misc observations- CB 12-2 to 12-9

[vmom]

Just got back. I know "Sherman" will be sharing comments about this cruise also...but here's just a few of my misc. observations:

 

6th cruise...2nd time on the CB. We were on the CB in August of 2005 and loved it then...and had an even better cruise this time around.

 

Room steward: Harold...all I can say is outstanding service. Always anticipated our needs.

 

Mattresses: got an eggcrate mattress topper and found the beds to be very comfortable. I had faxed a request for an eggcrate prior to our cruise, and noted that this was confirmed on our cruise personalizer...but was not on our bed on our arrival. Mentioned this to Harold and he immediately took care of it. Pillows are 2 standard foam and 2 feather.

 

Food: even better than on our cruise on the CB in 2005! Very good.

 

I should mention that we primarly ate in the dining room. We had lunch on embarktion day at the buffett and breakfast the next morning at the buffet. Except for an occasional late night snack, that is the only time we ate at the buffet. Our first breakfast, we had so much trouble finding a seat...even up in the Caribe dining area, that after that we stuck with the dining room. I hate walking around with a tray looking for a table, so after that first morning, I didn't even make the attempt. It might have gotten better as the week progressed.

 

We had anytime dining and never had to wait for a table. We sat at random tables for the first 3 nights and recieved excellent service. On Wed night we were seated at at table with the waiters being Adisorn and Sopoporn both from Thailand...and after that requested them for the following nights. All the waiters throughout the week provided excellent service, but we enjoyed the personalities and attention to detail that Adisorn and Sopoporn provided.

 

Shows: The beginning of the week, it was very difficult getting a seat for the first show in the Princess Theater. Many more seats available for the second show. After the first couple days, more seats became available for both seating as I think more people became aware of the other available entertainment options.

 

Entertainers were good. Our favorites were the Beatles show, Phil Tag, James Michael, and the hypnotist.

 

Princess Cays: The area toward the right of the pier (as you are facing the pier) is very rocky, more rocky and than the other side. The area to the left is less rocky but more crowded. We sat toward the right, but next time I'm going to get chairs on the other side. I would highly recommend water shoes, no matter where you are going to be. I would definately NOT get a cabana since the beach area in front of the cabanas is rocky and getting into the water to swim is not nearly as nice as on the other side of the beach.

 

 

Walk off embarktion: Getting an elevator was next to impossible!!!! Everyone had their luggage and were trying to get on the elevators, but each elevator would not hold many due to the luggage. The people just trying to get up to the buffet to eat were getting very irritated at all the people with luggage. After waiting for an elevator for 20 minutes and finally getting on, I got told off by a man who told me very angrily that I should not be trying to bring my luggage on the elevator.

 

That said, I was off the ship by 8:20. We took walk off since we had an early flight out. As more people are doing this option, it seems that it is getting less organized and more difficult to move the people to deck 5 to get off. Princess may need to do something about this as more people are using walk-off. Most of the people I talked to were just using this option because the wanted to get off earlier, not because of necessity. Maybe Princess needs to first give this option to people with early flights, and then limit the number who live close by but just want to leave early. Don't know what the solution is, but I think Princess will need to address this as I think this will only get worse.

 

Anyway...just a few observations...hope they help!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Glad you had a great cruise. Sounds like you really enjoyed yourselves.

 

Personally I wish they would not offer the self disembarkation as it always just seems to clog up the stairs, elevators, and hallways. On our last sailing we were in the first group to get off the ship and it was almost impossible as people with suitcases were blocking the passageway and wouldn't move for anything.

I never seem to understand why getting off the ship is such an easy thing on Disney and not on Princess. On Disney you can walk off whenever the heck you feel like it, it's so painless and simple.

[steve777]

Who was the cruise director . Thanks

 

Steve

[vmom]

Who was the cruise director . Thanks

 

Steve

 

Neil Roberts.

 

He was good. I loved his staff. Very energetic and friendly. I thought there was a very good variety of activities offered throughout the day. Many times I had a hard time deciding between several options.

[DiTomCruisers]

Thanks for your comments!!

[hightownCO]

So, did it snow? Was the ship decorated for the holidays?

[vickie_bernie]

thanks for a great review.

[vmom]

So, did it snow? Was the ship decorated for the holidays?

 

 

No snow in the Caribbean...but we missed an ice storm and several inches at home.

 

The ship was decorated, but not as many decorations as I would have thought. My guess is they are likely loading on more decorations and will have more up this next week. Just a guess.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review. :)

 

Thought they were going to have a snowfall in the atrium??