Golden Princess review - Mexican Riviera 9/29/07

[fishmaniac]

Ok guys, finally done with the review. I originally had a different one, but realized it was MUCH too long. lol I'm still working on that one and

I'll just call it the play by play review with pics. I'll post an update here on this thread when that's finished.

 

Here's the review on CC:

 

http://www.cruisecritic.com/memberreviews/memberreview.cfm?EntryID=33484

 

Or in case you're too lazy to click, here it is:

 

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Golden Princess - 7 night Mexican Riviera - SEP/29/07 to OCT/6/07 - San Pedro Harbor - Kevin & Fritzie

 

This cruise to Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas was the first ever for either wife or myself. Did my research here on CC and

we went with an open mind expecting only to have a great time.

 

The Port of LA in San Pedro:

 

We live in SoCal so we had no concerns regarding getting to the port. However, packing all our stuff took longer than anticipated so to make

along story short, we got to the terminal (thank's Dad for dropping us off and picking us up.) at 3:45 pm with a 4:00pm departure! We pulled

up and there was a porter waiting for us. He took our check-in bags, tipped him a few and we entered the terminal. Went to the counter,

registered then went through the security screenings and before we knew it, we were on the ship.

 

The Golden Princess:

 

Since this was our first cruise, we have nothing really to judge her against. I can say though that the Golden is one huge ship! Over 950 feet

in length! The main atrium/lobby looked very nice and reminded me of a nice hotel. The rooms are small as expected. Even the walls are

thin as expected (Saw a TV show). Remember this and speak softly or your neighbors will hear it! lol Non-smoking side was starboard. The main

decks you have to worry about other than your cabin deck are 6/Fiesta, 7/Promenade and 14/Lido & up. 6 & 7 have all the dining rooms, restaurants,

the lounges, the theaters, the pursers desk, the shops, a cigar bar and of course the casino. Deck 14 has an outdoor pool, an indoor pool,

4 jacuzzi spas, a pizza place, a burger place and the buffet. Deck 15/Sun & 16/Sports has all the sports, the over priced self-pampering

stuff (haha), the kid center (babysitter?), a couple more spas and an aft bar. Deck 17/Sky just has a nightclub. Built in 2001. 109,000 tons!

951 feet long. 2600 normal capacity.

 

The Food & Drinks:

 

Overall, I give the dining room cuisine an 8 out of 10. Some dinner items were really delicious. The Orange Roughy was so yummy. Eggplant

Parmesana was tasty! Of course, lobster is always good. Don't miss the raspberry creampuffs and creme brulee for dessert! However, most of the

dinner items were just average to good. The prime rib was very gamey. Most beef items were gamey. Shrimp dishes were good. The buffet was great

all around but severly lacking between 12-4am. Sometimes dinner items would be served in the buffet. We would eat at the buffet at 5:00pm and

see the same items in the dining room menu at 8:00pm. Fried sole was awesome! Stuffed pig was a treat. Outside on the Lido deck, don't miss

Prego's pizza. If it's fresh, its really good. The Trident grill has good burgers and fries. (although my wife thinks the burgers are too salty).

Didn't get the chance to try the steak house or Sabatinis. No shortage of cocktail servers. Lots of bars and lounges. Wife loves their strawberry

margaritas. Oh, their iced tea is pretty good too. Their coffee (instant) needs to improve! Soda's cost $1.75 a can or about $33 dollars for

unlimited fountain sodas. Beer averaged at $5.00 per and coctails about $7.00.

 

Service:

 

We had the late traditional dining (8:00). The service we received by our waiters, Chatree & Vicha was fantastic (thanks guys!). Whatever we

wanted, they did their best to provide. We were often late getting ready and as a result didn't get to our table til 8:30 or later on several

occasions. We never felt hurried or rushed. I gladly tipped them extra at the end of the cruise. Drink servers were everywhere on the ship

during peak times. Great effort was made in clearing up dishes & plates left in hallways, outside tables and lounge chairs. Our steward was great

and did a great job of tidying up when we allowed him in (haha). Overall, I was very pleased with the ships entire staff.

 

Entertainment:

 

We actually enjoyed the onboard entertainment. The vegas-style production shows were nice. The dancers were good. The comedians were hilarious!

