***August 6th Caribbean Princess Review***

[Rgtouro]

Just back from my second Princess cruise.

This was the

:D Caribbean Princess August 6th - 15th sailing :D

and I’m still feeling totally delirious and ecstatic.

We were 11 people on this cruise, family and friends.

 

First and foremost, I want to give a Shout Out to all my Cruise Critic & Facebook (Mardi Gras Beaded) friends that I met here and seen onboard. You guys know who you are; YOU made my trip fantastic!!! Seeing you on the ship throughout the 9 days was like attending a big Family Reunion. We stopped and chatted, watched shows, nightclubbing, had tea and cocktails, and basked in the sun together. I will never forget all the fun we had. Keep in touch!

 

The Ship ~ Loved it!!! I am so impressed! It was so beautiful, so clean and well laid-out. We were on the Crown last year and we knew we had to navigate up and down staircases to get around the mid dining areas. The water bubble in the atrium elevators was cool! I didn’t find the ship to be crowded even though it was a sold-out sailing.

 

Cabin ~ We were in cabin E 509 (obstructed view) with a lifeboat semi blocking our ocean view. It was a nice upgrade from an inside cabin. The huge window let in the sunlight and we able to see over the orange lifeboat. It was cool to see that these lifeboat do drills and you can see them floating around in the sea. You can call room to room by dialing the deck # then the room # (ex. 8509 for my room). We brought our own shampoo and Princess provided toiletries from the Lotus Spa (my DD said it smelled manly). The mini-fridge stored our drinks. The television had a variety of movie, Art, Port Info, Good Morning TV with Dan & Sam and CNN. The air condition was set on the coolest setting and it worked fine. Princess offers you choice fruits in your cabin and a continental breakfast menu to place on the door the night before. Our cabin was clean by Ben and he was very accommodating to our needs.

 

The Muster Drill is done prior to sail away and was in an air-condition lounge.

 

The Cruise Director and Staff ~ I give them an A+. Dan Styne was hilarious in the show Liar Club. These young people work so hard and they are so talented, upbeat & funny. They really get the crowd on their feet. The pool-deck sail-away bash was so much fun.

 

Karaoke ~ Was located in Club Fusion. Ken (Boston936) YoU RoCk!!! Your rendition of Sweet Caroline was great! You really know how to work the crowd. I filmed it and if you want me to post it on Facebook, I WILL!!! BTW Ken, I left you a “good luck” message on your dry erase board. My teen-aged nephew also participated in karaoke and he was so seam-splitting funny.

 

Staff ~ Very, very, very friendly! There wasn’t a staff person that I passed and made eye contact with that didn’t say “good morning” or “hello” to me.

 

Dining ~ We had 8:15 pm Traditional Dining table #242 and our wait staff was great. We were 9 people and we wanted to add 2 more people to our table of 10. I spoke to the Madre D’ the first day and asked him to add 2 more people. The Matre D’ is available at 1pm, I was given a number and had to wait my turn to see him. He wore a black suit and I felt like I was going to see The Godfather to request permission. He was very nice & accommodating and granted my request. We were a little tight the first night and the second night we asked the waiter to change the armchairs to armless chair and we were comfortable.

 

It’s the Coral dining room that serves breakfast and lunch.

 

Dining ~ The menu here in the Island Dining room was wonderful; small dishes, soups & salads, main course. It changes every night and I always wanted to try something new. My daughter enjoyed her (choice prime cut) steak each night and it was cooked to perfection. I enjoyed the fish selection nightly. If you like seafood, do not miss the seafood buffet on the first night. On Lobster night our waiter came around to our dish to remove the lobster shell. The butter is in a flower shaped and the dinner rolls were fresh and delicious. We enjoyed the dessert menu nightly. As far as dress code goes in the dining room, if you choose to wear your tank top and shorts go to the buffet for dinner. This is fine dining!

 

Room Service ~ We ordered twice and was told it was going to take ½ hour and it arrived with-in 15 min. Sandwiches were double deckers and served with a choice of French fries, chips and cole slaw. Make sure you order the flan; it comes with whip cream on the side. Delicious!

 

Tea ~ 3:30-4:30 in the Coral dining room. Make sure you get to do this at least 1 time. It was so nice with music playing and scones, sandwiches and pastries being served. I enjoyed the conversations with the people from Wales, Austria and Canada. They were so sweet even when they said I had a New York accent.

 

Buffets ~ I can’t understand why the buffets get a lot of bad reviews here. Why does it seem when you give people too many choices it’s still never enough???

