Golden Princess Review Any Questions?

[krotzie]

Cruise Review
Golden Princess out of San Juan
Sept. 26- Oct. 3

( Warning: I tend to ramble and do not complete my sentences. No English teachers please)

Day One:

Flew non-stop from Chicago Midway, and got to the airport at around 12:30. Got a taxi voucher and then found a van to take 7 of us and 15 bags to the Pan American Pier. . $32.50 plus tip for 7 of us and 15 bags,. Quick and easy.
There was no line at all to drop off our luggage, then proceeded to the chairs. They fill all the chairs and wait for the group ahead of you to get done checking in, then let you go get in line to check in, and fill the chairs again. The lines at the check in go by deck. Saw nothing about express check in. All this took about 45 minutes.

Got on the ship and was very impressed. Went to our rooms. Baja deck B609, B611, B613. All balconies. . Had the steward open all the doors between the 3 cabins, so you can walk right on through the balconies. Had a quick bite to eat at the buffet, and then toured the ship. Got our luggage at about 3:00. Had a nice diner and then the muster drill. Unlike other lines I have been on, this was actually inside, in a designated room and not outside. That was nice. Went to see Juan Carlos. A latin singer. Very good. Saw him in February on the NCl Sky. Left port a little early about 10:45. Football fans: They had the Sunday night game on as well as the Monday night game in the sports bar and in your room.

Day Two:

St. Thomas. Beautiful day. ( I am not going to say the weather each day , cause it was sunny to P/C every day high between 87-94. A little shower one night and that was it.)

Walked to town to shop a little. About a half hour walk. Can jump on the 15 passenger trucks for $5 . Went on the skyride to the top of the hill. Great views, not a lot to do up there but pretty neat. Did some more shopping at the pier. If you miss something downtown, there is a good chance that you will find the same store at the mall by the pier. Went back to swim. Another nice thing about Princess. All the pools are fresh water pools and not sea water. Makes it very refreshing.

We had personal choice dining. We wanted early seating but they were full. We went on the first night to the Donatello dining room and asked for a table for seven and a fun waiter. We also said that we would like to keep the same table every night for 6:30. They said to call each morning and they would do the best to accompany us. We had table 170 with Ilidio from Portugal. Very good and entertaining. I called the next morning and they said they already had us down. The rest of the week, all we did was just go the dining room and it was like we have been going there for 3 months. They all knew us and let us walk to our table. No problems there.

Day Three St. Kitts.

Had set up a tour by email with Ilva Wallace, who come very highly recommended. She was very good. Had a sign waiting for us when we got off the pier. Took us to the fortress, which was very scenic and pretty. A Black Rock Beach,. A Garden where we got to pet some monkeys, for a charge. A really nice day. Did some shopping near the pier. Nothing great, but you can always find something if you look hard enough.

My brother and I, always bought a 6-pack of the local beer to take to our cabin at night. We always just put it in our backpack and it went through with no problem. You have a fridge in your room, with nothing in it. So it was nice to have a beers at night on your balcony.

When we left we were missing a passenger. So all of sudden you see the pilot boat coming and the golden making a hard left to accommodate the missing passenger by boat.. Very nice of the captain. He told us what was going on, so everyone was looking over the side booing and cheering.

Day Four: Dominica

A last minute sub for Grenada. A very nice island. Had nothing set up, when got to the pier, you find all the tour guys hounding you. There was a guy who just wasn’t as aggressive and I talked to him (My. Joy) and he set us up with his man Tony. Awesome people. You have to be licensed to be in the pier area. He took us to the emerald pool ( not the best water fall, but my folks are not the best on their feet, so we have to keep it simple.) A great rain forest, the walk to the pool was a little tough, but not bad. People can swim in there. He then took us to Mr. nice fruit stand. This guy has this little stand, and had fresh, banana, coconut, chocolate, orange, and others. He cuts all this fresh fruit up and lets you eat whatever you want. He says if you want to tip great if not no big deal. He is very nice and entertaining and worth a good tip. A really good tour and a nice island. Back to the pier for a little more shopping, and a six-pack of the local beer.

Day Five: Aruba

We took a cab and went snorkeling. Wanted to go through the ship, but they were all full. Got a driver to drop us off and pick us at a certain time. Saw lots of fish and a 4 ft. barracuda. Spent the afternoon shopping. A lot like St. Thomas. Very nice island. Had a great time.

Day Six; AT SEA

A lot to do. But they keep reminding you to get your stuff together. Kind of bummed, cause you want to enjoy the whole day without the constant reminder that you are getting kicked off in the morning.

Day 7:

They give you tags based on early flights and decks. We were in the middle of the group. Had breakfast in the dining room, then went to the lounge to wait. It was slow, but pretty painless. Got a cab to take us to the intercontinental San Juan resort and Casino for a 1 day stay. Great pool and nice beach. Then flew home the next morning. Saved about $150 a person on air fare and the crowded airport on Sunday. Well worth staying a extra day.

