Crown Princess Experience

[Cruise Raider]

Thanks for the review! I will be on the Crown next month, and had lowered my expectations based on other reviews. Now I have raised them a bit :).

 

We had been on the Crown twice previously and wasn't expecting too much -- just a short getaway right before the holidays. We were so pleasantly surprised -- first by the upgraded room, which was awesome, and the excellent service and entertainment. The food was outstanding and loved the happy hour at the Wheelhouse. We met some really fun people onboard, a couple of which live very nearby. We recently sailed on the Island and that was also phenomenal. I see some huge improvements overall in this line and am loving it!!

I hope you have an awesome time as well. I think this poor ship has seen a lot of problems in the recent weeks with the crew member that got appendicitis, then the norovirus -- they definitely have gotten things back on track.

[Cruise Raider]

Carlos won best comedian on Princess a couple of years ago.

Prides himself on using no profanity in his act.

We have seen him a few times and always enjoy his show.

 

I read that in the Patter and at first I didn't get it .... it was standing room only in the theater, no less. We found a place on the stairs (out of people's way, of course) but it was terribly uncomfortable. When we went back to his second show and had wonderful seats in the Explorers Lounge, we ended up laughing our head's off. I love there is no profanity...I am not a prude by any means but there were a lot of kids onboard, many of which were at the show. It's great he can be family friendly and funny all at the same time. He sure is full of energy, isn't he??

[yogi_6977]

we were on the crown dec 6. had one of the best cruises we've been on(7th). food and drink package good, best cabin steward (Glenn) we ever had. meet some great friends. next cruise Hawaii in nov.

[lovevacadays]

Pam, we finally experienced the pillow top mattresses and you are right...they are pretty comfy.

 

We had the pillow top matresses on the Golden in November as well. Yes, they are comfy! No need at all for a egg crate. It was the first time I didn't feel like a Princess bed was uncomfortable.

[Seayalater]

This wouldn't have been a PVSA violation BUT without a passport book or card, they would have had a problem returning to the USA. They couldn't fly without a passport and if they drove, they'd need a passport card.

 

Some people are under the mistaken assumption that since pot is legal in their state, it's OK to bring it on the ship. It's not. Even a pot prescription. It's illegal and chances are they are seriously regretting bringing it onboard.

 

the assumption was he got pot in Puerto Vallerta. The ships patter says they have a no tolerance rule on drugs and people will be escorted off the ship. We saws the guy trying to disembark in Mazatlan and being very rude to security…who would not tell him the reason he was being held back. They were waiting for Mexican authorities to arrest him. Good luck in jail pal.:eek:

[PathfinderEss]

Thanks for your review, glad you had a good cruise down to Mexico.

[Mustangsally58]

Nice review - great to hear some good things about the Crown as she has beengetting a bit of bad press lately. We will be on her Jan 9th for the 10 day Mexico trip and really looking forward to a relaxing 10 days after the hectic holidays.

 

 

We were on the Crown in September (Alaska) and we loved it!

 

What bad press has she been getting?

[SoCal Cruiser78]

We were on the Crown in September (Alaska) and we loved it!

 

What bad press has she been getting?

 

There were several cruises in a row hit with norovirus, plus complaints about bad mattresses in the cabins that haven't had them replaced recently. I think there were a few other concerns that are escaping me at the moment.

 

I'm not too worried, and am looking forward to sailing on her next month. I'll wash my hands frequently, and request a mattress topper :).

[wrongwaywatson]

Thank you for the review! We sail 3/28 and can't wait!

 

As for MUTS during the day, I really wish that they would play movies! I loved to sunbathe and watch movies on my previous cruises, and was disappointed the last few cruises that there weren't more daytime movies

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Thank you for the review! We sail 3/28 and can't wait!

 

As for MUTS during the day, I really wish that they would play movies! I loved to sunbathe and watch movies on my previous cruises, and was disappointed the last few cruises that there weren't more daytime movies

 

I think one problem with daytime MUTS is that, especially with concert videos, they sometimes BLAST the volume, making it unpleasant for those who prefer a quieter environment. I realize there are quieter deck lounging areas, but they are often full.

 

If it were up to me, I would run daytime movies on MUTS, but with closed-captioning to keep things quiet. I realize YMMV :).

[Terre]

Thank you for the review. We'll be on this cruise in Feb. and I have a question for you: in Cabo, how early can you disembark that day? We're trying to decide whether or not to book a whale watching tour that begins at 8:15.

[Terre]

Carlos won best comedian on Princess a couple of years ago.

