Crown to Bermuda 06/19/05 Review

[patsicruiser]

Hi Everyone.

 

I never wrote a review before so I'll do the best I can.

 

First of all I want to say that I wasn't too sure if I would like sailing on a

 

smaller ship after being on the Galaxy.. but, in all honesty, I enjoyed this ship

 

more.

 

Embarkation

 

We had a driving service pick us up at 9:00 AM . It took us from outside Phila. to NY and we were there by 10:30 AM. We were to meet our traveling companions at the pier---two other couples and 2 children who arrived around 11 AM. Since the Majesty was also there, the first thing you notice is the major difference in ship sizes between it and the Crown.

 

We were able to board by 11:45 AM. Very smooth boarding.

 

We went to the Yacht club and had some lunch -buffet. It was fine. It is what it is.

 

Leaving NY

 

My husband and I got a Penthouse suite (we were spoiled from having a balcony on the Galaxy). The suite came with a bottle of champagne as did one of the other couple's mini-suite. We took the champagne up to the top deck and popped it at sailing. It was a great way to start the cruise.

 

Once we sailed, my women friends and I decided to book our facials for the first sea day . I also booked a manicure---no time to do it before the cruise.

 

Cabins

 

Our suite was very nice with a huge balcony. There were 2 loungers, 4 chairs and a little table and still plenty of space to move around. My husband and I spent each morning out there enjoying our coffee. I brought my own coffee and coffee pot---I am not a big fan of the ship coffee. There were fresh flowers, a refrigerator stocked with soda, bottled water, ice , VCR, stereo, plenty of closet space. The bathroom was all marble and quite large for a cabin.

 

One of the other couples had a mini-suite and the other had an ocean view.

 

We had a butler and a concierge. The butler was very helpful and courteous. We didn't have an occasion to need the concierge.

 

Spent some time exploring the rest of the ship before dinner. The casino, shops, lounges, etc. are a bit smaller than on the Galaxy but on the positive side, none of them ever felt crowded and we never had to wait for anything. The staff was very attentive.

 

Dinner

 

We ate at the Seven Seas the first night and a couple others. Never did we have to wait more than 10 minutes to be seated. The food was good the first time and improved the other times we went there.

 

After dinner I decided to try my luck at the casino while the others went to the show.

 

Needless to say, I should have gone to the show!!! My friends enjoyed it…it was standing room only.

 

Monday - Sea Day

 

After coffee, I went for my manicure , then to the gym for an hour, and then for my facial. Well, it was a bit rocky that day and after I finished on the treadmill, I wasn’t feeling too great. My friends felt sick too. After a few ginger snaps and some ginger ale, we were fine.

 

The facial was fabulous. It was best one I have ever had. My friends agree.

 

We all had lunch at the upper deck barbeque which was good.

 

We spent some time sitting in the sun on the deck before getting ready for dinner .

 

Tuesday - St Georges

 

The ship was greeted by cannons firing and a town crier. We walked through the small town for an hour and decided to hire a taxi to take us a little further out for another hour. The cab driver was quite knowledgeable of the town and it’s history which made the tour enjoyable. My friends decided to change into their swimsuits and go to the beach. I went back to the ship and got in my exercise at the gym.

 

We had booked a carriage ride at 6:30 so after changing on the ship we returned to the town for the ride. One of the horses had shoe trouble so we had to share our ride with another couple. It was still fun and I would recommend it. We saw a little of the festival after the carriage ride.

 

Wednesday - Hamilton

 

This town is much more commercialized and a great shopping spot. My women friends and I spent most of the day doing just that. After changing for dinner, we decided to use our dinner vouchers and had dinner at the Tuscany restaurant. Our reservations were a little later so we had time to go to the street festival first. It was mostly street vendors and some dancers. The food at Tuscany was good but we were subjected to a very limited menu. Plus, I felt as though we were treated a little differently than the regular customers. It seemed that they were in a hurry to serve our dinner and get us out of there as quickly as possible.

 

Thursday - King’s Wharf

 

My husband and one of the other men decided to go fishing on a boat so I spent most of the morning buying gifts for friends and family in the shops in the little mall.