Kevin Hughes was funny and Phil Tag was even funnier (Phil will be on the Tonight Show again in Nov)! We tried bingo the last day and someone won

$2200 (sigh). The casino was vegas-like but smaller. Wife lost about $100 throughout the trip (damn slots!). On the last night I won $150 on

blackjack so I gave her $100 back. She was happy! haha.. Last formal night there was a champagne waterfall that was pretty interesting. There

were alot of daytime activities we wanted to try but we spent alot of time napping! Next time...

 

Weather:

 

Forcast called for 50-60% chance of rain in Mexico. However, there was no rain throughout the trip. First day out on water, the temp was a bit

cold. But as we got closer to Mexico, the temp & humidity started rising. By the time we were in PV, it was incredibly hot and humid! Only 90

degrees or so but the humidity made it feel like so much worse. Make sure you keep hydrated as the humidity doesn't make you thirsty but you

lose fluids just as fast if not faster. Same H&H in Mazatlan. In Cabo, it was a bit less humid so it was a relief. Final sea day was really COLD!

 

Ports of Call - Puerto Vallarta:

 

Arrived in PV as scheduled at 7:00am ship time. PV time was 8:00am (central). We booked a zipline tour with Los Veranos directly for an 11:00am

(PV time) tour. We wanted 10:00am but they wouldn't allow us and told us if we were coming on a ship, we had to book 11:00am? So by the time we

disembarked, we had over 2.5 hrs before the tour. So we walked around outside the terminal on our own for a while. Went to the Walmart & Sams to

take some pics (haha) and then looked around for an "honest" looking taxi. Arranged a ride to the canopy office (normally 15 min & $6.00) with a

mini-tour for $12.00. He did his best to highlight various locations along the way. We stopped at Los Muertos pier to take some pics. Saw the

local fisherman do their thang! Was amazed to see such large fish being caught hand-lined (no poles) so close up on shore as the pier was barely

100ft long. Til this day, I am kicking myself for not taking my fishing gear off the ship in PV (next time for sure!). Got back to the cab and the

tour office was a quick 5 min away. Checked in and went to Las Margaritas for some lunch about 5 min away by foot. Got back to the office at 10:50

and we were on our way. Truck ride too about 20 min. Ziplines were totally cool! VERY safe and so much fun. About 14 ziplines in all with the last

zipline (side by side with your partner) stretching along a river to their base station where we started. There you can eat, drink (free can of

soda) and swim in the river. We kicked it there for about an hour. Took the truck back to the tour office and a cab back to the terminal ($6.00

total). Went to an internet cafe to check email as well as make some international calls. Did some souvie shopping and we got back to the ship.

 

Mazatlan:

 

Arrived in Mazatlan at 7:00am ship time (same as local). Almost missed our City Highlights tour booked thru the ship. The tour was pretty good.

The tour stopped at various locations so you could take pics and such. Went to the cathedral located downtown, saw the shore divers, the Papantla

flyers, the Golden zone area and some private housing tract (which was a bit lame). We had an hour in the Golden zone to do whatever so we ate

lunch at an outdoor plaza. After the tour, we took a taxi back downtown to do some souvie shopping. Was feeling a bit nauseous when we got back

to the terminal so we didn't stay around for the last hour or so people watching and having some cervezas. Too bad since it was like a party scene

at the terminal with music and such. All I had to drink that day was some coffee and a beer. Never felt thirsty really. Stay hydrated people.

 

Cabo San Lucas:

 

Arrived at 7:00am and had to tender (ride a small boat from the ship to the dock and vice versa) to shore. First one was at 7:30am. We got our

tender tickets at 8:00am, waited in the Explorers lounge for about 10 min until our ticket was called and was on shore by 8:30am. Went through

a clutch of venders until we found one that we liked. We took a guided minitour of the shoreline that Cabo is known for (according to the guide).

We saw Lovers beach, Divorce beach, the sea lions and the Arch. And since the panga we took had a plexiglass bottom we got to see what all the

snorkelers were looking at. It was a nice touch to see all the fish. We will snorkel next time in Cabo as the water was fairly nice. It's nice

relative to the snorkel areas of southern california; La Jolla, Catalina, etc. But I'm sure those who've been to the Caribbean would differ. We

got dropped off at Modano beach and from there we walked into town. Ate a very good lunch at a hotel restaurant. The food was the best we had

in Mexico. However, having said that, the roach-coach outside the terminal in San Pedro had better tasting tacos!! Checked out the mall (looks

like a nice outdoor/indoor mall in the US), met up with our Panga (thanks Alex!) and he took us back to the tender dock. The ship was due to leave

at 2:00pm and they recommend tendering back no later than 1:00. At 1:00, the lines were crazy long! Had to wait 30+ minutes w/ no shade. haha!

