2018AGP

WOW! This is our first cruise with Princess and based on the what I'm reading, I hope I don't regret it. If Princess reads these critics, I hope they take to mind that CUSTOMERS COME FIRST. Albeit the sale to P&O, until P&O takes over, it's still is Princess ship, Princess' reputation and their name.

Oh boy. I'm really nervous about my upcoming cruise to Alaska. This will be my first cruise with Princess and I am so looking forward to it. I hope I didn't make a huge and costly mistake be selecting the Golden.

Does anyone know if Glacier Scenic cruising days are considered days at sea? I'm trying to figure out when the two formal nights will be on our cruise. Everyone says it's on sea days but not the last night of the cruise. Our itinerary only have one sea day and it is the last full day of the cruise. Any idea when the formal nights will be?

The dining rooms will be open, but without tables assigned if you are in traditional.

 

It has been several years, but when we did this tickets were handed out when we boarded to go to the first seating time (before muster) or the second seating time (after muster). Those who boarded earliest were given first seating while those who boarded later were given second seating. Even if you were in anytime that night you ate at the time assigned when you boarded. Arriving at 6:30 PM you should be assigned to the after muster seating.

Thank you!

Due to our land tour first, we will not be arriving to the ship until 6:30 PM. Will the MDR open for dinner or is the first night just buffet?

Anyone dine at the Crown Grill or Sabatini's? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

Will do, and will use some of those internet minutes purchased to report on the good and the bad (hopefully none of the latter!):evilsmile:

Thank you!

Anyone dine at the Crown Grill or Sabatini's? Please share your experiences. Thanks!

Last time I did the ultimate ship tour the cost was $150. As to weather its worth it is a subjective question. In my opinion yes it is worth it. I enjoyed seeing the behind the scene places. We saw behind the stage, a short talk by the executive Chef in the galley and of course the Bridge and several other areas.

A ships photographer follows the group and take picture. We received a plush bath robe, an apron, pictures from the tour and a few other things.

I enjoyed the tour and thought it was worth the price. To be fair the last one I took was two years ago and things might have changed.

Thank you! I appreciate you sharing your experience with me.

Does anyone know if there is a cost for the Golden Ship Tour and is it worth it?

Glad you asked and am trolling the boards wondering the same thing. DH and I are on the Golden on 5/12 on her first Alaska voyage of the season.

 

I am hearing some good (the torn carpets on the deck have evidently been replaced/repaired) and some bad (there are leaks indoors, with buckets collecting water!!!) from a couple who has been onboard since Singapore.

 

We spent a small fortune on Suites as this is likely to be our only trip to Alaska, and I am keeping fingers crossed Corporate is paying attention and going to get in front of this. I get that ship happens all the time - it's a boat after all, but there has to be some basic attention to maintenance and no buckets...no?

Yes, I agree that there needs to be attention to maintenance and fix the issues as soon as possible. This too will be my first trip to Alaska and we spent a small fortune as well. I'm keeping a positive outlook and looking forward to a wonderful trip. Have a wonderful trip and please keep us posted.

Hi! Anyone been on the Golden since its dry dock in April? Will one be disappointed that she is an older ship and showing her years? How is the food and entertainment? Thank you.

WOW! This will be my first time on Princess and I'm concerned about selecting the Golden. I hope they resolve all the issues prior to our Alaska sailing in June. Has the ship arrived in Alaska and is anyone cruising Alaska now? Are issues resolved and/or getting better? This is a very expensive trip and I hope the ship is in good order. Please advise. Thank you!

Hello! What can you tell me about the Sanctuary on the Golden Princess are are there special packages for Glacier Days?

Does anyone know if there is a package offered for the Sanctuary on Glacier cruising days and what is included? Is it worth it?

Please keep us posted on the changes made to the Golden Princess during it's recent dry dock. Thank you.

Thank you! Have you ever sailed her?

Hi! We're booked for an Alaska cruise, June 2018, on the Golden Princess for June 2018. I'm just wondering why I never see any posts pertaining to the Golden? Has anyone sailed her to Alaska? I'm unable to fine any comments, experiences, nor pictures. I know that she is an older ship but....

I'm just curious as to why? What makes her so different? Isn't the age of the ship starting to show?

I've always considered Prinsendam to be in a class by herself. Nancy

I'm just curious as to why? What makes her so different? Isn't the age of the ship starting to show?

As Budget Queen has noted, North Pole is a "bedroom" community of Fairbanks. Is there a particular reason for going there? Quite honestly, the store named "Santa Claus House" I generally refer to as the "emporium of poor taste."

 

Will you have a car? If so then a stop at the Morris Thompson Cultural Center fits well with your plans to visit the Museum of the North. You could start at Morris Thompson, and if interested run out to Fox to see the Trans-Alaska pipeline, before heading back to Fairbanks. The Fountainhead Antique Car Museum would be an easy stop before driving along College Road to the Museum of the North. Depending on what day of the week, it would be very easy to swing into the Tanana Valley Farmer's Market before the Museum of the North.

 

Your Princess cruise tour may include the Riverboat Discovery. The Discovery is owned by the same family who owns the Eldorado Gold Camp, and if your cruise tour includes that as well it likely includes a stop at the pipeline viewing station in Fox.

Great advice! Thank you!

The "North Pole" is hardly worth a stop, it's a gift shop. and small town. :)

 

I'm assuming you will have a car in Fairbanks? It's really essential you do. Plenty to see and do, www.explorefairbanks.com Has plenty of information.

 

Are these ship tours you are listing?

 

I too really like the Lake Bennett run.

 

You need at least an hour for the Nugget Falls trail- if you have a ship tour listed in your question. That is a poor choice in my opinion. Just go independent. Several people with you- just get a cab, or rent a car.

Thank you for your candid feedback. I will be looking into Lake Bennett and also exploring Mendenhall Glacier on our own.

To answer you question, yes, they are all tours available through Princess.

I recommend the Bennett Lake trip in Skagway and yes, the trails at Mendenhall are clearly marked. Princess has naturalists on board who generally have a desk and desk hours at the beginning of the cruise. You could ask for more specific information and current conditions then.

Thank you! I will certainly look into Bennett Lake.

Hello! Excited for a Cruisetour, starting on June 5th! This will be our first time going to Alaska and our first time sailing with Princess. We will be on the Golden Princess for the Voyager of the Glaciers out of Anchorage!

We are flying into Fairbanks and will have 2 full days on our own. Besides visiting the North Pole and Museum of the North, any other suggestions?

Has anyone been on the Golden and if so, will you please share your experience.

Any experience with the following excursions:

Skagway - Yukon Expedition and White Pass Scenic Railway or Best of Skagway

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Explorer - are the trails easy to follow and will we have enough time to see Nugget Falls.

We don't like to do the helicopter or float plane excursions. Any other recommendations?

Appreciate hearing about your experiences.

Thanks!

Hello! Excited for a Cruisetour, starting on June 5th! This will be our first time going to Alaska and our first time sailing with Princess. We will be on the Golden Princess for the Voyager of the Glaciers out of Anchorage!

We are flying into Fairbanks and will have 2 full days on our own. Besides visiting the North Pole and Museum of the North, any other suggestions?

Has anyone been on the Golden and if so, will you please share your experience.

Any experience with the following excursions:

Skagway - Yukon Expedition and White Pass Scenic Railway or Best of Skagway

Juneau: Mendenhall Glacier Explorer - are the trails easy to follow and will we have enough time to see Nugget Falls.

We don't like to do the helicopter or float plane excursions. Any other recommendations?

Appreciate hearing about your experiences.

Thanks!