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Welcome to day 4 of our Princess Cruises California Coast Cruise aboard the Crown Princes. This review is being shared in partnership with Princess Cruises who hosted us on this adventure. All photos and opinions are our own.
This was our second and final full day at sea.
The next few days we have port days until we disembark on Saturday… so we lived it up and did as much as we could on the ship! We all feel like we squished two days into one with all the things we did.
The morning started with room service delivery of coffee, fruit, and baked goods. I am getting used to having my morning start this way, and I’m afraid it’s going to be a rude awakening when we get back home, and I have to make my own coffee, or Pete has to start making it for us again!
After everyone was ready for the day, we headed to the Horizon Court Buffet for breakfast. It was just as good as the first time we had it, and the service was great too!
Emmy wanted to get back to her friends in the kids club, so did Ash. So they both headed to the clubs right after breakfast.
That left Maddie, Pete and me to do what we wanted.
We’ve learned that although the teen room opens early with the other age group rooms, the teens don’t start coming in until much later because they stay up late and sleep in. My teen wishes she could do that too… but with a five-year-old around that’s not going to happen.
We all love to read and with the day ahead of us to relax we decided to head to the lending library. It was gorgeous. They have a large selection of fiction, non-fiction and research books. The research books are for use in the library only and feature a ton of travel and locations to visit. After this beautiful week, I already wanted to plan another cruise, and these books have pushed me that much closer to doing it sooner rather than later!
Today it felt like every time I venture out of our room; I discover another place on the ship that I didn’t see before. Crooners Bar is now one of my favorite spots. The view from the room is stunning, and I love the little bistro tables. We walked around in the ship some more and then it was time to collect the kids from kids club and have lunch. We ate at the buffet again. There were sandwiches, fruit, a carving station, salads, plus much more. After lunch, we checked the two younger ones back into kids club.
Maddie ended up leaving us somewhere along the way when she stopped to do some reading with a soy milk latte (so thankful that Princess was able to have soy milk for her)… so Pete and I headed up to the pool area to relax and then go for a walk.
We saw The Sanctuary, which we are planning on going to later this week… and some sports and recreation areas.
This is a view of the adult only pool.
This is the only view of this pool that I plan to see because I think it’s more fun with the kids… but if you are traveling sans kids or maybe while the kids are at kids clubs, then this is a much quieter pool option. We laid back and watched a movie on the big screen above the big pool (Skyfall) and rested a bit. It was warm without being too hot out, and the sun felt great! There were people enjoying the ocean air, some swimming and kids snacking on pizza and milkshakes. It was a wonderful early afternoon.
At 3:30 The teen and I went for Afternoon Tea.
It’s served daily, and we’ve been waiting to try it. It did not disappoint! Tea information is shared each day in the Princess Patter, the daily on board newsletter. We use the Patter to plan our days, and I kept them with me each day to know when and where to go for the fun!
Evening came way too quickly.
We picked up the kids again from kids club just in time to have dinner at Sabatini’s Restaurant. It’s a specialty dining choice with an extra cover charge, and it was well worth it. Although it’s more luxurious, kids are totally welcome, and our waiter went above and beyond to make sure our daughters enjoyed the meal. We called ahead that morning to make our reservation, and we had them note that we were vegetarian with a vegan in our party. When we arrived the head waiter already had some ideas, but welcomed suggestions for what we would like. He even offered to bring food over from the other specialty restaurants if we wanted.
Our dishes were all presented in a beautiful manner…
This was our favorite starter…
The teen and little one both had this pasta dish… the little one even ordered a second plate! It was specially made for my daughter’s vegan diet.
This was the vegetarian offering, manicotti!
And polenta for the table, it was so flavorful!
And then it was time for dessert… the older two left us to meet up with their friends in the kids clubs, so Pete, Emmy and I split all the desserts!
If you get only one dessert this whole cruise it HAS to be the chocolate tiramisu.
It was smooth and creamy with just the right mix of cocoa and espresso! This one thing was worth the extra charge to dine here. I would highly recommend eating at one of the specialty restaurants at least once on your cruise.
After dinner, we strolled the ship and took in a bit of the show Motor City and enjoyed a little show from a circus performer.
I had a hot chocolate, and it was dreamy! I met back up with the teen, and we headed to the top of the ship for Stargazing@Sea! We had a guide that shared a practical seminar of the constellations. It was a bit cool up there, so we cuddled up with towels and blankets. They turn the lights off in that part of the ship and the stars “pop” out in the night sky. They do this only once per cruise so make sure to go to this when it is offered. It was at 10:45 at night so maybe a bit on the late side for the younger kids, although kids of all ages seem to get a second wind in the evening so I would imagine quite a few could make it and enjoy the stars!
Tomorrow we dock in Santa Barbara! We will be anchoring offshore and taking a tender in… a new experience for Pete and the girls. We don’t have any solid plans other than to walk around and enjoy the city. Maybe some shopping? The Little One collects magnets from everywhere we visit, and we display them in our kitchen, so we will need to find a magnet for her. It’s been years since I’ve been to Santa Barbara so I’m excited to relax and explore.
