Live From the Golden Princess April 3-6, 2015

[Colo Cruiser]

Enjoy your final day. :)

[Woobstr112G]

Good morning from the Golden Princess. We are less than an hour away from from docking at San Pedro. All packed just waiting. We are due to get off the ship around 0930. I'll be interested to see how they are going to arrange transportation to the overflow parking lot when we get through customs and retrieve our luggage. Speaking of customs. I'll probably be getting the customs alert tone when I get my card scanned as soon go to get off the ship. I surprised DW with a Tag Heuer Lady's watch that she had been eyeing in Facets. Just trying to figure how much duty I'm going have to pay.

 

Well, that's about all for now. I will be writing my review in a couple of days. I hope everyone enjoyed coming along for the ride, albeit a short one. Now I will start focusing on the big cruise in September (Iceland-Norway T/A) on the CB. Look for me then on another live from.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited April 6, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[Woobstr112G]

 

Docked in San Pedro right next to the Queen Victoria.....:):):)

 

Bob

[TM]

I thought everything purchased in the ship's shops was duty free?

[Woobstr112G]

I thought everything purchased in the ship's shops was duty free?

 

Items are duty free up to a certain amount. After that, you're will pay duty.....:):):)

 

Bob

[bhopal21]

One can bring home $800pp duty free.

 

So a couple can exempt their first $1600 before the customs agents may tax any overage.

 

Mike:)

[SoCal Cruiser78]

Sounds like you had a nice cruise! Looking forward to the full review!

[Cruisin' Chick]

And better weather to return to than what's forecasted (rain) for tomorrow.

[shredie]

And better weather to return to than what's forecasted (rain) for tomorrow.

 

I have my fingers crossed.

[Kauai Kid]

Enjoyed your posts. Thanks for taking the time.

Mark

[cr8tiv1]

I am surprised to hear that you will have to pay duty on the watch. It is declared duty free and as long as I have declared my jewelry purchase from Facets, have never had to pay the duty (yes, even high end purchases).

[Colo Cruiser]

duplicate

Edited April 6, 2015 by Colo Cruiser

[crochetcruise]

Good morning from the Golden Princess. We are less than an hour away from from docking at San Pedro. All packed just waiting. We are due to get off the ship around 0930. I'll be interested to see how they are going to arrange transportation to the overflow parking lot when we get through customs and retrieve our luggage. Speaking of customs. I'll probably be getting the customs alert tone when I get my card scanned as soon go to get off the ship. I surprised DW with a Tag Heuer Lady's watch that she had been eyeing in Facets. Just trying to figure how much duty I'm going have to pay.

 

Well, that's about all for now. I will be writing my review in a couple of days. I hope everyone enjoyed coming along for the ride, albeit a short one. Now I will start focusing on the big cruise in September (Iceland-Norway T/A) on the CB. Look for me then on another live from.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

I sure have enjoyed "observing" through your posts! Many thanks for your time and trouble! When I cruise, I'll be using my notebook computer to do a Word report, then cut and paste when I get to reliable, fast Internet on the evening of 04/19/2016 once in the hotel! I know their Internet connection is reliable, and I think I can endure not getting on Cruise Critic forums for 2 days-but is this addict gonna get a fix when I can!

 

A friend on another forum reminded me to take a multi-vitamin to "protect" me better against germs, and Glen 20 is already purchased for the carry on case, could put it in the checked case and transfer it at the hotel.

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[caribill]

It is declared duty free.

 

That only means you do not pay any duty when you purchase it. It is up to your home country if there will be any duty when you bring it into the country.

 

Unless it is really expensive, the duty that could be collected for value over the exempt amount is usually so low it is not worth the time and effort for the customs personnel to do all the paperwork.

[timtrek]

Just finished unpacking from the 3 day. Overall it was great cruise, but many more young children than I would normally expect. I guess that was because of Spring Break for a lot of schools, but I do wish parents would pay a little more attention to their kids. The piazza area was often a makeshift kindercare with children running, jumping and screaming while other cruisers were trying to enjoys piano music or just relax and enjoy a treat from the IC. Weather was great and the Golden's crew once again provided great service. We tried the All Inclusive drink package and, at least with the short 3 days, the price was reasonable and we definitely got our monies worth!

[Woobstr112G]

Here is the review of my cruise.....:):):)

 

DW and I just got off the Golden Princess after a short three-day getaway cruise. This was our 15th cruise overall and eighth in a row on Princess. The main reason we went on this cruise was to celebrate DW’s sister’s hubby’s recent retirement. Embarkation was relatively smooth. We arrived around 1430 hours and were on the ship in about 20 minutes after walking into the terminal. We did have to park at an overflow lot because the lots around the terminal were all full. I was told there were 3 ships that sailed before us which filled up all the lots.

 

For this cruise, we had what is listed as a Vista Suite (C751). I think they use to be called the “Premium Suites.” BIL & SIL had the adjoining PH suite (C749). Here is the thing that confuses me. The PH’s pictures show the balcony as being smaller with the cabin being bigger. What we saw was the exact opposite. Our balcony was noticeably narrower that C749 but our cabin seemed noticeably larger. Our cabin attendant (sorry but I cannot remember his name) started out kind of strange but he, overall, was very good. All other crew members always had a smile on their faces and were more than willing to help when needed.

