A few questions about NCL Crown

[Chelsm]

I have never been on the Crown(or NCL at all for that matter) and have a few questions. Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

1.How does the Crown compare to the Spirit?

2.Does the Crown have a good kids program that includes a pool?

3.With freestyle dining are there formal nights?

4.Does the Crown have the teppanaki(sp?) restaurant?

5. Are the cabins smaller than other ships?

6.Any pros/cons to cruising on this ship?

[POOHISME2]

I have never been on the Crown(or NCL at all for that matter) and have a few questions. Any info is greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

1.How does the Crown compare to the Spirit?

2.Does the Crown have a good kids program that includes a pool?

3.With freestyle dining are there formal nights?

4.Does the Crown have the teppanaki(sp?) restaurant?

5. Are the cabins smaller than other ships?

6.Any pros/cons to cruising on this ship?

 

1. There is no comparison, it's apple and oranges. The Crown is very small and quaint. The Spirit is much larger and offers more restaurants.

2. Good kids program, no seperate pool

3. yes there are OPTIONAL Formal nights

4. I dont believe they do

5. Pro's its smaller, Cons, its smaller:) It all depends on what your looking for. For Bermuda its perfect as you have 3 full days there.

[KeystoneCruiser]

Here is a quick synopsis of Freestyle Dining:

 

I love Freestyle and that is why I only cruise on NCL.

 

Freestyle is all about your choice. Freestyle gives you the choice to eat WHEN you want, with WHO you want, WHERE you want, and HOW you want.

 

1.) You do not have assigned dining times. You can go the main restaurants anytime that they are open (5:30-9:30) and simply tell them how many of you there are and they will seat you, just like a shoreside restaurant. Unless you are a large group, you cannot make reservations in the main dining rooms. Sometimes this can cause you to wait a few minutes (usually less than 20) for a table if you dine during the peak hours of 6:30-8:00.

 

2.) You do have to make reservations for the Specialty Restaurants and most of them have a cover charge of $10-20 per person. (but that is only for the entree, you can have as many apetizers, salads, sides and desserts that you want.). You can make these for the entire week when you board. Not all specialty restaurants have a cover charge (LaTrattatoria for example) but all require reservations.

 

3.) You do not have assigned tablemates. You can dine with just your family or perhaps the friends you met that day. They have tables from 2 people to 10 people. You can also request to be seated with new people if you like. You usually do not have the same waiters each night, but you can request them!

 

4.) You can dress as you like. (within limits) All formal nights on all NCL ships are OPTIONAL in all dining venues. You do not have to dress up and can still eat anywhere. On formal night, only about 40% of the passengers will dress up and that will range from tuxes to shirt/tie. The other 60% will be in resort casual. (the 40% drops to about 30% dressed up on the Hawaiin cruises since Hawaiian attire is also an acceptable dress.)

 

With that said, you do have to dress in at least Resort Casual every night to dine in the restaurants. Resort casual simply means no shorts, jeans or t-shirts. Polo shirts, sun dresses, kahkis, and sneakers are all perfectly acceptable! I have never worn any more than a polo shirt, kahkis and sneakers to any meal on five NCL cruises! You will not feel out of place! The best part...the chance to dress as you feel comfortable.

 

(btw: if you have to wear jeans or shorts, you can then choose to dine in the Blue Lagoon (diner) or the buffet for dinner!)

[POOHISME2]

(btw: if you have to wear jeans or shorts, you can then choose to dine in the Blue Lagoon (diner) or the buffet for dinner!)

OP, there is No Blue Lagoon on the Crown

[Budget Queen]

I was just on the Crown, very very nice ship- IF you aren't into BIG and glitz. :) It will only be sailing one more season to Bermuda and then will be sold. Sorry to see this gem leave. It is a ship that still uses keys, and has large rooms with plenty of storage space since it was built as a long distance cruiser. It does have an oriental resturant, reservations only. The ship was nicely layed out, I never had trouble finding a seat in the buffet area, complete opposite of the Wind.

 

As a comparism- I was on the Spirit in March, and Wind in May. All ships are very nice sailing. :) No complaints about any!!!!