Some extra notes:

A lot of people from the home port of San Juan on Board. About 40%. So some of the entertainment was geared toward the Latin theme. Also, they would do some on the shipboard tv announcements in Spanish for them.

The food in the dining room, I thought was great. The cheesecake was the best I have ever had. The buffet was ok. It was very nice to have the Pizzeria and the grill next to the pool. So for lunch you can just go grab a brat, hamburger, hot dog or pizza. Pizza was open until late and was very good.

Fresh water pools were like 80 degrees all week.

Entertainment was ok. Not the best. I have been on the NCl Sky and the Voyager of the Sea. And thought both of them were better. That is just my opinion.

Crew was very nice, and so were the casino staff. Played a lot of blackjack and won a little.

People were wondering why we did not spend more time in Aruba. We had to leave like at 5pm, and were cruising outside Puerto Rico Saturday before diner.

Isla Margarita was not really worth a stop, the rumor on board was that they like using it as a stop because they can fill up with gas real cheap. Do not know if that is true or not. If you did not want to get off, if was just like a day at sea.

Seas were always 1-4 feet. You felt some movement but nothing major.

Cell phones worked in San Juan, St. Thomas, and they sat night at sea, just outside Puerto Rico.

Great time, really want to do the other leg of the southern. Heard from people that St. Lucia and Barbados are very nice. Any questions please feel free to ask.

[rburns44]

Oh My! No English teachers! Don't worry none here!

Enjoyed your review! Went on the same cruise in July. Sorry you missed Grenada. But glad you had better weather than we did. Overcast and some rain when we went. Where did you go snorkeling in Aruba? Sounds like you had a good time!

Becky

[MtnBikerFallDown]

I am so glad to get a review of this itinerary (that word never looks right, no matter how I spell it!!!). We're going this route in a little over a year, and I was very curious how the ports were. Thanks a bunch!!

[DoreenD]

Thanks for the great review. . .we are doing this same itinerary for Christmas. Our itinerary is still showing Grenada, but I don't think that we would mind going to Dominica. So, did you get off the ship at all in Isle de Margarita?

[Host CJSKIDS]

Thanks for the review. We're doing this same route on 10/24 and I'm really looking forward to it. The personalizer still shows us going to Grenada but I highly doubt that as the island is still in such disrepair.

[pandabebe]

Thanks for the great review. Do you remember how long it took to go through immigration in St. Thomas? I'm sailing on the Golden in 5 days and I have a full day of activities planned for St. Thomas. I was just wondering if it would be realistic to expect to get off the ship by 9:00?

[azdmelani]

pandabebe-

was just on the golden this past week.

Got up a 6:45 to get in line by 7 and was back ni bed by 7:30, so I dont think that will be a problem

[jonikal]

[b]A lot of people from the home port of San Juan on Board. About 40%. So some of the entertainment was geared toward the Latin theme. Also, they would do some on the shipboard tv announcements in Spanish for them. [/b]
On our 29/8 Golden cruise we noticed there were a lot of folks from San Juan as well as other Caribbean islands on board. I'm wondering whether they get special deals to fill up the ship. It might be interesting to see what local Puerto Rican TA's come up with for cruise deals.

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[pandabebe]

[quote name='azdmelani']pandabebe-

was just on the golden this past week.

Got up a 6:45 to get in line by 7 and was back ni bed by 7:30, so I dont think that will be a problem[/QUOTE]
Thanks for the info. I'll have to drag my boyfriend out of bed early to get in line early so we can begin our day adventure early!!!! Thanks!!!! :D

[gailc]

We are going on the same itinerary as you on 11/7/04. We would have liked to have gone to Grenada, but I've only read good comments on Dominica. This will be our 6th time going to Aruba. It's also the 1st time we have left that early. We have left Aruba on our other cruises between 11:00p.m. - 1:00a.m. It's our favorite island so far.

I'm confused on going thru immigration in St. Thomas. Since St. Thomas is our 1st port, I'd be surprised if we did it then. Maybe this was done on the other itinerary?

Gail

[Coolmama_1]

Thanks for the review. We were on the same itinerary in July and it is fun to hear someone else's experience. Sorry you missed Grenada. It was such a beautiful island and probably our favorite port.We also enjyed Isla Margarita and St Kitts, but tend to like the less commercial ports . We also found a table and staff in Donatello and reserved it each night.

Glad y'all had agreat time
Judy

[DoreenD]

Just curious what you did on Isla Margarita? Have heard much negative about this port and am looking for some positives?

[CRUISAYEAR]

Thanks ! nice review. Will be on same trip in less than two weeks. Can't wait.