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Norovirus outbreak on Crown Princess by
A Traveler from Dallas Sailing date: Dec 2011Pros: shore excursions Cons: poor customer service and poor medical staff/treatment We set sail from Fort Lauderdale on 24Dec11 for the western Caribbean on Crown Princess. A few days prior we received notice that the ship had an *increased* in Norovirus cases on the most recent sailing & departure was delayed due to thorough sanitization. I boarded with my husband & elderly parents (a retired military vet and retired schoolteacher). It was my parents' 1st trip to the Caribbean which they'd planned for >7mos. At the muster the Captain identified it as an *outbreak* on the previous sailing before quickly correcting himself and saying it was an increase in cases. I was with my parents from Dallas to Fort Lauderdale and all day on 24-25 Dec. Approximately 36+ hours after embarking, my parents developed diarrhea in the very early morning hours of 26Dec. Out of concern and a sense of duty to their fellow passengers, they contacted the med office to be evaluated - BIG MISTAKE! A nurse met with them and said they had norovirus. It was the morning of the much anticipated Cayman Island port visit. The diarrhea was resolved within FOUR hours on the SAME morning, but the nurse placed them in quarantine for 48hrs. They were disappointed but complied. The nurse was suppose to check on them throughout the day and continue to re-evaluate them but that did not happen. They repeatedly attempted to reach the med dept., but received no response until that evening. They reported all symptoms had resolved before 1000 the same day but were told that they would remain in quarantine another ~36hours. This meant that they also missed the 2nd port of Roatan, Honduras. They were irritated as it was becoming increasingly more obvious that they had traveler's diarrhea or food poisoning, and they had only ONE symptom and NO vomiting. Also, we were with them the entire time prior to this episode, and we had no symptoms. My parents were unable to get the med personnel to respond to them to re-evaluate and clear them for the 3rd port. No physician had evaluated them during any of the initial assessment or extended quarantine period. In the afternoon of 27Dec, I began making calls on their behalf in the hopes that they would be released in time for our 3rd port visit. It took over 90-min to get a phone call back from the nurse and she was incredibly rude. She lied and told me that she had checked on my parents throughout the day, but when I confronted her about this lie she yelled at me and said, "what surname are you calling about?" She hadn't even known who I was referring to but she lied about contacting them despite that. She said that she would not clear them until 1000 the following day although I explained to her that they would miss the 3rd port if they were not cleared by 0830 and that they had only one symptom and that it had lasted ~4hrs. She did not care. She later hung on my father when he was speaking with her. I placed a complaint and gave it directly to the customer relations desk the same night (27Dec) but did not hear about the complaint despite being on the ship until 31Dec. They lost 75% of their port time and when they asked about compensation because the ship's doctor told them the norovirus epidemic had been on the ship for ~4wks, they were told that they *obviously* had this BEFORE embarking and that there would be NO compensation for the lost vacation. Per CDC: the incubation period is 24-48hrs with the median time being 33-36hrs. From my own experience, tbe ship's infection control procedures are horrendous! Staff wore latex glove & served all food at buffet until 29/30 Dec, but they were poorly educated about why they're doing this or how to do this. The staff's lack of knowledge was evident in their repeatedly touching their faces or rubbing the sides of the serving areas between placing food on our plates. Food overrated, entertainment very poor, dining room staff and bar staff very good, cabins adequate in size but not well cleaned, shore excursions were excellent. Staff is always working you for the up-sell Ship Qualityvery large ship >3000 people leads to lots of problems and delays with embarkation and disembarking to shore excursions; common areas were relatively clean but cabins did not feel really clean Dining/Foodboring and mediocre menus; we did both traditional seating and anytime dining which was convenient; preferred staff at traditional who were extremely attentive and the atmosphere was more relaxed; the anytime dining was like a very busy, loud and cold restaurant; desserts were awful - I had been looking forward to being pampered but you must reduce your expectations Stateroom Qualitywe had a mini-suite which is nice for the extra size, but the room did not feel as though it had been thoroughly cleaned in a long time despite the 4wk epidemic of norovirus that was simultaneously ongoing; unfortunately our large balcony was accessible for the viewing pleasure of any cabin above ours which did not provide any privacy and left the balcony open to become the trash pit for smokers above and those who choose to throw their drinks overboard Ship Staff QualityThe only personnel that I will recommend (and highly at that) were our traditional dining room waiter and waitstaff and the bar staff in Adagio and Skywalkers. The customer service personnel at the passenger services desk were horrible to work with and their boss does not return calls/messages; medical staff is rude and mostly absent (probably enjoying the shore excursions instead); everyone was always pushing for the up-sell any time they could Entertainment & Activitiesdon't waste your time going to the theater productions - although they can adequately sing/dance, the plots are stupid and you'll feel dumber for going  15 out of 17 people found this review helpful.
