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Enjoyable First Experience
Reviewed By: Marincowitz, Thingwall on 22nd Aug 2008
Cruise Line: Princess Cruises	Times cruised before: 0
Cruise Ship: Crown Princess	Sailed: August, 2008
Destination: Baltic	Age: 36-45

We’ve just returned from the 8th August cruise to the Baltic. First impressions were very good – met at Copenhagen airport and directed to wait for coaches. There could have been a little more organisation in terms of how people got onto the various coaches as they arrived – but that was a minor thing. The portside operations were very good and in no time at all we were on the ship. The only annoying thing I found was the insistence on taking photos as you embark and then disembark at various ports along the way – we quickly managed to avoid this though by looking like grumpy Brits ? The cabins were small but perfectly adequate. Our room had been made up as a twin (as we were two women) and as soon as we asked for it to be changed to a double it was. Our cabin steward was very nice and the cabin was always spotless – no complaints at all. In fact the whole ship always appeared clean and tidy – and although there was maintenance going on it didn’t in any way interfere with the passenger experience. Make a note that it’s usual to only get your luggage later in the evening – ours didn’t arrive til about 10pm – which was ok but meant we couldn’t really freshen up after a day spent travelling before we ate dinner. Loved the ship – thought it wasn’t ever really crowded except in the Horizons/Café Caribe on mornings of excursions – but we always managed to find somewhere to eat even if it meant sharing with other people. Most people were friendly and didn’t mind. We found the food in the Michelangelo not quite as good as that served in Horizons so stuck to that for most meals. Really couldn’t complain about the selection of food or how it was cooked. One minor point would be that the cooked vegetables were not great although there was a fantastic salad bar. The only downside is the coffee – someone else mentioned that it’s made from syrup – well whatever it is – it’s vile. We ended up spending money every day at the International Café just to get decent coffee. However – we only found our near the end of the cruise about the Coffee Cards. Ask for one and save lots of money – they cost about $27 and give you 15 speciality coffees but unlimited filter coffees – even over the last 4 days we saved money by using these. We only took the St Petersburg trip and did all the rest ourselves which worked out fine. Found most of the cities easy to get around. My major complaint is about the Passenger Services Desk – always busy when you phoned and queues took ages as there were always too few people on the desk. When queueing I heard the phone going unanswered – better organisation required I feel. However – we did find out (from seasoned cruise-goers) that you can ask your Cabin Steward to sort out any issues for you and not have to bother with the hassle of Passenger Services. We decided – like many – to forego the service charge and leave our own tips which worked for us. It’s a little inconvenient that you have to put your luggage outside the night before – what with restrictions on hand luggage we found we had to have a very basic shower routine in the morning as all our main toiletries had to go with our luggage (otherwise you have to lug it around yourself til you get to the airport) The real downside to the whole trip was being taken on a ‘free’ tour of Copenhagen on the last morning (to get us off the ship early) and being left at the airport a good 4 hours before our flight was due to leave. Copenhagen airport looks good but is really horrible – we found people unfriendly and long queues for check-in – we were directed to use the self service check-in and then didn’t get seats together (even checking in so early). The flight was overbooked apparently. Also be aware - the cafes there will take Euros (notes) but only give you change in Danish currency. It’s also hideously expensive – 2 lattes, a muffin and a cinnamon roll came to 17 Euros. Also – not sure how accurate this is – but heard an American talking about a sandwich costing $11 in Danish currency but $13 in Euros. Also note that SAS do not provide inflight meals – you have to buy them as you do on low cost or charter airlines. You don’t even get a cup of coffee for free. Have to agree too with another commentator about the planes being small and old. Almost everything on the ship was quite cheap for us as it was in Dollars. There are some real bargains to be had in the perfume and jewellery shops (my partner’s Fossil watch was there for about £27 – we paid £55 for it in London in May). However, I had to use the photo service to have my photos downloaded onto CD’s as I was running out of space. It cost $29 for 2 CD’s of photos – roughly £15 which I thought was outrageous. We didn’t really see much of the entertainment apart from the Trivia – as we’re big fans of Pub Quizzes. We enjoyed them more when we’d teamed up with an American man and his Canadian wife as a lot of the trivia seemed very American-centric – if you don’t know a lot about the US – as we don’t – then you struggle sometimes. However, the Princess Patter newsletter was a really good source of information about what was going on. Also – don’t bother with guidebooks for places – just makes your luggage heavier – there are several guidebooks available in the library – along with things like chess and backgammon sets and cards. Also the information sheets and the talks about the various ports give you all the information you really need. This sounds like a lot of complaints but it’s not really – we had a fantastic time and would definitely consider a cruise with Princess again. There is an air of luxury and service about the whole thing that is very seductive. Just want to be factual and point out the pitfalls as well as say what a good time we had.
Quality of Food
Horizons/Cafe Caribe - always a good choice - meat was fantastically cooked. My partner doesn't like spicy food and always found something suitable. Lots of fish and great fresh fruit.
Entertainment	n/a

Shore Excursions
Only went on St Petersburg - excellent - if very tiring two days.
Staff
All staff were very friendly and helpful
Children's Facilities	n/a

Onboard Activities
Although we didn't have time to do much as we were on shore most days the range of things to do is amazing - from watching ice sculpting to listening to the classical music near the International Cafe
Cabins
Could have been a bit bigger - and no corkscrew to open the wine I had pre-ordered at my leisure - they had to send someone to open it when I requested it
Overall Rating