live from the Golden Princess Feb 28 to Mar 14

[MTJSR]

Thursday, 8am

 

I found out this morning on the Wake Show with David Cole that Princess was taking extreme cleaning measures onboard. Whenever someone has been sick/seasick they treat it as a worst case situation. Because they cannot determine why the person threw up they treat it as highly infectious and clean accordingly.

 

I attended the port talk on Maui a bit ago, they tender from two locations one forward and one further aft. People with cruise tours meet in the Princess Theatre and everyone else meets in the Bernini Dinning room. When they have a full boat they escort you down to the tender and off you go. Also if there are whales in the area the port master freezes all boat traffic until the whales move on. Dave says you WILL see lots of whales in Maui, guaranteed!

 

A crew member from the bridge got on the loud speaker earlier and warned everyone on an outside deck that they were about to get drenched from a large rain cloud. We hung out under the Skywalkers on aft pool deck and were fine. We were watching a large black sea bird following us and diving into the wake, I assume catching fish. We are traveling roughly 360 miles every 24 hours (the captain says) that means that bird is that far away from land. The water is extremely blue today and the weather is warm. Lots of people walking the promenade. Three times around is 1 mile. More poker tournaments today. For some reason, today seems to be cane, walker, wheel chair and scooter day. I have not observed this many at one time before today.

 

Our chefs table is tonight. We received our official note at the door and Angelo wants us to meet him at the International Cafe at 7pm. Dress is smart casual. One note of mention. The deserts in the main dinning room are pretty dull (other than love boat dream) nothing like the ones available at the International Cafe. They are like night and day in comparison. When you see the display there you will know what I mean.

 

More Later!

[cruisingready]

Love love the live posts excellent have a great time

[flamomo]

As long as there is Creme Brulee available on the dessert menu now and then, I will be happy. Oh yes, and some of their excellent sorbets. I loved the pink grapefruit one.

 

We'll be looking forward to hearing about your Chef's Table experience.

 

Thanks for the informative posts.

[MTJSR]

Forgot to mention yesterday, the Neptune's Reef pool was damaged due to the wave action from the rough seas the other day. They had the pool empty and workers inside repairing it all day. At the same time they varnished all the railings surrounding the MUTS/Neptune's pool area. A bit ago at the newly repaired and painted pool they held the survivor game. Todays challenge was for the tribes to paddle from one end of the pool to the other while sitting atop a blow up dolphin. Fall off or touch the sides and you start over. The wave action in the pool made for a really difficult challenge getting to the other side. Dave and Leialoha played music for an hour and a half before this event (they are really very good). My aunt asked Leialoha and Dave, if they knew a very old classic Hawaiian song (you never hear anyone play anymore) they did and immediately played it for everyone.

 

The Captain said today that tomorrow, when we get close to Hawaii, he will adjust our speed to 15 knots, so our time into Hilo will be at exactly 8am dockside. I stood in the sun today for about 10 minutes and nearly got fried. The sun is getting very intense and people are starting to get sun burns. Even though it is only 75 out today, you will burn quick.

[NotWthOutablcony]

Wow, we can't wait to see the whales!!! Just bought new binoculars for whale watching off the balcony!

Watched you pull into Hilo this morning, have fun!

[MTJSR]

From my iphone;

 

We arrived just off the hilo coast at 6am and we moved in very slowly because the whales were all playing right were we were, little baby whales with tails popping out of the water. The moms were nearby, i could tell because the big poof of spray was much larger than the babies. It was raining a bit as we came in but passed almost immediatly. Hilo is different then I expected. The downtown reminds me of a 1960's small town america with little stores and banks in a row on one side of the street. Very quiet in the morning. A cab ride across town from the pier was 20.00 and all the rental car companies have shuttles at the pier. The pier has live hawaiian music and small flea market style booths open inside. Tours are staged in lines inside the pier and all other tours you can buy on the spot are right outside. The crystal symphony that was in los angeles with us followed us into hilo bay and is now berthed right next to us. I thought we could out run it. You really get a feel for just how huge this golden is when you step out onto the pier and look up. We are certainly the largest thing to happen to hilo in the last two weeks. My cab driver said the town is very quiet and they count the days until this ship comes back.