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  very disappointing!!!!!!! by
Carol Slay from New Baltimore, Mi. Sailing date: Mar 2012Pros: not much Cons: our room!!!!! Not very impressed with Princess Lines. Upon arrival, at general check in we discovered we had been bumped from our room. I booked this cruise 6 months in advance for my husband and myself (celebrating our 35 anniversary) and 2 other couples, selected rooms all on the Aloha Deck so that we would all be together - 3 rooms right next to each other. Only upon check in we discovered we had been bumped to another stateroom. Not real happly!!!!! Went directly to the pursers office and was told sorry our cabin had been assigned to someone else. But gee we ahave upgraded your room. What a joke that was!!!!!! Room with a window!!!!! However - this room was on the Plaza Deck at the very end of the hallway and next to crews entrance and housekeeping entrance, had doors banging all night long!!!!! Needless to say having been our 6th cruise so we had other cruises to compare to this was the worst!!!!! would not book princess again!!!!! Ship Qualitythe restrooms were not very clean Dining/Food
Stateroom QualityAfter booking our trip six months in advance with two other couples (we were all supposed to have rooms next to each other, my husband and i were moved from our room and supposededly upgraded. Ha Ha!!!!! the couple that our oiriginal room was given to had only booked their trip 2 weeks prior. And I was told by the pursers desk sorry but at leat we upgrade your room!!!! Ha Ha again worst room i have ever had!!!!! Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
7 out of 9 people found this review helpful.
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Bad food, awful entertainment and lousy by
Tommy from Richmond, VA Sailing date: Apr 2007Pros: Large lounges. If this were the first cruise that I had taken, I would not cruisae again or maybe I wouldn't have recognized how poor it was in contrast to other cruise lines. Princess has itineries going for it, but that is all. Their version of open or anytime dining was extremely poorly executed. The staff had no interest in providing good service. Many were much more interested in selling water or beer. The buffets. There were 4 different serving areas were constantly shuting dowen during mealtimes leaving us searching for the one that was open. The normal amenities that we have seen on other cruises such as pancake, waffle and omlet stations were totally missing. The dining menus carried forward many items from night to night with only a few new offerings each night. I couldn't believe how bad the entertainment was. I don't know who selects the bands but they must not be able to hear. The commedians were rude and crude even to the point of drinking on stage. Disembarkation was the worst I have experienced in 4 cruises. I'm glad I had a late flight. The slow disembarcation used up all the time I could have spent in San Juan. Entertainment & Activities
Entertainment: I have never heard so many bands that were so bad, or so many comedians that weren't funny or were very rude. Even the Princess stage shows were poor. 
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Bonaire, Netherlands Special MunicipalityBeautiful Scenery.
Don't Miss: Island Tour. St. George's, BermudaBeautiful Scenery.
Don't Miss: Island Tour. Basseterre, St. KittsBeautiful Scenery.
Don't Miss: Island Tour. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.Somwhat rushed, but we enjoyed St Thomas as usual.
St Thomas would have been much better if Princess docked near the downtown shopping area. As it was it cost $16 for 2 to get downtown and used up valuable time.
Don't Miss: Shopping. 1 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Crown Princess cruise to Western Carib. by
Maxine L. from Boston, Ma. Sailing date: Apr 2011Pros: the food was excellent the snakcs and the desserts very yummy! Cons: the shows were a bit old and tired. the ship is well kept clean and shiny. the rooms were excellent aso very well kept.
the wait staff all are excellent serving you with utmost care.
Casino not easy to hit anything on the slots. Ship QualityAll very clean and sparkly Dining/FoodGreat food served with great presentation Stateroom QualityBed a bit hard not too comfortable had mini-suite Ship Staff QualityAll room stewards are great also making sure your happy Entertainment & Activitiesshows need upgrading
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Cozumel, Mexico
George Town, Grand Cayman
Princess Cays (Cruise Line Private Island)nice island needs some upgrades also
Roatan (Isla Roatan), Bay Islands, Honduras
2 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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cruise pretty nice by
kathi p from Cedar Hill, Mo Sailing date: Apr 2011Pros: beach day Cons: not going to hoonduras cruise was very nice disappointed not able to stop in honduras Ship Quality
Dining/FoodChristopher and Michael kept out dining experiances wonderful took care of all our needs and were there for refills and anything we needed at all times Stateroom Qualityantonia kept our room B230 in great shape throughout the cruise Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
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Cozumel, Mexico
George Town, Grand Cayman
Princess Cays (Cruise Line Private Island)Don't Miss: beach 3 out of 3 people found this review helpful.