 

Let’s star off with breakfast; you have many different choices; different styles of eggs and an omelet station, french toast, pancakes, waffles, hash browns, fried potato, danish & muffins, mini croissants, grains & granola, cheese quiches, hot & cold cereals; grits, oatmeal, turkey and pork sausages, bacon, ham, fresh fruit, fruit salad and cheeses, meats, beans, rice and crackers, dates, cottage cheese, smoked salmon and another fish with white sauce, soups & juices. Baked rolls, english muffins, white & whole-wheat bread and bagels. What else can you possible eat for breakfast that Princess left out here? (The only thing that I found about breakfast Princess needs to improve on is the bread toaster…Yikes, so darn slow!)

 

For lunch you can make your own salad with many mix-ins. A different carving meat (turkey, brisket, beef, etc.) with mash potato and gravy too. The menu changes daily. If you like nacho with salsa and dip go to the Café Caribe. Look for the California Sushi (white & rainbow color rice) from 12-2pm offered 2 times during the cruise. Oh don’t miss the Shrimp Creole over rice.

 

More Food ~ I need to mention the cookies & milk at poolside. These cookies were soft and warm and tasted homemade, loaded with chocolate chips and you must try the delicious peanut butter cookies too. The pizzeria serves a thin crust, crispy margarita style pizza, pepperoni, or everything pizza and a burger-bar on the opposite side, with hot dogs, grilled chicken and french fries was very good. Scoops sells ice cream in waffle cones and sundae cups with toppings. There is food 24/7 and so many choices and yet still people complain….Why?

 

Sabatini's Trattoria & Sterling Steakhouse if you don’t book early, you will be wait-listed. Well worth it $, but I wouldn’t do it on formal night and miss the lobster!

 

Casino & Bingo ~ I didn’t play but my daughter won $80 at roulette.

 

Card Room ~ If you like sudoku, trivia, arts & craft, check out the daily puzzles here. We played and won 2nd place in a scavenger hunt.

 

Art Auction ~ Our friends bought some art here, a lithograph and was very pleased with their purchase. It will be mailed to them in a few weeks. Just note that most of the art does not come with a frame as shown.

 

Internet center ~ I did not use this. I was able to check my emails on my cell phone in PR & St. Thomas.

 

Skywalker ~ An adult nightclub featuring DJ John Thomas “In The Mix”. A great large dance floor, sound system and lighting. It’s 18 to get in and 21 to drink, ID is checked here by 2 security guards.

 

Coffee card ~ Worth it! The cappuccino’s at dinner comes decorated with a cinnamon heart in a big mug. <3 I did drink the coffee served in the buffet area as well and it was fine.

 

MUTS ~ Movie under the stars with hot popcorn on a comfy chair! I can’t believe they showed an updated movie “Iron Man & Maid of Honor”, I just paid to see these movies in the theater.

 

Ports:

Bermuda – Horseshoe Bay beach was so incredible breathtaking. It cost us $8.00 round trip by bus and we were all lucky to get a seat on the air-condition bus. It was little bit pricey for drinks & food here. Try the Rum Swizzle! Walking down the hill to get to the beach was fine but going up that hill was like setting your treadmill on the highest incline. I saw the dollar vans, but I hiked up in no time! They also waited to fill up these vans before setting off.

 

Puerto Rico – It was Sunday and many stores were closed. It was hot and we walked around the Old San Juan area. We had some drinks at Maria’s Bar and took pictures of the shrine and that pigeon park and we were off to Senor Frog’s. I had a Miami Vice and it was frosty. They get the crowd up to participate and I was on the conga line with my balloon hat on. Love it!

 

St Thomas – Booked with Godfrey’s and requested the same driver we had last year. She greeted us at the port and we were off to Emerald Beach in an open-air van. This must be the island best kept secret…It’s so close to the port (a 7 minute ride) and it wasn’t crowded. The color of the water clear and was indeed emerald!

 

Grand Turk – Margaritavile Baby!!! Need I say more? The pool’s water was so warm and the margarita’s were delicious. You can get a refill for only $10 in a yard souvenir glass. My son and some friends that were with us participated in some of the stage events. It was so much fun! Lot’s of booty shaking!

 

Entertainment ~ Sarge RoCkEd! He was so funny I had tears streaming down my face. He never does the same show twice. He was Awesome! After the show he sells DVD’s and Cd’s…BUY IT!!!

