Review of CB - 6/13 - 6/22

[newfimom]

Rooms: D730 & D734

Ages: 18 - 53

Occasion: Celebrating 25th Wedding Anniversary

Times on Princess - 5

Overall Impression - Good Cruise

 

 

Just back for our 10 day adventure. Spent 3 months prior meeting other cruisers on our Roll Call. Some of the nicest people that I'll ever meet on a cruise.

 

Rooms: We had both a mini-suite and an aft balcony (for kids) D734 has a very big covered balcony, D730 has an uncovered balcony. All beds in both rooms were not the best to sleep on. They did have new mattresses, but were

easy to sleep on. Egg crates helped.

 

Roger was our room attendant and was very nice. Always putting plenty of towels and shampoo and conditioner and soap into the bathroom. Two beach towels left in the room each day. You must bring them to the pool. No towels given out at the pool.

 

Still waiting to hear how they are going to handle my complaint of a flood in the room - I will update once I have an answer.

 

Food: I thought the food in the dining room was very good.

Riccardo who was the head of our table area was great. Our waitress whose name I cannot spell was also very good. The selection of foods gave everyone something to eat. I missed certain things like sliced strawberries, but certainly found a nice cake to replace it with. I did not really like the buffet. But I am not generally a buffet person. The pizza and grill outside by the pool were very good. My mother sent us the champagne breakfast and it was very good. They give you a small bottle of champagne with assorted breakfast goodies in your room.

 

Ate at Sterlings one night and the food was great. Took about 1 1/2 hours. Made the reservation the first day on ship. Seating times are 6, 6:30 or 8:00. $15 per person.

 

Drinks: I have to say that we spent quite a bit on our bar bill then I thought I would. This is where they make their money. Each mixed drink was at least $5.50 and beers were at least $4.50. You should buy the bucket for $19

and get 5, it pays.

 

Pictures: Each 8 x 10 picture in the gallery was $24.95, they have a deal if you buy 5 you get the 6th free. The CD of the cruise is $29.95 with the $10 coupon from the room.

 

Bingo: The prices are still pretty much the same. Except, bring a dobber or marker, since that is what they are using now. You don't punch the number or tear it back. The single 3 game is $20 and the double 6 game is $30. One game is $10. No electronic boards.

 

Shopping on Board: Pretty much the same old stuff. Cigarettes were $24.95 a carton. They were 3/$52 in St. Thomas at the Havensite (not sure of spelling) Shopping area. Which by the way is $10 r/t from the ship per person.

The prices on Seiko watches were high, my son saw a watch on board for $312, we found it in St Thomas for $190.

 

Ports: Took the beach transfer in Bermuda ($29 per person) to Horse Shoe Bay. Really nice beach, maybe 15 minute ride.

 

San Juan - Went to Sr. Frogs and walked around.

 

St Thomas - shopped

 

Grand Turk: Rented a cabana and found that when we got there they were over sold and they did not have one for us.

So we got a refund from the ship. Spent the couple of hours we had at Margaritaville. It was a very clean looking new shopping facility. However, it lacked worker at the pool. You had to wait at least 1/2 hour to get a drink. Also with 2 ships in port, there was a ton of people there. On a side note... the prices on bottles of liquor was cheaper in the stores there than the ship.

 

Casino: Had a blast. Won 3 tournaments - Black Jack and two slots - The casino host said I made Princess history, as no one has one three tournaments before. The machines seem to be colder towards the middle of the cruise. Maybe because it really was overly busy.

 

Pools: Beautiful and clean.

 

Spa: Took the thermal package and used it every day with my hubby. Love those stone chairs - they always put me to sleep. Hubby had a great massage. Son worked out in the gym.

 

Skywalkers: Had a ton of fun dancing into the night.

 

Churchills: Hubby enjoyed smoking his cigar there nightly.

Nice selection of Scotch.

 

Purser's Desk: A little cold to me when I had a problem.

I did speak to the hotel manager who was very nice.

 

Security: Always in sight. Made you feel very secure. No big problems with kids running crazy - always saw the teen security checking everything out.

 

I think I may have hit all the areas that I can think of. If anyone has any questions, please feel free to ask.

 

Fran

newfimom

[newfimom]

Casino was not overly busy is what I meant to write.

[Chesneygirl]

Was the wave runner at Margarittaville open yet?

[newfimom]

It was open - I believe it was $20/$25. It looked fun.

 

Fran

[Sanibel*Gal]

Thanks for the review....sounds like you had a good time!:)

[newfimom]

Yes, we did. What was really nice was leaving from Brooklyn. It was so nice not having to fly.

 

Newfimom

[Sandytoes]

Yes, we did. What was really nice was leaving from Brooklyn. It was so nice not having to fly.

Newfimom ~

 

Thanks for sharing your CB cruise experience with us.

 

~~~

 

Just so other posters are aware,

Princess supplies large towels

for swimmers and sunbathers in the staterooms.

You can request double.

One for excursions and another for the pool.

[Pixelator]

Thanks for your review! Glad you had a great cruise! I had a similar but positive experience re watch shopping- bought a beautiful watch on board at 40% off list (usually best is 30% off around home Wash DC area). While i was looking at it, another pax showed me the same watch on his wrist and said he paid much more for it from a friend who is a jeweler and gave him a good discount. I later found it $75 less in St. Thomas. Got that dealer to jot model/price on a card and when I showed that in the shop on the CB they immediately refunded me the difference. Also their service was excellent in resizing the band. I believe Patters do mention they guarantee matching prices of watches and other things in ports. Great experience, great prices, great service.

 

Bob

[Murphey]

Can you tell what the "thermal" package is? thx

[dforeigner]

Thanks for taking time to write a review.

[newfimom]

The thermal suite is unlimited use of the sauna, steam room, stone chairs (relaxation area),. The only thing they never thought of when building this ship was that they put the basketball courts over the relaxation area. So if they are playing ball, it may be hard to avoid the banging. But if you go later in the day, it is usually quiet.

 

Newfimom

[Starz723]

Thanks for your review..

 

My cruise is coming up and Im so excited to be on the CB. I have an aft cabin. I never had aft before.

 

Yes, its great that there is a port now in Brooklyn. NYC was always the center of the cruise world. It died off, but now its coming back stronger than ever. Especially now that flying is becoming more restricted luggage wise.

[care180]

Thanks for taking the time to write a review! :)

[C&F]

Thanks for the review. Can't wait to board in 2 weeks!

[956wenbrook]

Was the wave runner at Margarittaville open yet?

 

What is that? Thanks!

[cruise4kicks]

Was the wave runner at Margarittaville open yet?

What is that? Thanks!

http://www.grandturkcc.com/News.aspx

[jhaasz]

Do you remember the general "theme" in the dining room (Italian, French, Formal, etc) for each night in the dining room on the 9 day cruise?

 

Thanks.