REVIEW: Crown Princess 6/23/06

[CarolN]

First of all let me say that it is the little things that count and there were enough little annoyances to realize that this was not the typical Princess experience.

 

Embarkation: We left our home in Pennsylvania about 9:15 and arrived at the pier around 11 AM. We would have gotten there sooner if not for a rest stop on the turnpike. Traffic was very heavy on the Verrazano bridge due to construction. The line for luggage drop off was very long as most of the cars and limos there were picking up people from the previous cruise. After hubby parked the car (plenty of spaces), we went right through security and then to check-in. It was a little confusing and the lines were somewhat disorganized. After a 5 minute wait, we went to board. Another 5 minute wait we were on board and in our room before Noon.

 

We got to our room (balcony on Aloha) and were shocked to find that the room had not been vacuumed. There were large pieces of debris (looked like balloon and flower pieces) on the floor which totally turned us off. Also, there were 3 of us (self, hubby and son) in the room yet only towels for 2 people were there. Another thing, there were no patters for the day or welcome aboard stuff, etc. I immediately called the pursor’s desk (rang about 30 times) and reported the room condition and the fact that the safe was locked. This kind of thing is unacceptable. We had never arrived to a room that had not been vacuumed. The room steward finally arrived and told us that Princess had let people board too early (??????) and she did not have time to finish the rooms. I asked for enough towels for the 3 of us. I also asked for Patters for the day. We finally went to the Pursor’s desk to get the Patter along with a ship’s map and a card detailing the food and bar hours. Also, someone arrived to open the safe within 10 minutes. Throughout the week, some days we would get towels for 2 and other days, towels for 3. On our pillows the 1st 2 nights, there were only 2 pieces of chocolate. I asked the room steward about this and was told that they didn’t give her enough for everybody and if she gave us 3, then she could not give another cabin any chocolate. I told her to tell them she needs more so that everyone gets chocolate. We then got 3 chocolates every night. We paid almost as much for our son as our fare and they don’t have enough chocolate for everyone?????? I know some of you think this is a petty issue, however, it is one of those little annoyances I mentioned above.

 

We had booked this cruise over 1 year before sailing and had requested traditional dining, early seating. When we got our cruise card, we were assigned to anytime dining. And, our tickets stated that we were confirmed for early seating. Another issue to be resolved! We looked in the Patter to find out where to go to see the Maitre ‘D and the Patter had the wrong information. We asked numerous ship personnel before someone finally made some calls and directed us to the proper location. We were about 5th in line. We showed him the tickets and he said no problem and to come to the Bottocelli dining room and he would personally seat us. Well, when we got there for dinner, another line with many angry people awaited us. Finally, we were seated. The service was horrendous the first evening and we didn’t leave the dining room until almost 8 PM through no fault of our own. And, we were the first ones to leave from our section. I’m sure the 2nd seating had to wait to be seated. The service improved dramatically starting on the 2nd evening and every evening after that.

 

We thought that the food in the dining room was good, although I feel there were too many seafood entrees. (I am not a seafood person). Many nights, I ordered from the “always available” section. One night, my son ordered his dinner well done and it arrived RARE. The headwaiter himself took it back to the kitchen and made sure it was cooked as ordered. Overall, we thought the food was much better than NCL, RCCL and even X.

 

One thing we noticed, unlike previous Princess cruises, is that there were no stated themes for dinner. Usually, they would have Caribbean night, Italian night, etc. but there was nothing written on the menus to indicate this. However, by reading the menu, you could come to your own conclusions such as this must be Italian night!

 

The buffets in the Horizon Court and Caribe cafes offered a great variety of items and everything was generally good. One thing we noticed was that at the entrance there was a sign asking people to please use the hand sanitizers but I saw very few people using them before entering the buffet. The pizza on deck was outstanding and the grill offered hamburgers, hotdogs and fries. The pizza place and the grill on deck were open until midnight.

