 |
 |
|
Note - this page contains multiple reviews.
Name: Earl Zimmer
Email: earzim1@home.com
Age: 48
Occupation: lawyer
NumberOfCruises: 7
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Crown
SailingDate: december16,1998
Itinerary: Mexican Riviera
FoodDiningRoom: 80
CruiseDirector: 85
CabinComfort: 90
FoodRoomService: 80
CruiseStaff: 75
CabinAmenities: 80
FoodLidoDeck: 69
DiningRoomService: 85
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 75
ShoreExcVariety: 75
FoodVariety: 70
DeckService: 80
ShoreExcValue: 75
GoodForHoneymoon: 75
CasinoStaff: 75
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 75
TenderService: 88
GoodForSeniors: 85
BeautySalonStaff: 80
EntertainmentLounges: 61
WheelchairAccess: 87
ExerciseFacilities: 69
EntertShowLounge: 55
OverallPortsofCall: 80
BeautySalon: 80
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 60
Casino: 74
AirSeaProgram: 89
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 85
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 69
DeckSpace: 79
Stabilization: 75
ShopsOnBoard: 74
SpaceRatio: 85
OverallCruiseValue: 76
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 26 Dec 1998
Time: 23:07:22
Remote Name: 24.112.6.164
Remote User:
Comments
We, being 4 of us, just came back from a 10 day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Crown
Princess. This was my seventh cruise and
I have to say that I can not recommend the Crown Princess as the way to go. Other ships we
have sailed on, notably the Sun
Princess made for a far better cruise experience. The main problem was with the food on
board. Firstly, the Lido deck for
breakfast and lunch had a very poor selection of things to choose from. The lunch buffet
ended at about 2:00p.m. every day and
after that you could not eat much till first sitting at supper, which was 6:00p.m.
Suprisingly, you could get a meal served at
3:00a.m. but not at 3:00p.m. I found this to be odd. How many people will want a full meal
at 3 in the morning, yet at this time
you could get one, but you could not in the afternoom. There was a nice Pizzeria on board
but it had problems as well. Firstly, it
was not open all the time. Secondly, they have this odd rule that pizza can not be taken
out. This I completely do not
understand. One day I wanted to take some pizza to my sick wife, who was in our cabin, but
I was told that it was not allowable
to take a pizza out. This is silly on the part of Princess and I do not see why they try
to enforce this silly rule. They would cook
hamburgers and hot dogs near the pool, but they had nothing for vegetarians. They easily
could have done some veggie burgers
or chicken but they did not. The spartan health club was low down on deck 2 and was poorly
equipped Due to the location and
limited equipment, it was seldom used. The entertainment in the main show lounge was
generally not very good. On about 3
nights the performers were mildly entertaining but on the other nights the Broadway style
shows were only slightly better than a
good high school production. Most of the staff and crew that we had contact with seemed to
be overworked, tired, and I had the
impression they really only were trying to rean our tips by putting on some kind of false
friendliness.I enjoyed the ports and I liked
Mexico, but the ship itself did not really add much to the holiday. The ship did not
really have much I really did not get the
impression that they were sincere in their efforts. atmosphere, and little attempt was
made to create a real festive, or Mexican, or
any sort of holiday feeling on board. I very much enjoy cruising but I do not intend to
cruise with Crown or its sister ship Regal
again. I feel there are much better ways to go.
Name: Norma
Email: norma.wiens@gems5.gov.bc.ca
Age: 42
Occupation: administrative officer
NumberOfCruises: 2
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Crown
SailingDate: September 16, 1995
Itinerary: Vancouver to Acapulco
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 95
CruiseStaff: 100
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 100
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 90
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 100
ShoreExcValue:
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 90
TenderService: 95
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside: 95
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino:
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 98
EmbarkDisembark: 80
DiscoNightclubs: 95
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 95
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 99
OverallCruiseValue: 90
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 11 Jan 1999
Time: 14:43:01
Remote Name: 142.36.244.127
Remote User:
Comments
I'm commenting on our first cruise which we took in 1995. We truly didn't know what to
expect - it turned out to be
better than anything we could have dreamed of. The crew and service staff were excellent
and always at our beck
and call - which was sort of what we had counted on but didn't really know if it would
truly happen! We booked
early seating for dinner and that was a mistake on our part as we missed 5 out of 10
dinners as we were usually
still up on the pool deck enjoying the sun and excellent service! We never made it to the
midnight buffet as we
were usually enjoying ourselves in the cabaret - the officers aboard were truly gentlemen
and indeed very fun to
share a few laughs and dances with. We don't normally eat at midnight, so didn't bother to
do so on our cruise
either! We did check out the pizzeria a couple of times and thoroughly enjoyed the food in
there. We also indulged
in room service a few times and were impressed with the wquality of the food and the
friendliness of the servers.
