First Time Princess - Crown to Alaska

[MustBCruzn]

My girlfriends and I take a "girls get-away" trip every year, and this year I convinced them to try a cruise instead of a land trip (I use the term "girls" loosely...we're in our mid-50's :p). I've cruised with Celebrity many times, but never with Princess, and neither of the other two have ever cruised. We booked the Crown Princess to Alaska for this coming September (two mini-suites mid-ship on Dolphin deck) and we're SO excited. I've been wanting to try Princess for some time now. I have absolutely no complaint with Celebrity, but I've been wanting to branch out, and Princess offers some wonderful itineraries. I'm hoping you Princess experts can give me ideas of must-do's on the Crown--what not to miss, etc. My secret plan is to get my girlfriends as hooked on cruising as I am so we can turn our annual trip into an annual girls cruise. :D Also, which ship would you recommend next? Thank you all so much for your advice!

[Pam in CA]

First, a mini-suite is a bit of a misnomer... it's not really a suite but a larger cabin with a couch and sitting area, a 2nd TV and a larger bathroom and TV. It's not a full suite and there aren't any perks other than a glass of (bad) sparkling wine at sailaway.

 

As women, you'll appreciate the much greater storage in a Princess cabin than on Celebrity. The closet is a large, open area that doubles as a dressing area with a wardrobe with floor-to-ceiling shelves. The bathroom door opens from the closet area, not the hallway, so it's set up well for sharing without disturbing the other passenger.

 

Skywalker's is a great lounge to go to at sailaway or for scenic viewing with 180-degree views high up on the ship.

 

The dining rooms are not 2-3 storey but are set up for a more intimate dining experience with sections. The Princess menus have more "always available" dining options and I've found Princess more flexible if you ask for a menu modification. I often ask for no sauce on my entree, a baked potato instead of a creamy starch, steamed vegetables, etc. Or, I'll ask for a large salad with grilled chicken for my entree. The Princess pastas are outstanding... any of them. The pizza is the best at sea.

 

The International Cafe in the Atrium on deck 5 is open 24/7 and has wonderful pastries, muffins, sandwiches, salads, etc.

[MustBCruzn]

Pam in CA,

 

Thank you so much for your thoughts and suggestions. I feel much better prepared and even more excited. I really appreciate the advice. :)

[skynight]

As a group, I would suggest you select traditional fixed seating dining, either early or late seating according to your preference. With Anytime Dining you might find it more cumbersome to get a table for the group every night. Personally I like early dining because it allows time during the evening to participate in many of the other ship wide shows and activities.

 

You may wish to book one of the specialty restaurants, Crown Grill or Sabatini's. They are $25/pp and offer very good selections. Reservations can be made on board only, either call the DINE line or visit the restaurant on the first day.

 

If you like espresso drinks, check out the Cafe Select card. The punches can be shared.

[MustBCruzn]

You may wish to book one of the specialty restaurants, Crown Grill or Sabatini's. They are $25/pp and offer very good selections. Reservations can be made on board only, either call the DINE line or visit the restaurant on the first day. If you like espresso drinks, check out the Cafe Select card. The punches can be shared.

 

Oh, you hit on two of my weak spots, specialty restaurants and espresso! :D I'll be sure to book as soon as we're on board. The coffee card is perfect for me because I'm pretty much just a water and coffee drinker so the beverage packages are never a good investment for me. And how nice to hear that the Crown Grill and Sabatini's are only $25 pp. I really enjoy dining in the specialty restaurants, but Celebrity's have become way over priced in my opinion. They're good, but not at $45 - $50 pp. Thank you so much for the information.

Edited January 30, 2016 by MustBCruzn

[We're The Groupnors]

We've been on both lines and find them more similar than different. I agree with Pam that the pizza on Princess is outstanding; much better than on Celebrity.

 

Definitely try Sabatini's at least once. It is outstanding, and at $25 pp the Princess specialty restaurants are better value than the specialties on Celebrity.

 

Enjoy your girls cruise!

[Treven]

Welcome to Princess.

I've sailed on most of the cruise lines and have found that Princess really suits me just fine. As an older cruiser I've found that I'm just really comfortable with what Princess has to offer. Yes, I'm sure you'll love their pizza, I do anyway, and from all the people there, I'm not alone.

 

Good luck on your Alaska cruise. It's one of my favorite destinations.

[trystran72]

I cruised on the Crown many years ago and loved her. I'll also be doing an Alaska cruise on the Crown myself in July. I recommend going to Sabatinis at least once - it is beautiful on that ship and definitely enjoying all of the goodies at International Cafe. Warm cookies at midnight - can't be beat! :D

 

My personal rec for what ship to try next is the Regal.