 

The Golden overall seems to be holding up rather well for being a 14 year old ship. We sailed on her to Hawaii in 2011 so we were well acquainted with her layout. All public areas seemed in a good state of repair. I was told the ship is going in for a two-week dry dock after the 10-day cruise that started today. I did see some wear and tear and rust but the Golden is in the water 24/7 365 days a year.

 

Since this was a short three-day cruise I did not get to experience all areas of the ship. As far as the subjective area of food, we ate in room from the MDR the first night. The next two nights, we did ATD in the Bernini dining room. In my humble opinion, Princess does an absolutely terrible job running ATD. The first night we waited about forty-five minutes when we requested a table for six at 1930 hours. While waiting for a table, I noted a number of empty tables. I asked the headwaiter about this. He told me only a maximum of 20% of available tables are allowed to be held for reservations. He also told me the reservations are only available first come first serve on a daily basis. He also assured me that standing reservations for an entire cruise was not allowed on any Princess ship. After reading to the contrary on CC, I decided that it wasn’t worth arguing about. The food overall in the Bernini, along with food in all areas, was very good to excellent.

 

Bar service was acceptable in all areas with the exception of the Casino bar. Service there was abysmal.

 

Since the cruise was a short three-day done during spring break, there were a ton of kids onboard. There were some instances where the kids got out of line but I thought ship’s personnel handled it well.

 

All in all it was an enjoyable short cruise. Just thing to get me motivated for our CB cruise in September.

 

Bob

[waltd]

Bob not sure why you had to wait for a table in ATD. You were in a suite. Did they not call you and ask what your dining preferences were.

[SoCal Cruiser78]

...In my humble opinion, Princess does an absolutely terrible job running ATD...

 

I agree, along with many other CCers. This is one area Princess really needs to address that would cost them little or nothing. Simply not allowing those with assigned dining into ATD would be a great start. This seems to be enforced on some ships, but not others.

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

Thank you for the fun review! I was wondering, how many people comfortably fit on your balcony and on the balcony of your BIL/SIL's PH suite?

Edited April 7, 2015 by 3TinksAndAnEeyore

[waltd]

The shorter cruises also have their own set of problems. If what I was told is correct there are many more passengers that prefer ATD then traditional. Especially the earlier hours. We found this to be true on a number of 3 and 4 day cruises. The lines were horrible.

[Lulubelle45]

Enjoyed reading your review! I am booked in 25 days for a 4 day cruise on the Coral Princess. This will be my first with Princess (my 4th cruise) taking my mom on her first cruise for her 80th Birthday. Hopefully not that many kids on this one (to Ketchikan). We are on a wait list for TDR but with 37 ahead if us I guess it's ATD for us too. Any suggestions on what not to miss?

Edited April 7, 2015 by Lulubelle45

[caribill]

I agree, along with many other CCers. This is one area Princess really needs to address that would cost them little or nothing. Simply not allowing those with assigned dining into ATD would be a great start. This seems to be enforced on some ships, but not others.

 

There may be some TD passengers sneaking into AT, but I do not expect it is a high number.

 

Many people select AD. And if 500 of your new best friends decide their anytime is the same time as you wish to eat, there will be lines and a wait, just like at a land restaurant.

 

I recently booked a cruise 8 days before embarkation day. I requested and was immediately assigned the late seating in TD I requested. That tells me late TD is not full which suggests to me that there will be a high number of passengers going to AT.

 

Especially on the first evening, every cruise card is checked when passengers go to AD. On a three day cruise, I doubt many decide to crash AD the 2nd and 4rd evenings if they were turned away the first evening.

[Woobstr112G]

Thank you for the fun review! I was wondering, how many people comfortably fit on your balcony and on the balcony of your BIL/SIL's PH suite?

 

 

 

 

I would say no more than four.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

The shorter cruises also have their own set of problems. If what I was told is correct there are many more passengers that prefer ATD then traditional. Especially the earlier hours. We found this to be true on a number of 3 and 4 day cruises. The lines were horrible.

 

Jo;

 

That they were. My SIL actually made a reservation for the last night at 1900 because hubby's parents were traveling with us and they needed to eat early. Even with the reservation, we still waited just under a half hour. This meal was also a little unsettling as we almost asked to be moved. We had several tables directly adjacent to us wherein all persons seated were extremely loud and unruly. I think someone must have said something as the noise decreased significantly just before we got our food....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited April 7, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[waltd]

Jo;

 

That they were. My SIL actually made a reservation for the last night at 1900 because hubby's parents were traveling with us and they needed to eat early. Even with the reservation, we still waited just under a half hour. This meal was also a little unsettling as we almost asked to be moved. We had several tables directly adjacent to us wherein all persons seated were extremely loud and unruly. I think someone must have said something as the noise decreased significantly just before we got our food....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Yep you really can't compare the shorter cruises to the longer ones. They are a fun and quick getaway and close but they aren't the same. But hey for the price we will do them again. :)