Crown review - Feb. 10th-17th (will be long, be warned)

[azdmelani]

I will be on the Crown in Aug. I'm really enjoying your review. I was wondering if you're able to participate on the formal nights if you are in the anytime dining schedule? Could you please help with this question.

Thank you.

 

 

Yes... you can still take pictures, get the same food, etc.

[nikita]

I will be on the Crown in Aug. I'm really enjoying your review. I was wondering if you're able to participate on the formal nights if you are in the anytime dining schedule? Could you please help with this question.

Thank you.

 

Formal night is exactly the same for anytime diners except you can eat whenever you want. Speaking of formal night - DH thought everyone was more dressed up on Princess versus Carnival. I felt like it was about the same but I believe I did see more tuxes. But the majority of women were wearing short cocktail dresses but there were also plenty of long gowns which were gorgeous. You would feel comfortable in either. It sure was fun people watching on formal nights. Seemed like the majority of oassengers stayed dressed up all night too instead of changing after dinner.

[nikita]

I forgot to mention that in St. Thomas before getting off the ship you had to go through immigration. Our deck was scheduled for 8:30am-9am but at around 8am they had an announcement for everyone to make there way into a lounge (can't remember where) with their passports. You also had to bring a paper you were supposed to fill out but we forgot ours so they just asked us to sign a paper they had with our names and cabin number. All we did was get in line and show a guy our passport. It took all of 10 minutes at the most. If I remember correctly when we disembarked in San Juan we did not have to go through immigration and this sped up the process.

 

On Sat. morning we were supposed to be out of our cabins at 8:15am. They made an annoucement for those who had exceeded their spending limit to go to an office on deck 6 by the theater and see a Customs person to determine how much you owed. We knew we had exceeded so DH took our customs form and departed. I had made a mistake and packed all our receipts in our already departed luggage the night before...so I was nervous we didn't have anything to show - but they didn't ask for our receipts so it was fine. When you buy things at the Islands duty and tax free you must show them your cruisecard and give them your cabin number. I believe this is how they know how much money you spend so don't try and get away with not listing anything on your customs card. Also to note - you have more of a spending allowance in St. Thomas then the other Islands so if you can - you will save on US duty if you spend your bulk there. We didn't realize this but had spent more there so it worked out for us. Also they don't take credit cards but just cash or a check. We were lucky we had enough cash - because we didn't have any checks with us - I wonder what people do if they are short? Anyways the duty is only 1.4% or something like that - this is only figured on the amount you went over your limit. Cheaper then paying sales tax in the US. So we ended up paying $43. Not as bad as we thought it might be.

 

After DH came back to the cabin it was about 8:30am. I was not kicked out at 8:15am so I'm sure they will give you extra minutes if you need them. We departed the cabin and left to wait in the theater for our color to be called. There were many other places to wait but we felt like this place was comfortable and they were playing CNN on a big screen to keep us entertained. We were off the ship by 10am (one of the last colors to be called) and it was the quickest ever. We found our luggage quickly as well and departed the building. There is a customs person taking your form as you walk out but since we had already given our form we just showed him our receipt and no problem with that.

 

We had booked the Sheraton Old San Juan for the night which was right accross the street so we just rolled our luggage there. We were told we could not check in until 3pm but they gladly watched our luggage for us. We went to lunch at Hard Rock and then found the outlet shops. They have very nice Coach, Dooney and Bourke, and Ralph Lauren Polo shops and I enjoyed spending some more money in all these shops (DH was bored to tears but there was nothing else to do anyways). If we had to do it over again we would've went right back to our pre-cruise hotel the Westin Rio Mar and spent the entire day at their beach. Next time that's what we'll do for sure!!

 

At around 2:30pm we were able to check in to our room and we were upgraded to a very nice suite on the 5th floor which had a mini balcony that overlooked the harbor area and our beautiful ship - the Crown Princess. We went up to the 9th floor to relax in the sun by the pool but left within 30 minutes due to the fact that the pool area is pathetic. Way too small and not very well maintained - so if you are looking for a nice pool area for your pre and post cruise hotel - don't stay here. The hotel is a bit old but the room looked well maintained and the staff were extremely friendly as well. There is a bar and restaurant area and a nice patio accross from the harbor with a nice view where they serve drinks and lunch - but the service was very slow so be prepared for that.

 

That night we went to dinner right accross the street at Senior Frogs - we went before the wild party started. The food was mediocre but ok and since we had such an early morning ahead of us we didn't want to venture too far. A bellboy had told us to be at the airport at least 2 hours before our 7am flight so we ended up waking up at 3:30am and getting a cab to the airport at 4:30am - $23 for about a 20 minute drive in no traffic. We were almost the only ones in the airport and had too much time to spare but I could see if there were any sort of crowds how things would be held up there. You have to send your luggage through the xray before you check in and then at security there were only two availiable lanes to go through. During the day there it must be a madhouse. Maybe others can comment who have had to go through it.