We never made it to breakfast in the dining room, but enjoyed the buffet up on the pool
deck and loved sitting
outside under the glorious sun to eat our brunch. The food was always fresh and very tasty
and you could always
find healthy food to eat if you were so inclined! I absolutely loved being waited on hand
and foot and look forward
to our upcoming cruise in September of 1999 when we shall cruise from Vancouver to Hawaii
- the countdown is
on!! I honestly believe that crusing is one of the most relaxing and safe holidays you can
take. My girlfriend and I
never felt the leat bit apprehensive or afraid to be out and about on the ship - the way
you can sometimes feel on
land. Cruising is definitely our first choice for holidays - I look forward to going with
my partner as I'm sure he too
will enjoy the laid back lifestyle of being on a cruise ship.
Name: Peter A. Boone
Email: peter.boone@usa.xerox.com
Age: 32
Occupation: Financial Analyst
NumberOfCruises: 3
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Crown
SailingDate: 5-24-99
Itinerary: Northbound Alaskan cruise
FoodDiningRoom: 95
CruiseDirector: 90
CabinComfort: 95
FoodRoomService:
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 95
FoodLidoDeck: 90
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 90
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 97
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 95
ShoreExcValue: 97
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 95
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors:
BeautySalonStaff: 93
EntertainmentLounges: 92
WheelchairAccess:
ExerciseFacilities: 95
EntertShowLounge: 94
OverallPortsofCall: 90
BeautySalon: 95
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities: 95
Casino: 95
AirSeaProgram:
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 99
EmbarkDisembark: 96
DiscoNightclubs: 97
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 93
ShopsOnBoard: 95
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 96
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 03 Jun 1999
Time: 15:51:17
Remote Name: europa.ext.eastgw.xerox.com
Remote User:
Comments
Prior to our cruise on 5-24-99, the Crown Princess spent about 25 days in dry dock to get
a 'make-over'.
The dining room was completely redone and the ship's common areas were recarpeted and
repainted in
many places both inside and outside. Although the ship itself is not one of the newer
ships it is kept in very
good shape and does not look it's age at all.
The food and the service in the dining room are incredible. There are always plenty of
choices to satisfy
all appetites and tastes. There were numerous healthy, vegetarian, and other choices. The
only complaint
I had about the food was that most of the chilled soups of the day weren't very good.
However, if you stick
with a warm soup option you will be most pleased.
I think the most important thing to keep in mind when taking an Alaskan cruise is to
remember that most of
the passengers on the cruise will be older. Although I wasn't looking for a party-ship I
was interested in
going to the shows and the clubs on board. Unfortunately, most of the clubs and the shows
were usually
pretty empty because the majority of the passengers were going to bed by 10:30 or 11:00
PM. It is not
much fun to dance in a club/lounge when there are only about 15-20 people in the room. I
think that if you
keep in mind that most of the passengers on the ship are retired or senior citizens, then
you won't be
disappointed by the atmosphere.
Don't get me wrong-I had an awesome time and I don't want to offend anyone out there, but
this is not a
Caribbean cruise and if you are looking for a big party scene, then you should look
elsewhere.
I would definitely recommend the Crown Princess and an Alaskan cruise. Alaska is
beautiful, and there
aren't enough adjectives to describe the awe inspiring beauty. I would also recommend
taking the
helicopter tours which allow you to fly over and walk on a glacier---that was the high
point of my trip.
Bon Voyage!
