Live From the Golden Princess April 3-6, 2015

[Colo Cruiser]

[Woobstr112G]

OT: :eek: A 33% increase is a big jump, especially for those on longer cruises. I suppose it is less costly for the port to do it this way than, say, raising it $1 per year.

 

All lots around the ship were full. Had to park in an overflow lot on 22nd St.....:):):)

 

Bob

[SoCal Cruiser78]

All lots around the ship were full. Had to park in an overflow lot on 22nd St.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

The Crown, Ruby and NCL Star are all out on 7-nighters from San Pedro, due back this weekend. So they got all the spaces first...

[Woobstr112G]

Good morning all from the Golden Princess. We are a little ways out in docking at Ensenada. Last night was nice. The only thing I found a little different was the fact they allowed people with jeans, shorts, tank tops, and swim trunks in the ATD NDR. I'm not trying to say others should confirm to my ways, but it was just a tad unsettling to me. Right now it is quite foggy as we near Ensenada. Today we are going to hang out on the ship. We are definitely gonna hit Sabatinis for breakfast a little later.

 

I'll be happy to attempt to answer all questions should they be asked.

 

Take Care & have a great day.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited April 4, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[Shogun]

Hi Bob

Thanks for the update enjoy Sabatinis

Yours Shogun

[Woobstr112G]

Hi Bob

Thanks for the update enjoy Sabatinis

Yours Shogun

 

Shogun;

 

Just returned from Sabatini's breakfast. The Eggs Benedict were quite tasty and the Mimosa's were free flowing:). One thing I did notice is at least on the Golden, they are using smaller champagne flutes than I've seen on other ships.....:):):)

 

Bob

[shredie]

In January, we had some fun servers in Skywalkers for lounge. Christina and Arthur were great. I think they were leaving in April, but it they are there and you see them, you will love them.

[srpilo]

Shogun;

 

Just returned from Sabatini's breakfast. The Eggs Benedict were quite tasty and the Mimosa's were free flowing:). One thing I did notice is at least on the Golden, they are using smaller champagne flutes than I've seen on other ships.....:)

 

Bob

 

Free Flowing Mimosa's LOL ... Bob, you're a lucky Dawg.. :D:):D

 

 

Have one for me

Srpilo

[Northender]

"The only thing I found a little different was the fact they allowed people with jeans, shorts, tank tops, and swim trunks in the ATD NDR."

I am wondering if this could be the future of the short cruises.:eek: I am assuming there is no formal night?

Enjoy, especially those Mimosas.:D

[cuzzoni]

I was just on the Golden earlier this week - make sure you give a listen to Natalya - especially if she plays the accordian - she's awesome!

 

Craig

[IECalCruiser]

Bob,

 

Sounds like, per policy, you didn't get the complementary first night's cover charge for a Specialty restaurant because your cruise is shorter than 6 days. We were lucky enough to get it on the Sapphire in January of 2014 on a 4 nighter.

[cr8tiv1]

Bob,

 

Sounds like, per policy, you didn't get the complementary first night's cover charge for a Specialty restaurant because your cruise is shorter than 6 days. We were lucky enough to get it on the Sapphire in January of 2014 on a 4 nighter.

 

When they first started these short cruises, corporate didn't have it in sync with the ships. Enjoyed many 3 night complimentary dinners...then it came to a screeching halt. It was nice while it lasted. Never looked a gift horse in the mouth. Thank You Princess for your generosity.

 

Thank you for the live report. Hind sight, glad I didn't book this Spring Fling cruise. I try to stay away from Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. I am sure you had a wonderful time in your little secluded world on the Golden.

Edited April 4, 2015 by cr8tiv1

[Woobstr112G]

Free Flowing Mimosa's LOL ... Bob, you're a lucky Dawg.. :D:):D

 

 

Have one for me

Srpilo

 

Pete;

 

That I am:). Got the most wonderful woman in the world a my cruise buddy.....:)

 

Bob

Edited April 4, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[srpilo]

Pete;

 

That I am:). Got the most wonderful woman in the world a my cruise buddy.....:)

 

Bob

 

Yes you do , a big hi to Holi, and hope you both enjoy the rest of the cruise

 

Pete

[caribill]

When they first started these short cruises, corporate didn't have it in sync with the ships. Enjoyed many 3 night complimentary dinners...then it came to a screeching halt. It was nice while it lasted. Never looked a gift horse in the mouth. Thank You Princess for your generosity.

 

 

The reason Princess started the complimentary dinners for the first evening for suite passengers is as a replacement for the free Internet usage that suite passengers used to have.

 

Since there is still no free internet for suite passengers on cruises shorter than 7 days, there is no true logic for not having the dinner perk on the shorter cruises.

