Live From the Golden...YVR...LA...HI

[jdm]

ccrain -

 

Regarding seeking what is out the front area on Aloha Deck. Our cabin is close to this area and I believe there should be two doors if you walk all the way towards the front of the Aloha deck. Not sure on the Golden, but on the Crown and Emerald and some of the others I've been on, there is a sort of "secret" deck area where the view is spectacular just under the bridge. I believe the doors might say "crew only" or something like that. Hope it is there.

 

Thank you for checking

[spingal]

Ccrain,

 

I apologize if you already posted this........do you have anytime or traditional dining? I would love to look up Mario if he is in the traditional dining room!! I have had wonderful head waiters in the past and it sounds like he is just as great. Also - can you tell me what time is late seating? Sometimes it is 7:45, other times 8 or 8:15.

 

Thanks and have a GREAT time in the islands. :D:D

[Solara]

Its plenty warm during the day. Yesterday the sun bathers were out in force, we had some sun. The temperature has been in the 80's on deck for the past few days.

 

We only packed one pair of hiking pants each, with the zip off legs, for hiking in HI and then able to go to shorts when it gets really hot. Shorts on the ship during the day, and casual pants at night. Judy's been doing skirts and blouses and skorts at night. Formal is a cocktail dress and I'm wearing my dark brown business suit.

Ccrain,

 

Thanks again for this info & all the other great information we are getting. Enjoy your next 4 days on the islands. Can't wait to hear all about it. Then the ship will be coming back to get me. Can't wait!:)

[kenzie]

Your reports are getting me very excited as my family and I are on the 25 October departure. I just wondered if you could you tell me, is the casino open every evening, especially during the time around the Islands.

Thanks

Enjoy the Islands, sounds like you like hiking.

[mii]

Your reports are getting me very excited as my family and I are on the 25 October departure. I just wondered if you could you tell me, is the casino open every evening, especially during the time around the Islands.

Thanks

Enjoy the Islands, sounds like you like hiking.

 

I can answer that one. When we went to Hawaii two years the casino is only open at night going over and back. While touring around the islands it is closed due to a Hawaii law and nothing to do with Princess's rule. it is totally Hawaii law.

 

Marilyn

[Celest1022]

Ccrain,

We are going to Hawaii Nov 8th 09 and I've been throughly enjoying reading your posts everyday. As I was reading them, I thought to myself, this guy is taking his time out to post and tell others about the ship and cruise but is answering almost everyones questions they have posted on here. I just wanted to tell you, I think you are one terrific person for doing that.

Thank you

Susan:o

[bfmac]

Ccrain, I think you are doing a great job as well. I can't wait to get on Cruise Critic to see your latest posts. We are sailing on the Golden in February 2010, and I am really learning so much from you.

 

I am curious, as well, as to what dining room Mario is in. Also, do you know if he will be there on the Feb. 28th sailing? Also, David Cole?

 

Thanks so much. Keep up the great work. Can't wait to hear about your adventures on shore.

[ccrain]

ccrain -

 

Regarding seeking what is out the front area on Aloha Deck. Our cabin is close to this area and I believe there should be two doors if you walk all the way towards the front of the Aloha deck. Not sure on the Golden, but on the Crown and Emerald and some of the others I've been on, there is a sort of "secret" deck area where the view is spectacular just under the bridge. I believe the doors might say "crew only" or something like that. Hope it is there.

 

Thank you for checking

 

I know on the Island, Coral and the Sun Class there are such doors. I will check when I get a chance.

[ccrain]

I will check it out today..

 

One zombie shooter, two GTA driving games and an air hockey table. Uses tokens with a token changer in the room. Not too much variety.

 

BUT they do have Wii competitions during the day in the Explorer's lounge. Bowling, tennis, boxing - all your favorite Wii sports. Watch out for the retired folks, don't let them fool you, they are sharks on the Wii!

[ccrain]

Thanks for the updates. We are getting antsy now. Cannot wait until the 25th when we get to board.

 

He's just not sure when. Might be next week, might be the end of October. Keep your fingers crossed.

[ccrain]

Ccrain,

 

I apologize if you already posted this........do you have anytime or traditional dining? I would love to look up Mario if he is in the traditional dining room!! I have had wonderful head waiters in the past and it sounds like he is just as great. Also - can you tell me what time is late seating? Sometimes it is 7:45, other times 8 or 8:15.

