Review: Golden to Hawaii 14-day 12/6/09

[Loralu]

Just back from the Golden to Hawaii. Below is a brief review of some highlights - My opinions only!

L.A Hotel: Mariott at airport - booked with Princess with transfer to ship. Great option - did a tour ( Hollywood, Bev Hills, Venice beach, L.A. ) well worth it - ask at the front desk $45.00 each. Pool and hot tub - and ask for a room with a balcony if you smoke. Not many dining options.

Embark: Excellent! short waits - in comfortable seated areas - Princess is better than RC on this one.

The Ship: Very nice - easy to get around - lots of pool choices, was decorated for Christmas, Piazza was nice spot to hang out "IF" you can find a seat ( people save chairs here instead of the pool ). Check out deck 15 aft - there are 2 hot tubs - never busy - nice in the eveining. If weather is good - take your breakfast from Horizon Court to the aft pool, same level, nice view while eating. Check the tv in your room for pool temps - they can get cold.

Service: Excellent in my opinion. Out waiter/asst waiter (Rusty & Jay) were the best we have ever had. Room steward ( Jesus) didnt see him much but he got the job done and honored all requests. Other staff - always smiling and saying hello - very friendly - didnt come across anyone who was not helpful - very inpressive!

Food: Most was super.. the prime rib was not so good..but everything else was great - and lots of variety. We had late traditional seating - and loved it. Ate one dinner in Horizon Court - the rest in the dining room - did not try specialty restaurants. Lunch/Breakfast in Horizon always busy, some times hard to find a seat, food average - to above. Piazza had great salads, sandwiches, soups and deserts. Pizza was hit or miss - if right out of the oven it was great. Hot dog station - try the Knockwurst - and fries - really good. Ice cream station - good but you have to pay for anything other than a cone.

Stateroom: C701 - great location, right near aft elevators, nice 1/2 covered large balcony and great views at every port. Lots of storage, super small shower, but adequate for 2 people. Beds not too comfortable - even with eggcrate. Missed having couch and sitting area as in balconies on RC, but would have to have did Mini suite for that.

Entertainment: Princess singers and dancers not the best in my opinion - they try hard - but need work. Variety of shows was great - always at least 2 main attractions after dinner each night. Commedians were great!, Mowtown is a good show. Get there early if going to vista lounge for a show - they fill up quick. Lot's of trivia and other games every day. Try out survivor - that was fun. Never saw the cruise director except for TV morning show - I dont think he is all that great - but one guy "Martin" has the best personality on the staff for entertainment - funny and friendly.

Excursions: we did a local tour in Hilo - you can book just off the ship - it was $45.00 each - there are many vans just waiting for takers - was well worth the money - went to VNP, waterfalls, Lava tube, and learned about the island culture and was a great tour. Booked whale watching tour with Princess for Lahani - it was a good tour - but could have been a better boat. Visibility was tough unless you walked around the boat. Each island had Walmart with free shuttles ( better souvenier prices).

Casino: I must remark here - I am not a big time gambler - but enjoy the slots on a cruise - and this casino had the tightest machines I have ever seen - I never heard anyone excited or winning.. and only complaints like ours about the machines.

Disembarkation: For the first time we chose to pay for the luggage transfer $20.00 per person - and our luggage was picked up at our room the evening before departure and we did not see it again till we arrived at our home destination - PLUS it included our transfer tot he airport (we thought we had to get a taxi) what a wonderful way to end the cruise - No lines.. no waiting for a taxi.. it was GREAT!! I would highly recommend.

Passenger ages: I am 48, mom is 70 and we both really enjoyed the cruise and itenerary. Yes it is mostly seniors on this cruise - and ocassionaly a traffic jam with wheelchairs in some areas - but still very nice and peaceful. Not big on the nightlife - however I was suprised to see tons of people at the Pool Luau one evening at 11pm - everyone was dancing and eating.. it was a real nice turnout.