Don’t expect to get a seat in the 750-seat Princess Theatre if you arrive at 10:25 pm, It’s just not going to happen! The hypnotist was ok! Oh he also did a weight loss seminar and tried to hypnotize the audience, I don’t think it worked on me because when it was over I went to the Lido deck to eat. There was another comedy magic show in the Explorer lounge that was Excellent!

 

Fitness Center ~ It features floor-to-ceiling windows, plenty of equipment, and a nice big exercise area. My son and nephew were regulars here.

 

Spa ~ Our friends did the teeth whitening couples and saved $40.00 off the price. They were very happy with the results…it really works!

 

Wavelength ~ Loved it! Here we have a Canadian band that can play just about anything and they do it well. The lead singer (Rick looks a little like a young Rod Steward) and the guitar player on his left is funny when he get teased by the lead singer and repeats...another JD on ice! Don’t miss the last night’s show Wavelength Rock Concert (get there early!) where they were Awesome!

 

Princess Theatre dancers and singers were amazing in all their shows! Don’t miss the tribute to Billy Joel, Elton John, Liberace, Barry Manilow & Neil Sedaka it was great!

 

The Sports Deck is located on Deck 17 forward, you can play; paddle tennis and basketball. I’m guessing this is where the Sanctuary is going to be after dry dock.

 

Kimika’s show was very good! She and her husband were very entertaining in a comedy & music show…loved it!!!

 

Make sure you catch the talented Bert Stratton in the Crooners Bar from 9pm till late. He plays the Baby Grand piano and you get to sing-a-long. Lot’s of fun!!! Get there early for a seat otherwise its standing room only!

 

We couldn’t ask for better weather for this entire cruise. It did rain one night and we experienced stormy rocky weather while we slept. The bathroom door was swinging and woke me up. We were delayed 2-3 hours on our arrival back to Brooklyn and we were told that we blew another engine and then it was fixed. It happens, what can you do?

 

Pools ~ The aft pool has shade since it is located directly under the Skywalker’s lounge long ramp. I found the pools near the MUTS a little noisy. The pool mid-ship was great with the reggae music playing, here's where you have a one-man singer and then a full reggae calypso band playing. The pool in the front of the ship was swim against the current and was enjoyable and quiet.

 

ScholarShip@Sea Program ~ offer demonstrations in cooking, photography, computers, ceramics and personal finance. Fees $ apply here!

 

Chair hogs, you will get this on all ships, inconsiderate people who put their towel and books on the chair and leave. I always found a chair by tossing a towel off to the side. (I did the 30-minute Princess wait rule…you leave, it’s mine!) The beach towels on this ship were never accounted for and most people used this to their advantage by leaving it on the chair.

 

Champagne Waterfall ~ held on the last formal night close to midnight. The waterfall is set up in the atrium with a pyramid of champagne glasses and party music playing. Don’t miss the free champagne!

 

Good Deal ~ If you have a teen-aged children, you may want to purchase an unlimited soda, ice cream & mocktail card for only $80.00 and your teen 13-17 year old can enter a teen dance club called “Remix”. If you drink soda, buy the soda card for better value!

 

The Alcohol prices on the ship were good and the liquor was boxed and sent to your room on the last day. They would also match prices if you showed them an ad, and a carton of cigarettes were $25.00. No tax.

 

Shout Out to the Hotel Manager Director Mr. Deering, for attending our Meet & Greet on Thursday in the Wheelhouse Bar. You are so nice and it was an honor and pleasure to meet you! Thanks for stopping by!

 

Professional Photos ~ I think they cost around $25.00 per photo and if you buy 3, you get one FREE. On the last day they should have a special and charge $10 per photo, I think they would sell a lot more. All these unwanted photos go in the trash anyway! The Reflection video cost around $30.00.

 

Embarkation & Debarkation was a breeze! Coming home we had the 3-hour delay. We all met for breakfast at 8:30 and then off to waited in the Crooners Lounge until we were escorted off. We found all of our luggage and were helped by a Longshoreman. These guys & girls work hard lifting and carrying heavy luggage, so tip them well!

 

9 days…Is it enough? NO WAY! I did bring my highlighter pen with me and the night before I would highlight all the stuff I wanted to do and I DID IT! I didn’t go on vacation to sleep late, I was an early riser and I went to bed late, I just didn’t want to miss anything going on. If you stay in your room and sulk about small things like not enough food choice, you are missing out on the best Princess has to offer. I am currently looking into booking another cruise for next year and I would defiantly consider booking this same cruise again for the third time. My only regret is that I didn’t buy into the Future Cruise Program. I did inquire about it and got the paper in my stateroom and I should have filled it out. I took over 1,500 photos and I’m working on creating an Imovie HD to give to my family.

