For Those Headed North on CB

[Howlev34]

Just off CB 8/24-8/31. Beckcab's review is pretty much the experience we had so I'll just add a few things.

 

Highlights:

 

Embarkation: We arrived at 12:30 PM and were in our cabin in 20 minutes. This seems to be the ideal time to arrive because when we disembarked, we noted a lot of traffic trying to enter at 10:30 and port security was not allowing them to enter until outgoing passengers and traffic was finished.

 

Meet and Greet: An excellent turnout. James Deering, head of passenger services, answered all questions. CB will be in drydock in Freeport for about 3 weeks. A team of 1800 workers, working in 3 shifts, will replace the non-functioning generator by cutting a hole through the ship, removing the 2 generators next to the damaged one, and then replacing the generator and reversing the process. A generator, we were told, is about the size of a bus and weighs 500 pounds. He also told us that there will be an additional 7 junior suites without balconies put in and that a new specialty restaurant will be added along with new furnishings throughout the ship.

 

Crew: The crew was very attentive from our cabin steward (if you get Zoltan on Baja deck, he was one of the best) to the waitstaff in the dining room. We had 2nd seating in the Island dining room. The Cruise Director, Dan Styne, is exceptional. He is part Cruise Director, part comedian, part singer and very energetic. He could be an act all by himself. The CB entertainment was excellent but, as others have noted, the Princess theater can get packed and there were instances where people were standing.

 

The food: I was on Golden Princess 3 years ago and, even though food is a very subjective topic, I found the food to be superb from appetizers to desserts. The CB take on lobster tails is a little different than some other ships- it is served on the 2nd formal night (Friday) paired with jumbo prawn tails. Also, if you like seafood, CB has an abundance of it, both in the dining room and in the buffet. On sailaway night and on the next night, the buffet featured unlimited lobster claws paired one night with snow crab and on the other night with shrimp.

 

The ports: We docked in Halifax, St. John and Boston, and tendered in Bar Harbor and Newport. Tendering was controlled and orderly. Ship's tenders were used. A must see: In St. John, we went on a private excursion to see the Reversing Falls. If you want to experience the awesome power of these currents meeting (Bay of Fundy and St. John River), then seeing it and feeling it by boat is a must. We took the boat ride where you don't get wet (the boat is located to the left of the ship as you are getting off, right next to the Hilton). You can also take the jet boat, where you will get wet (actually, soaked). In Halifax, we rented a car (Budget, in advance and they deliver the car to the ship) and drove to Peggy's Cove (about an hour). There is a post office in the lighthouse there and they will stamp your passport. You can also buy first day covers, postcards, stamps and then you can mail the postcards which will bear the Peggy's Cove postmark. You don't need to carry Canadian money, as the exchange is pretty much equal these days and every place accepts U.S., but do be aware that your change will be in Canadian money.

 

Debarkation: Princess got it right by knowing that a passenger's last impression could be a memorable one. 7:30 walk off for those who want to (as long as they bring their luggage) and an orderly process for everyone else. Breakfast served in the Palm dining room until 8:30 and coffee stations set up in all the debarkation areas. We had driven to the ship (about an hour from Central, NJ) and parked in the open-air lot next to the ship. Cost for the 8 days was $136, payment by cash or credit card in the machine either inside the terminal or at the lot.

 

On the whole: We (my DW and I) thoroughly enjoyed our cruise. We noted that Princess seems to have improved since we were on Golden.

 

Any questions, please feel free to ask.

[Sails Call]

Thanks so much for taking the time to post this. My wife and wwill be taking this trip and a few weeks and can't wait.

[Dlinkous]

Thank you for taking the time to post your review and so quickly! We are sailing on 9/7 and it's great to see the positive experiences so far!

[tvaud]

there will be an additional 7 junior suites without balconies put in and that a new specialty restaurant will be added along with new furnishings throughout the ship.

 

 

That new specialty restaurant will be the Crown Grill. Those suites will be full outside suites, just without balconies.

[Love to Cook!]

We are sailing on Oct 12.

we are thinking of just walking around Newport. Is there anything to see in the immediate area of the tender dock?

 

Can't wait to sail. Thanks for the info!!:)

[alphakitty]

We are sailing on Oct 12.

we are thinking of just walking around Newport. Is there anything to see in the immediate area of the tender dock?

 

Can't wait to sail. Thanks for the info!!:)

 

Lots to do in walking distance of the dock which is known as Perrotti park. Head to the left, and the Welcome Center is about a block away. From there you can pick up a trolley ticket for $5 pp and ride all day. You can get to the Mansions http://www.newportmansions.org/ and Fort Adams State Park http://www.fortadams.org/.

 

If you want to stay in the downtown area, there are lots of shops to browse in and restaurants too along Thames Street http://www.newportattractions.com/newportlowerrthamesstreet.htm. The views are beautiful as well.

Head up hill to see many historic homes and the first synagogue in the U.S. http://www.tourosynagogue.org/, or try an organized tour. http://www.newportrestoration.com/histours/

 

 

There is an Ocktoberfest while you are there on Oct 12 too. :)

http://www.gonewport.com/ViewPage.aspx?id=175

They Newport Yachting Center http://www.newportyachtingcenter.com/ , where the festival is held, is very close to the dock too.

 

Hope you enjoy Rhode Island :)

[Love to Cook!]

Thanks a TON for the info!!!:D

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the comments. :)

[CMM]

appreciated your review.

[Cinerama]

I do have one question about the food in the dinning room. Did they offer escargot as an appetizer one of the nights?