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The service on the cruise was great. The by
Iliana from Newark, New Jersey Sailing date: Aug 2007Pros: I think the cruise director made the cruise fun. The food also was a great feature. My experience on the cruise was awesome I really enjoyed myself and I am thinking of taking another cruise soon. Dining/FoodThe food was excellent. There was a variety of food to choose from.
Stateroom QualityOur state room was always kept neat and the bathroom was always cleaned.
Ship Staff QualityThe staff was excellent. The cruise director kept everyone busy and alert as to what was going on everyday.
Entertainment & Activities
Entertainment: Entertainment was excellent.  
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Grand Turk IslandI did not enjoy Grand Turk. There was nothing really to see. The beach had lots of seaweed and rocks.
I took a bus into town and walked around and met a few locals.
Hamilton, BermudaMy day in Hamilton began with rain but I didn't let the rain keep me alway. I visted a church which was beautiful. The natives were friendly.
All in all the experience the people and the scenery were great.
San Juan, Puerto RicoIn Puerto Rico I rented a car and went to Arecibo my mother's birth place.
The scenery the beaches everything was beautiful in Puerto Rico.
Don't Miss: The beaches. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.St. Thomas was beautiful I enjoyed Emerald Beach and while there a wedding was held on the beach.
St. Thomas has the most lizards I have seen in a while. Everyone there is friendly.
Don't Miss: The beautiful beaches. 30 out of 32 people found this review helpful.
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  Great Time by
Jason C. from Cary, NC Sailing date: Mar 2009Pros: Crew, Amenities Cons: More ballroom dancing, disembarkation We felt like we stayed 7 days at a luxury hotel at sea. The only negative was the express disembarkation process, which was not as organized as it could have been. Nevertheless, that was a small problem compared to the great week we had at sea. Ship Quality
Dining/FoodThe food was quite good, but if I had gone out for a nice meal with my wife and had this food I would have been a little disappointed. For example, my jerk chicken was not particularly spicy. It was all good and well-presented. Some of it was outstanding. However, most was not unbelievable. Stateroom QualityThe stateroom was simple, but spacious enough and kept in great shape by our steward. Ship Staff QualityEveryone I interacted with had a great attitude. They made me feel like I did them a favor by coming on board and talking to them. Entertainment & ActivitiesWe would have liked more advanced ballroom dancing classes. However, the basic classes were great. We also would have liked more opportunities to do ballroom dancing.
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Grand Turk IslandThe water is gorgeous. Don't bother going "downtown."
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.The cab ride to Coki Beach gave us some incredible views of the island.
Don't Miss: Coki Beach had incredible snorkeling. Philipsburg, St. MaartenWe particularly enjoyed our rhino boat tour.
Don't Miss: Hit the guavaberry store. Ride the rhino boats. 18 out of 22 people found this review helpful.
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Enjoyed the trip after the shock of losi by
David from Dixon, IL Sailing date: Jun 2007Pros: Food. The cruise was great! We didn't like Grand Turk as the shore excursion that we took was done very poorly. And again, my wife' jewelry was stolen before the ship left New York so that dampened the trip. Dining/Food
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San Juan, Puerto RicoThe Fort was cool.
We walked the streets and ended up at the fort. It was a beautiful place.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.Shopping was good in St. Marteen.
I enjoyed the shops there.
Philipsburg, St. MaartenBeautiful and yet dirty.
The natural part of the Island was beautiful, but the town was dirty, and the people were rude.
16 out of 18 people found this review helpful.
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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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Great time on Princess. by
Tom from Texas Sailing date: Aug 2007Pros: Multiple lounges with very unique feel in each one. We very much enjoyed our cruise on the Crown Princess out of New York. Our excursions were great and we stayed very busy doing things. There were a few misfires in dining and in some service, but I felt they were isolated incidents and not indicative of a whole. This is our second Princess cruise, and I think they do a very nice job. Dining/FoodFood was mediocre at beginning of cruise, but got better as it went on. Specialized dining was excellent.
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Grand Turk IslandGrand Turk means beaches.
Not a lot to do here, but the beaches are awesome. We got clued in to going to a beach further up the coast which was a lot less crowded and had good snorkling. My wife and I had a wonderful afternoon, but there's not much in the way of eating our or shopping.
San Juan, Puerto RicoRainforest is awesome.
Definitely check out the rainforest tour. Beautiful scenery and a good hike to work off all the food. Bring swim trunks to swim at the 40 foot waterfall. Highly recommended.
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.Katamaran to St. John's.
Had a great time, but unfortunately was very sunburned from kayaking in St. Marten. Takes a while to get to St. John's, but the beach and snorkling are outstanding.
Philipsburg, St. MaartenLet's go kayaking.