 

Summary:

 

Overall, we had a fantastic time on our very first cruise. A year ago, I would have never thought I'd go on a cruise but thanks to my wife trying

to convince me, I can honestly say I am hooked. The itinerary was good, the food was great and the cruise staff was very friendly! One of the most

interesting aspects of the cruise were the formal nights. It was so neat to see everyone dressed up! I don't recall seeing anyone around our table

who wasn't dressed up. Met a group of families in the elevator on the first formal night and everyone was dressed to the 9's! It was beautiful.

The adults looked distinguised and the children were absolutely adorable (Wish I had my camera but I was on my way to iron my tux shirt). We took

lots of photos and video and we will remember this trip forever. If you have any questions regarding this cruise please feel free to pm me.

----------

 

After reading it again just now, I realized I incorrectly referred to the "golden zone" in Mazatlan as the Malecon.

 

Again, if you have any questions, please let me know.

 

Thanks again CC!

[finn1913]

Thanks for that! We're going on the same cruise in January... our first as well. Sounds like you had a great time!

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review! Sounds like you had a great time!

[vplsh]

Thanks for the review. We are on the same trip in March and cannot wait!

[ivielane2]

Wonderful review, thank you. We are on the Golden to Mex. Riviera Nov. 10, can't wait. I see in your review that you mention the starboard side is nonsmoking side, I didn't know that, I am sooooo glad to hear this as we are on the starboard side. :)

[Clutterlady]

Great review, thank you. Love the Golden Princess. She's the reason why we can't wait to get back to Princess:)

[fishmaniac]

Thanks for that! We're going on the same cruise in January... our first as well. Sounds like you had a great time!

We had a blast! I'm sure the novelty of the trip being our first, added to the excitement, but whatever the reasons, we will be cruising on Princess again for sure! Hope you guys have a blast as well! Let me know if you have any questions.

 

Thanks for the review! Sounds like you had a great time!

Thanks Coolmama! We did!

 

Thanks for the review. We are on the same trip in March and cannot wait!

March?...seems soooo far away! haha.. But before you know it, you too will be drippin w/ sweat in the Mexican climate! Thank goodness for the AC on the ship!!!

 

Wonderful review, thank you. We are on the Golden to Mex. Riviera Nov. 10, can't wait. I see in your review that you mention the starboard side is nonsmoking side, I didn't know that, I am sooooo glad to hear this as we are on the starboard side. :)

I also asked them if they alternate sides on each cruise and they said that they do not. Also, be advised that smoking is allowed in all cabins so you may still encounter smoke in the hallways and such. Our steward said our previous room had smokers but we honestly couldn't tell. The ventilation works nicely!

 

You'll be hating the humidity before you know it! You have less than a month!:D Yea for you!

 

Great review, thank you. Love the Golden Princess. She's the reason why we can't wait to get back to Princess:)

Thanks for taking the time to read it. I see you're going to the caribbean next year. (jealous!) We've been discussing where we should go on our next voyage and it seems like the caribbean is where we're headed!! Have some fun for us too!

[wizard-of-roz]

Being on the same cruise with you....I agree with you.....It was a great cruise and a beautiful ship....We're doing her again on Novemeber 24th...just because....

Only this time, I know better about the Canaletto Dining Room and just how to get to it.....and, I'll know what food to order and what to add and sutract from that.....

I'll also visit Skywalker's...and, walk more on-deck.....it was too hot and humid and windy to enjoy much of the "deck experience!" Hopefully, in November it will be less humid.....if not, we'll walk deck 7 again.....

We've change our cabin to a mini-suite....much more room....I won't have to wait until my DH is out of the way to do my hair!!!!!!

Thanks again, for your great review and I'm glad that your very first cruise has "hooked" you....isn't it fun????? ;)

[fishmaniac]

We're doing her again on Novemeber 24th...just because....

:p :p :p sure...rub it in!! lol

 

Only this time, I know better about the Canaletto Dining Room and just how to get to it.....and, I'll know what food to order and what to add and sutract from that.....

haha, isn't that so funny? We had a crazy time figuring out how to get to Canalettos the first night! Now we know of course...all the way across deck 7 (starboard) and then down 1 set of stairs to deck 6!! I like how they make you walk by the ship photos each time! haha..sneaky... (yea!! My wife and I successfully resisted coughing over $12.95 - 19.95 per!)

