Crown 9/21 notes

[jennbill]

This was a great cruise. I'm kinda puzzled by all of the negative reviews.

 

Some highlights and lowlights in no particular order. (This was our 11th cruise and third Princess so we are somewhat experienced.)

 

Embarkation was a breeze. Disembarkation was super easy. We did express and were in the first group off.

 

Thought the staff was very friendly.

 

International Cafe was cool. The gelato was killer and the cookies were perfect for a midnight snack. The staff there was great. Thanks for the free gelato.

 

MUTS was great. Never made it to a movie but loved football on it. Especially Monday night.

 

Food was very good. Lamb chops in dining room were great. Lobster very good. Most beef dishes good. Crown Grill was the best. Requested counter seating and were not disappointed. Mounds of crab legs as an extra before our appetizer. Staff was great.

 

Production shows bored us to death. Sarge was very, very funny. Jonathan Kaye's Elton John tribute was outstanding. Cool Magic Dude and one of the comedians in Explorer's Lounge were horrible. Spank was one of the best acts we've ever seen on a ship. They deserved more than four songs in the Piazza and opening for the Dude.

 

Piazza was very nice. Vines was good. Most drink service was very good.

 

Weren't onboard for the power outage in San Juan and I'm sure it was frustrating.

 

Elevators did kinda suck.

 

Horizon Court and Cafe Caribe were good. Great burger and pizza with never a wait.

 

Most lounge acts were good to very good. Piano player in martini bar was fun.

 

Ship was beautiful but hard to navigate for the first couple of days. Once past that, we loved it.

 

This was one of our two or three best cruises and are thinking about next September. Will be glad to respond to questions.

[Steve13]

Since we were on the same sailing, I'll agree with just about everything you had to say. The only thing I'd really disagree is Jonathan Kayne's Elton John tribute show.

 

When the show started and the lights came on I almost choked on my drink when I saw his $5 tacky wig and his $20 ill fitting jacket. It got worse when he opened his mouth and started to sing. He was off key and off time. We walked out after the third song. I've seen Elton John in concert and Jonathan Kayne sure didn't make me think I was watching Elton John (which is how he's billed).

[konthego]

1.is the santuary still charging $15 for a half day? did many people use it?

2.what fun activities did you see or particpate in?

3. how was immigration check in San Juan?

4. was the casino cold? were the machines cold?

5. were chair hogs prevalent?

6. most pleasant surprise you found on this ship?

7. did you use any laundry service-self or princess?

8. how many suitcases did you take off?

thanks.

[Steve13]

1.is the santuary still charging $15 for a half day? did many people use it?

2.what fun activities did you see or particpate in?

3. how was immigration check in San Juan?

4. was the casino cold? were the machines cold?

5. were chair hogs prevalent?

6. most pleasant surprise you found on this ship?

7. did you use any laundry service-self or princess?

8. how many suitcases did you take off?

thanks.

 

1 - Yes. Always people there, but certainly not anywhere near full.

2- we took it easy during the day, but enjoyed the shows at night

3 - SLOW. my recommendation that unless you're in a hurry to disembark, wait until they make an announcement saying you've got to go now.

4- Not a big gambler, but lost about $50 in the slots and about the same in blackjack.

5 - didn't spend a lot of time poolside, but everytime I walked through it seemed like there were always chairs available.

6- no surprises (good or bad), about what I expected.

7 - Nope

8 - Same number we took on! :) (4)

[BASE864]

Pretty much agree with review. My detailed reviews are here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=417037&page=3 and here: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=422757.

 

I wasn't impressed with Cool Magic Dude or Rick Corso. I thought Sarge was very funny - although found his farewell show a bit boring. I though the production shows were excellent and not at all boring. Spank was very good. The Checkerboard Guy, David Aiken, was also very entertaining to watch.

 

We never did MUTS or even laid out around the pools so I don't now about them or chairs hogs.

 

As for activities - we did bingo once, sat in on an art auction and that was about it - we slept in, napped lots and ate lots. I usually closed the poker table most nights. The biggest surprise was how good I found the productions show to be - even if my wife did drag me to them.

[jennbill]

Have seen Elton John five different times the most recently this past April in Las Vegas. This was a good show. Remember, this is a cruise ship and not Broadway or your local arena. He was entertaining. No offense intended.

[jennbill]

Never used the Sanctuary. In fact, never saw it until the last sea day.