Prides himself on using no profanity in his act.

We have seen him a few times and always enjoy his show.

 

This will be very refreshing...hope he's still there in for our cruise in February!

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Thank you for the review. We'll be on this cruise in Feb. and I have a question for you: in Cabo, how early can you disembark that day? We're trying to decide whether or not to book a whale watching tour that begins at 8:15.

 

If it is booked through Princess shore excursions, they will make sure that you get on a tender in time to make your tour, or have the tour guide wait if the ship is delayed.

 

If you are booking an independent tour, I personally would make it later in the morning if possible. Princess tour passengers, as well as Elite-level passengers, will have priority for tendering.

[Terre]

If it is booked through Princess shore excursions, they will make sure that you get on a tender in time to make your tour, or have the tour guide wait if the ship is delayed.

 

If you are booking an independent tour, I personally would make it later in the morning if possible. Princess tour passengers, as well as Elite-level passengers, will have priority for tendering.

 

Thanks, I didn't think about the tendering process.

[Cruise Raider]

Thank you for the review. We'll be on this cruise in Feb. and I have a question for you: in Cabo, how early can you disembark that day? We're trying to decide whether or not to book a whale watching tour that begins at 8:15.

 

We actually stayed onboard that day but heard announcements that others were able to disembark in Cabo around 7 AM. If you get priority tendering, there should be no problem getting to the pier by 8 AM.

In February, I would highly recommend the whale watching....prime time for seeing whales. Don't forget to watch for the porpoises and whales as you sail from Cabo. We were busy wine tasting but others told us the whales were breaching....that would have been awesome to see.

[Cruise Raider]

This will be very refreshing...hope he's still there in for our cruise in February!

 

If he is, go early to get good seats. He fills the arena quickly.

[Terre]

We actually stayed onboard that day but heard announcements that others were able to disembark in Cabo around 7 AM. If you get priority tendering, there should be no problem getting to the pier by 8 AM.

In February, I would highly recommend the whale watching....prime time for seeing whales. Don't forget to watch for the porpoises and whales as you sail from Cabo. We were busy wine tasting but others told us the whales were breaching....that would have been awesome to see.

 

Thanks for the info. We won't have priority, but will try to get off as quickly as possible...do you have to get tender tickets if you are not priority?

[OCruisers]

Thanks for your review! Very happy you had a wonderful cruise! :D

LuLu

[Cruise Raider]

Thanks for the info. We won't have priority, but will try to get off as quickly as possible...do you have to get tender tickets if you are not priority?

 

Yes you will have to be ready early and be in line for tender tickets.

They cleared it pretty early in the morning though. I think if tendering starts at 7 AM, not everyone wants to get up and going that early. We noticed there were a lot of people at breakfast at the time when tendering began ... but by 10 AM, everyone had abandoned ship. There were just a few of us left onboard.

[Cruise Raider]

We had such a great time, I just booked another one this afternoon for the same week....in the same room we had been upgraded to as a matter of fact! The prices were so good and they threw in some OBC as well as a specialty dinner for 2. While it wasn't quite as inexpensive as the one we just sailed on, there is a really great deal being offered with the 50th anniversary promo. Sweet!! :D

 

PS - I tried to get that room for the Dec 5th cruise instead but it was already booked. Too bad! I wanted to avoid those long lines at the airport on the way back but will just plan on carry on luggage only....no liquids so no checking of luggage for the way back.

[Bubba54]

Great review, thanks you.

[Terre]

Yes you will have to be ready early and be in line for tender tickets.

They cleared it pretty early in the morning though. I think if tendering starts at 7 AM, not everyone wants to get up and going that early. We noticed there were a lot of people at breakfast at the time when tendering began ... but by 10 AM, everyone had abandoned ship. There were just a few of us left onboard.

 

Thank you so much, CR, had not thought about most people still eating or sleeping;)!

[badger1829]

Sadly, our experience on Crown 12/20/14 was not one we care to repeat. Captain Laws was fabulous and our dining room servers, Arnold T and Jeffrey in the Botticelli dining room were spectacular but that is where it ends. We are platinum on Princess, nearing Elite but doubt that will happen. If we didn't know we were on Princess, we would have sworn it was a cheap Carnival booze cruise. Dining room attire was torn t-shirts, short shorts and flip flops, carrying cans of beer. We were mid ship Caribe deck and parties in the halls, balconies and blaring music most nights was ridiculous. Yes, we were reported it, but nothing done. Just love getting up in the morning to a hallway of beer cans.

