crown princess cruise reviews

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Crown Princess Deck Plans & Reviews

Crown Princess

Activities & entertainment

• Arts and Crafts Classes *
• Beauty Salon *
• Center Court
• Dancing Classes
• Deck Parties
• Disco and Dancing
• Fitness Center
• Fitness Classes *
• Whirlpools (6)
• Internet Cafe *
• Jogging Track
• The Library
• Lotus Spa *
• Princess Links
• Skywalkers Nightclub
• Solo Travelers Get Togethers
• Thermal Suite *
• Ultimate Ship Tour *
• Wine Tasting *
• The Sanctuary *
• The Beach House Teen Lounge
• Camp Discovery Youth Center
• Gatsbys Casino *
• Conference Center Starboard
• The Shops of Princess *
• Fine Arts Gallery *
• Photo Gallery *
• Guest Services
• Shore Excursions Desk *
• Captains Circle Loyalty
• Future Cruise Planning *
• OceanMedallion
• Wedding Chapel
• Speakeasy Cigar Lounge *
• Self_Service Laundry *
• Medical Center
• Club Fusion
• Comedy Shows
• Explorers Lounge
• Outdoor Movies
• Princess Theater
• Movies Under the Stars
• Botticelli Dining Room - Main
• Da Vinci Dining Room - Main
• Michelangelo Dining Room - Main
• Cafe Caribe - Casual
• Horizon Court - Buffet
• Horizon Terrace - Casual
• Adagio - Cocktail Bar *
• The Mix - Pool Bar *
• International Cafe - Coffee & Pastries *
• The Salty Dog Grill - Pool Grill
• The Salty Dog Gastropub - Pub *
• Slice - Pizza
• Sabatinis Italian Trattoria - Italian *
• Good Spirits at Sea - Craft Cocktails *
• Crooners Bar - Martini Bar *
• Calypso Bar - Pool Bar *
• Outriggers Bar - Pool Bar *
• Tradewinds Bar - Deck Bar *
• Wheelhouse Bar - Pub *
• Crown Grill - Steakhouse *
• Vines Wine Bar - Wine Bar *
• Casino Bar - Casino Bar *
• Coffee and Cones - Sweet Treats *
• Room Service *
• Excellent 32
• Very Good 20
• Terrible 23
• All languages ( 112 )
• English ( 112 )

Upcoming itineraries

Crown Princess

Courtesy of Princess Cruises |

Find a Cruise on Crown Princess

with a cruise advisor

Debuted in 2006 and last refurbished in April 2018, the 3,080-passenger Crown Princess features some megaship amenities like a casino, a kids clubs and a 300-square-foot poolside theater. The ship also features quiet nooks, like a library and the Sanctuary (an adults-only area that requires an extra fee). Updates for 2018 included new luxury beds in every room, new dining venues and an upgraded spa. 

Past cruisers were satisfied with the ship's relaxing atmosphere, describing public areas as pleasant and rarely overcrowded. Another main selling point for previous guests is the ship's versatile dining choices. Cruisers can choose from seven eateries, including the main dining room and three informal restaurants. For specialty dining, guests can choose between Italian at Sabatini's, or steak at Crown Grill or burgers at The Salty Dog Gastropub.

In terms of lodging, 80% of Crown Princess' exterior cabins feature private balconies. All staterooms are appointed with minifridges and satellite TVs, but guests who opt for Mini-Suite and Suite cabins can enjoy extra amenities like bathtubs, multiple TVs and 57-square-foot balconies. The Reserve Collection cabins feature all the amenities of Mini-Suites, plus access to an exclusive dining venue with expanded menu options, priority boarding and a complimentary one-time wine setup. What's more, each guest aboard Crown Princess now receives an OceanMedallion wearable device to unlock his or her stateroom, make onboard payments, track down friends and family and more.

Crown Princess cruises through Alaska, Hawaii, Canada, Australia, Mexico and the California coast.

Pros & Cons

Past passengers say the staff is attentive

Some past cruisers complained of poor dining service

• Expert Rating » 4.0
• Traveler Rating » 3.9
• Health Rating » 4.5

Crown Princess ranks # 8 out of 15 Princess Cruises Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings.

• # 3 in Best Cruises to Hawaii
• # 8 in Best Princess Cruises
• # 24 in Best Cruises to Alaska
• # 48 in Best Cruises for Couples
• # 61 in Best Affordable Cruises

Crown Princess offers a wide range of accomodation options. Browse cabins to find the stateroom that suits your needs.

Crown Princess contains 15 decks. Find out which features are available on each Crown Princess deck.

Traveler Reviews

A ship’s traveler rating is provided under license by Cruiseline.com , which manages one of the largest databases of cruise reviews and ratings by travelers. A total of 1366 guests have reviewed Crown Princess , giving it a rating of 3.9 on a scale of 1-5.