 

Fun activities: We're not big on onboard activities. Did one art auction for the free "champagne". Both wine tastings were good.

 

Immigration in San Juan was better than I expected. Got in line early (so we thought) but were still almost all the way forward. The line moved very quickly and were off the ship much faster than I thought we would be.

 

Casino was okay to me. Won a little here and there on Let It Ride on the first night (low minimums) and penny slots. Then won a nice little bit on a quarter slot the last afternoon (not much for most gamblers but I was happy).

 

Chair hogs--only if you count me on our aft balcony.

 

Pleasant surprise--this was a great cruise. The staff and, in particular, the passengers were very pleasant.

 

Laundry--never used it.

 

We carried off four 29" suitcases maxed out on weight and four carry-ons. No problem.

 

This is a very nice ship.

[JPRLHR]

I also don't understand the amount of negative reviews that this cruise received. My wife and I loved it and honestly cannot find a single thing to complain about. Yes there are a few bits and pieces that niggle you at the time but they're quickly forgotten and I've never had a 100% perfect situation in any five star hotel/resort around the world.

 

We thought that the food in general was excellent, right from the Crown Grill through the Dining Rooms and down to the Cheeseburgers and Pizza. The staff were always very very friendly in particular the entertainment staff of whom we thought Mathew and Danny were great. We weren't overly impressed with the Cruise Director (Omar) who was a little bit too in your face but that could be simply down to differences in Trans-Atlantic tastes. The ship was always spotlessly clean despite the efforts of some animals treating the Lido Deck as an open dustbin and just walking away leaving their dinner plates & drinks glasses strewn around.

 

Immigration in San Juan was a very pleasant suprise which probably took about one hour in total. The power failure whilst in port there was a bit of an inconvenience for a short while but nothing like the grossly over exagerated disaster that many people have made it out ot be.

 

We never used the self serve laundry but did use the ships own laundy and dry cleaning a few times which worked very efficiently.

 

I can honestly say that there was absolutely no sign whatsoever of any Chair Hog activity at any time during the cruise. The vast majority of the time I was amazed at how many chairs/beds were empty.

 

The check-in and embarkation in NYC was very efficient taking no more than 25 minutes from arrival at dock to being in our stateroom. However, the disembarkation in NYC was not so smooth as we didn't get off the ship until 11.55. Even having the supposed benefit of being able to use Club Fusion for Platinum Circle Members and those with suites, it was still very difficult to even get hold of a coffee or water after about 10.00 as all the staff wanted to do was clear away. I was also very disappointed with the free for all in the arrivals hall and the total lack of trolleys available unless you wished to queue for 15-20 minutes.

 

The one thing that did amaze me was the total disregard of some people to the numerous reminders about being back on the ship 30 minutes prior to sailing time at each port. On any given occasion you could watch people casually strolling along the pier a clear five minutes after the official departure time without a care in the world.

 

Finally, as a golf fan I was suprised that there was no coverage whatsoever on any of the TV Chanels available of the Ryder Cup. Maybe they knew in advance that they were going to get a good hiding..!!

[swom]

What cabin did you have? Any pics of it?

[JPRLHR]

We had C748 a Premium Suite right on the very rear of the ship. The room was beautiful as was the peace and quiet there too. I'd seen reports of the beds and bedding being wonderful and they very definitely were. The balcony was huge and very private with two sun loungers, a dining table and four chairs, all in teak. Sorry, I don't have any pictures available, they're all just in my memory banks at the moment..!!

[Steve13]

Have seen Elton John five different times the most recently this past April in Las Vegas. This was a good show. Remember, this is a cruise ship and not Broadway or your local arena. He was entertaining. No offense intended.

 

 

I agree, it's not Broadway or my local arena, but for him to bill himself as someone who would put on a show that would make me think I was watching Elton John was IMHO, laughable. He could have at least gotten a better wig and clothing!

 

Of course, your opinion is just as valid as mine, so we'll just have to agree to disagree. ;)

[allie's g]

We were also on the 9/21 cruise. We loved it, but keep hearing people say the blackout was no big deal. It was if you were stuck in the elevator with three scared kids. We had no air in our room

for about an hour after that. Allie's G

[Steve13]

We were also on the 9/21 cruise. We loved it' date=' but keep hearing people say the blackout was no big deal. It was if you were stuck in the elevator with three scared kids. We had no air in our room

for about an hour after that. Allie's G[/quote']

 

How long we're you stuck in the elevator? Did the emergency call button work?