 

My friends enjoyed a morning of snorkeling at the beach.

 

When my husband returned from fishing which he enjoyed, we decided to walk back over to wharf. We went to the Snorkel park and had soft drinks in the

outside beach bar- Hammerheads.

One of the perks to a suite is being given 3 bottle of liquor of your choice. So we decided to have a cocktail party before dinner. The butler provided the ice, martini glasses, a pitcher, and several appetizer trays. After dinner, we went up to the top deck for the party. They had barbequed food there also.

 

Friday - King’s Wharf/sea

 

We took another walk around before sailing at lunchtime.

 

After having our lunch at the buffet, I headed to the casino for some blackjack.

 

We met our friends before dinner at the Martini bar (different flavor every night) , and then had dinner at the Chopsticks Restaurant. The food is good but the menu is limited.

 

Saturday - Sea Day

 

After going to the gym, we went to see what bargains could be found in the shops on the ship as it was the last day. Later in the day, we sat out on the upper deck . The pool deck was very crowded.

 

Our last dinner was in Le Bistro - the French Restaurant. The food was excellent. I highly recommend it.

 

Kid’s/ Teen Club

 

The couple who had children signed up for the clubs and couldn’t have been more pleased with them. The staff went above and beyond in keeping the young people entertained.

 

I would definitely sail on a smaller NCL in the future.

 

Feel free to ask me questions.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[e.durban]

Thanks for your review! Several people have mentioned being unable to get reservations for the smaller restaurants like Chopsticks. Did you find it a problem? Did you go to the specialty restaurants in off hours? Did you reserve early in the week (this may be an option only for suite passengers...which we will not be) Many thanks for whatever answers you can give.

[steph8564]

How old were the children you were traveling with? Can you tell me anything they did with the crew?

[bev77]

Did you make your own dinner reservations at Le Bistro and Chopsticks or did the concierge? We are sailing on Aug. 7th. Did you reserve the carraige ride in St. George before the cruise or once you boarded? Thanks in advance.

[greenie]

Great review--thanks so much!

 

What category PH did you have? Was there a separate bedroom? It sounds really nice.

 

I'm so glad you enjoyed it--I've been thinking that trying a smaller ship might be fun.

[patsicruiser]

EDURBAN, bev77:

We did have a bit of a problem getting reservations for the specialty

restaurants. We were a group of six and most of the tables can accommodate a max of 4 people. In Chopsticks we had to split up and sit at 2 tables next to each other. The reservations were made for both Chopsticks and Le Bistro on Tuesday for Friday and Saturday evening. My advice would be to make your reservations the first day of the cruise. Our reservations were made thru the conceirge but I don't think it matters if you are in a suite or not to make the reservations.

 

Steph8564:

The children were ages 3 and 15. The small one had a different theme party each night...once she came back as a pirate....once she was a princess. She loved it and couldn't wait to go back each day.

The teenager went to the teen night club until 10:45. They had a pizza party

and other group activities that I can't recall. She enjoyed it also. She met new friends who she spent a lot of time with during the week.

 

Bev77 :

We did reserve the carriage ride several weeks prior to the cruise. It was sold out so you might want to pre-book yours too.

 

Greenie

I think we had an AB. There was no separate bedroom just a sitting area

in the same room. It was an L-shape. Check the deckplan for 1017 and

you'll see what I mean.

[bev77]

Thanks so much for the info, we are sailing on 8/07 & want to do the carriage ride.

[serendipity1499]

Thanks so much for your review..We're booked on the Crown Nov. 5 to Santiago & can't wait! As of this Friday only 18 Friday's before sailing..:)

[greenie]

Greenie

I think we had an AB. There was no separate bedroom just a sitting area

in the same room. It was an L-shape. Check the deckplan for 1017 and

you'll see what I mean.

 

Thanks for the info, patsicruiser. I'll check it out. I was looking at the prices and they are pretty reasonable on the Crown--less expensive than the Dawn. I guess it's because it's an older/smaller ship. Sounds kewl to me! We might be able to swing an AB on the Crown. :)