 

I hope your trip is awesome and it turns into a traditional yearly cruise!! :)

[Cruise Raider]

My girlfriends and I take a "girls get-away" trip every year, and this year I convinced them to try a cruise instead of a land trip (I use the term "girls" loosely...we're in our mid-50's :p). I've cruised with Celebrity many times, but never with Princess, and neither of the other two have ever cruised. We booked the Crown Princess to Alaska for this coming September (two mini-suites mid-ship on Dolphin deck) and we're SO excited. I've been wanting to try Princess for some time now. I have absolutely no complaint with Celebrity, but I've been wanting to branch out, and Princess offers some wonderful itineraries. I'm hoping you Princess experts can give me ideas of must-do's on the Crown--what not to miss, etc. My secret plan is to get my girlfriends as hooked on cruising as I am so we can turn our annual trip into an annual girls cruise. :D Also, which ship would you recommend next? Thank you all so much for your advice!

 

Would hate to throw a wrench in this but if at all possible, you might want to look into changing your mini suite into a couple of the Emerald deck (if any are available)....especially important in Alaska in my opinion. The balconies of the minis on the Dolphin deck are completely exposed whereas the ones on the Emerald deck are covered. Considering it does rain in Alaska regularly, this will be nicer for you if you like sitting out on the balcony.

No worries if you don't want to or if no cabins on that deck are available....just a thought.

 

I also agree with respect to the Crown Grill ... yum!

 

If you like to have a cocktail, there is usually a buy one, get one for $1 special going on twice daily. (usually 3-4 in the Wheelhouse bar and later at night in Skywalkers)

 

The piano bar is usually a fun place to hang out in the evenings. Sometimes they get quite the entertainer in there and really gets the audience involved. Standing room only if he/she is really good. Lots of fun!

 

There is a rather quaint adults only pool at the front of the ship -- there is a fee to enter the sanctuary but no fee for the pool or the sauna right off to the side.

 

Love the international café....give it a try. They will make any sandwich into a panini for you and when returning from one of the ports, nothing beats a nice hot cup of soup from the IC.

 

Tipping for room service can be done directly on the delivery sheet they provide for you to sign so no need to look for your dollar bills.

 

If you like champagne (it's not great champagne btw), your room steward might leave a bottle for your two rooms to share.

 

All mini suites on this and probably most Princess ships, are equipped with a bathtub instead of a shower stall.

 

We've had most luck in the casino on the first and last days of the cruise. There are nonsmoking nights in the casino on formal nights.

 

Be sure to go see the Newlywed and Not So Newlywed game. It is usually hilarious.

 

The coffee in the buffet and via room service is made from a coffee syrup (not good). If you like good coffee, be sure to buy a coffee card or two at the beginning of the cruise. This will entitle you to 15 specialty coffee punches (you can share) as well as unlimited brewed coffees without using a punch.

 

If your mattress has not yet been replaced with a good one, you can request a mattress topper from your room steward.

 

Not sure if you have done Alaska before but we've usually lucked out and had good weather. Be sure to take sunblock with you ... as well as rain gear.

 

 

Enjoy your cruise!

Edited January 30, 2016 by Cruise Raider

[Cruise Raider]

Also forgot to mention, you can take 2 free 750 ml bottles of wine or champagne for each couple (or 1 per person) when you board to be consumed in your stateroom only. If you bring more, no problem, you will charged a $15 fee per every bottle beyond the 2 free ones and they can be consumed anywhere on the ship, including taking them to the dining room.

 

There is an additional outlet behind the tv if you cannot find enough in the cabin.

[skynight]

A few additional comments:

Try the Crab Shack, $20/pp. It is offered some evenings in a closed off seating section of Cafe Caribe. Casual dining, different selections of buckets of shellfish, clams, mussels. You can check out the menu selections once on board, and if you like it make a reservation.

 

95% of all alcoholic drinks are priced under $10. Better pricing than some other cruise lines.

 

The wine policy is better described as 1x750ml bottle of wine or champagne/pp 21 and over can be carried on board without charge. This wine is for use in your cabin. So, if there are 3 adults in a cabin each one can carry on one bottle. If you bring one of these bottles to a DR or public area you will be charged a $15 corkage fee. Many passengers pour the wine into a glass in the cabin and carry it with them. Additional bottles of wine can be carried on board, but will be charged a $15/bottle corkage fee at boarding. Bottles will be marked. Those bottles can be used anywhere on the ship without additional charge.

[Colo Cruiser]

Yes try the Crab Shack!

[MustBCruzn]

Holy Moly...thank you everyone! What a wealth of information. I'm taking notes feverishly!

[kayred]

Also want to say thank you for the tips. I am so excited for my June cruise on the Crown.. It is getting closer and closer :) thanks!

[cannongate]

I'm a big Celebrity fan and just returned from the Crown as a short getaway. As mentioned above I find that Celebrity and Princess are more alike than different. I hope you don't worry that you made a bad choice. I think that if you enjoy cruising that you will have a great time on the Crown. I would not hesitate to book with Princess again.