Thoroughly enjoyed the kayaking excursion and will probably do it again next year with our neices. Our guide was very cool and it was fun to mix in some exercise with relaxation as well. We spent a good hour on a very secluded beach with crystal clear water. Too fun.
Don't Miss: If you have time, this is the place to shop. Better prices than St. Thomas. 13 out of 16 people found this review helpful.
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Great experience. by
Doug from Austin, TX Sailing date: Aug 2007Pros: Food. We were blown away with our Princess Cruise. Ok...the entertainment was cheesy as all get out, but the food was amazing, the staff were great, and our excursions were really good. Very fun. We will definately cruise Princess again! Dining/FoodIncredible food!!
Stateroom QualityMini-Suite was way to go!
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Grand Turk IslandToo commercial for shopping, great for snorkeling.
Don't Miss: Snorkeling. San Juan, Puerto RicoDon't miss Lady Lee.
We found the Poet's Passage by Lady Lee Andrews in Old San Juan and were blown away by the poetry and art. We have 6 pieces in various places now in our home and offices.
Don't Miss: Poet's Passage. Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.St. Thomas was AMAZING!!!!!
We will so go back here!!! The crew of the Dancing Dolphin Sail and Snorkel experience were amazing!! This was definately our best excursion ever!! Don't miss!
Don't Miss: Dancing Dolphin Sail and Snorkel - It's way fun!! Philipsburg, St. MaartenDon't Miss: Pinel Island Snorkeling. 7 out of 8 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
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7 out of 9 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.
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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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Fabulous Cruise by
Jack D from Twin Cities - Minnesota Sailing date: Feb 2009Pros: All around excellent service by Princess Cruises Cons: constant reggae / island music playing The ship was excellent - very clean, modern, great staff & service Ship Quality
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Grand Turk Island
Princess Cays (Cruise Line Private Island)
Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, U.S.V.I.
Philipsburg, St. Maarten
5 out of 7 people found this review helpful.
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Great Cruise by
Bruce G from columbus, Oh Sailing date: Feb 2010Pros: most cordial staff I've ever encountered in any business; well maintained and run ship Cons: had to be back at ship from Cayman and 2 stops others by 330pm. Clean, up to date, full featured, 'as advertised'. Really great experience. I was leery of big ship with lines to get food but that never once occurred. Food very good to excellant. But the staff with dining in buffet and a la carter dining rm were both everything you'd want. For instance, once my mate offered me the last of her steak. The waiter noted the activity and came over to ask if anyting was wrong. There was no hint of any annoyance or displeasure when he found that nothing had been 'wrong'. We used anytime dining. We were always asked if we wanted to 'share a table' or get a 'table for two'. Whenever we choose the 'two', their answer was "excellant", with no hint that they were annoyed. And so it was many times. The staff around the buffet couldn't wait to get us drinks or refill something , etc. This was true of all the contacts we had with the boat's staff including front desk, excursion desk, and entertainment persons. The worst encounter was a dJ about 11pm in skywalkers who didn't acknowledge a request(song), but he did play it the very next tune.
We had some modestly rough seas with beginnings of white caps for the first 48hr but I never got seasick even though I am always the first to go, and was in a 15th deck, most forward cabin, which, according to my knowledge of ship motion, should have been abou the worst position on could get. I never heard the sea-sickness subject raised by anyone. I also loved the notifications especially in food area to wash hands or use the cleansing lotion provided, all to help prevent outbreaks, and no "flu" sickness was evident.
I was exhausted after 5 days of constant activities including dancing, shows, movies, etc. All of the advertised entertainment did occur in good order. One comedian was hilarious and the other very good. Live music of all types met my ecletic taste. Ship QualityOne streak of rust visible at back of ship. Everything else perfect (on deck)etc. Dining/FoodBuffet at dinner was fine, without lines. Food there was high quality for a buffet ther two times we ate there. Otherwise we dined a la carte dining, was like a gourmet restaurant with even the "great presentation" on the plate for all courses, but faster and sometimes better service than a fine restarant. The service was always more friendly than a usual land restaurant. Stateroom QualitySome fluctuation in shower water temp is the only negative. Everything clean, looked and acted high quality. Mini bar had same prices as elsewhere on ship! Ship Staff QualityThe shining crown of the trip. Entertainment & ActivitiesThe production shows were very average for me, like too many ballet moves during the dance numbers and too many inappropriate big smiles during songs, but this is common to amusement parks and cruises. The comedians were independants brought on board and very good. The house bands were all great at the music and knowing when the music needed to be right for dancing times. The hypnotist was a hypnotist, of low interest to me but my partner felt it was interesting/good. 4 out of 5 people found this review helpful.
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