Crown Princess

This cruise has been on our list for many years. It was worth the wait. Probably the best cruise we have ever taken. We really enjoyed Alaska, but the beauty of the fjords of Norway may surpass the beauty of Alaska. The ports were definitely better.

Norway ports were beautiful took an excursion offered by Travel Agency in Stavanger was good. I booked on line the Flaam railroad it was excellent & price fantastic, walked around the ports with ease or booked a excursion at a port. (Hop on Hop off) The Crown Princess was excellent, food, entertainment, services provided by crew.

The ship could have used some refurbishing.  Service was standard, at best.  Food was not so good.  I had a prime rib with so much membrane that I couldn't cut it, let alone eat it.  No matter how your steak was ordered, rare, med rare, med, it all came out the same way...Well Done.  Princess used to be our favorite cruise line, but not based on this one.

The ports visited were very interesting especially, St. Petersburg,Tallin, Stockholm and Brugge

However, the rating is low because of 5 days of toilet problems where we actually had to find a toilet in the night. Sometimes we didn't get it fixed until after midnight.

Princess did have some compensation but not nearly enough to make up for the first part of the trip. Sorry Princess, you failed on this one

Crown Princess, built in 2006, refurbished in 2011 (we thought again in 2015 but going into dry dock next year) lacked the enclosed protection over the pool which we could have really used.  Both the Balcony and the room was very small, dated and worn out and the shower was super tiny.  Laundry facilities were available on almost every floor which was a huge plus for a TransAtlantic Crossing.

 

Staff was wonderful and we loved that they had "Happy Hours" that were BOGO for $1.00 (3 times each day but we only did it 4 times.)  International Cafe was free pastries and sandwiches; coffee and/or hot chocolate was $1.67, gelato also but for 3 big scoops. Captain's night was Champagne and Mimosa's. 

 

Buffet Cafe not very good as they were inclined to serve the same items for several days in a row and choices were not that great.  Omelets had to be ordered delivered so were generally cold. Breakfast and Lunch in the Dining Room had limited menus.  Dinners were excellent and the Servers and the Service were awesome.  

 

Entertainment was mediocre and activities were inclined to be somewhat limited other than Zumba, Line Dance and BallRoom Dance Lessons for me, silly games and of course Karaoke. But talks, which are hugely popular were scarce. "Movies Under the Stars" were 3 times a day but it was too cold to even think about it.  The movies were excellent and showed the next day in one of the lounges and then again the following day on TV in the room.

 

We talked to well traveled Princess guests who had the same problem with the ship - even those that had been on it before.  So, thinking the ship is tired and the crew in addition to the ship needs a "lift." 

 

The Captain was fabulous.  Very vocal, kept us informed, and kept the ship steady even in a "following sea" and winds of over 40 knts.  Days at port were all pleasant and sunny with Ponte Delgada in the 70's, Lisbon and Bilbao in the 60's and LeHavre in the 50's.  Loved Ponte Delgada (Azores) and Bilbao, Spain.  Lisbon is a huge Metropolis, congested and prone to pick pocketingWe took the Hop On / Hop Off (HOHO) bus and used it as a tour, never getting off.  The Shuttle to town in LeHavre was 32 euros (roundtrip for 2) I thought was rather steeply priced.