 

One thing to note, however, is that the Horizon Court is NOT open 24 hours. We questioned this because in the brochure it says that 24 hour buffet dining is available in the Horizon Court (it’s also stated as such on the TV in the cabin). The Horizon court was 24 hours on the Grand and the Star. We were told this was replaced by the International Café on deck 5 which would be open 24 hours and that it was a Corporate decision. In our opinion, although the International Café is a lovely venue, it is NO substitute for a 24 hour Horizon Court. All you could get late evening and at night were sandwiches and pastries and of course, those delicious cookies. But, there was no fruit or cheese available. Also, there is no beverage station there to get self-serve water, ice tea or coffee. Yes, there is a waitress coming around but we did not order anything after being charged $1.00 for a plain cup of coffee in Club Fusion during bingo. We were also told that over the next few weeks and months, they would be re-evaluating this and that they would need to hire more people to keep it open 24 hours. Well, duh, don’t advertise something and then not deliver. The Horizon Court hours state that it is open until 11 PM, however, most nights it closed around 10 PM.

 

The ports (Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Juan and Bermuda) were very nice. However, during the Port and Shopping talks, there was more emphasis on shopping at the “recommended” stores rather than on the ports themselves. For example, for Bermuda, there was no mention of a free shuttle around the West End. Nor, was there mention of the free shuttle around the Havensight mall in St. Thomas. In San Juan, we did the Old and New San Juan tour and in St. Thomas, we took the tour to Megan’s bay. You get about 2 hours in Megan’s Bay which is certainly not enough time. I think that next time we’ll get a cab and go there on our own and stay as long as we like. In Grand Turk, we hung out in Margaritaville and had a great time. There are only a few shops open there and the prices a bit on the high side. There are better values to be found in San Juan and St. Thomas.

 

The Casino was small and at times, particularly after the shows let out, that there were no slot machines available in the 25 cent and below denominations. We did love the cashless cash outs. One you set up a pin code, you use your room card to cash out and it gets deposited in your casino account. To get money out, just insert the card into a slot machine, enter your pin and select the amount of credit from your available funds that you want on the machine. There is no charge for this. However, be careful as one of the selections is to take a cash advance for which they will charge you 3%. On the last night of the cruise, you are told to cash out your account before midnight. You just go to the cage, and they will give you, in cash, the amount in your casino account. This system is great – you don’t have to carry a bucket of coins to get your money.

 

On the Cruise Personalizer, we stated that we wanted robes in our cabin and that we were celebrating our anniversary. We had no robes in our cabin (had to ask for them) and no balloons put outside our cabin. We had to ask for the balloons as well. Also, they provided no door sign (as was done on previous Princess ships).

 

We signed up for express debarkation and it was a breeze. We were in the 1st group to be called and just walked to the parking lot. There were minor issues such as a no sign telling you to pay first. Some people got their car and went to the gate and were told they had to pay at the machine first. Well, they would get out of their cars and go stand in line thus blocking a line of cars which had already paid. Anyway, we were on our way and arrived home in Pennsylvania about 10:30 AM.

 

I guess our expectations were too high because of all the Princess hype regarding the Crown. Some things come to mind such as “no fee” to use the Sanctuary (it was $15 for 3 ½ hours), pub fare in the wheelhouse (there was none), etc.

 

Overall, we still had a wonderful cruise despite the little annoyances. The Crown is a beautiful ship. Would we sail Princess again – absolutely. Would we sail the Crown again – maybe. We attributed these annoyances to the fact that the Crown is a brand new ship with a brand new crew working together and in time will live up to the expectations that we have experienced on our other Princess cruises once they get their act together.

[Dena]

What time did Horizon Court close?

[Merion_Mom]

Dena, she said:

The Horizon Court hours state that it is open until 11 PM, however, most nights it closed around 10 PM.

[madelinerose]

CarolN, thank you. Hope these issues are straightened out by September.

[dchester]

CarolN, thank you. Hope these issues are straightened out by September.

I'm actually hoping things are straightened out by July 29th.

 

:)

[ILov2cruise]

CarolN, thank you. Hope these issues are straightened out by September.