Name: Penelope A. Cook
Email: rcook@tigerpaw.com
Age: 53
Occupation: Educator
NumberOfCruises: 6
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Crown
SailingDate: 6/28/99
Itinerary: Alaska
FoodDiningRoom: 89
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 89
FoodRoomService: 89
CruiseStaff: 95
CabinAmenities: 89
FoodLidoDeck: 89
DiningRoomService: 89
CabinQuietness: 95
FoodMidnightBuffets:
CabinSteward: 90
ShoreExcVariety: 95
FoodVariety: 89
DeckService: 90
ShoreExcValue: 95
GoodForHoneymoon:
CasinoStaff:
PrivateIsland:
GoodForFamilies:
LoungeService: 89
TenderService:
GoodForSeniors: 95
BeautySalonStaff:
EntertainmentLounges: 90
WheelchairAccess: 95
ExerciseFacilities:
EntertShowLounge: 95
OverallPortsofCall: 98
BeautySalon:
EntertainmentPoolside:
CruiseActivities:
Casino:
AirSeaProgram: 95
MedicalFacilities:
ShipCleanliness: 95
EmbarkDisembark: 90
DiscoNightclubs: 89
DeckSpace: 95
Stabilization: 90
ShopsOnBoard: 80
SpaceRatio: 95
OverallCruiseValue: 89
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 11 Jul 1999
Time: 15:37:45
Remote Name: tp71.tigerpaw.com
Remote User:
Comments
This was our 6th cruise, the first to Alaska. I found that embarkation was the easist of
any cruise we have been on. Within
8 minutes of walking into the boarding area, we were on the ship itself. The madatory life
boat drill was very organized. It
was taken seriously by the staff. We all met in designated areas inside the ship, instead
of at the actual life boats on
decks. The staff, for the most part, were very friendly and helpful. We were on the
fly/cruise package. Good connections,
but a very long first day...considereing the time changes involved. All tour tickets were
in our stateroom when we boarded.
There had been a mistake in tour tickets, but that was readily taken care of by the tour
staff. We found the shore
excursions more than satisfactory. Princess staff were visible at every step of the
way...from arriving in Anchorage to
leaving the airport at Vancouver.
We found the food to be adequate on the Crown Princess. Not as much variety as I had
expected. There were some very
good dishes, but they seemed few and far between. Room service was exceptional. Within 45
seconds of a phone call
annoucing the delivery what was ordered, our food appeared. I was disappointed in the size
of the stateroom and the
balcony. Both were smaller than we have had on other cruise lines. However, the shower was
larger than on any other
cruise line that we have sailed. The cruise director was not only funny, but also very
informative. The entertainment in the
main show room was above average. Our party included people in their 50's thru late 70's.
There was something for
everyone to experience on the ship.
I did not like standing in line to enter the dining room for dinner ( we were late
sitting). I have not experienced this on any
other cruise. People 'herded' into the dining room like a cattle call. I also did not like
the 'pep-session' atmosphere on the
last night, led by the cruise director, of cheering and applaudng the dining staff. The
dining room was too loud and too bright
during the dinner meals. We also felt rushed from the dining room. The dining
staff/service was adequate.
We did not attend any of the movies that were presented on board. I wish those same movies
might have been shown on
the in-room television sets. I did like the rebroadcast of the 'talks' that were
given...whether it was about the environment or
about the ports of call.
My only other observation would deal with the disembarkation. It's too bad the staff did
not annoucne that passengers could
sit in any of the open lounges while awaiting their appointed time to leave the ship. Most
people crowded into the main deck
areas...many stood or sat on stairs. The main show lounge could have been used, as well as
any other of the public rooms.
But this was not made known to the passengers. However, once off the ship, again, Princess
staff was there every step of
the way to make certain passengers knew where to go.
I thoroughly enjoyed the Alaskan scenery. The cruise was very relaxing...I would recommend
it to anyone. One thing I was
impressed by...the total lack of pressure to 'buy' a drink, whether on deck or in the show
room or lounges. It was a change
of pace to hear someone ask for hot chocolate instead of a rum drink on deck!
Name: Caryn Erdberg
Email: ssbeagle@yahoo.com
Age: 48
Occupation: Civil Service
NumberOfCruises: 9
TravelAgent: No
Ship: Princess-Crown
SailingDate: Sep 4, 1995
Itinerary: Alaska
Cabin: A101
FoodDiningRoom: 100
CruiseDirector: 95
CabinComfort: 100
FoodRoomService: 100
CruiseStaff: 98
CabinAmenities: 100
FoodLidoDeck: 95
DiningRoomService: 100
CabinQuietness: 100
FoodMidnightBuffets: 90
CabinSteward: 100
ShoreExcVariety: 100
FoodVariety: 100
DeckService: 85
ShoreExcValue: 100
GoodForHoneymoon: 100
CasinoStaff: 95
PrivateIsland: 0
GoodForFamilies: 75
LoungeService: 95
TenderService: 100
GoodForSeniors: 98
BeautySalonStaff: 90
EntertainmentLounges: 100
WheelchairAccess: 80
ExerciseFacilities: 85
EntertShowLounge: 99
OverallPortsofCall: 100
BeautySalon: 95
EntertainmentPoolside: 0
CruiseActivities: 100
Casino: 90
AirSeaProgram: 97
MedicalFacilities: 100
ShipCleanliness: 100
EmbarkDisembark: 100
DiscoNightclubs: 60
DeckSpace: 70
Stabilization: 100
ShopsOnBoard: 90
SpaceRatio: 100
OverallCruiseValue: 99
Submit: Submit Review
Date: 11 Sep 1999
Time: 21:35:56
Remote Name: onefiftyseven.cyou.com
Remote User:
Comments
I had always wanted to go to Alaska and taking a Princess Cruisetour was certainly the way
to do it. We began our trip
with a flight to Fairbanks, Alaska arriving around midnight. We were met at the airport by
a Princess representative
and taken to our hotel. We barely touched our luggage as she picked it up from baggage
claim and put it directly into
our room at the Sophie Station Hotel. She handed us our keys and itinerary for the next
couple of days in Fairbanks.