 

Did you have the 6:00 or 8:00? We had the 8:00.

 

I'll also visit Skywalker's...and, walk more on-deck.....it was too hot and humid and windy to enjoy much of the "deck experience!" Hopefully, in November it will be less humid.....if not, we'll walk deck 7 again.....

Honestly, I've never felt such a combination of heat and humidity! We've been to SE asia before and it wasn't this humid! I mean, for crying out loud, just sitting down made me sweat! haha...

 

Thanks again, for your great review and I'm glad that your very first cruise has "hooked" you....isn't it fun????? ;)

Yes, I admit....I am hooked! I can't wait until we cruise again!

[wizard-of-roz]

Fish: We had the early seating (6:00pm)....we were on the Port side, against the windows. It was a great location and I believe we'll have the same seat on the 24th......Vincenzo (one of the Matre d's) was setting it up for us.....

Actually, I like going past the Photography area.....we bought some really great pictures....I'm a sucker for memories!!!!

I have a gallery in my office of cruise photo's and my fellow workers like to look at the different professional shots, from the different lines. "Cheap fun!"

[fishmaniac]

Roz, my wife expects me to be the "pro" although I don't recall ever getting paid to take pictures of her! haha.. We stopped by and browsed the pics of course, but I silently cheered everytime my wife would say, "This isn't such a good shot.". (YES!) Or "what's so professional about this shot?". (YES, YES!!) haha.

 

Hope you get to do all that you didn't on the last cruise! We really enjoyed ourselves and can't wait to cruise again!

 

[wizard-of-roz]

This picture is magnificent......It's a "postcard!"

The very reason why we love it aboard a cruiseship; you've managed to capture it "all", in this picture........

Thanks for sharing it!!!!!

[tequilasunrise]

Not surprised you are hooked...join our club! Glad you had a good time :)

[Cessna140]

We are sailing this itinerary for the second time in March. When we sailed 3 years ago we left from Long Beach. Is San Pedro in Long Beach or LA ? I'm confused..........

Thanks!

[Cruisin' Chick]

We are sailing this itinerary for the second time in March. When we sailed 3 years ago we left from Long Beach. Is San Pedro in Long Beach or LA ? I'm confused..........

Thanks!

 

Just about 95 per cent of the time Carnival is the only line that uses Long Beach (ever since they built that berth just a few years ago). Everyone else uses the World Cruise Center, which is in the Port of Los Angeles, in San Pedro. So make sure you tell your taxi or shuttle driver which port you're going to. The WCC is off the Harbor Fwy, take Harbor Blvd off ramp but stay in the MIDDLE lane (at least if you're on the freeway going south like us), go across Harbor Blvd and into the driveway right there. Drive thru to the guidebooth and you'll see a sign that lists which berth your ship is in (but you'll see all the ships there:) ).

[Cruisin' Chick]

I also asked them if they alternate sides on each cruise and they said that they do not. Also, be advised that smoking is allowed in all cabins so you may still encounter smoke in the hallways and such. Our steward said our previous room had smokers but we honestly couldn't tell. The ventilation works nicely!

 

Just want to clarify things for anyone checking out this thread. There isn't a side of the ship for smoking cabins and non smoking cabins. Even though that would be nice for those of us who want to walk down the hall and not smell the tobacco emitting from heavy smokers' cabins...or want to enjoy a balcony without smoke blowing into it (which is a big reason we get insides).

The port and starboard sides refer to outside decks such as by the pools. Just check to see if there's ashtrays.

 

My hubby would be shocked at what time you arrived at the port. He's always dragging us out of the door around 9:30am or so for the one-hour drive to the WCC.

[fishmaniac]

Roz,

 

Thank you for the kind comments!! :o You're a doll! ;)

Wife likes the shot too. What's funny is that she didn't want to take pictures at the time as it was really cold for her.

I had to literally force her out of the comfy confines of our stateroom. lol. I hadn't taken any sunset pics so that was our last chance!

 

CruzinChick,

You can BET we'll be at the terminal 6 hours early next time. I got an earful from my dear wife until we boarded!! hahaha...

Don't think I can handle that again. haha..

 

..When we sailed 3 years ago we left from Long Beach. Is San Pedro in Long Beach or LA ? I'm confused..........

Thanks!

 

Nancy, they're actually right next to each other. San Pedro is due west of Long Beach.

 

Here's the a pic of both harbors. SP on the left, LB on the right.