 

 

Sorry, what issues?

 

Check in was a bit disorganized but we were on the ship in 5 min????

 

 

Or the room was not finished being clean. That's what happens when the cruise line tells you check in is not till 2 and you get there at 11.

 

I want to hear if there were any big issues, so far just little one.

[Redsgj]

I can understand how a lot of small issues can add up over time (we had a similar problem at a land based all inclusive). I'm glad you still enjoyed the cruise overall.

 

However, I agree with Ilov2cruise. To expect your cabin to be completely clean when you are on board by noon is a bit much. Especially since as you said, when you arrived at the pier there were still passengers from the previous cruise being picked up!

[madelinerose]

Even better.;)

 

I'm actually hoping things are straightened out by July 29th.:)

[caviargal]

Sorry, what issues?

 

Check in was a bit disorganized but we were on the ship in 5 min????

 

 

Or the room was not finished being clean. That's what happens when the cruise line tells you check in is not till 2 and you get there at 11.

 

I want to hear if there were any big issues, so far just little one.

 

To the OP, the issues were not trivial. Just because you are not interested in hearing them does not mean they did not impact her vacation.

 

"The devil is in the details" as they say and attention to detail goes a long way, IMO.

 

CarolN, thanks for taking the post a thorough review.:)

[madelinerose]

IMHO, issues are issues. What's a big issue to you, may be a trivial or a non-issue to me.

 

For us, non-issues are ice cream availability and cost, charges for the Sanctuary, how the pizza tastes, perusing menus before I even board the Crown, childrens' facilities, coffee card charges (we will buy coffee cards regardless), drink prices (we'll buy drinks regardless), etc.etc. However, I am still interested in reading about them, because, imho, it gives me an overall impression of how things are being handled on the ship.

 

Cabin cleanliness and steward preparedness/response are issues for us. ;)

 

 

Sorry, what issues? I want to hear if there were any big issues, so far just little one.

[Guest BeckyThane]

Cabin cleanliness and steward preparedness/response are issues for us. ;)

I agree. And it sounds like a lot of CarolIN's issues had to do with the cabin steward (e.g., room not ready, not enough towels/chocolates, no robes, balloons, or door sign, etc.). Sounds like a different cabin steward would have made a BIG difference for her.

 

~ Becky

[Merion_Mom]

Thank you for taking the time and effort to share your experiences with us, CarolN.

 

This CarolM will try to do the same NEXT WEEK! WOOHOO! :D

[bluefintuna]

If I was on a new ship during the first two months I would fully expect numerous glitches. We have taken 18 cruises and are not that hard to please. I think many cruisers have expectations that couldn't be met by any staff members, no matter what. I would hate to work on a cruise ship these days with the majority of negative attitudes encountered. When we sailed Jewel of the Seas in Dec. we boarded and went to the buffet (they stored luggage in a holding area). Staff had closed doors in the hallways blocking passengers until 1:00p.m. to enable staff to ready cabins and that's the way it should be before the hoards descend on them.

[figmentdj]

Thanks for the review. How was the entertainment? The activities? Did the ship feel crowded? Anything else you can recall would be welcome.

[Merion_Mom]

Thanks for the review. How was the entertainment? The activities? Did the ship feel crowded? Anything else you can recall would be welcome.

figment, have you read Carolyn's blog/thread that is a *sticky* at the top of this page?

 

I think that you will find a vast amount of information there that responds to your inquiries. :)

[makeup face]

To the OP.....perhaps next time you shouldn't cruise on a new ship until it's been sailing for a couple of months. Give folks a chance to work out what you feel were issues. I have board a couple of time when my cabin was "complete". I left....went to have some lunch by the time I returned the cabin was clean and ready for me to occupy. Not a problem.

 

I'm a big chocoholic.....but I wouldn't have been upset if I didn't have a little piece of chocolate on my pillow:D

My sister and I like to have two face towels each. We asked for them the first day. I couple of times the steward forgot....one of us just went to the cart and either asked for two more or just took them from the cart. Not a problem.