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Good Value by
Mark R from Long Island, New York Sailing date: Feb 2011Pros: Beautiful Ship, Good Itinerary Cons: Food, Entertainment My wife and I had a great time on the cruise and were impressed by the Crown Princess, which is a lovely, well-maintained ship. This was our second cruise overall, but first with Princess. The crowd onboard was skewed older, with a lot of retirees and not many kids (which I suppose is pretty typical).
Our main complaint is that the food in the main dining room wasn't great. Perhaps we have been spoiled by NY restuarants, but the meals were average at best. As a result, we splurged on the premium restaurants with their $20+ cover charges and superior food and service.
On the at-sea days, we spent a lot of time lounging on the deck or in our room because the scheduled activities just weren't that appealing to us. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe main dining rooms were hit-or-miss, but the premium restaurants were excellent Stateroom QualityAbout what you would expect Ship Staff QualityConsistently good, but nobody stood out Entertainment & ActivitiesThe dance productions were pretty cheesy and many of the activities seemed geared toward an older audience 0 out of 0 people found this review helpful.
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Catered to the older crowd. by
Jaime from East Hartford, CT Sailing date: Aug 2007Pros: Movies under the stars and restaurants. Just didn't have anything for me and wife to do on our honeymoon. Dining/FoodThe staff in the dining room was very friendly and helpful. Food was great.
Stateroom Quality
Ship Staff Quality
Entertainment & Activities
Entertainment: I was very disappointed with the shows. The magician tricks were to simple and the comedian was not funny. I wished the were more shows. Children's ProgramsIt seem there was nothing for my age group to do.
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Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, BermudaBeautiful place.
Stores are closed Sunday maybe not a place you want to dock Sunday.
San Juan, Puerto RicoVery hot, great people beautiful island.
Missed ship in NY flew to PR for 4 days wait for ship.
Don't Miss: Rain forest. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.Great weather and sceneray.
Beach officials like to threat cruise customers with jail we don't move fast enough from under canopy.
Don't Miss: The beach. 4 out of 4 people found this review helpful.
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Great food but nothing to do! by
Alex from Staten Island, NY Sailing date: May 2007Pros: Food. Just as the title says. The ports were cool. The pools on the ship were nice as well. The main complaint would be lack or interesting things to do on the ship, unless you love to watch an eagle being carved into ice, you might get a little bored! Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: The ship is geared towards the elderly. Most of the cruisers were over 60 and the activities were age appropriate. Nothing to do for a 30-something, accept eat!! The food was great!
Entertainment: Cheesey!!! The dancers kept messing up. The comics made the dancers seem like Fred Astaire.
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Royal Naval Dockyard, West End, Bermuda
Grand Turk Island
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
0 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Very disappointed with this trip! by
Gina from NY, USA Sailing date: Mar 2007Pros: Movies under the stars. I did not like the layout of the ship. The worst part of the trip was that the staff was not friendly. The dining staff was the most rude. We had staff roll their eyes, be put out if you ask for something and stand right in your way. Entertainment & Activities
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Bridgetown, BarbadosBarbados was boring.
Shopping was limited. Town very poor. Would take scenic trip next time.
St. John, U.S.V.I.St. John's snorkeling was not very good.
I was very disappointed with the snorkeling at St. John's. Don't snorkel off a beach. Very limited if you are not a new snorkeler.
Castries, St. LuciaVery pretty.
Had nice scenic tour. Would like to see more of the island.
Don't Miss: The pitons. Philipsburg, St. MaartenA lot of fun.
Went horseback riding and was able to swim with my horse in the ocean. The ride is lame but the swimming is worth it!!!!
Don't Miss: Swimming with your horse in the ocean. 1 out of 2 people found this review helpful.
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Very unfreindly at front desk and excurs by
Kurt from Freehold, NJ, USA Sailing date: Nov 2006Would never sail with Princess line again. Entertainment & ActivitiesActivities: Although sport and fitness area were clean and well equiped, poolside activities were vertually non-existant.
Entertainment: Overall entertainment was good. Show quality was good. 1 out of 1 people found this review helpful.
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