Emerald vs. Golden

[HollDoll]

I've only been on one Princess cruise--on the Emerald, which I thought was a beautiful ship. I'm thinking of a cruise this summer on the Golden. Will I be disappointed? Are there many differences between those two ships? Thanks!

[Rosethorn40]

The Golden had a major overhaul last year and got many of the features that makes the Emerald so special, so I don't think you will be disappointed. She was a beautiful ship when I sailed on her in 2004, and I bet she's even better now.

[mmyorkston]

We have sailed on both ships, although it's been longer since we were on the Golden. They are both great ships, and I wouldn't hesitate to sail either one. One of the things I liked when we sailed on the Golden was the Vista Lounge. IMHO this was a much better secondary venue for shows than the Explorers Lounge on the Emerald. I don't know whether the changes made last year replaced the Vista with Club Fusion or not, but I really wish they would get rid of it on the Emerald and bring back the Vista. The only other difference will be in the overall number of passengers. We personally prefer smaller over larger.

[Duck Duck Cruise]

We were on the Golden for 2 weeks to Hawaii. We blogged during the cruise and took pictures of every public area on the ship over a period of several days. We called it Select a Deck and highlighted one deck each day for several days.

 

Check it out on our blog:

 

http://thegeomonkeys.com/category/hawaii-2010/

 

Enjoy

[candydane]

Great photologue!!!

 

I just sent a link to the cruisers going with us to Alaska next September. Great opportunity to keep everyone excited about our cruise!

 

Thanks for sharing!

[HollDoll]

Hey Duck Duck Cruise, your photos are great! Thank you so much for sharing. I have to go through the entire thing slower, but I LOVE your emphasis on food--even lots of photos. I'm a foodie too. And I totally share your opinion (from Emerald in January) that the Horizon Court food is nearly inedible. I went there once after our initial lunch there upon embarkation, and couldn't find a thing that even looked good. It's off my list. How does one get to do that Chef's Table thing, and how much does it cost? Looks like a great time!! Thanks!

[grandmaa]

We have cruised on both ships..Emerald is newer and bigger, Golden a bit smaller but with almost the same amenities since the upgrade. Big advantage for the Golden in Alaska is the enclosed pool area which the newer ships do not have. Which ever you choose have fun..Alaska is beautiful!!

[Woobstr112G]

We were on the Golden for 2 weeks to Hawaii. We blogged during the cruise and took pictures of every public area on the ship over a period of several days. We called it Select a Deck and highlighted one deck each day for several days.

 

Check it out on our blog:

 

http://thegeomonkeys.com/category/hawaii-2010/

 

Enjoy

 

Great blog, 5 stars......:):):):):)

 

Bob

[gertz]

We have cruised on both ships..Emerald is newer and bigger, Golden a bit smaller but with almost the same amenities since the upgrade. Big advantage for the Golden in Alaska is the enclosed pool area which the newer ships do not have. Which ever you choose have fun..Alaska is beautiful!!

 

The Emerald is 113,000 gross tons, 952 ft in length, 3080 passengers, space ratio 38.

The Golden is 109,000 gross tons, 950 ft in length, 2590 passengers, space ratio 42.

Ref 2010-2011 Princess Cruise Atlas.

[Duck Duck Cruise]

How does one get to do that Chef's Table thing, and how much does it cost? Looks like a great time!! Thanks!

 

Get onboard early and sign up right away using the dine line from the first phone you see. It is the best $75 per person you could spend on the ship IMO.

[Colo Cruiser]

I've only been on one Princess cruise--on the Emerald, which I thought was a beautiful ship. I'm thinking of a cruise this summer on the Golden. Will I be disappointed? Are there many differences between those two ships? Thanks!

 

 

With all the updates done to the Golden in May 09 you can't go wrong with either choice.

Check out my Golden Alaska pictures.

 

 

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1022921&highlight=alaska+redone

[NancyIL]

I LOVED the Golden in Alaska last May. I hope you are considering one of the weeks when the Golden goes to Glacier Bay.

[HollDoll]

Yes. Week of August 21. Last time I did Alaska was end of May, beginning of June. Not sure what different weather to expect this time.

[Shelly97060]

Golden is beautiful we have sailed her 3 times to Alaska including right after she went through Drydock. The indoor pool is a huge plus for Alaska.

 

As for weather we have sailed in June and in August and found the weather comparable.

 

 

Have a great trip. - Shelly :)

[Psychedout]

Great pictures! That was our first cruise. We were upgraded to one of the new Window Suites, they hooked us.

[HollDoll]

Duck Duck or anyone: What is the dress code for the Chef's Table? Is it dressy? Also, does anyone know how I can find out in advance which night's are formal on a cruise?

[Duck Duck Cruise]

Duck Duck or anyone: What is the dress code for the Chef's Table? Is it dressy? Also, does anyone know how I can find out in advance which night's are formal on a cruise?

 

On our cruise there were 3 of them. All were held on smart casual nights and that was the dress code for the Chef's Table.

[Duck Duck Cruise]

how I can find out in advance which night's are formal on a cruise?

 

This is very general, but usually the first formal night is the night after embarkation, usually a sea day. On a 7 day cruise, the second one is usually two nights before the end of the cruise. If the cruise is from Saturday to Saturday, the second formal night would be on Thursday.

 

These are generally the formal nights, but sometimes they vary.

[mycruz]

The only thing that was different on the Golden than the Emerald that I could tell was no Thermal Suite on the Golden. No biggie, I survived!:D Got to try out the Sanctuary instead for the first time and loved it.

[Nanatravel]

thanks Vince for a great blog. I read every word and enjoyed the ratings and photos so much. You have mail.

 

We sail on the Golden in 2 weeks.