I truly believe a cruise is what you make of it......if you go looking for the negative...you will find it;)

[senior lady]

That's why i'd never cruise on a brand new ship for at least 6 mths. Yes, the hype is great over a new ship. But everything I've read about any new ship from any cruise line is "expect lots of little annoying things" As anything new, it takes time to iron out all the problems.

 

I'm looking forward to cruising on the Crown, but not for a yr or so. Want to see what itineraries they finally settle on. With the Emerald coming next yr it's going to take awhile to settle the itineraries.

 

I'm sticking to the Island's Hawaii cruise next April:D

[airgirl]

Quote - For example, for Bermuda, there was no mention of a free shuttle around the West End. Nor, was there mention of the free shuttle around the Havensight mall in St. Thomas

 

OP, Carol, can you tell us about this free shuttle?

 

I too have gotton dirty rooms when I boarded too early, I would rather have a dirty room and relax on the ship while it is being made up. The lack of chocolate and towels are annoying. This has happened to me on other cruise lines traveling with my two sons. They fix up the room for a double- only 2 sets of towels - only leave 2 chocolates every night, and yes, I have been told that there wasn't enough either. Some cruises I have paid the same for the 3rd person in the room as the first two and the 3rd is also tiipping for service every day too.

[figmentdj]

figment, have you read Carolyn's blog/thread that is a *sticky* at the top of this page?

 

I think that you will find a vast amount of information there that responds to your inquiries.

 

Merion_Mom,

Oh my yes, I have been reading Carolyns great blog, entry by entry. As you know though, different folks can view the very same item differently. I simply can't get enough info and since the OP didn't mention them, I thought I'd ask.

 

Can't you tell I'm excited.:)

[mindykatz]

I think many cruisers have expectations that couldn't be met by any staff members, no matter what. I would hate to work on a cruise ship these days with the majority of negative attitudes encountered.

Totally agreed! I'm not saying the OP on this board is one of these people - I love reading cruise reviews whether they are good or bad! - but in general there are way too many people who act like what you just described.

 

I work retail and I get some ABSOLUTELY RIDICULOUS people....wanting to know if I can do their 1-hour photo in 15 minutes then getting angry when I say I really can't do that (its called 1-HOUR photo for a reason)...a woman literally screaming in my coworkers face because the store doesnt carry vegetable oil (as if a part time register girl decides what the store does and doesnt carry)...people getting irate at the pharmacist because their medical insurance doesn't cover a certain medicine (Eckerd doesn't choose your health care plan...you do!), etc etc. These types of people are everywhere.

 

The best thing to do is laugh at them. :) Gets them even more riled up!!!

 

Anyway...thanks for the review, OP! I'm on this ship THIS TUESDAY so I appreciated your input!! :D;):D;)

[KatWag]

Thanks for taking the time to post such a detailed review. I'm so happy to hear it wasn't too bad driving to the port and parking.

 

I'd give them another chance on the "room not ready" bit, to be honest. I haven't sailed Princess lately, our last two trips were on another line. But I think most of them do tell you the rooms won't be ready until a certain time. Our last two trips were on Regent (RSSC then) and they stated in the paperwork that cabins were not available until 2:30. Noon sounds awfully early for cabins to be fully ready.

 

We've never sailed on a ship this new, so I can't comment on some of the other glitches, but I would think some are probably expected this early on. I think early sailors really need to be militantly "glass half full". That way you are guaranteed a good time. And hey, any day at sea is guaranteed to be better than a day at work, right?

 

Glad to hear that you had a good time overall.

[cruisevaca]

We got to our room (balcony on Aloha) and were shocked to find that the room had not been vacuumed. There were large pieces of debris (looked like balloon and flower pieces) on the floor which totally turned us off. Also, there were 3 of us (self, hubby and son) in the room yet only towels for 2 people were there. Another thing, there were no patters for the day or welcome aboard stuff, etc. I immediately called the pursor’s desk (rang about 30 times) and reported the room condition and the fact that the safe was locked. This kind of thing is unacceptable.

 

I agree that it is unnaceptable to arrive in an uncleaned stateroom. My Family and I experienced the same problem last summer with RCI. We were very dissapointed to see our family suite filthy. The garbage was not emptied, the drawers had food wrappers in it, the floor was dirty and the furniture was full of dust. We did call to complain and they checked it out themselves. Within half an hour, the room stewardest cleaned the room MUCH better. (My husband had given him a very hard time so he had made sure our room was spick and span everyday. lol)

 

For this reason, I suggest for you to tell your travel agent if you had booked with one. Because luckily we did and the cruiseline gave each person in the familly a very reasonable discount for our next RCI cruise, though only for a family suite. I am not too sure if Princess will do the same, but it is worth the try!

Afterall, cruiselines should not have to disappoint any of their passengers.

[MJEasley]

Maybe cruisers shouldn't be in such a hurry to get on the ship and expect things to be 100% complete. Hotels check out is usually 11 and check in isn't until maybe 3pm to allow all rooms to be cleaned and ready for the next guest. How could anyone expect when the ship empties at what 11 to have every room completed for the next onslaught of passengers starting at 12. The ship would have to have Samantha of Bewitched working there.

[sealegs9]

CarolN -Thank you for your feedback- especially the "little things". We experienced almost the same thing when we entered our cabin on the Caribbean Princess- except it ended up being the best cruise we ever had!

We had a balcony on the Caribe deck. We arrived in Ft. Lauderdale at 9AM and headed for the pier. After waiting almost 2 hours to enter the terminal, we checked in and went to our cabin about 12:15. No one from Princess told us our cabin would not be ready until later. In fact, there were staff members on each floor, directing you to your cabin. Well, there were food crumbs, taco chips, and a stain on the carpet. The refrigerator was full of half eaten food and drink from the prior pax. And- those same ground-in chips were out on the balcony and trash in the bathroom garbage can. We only had 2 sets of towels. No egg crate, as requested, no robes , no patters. My heart just sank. It was our first Princess cruise after several on RCCL and my 50th B-day. We tried to call the front desk- rang off the hook. I finally left a note in the room (a long list of what needed to be done). Hubby talked us into going for lunch and maybe it will be taken care of when we return. On the way, I spotted a steward on another deck and asked him to page our steward to let him/her know of our concerns and the list waiting in the room. He happened to know her and reassured us everything would be taken care of.

After lunch, we returned to our cabin (about 2:30PM) and it was sparkling - nd she put the beds together- as requested. (The chips were still out on the balcony and remained for the cruise- we had a Caribe balcony- could have come from above). Our steward(ess) introduced herself and explained that she does not do the "heavy cleaning" in between pax, but rather special crews come in- one for vacuuming, one for the bathroom, etc. She just makes up the beds daily, replensihes towels and does light cleaning. It seems that the heavy duty cleaning crew missed our cabin. She also told us she is given only a specific amount of towels each day and has to count them out. She could not get extras. Most times we had 3. Sometimes, we had to fetch another for our son. She also could not get us robes until the next day; they were being washed from the prior voyage. Apparently, she was new to her job and "low" on the pecking order.

She was pleasant and friendly, but we had superior cabin service on all our RCCL cruises -above and beyond (large bucket constantly filled with ice to chill our wine). We never had towel animals on Princess- don't think it's their "thing". Not a big deal.

The rest of the cruise was so wonderful that I forgot about that until I read this thread!

Note to self: get to ship early but don't go near cabin until 1PM. (However, DS and DH want the Brooklyn Balcony Nosh- they will have to clean around them!). I only hope the steward will be able to put the beds together, since we have a triple (one in the ceiling). We managed on the CB, but after the Star fire, they are cracking down.

[cynbar]

Our last 2 cruises were on Princess -- the Grand and the Golden -- and I have to say we had the best 2 stewards we've ever had, from beginning to end of our trip. Hope we're as lucky on the Crown in August!