 

More later!

[JoJo5656]

The excitement is killing me!!! We sail on 3/28 and i race to the computer each day looking for your updates. Thank you so much. For people like me who have never done this trip before, it is such great informtion and insight to have. We all appreciate your efforts to keep us in the loop! Thank you again and have a wonderful time!

[Murrah Miss]

Again, thank you so much for your posts. We are all getting so excited, as we board as you come off! Hope to see those precious baby whales!

[grandmaa]

Anita,

 

Interesting that you say Maitre'd Angelo will not be onboard for the 3/14 cruise. About a month ago, I got one of those pre-cruise emails with info about certain ship's staff and welcoming me to the cruise, and Angelo was one of those staff members.

 

However, everyone deserves a vacation, so if it's Luigi for our sailing, so be it.

 

A favor, if you have time. Could you please try to find out what Luigi's last name is, so I can address an invitation to our Meet & Greet to him.

 

Thanks,

Mary Lou

 

Sorry I do not know his last name. He was a passenger on our cruise as his wife, Zoe, was leading a group of 300 from her travel agency.

Maybe you can call Princess and they can tell you.

Have a wonderful cruise with calm seas and blue skies.

Anita

[LARGIN]

Luigi Moretti is the name of the Maitre D'. His wife Zoe owns a travel agency in Sacramento, CA

[MTJSR]

The excitement is killing me!!! We sail on 3/28 and i race to the computer each day looking for your updates. Thank you so much. For people like me who have never done this trip before, it is such great informtion and insight to have. We all appreciate your efforts to keep us in the loop! Thank you again and have a wonderful time!

 

Thank you, I was worried I may be giving too much away:eek:

 

Thursday, 10pm

 

NOTWITHOUTABALCONY, today they have 3 different styles of binoculars for sale and the prices are 50.00, 150.00 and UP. But since you already purchased yours, you are good to go.

 

Those of you planning to use the internet onboard will want to save your minutes and not log on during the afternoons between lunch and 4pm. Imagine slow then multiply that by 10. All other times seem to be ok. One note of observation, the balconies have been mostly empty on the entire port side until today. Now it looks like a game of “wack a mole” as the heads keep popping up and out over the railings. The bird we saw earlier is still following the ship. He hasn't flapped his wings yet, I guess he is riding the wind off the back of the ship. MUTS tonight was “Julie & Julia”. For the fruit lovers, the Pineapple onboard has been delicious and everything else was picked too early.

 

Friday, 5:30pm

 

Today was Hilo and I am now sitting back on the ship, balcony door open and it is raining outside. We are getting ready to leave for Honolulu in a bit. I can hear the ramps below being moved around. Some local kids are playing on an outrigger in the breakwater near the ship. Jumping off into the water, looks like a scene from an old Hawaiian movie. FYI, It is/can be cold and windy up in the volcanos park. Hint, Ricky's tours is a good one to go on, very complete with a good number of bathroom stops. The five hour tour my family took did not offer any food, so grab something at one of the stops. Princess will be selling bottled water up in horizon court the mornings of each port stop that you can take ashore. You MUST have your ID/passport in order to get into the pier area. Your cruise card is not enough. Did you know? The big island has a feral cat and mongoose problem. Just driving down the road our table mates saw three mongoose run by. There is a tree here that has red flowers on it that is a wild weed (so to speak) and is taking over the area.

 

Tonight on MUTS is “The Invention of Lying”.

 

The ships exterior lights are turned down while in Hawaiian waters due to migrating birds. I wasn't going to mention this before (because I didn't see for myself) but I am hearing several/many reports that the productions in the Princess Theatre are looking like a high school production, with the performers looking at the floor trying to find their tape/position, as an example. We might be seeing a new unpolished cast, but this is what I am hearing.