There was no hassle with hotel check-in as it had been done before we even got there. The
next morning after
breakfast (the food at the hotel was outstanding) we took a tour of Fairbanks going to a
gold mine and a stop at the
Alaska Pipeline. The afternoon we took a boat tour down the Tenana River with a couple of
stops at a fishing village
and the meeting of the waters. We put our luggage out the night before we left Fairbanks.
All we could take on the
train was an overnight bag. The next day we boarded the Alaska railroad train with special
cars belonging to Princess.
The seats were comfortable and the views were fantastic from the huge picture windows. It
took about 4 hours to arrive
at Denali National Park where we spent one night at the Princess Lodge. We took the
wildlife tour into the park and
were not disappointed. We saw bear, sheep and moose as well as a few other animals. The
next afternoon we
boarded the train and headed for Anchorage. It was about an 8 hour trip again with
beautiful sights along the way. We
were taken by bus to The Captain Cook Hotel (a 5-star hotel in downtown Anchorage). Our
luggage was waiting for us
in our pre-assigned room which was very comfortable. The next morning we took a city tour
that took us to the
museum and all around the city. The afternoon was free and we were able to spend it with
friends who live in
Anchorage and they also took us several places on our own. Portage Glacier is a
not-to-be-missed sight as well as the
jade and candle-making factories.
After our second night in Anchorage we were taken by bus (comfortable as well) down to
Seward to board the ship for
a 7-day cruise down to Vancouver. We stopped at Skagway, Juneau, and Ketchikan and also
spent a day cruising
through Glacier National Park.
The day after we set sail I became very ill and went to see the ship's doctor. I had
developed pneumonia and I was
well-taken care of. I was given medication that did not upset my stomach and the ship's
staff couldn't have treated me
any better than they did. Our cabin steward made sure I had plenty of nourishing food to
eat when I was too ill to leave
the cabin. When I felt well enough to return to the dining room for meals, our wait staff
was wonderful and making sure
that I had everything and anything I wanted. Even the head waiter was caring and
solicitous.
Unfortunately, I missed the tours of Skagway, but what I could see from the ship it was a
beautiful town. My husband
enjoyed the train tour he took up the mountain to a gold mine. By the time we reached
Juneau, I felt well enough to get
off the ship for a few minutes. Juneau is the capitol of Alaska and did not impress me
very much. However, when we
arrived in Ketchikan, I was well enough to walk around the whole town. It was beautiful
and we also arrived on one of
the rare days it didn't rain there. You could really see the history of Alaska in
Ketchikan. The cruise down the inside
passage was calm and uneventful. I hated for that cruise to end.
Our cabin was on Aloha deck at the front of the ship. It was a standard outside cabin with
plenty of space and very
comfortable. The beds were comfortable and the cabin steward was wonderful from the minute
we boarded the ship
until we got off in Vancouver.
The entertainment on board was good. The comedians leave a little to be desired but the
shows put on by the cruise
staff were excellent.
In the dining room, we had a table for 6 by the windows in the rear. We had first sitting
and the times we were in port,
we could watch as we departed while we ate dinner. The food in the Lido wasn't as good as
the dining room; however,
the pizzeria was excellent.
The main complaint I had about the Crown Princess was its lack of open deck space. Of
course, for Alaska it didn't
matter as it was really too cold to be outdoors much. They had a beautiful observation
area at the front of the ship with
huge windows to see out of.
We plan on cruising on the Crown again. This time we will be going to the Panama Canal and
the western Caribbean.
It is because of the service we received from the staff on board the Crown that we have
decided to go on her again.
This time we have booked a cabin with a balcony on Baja deck. I will let you all know how
it turns out.
Want to book your cruise at a great rate?
Click here.
Questions or comments? Mail to webmaster@cruiseopinion.com.
Copyright ©1996-2001 CruiseOpinion.com. Last modified: March 23, 2000.