 

 

Here's a closeup of San Pedro.

 

 

Here's how to get there from the 110fwy southbound.

 

- Get on the southbound 110 fwy

- Get off on Terminal Island exit and round the bend

- Exit on Harbor blvd and when you get to the light (which is Harbor),

- Proceed past the intersection and make an imediate right.

- You've arrived!

 

If you're getting dropped off, notify the guard and you'll circle the parking lot til you get to the terminal where porters will eagerly earn your tips.

 

 

Hope that helps. ;)

[flamomo]

Thanks for the detailed review. We will be on the Golden 3 weeks from today - - our first time for that ship and our first cruise to Mexico. She's bigger than any of the other Princess ships we have sailed on, so this should be an "experience". Knowing Princess though, it will be a great one.

[GSD4ME]

Fishmaniac,

 

You mentioned "stuffed pig". This sounds like a new item on the menu. Was this for a special occasion or on regular dinner menu? Do you remember which night?

[esmo]

We will be on the Golden in December for our very first cruise. We are so excited! We have been to Cabo three times, but never by sea. Can hardly wait!

 

What nights were the formal nights? I was thinking about making an appointment at the Spa to get my hair and nails done.

 

Now I just need to get my dresses for those nights..sigh.

 

Esmo

[fishmaniac]

Fishmaniac,

You mentioned "stuffed pig". This sounds like a new item on the menu. Was this for a special occasion or on regular dinner menu? Do you remember which night?

 

This was in the Buffet's carving station for dinner. They had a de-spined, gutted, whole pig. I wish I had my camera! IIRC, it was served while at Mazatlan. We ate a HUGE buffet dinner at around 5:00 after getting back onboard and we both ended up sleeping through our reg 8:00pm dinner. So I don't know if it was on the menu that night.

 

Perhaps someone can chime in?

 

Esmo,

The formal nights were Sun & Thur. If you really want to get your hair/nails done, I suggest you make a reservation early. Or just do like my wife...Spend an hour working on your hair only to tie it up at the end. lol :D :rolleyes:

 

Flamomo,

I'm sure you'll love the Golden and love Mexico (especially if you like it hot & humid!). Don't forget to stay hydrated. Lookin' forward to your review.

[Dani24]

Wonderful review, thank you. We are on the Golden to Mex. Riviera Nov. 10, can't wait. I see in your review that you mention the starboard side is nonsmoking side, I didn't know that, I am sooooo glad to hear this as we are on the starboard side. :)

 

Ivielane, come join the roll call for the 11/10/07 Golden Princess cruise. We're planning a meet & greet on the ship too, and it would be great if you could come!

 

Here's a link to the roll call: http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=445103

[monakayk]

WOWOW---Great review. Thanks sooooooo much for sharing your cruise with us!

 

We are leaving in less than 2 weeks on the Golden for the Mex.Riv. also and can't wait. Sounds like the ship is lovely and has a great staff. Nice to hear that on formal nights...everyone dressed up. We plan to 'dress' on both formal nights, so that will be special.

 

Question,:confused: did you by chance go to Skywalkers to dance at all? Just wondered what type of music they played there. We are 'classic rock-n-roll' fans, so we are not interested in 'rap' music at all.

 

As for the main dining room, did they serve Escargot?:confused: I have read conflicting reports from other pax on different Princess ships, that the new menus are out and they were offered but not listed on some ships. Some pax had to ASK for it. Just wondered what was your experience on the Golden.

 

So nice you had a wonderful cruise!

[fishmaniac]

Hi Mona K,

 

Yes, we checked out Skywalkers a couple times. The first time we went, the DJ was playing hip hop music. The second time we went, he was playing requests. I believe there was a different theme each night and some night had 2 themes. Like from 10-12am they had 80's and from midnight on, they had motown. I'm sure you'll be able to get your boogie on some how! ;)

 

And YES, they had escargot on the menu! I just couldn't pull the trigger and order them. :D

 

My detailed report will have all this info. I should be done sometime next month! lol

[fishmaniac]

Kaz,

 

Perhaps on your cruises during the holidays there might be themed nights, but IIRC on our cruise we only had a "tropical night" during the first port night on the upper decks. There was music and dancing.

 

That night, the dress code was "smart casual/tropical" so I'm assuming alot hawaiian type shirts were worn. I'm not sure as we didn't attend due to not having enough sleep the night before and then having a full schedule at the port (PV). We crashed early!!

 

HTH.