Cruiseline Travel Rating:

Reviews by traveler type.

Ship Photos

Disclaimers about ship ratings: A ship’s Health Rating is based on vessel inspection scores published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). If a ship did not receive a CDC score within 22 months prior to the calculation of its Overall Rating, its Health Rating appears as N/A; in such a case, the ship’s Overall Rating is calculated using the average Health Rating of all CDC-rated ships within the cruise line. All ship Traveler Ratings are based on ratings provided under license by Cruiseline.com.

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Crown Princess Review: A Family-Friendly Ship

The Crown Princess cruise ship, launched in 2006, offers itineraries to Alaska, Europe, Hawaii, and Australia. While she isn’t the oldest ship at 17 years old, she requires a refresh. However, she offers diverse journeys for those on a budget.

In this Crown Princess review, discover the vessel’s public spaces, entertainment, overall feel, and what I thought of the service.

The Crown was the fifth vessel launched in the Grand class, owned by the Princess Line. She’s a mid-sized ship amongst the Royal, Grand, and Coral-class vessels with a passenger capacity of 3,000+ and a popular choice with those loyal to Princess.

During my cruise, I sailed solo in an aft balcony stateroom, paying a single supplement. It was my first solo cruise, and I was surprised that Princess assigned me an aft stateroom.

Crown Princess First Impressions

The ocean medallion, complimentary dining options, other dining options, bars and lounges, pools and hot tubs, crown princess staterooms, self-serve laundry, fitness and spa, entertainment, smoking areas, wi-fi and internet café.

The Crown Princess features a traditional décor similar to other vessels in the Princess Cruises fleet. Public spaces have an abundance of wood and muted hues. 

Its Piazza or atrium spans several decks, often the center stage for dance parties, live music, and onboard events such as bean bag toss and giant Jenga. It’s a great spot to enjoy a latte from the International Cafe.

I was happy they had the champagne waterfall event, which Princess had canceled during the pandemic.

The Promenade deck circumnavigates the ship, a favorite amongst those who like to walk laps and prefer a sheltered alternative to the Lido area.

Although refreshed in 2018, the vessel doesn’t have the modern look of the  Discovery Princess cruise ship. However, you can still enjoy the classics of ‘Movies under the Stars’ and gain access to your stateroom using the Ocean Medallion.

During my voyage, there was obvious signs that the vessel needed some TLC. A leaky ceiling in the buffet, peeling paint, and I had two drawers in my staterooms that were stuck closed. Although, none of these things affected my experience.

If it’s your first cruise, the Medallion, a wearable disk device, links to your smartphone and offers features unique to Princess Cruises. The Ocean Medallion replaces the traditional cruise card and has many ways to wear it. 

Opening your stateroom door might be the most loved feature, but it does much more. Although I cruised alone this time, the app allows you to track members of your traveling party, even if they’re in another stateroom. 

You can order drinks and food (although there’s now a one-time fee), make dining reservations, and view the daily activities. Also, you can check your cruise account.

You can opt-in to ‘Princess Prizes’ for a chance to win a cruise, onboard credit, specialty dining, and more. Guests with the Princess Premier package are already included. Other passengers can sign up on their stateroom panel door.

On my cruise, the fee was USD 10 per day, allowing me to win a prize each time I unlocked my stateroom door on a sea day. My previous two cruises charged USD 20 a day, and the price may vary depending on the number of sea days. For this cruise, I had one sea day.

The Crown Princess has three main dining rooms to feed the 3,000 guests, all named after famous painters. You’ll find the Michelangelo Restaurant at the aft on deck 5 (Plaza). One deck up, the Da Vinci dining room sits mid-ship, and the Botticelli is at the aft.

Due to the location of Da Vinci, it has fewer windows and can only be accessed from one side, mid-ship.

Since the galley lies between the two restaurants on decks 5 and 6, you can’t walk between these dining venues. It’s a nuisance to keep walking up and down a deck to access other areas.

You can enjoy complimentary meals in these venues, make reservations using the app, or show up for dinner.

Breakfast was served between 7:30 am and 9:30 am, and lunch from 12 to 1:30 pm at Botticelli. Da Vinci hosted complimentary afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, and scones.

It was nice to see the Botticelli Dining Room open for lunch on embarkation day, along with the Horizon Court Buffet.

All three main dining rooms served dinner from 5 pm to 9 pm. Although these venues have slightly different decor, they serve the same food. I have a separate article that covers my  Crown Princess dining experience .

If you prefer to “dine my way,” you’ll have a choice of Da Vinci or Michaelangelo. Those with the same dining time eat at Botticelli. However, since my cruise sailed at 50% capacity, guests could show up at any venue without a reservation.