 

Chefs table last night was good. Just like Duck Duck Cruise, we followed the same process prior to being seated. The menu was; Foie Gras in Brioche with Pineapple Chutney, Halibut Ceviche with Lime, Celery and Fennel, Roasted New Potatoes with Sour Cream and Caviar, Tempura Coconut Shrimp with Thai Sauce, Risotto with Porcini Mushrooms, Strawberry Sorbet with Cracked Pepper, “Double Impact Surf & Turf” Lobster Tail, Diver Scallops & Beef Filet Mignon, Baby Green Asparagus, Turned Vegetables, Golden Sauteed Chateau Potatoes, Gorgonzola on Warm Walnut Bread, Balsamic Vinegar & Port Wine Reduction, Grand Marnier Chocolate Mousse. Some at the table would have preferred to say how they like their meat cooked, but all the filets came medium rare plus. The lobster tail was somewhat small, The wines selected were perfect. Overall I give this evening a 8.5, some items I would not try again.

 

The Golden is getting ready for a coast guard inspection and everyone is running around doing extra chores. Tomorrow in Honolulu, they are cleaning all the balconies and have asked us to keep our doors closed. Hint, the laundry rooms are virtually vacant this first week. I anticipate next week will be crazy in there. The laundry rooms are nice, 4 washers, 4 dryers and 4 Ironing boards. There is also a vending machine for soap and a change making machine. Price is 1.00 for everything, ironing is free.

 

Friday, 8:30pm

 

As we left Hilo we hugged the coast on our port side for a couple hours. After that I could no longer see lights. We are being told the weather tomorrow in Honolulu is warm and 80 degrees. It is raining out right now. We are taking the tour to pearl harbor and received a notice that the base is being worked on till December 2010 and that the movie you normally see beforehand is not available. As we sail, I have a very strong AT&T signal so my iphone is fully operational. There was a lady in the horizon court a couple days ago who was on her phone. Though I do not know the details, there is a way to pay Princess and get your phone to work out at sea.

 

I found out that steak and lobster is served on the last formal night (friday) before Ensenada. Tonight was Rack of Veal. Hint, If you order it ask for extra sauce. In fact ask for extra sauce on everything, including the Fettuccine. Princess has been real stingy with the sauces this trip and it does make a big difference.

 

More Later!

[LARGIN]

MTSJR.. Can you tell me the name of the Executive Chef? Thanks

[Duck Duck Cruise]

MTSJR.. Can you tell me the name of the Executive Chef? Thanks

It was Jeremy Snowden on our cruise a couple weeks ago and I believe he is still on the Golden now.

[grandmaa]

Hello All..Here is the menu from our Chef's Table Menu for 2/22/10. Jeremy Snowden mentioned that there were 3 menus..

Blue Crab Margarita with Avocado & Mango, Beef Tenderloin Tartar with condiments

Bistro Mini Cheese Quiche

Roasted New Potatoes with Sour Cream and Caviar

Risotto with Lobster and Avocado

Lip smacking "Bloody Mary" Sorbet with Grey Goose Vodka

Trio of Veal, Pork, and Beef Tenderloin served on a Medieval spiked Flambe Roaster

Jus, Salsa Verde, Bernaise Sauce & Cafe de Paris Butter

Fresh Premium Market Vegetables

Creamy Mousseline Potatoes

Potted Stilton with Port Wine, Walnuts, and Rosemary Biscotti

Iced Amaretto Parfait, Florentine Tuiles, Wiskey soaked Raspberries

Coffee, Tea, and Homemade Mignardises (yummy)

This was an incredible meal...

Enjoy!

Whichever Chef's Table you are at it is truly a feast for the eyes and the taste buds..and of course the companionship of your fellow cruisers who are also "foodies",

Anita

[MTJSR]

It was Jeremy on my cruise too. Angelo is still here too. Same waiters as shown in Duck duck cruise's pictures. My aunt wants to take home one of them.

 

Sitting waiting to go on the arizona memorial right now. Nice weather sunny and warm. Very busy here, what a zoo. Fyi, you can leave bags or belongings on the shuttles/ships tour even though princess says otherwise.

 

More later!

