anteaters

Was the MDR open for lunch on embarcation day???? Also does anyone know when the Golden is going in for dry dock???

Yes, the main dining room was open, Donatello on deck 6. We had a most delicious cod entrée instead of the salmon lunch we usually get on the first day (we always have fish for lunch so we can select the prime rib for dinner) and this time they offered cod instead of salmon. The dining room wasn't at all crowded and we had great service, happy to "share" a table and enjoy the company of two other couples whom we then saw again several times on the short cruise. By the way, we had a very good chef....all the soups were delicious (they're not always on every cruise), the meat was tender, and the ice cream was way too good! We love fresh fruit and the pineapple was always so sweet although I can't give the chef credit for that ;) .

Thanks for sharing your experience onboard the Golden. I've planned a 10 day cruise in April and I'm looking forward to it.

 

How was she looking? I know she's due for dry dock soon. Is she looking worn? I have never seen a Princess ship look tattered and worn even before she was getting ready for a dry dock.

 

The Golden was one of my DH's favorite ships. I can't wait to see her again, even though it will be without him.....I'm looking forward to the memories!

You know, the Golden is looking worn in places. She can definitely use a dry dock face lift but she wasn't bad and we were still very comfortable. It didn't ruin our enjoyment of her but she was more "golden" when we were on her for Hawaii several years ago.

Hi! We just arrived home mid-morning today after getting off from our mini-cruise. It was an interesting one, because there were from 500-600 (depending on whom we asked) members of a kickball organization, mostly in their 20's and 30's, on board, all out to have a very party weekend. DH and I are seniors (66 and 70) and found that on this cruise, seniors were definitely in the minority. But, we had a wonderful time and met several really nice couples whom we ate and chatted with at our Anytime Dining meals (and Anytime Dining went as smoothly as could be.) In fact, maybe because there were fewer seniors, we kept running into our smaller group of new friends and got to know them very well. Our good time was never ruined by the somewhat loud, boisterous crowds around the bars and other favored areas. The food was excellent, with many of our favorites on the menu for this short cruise, beginning with one of the best prime rib dinners that we have had and ending with the turkey dinner baked Alaska. The desserts, which we enjoyed throughout each day, were excellent and it was fun trying one of the new chocolate specialties that we have heard about, a chocolate hazelnut creation. We enjoyed the evening performances, especially an illusionist who was absolutely amazing and also a comedian, the British Invasion, and Caliente. I was pleased to get to have line dancing on our one sea day. On such a short cruise, there were no lecturers but there was a backstage tour which was excellent and a chocolate pastry making demonstration with samples afterwards from the International Café. Of course there were the usual games and art auction, lots of music and dancing, and the late evening parties for those who enjoy them. We received wonderful service from everyone involved with easy embarkation and disembarkation (actually we arrived at the port at 11:30 and were on board at noon and eating lunch at 12:15 after leaving our luggage in our cabin.) I do wish that the pools were heated because they were too cold for me (low 70's when we checked) but that was really our only complaint. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves although we did talk to some people who were not pleased to have such a large partying group on board.

Hi! It is probably silly, but I find the wording confusing about becoming elite and we could be either one day short or just making it. When it says Elite is from 151 days, does that mean you become elite after finishing 150 days and about to be 151 beginning the next cruise or do you actually have to have completed the 151 days on the last cruise? Please only answer if you know for sure. Thanks!

DH and I found this so funny! I had been reading this strand aloud to him a couple days ago and we were both muttering how we never get any changes on our booked cabins, going guarantee and then just accepting the cabin that we receive (often it is rated as a higher up "letter" one but pretty much what we paid for.) And then that very night, I was looking at our mini-cruise coming up in a couple weeks where we had just been assigned a cabin several days before. I had been thrilled because our BF guarantee got us a BE very forward but still Caribe balcony that I like but then these several days later, it had been changed to a BD on the Baja deck in mid-aft location. At first I was disappointed since I liked the larger balcony but since it's still on a quiet deck and a good location plus only a three night cruise, we decided it wasn't worth getting on the phone to see if we could have our Caribe back. But, just very funny that we've never had a change in cabin after receiving ours until now, just the day that I was reading this thread, and although an upgrade isn't always really an upgrade like this one for us, it's still fine. We enjoy the surprise of seeing what we'll get, even though it's never been a whole-category gain.

Ah, I'm glad I asked about places to stay. We will go on the links suggested. No, we very seldom do the "up market" hotels either at home or on trips. We go for location, safety, comfort, and cost. We prefer places where breakfast is included also but that's not a deal breaker. Thanks to both of you above for your suggestions.

Thanks! This New Forest area seems to be getting the most votes! I appreciate the new information. Now, if anyone has a B&B, guesthouse, or hotel to recommend......

Thanks, Sweep! My husband is already looking into your ideas. We'll want to research a little more but yours is sounding like a really promising great way to end our cruise.