 

What happens on the Ship, Stays on the Ship!

 

Sandytoes, I’m so happy to have met you and your hubby! I hope your foot is healing and you are suing that nail salon…just kidding!

Othellocruiser and Lunamoon, I loved the bow tie and meeting you in San Juan and the tip on how to find our mystery person!

Pambar137 aka my night clubbing pal. We had a great time watching the shows and the band Wavelength together…oh, check out the guitar player!!! Lol

Shineycoach, You’re the Man! Thanks for keeping things under control until security got to the pool. These young people were drunk and their behavior was inexcusable. My DD said “You’re Da Bomb”!!! I still have that image of you when we first met with your Mardi gras beads on. Ctbusdrivermom, you are so friendly and nice.

CruisingSusan (see I added the “i”) and Wall6363, I loved bumping into you and your beautiful sweet daughter(s) on board.

Karpear and Chrisuzie, It was so much fun running into you!

Boston913, RosalieCt and Wolf715 I did see you at the Meet & Greet on sailaway, thanks for coming by and introducing yourself to the group.

If you attended and I omitted anyone, please let me know…again thanks for stopping by!

 

If you are reading this review and you say to yourself…

 

Hmmm where is the ugly stuff?

 

Sorry, there is NONE!



I had a great time and I can honestly say that the people I traveled with had a fantastic time too.

 

Here’s what I’ve learned on this Cruise Critic message board…Don’t believe everything you read is true, some people just like to complain, write letters and vent! Experience it yourself and decide! If you are planning on going on this ship, do so and enjoy. The Caribbean Princess is going in for dry dock soon and when it’s done, this is the ship that’s going to sell out quick. So book early!

 

Kudos Princess and Commodore Giuseppe Romano!!!

You’ve done it again…

 

YOU HAVE EXCEEDED MY EXPECATIONS

YOU WENT ABOVE & BEYOND!

I AM ANOTHER HAPPY & SATISFIED

PRINCESS CRUISER!

 

*********************************

 

~Roseann

[coiran]

Sounds like you had a 10 plus cruise. Hope you enjoy many more.

Funny how some folks on the same ship and cruise had bad food and no ac - just about everything that could go wrong went wrong.

Parrallel worlds do exist??

[Clutterlady]

Thank you for a great review of the CB.....you seem to love her as much as we do!!:)

[Rgtouro]

Funny how some folks on the same ship and cruise had bad food and no ac - just about everything that could go wrong went wrong.

 

Not on my ship, we were probably on different cruises! :confused:

[Colo Cruiser]

Awesome review, thanks for writing it. ;)

 

Love Sam she is the best!! :)

[Solara]

Thanks for the outstanding review.

The CB is a beautiful ship, we loved her too and would sail on her again anytime. Our trip on her in May was just as wonderful as yours.

[coiran]

Not on my ship, we were probably on different cruises! :confused:

 

I don't understand - what are you trying to say? Please elaborate.

Thanks

Ron

 

There is another post where the pax had so so food and no Ac and other problems - I just wonder how is it that you had the opposite experience - I chalk it up to my parrallel world theory.

 

Ron

[-Lew-]

I don't understand - what are you trying to say? Please elaborate.

Ron,

 

I think she misread your message.

 

Lew

[dcrow72]

wow what a review!! Thanks for taking all that time to give us the birdseye view in the positive! Now the only problem is I really can't wait to sail in October! Sounds just like our experience on the Crown last year. I have one question; did you have a teen with you and how old? Was there dancing or anything for them to do late at night? I know Skywalkers is adults only but how about Club Fusion? Thanks again for the great review

[NeurosurgeryNP]

Thanks for the review. Looking forward to sailing on her in 2 months!

[frofro]

I got off the CB 1 month ago today :( I enjoyed reading your review, reliving it all, thanks! :)

[SandG]

I have one question; did you have a teen with you and how old? Was there dancing or anything for them to do late at night? I know Skywalkers is adults only but how about Club Fusion? Thanks again for the great review

 

Hi, I was on the 7/19 sailing with a 16-going-on-17 daughter. Dancing? Absolutely!!! She danced nearly every night in the Remix Center or in Club Fusion. (One night the teen program took over Club Fusion.) The dancing usually started around 11:30 or midnight. They also played a lot of intersactive video games like Wii, DDR, Guitar Hero and Rock Star in Remix. It's all free but according to the guide, the activities were only open to teens who registered at the beginning of the cruise.