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Have you been to Sabatini's yet? Claudio, Doru, Cornel, and David are just great people. There is a whole lotta fun to be had there. Tell them Vince and Lin say Hi. Doru's wife works at Vines (she is the cute one who wears the tight skirts), and David is in love with the Captain's Club hostess. They are a cute couple. I think her parents were going to be on your cruise or the one before yours.

 

If they don't remember us, tell them we were the crazies with the pink Travel Monkey.

[flamomo]

Largin, thank you for the name of the gentleman who is supposed to be the Maitre 'd on our cruise on the 14th.

 

MTSJR and Anita, thanks to both of you for the menues for your Chef's Table dinners. Both sound excellent, though I have to admit I would much prefer the one with the Surf & Turf and the scallops and filet.

[MTJSR]

Have you been to Sabatini's yet? Claudio, Doru, Cornel, and David are just great people. There is a whole lotta fun to be had there. Tell them Vince and Lin say Hi. Doru's wife works at Vines (she is the cute one who wears the tight skirts), and David is in love with the Captain's Club hostess. They are a cute couple. I think her parents were going to be on your cruise or the one before yours.

 

If they don't remember us, tell them we were the crazies with the pink Travel Monkey.

 

We have not been yet, crown grill either. The chefs table people all remember you. You both left your mark here

[beachsea&sail]

MTJSR, thanks so much for your descriptive posts. We too are headed out on the 3/14 sailing and are so excited we can barely sit still. One (actually 2) question related to the Chef's Table. When you go to sign up for it, are the menus available for you to see? And if so, are you able to choose based on that? TIA for your answer!

 

Elissa

[MTJSR]

We did not see it in advance, not even at the orientation with Angelo. We had no choice that i was aware of.

 

Fyi, people sign up for chefs table then 1/3 cancel. Alternate names are taken and we sat with one alt couple. Leave a message on the dine line the first day they do select from those who call or get lucky and meet someone like we did.

[beachsea&sail]

Interesting...thanks for getting back to me on that one. I guess I'll have to roll the dice on that one & cross my fingers that I get selected & like the menu & the people at the dinner, especially as my DH plans on taking advantage of the fact that he's NOT a foodie and hates dressing up by hitting the least formal place he can find to eat dinner instead while I go it alone.

 

Hope you guys are having a fantastic day today. Can't wait to read all about it tomorrow!

 

Elissa

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Interesting...thanks for getting back to me on that one. I guess I'll have to roll the dice on that one & cross my fingers that I get selected & like the menu & the people at the dinner, especially as my DH plans on taking advantage of the fact that he's NOT a foodie and hates dressing up by hitting the least formal place he can find to eat dinner instead while I go it alone.

 

Hope you guys are having a fantastic day today. Can't wait to read all about it tomorrow!

 

Elissa

Tell him that the Chef's Table is not held on a formal night. Smart Casual is the dress code with closed toe shoes for the ladies.

[beachsea&sail]

Hi Vince & Lin. I enjoyed your "live from" posts & pics enormously. Like your monkey, we travel with Mr. Piggy. Unfortunately DH feels "smart casual" is a bit too formal for his liking -- he's normally a t-shirt & shorts kind of guy, so getting him to wear a collar shirt & chinos with "real shoes" as opposed to Crocs on this trip most night because we'll be dining in real dining rooms/restaurants is a stretch for him. As for me, I would wear something semi-formal/formal every night if the opportunity arose. Go figure! In any case, if he has the opportunity to not even have to wear a collar shirt by avoiding a main dining room that night, he's going for it (let him figure out how & where he's going :rolleyes:). Thanks, though, for the reminder about the closed toe shoes for me. In my zeal in downsizing (twice) in my packing, I've sort of ended up with only dressy sandals for evening shoes, flip flops & my running shoes (not exactly appropriate dinner attire).

