Crown Princess
All new, she's
not your parents' Crown Princess
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Crown Princess sails by Verrazano Narrows Bridge
to enter New York Harbor for first time |
by
Linda Coffman
Part Two
Where
the Action Is
Repeat after me... public
rooms are on Decks 5, 6, and 7 and most outdoor spaces are on deck
14 and above. It's not quite that simple, but it's a start.
Inside is where the lounges are located and there are a lot of them, which contributes
to the lack of crowding—passengers
fan out to their favorites. Like old friends, you'll find the
traditional Princess Theater where production shows and other
entertainment is scheduled; the Wheelhouse Bar, a cozy and
clubby room with sailing ship models and nautical memorabilia; and Explorers
Lounge, decorated in Far Eastern fashion and the site to enjoy
cabaret and comedy. Nearby, Crooners serves up designer
martinis accompanied by a pianist. The secondary show lounge, Club Fusion
is a high-tech and high-action venue for interactive
entertainment. Take a ballroom dance lesson and participate in the
on board version of "Dancing With the Stars" or gather the
family together to create your own music video. Be a Princess Pop
Star at karaoke or celebrate at a midnight New Years Eve Party.
There's continuous action...
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A
quiet corner in Adagio |
Speaking
of which, gentlemen, try your luck in Gatsby's Casino and
then relax in the adjacent Speakeasy Cigar Lounge, while your
sweetheart spends your winnings in one of the nearby boutiques.
Or...
Keep
her away from the shops on board by taking her to the Adagio
Lounge on Deck 16, a relaxing spot for pre- or post-dinner
cocktails or all the way up to Deck 18 to Skywalkers Nightclub,
the disco that still overlooks the ship's wake, but is no longer
located in a "spoiler" high in the sky. You did notice
that, didn't you? Crown Princess has a much sleeker line with the
disco in its new position, a bit lower and forward. No more Shopping
Cart look appearance.
Where
There's More Action and None At All
Veg out or work out? The Lotus
Spa and fitness center goes to both extremes. Those who choose
the latter will find a swim-against-the-current pool, exercise
machines to get the heart pumping, free weights, and an aerobics
room. Some classes are complimentary, while there's a $10 fee for
others such as yoga, spinning, and pilates (a package of five
classes for $40 is a money saving deal). Steam rooms and saunas are
located in changing rooms, but for true relaxation after a work out,
give the thermal suite a try—heated
stone loungers, a gentle sauna, aroma steam, and rain and fog
showers are included in the $17 per day fee (packages are priced at
$80 for the entire cruise or $130 for a couple). The Lotus Spa and
Salon offers treatments and services by Steiner Leisure.
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The
Sanctuary |
For
true adults-only indulgence, look no further than one deck above the
spa in the Sanctuary where peace and tranquility are only a
thickly padded lounge chair away. About three-quarters of the deck
is shaded for comfort and passengers needn't lift a finger after
being greeted by Sanctuary Stewards with a chilled towel. Forgot
your iPod? No problem, MP3 players loaded with soothing sounds (as
well as noise canceling headphones) are available for rent. Servers
circulate offering healthy snacks and beverages (a $3 service charge
applies for food). Cabanas are located at the bow where massages
with a view can be booked through the Spa. Addendum, June 23,
2006: Initially there was no
charge planned for using this tranquil retreat; however, a $10 per
half day charge is being levied as it became obvious that over-crowding
was an issue.
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Playroom
for Princess Pelicans |
Kid
Stuff
No one gets
overlooked on Crown Princess and the youth and teen areas are as
appealing as the programs' new names. Kids and teens voted and their
programs have been renamed Shockwaves (ages 8-12) and Remix (ages
13-17). Children ages 3-7 continue to be called Princess Pelicans,
but they haven't been overlooked when it comes to activities,
including their own pool with water slide. Sure to be popular is the
Junior Chefs@Sea Program hosted by Princess chefs in their working
galleys where young cruisers learn to decorate cakes and prepare
dishes such as fruit pizza and sushi. For
older teens and pre-teens, there are hip-hop dance lessons with the
ship's dance professionals instructing and makeover sessions led by
an onboard beauty consultant. The teen center even has is own
private whirlpool spa. On certain sailings a lecture series geared
to specific age groups will be featured.
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Piazza
Entertainment |
New
in the Piazza
The
heart of Crown Princess is the atrium's Piazza. And why not?
Adjacent is the International Cafe and it's a WiFi hot spot. It's
the
perfect place for coffee and a beignet in the morning, tapas before
dinner, and to people
watch at any time.
Throughout the day and evening you'll often find
passengers lined up along the overhead railings while a 'street
performer' entertains. You never know who or what you'll see during
these serendipitous interludes. My favorites were an elegant
acrobatic dance pair and a hilarious magician-comedian costumed as a chef.
Not
new, but not to be overlooked is MUTS, Movies Under The Stars—the
giant Times Square style movie screen where concerts and movies are
featured at the Calypso Reef Pool.
Crown
Princess Fast Stats
Crown Princess will
sail alternating 9-night Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries
from Brooklyn, New York through October 2006 and reposition to San
Juan, Puerto Rico where she will offer 7-night Southern Caribbean
cruises. She returns to Brooklyn in May 2007.
Back to --> Crown
Princess Preview - Part One
Princess
Cruise Reviews
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Cruises - Cruise Line Profile
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Image Courtesy of Princess Cruises
Photos © Linda Coffman