 

Skywalkers is adult-only after 10:00 PM. My daughter and her cruise friends like to hang out there in the afternoon and early evening.

 

(BTW, she had an absolute blast.)

 

Sue

[Cruiser7772]

I loved this review because this is exactly how I felt about everything on this cruise! I was on the same sailing and completely agree with all of the comments, although I certainly didn't participate in everything First Time Cruiser did! You must have been very busy!!! GREAT REVIEW :D

[Whimsy]

Thank you for your review. On my last cruise on the CB while I was at the airport a young woman was complaining to someone about how bad the same cruise was. Amazing, we were both on the same ship but had a totally different experience! I have never had a bad cruise and doubt I ever will.

 

Hope you sail again soon! You sound like my kind of cruiser.

[cdngrl]

you should work for princess! your enthusiasm jumps from the page. i'm sold--i want to sail on the cb now!

[Sandytoes]

Roseann

~~~

 

Excellent review. This has to be the best review I have read in such a looong time.

Bravo to you!!!!

Our cruise was absolutely fantastic, couldn't wish for anything more.

 

Ditto!! Throughout the length of the cruise I wondered if I was ever going to meet anyone on our roll call.

Thankful we met. It seemed as though we were friends already. Perfect!!!! I'm sorry that I never had a chance to meet with everyone else.

I did however catch Ken singing it up on the last nite. But, wasn't to sure if it was our Boston936. Have to say, he won my vote.....:)

He really knows how to work the crowd - doesn't he????? ;)...:p

Karaoke ~ Was located in Club Fusion. Ken (Boston936) YoU RoCk!!! Your rendition of Sweet Caroline was great! You really know how to work the crowd. I filmed it and if you want me to post it on Facebook, I WILL!!! BTW Ken, I left you a “good luck” message on your dry erase board. My teen-aged nephew also participated in karaoke and he was so seam-splitting funny

PS: as for suing -- ;) I know I have a good case, but it's not my style. If it didn't happen the day before the cruise, I would have gone back just to show them the cast on my foot and requested them to pay my hospital bill. :cool: But the cruise was my top priority and nothing was going to stop me from cruising. :D

 

 

Again, what a wonderful, refreshing review.

I can only hope we'll all have the chance to sail together in the near future.

Chris

[dforeigner]

Thank you for taking time to write a review.

[Bakermania]

Wow, what a great review!

I started a thread on the band Wavelength, if you may be interested in putting your two cents worth over there? Many of us weren't on the cruise where they did their Rock Concert yet and we're dying to hear more about it!

Great to hear you had a super time.:)

[Kathy130]

Roseann................ditto, ditto, ditto.................I couldn't agree more.

 

I was on the July 19th cruise and experienced the same wonderful cruise.

[SSM0120]

Thanks for the great review of the CB. My fiance and I are going in November for our honeymoon and we cannot wait! I'll have to show him this review.

[lj1231]

Thanks for your wonderful review. It is definitely appreciated.

 

Question about the $80 ice cream/soda/mocktail card. Do you have any idea if this includes smoothies? My son loves to get smoothies and this would definitely be something I would do if it includes them.

[Cinerama]

Make sure you catch the talented Bert Stratton in the Crooners Bar from 9pm till late. He plays the Baby Grand piano and you get to sing-a-long. Lot’s of fun!!! Get there early for a seat otherwise its standing room only!

~Roseann

 

Bert Stratton? I thought he left Princess months ago? His web site says he is no longer doing cruises.

[Colo Cruiser]

Bert Stratton? I thought he left Princess months ago? His web site says he is no longer doing cruises.

 

 

We could only hope. :rolleyes:

[Rgtouro]

Bert Stratton? I thought he left Princess months ago? His web site says he is no longer doing cruises.

 

Bert is still going strong on Caribbean Princess! He draws a large crowd of people.

[boone2]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cinerama

Bert Stratton? I thought he left Princess months ago? His web site says he is no longer doing cruises.

 

 

We could only hope. :rolleyes:

 

Ditto, dreadful singer, we cringed everytime we walked past Crooners. On the Emerald last year there was a young singer from the UK called Danny Seward, he was wonderful, self taught, played by ear and had starred on some British TV series. he filled Crooners every night and was a pleasure to listen to. We expectedthe same this year especially after all the reviews on this board about Bert, - ABYSMAL. but there again it takes all sorts to please all crowds.

Terry