 

Thanks and have a GREAT time in the islands. :D:D

 

But the staff rotates between traditional and anytime. There is one traditional, Canneletto on Deck 6 at the back, and two anytimes on 5 and 6.

 

when you board, simply go up to any of the wait staff and ask where he is. He will most likely be in the HC. Tell him you heard about him from us and ask where he is stationed. He will be more than happy to talk to you and help you in any way he can.

 

Late seating is at 8.

[ccrain]

Your reports are getting me very excited as my family and I are on the 25 October departure. I just wondered if you could you tell me, is the casino open every evening, especially during the time around the Islands.

Thanks

Enjoy the Islands, sounds like you like hiking.

 

The casino closed last night and will not be reopened until after we leave the last port on Monday. HI law.

 

Yes, this is our hiking cruise. The last cruise was our snorkeling cruise. We kind of switch around a lot.

[ccrain]

Ccrain,

We are going to Hawaii Nov 8th 09 and I've been throughly enjoying reading your posts everyday. As I was reading them, I thought to myself, this guy is taking his time out to post and tell others about the ship and cruise but is answering almost everyones questions they have posted on here. I just wanted to tell you, I think you are one terrific person for doing that.

Thank you

Susan:o

 

Like I said, I have OCPD and usually am glued to live from threads on ships I'm about to board. Not only that, but this is the first sailing of the season and I'm sure a lot of HI cruisers are just dying to hear what they will be experiencing.

 

Anticipation and planning are part of the cruise experience. CC lets us do that together.

 

Its also kind of fun...

 

Thanks again.

[ccrain]

I asked him yesterday and he will be on vacation December- Januaryish. Always subject to change. Lee Childers will be taking over for him.

[ccrain]

A quickie this morning. A little rainy this morning in Hilo. Getting ready for our volocano hike. I feel like a pack mule with all the "stuff" we take. Never been to the big island before. Always wanted to.

 

The last four days at sea have just flown by. Activities packed into every nook and cranny. Survivor games started yesterday, but Judy got too hot in the sun and developed a heat headache. Watch the sun. Just as bad as in the Caribbean, you must stay hydrated and after a couple of days in the marine layer, you might let your guard down.

 

My hats off to Dave for managing a jam packed schedule with just a regular CD staff. The addition of Eric in LA has helped, he's a blast, and the staff seems more relaxed. Us line dancers are very happy with Martin, who can count the Electric Slide and the Achy-Breaky, and teaches quite well. Trust me when I say, you will not be able to do it all and don't even try.

 

No special pasta last night, but the roast lamb was very good. Even better than the lamb chops in the Crown Grill. (Mario is planning an anti-pasta tonight.) We are scheduled for Chef's table on the first sea day home. They have people lined up waiting for chef's table, so get your reservations in early when you board. They are planning for 3, maybe 4 on this cruise, but because of the new 14 day menus, the chef is pretty busy. On later cruises they may have more Chef's tables.

 

Keith continues to marvel over the cheesecake. I like watching first time Princess cruisers. He thought I was paying extra for the special treatment we've been getting, standing reservations, pasta, all the head waiters stopping by, JP stopping by. Nope, just good old Princess service. We've never been disappointed with the overall service, maybe an incident here and there, happens all the time, but never with the overall service.

 

I recommend you do Crown Grill, Chef's Table and a UBD on this cruise. Sabatinnis as well if you haven't. In priority , I would do the chef's table 1st, UBD 2nd, Crown Grill 3rd and Sabatinnis 4th.

 

BTW, an elite note, we've been turning in a bag of laundry every other night rather than every other morning. That ensures we get it the next night and its much easier to put it together after dressing for dinner and before heading out the door. No missing clothes yet, nice pressing job. Very handy. Love that little black card.

 

We the ship is now turning to dock, so we're going to head up to the decks and watch the goings on, plus pack my mule bags for the excursions, water, binocs, cameras, first aid kit, rain coats, towel, sunscreen, insurance paperwork...no wonder I feel like a mule sometimes.

 

See ya!

[karatemom2]

I asked him yesterday and he will be on vacation December- Januaryish. Always subject to change. Lee Childers will be taking over for him.

 

Thanks for checking. I'm sooooo disappointed to hear this though. I can't blame him for wanting a holiday off, but we will miss him!

