Notes from a Golden B2B

[cr8tiv1]

I received an "emergency notification" not to arrive before 12:30 for the October 27th voyage. Had the same notification for the Coral in May (LA). But when we arrived late, there was no one around. Everyone else got there early and was boarded. They still have the Golden leaving at 4 so am not sure what the delayed embarkation is all about.

 

I do understand delays. I was on a sailing that they held the ship until almost 10 PM because of the shooting at LAX. Even then, there were about 25 cabins that did not make the ship. One couple I met had to fly into San Diego and drive up to San Pedro. Shops were open/Casino closed. It was a beautiful warm night and the lights of San Pedro, Long Beach and the bridge were spectacular. We weren't going any where fast and were kept informed about the delay. Guess that is the big difference.

 

Thank you for taking the time to address your concerns with the Golden. My first experience with her was not very good but I am glad I gave her another chance. Please consider a cruise to Hawaii on the Grand or the Star with ELUA or Dave Cole. I believe you will enjoy the experience.

[Coveguy4]

In Sept, our cruise didn't leave till the following morning on the Golden. Had to do repair on thrusters, but it was interesting to watch from our balcony. We were surprised to wake up still docked as we were told 4pm, then 6pm, then 9pm, then midnight, then 1 am...... (We still had a great 4 day cruise!......OK maybe it should be called a 3 day cruise and 1 night floating hotel)

[jasbo49]

I received an "emergency notification" not to arrive before 12:30 for the October 27th voyage.

 

Please consider a cruise to Hawaii on the Grand or the Star with ELUA or Dave Cole. I believe you will enjoy the experience.

 

The "emergency notification" is just the standard non-emergency spreading out of arrivals.

 

We did have David Cole as the cruise director, and I should have mentioned he was good. I did mention it on the Princess survey. I find most cruise directors grating with their endless rah-rah, and David was a little more subdued and dignified. Next trip for us is likely to be Panama Canal or Alaska. For us, Hawaii is about plopping down in one place for two weeks of exploration and relaxation, not the port-of-the-day approach.

 

Jim

[BJS]

The "emergency notification" is just the standard non-emergency spreading out of arrivals.

 

We did have David Cole as the cruise director, and I should have mentioned he was good. I did mention it on the Princess survey. I find most cruise directors grating with their endless rah-rah, and David was a little more subdued and dignified. Next trip for us is likely to be Panama Canal or Alaska. For us, Hawaii is about plopping down in one place for two weeks of exploration and relaxation, not the port-of-the-day approach.

 

Jim

 

Thank you for your great and well written review. We are faithful to Princess but I read all I can about the ships and cruises which does come in handy to know what to expect on certain ships. I find the "only positive" reviews to be unbelievable because in 24 Princess cruises there have been at least 1 or 2 negatives on each cruise and when I was aware of these in advance there were less disappointments.

[caribill]

The Horizon Court lunch buffet is open until 3:30 p.m., according to the Princess Prattle. So why is it that if you arrive at 2, they're pulling the trays and closing it down? My wife asked one day, and they said they were getting ready for tea. I wouldn't think it would take them an hour and a half to remove the lunch food and replace it with crumpets or whatever they serve, but if it does, they should note in their newsletter that lunch is available only until 2. Princess usually has the identical lunch on both the port and starboard side of the buffet. Usually one side will shut down early to switch to the next service while service continues in the other side for the current meal. Was your experience that both sides were removing food early?

 

 

 

STRAY FOOD NOTES: If you've got two hours to blow, go to breakfast in the MDR. I'm serious; it took two hours for us to order, receive and eat our food. That can be a problem at lunch also. My solution is to let the waitstaff know I am in a hurry, do not want to wait for others at the table to finish their course, and would like my food to be brought out at a fast pace. This usually works.

 

 

 

See above in red

[caribill]

The Horizon Court lunch buffet is open until 3:30 p.m., according to the Princess Prattle. So why is it that if you arrive at 2, they're pulling the trays and closing it down? My wife asked one day, and they said they were getting ready for tea. I wouldn't think it would take them an hour and a half to remove the lunch food and replace it with crumpets or whatever they serve, but if it does, they should note in their newsletter that lunch is available only until 2. Princess usually has the identical lunch on both the port and starboard side of the buffet. Usually one side will shut down early to switch to the next service while service continues in the other side for the current meal. Was your experience that both sides were removing food early?

 

 

 

STRAY FOOD NOTES: If you've got two hours to blow, go to breakfast in the MDR. I'm serious; it took two hours for us to order, receive and eat our food. That can be a problem at lunch also. My solution is to let the waitstaff know I am in a hurry, do not want to wait for others at the table to finish their course, and would like my food to be brought out at a fast pace. This usually works.

 

I'd heard the coffee card was $31, but on our cruise it was $29, probably because it was a short cruise. $29+15% tip makes it $33.35 on the ship. Purchased in advance, it is $31 including gratuity.

 

 

 

See above in red