was helpful to those considering this voyage.

 

Thanks for the review. I had to cancel my New Year's cruise on the Caribbean Princess, so I took the cruise vicariously through your review.

 

And hey, the reason they don't sell transfers at the pier is that it is much easier to grab a cab to FLL. If you had a transfer, you'd have had to wait until they filled a bus... by that time, you probably could have walked to the airport faster... :p

[caribill]

 

 

 

The most annoying behavior was the waiter asking me to promise to return to the dinning room on a night when I knew that my table mates would not be there and suggesting to me and the other table mates that she should receive a perfect score on the review.

I have had the request for a good score on almost every cruise, no matter which cruise line.

I was surprised that I could not substitute items on certain dishes. Example, I have ordered fries as a substitute for a mashed potatoes on other lines, I was told by my waiter that I could not. I am surprised this happens as I have never had this problem on Princess. If it is something that is available (as the fries would be as they are on the children's menu even if not on a dish on the adult menu), I have always been able to get the substitution. I wonder if your waiter did not want to go through the effort of asking that a plate be made up different from the standard as that would require a little extra effort on her part.

 

 

see above in red

[sminfiddle]

Fried Tomatoes

 

No kidding?!? That will make some of my family SO happy if those are offered on our cruise!

 

Again, appreciate the review overall and especially the pics (food and otherwise).

 

Rick

[CleoPat]

Thanks so much for such a detailed review:) I especially like the food photos. This will be my first Princess cruise and now I'm looking forward to the food:D

 

The main pool looked to be pretty croweded. Did the adults only pool get crowded like that too?

[TracieABD]

Thank you for all of the pictures. So envious...:)

[sminfiddle]

The condition of the ship for the most part was very good. I was surprised when I touched a railing and found it rough, needing refinishing...

...I enjoyed this ship but would not sail her again until after dry dock.

Apparently the CB was last dry-docked in November 2011. Not sure when her next service will be, it's not on this schedule yet:

Schedule

[C Cruise Dude]

Apparently the CB was last dry-docked in November 2011. Not sure when her next service will be, it's not on this schedule yet:

Schedule

 

April 2013 is the next dry dock.

 

CLEOPAT: The main pool looked to be pretty croweded. Did the adults only pool get crowded like that too?

 

I didn't spend a lot of time there, the water was lowered before Curacao because the seas were so rough that it was sloshing out of the pool. When I was in the area and water was at proper level it did not seem crowded. Most people were in the deck chairs or chair hog's materials:rolleyes:.

Edited December 14, 2012 by C Cruise Dude
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[Cupcrazy]

Thanks for the great review!