Smokers: you can smoke in the casino (except for 2 non-smoking evenings) and outside on one side of the main outdoor pool, and in the sports bar - but not any other lounges.

**** this was our 2nd Princess Cruise, and we booked because of the price and destination - and we were pleasantly suprised at how nice everything was - Princess does a great job, and we look forward to booking with them again int he future.

Let me know if you have any questions.:D

Bon Voyage!

[stretchcruz]

Thank you for your review! Our friends were on the Golden for Thanksgiving and had a good time as well...

[mycruz]

Thanks Loralu! nice review, can't wait to experience it my self in a couple of months.

[Coolmama_1]

Nice review. Thanks for sharing.

[bmench]

Really enjoyed your review , I was wondering if you had your photos uploaded so we can all enjoy viewing your cruise , we will be going in March, so I am really excited about seeing everything and it was nice reading a good report of your cruise I had read a couple of reviews and was starting to wonder whether we had made a mistake on this cruise but because of all the good reviews that have been written since it makes me feel better about our decision. Thanks again and if possible please share your photos.:p

[ppsmom]

We were also on this cruise and I agree with Loralu's review. The crew on this boat are wonderful. :) Especially Jo in the casino, Robert and Sante in the Canaletto dining room and the young latin dancer who pulled me out of the long, long tender line on Maui and took me the front of the line as I am handicapped and was struggling to stand after a long day on shore.. Survivor was so much fun, I actually won but did end up with with a cut finger and many bruises. Another thing was the Hawaiian people, they are the most humble and gracious people I have ever met. We will definitely do this cruise again.

[OCCruzer]

Thanks for the informative post Loralu. One question - how smooth or rough was the sailing to and from Hawaii?

[ppsmom]

Thes seas were pretty rough for the first couple of days going to Hawaii, but the weather for us in Hawaii was very nice and the sail home was not bad at all. I didn't know what to expect where the weather was concerned, but overall it was good.

[caravellajn]

Excursions: we did a local tour in Hilo - you can book just off the ship - it was $45.00 each - there are many vans just waiting for takers - was well worth the money - went to VNP, waterfalls, Lava tube, and learned about the island culture and was a great tour. Booked whale watching tour with Princess for Lahani - it was a good tour - but could have been a better boat. Visibility was tough unless you walked around the boat. Each island had Walmart with free shuttles ( better souvenier prices).

 

Great review!

 

I have a question about the tour vans waiting at the port. How much time were you able to spend at each place and how long was the tour? We were going to rent a car, but after reading your review we're considering taking one of these vans. TIA!

Neva

[CL-JW]

Well done review Loralu - glad to hear you had a nice cruise!!:)

[Loralu]

Great review!

 

I have a question about the tour vans waiting at the port. How much time were you able to spend at each place and how long was the tour? We were going to rent a car, but after reading your review we're considering taking one of these vans. TIA!

Neva

 

We were alos thinking of renting a car - but the tours worked well for us. the tour was supposed to be about 4 hrs, but ended up being about 5 or a littel more - we had a very informative driver, and stopped at VNP for about 20 min, lava tube about 20 min, beach, steam vents, beautiful photo stops 5-10 min, Mac Nut factory 20-30 min, Big Island Candy Co, 15-20 min, plenty of time to go in sample stuff and make purchases. We saw quite a bit in this time - and I was very pleased. I would definately recommend the tour if its your first time. enjoy!

[Loralu]

Well done review Loralu - glad to hear you had a nice cruise!!:)

 

thanks guys... :D:D

[Daniel1313]

We were alos thinking of renting a car - but the tours worked well for us. the tour was supposed to be about 4 hrs, but ended up being about 5 or a littel more - we had a very informative driver, and stopped at VNP for about 20 min, lava tube about 20 min, beach, steam vents, beautiful photo stops 5-10 min, Mac Nut factory 20-30 min, Big Island Candy Co, 15-20 min, plenty of time to go in sample stuff and make purchases. We saw quite a bit in this time - and I was very pleased. I would definately recommend the tour if its your first time. enjoy!