[jade136]

We where stuck 6hrs on the sun princess in ST.Thomas.in Oct/05 no food no water. Im a very bad Diabetic.I hit a very bad low my husband ran to one bar asked for oj the bartender said "give me your cruise card" my husband say no shes sick she a diabetic finally me almost passed out he gave him oj.

[CRUZN117]

Can any of you tell me if it would be a problem to make a 11am flight out of San Juan after the cruise ended? Did anyone experience any long delays off the ship?

[Steve13]

We where stuck 6hrs on the sun princess in ST.Thomas.in Oct/05 no food no water. Im a very bad Diabetic.I hit a very bad low my husband ran to one bar asked for oj the bartender said "give me your cruise card" my husband say no shes sick she a diabetic finally me almost passed out he gave him oj.

 

I'm sure that was no fun! But if you were stuck in an elevator, how did your husband manage to get you OJ???

[Host CJSKIDS]

We had C748 a Premium Suite right on the very rear of the ship. The room was beautiful as was the peace and quiet there too. I'd seen reports of the beds and bedding being wonderful and they very definitely were. The balcony was huge and very private with two sun loungers, a dining table and four chairs, all in teak. Sorry, I don't have any pictures available, they're all just in my memory banks at the moment..!!

 

That's great to hear. We're in C749 in a few weeks and I can't wait.

 

Did you feel much movement back here?

[Host CJSKIDS]

Can any of you tell me if it would be a problem to make a 11am flight out of San Juan after the cruise ended? Did anyone experience any long delays off the ship?

 

They did not disembark in San Juan, it was just a stop.

 

The first cruise that will embark/disembark in San Juan is the 11/4 cruise. I have an 11:30 am flight booked on American and had no problems making it when I cruised on the Golden in 10/4 so I'm hoping my luck holds this time.

 

Make sure you take proof of your early flight down to the purser's desk towards the end of the cruise when they give out the colored tags to disembark. You can get the tags for the first groups so you're off the ship early.

[Colo Cruiser]

I'm sure that was no fun! But if you were stuck in an elevator, how did your husband manage to get you OJ???

 

Through a very small crack in the door via a "bendy" straw. :D

[Steve13]

That must have been one long straw, since elevators have two sets of doors. I'm glad at least you got something!

[Sandytoes]

This was a great cruise. I'm kinda puzzled by all of the negative reviews.

Totally agree on this one. We loved our cruise as well.

 

We enjoyed the shows. The entertainers worked their bu**s off. Nice costumes. But then again, you might have seen different shows than we did. We didn't see Elton John. That would have been interesting....

Thanks for sharing your review.

[jennbill]

Steve, you're right. Let's just agree to disagree. This was still a great cruise.

 

We were in C752, one of the all time best aft balconies.

 

We, too, were amazed by passengers' regard for departure times. In fact, in St. Thomas, it became a game for us. Who would miss the ship? Unfortunately, for one young man he had the long ride back on a golf cart to the port agent's office. We found it quite amusing. How could people be so stupid?

 

Two days in New York post-cruise were unbelievable. Went non-stop. Two shows, delis, TributeWTC, Times Square, Central Park, Top of the Rock, Macy's, Sak's, St. Patrick's Cathedral......

 

This trip was amazing.

[Youngercruisers]

Did I read correctly?????

 

They had Monday night football on MUTS?

 

That is great!!! My wife won't think so but I do:D

 

Did they show any Sunday Games? I can be outside in the sun, drinking a cocktail and watch football? Am I getting this right??

 

Thank you

 

Peter and Carla

[BASE864]

Yep - they had 3 or 4 Sunday NFL games on MUTS and of course the Monday night NFL game.

[jennbill]

Tripleheader on Sunday and then MNF. Jennifer even thought the games on Sunday were cool. She wanted to watch the first half of Cincy/Steelers more than I did. Sitting in San Juan harbor after a full day of exploring watching MNF on MUTS was great. Jenn was chilling in the cabin while I was chilling on deck. The games were also shown on the in-cabin TV. No Ryder Cup or no college ball however. Nextel Cup race was on TNT on Sunday. Lots of soccer on ESPN Desportes.

 

Again, football on MUTS was one of the coolest things I've experienced on a cruise.