 

My husband was upgraded to first class and asked if I could be upgraded too. He is a frequent (platinum) Continental traveler so this is one of the perks once in a while. Surprise - I was upgraded as well and what a nice ending to an almost perfect vacation!! Our flight was uneventful and we made it home to the freezing cold as scheduled (boo hoo).

 

Closing remarks:

 

We were most impressed with the staff of the ship as they were for the most part always friendly and smiling and besides our disappointment at Crown Grill (very minor) we thought it was a contrast to our last cruise on the Valor where the employees seemed not happy and overworked.

 

Entertainment - very happy with the entertainment. One couldn't possibly do everything that one wants to do during the week since so much is offered. Top notch production shows! Cruise director and staff very pleasant and fun.

However, some bands could use improvement.

 

Itinerary - FABULOUS!!! Would want to see every Island again with the exception of St. Thomas and we will go to St. John next time.

 

Food - Beats out our last cruise just barely in the dining room. Cant compare alternative restaurants since this was our first time trying one - but we enjoyed both Sabatinies and Crown Grill on this cruise and would probably book them again. Less lines for burgers and pizza but enjoyed Carnivals pizza more. Room service - ok but great service.

 

Customer Service: We were satisfied with our onboard credit but wish it would've been given up front. Other then that we didn't have any issues.

 

Would we go on Princess again? YES!! And probably will in the near future for our 25th wedding anniversary in Sept. We are considering a cruise to Europe/Greece.

 

I'm so thankful for all the wonderful information I have received from these boards for our last 3 cruises and I hope that I was helpful to others. Thank you for reading and baring with me as I wrote my book.

 

I wish you all wonderful cruises!!!!

[Clutterlady]

Nikita, thank you, thank you for the wonderful honest review!!

 

Can't wait for my turn:)

[kiefaber455]

We did a b2b with 2/3 - 2/17. Thought the ship was very nice and the ports of call outstanding. Actually liked the second week ports of call better than the first. Unfortunately, next year St. Martens is being replaced by Tortola. Tortola is nice, but let's face it, it's no St. Martens

 

Funny thing about the 2nd week (2/10-2/17) was that many of the venues were not as crowded as the first week--especially the shows in the Princess Theatre and the Casino. Reason for that was that there were 900 members of a Toronto based church group on the ship. They were from all over the world but did not attend many activities outside of their meetings. The had the entire theatre one night and one of the anytime dining rooms another night.

 

Much different atmosphere between the 2 weeks.

 

This was our 5th Princess cruise, and 3rd in a row. Don't know what it was, but may try either RCCL or Celebrity next. The Crown Princess staff was fine. CD Tim was a bit obnoxious, but our wait staff and cabin steward were more than adequate, but nothing said WOW! to us.

 

Seeing how you can do this is as a 14 day cruise, Princess needs to revamp the menu and have different dinner items each night like they do on the Sea Princess.

[nikita]

We did a b2b with 2/3 - 2/17. Thought the ship was very nice and the ports of call outstanding. Actually liked the second week ports of call better than the first. Unfortunately, next year St. Martens is being replaced by Tortola. Tortola is nice, but let's face it, it's no St. Martens

 

Funny thing about the 2nd week (2/10-2/17) was that many of the venues were not as crowded as the first week--especially the shows in the Princess Theatre and the Casino. Reason for that was that there were 900 members of a Toronto based church group on the ship. They were from all over the world but did not attend many activities outside of their meetings. The had the entire theatre one night and one of the anytime dining rooms another night.

 

Much different atmosphere between the 2 weeks.

 

This was our 5th Princess cruise, and 3rd in a row. Don't know what it was, but may try either RCCL or Celebrity next. The Crown Princess staff was fine. CD Tim was a bit obnoxious, but our wait staff and cabin steward were more than adequate, but nothing said WOW! to us.

 

Seeing how you can do this is as a 14 day cruise, Princess needs to revamp the menu and have different dinner items each night like they do on the Sea Princess.

 

So that explains why the theater was so empty. I hope that people won't be mad at me when they get there 5 minutes early and no seats are left. HA! I knew there was a Christian fellowship onboard but I had no idea how large it was. For me, I was glad the atmosphere was calmer and more peaceful. I guess we picked a good week to sail.

[neptune18]

Nikita, after boarding in San Juan, at what time do they start taking reservations for specialty and dining room? What is the procedure?

Thanks

[neptune18]

Nikita, after boarding in San Juan, at what time do they start taking reservations for specialty and dining room? What is the procedure?

Thanks

[neptune18]

Nikita, after boarding in San Juan, at what time do they start taking reservations for specialty and dining room? What is the procedure?