[RickEk]

The reason Princess started the complimentary dinners for the first evening for suite passengers is as a replacement for the free Internet usage that suite passengers used to have.

 

Since there is still no free internet for suite passengers on cruises shorter than 7 days, there is no true logic for not having the dinner perk on the shorter cruises.

 

Well, I think their logic is that the cruise is so short that folks other than suite passengers might want to try the specialty restaurants on embarkation day. Why give a free dinner away when you can have a paying customer? On the longer cruises, everyone has more of a chance to try the specialty restaurants and so the perk is given to suite passengers on embarkation day.

[Colo Cruiser]

Looks like a nice day in Ensenada.

 

[lovevacadays]

Pete;

 

That I am:). Got the most wonderful woman in the world a my cruise buddy.....:)

 

Bob

 

How very sweet!:):):) Holly does seem like a very kind and sweet woman, Bob. You are lucky.

[Woobstr112G]

Greetings from the Golden Princess. We are currently sailing out of Ensenada. Today was a nice day. I actually got off the ship and walked around town for an hour and a half. Lots of typical tourist stores. I spent a majority trying to feed my vice since I accidently left some stuff in my truck when we arrived in San Pedro. I was lucky in that the last store I checked, I found what I was in search of. Tonight for dinner we are going to try ATD in the MDR. We were a little tardy in getting to make our CG reservation so we were shut out. Tomorrow is the last leisurely day at sea. I must say that I have been impressed with the ship's internet on this short cruise. It has been very responsive since we got on the ship.

 

Take Care.....:):):)

 

Bob

[lovevacadays]

Well, I think their logic is that the cruise is so short that folks other than suite passengers might want to try the specialty restaurants on embarkation day. Why give a free dinner away when you can have a paying customer? On the longer cruises, everyone has more of a chance to try the specialty restaurants and so the perk is given to suite passengers on embarkation day.

 

Makes sense to me.

 

Looks like a nice day in Ensenada.

 

 

Colo Cruiser, it does look like a nice day in Ensenada. I wish I was on the Golden today, sitting at the aft adult's only pool looking at the boats coming in and out of the marina.

[undercat]

Thank you for sharing your "Live from" experience on this short cruise! DH and I can only take short cruises right now due to our schedules, and it's helpful for me to note the differences in services and pax on a shorter cruise vs. a longer one. For me, a short cruise is better than no cruise at all :cool: and we're looking forward to our first cruise on Princess this spring!

[Woobstr112G]

Good evening from the Golden Princess. It’s just before 2200 and we just got back from the very stingy casino after dinner in the Bernini dining room. Today was the first time since I’ve cruised Princess that I tried ATD. I must say that I am not a fan.

 

We wanted a table for 6 and were quickly given a pager when we asked for the table at 1900. I saw a number of tables vacant and inquired with the head waiter about them. He told me they were assigned to people that have reservations. I asked the head waiter what was the purpose of having “Anytime Dining” when standing reservations were allowed. I further told him that in my opinion, the reasons for all of the problems people have experienced with ATD was due to the allowing of standing reservations. The head waiter assured me that only 20% of the tables were allowed to go for reservations. He also told me the reservations were on a first come first served basis and they were only allowed daily and not for the entire cruise. I asked the head waiter if this was true on all ships and all itineraries, no mater how long or short they were. The head waiter told me what he described was fleet wide. I knew this was not true but didn’t want to argue with him. When we were seated our waiter seemed a little put off when several dishes had to be sent back because they were not prepared as requested.

 

Tomorrow is our last full day onboard. We plan to just hang out after we do a little shopping in Facets. So far, with the exception of my ATD experience, I have experienced nothing less than excellent service. Earlier today, I sampled some tasty pizza out by the pool. I enjoyed ample amounts of my new favorite cruise ship bear “Seawitch.” This stuff is really good.

 

That’s all for now. I’m going to work on some of my pictures then turn in.

 

Hope all are well…..:):):)

 

Bob

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...The head waiter assured me that only 20% of the tables were allowed to go for reservations. He also told me the reservations were on a first come first served basis and they were only allowed daily and not for the entire cruise...

 

Interesting, since as of last October the maître d' on the Golden (can't recall his name) advised me that there were taking no ATD reservations PERIOD for the duration of our 4-night cruise. First come, first served only.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...I enjoyed ample amounts of my new favorite cruise ship bear “Seawitch.” ...

 

Was this purchased in the gift shop ;)? Glad you are having a nice cruise!

Edited April 5, 2015 by SoCal Cruiser78

[joybook]

I don't if it was just because we were on a longer cruise (31 days) but in December on the Golden Princess we had ATD but we were able to ring at 8.00am that morning and book a table for the evening for a specific time. I will say though that it seemed as if there were only a relatively small number of specific times/tables available. We did it on most days and it worked for us.:)