 

Elissa

[MTJSR]

Saturday, 5:30am

 

We are about 3 miles away from Honolulu. Lots and lots of lights ahead, the NCL Pride of America is sitting off our port side waiting for us, I assume. We are in a serious wind storm and have been for about 4 hours. We are bobbing around with the wind just howling outside. The sea spray off the front of the ship is blowing all the way down the side of the ship and when I stick my head out I get salty spray in my face (seriously) and I am midship Caribe deck. Our balcony divider (which is unlocked) was slamming wildly until we moved chairs in the middle of the night to block it. After last nights post, we were still hugging the coast of the big island well into the late night.

 

Saturday 4pm,

 

After docking at Aloha Tower, it took about 20 minutes for the all clear to be called. We headed off to the Pearl Harbor tour #100A (Princess) We had the most knowledgeable driver (OLAV) on the war and all of it's little known details I think possible. The inside of his bus/van was pelted with photos of pilots and people of mention from the war time effort and he, while driving passed around photos that coincided with his dialogue, all while a movie timed with his talk was playing overhead. This guy knew the tricks for getting in and out of the Pearl Harbor tour before the masses take over. FYI, go early or don't go. We had a tour time on the memorial of 9:00 and by the time we left at 9:45 they were passing out tickets for 3pm. People were going to have to wait 5 plus hours to take the tour. Lunch on this tour was buffet style at Schoffield Barracks. FYI, Really good fresh brewed iced tea is available there. This is a very complete tour seeing everything military on Oahu except the USS Missouri. Highly recommend!

 

We are back on the ship and there are people working all over the outside. We have hoses laying across our balcony as they are washing down the entire outside. Every balcony divider is open right no and you can look all the way forward and aft. FYI, we can see portable wheel chair ramps at some balcony doors that must be available if requested.

 

Saturday 9:30pm,

 

Oahu just like Hilo sounded the Tsunami alarm last week. There are “I survived the 2/27/10 Tsunami T-shirts” for sale in Waikiki. We had dinner at Shore Birds restaurant in the Outrigger Reef hotel right on the beach. Unique restaurant (I ate there the last time 20 years ago) in that you cook your own meat then hit the buffet for salad, pasta, rice bread etc. Amazing views of the sun going down from your table.

 

This might be interesting for some of you, we met/played cards with a couple onboard that is/was neighbors slash business partners with Matt Rolloff. Some of you know him from the TV show “Little People Big World” What I learned is Matt Rolloff is a software engineer and was an ewak (SP) in the movies (which one I forgot) A small world isn't it?

 

FYI, we took a bus from Aloha Tower to the International Market Place as a starting point for our Waikiki walk/dinner. You have to come out of the pier building and turn left, walk up to King Street (2 blocks) and turn right (2 blocks) to the bus stop. The cost to ride the bus is $2.25 per person. If you have a Medicare card (the red/white/blue paper one) the cost is $1.00. A cab ride would be $14.00. Don't even think about walking it because it is pretty far. Just adjacent to our pier are boats you can board for a dinner cruise. I truly doubt anyone would be interested after a week of Princess dinner cruises.

 

Princess is in the middle of replacing/reworking all the bed frames onboard the Golden. I am told, the problem has been that the frames are sagging in the middle and they have been welding additional supports on them down stairs and that is solving the problem. Many were being fully replaced yesterday and into last night. Hint....if you must have an egg crate, type it in under special requests, if given that option in the personalizer. There is a shortage of these onboard and the room stewards are resorting to hiding them, so they can please just their deck passengers. If you formally request it, Princess has to buy more. Asking the room steward directly just puts enormous pressure on him/her to have to try and please you somehow. One other note....remember the questionnaires we normally get at the end of the cruise. Those are gone, we now go online from home and answer the questions. Straight out of a crew members mouth today.

 

No MUTS tonight due to sail away party upstairs. Our entertainer tonight had to cancel due to a family emergency (Per David Cole) some other entertainment was brought in as backup.

 

In tomorrows patter they are advertising for the ultimate ships tour. This is the very first mention of it the whole cruise. They have scheduled it for Wed, Mar 10th 9am.

 

MUTS tomorrow is “Star Trek XI”

[flamomo]

This "Live from ...." is a treasure trove of helpful information. Those of us the cruise following yours are loving it.