Thanks

[neptune18]

Wow- a triple post.

[kiefaber455]

Nikita, plus there were 200 marathoners who ran a 10K race in every port. The cabbies in St. Thomas were upset because they shut down several of the roads for the race.

Did you see the motorcycles in St. Martens on the pier? Looks like they came off of Navigator of the Seas. That was some sight.

[wannaBcruzin]

azdmelani & Nikita,

 

Just wanted to say thank you for your answer to my question. Much appreciated. I am axiously awaiting my turn to experience the Crown. She looks like a beautiful ship. Your review makes me wish it was Aug already. You were very discriptive and had a lot of great things to say. You really captured your experience and presented it well through your posts. Thanx again.

[keener]

A bellboy had told us to be at the airport at least 2 hours before our 7am flight so we ended up waking up at 3:30am and getting a cab to the airport at 4:30am - $23 for about a 20 minute drive in no traffic. We were almost the only ones in the airport and had too much time to spare but I could see if there were any sort of crowds how things would be held up there.

 

 

Thanks for your review. We will be cruising on the Crown in a week; like you our return flight out of San Juan is early(7:30am), did you happen to see if the Duty Free store was open this early??? I had read on the boards prices were pretty good at the airport!!

 

Thanks

Cyndee

[nikita]

Nikita, after boarding in San Juan, at what time do they start taking reservations for specialty and dining room? What is the procedure?

Thanks

 

I think it said reservations were taken between 1pm-4pm on Sat. - But we went after 4pm and someone was there taking them. We just went to the restaurants and there was someone at the counter. At that point we weren't really able to pick the exact times we wanted so get there ASAP if you want a good choice. We ended up changing both of our reservations later on in the week and were able to to do so - but again, not to the exact times we wanted. Have a wonderful cruise!

[nikita]

Nikita, plus there were 200 marathoners who ran a 10K race in every port. The cabbies in St. Thomas were upset because they shut down several of the roads for the race.

Did you see the motorcycles in St. Martens on the pier? Looks like they came off of Navigator of the Seas. That was some sight.

 

We missed that. That would be cool to see. We missed the traffic jam too. Was it early? We got off after 9am.

[nikita]

azdmelani & Nikita,

 

Just wanted to say thank you for your answer to my question. Much appreciated. I am axiously awaiting my turn to experience the Crown. She looks like a beautiful ship. Your review makes me wish it was Aug already. You were very discriptive and had a lot of great things to say. You really captured your experience and presented it well through your posts. Thanx again.

 

Thank you for reading it! Sorry about all the grammer and spelling errors - its been a long time since I've been to school! You will be surprised at how fast August will get here. Have a wonderful exciting cruise!!

[nikita]

Thanks for your review. We will be cruising on the Crown in a week; like you our return flight out of San Juan is early(7:30am), did you happen to see if the Duty Free store was open this early??? I had read on the boards prices were pretty good at the airport!!

 

Thanks

Cyndee

 

The duty free store was not opened that early - but we boarded around 6:15am so could've opened after that. Enjoy your cruise!!!

[B8C]

Nikita,

 

Thanks for your detailed reivew. Can't wait for our first Crown sailing in April.

[nikita]

Nikita,

 

Thanks for your detailed reivew. Can't wait for our first Crown sailing in April.

 

You're very welcome. I hope it was of some help. Enjoy your cruise in April!!!

[azdmelani]

azdmelani & Nikita,

 

Just wanted to say thank you for your answer to my question. Much appreciated. I am axiously awaiting my turn to experience the Crown. She looks like a beautiful ship. Your review makes me wish it was Aug already. You were very discriptive and had a lot of great things to say. You really captured your experience and presented it well through your posts. Thanx again.

 

 

You're welcome! I cant wait to go back. I think we're going on the same trip, correct?

[mrjcharles]

The Crown is a great ship. Sarge is the best entertainer you can find and Tim Donovan is a supurb CD. Anybody know how long his contract is on this ship?

[crusdiva]

The Crown is a great ship. Sarge is the best entertainer you can find and Tim Donovan is a supurb CD. Anybody know how long his contract is on this ship?

Tim will be leaving the Crown on March 17th and joining the Caribbean Princess from March 18th until May 20th. Returning to the Crown on July 23rd. ;)

[wannaBcruzin]

You're welcome! I cant wait to go back. I think we're going on the same trip, correct?

 

 

 

I go Aug 19 2007 from NY. Are you going at the same time? Hope so :)

[wannaBcruzin]

YES, we are on the same trip. I see you in the roll call. See you in 25 Fridays.:)

[cnmiranda]

Thanks for the detailed review Nikita. My parents will be on this same sailing/route next month. Still trying to figure out shore excursiuons for them.