Alternatively, you can choose the Horizon Court buffet restaurant on deck 15 (Lido). For early birds, breakfast begins at 5:30 am and flows into lunch at 11:30 am.

Due to the ship sailing at a low capacity, the picture above shows the size of the buffet that opened on my sailing.

Other complimentary bites include the Slice Pizzeria, Salty Dog Grill, ice cream, and selected items at the International Cafe. USA Today rated Princess Cruises as having the best pizza at sea. After your voyage, you can replicate the recipe at home.

If you choose to forego the main dining room, you can pay a cover charge to eat at one of the specialty restaurants. The Crown Grill offers juicy steaks at a reasonable price. It’s the perfect place to celebrate a special occasion. Alternatively, you can enjoy Italian food at Sabatini’s.

The Salty Dog Gastropub and Vines offers a three-course casual meal for a fixed price of USD 14.99. And, of course, you can also order room service.

On Princess Alaska cruises , the Crown offers a pop-up venue in the buffet called the ‘Crab Shack.’ For a nominal fee, you can don a plastic bib and enjoy seafood choices such as snow crab, king crab, prawns, clams, and mussels.

The Crown Princess cruise ship offers a variety of bars and lounges to suit different moods. You’ll find around ten distinct venues on board. The Wheelhouse Bar is nautical-themed and serves a unique “Spinnaker” cocktail. 

It offered an exclusive ‘beer tasting’ event, which cost USD 40. It included a welcome drink and three Alaskan beers with a variety of snacks.

Crooners Bar and Lounge on the Promenade deck is known for its martinis; try the “Classic Martini” for a timeless choice. Although my voyage sailed half full, this proved to be a popular venue onboard.

Club Fusion combines dancing and drinks; its signature is the “Fusion Fizz,” a blend of champagne and fruit juices. 

Explorers Lounge offers trivia nights and serves a wide range of international beers. Vines Bar specializes in wine and offers excellent tapas pairings. The signature here is a robust “Cabernet Sauvignon.”

Skywalkers Nightclub is your go-to for late-night dancing; their “Cosmic Cosmo” is a must-try.

You’ll find the Skywalker’s Nightclub on deck 18 aft. It was a great location, four floors above guest staterooms. With late-night music from 11:30 pm onwards, the noise was kept away from sleeping guests. To reach the nightclub, you must take the aft elevator.

The Outrigger Bar offers stunning sea views and specializes in tropical cocktails like the “Mai Tai.” The Adagio Bar provides a more subdued atmosphere, hosting singles get-togethers and other casual meet and greet.

You’ll find five swimming pools and seven hot tubs on the Crown. The pools are heated and guests used them during a cold sea day in October. Due to the ship’s age, no water slides or kids’ water parks exist.

Deck 15, or the Lido deck, features the two main pools: Neptune’s and Calypso’s Reef and Pools.

You can also grab a lounge chair and enjoy Movies under the Stars on sea days. With a pizzeria, bar, Salty Dog Grill, and ice cream nearby, you won’t have to give up your lounger when hungry. 

The giant outdoor screen showed recent movies and a great selection of concerts. Pity, our weather wasn’t good to sit outside to enjoy. I briefly sat outside on a sunny afternoon in Victoria, British Columbia.

Youths and teenagers have their own space off deck 17. Here, you’ll find a hot tub and a small circular pool that overlooks the Terrace Pool below.

You’ll find the small Terrace Pool one deck down at the aft. Adults can enjoy an exclusive pool and two hot tubs as part of the Lotus Spa. While you access it inside the spa, the pool is actually outdoors.

If you prefer a quieter space, you can pay a fee to use the sanctuary at the bow on deck 17. It features the usual padded loungers, fluffy towels, and pampering service. This adult-only area also had two cabanas offering massage treatments. 

The sanctuary is a popular space to enjoy scenic itineraries such at  Alaska’s Glacier Bay.

Cruise guests can select from inside cabins at 162 sq. feet to their largest suite measuring 357 sq. feet. You won’t find any colossal suites or those with multiple bedrooms, although you can book a family suite that combines a mini-suite with an interior stateroom.

For my cruise, I chose a balcony guarantee. I was surprised to be assigned an aft balcony cabin on deck 11 (Baja) with a 10 ft. long deck (category B4). While most solo cruisers might opt for a smaller inside, I was thrilled to enjoy the extra space of a larger stateroom to myself.

While an aft cabin requires more walking, it ensures a quieter location with less foot traffic in the hallway. I enjoyed the wake views from my huge balcony and found the location peaceful. You can read my full  aft cabin review.

Apart from deck 15, you can find a self-serve laundry room on each deck with staterooms. On the Crown Princess, you can locate the laundry room near the aft on each deck, except deck 2, where it’s near the bow.

