As soon as you get on board the ship head to the Sanctuary and make your reservations for the entire trip. It fills up fast. We boarded the ship at 2:00 and got to the Sanctuary at 2:30 all of the reservations were almost full for the week. We found out later that there are some people who do back-to-back cruises on the same ship. So they're on the ship for 2-3 weeks. Crazy, I know. So they get to book all of their activities while everyone else is standing in line waiting to board the ship. Great for them, bad for everyone else.
Check the menus of each dining venue in the morning. We found that some of the food in specialty dining is served for free in the main dining halls and sometimes the buffets (desserts and entrees). Not always, but sometimes if you can plan it right. Why are we paying $30 for steak at Crown Grill when we can get it for free in the main dining hall?
This was only my second cruise, so I'm learning the tricks as I go along.
Do not expect party crowds nor activities found in newer ships. No rock climbing, pool slides, nor ice skating, but a relaxing ship, a mature crowd, and, great live show entertainment and food.
Definitely get a balcony room if you can. Take advantage of the live entertainment (get there early!). Don’t leave without eating at the Crown Grill. Have fun!!
Do not book a cabin in the Riviera underneath of the restaurant. The reason is that very early in the morning 2 or 3 am also at 6 am you can hear a lot of noises. Maybe getting ready preparing the food for the buffet at breaksfast time. So sometimes is not easy to sleep due to the noise.
Double check schedules, as the ship’s app & the paper schedule aren’t always the same! They could use some attention to detail there! The afternoon tea. Was a highlight for us! Fantastic!
There's so much you CAN do, but you don't HAVE to do it all. Sometimes I feel like I want to do as much as possible to "get my money's worth," but the key is to just relax and do only what you want to do ... and then your trip will be worth more than you can imagine. Try some new things, but don't obligate yourself to stay or commit if you don't like it. The best part about cruising - especially with Princess - is that you can do as much as you want.
It's going into Dry Dock -- ours was the last cruise to the ABC Islands this year, too. I think the work they are doing will be an improvement but I'd have to reserve judgement until we see it again. I do know they are tearing up the shopping area -- maybe they will put in all on one floor? That would be a great improvement!
If you drink buy the unlimited alcohol, its really limited to 15 per day, but by the time you get to 8 you wont give a shit about anything. Unfortunately I dont. But I thought about starting. If you smoke you can buy pack from any bar for $4 per pack, but they may not have your brand.
Unless you don't mind being on an older ship that is rough around the edges and doesn't have up-to-date software, then you may enjoy this ship. We decided that we'd rather go on another cruise line than board the Crown a second time.
Do NOT book it...too many leaks throughout the ship and vibrations on many floors. Even the Captain Club representative said "You should have booked a NEWER ship"
Don't listen to the naysayers....it's a very pretty ship full of people who want to make sure you are having a great time! Definitely splurge and do a Club Class Mini Suite. You will be glad you did! My husband is 6'4" and he loved the extra space. D417 is an awesome room. Real bathroom with a tub and we barely knew we were sailing unless we opened the balcony and saw he water going by. Very stable and quiet part of the ship. We were midship right at the lifts and never heard any traffic or noise. It was a great room!
*Cruiseline.com is not a booking agent or travel agency,
and does not charge any service fees to users of our site. Our
partners (travel agencies and cruise lines) provide prices, which
we list for our users' convenience. Cruiseline.com does not
guarantee any specific rates or prices. While prices are updated
daily, please check with the booking site for the exact amount.
Cruiseline.com is not responsible for content on external web sites.
If you choose to follow Crown Princess you will receive
weekly email updates with the latest reviews, tips, and photos from Cruiseline.com
members about Crown Princess.
Thank you!
Contact us
Submitting...
Need help from a personal vacation planner?
Loading...
Find the perfect cruise with weekly tips and cruise deals for as little as $30/night!
Sign up for weekly cruise deals
Join other subscribers and get the best
cruise deals of the week in your inbox every Thursday.
