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Princess Cruise Line

MS Crown Princess

Your Rating:
Reviewed by: Mike SA
# previous cruises: 21 to 30
Date of Trip: August 8, 2008
Itinerary: Baltic/Black Sea/Russia

This was a last minute booking and my travel agent just happened to get a cancellation on the Crown at a "reasonable" rate. While the biggest in the Princess fleet she is far from the roomiest, indeed of all the Princess ships I have cruised so far you really do notice what would seem to be an excess of people on board. However other than that the ship itself is what you would expect from Princess.

Now don't get me wrong I did not have the cruise from hell by any means, I enjoyed it just fine, but for the price it was poor value compared to other cruise lines and this is reflected in the star rating. For instance there was nothing wrong with my accommodation but there was nothing special about it either - for the price it was poor.

I have to say some areas / rooms of the ship were lovely, Sabatinis and adjoining piano bar (which was always quiet for some reason) for instance, however others seemed to me to be a little tacky, the atrium felt overly small especially during the unscheduled entertainments (sorry now called piazza). Show lounge is WAY to small for this number of people, people were leaving dinner early to get a seat - where is the fun in that ?

The biggest mistake in my book is way to many of the public rooms look inwards, with the exception of Skywalkers and the Adaigio lounge already mentioned none of the rooms look out at the sea, even where they are lined up along the promenade deck for instance the arrangement of the stage blocks any windows that might have been, simply by rotating the stage to the inside of the ship this would have made for many rooms having great views.

In all the decor is pleasant but other than the Adagio lounge and Sabatinis (with the exception of the deck outside which is truly tacky) nothing memorable.

The only area I truly disliked is Skywalkers, the leather effect furniture is already looking scuffed and worn, while the space theme works at night this is the only lounge that really looks out during the day and is really not a pleasant place to be during the day - no bar open, no staff, no nothing, I have not seen it yet but the Metropolitan (?) lounge on Ventura would seem a much better idea to me. I do like the balcony outside Skywalkers however. Oh yes as an observation lounge it is also noisy from the activities taking place above it

Buffet - normal buffet fare.

Main dining rooms. OK. Compared to Princess of a number of years ago truly appalling but compared to Princess of late - OK.

Sabatinis - good fun, tell them not to rush you and get a window table aft and you could be in for a fabulous meal and evening - depending on company of course.

Crown Grill. Why charge to eat here and then have items on the menu that cost more again - annoying. However ate here twice and liked it. Is it the best steak or lobster in the world - not by a long way but very enjoyable and would go again anytime.

Room service - non existent - nothing on the menu, takes for ages and is disappointing when it gets there. If this was the best they can do I would simply scrap it.

R402. Princess Cays suite PH grade.

This is the real breaker for me. I often if not normally book a suite. Most cruise lines go out of the way to recognise you have paid extra for the privilege, with Princess frankly nothing. The suite itself was clean etc. but nothing to write home about - by suite standards small and nothing - well to get excited about, no hot tub, no proper butler service, no meals on the balcony etc etc. If you want a suite go RCI or Celebrity or even Carnival who all look after their top clients well, even NCL does a better job than Princess with special lunches etc etc. and their suites while loud colour wise are a darn site bigger etc. With Princess you are only one of 3600 other pax.

Usual good high school standard feathers and posing type reviews. However one thing that did annoy was selling bingo bloody tickets at the shows in the evening !!! Which leads me onto nickel and diming. By far the worst ever ever ever include NCLA last year, everything costs, nothing included, and it is push push push. Sorry truly turned me off. In fact having worked for Princess for 9 years this may turn out to be my last cruise with them. It is simply too far removed from what I remember and relate to. Obviously I am getting old - Silversea and Seabourne will see more of me than before.

As for port info talks - 100% shopping. I left.

All ship Photographers should be replaced with photo booths as at airports and similar, they are truly a pain in the butt. Otherwise keep them but gag them at all times and chain them by the leg so they can only venture so far away from their desk. Thus saving the rest of the ship form their infestation.

Not bad, usual things but not really my scene.

Good mix 40/50% US and the balance UK / Euro. Couple of Aussies and only me from SA.