 

Just to let you know that there is one other speciality dining venue that hasn't been mentioned yet. The Salty Dog gastropub dining is at bar hight tables in the wheelhouse bar. It really felt as if you were in a land based restaurant with bar off to the side. The food was great with all of the popular taste right now. i.e. truffles and kimchi. My wife and I had a great time and it was less than 40 dollars for both. Kinda reminded us of Q-sine but a bit more laid back

[suzieb25]

I just got off the Crown and enjoyed it very much, food and entertainment were great. We had near perfect weather cruising Alaska last September, but take a rain jacket. Be on the lookout for the Northern Lights. I agree with the suggestion on booking the Emerald deck if possible. We booked the last mini on the Emerald deck aft, we not only had a great view but there was also no wind. When it did sprinkle, we were completely dry.

[Wolfhunt]

We will be on the Crown for Alaka in May. Can't wait (first time with Princess and first time to Alaska). Didn't know about the Crab Shack, will definatly look for that.

 

One tip that was given to us on our trip was to book late dining (8:15pm I think). We are in port until 10pm at Juneu and Ketchikan until 7pm. We would have to cut our port time short to make early dining. (although with being in Juneau until 10pm we will probably try to find a local joint for dinner, any suggestions anyone?).

 

If you like taking pics, bring extra batteries and memory cards. I know my poor camera is going to need a vacation when we get home :)

[don'tleavewithoutme]

Be sure to pack your warmest clothes for being outdoors on "glacier day." The wind/breeze coming off the glaciers makes it feel like you entered a windy deep freeze.

The specialty drink on glacier day should be what they call "molten glacier" and it is not to be missed! It's something like hot chocolate with creme de menthe, creme de cocoa, and marshmallow. Yum!

[MustBCruzn]

Be sure to pack your warmest clothes for being outdoors on "glacier day." The wind/breeze coming off the glaciers makes it feel like you entered a windy deep freeze.

The specialty drink on glacier day should be what they call "molten glacier" and it is not to be missed! It's something like hot chocolate with creme de menthe' date=' creme de cocoa, and marshmallow. Yum![/quote']

 

Thanks for the tip on glacier day...and especially for the tip on the "molten glacier." Being a chocoholic, it's most definitely on my list! :D

[Treven]

Be sure to pack your warmest clothes for being outdoors on "glacier day." The wind/breeze coming off the glaciers makes it feel like you entered a windy deep freeze.

The specialty drink on glacier day should be what they call "molten glacier" and it is not to be missed! It's something like hot chocolate with creme de menthe' date=' creme de cocoa, and marshmallow. Yum![/quote']

When I did an Alaska cruise that went up the Tracy Arm Fjord, I thought my bajoobies were going to freeze off, even though I had on long silk undies, jeans, hat, gloves, and an insulated jacket. On my next Alaska cruise I'm taking my ski jacket, just for the Glacier Bay day, plus the trip up to the Yukon. This will be in addition to, hopefully, appropriate layers of other clothing for the other days.

 

I'll probably have an extra suitcase for just my ski jacket and the two pillows from my bed.

[Joberri]

We will be on the Crown for Alaka in May. Can't wait (first time with Princess and first time to Alaska). Didn't know about the Crab Shack, will definatly look for that.

 

One tip that was given to us on our trip was to book late dining (8:15pm I think). We are in port until 10pm at Juneu and Ketchikan until 7pm. We would have to cut our port time short to make early dining. (although with being in Juneau until 10pm we will probably try to find a local joint for dinner, any suggestions anyone?).

 

If you like taking pics, bring extra batteries and memory cards. I know my poor camera is going to need a vacation when we get home :)

 

 

We are also on Crown in May, leaving 13th, will be our first cruise. 2 sisters from New Zealand so much looking forward to it, and have learn,t so much from CC.

[suzieb25]

We wore thermals and layered with a fleece jacket and raincoat. None of us had a heavy jacket, we were perfectly comfortable. It seemed to be coldest in the Yukon and extremely windy on our whale watch excursion out of Juneau.

[Wolfhunt]

We are also on Crown in May, leaving 13th, will be our first cruise. 2 sisters from New Zealand so much looking forward to it, and have learn,t so much from CC.

 

There is a wealth of good info on these forums. If you can't find an answer to a question, ask. I'm sure someone here has the answer or can point you in the right direction.

 

You'll be able to recognize us. I'll be the one taking a bajillion photos while my wife will be the one asking if I'll ever put the camera down. :) Of course, I'm guessing there will be a bunch of people with their cameras out on deck.

[shredie]

We wore thermals and layered with a fleece jacket and raincoat. None of us had a heavy jacket, we were perfectly comfortable.

 

That is the best way. A big heavy coat is bulky if you are flying to port. All you need is some layers and a wind-break type outer layer. It's the wind that really chills you. I would suggest taking a hat or having a hood for your ears.

[Treven]

That is the best way. A big heavy coat is bulky if you are flying to port. All you need is some layers and a wind-break type outer layer. It's the wind that really chills you. I would suggest taking a hat or having a hood for your ears.

I was dressed "like an onion" - layers, and that was fine for every other day, even through the drizzle days. But the day in Tracy Arm just went right through all my layers. Fortunately I can just take the train into The City, so I can easily take my ski jacket with me, just for Glacier Bay and the Yukon. I'll have my normal layers of clothing also, for all the other days tho.

Edited February 1, 2016 by Treven