I would suggest the New Forest. If you stay in somewhere like Lyndhurst you will find a number of antique shops and some lovely walks. Lyndhurst is about 15 minutes away from Southampton. There is a lot to do in that area. You can catch a ferry to the Isle of Wight which is an island I feel is stuck in a 50s time warp. I would be happy to give you more information and also information about Windsor.

All the replies thus far are some great ideas. The completely new one for us is the above described New Forest/Lyndhurst, and the ferry to the Isle of Wight. I would love more info if you could send it. Would you think that what you described would well fit into our spending two nights in the same guesthouse/hotel/b&b in that Lyndhurst are and then driving toward/to Heathrow on the third day (our flying home in afternoon day?) Thanks!

We will be renting a car in Southhampton and want to spend two overnights driving around/seeing places in that area or around Heathrow where we'll have to catch our plane mid-afternoon on the third day. Since we have been in London itself several times over the years, we'd prefer to find guest houses or hotels some where else (one place for the two overnights or two different locations) in order to see little towns and/or historic homes/palaces...We also love antiquing. We enjoy walking and getting to know places that way. Any suggestions about where we should drive once leaving Southhampton until we have to return our car at Heathrow would be greatly appreciated in terms of what to see or where to stay. Thanks!

I think the Boqueria has become an overpriced tourist trap. It's only a market after all.

Oh, that makes me feel better! Thanks!

Thanks, both of you, for quickly answering. You have given me hope ;) . I am sorry that we'll be missing the Boqueria though since I have read a lot about it. But we have to meet for our Monday excursion at 8:55 AM and that will end our overnight Barcelona stay, so I guess we'll just have to see it from the outside....

After getting Rick Steve's book and reading through the section on Barcelona, it appears that many things are closed on Sunday. We're doing our actual tour on Monday so had planned just to wander around La Rambla and the Gothic area after we arrive on Sunday morning. If you have been in these areas on Sunday, can you give me an idea of what places might be open? It sounded as if even cafes might be closed....I guess we could do a HOHO tour but we had planned on just doing an already booked excursion on Monday. Thanks for any info.

Hi! I read in a 2011 travel book that the Picasso Museum is free on Sunday afternoons from 3:00 on. Does anyone know if this is still in effect? Or, is it worth the price to do the Picasso Museum for someone who enjoys art but would not spend too much time there? Thanks!

I booked an April 2015 transatlantic cruise quite a while ago. When I saw this sale, I wanted to book it, but I didn't want to cancel and rebook, because I have a very good EzAir reservation that has gone up quite a bit. Fortunately, my TA was able to get me this promotion without cancelling or changing my booking. I now have $200 OBC with gratuities paid for a 20 day cruise (20 x $23) that I didn't have before. The only negative is my $200 FCC deposit is now non-refundable. I haven't had the experience of trying to take advantage of a price drop in a situation like this either, but there sure are a lot worse things that I could be worrying about. Like what am I going to do with all this onboard credit. Military, stockholder, promotion, FCC, TA. Especially, since I won't be applying a big chunk to the autotip.

Somehow we never have trouble using our OBC ;) .

Hi! I'm just curious in case the situation happens. We have booked a cruise on the Bucket List sale with free pre-paid gratuities and extra OBC, which made the cruise seem like a great deal. Since our cruise isn't until April 2015, there's always the chance that the price for our balcony will go down before final payment. If that happens, would we be able to request the lower price or would that mean we would forfeit the pre-paid gratutities and OBC that came with the Bucket List special? If it matters, we didn't book through Princess. Thanks to anyone who has experienced this type of situation and can share what happened.

We are actually sitting t JFK airport in NYC having just arrived from Venice after our Regal Princess cruise. We used the Princess transfer for our 1:10pm flight today and had a 9:30 debarkation from the ship. We were at the Marco Polo airport by 10:15 am. That airport was an absolute nightmare! Incredibly crowded and unorganized. Make sure you have plenty of time for getting through the ridiculously long lines. We were glad we used the Princess transfer as it just made things very easy.

Oh, no! We'll be on the Regal Princess too so basically be in your same situation. And just when it seemed like the cab was best, now you are pleased with taking Princess transfer plus it sounds like they got you there very early and you needed that extra time.....Venice's airport sure isn't sounding like as nice an airport as the one in Barcelona, where we'll be going for the beginning of the cruise. Oh, well....I guess we'll now reread everyone's advice and try to come to a decision. Thanks!

Thanks for all the advice. The cab is sounding the best way thus far. I had just thought that since Princess transfer cost so much more, maybe they were doing things to make everything easier for you also....but doesn't appear to be that way. We also checked into one book-ahead-car company but upon checking reviews, some were great but others said that the drivers then asked for more money than the agreed upon price and it was difficult with the driver's limited English--don't want frustrations like that. Hmmm, international flights sometimes say to be at the airport three hours early but we've also heard only two hours....if anyone happens to read this and knows for sure about Venice (when there's one stop/change of plane in Carolina before getting us home), do let me know. Thanks for all the info.