[h20 4 me]

I recommend you do Crown Grill, Chef's Table and a UBD on this cruise. Sabatinnis as well if you haven't. In priority , I would do the chef's table 1st, UBD 2nd, Crown Grill 3rd and Sabatinnis 4th.

 

See ya!

 

OH my, I can't wait to hear your report on VNP! We are looking forward to visiting it on our trip as well. I was wondering if with your recommendations on dining would you do these all on the "at sea" days? We are booked for "anytime" dining and would love to hear what you would reccomend. Also, what is the procedure or number to call to book the Chef's/UBD etc. Thanks so much again for taking the time to post! I just love Cruise Critic for making this type of thing possible!

[NotWthOutablcony]

Hey Ccrain, did you have a live band playing for sailaway? Have a great hike today, I'm quite envious of your cave hike, have always wanted to do that, take lots of pictures!

[horsefeathers75]

Hi Ccrain,

 

Like Susan, I think you are pretty terrific for answering all our questions, I wish you were doing a back to back cruise so I could meet you and thank you personally.

 

Thanks for finding out about my BaJa cabin, my friends are on the Aloha deck but because that is under the Horizon Dining Area, my dh & I were afraid of the noise. Once we were under a small cafe and heard chairs and tables moving most of the night.

 

I am not big on competition but I might have to do the Wii bowling, I am pretty good at that.

 

I do have a couple more questions.

 

Have you noticed how the smoking is on the ship, my dh is very allergic and do people tend to abide to the smoking and nonsmoking side of the ship. Have you noticed if there are any nonsmoking nights in the casino?

 

Are there a lot of children aboard? What are the drink prices like?

 

Thanks again for all your wonderful answers, tips and remarks. We are really looking forward to this cruise.

 

Have fun in Hawaii.

 

Debi

[spingal]

But the staff rotates between traditional and anytime. There is one traditional, Canneletto on Deck 6 at the back, and two anytimes on 5 and 6.

 

when you board, simply go up to any of the wait staff and ask where he is. He will most likely be in the HC. Tell him you heard about him from us and ask where he is stationed. He will be more than happy to talk to you and help you in any way he can.

 

Late seating is at 8.

 

Will do!! THANK YOU so much for taking the time to answer my (and everyone elses) questions!! I am following this thread closely and getting excited about our cruise in November!! :D:D

[flamomo]

Horsefeathers, we were on the Star in AK 2 weeks ago, and I also recall from past cruises that there is at least one non-smoking night in the casino each week of a cruise.

 

Also,there were little boxes attached to a few pillars on the port side of the Promenade deck for smokers to douse their cigarette butts. I saw very few people using them (very few smokers out on that deck).

There were some people smoking on their balconies that I could see from ours, but there were no noticeable smoke odors.

There's a smoking area on the Lido deck outside the Horizon Court on one side of the ship, and a few tables out aft by the Outrigger bar that were designated for smokers use.

[IECalCruiser]

Golden Princess (09-20-09) YVR-LA-HI-LA

Star Princess (02-02-10) South for the Winter Antarctica Cruise

ccrain,

Thanks for taking the time to make all of the posts and to answer the many questions!

In addition to the Golden, I noticed you are also directly proceeding us on the Star in February. Please take good care of both ships for us.

Brian

[Belle]

I have more.....

Did David Cole say what date he was

leaving. I was afraid he would be gone

at that time because he was on the

Alaska cruises longer.

 

Before you mention going to a lecture

on cruising ships..does he plan to give lectures/

talks throughout the cruise about different ships

through all the years. Can you tell me the persons name?

Hope he is the one we had a few years ago.

He was great!

 

Thanks again.

[CanuckCurlers]

I like watching first time Princess cruisers. He thought I was paying extra for the special treatment we've been getting, standing reservations, pasta, all the head waiters stopping by, JP stopping by. Nope, just good old Princess service. We've never been disappointed with the overall service, maybe an incident here and there, happens all the time, but never with the overall service.

See ya!

I sense from your posts that you are a generous, thoughtful, caring person and thus get the same and more sent back your way. Thanks again for sharing your adventure.

[nanato3]

I'm happy to hear the weather in Hawaii isn't stormy. Could you please let me know if the 4 days at sea going there were rough seas. We sail this coming Sunday Oct.11th. A lot of the people on our thread are talking about getting sea sick patches. I've never been sea sick on a cruise ship, only on a ferry crossing. Would you recomend the patch?

Thanks, Nanato3/Linda:confused: