Crown's Summary of Positives and Negatives

[Sandytoes]

First I have to thank all the critics who came back to post their reviews on the new Crown, weather it being positive or negative. Your opinions are greatly acknowledged. People come to CruiseCritic to search for information on cruising, I for one. But, it seems that after their wonderful cruise vacation very few return to give there input. To everyone who have returned with comments, reviews, messages you have given us much insight on this brand new ship. Thank you.

 

Now, after reading post after post I made a summary of the Crown.

If I left anything out, please feel free to add.

 

Positives :)

 

There are many more positives than negatives to write about so if you are booked on the Crown - you will have a great time

The food is excellent, the service excellent, The ship is elegant.

Theatre was fantastic.

Excellent service at the Crown Grill.

Adiagio and Sabintini rooms are outstanding

Horizon Court and Caribe cafes offered a great variety of items and everything was generally good.

Pizza on deck was outstanding and the grill offered hamburgers, hotdogs and fries.

Cashless cash outs slot machines in Casino

Performers in the Piazza were outstanding

Patter lists a lot of activities

Ship was full, I did not think it had that “crowded” feeling. Hardly every felt like the ship had 3,000+ people on it

Sanctuary very relaxing, worth the money

The food was very good - sushi, mussels, shrimp, chicken in the Atrium

Adequate number of computers in the Internet CafeGym is very large with many, many machines with individual TVs

Enjoyed the International Cruise Show

Baja balcony. IT WAS FABULOUS

Beds were very comfortable

DaVinci Dining Room, Joseph our waiter, was absolutely amazing Joseph's tables are 497-499. Our waiter was Attila - he was one of the most requested. Here's another one - Atilla and his assistant Narcisus-lucky to find a wonderful waiter.

Afternoon tea was great!!

The sushi is free if you go to cafe Caribe at lunchtime

Piazza serves Donuts and pastry in the AM, WONDERFUL sandwiches and cookies in the afternoon, dried fruit and cheese for after dinner, and sandwiches again at 11pm. All is FREE.

Cafe Caribe was the best place to eat outside of the dining room for dinners

 

 

Negatives :(

 

Noise heard in stateroom above Caribe Deck.

Sanctuary Fee, not worth paying $15.00 for a 1/2 day.

Charging for Specialty Restaurants, than an extra charge for Lobster

Brewed Coffee Charge

Traffic in Horizon Court

Waiter Staff slow in Dining Areas

Ship leaving ports early, not enough time on the Islands

Too many seafood entrees on menu

Horizon Court is NOT open 24 hours

Noise heard from Caribe Cafe right above cabin

At the International Cafe it seemed that you had to pay for everything.

Shows and I thought it was average, nothing spectacular.

People did not like James the CD

Room service was only continental for breakfast.

NO midnight buffet

The buffet was average, but if you go back to the Cafe Caribbean, the food is better.

Ports were so-so

Food was ok in the Horizon for lunch

[Zebboriah]

Too many seafood entrees on menu

 

You will NEVER hear me say that!! :p

 

Thank you for your synopsis. :)

[funduo]

Sandy - Thanks so much for your quick analysis, but you confuse me on a few things. You say "Sanctuary very relaxing, worth the money", but then say "Sanctuary Fee, not worth paying $15.00 for a 1/2 day"

Good - "Theatre was fantastic", then bad "Shows and I thought it was average, nothing spectacular"

Good - "Horizon Court and Caribe cafes offered a great variety of items and everything was generally good." then bad "The buffet was average"

 

I heard that the pools are not open 24 hours, it that so and are the hot tubs open 24 hours?

Did you do any excursions you would advise to stay away from?

 

Thanks for all your help!!

[Cruisin' Chick]

It looks like Sandytoes is on an August sailing (unless I'm reading the cruise info wrong). I think the OP went through all the comments about the Crown and put them under the positive or negative columns.

[pounder207]

You might want to take a look at the thread about the July 2 cruise. CC had a big turnout.

[Sandytoes]

Funduo - sorry I confused you.

I said "after reading post after post I made a summary of the Crown."

I listed what others stated about what they either liked or disliked on the Crown. It might seem a little contradictory because some said they recommend this and some said they disfavored that. That is why I listed in both -.

 

Yes, Pounder207, the Crown Princess 7/2 Voyage!!! thread is growing with reviews. Great to see....

Let's hope there are more reviews to come.

 

If I may add, For all the first time cruiser's out there - don't be nervous.

With all of the reviews on the Crown so far, Crown is coming out a Winner ! ! !:)

[spongerob]

Good list! That took some work.

 

Many of the negatives listed are fleetwide for Princess, such as the brewed coffee charge and charges for the added fee restaurants. Some complaints, like the Horizon Court buffet area, are common complaints from the Grand-class ships. Some might just be new-ship blues, that will be worked out. Other complaints, we'll just have to learn to live with. I've occasionally suggested that there be a truly outstanding added-fee dining option, such as Chops on RCI, but I know that would come with a hefty price tag.

 

Does Crown Grill exceed the standards of Sterling/Painted Desert? It might be worth the $34.

[catdancers]

Just a question here. If the Horizon Court is not open 24/7, is there a restaurant that is? Some place that serves more than coffee and desserts? Thanks.

[madelinerose]

Sandytoes, thanks for taking the time to post this list. I would just like to add that DH and I will not consider the items below as negatives. ;)

 

Karen

Baltimore

 

 

Negatives :(

Sanctuary Fee, not worth paying $15.00 for a 1/2 day.

Charging for Specialty Restaurants, than an extra charge for Lobster

Brewed Coffee Charge

Too many seafood entrees on menu

Room service was only continental for breakfast.

[encore]

Thank you Sandytoes.

It's great of you to compile all these information in one place, a great general overview for any one interest in Crown Princess.

Job well done!

[jlbliss2]

DaVinci Dining Room, Joseph our waiter, was absolutely amazing Joseph's tables are 497-499. Our waiter was Attila - he was one of the most requested. Here's another one - Atilla and his assistant Narcisus-lucky to find a wonderful waiter.

 

We loved Attila!! Once we found he and Narcisa, we reserved them for the rest of the cruise. He made us look forward to going to dinner.