What is your favorite way to relax and explore a new city?
PS. See our complete Crown Princess, Princess Cruises Review and Detailed Daily Posts Here.
The afternoon tea looks like a lot of fun. I love that they have been so great with the vegetarian and vegan diets.
This looks like a wonderful cruise. There are so many activities and that food looks amazing. Very cool.
It looks like you had a great time. The food all looks so amazing.
This looks like such a family friendly and fun cruise, I would love to be right there with ya. If for nothing else that chocolate tiramisu because it looks to die for!
It’s calling to me also! The best and most dangerous part of cruises is the access to amazing desserts!
Looks like your having a blast. Enjoy it! I love to crusing!
I haven’t traveled on a cruise ship with the kids yet. Your experience looks heavenly.. Definitely something I will try with the kids if I have the chance next time.
Whenever I used to hit a new city I would just walk around aimlessly and take in the sites and the people. Then if something caught my eye I would stop in and enjoy!
This looks like so much fun and I love that the kids were involved. Normally cruises (to me anyway) are more about a couple than kids so I have it stuck in my mind that we can’t go on a cruise for 18 years!
I think this looks like a wonderful vacation idea! I’d love to go on a cruise with my family.
It has been so fun to see your trip! I love the pictures of the delicious looking food! Makes me hungry!
What an awesome cruise! I would love to take my family on one!
Wow, what an incredible experience! The food (and views of the ocean) look amazing!
Okay, that food? It looks amazing… and they have a teen room? How cool. I totally need to look into this. It would be perfect for our family since we have little ones and a teenager.
Oh wow, that looks like THE BEST TIME! The food alone has me screaming BOOK ME A TRIP!!
I love that each day you discovered something you hadn’t seen before. That’s awesome! Speaking of awesome…that high tea!
This sounds like a great cruise. I’ve never seen food that was quite as fancy. The rolls looks like a swan. How cool!
So jealous! I want to take y family on a vacation so badly and this looks like a great cruise line to sail with.
I’ve never been on a cruise but it looks like a lot of fun and the food looks absolutely divine. How fancy!
Who knew a family could have so much fun on a boat? My daughters and I would have to attend afternoon tea and your finale dinner looks exquisite. What a gorgeous vacation!
Looks amazing!!! I have heard great things about the food and I seriously want to grab that chocolate tiramisu right off my screen!
Wow! What a great time. It looks like you are having such fun! Looks amazing!
I’ve never been on a cruise before. Your views and experiences look and sound amazing! What a great way to reconnect with your family.
There are so many unique experiences to have while cruising. I’m loving the tea party with your child. I would love to do that with my daughter.
That afternoon tea looks SO fun!!! What an amazing trip!
The cruises ship food always looks so pretty. It sounds like you had a lovely day on board the ship. I would love to cruise again with my kids.
That cruise ship looks amazing. the food looks really good too.
Oh I love going on cruises! This one looks like a blast! I have been to a few tea parties and I love them! I’m ready for another cruise just by looking at this one! Thank you for sharing your trip!
This looks absolutely amazing! What a great time! I’m living vicariously through you over here. Lol!
I’ve been wanting to go on a family cruise for years! Are those swan cream puffs?!
That looks like loads of fun. Id love to take the family on a 4 day get away.
What a beautiful ship! It looks like you guys had an amazing time.
I have always wanted to go on a cruise. It looks like so much fun!
What a truly awesome experience. Surely your kids love the days you guys spend in there. I wish I could experience the same.
the library bookshelves are so neat! I have a weakness for libraries. 🙂
The ship looks like a lot of fun! You guys are making me jealous!
I’ve never taken a cruise. Each piece I read of yours convinces me more and more to book one.
The ship looks amazing. What a lovely cruise. I love Santa Barbara and go there several times a year. Enjoy your day!
Oh my goodness. I am planning my first cruise for this summer and this makes me so excited. There is so much to see and do on one ship!
The ship is massive and don’t get me started on the food, this looks so amazing!
On our last cruise the food was amazing too. There’s so much to try and not enough room in our stomachs!
That ship looks absolutely beautiful, some parts of the decor remind me of the Titanic. The food looks so delicious too!
This sounds and looks so amazing indeed and I am going to go on a cruise for sure before I die. All the food looks gorgeous and I love the swan bread.. Thanks for sharing.
Days at Sea are really great moments to connect with your kids! so many activities on ship for them!
I’ve never been on a cruise but all people rave about is the food!!! I think I should go on one, if only for that, lol! Looks like a great time!
This looks like a great trip and the food! Oh my! So much to do and your family looks like they enjoyed every bit of it!
Looks amazing, we’ve never been on a cruise!
That afternoon tea looks scrumptious! I’m vegan, too, and it’s so great to see so much delicious food to eat. Looks like your family is having a blast.
Going on a cruise ship has been one of my dreams. I really hope I can go on one someday. This looks awesome!
You made me so hungry with all these delicious looking food. Love the swan-shaped bun/bread.
Everything looks amazing – the ship, the food, the sea! 🙂