We also just loved the group of young men who reeked of marijuana and continually yelled "****faced is the way to heaven, love Princess!" And then bragged to anyone that they smuggled over 100 tequila jello shots on board in Mazatlan.

Room steward was non-existent. Service in the bars and lounges was poor if you could ever find anyone to help you.

However, the most offensive experience was learning there was no Priest or Rabbi on board and no religious Christmas offerings at all. Our friends asked the future cruise director what the problem was, and the FCD replied that it was a waste of money to give a free cabin to clergy when they could get money from paying passengers. He also stated that if Christians were upset they could probably find something on one of the tv channels in their staterooms and that should make them happy. He also shared that there would no longer be any clergy onboard at Christmas or Easter and if the Princess website still stated that (it does), he would get it fixed.

We spoke to the Customer Service Director who shared he was quite shocked to learn that there was no clergy onboard for Christmas but he would find out why.....we never heard back.

We are set to sail on Royal this spring but will probably cancel. We will stay with HAL and Celebrity, where they seem to still value passengers.

Edited January 2, 2015 by badger1829

[badger1829]

Sadly, our experience on Crown 12/20/14 was not one we care to repeat. Captain Laws was fabulous and our dining room servers, Arnold T and Jeffrey in the Botticelli dining room were spectacular but that is where it ends. We are platinum on Princess, nearing Elite but doubt that will happen. If we didn't know we were on Princess, we would have sworn it was a cheap Carnival booze cruise. Dining room attire was torn t-shirts, short shorts and flip flops, carrying cans of beer. We were mid ship Caribe deck and parties in the halls, balconies and blaring music most nights was ridiculous. Yes, we were reported it, but nothing done. Just love getting up in the morning to a hallway of beer cans.

We also just loved the group of young men who reeked of marijuana and continually yelled "****faced is the way to heaven, love Princess!" And then bragged to anyone that they smuggled over 100 tequila jello shots on board in Mazatlan.

Room steward was non-existent. Service in the bars and lounges was poor if you could ever find anyone to help you.

However, the most offensive experience was learning there was no Priest or Rabbi on board and no religious Christmas offerings at all. Our friends asked the future cruise director what the problem was, and the FCD replied that it was a waste of money to give a free cabin to clergy when they could get money from paying passengers. He also stated that if Christians were upset they could probably find something on one of the tv channels in their staterooms and that should make them happy. He also shared that there would no longer be any clergy onboard at Christmas or Easter and if the Princess website still stated that (it does), he would get it fixed.

We spoke to the Customer Service Director who shared he was quite shocked to learn that there was no clergy onboard for Christmas but he would find out why.....we never heard back.

We are set to sail on Royal this spring but will probably cancel. We will stay with HAL and Celebrity, where they seem to still value passengers.

Should clarify we are booked to sail on Royal Princess this spring but will probably cancel

[Cruise Raider]

Should clarify we are booked to sail on Royal Princess this spring but will probably cancel

 

Sorry you had a disappointing cruise ... quite the opposite of ours just the previous week. There were more younger passengers on our cruise as well and it was obvious that they sold a LOT of alcohol onboard just by going into the casino where this younger crowd was quite boisterous. When it got to be a bit too loud for us, we simply found something else to do but I do empathize with you that the drunks were running through the hallways using foul language and even smoking pot ruining what should have been a fabulous vacation. I think my experience wouldn't have been so positive with that going on. I understand there was a passenger on our cruise that was asked to debark in Mazatlan to be arrested for smoking marijuana....I don't know the whole story on that, though. Other than that and the man trying to jump over the railing from deck to deck in the atrium, the demographics were actually to our liking. Our room was nice and quiet and except for those occasional passengers that chose to hold their conversations in the stateroom hallways.

The rule of thumb that I usually go by is the cheaper priced cruises and those during the holidays that are under 2 weeks and when school is out really brings out a completely different demographic. If your next cruise is planned during spring break, I would imagine you could encounter exactly the same type of experience...especially if it is a 7 night cruise.

I have a dear friend that is a priest and he says never again on Princess. He was also irritated that Princess would not give him a venue to say mass -- even though he was a paying customer and he volunteered to perform the Catholic services for no compensation whatsoever. I was so pleasantly surprised when they actually played a fair amount of Christian Christmas music while we were onboard.

Although there is no unringing the bell now, I can tell you that we find September to be a month where you probably won't experience all that undesirable behavior. Whatever you decide to do, I hope you have a relaxing and pleasant cruise experience. I have never had that kind of wild and drunken behavior on Celebrity but funny you mention HAL ...we did a back to back on them once and it was party central!!