The laundry rooms have washers, dryers, an iron and ironing board. You can purchase laundry soap and fabric softeners using your Medallion. The laundry room didn’t have any set hours.

🛳️ Haven’t booked your Crown Princess cruise yet?

Find your perfect cruise with Cruise Direct . It offers mini-cruises to extended itineraries on the Crown.

While I was on a mini-cruise and didn’t use the area, it’s a great feature on lengthened itineraries. Since Princess Cruise Lines offers world cruises, not having to pay a hefty fee for laundry is a nice bonus.

Alternatively, you can opt for paid laundry, which includes same-day or next-day service. Laundry costs were as follows:

• Evening dresses – USD 11.50
• 2-Piece Suit – USD 10
• Pants – USD 5.00
• Shorts – USD 4.50
• Shirts/blouses – USD 4.50
• Underwear or socks – USD 2

Note that same-day laundry incurs an additional 50% express service fee.

The Lotus Spa and Fitness Center is on Deck 16. You can visit the spa from 7:30 am to 9:30 pm. The fitness center opened late at 7 am, but guests could work out until 10 pm. 

The spa offers a variety of treatments for every budget. You’ll find massages, facials, and acupuncture on the menu. A hair and beauty salon is also available if you want to put your hair up on formal nights. 

Unique to the spa is the thermal suite, located one deck down. The thermal suite offers a serene atmosphere for relaxation. It features aromatic steam rooms and heated loungers, which I’ve enjoyed on Alaska itineraries.

Since this area is in an interior location, the thermal suite does not have windows to allow for outside views. For my mini-cruise, guests could purchase a thermal suite pass for USD 79.99 (reg. USD 99.99) or a one-day pass for USD 49.99. The pass sells for USD 149.99 for a 7-day itinerary.

One of the features I enjoy on older vessels is the complimentary saunas and steam rooms. The Crown has these, allowing you to forego the thermal suite pricing.

The Lotus Spa also has a small outdoor pool accessed from the spa area. This adult-only pool makes a quiet alternative to the Neptune Pool when the ship is at capacity.

For those into fitness, there’s a gym with modern equipment. Located at the bow, you can enjoy ocean views and forget you’re at the gym. You can attend fitness classes like yoga, Pilates, or TRX Suspension training. 

You’ll find the Center Court for basketball and pickleball outside the fitness area on deck 19 aft. Here, you’ll also find the jogging track and Princess Links, a nine-hole mini golf course.

You can enjoy entertainment at several venues, such as the Princess Theater, Explorer’s Lounge, and Club Fusion. You’ll find all these venues on deck 7.

Club Fusion hosted a shopping show, ballroom dance classes, karaoke, and live music. The other locations offered a mix of game shows, production numbers, and comedians.

I especially enjoyed the ‘Sweet Soul Music’ featured on my first evening and the ‘Disco, Blame it on the Boogie’ on the last night.

The singers in the production shows had great voices, and I enjoyed the selection of song choices.

You’ll find the Speakeasy Cigar Lounge on deck 6 by the Gatsby’s Casino for those who smoke. There is a smoking area inside the casino, too. Also:

• Outside Club Fusion on the starboard side.
• The Tradewinds Bar, port side.
• Outside Sabatini’s.

The kids’ clubs are located on deck 17. For my cruise, there were only 1600 guests, of which 88 were children.

The Treehouse catered to ages 3 to 7, with toys, arts and crafts, video games, and a small jungle gym. 8- to 12-year-olds can register at The Lodge. It had foosball, air hockey, skee-ball, ping pong, and a communal space to hang out with kids of a similar age.

The Beach House was reserved for teenagers from 13 to 17 years. The older kids could design graffiti t-shirts, have a dance competition, or play video games.

The kids’ club offered port day programming for three hours. Events included arts and crafts, card games, video games, and movies.

Located on deck 5, the internet café has computers guests can use 24 hours a day. I purchased Wi-Fi for my entire journey for USD 14.99 per day. You can also buy a one-day pass for USD 19.99. 

There were options for four devices should you be traveling with family. I found the Wi-Fi met my needs and only found it lagged when I sometimes used Skype.

I completed a speed test, which showed my download speed at 1.99 Mbps, using SpaceX Starlink satellite.

Crown Princess Review Final Thoughts

The Crown Princess provides an excellent choice for those on a budget and not looking for all the bells and whistles of modern-day mega-vessels. The ability to do self-service laundry makes Princess ships more enticing on longer itineraries.

I found the deck plan odd. Some areas are hard to find, and the galley blocking the ability to walk across decks 5 and 6 was a nuisance.

However, I felt the entertainment onboard was fantastic, and so was the cruise director, Gary Golding.

While I only did a mini-cruise, it was a great choice to upgrade my loyalty status. In fact, I met several guests who booked the short itinerary to reach Platinum or Elite.

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