Live From the Golden Princess April 3-6, 2015

[RetiredNTraveling]

Good evening all. Spillway from San Pedro was very nice. It was delayed about an hour. Right now we just passed Catalina. The Golden Princess seems to be holding up nicely since we last sailed on her in 2011. We are in an aft view Suite (C751). Nice cabin with the all important wake view balcony.

 

Hope that you had a great cruise! We are going to be in an Aft Suite C750 on our next cruise this coming fall. Crown Oct. 17, 2015 and we have both you and SloMo to thank for directing us to the back of the ship! So Looking Forward to be Aft! Just Mike :D

 

This is my first experience with not only a short coastal cruise but also with a spring break “booze cruise.” There are tons of kids onboard with the usual running up and down the hallways. The bars are also jammed with thirsty customers. It does not bother me because I knew going in, even though I’ve never done this itinerary, there would be lots of kids onboard.

Take Care All…..

How was the Booze Cruise, Really???

 

 

Bob

 

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

 

Smaller flutes just means more refills! :p

 

Just Mike

Edited April 7, 2015 by RetiredNTraveling

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for the review Bob. :)

[Boats07]

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

 

Thanks Bob for the review.

We are on the Golden when it comes out of dry dock on 5/2/15.

We are in the same cabin C749, we have friends that will be in the Vista Suite next to us. Do you know if the devider on the balcony can be opened up? Do you have pictures of the cabin?

We are 25 days out, and can't wait!!

[crochetcruise]

Smaller flutes just means more refills! :p

 

Just Mike

 

Wild giggles here at your truthful comment!

 

Crochetcruise :cool:

[3TinksAndAnEeyore]

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

 

Bob

 

Thank you for the pictures! That was really helpful!

[Bimmer09]

Bob, thanks for the review and especially for the photos on your short cruise.

 

Norris

[mellon1]

 

Good morning all. Well I just returned from dropping Misha off his weekend getaway from his Mom & Dad. Bags all packed. We'll be leaving in about an hour or so. I have to make a quick stop at my sister's house in Torrance before we shoot down to San Pedro to board. We are going to use the park and ride out front of the terminal since we're only going to be gone till Monday. This way as soon as we clear customs, load up the suitcases and head home.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Bob,

 

Best picture ever of Misha! Love it. We are Golden Retriever fans! I like you even more now! Have a great cruise.

[Woobstr112G]

Bob,

 

Best picture ever of Misha! Love it. We are Golden Retriever fans! I like you even more now! Have a great cruise.

 

Thanks for the kind words regarding Misha.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Woobstr112G]

Bob, thanks for the review and especially for the photos on your short cruise.

 

Norris

 

Hi Norris. Thanks for the kind words. I have begun the slow task of touching up/uploading my photos to Flickr. Right now I've only got the cruise log and the day 1 Patters done. Work has been a pill as of late and my time to work on the pictures will be sporadic for the next month. I'm hoping to have everything wrapped up for this cruise in a couple of weeks.....:):):)

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/25882507@N08/sets/72157651430531049/

 

Bob

Edited April 9, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks Bob for the review.

We are on the Golden when it comes out of dry dock on 5/2/15.

We are in the same cabin C749, we have friends that will be in the Vista Suite next to us. Do you know if the devider on the balcony can be opened up? Do you have pictures of the cabin?

We are 25 days out, and can't wait!!

 

Sorry for the delayed response. I've been busy at work. DW's DS and her hubby stayed in C749 while we were in C751. I do not have any pictures of C749, but the differences are not that much. 749's balcony is wider but the cabin is noticeably narrower (at least to me) than 751. Other than that, they are the same.....:):):)

 

Bob

Edited April 10, 2015 by Woobstr112G

[Woobstr112G]

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. :)

 

Joe;

 

Ditto.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Boats07]

Thank you for your reply.

22 days!!!!