Great Review.

What exactly is the VNP??? We you able to swim at the waterfalls??? what was the lava tube???

 

Thanks

Dan

[DocM4]

VNP - Volcano National Park, I believe.

[Loralu]

Great Review.

What exactly is the VNP??? We you able to swim at the waterfalls??? what was the lava tube???

 

Thanks

Dan

 

Volcano National Park - where you see steam vents, and a real volcano crater - beautiful sights. Waterfalls - No swimming. Lava Tube is a underground cave where the lava used to flow.. now you can walk through it.. very interesting.

This tour is more for sightseeing..and not realy to spend alot of time at each stop.

[Loralu]

If the 'View Slideshow!' button above does not work, copy and paste the link below into your browser: http://youngfamily.myphotoalbum.com/slideshow.php?set_albumName=album27

 

Here are my photo's from Hawaii Cruise.

[mycruz]

Thanks for posting the slide show, can't wait for our cruise!

[coo359a2]

Great pictures Lora. Tell "Mama" I liked her polka dot shorts.

[bmench]

Thank you so much for posting your pictures it excited me just seeing how beautiful everything looked I am so looking forward to our trip in March. Thank you again Becky

[GottaLuvCruising]

How was the weather during crossings?

 

We made a future cruise deposit during our Ruby Princess cruise a couple weeks ago and plan to use it for an LAX to Hawaii sailing. We've done Hawaii before (early May) and our crossing to Vancouver was cold and rainy. So we want to try this itinerary but looking in particular for warmer temps so we can enjoy our balcony. Suggestions?

[coo359a2]

How was the weather during crossings?

 

We made a future cruise deposit during our Ruby Princess cruise a couple weeks ago and plan to use it for an LAX to Hawaii sailing. We've done Hawaii before (early May) and our crossing to Vancouver was cold and rainy. So we want to try this itinerary but looking in particular for warmer temps so we can enjoy our balcony. Suggestions?

 

I've done the Golden Princess Hawaiian cruise twice - early Dec and early Jan. Both times the weather was cool on the first and last two/three days. Didn't wear shorts on those days. After that, we had nice weather and shorts were fine. Of course there were people in shorts and tank tops the whole cruise while I was in capris and a hoodie. We weren't in a balcony but if we were in one, I personnaly would not have been sitting out there those first few days.

[GottaLuvCruising]

I've done the Golden Princess Hawaiian cruise twice - early Dec and early Jan. Both times the weather was cool on the first and last two/three days. Didn't wear shorts on those days. After that, we had nice weather and shorts were fine. Of course there were people in shorts and tank tops the whole cruise while I was in capris and a hoodie. We weren't in a balcony but if we were in one, I personnaly would not have been sitting out there those first few days.

 

 

As a Floridian with low cold weather tolerance, I would definitely stay away from December & January sailings. But should I consider only the last couple in the spring or first couple in the fall? I sure do wish this itinerary was available year-round. (I have zero interest in doing Hawaii...or any other destination...on NCL).

[shelly314]

Tell "Mama" I liked her polka dot shorts

 

What polka dot shorts? Tina, you're seeing things again.

Great trip, beautiful weather. We had a balcony and enjoyed it immensely. Would sail Princess anytime. Ship is beautiful, service is great, etc. But, casino is the tightest I've ever seen. Trivia was great, especially with such a knowlegable partner as Tina and her hubby for the especially tough questions. Miss you guys.

 

[coo359a2]

Hi Rochelle

 

Not me. Went back through the pictures and there is one of you in Polka dot shorts lounging on the balcony. Looking very comfy and relaxed too. Sure hope your weather is warmer than ours down here in the south. We're to be in the teens tonight and maybe snow Thursday nights. We're just not suppose to have this type of weather in the south. Miss playing trivia with you and Lora too. Had a lot of fun with ya'll.

[shelly314]

LOL.....those were my pajamas.