Hi! We're wondering if there's any benefit for the two of us to use the Princess transfer in Venice from the ship to airport on disembarkation morning. We have to be at the airport early (11:35 AM flight) and know that we can get an early morning transfer there for $54 each. That is definitely more, for the two of us, than taking a cab so I just wonder if it's easier/more convenient, or in any other way better. Would our luggage be taken right from outside our cabin to the bus or would we have to get it to the bus ourselves? And once at the airport, is the luggage checked in for us and put on the plane or do we still have to take it with us from the bus and take care of everything ourselves? If you have done this recently, we'd appreciate your feedback.

So much to think about and consider! When I think about our first cruise, to Hawaii right after I retired....All we did was book the cruise with another couple through Princess, look through the Princess excursions and quickly chose one for each Hawaiian port, and then did nothing more until the day we got on the ship. And now, I spend so many hours finding interesting information and then deliberating over everything for weeks pre-cruise. But, I must admit that when I'm not stressing over making the choices and changing my mind, it is more fun to feel like I'm making better selections with the help of my research and other people's shared experiences. So, I'm glad that I found CC!

Thank you all for you very encouraging compliments! It's been fun interacting with you, Anteaters, throughout the blog. :-) We don't know where we will cruise next, but as long as we are on a Princess ship sailing somewhere, I'll be happy as a clam! :-)

 

Our cruise arrived into Venice at 1:00 PM just like yours will. Here's a schedule based on ours.

 

11:15 Enter the Venice islands area- starting scenic sailing

 

11:45 DO NOT MISS- scenic sailing right past San Marcos Square

 

12:25 or so Enter port area

 

1:00 Docked and ready for pax to disembark for the afternoon

 

Starboard side is the side for viewing sail in!

 

Once you get off the ship, it's a shorter walk to the Princess water shuttle than to the People Mover. I could see the People Mover in the distance but don't know exactly how far people had to walk. I could just see various pax heading out of the port and disappeared out of sight. It's my understanding that from the People Mover, you still have to transfer to a Vaporetto to get into the heart of Venice. With that, you're crammed in and make stops along the way. I really recommend taking the Princess water shuttle to maximize your time and because it's the most convenient option. The walk length depends on which berth the dock is at that day. We docked in 2 different berths. The furthest one away was lonnnnnnnnnnng, but on the return we had a better dock, and it was about a 5 minute walk. The water shuttle ride is about 15 minutes, and they run constantly, so you can come back and forth as you please.

 

You can buy your water shuttle tickets Onboard early; they're for sale at the Shore Excursion desk beginning a few days before arrival into Venice. The price varies they said based on the sailing. For us, it was $25 for the overnight and gave us access to the shuttle both days. No luggage is allowed on the water shuttle, though. Look for the announcement of ticket sales in the Princess Patter.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Thanks! You have been a huge influence on our coming trip. I'll now cross off People Mover and do the water shuttle instead to make the best use of our time--plus, I really do enjoy being on water.

Hi! I do have a question about Venice. Since you were there two times and I believe used two kinds of transportation, which would be the best way of us getting into Venice from Princess and then back to the ship (we don't arrive until about 1:00 and do an overnight there before disembarkation so really only have the afternoon/early evening to tour)? But between the PeopleMover (how far do we walk to reach it from the ship coming/going) and the water shuttle that Princess sold tickets to on your last day, is there a preference in terms of ease, fun, and cost? Also, with that water shuttle one, do you have to wait until the last to purchase the Princess tickets or can they be bought earlier on the cruise? Thanks!

Final Thoughts:

 

Best...cruise...ever! Thank you is just not enough to say to my hubby for honoring our 10th Anniversary with this trip of a lifetime! If I could, I would repeat this trip over and over on the same ship in the same cabin! Memories are priceless; now go make some!

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

Hi! You are probably tired of having me thank you for your reviews but I must do it one last time. You really outdid yourself here at the end with your descriptions and information of the final ports. I will make copies of all your comments to take with us, to read right before we get to the ports that we share. I'm sorry that you didn't particularly like Turkey as we'll be doing both Kusadasai and Istanbul. Mykonos, which we'll do on our own, sounds really fun though. You mentioned your concern about consuming food and drinks in Turkey for fear of hepatitis--I wasn't aware of that aspect until you brought it up so that gives us something to consider. With your appreciation of traveling, I do hope that you and your husband will be planning your next trip very soon. Again, thanks SO much for your time and effort!

I go along with the "no donkeys" but you and your husband certainly do enjoy being adventurous! It sounds like a wonderful port and another memorable day for you. We won't be doing that port but it was sure fun hearing about it. Once again, many thanks!

I appreciate the shopping opportunities because I love to shop. With these being all day excursions, you don't have any time to shop after, so it's nice that Princess provides some shopping time. We were never given too much time to shop, though, so it was a good balance for everyone.

 

 

Sent using the Cruise Critic forums app

I loved reading about the places that you did shop, your magnet at each port (it would be fun to see a picture of all those), and the foods you so enjoyed such as the French breads and gelatos. It does sound like you found a nice mix of fascinating sights and pleasant shopping/eating.