star vs. golden.....toss up...

[only1deejay]

OK. so the star and the golden sail out of SF to vancouver 1 week apart in may 2012....now ive already booked my trip on star...paid more than the deposit but not the full amount yet.

 

which ship is better star or golden.... and will princess let me switch??? I've noticed the balcony is $50 more on the golden....is the golden better overall?????!!!!! thanks first timer.

 

and yes i know about the star fire, but that doesnt worry me much. thanks.:)

[Pam in CA]

The ships are very, very similar. Roughly the same number of passengers, same number of decks, same look and feel, same amenities. The Star will have gone into dry dock and be upgraded with the International Cafe, Vines, Crown Grill, etc. Can't remember when the Golden is going into dry dock. The differences between the two ships are minimal.

 

FYI, you won't be able to "switch" your booking; you'd have to cancel the Star and book on the Golden. You'd lose any cabin preference and if you have Traditional dining, you'd lose that.

[grandmaa]

The ships are very, very similar. Roughly the same number of passengers, same number of decks, same look and feel, same amenities. The Star will have gone into dry dock and be upgraded with the International Cafe, Vines, Crown Grill, etc. Can't remember when the Golden is going into dry dock. The differences between the two ships are minimal.

 

FYI, you won't be able to "switch" your booking; you'd have to cancel the Star and book on the Golden. You'd lose any cabin preference and if you have Traditional dining, you'd lose that.

 

The Star is listed for drydock November 14-December 8, 2011. The Golden May 9-20, 2012. So, by the time OP sails the

lumps and bumps should be worked out. The thing I would consider is which cruise fits into my life and time schedule. JMHO

[Cruise Raider]

OK. so the star and the golden sail out of SF to vancouver 1 week apart in may 2012....now ive already booked my trip on star...paid more than the deposit but not the full amount yet.

 

which ship is better star or golden.... and will princess let me switch??? I've noticed the balcony is $50 more on the golden....is the golden better overall?????!!!!! thanks first timer.

 

and yes i know about the star fire, but that doesnt worry me much. thanks.:)

 

I was also looking at these two cruises, but checked both yesterday and today and they no longer seemed to be offered? How strange is that?? I wonder if they will be available again for booking? If so, I think the Golden may be a bit more only because it is a bit later in May ...so the weather might be a teensie bit better....or so they figure. SF weather is always so iffy, especially in the spring. We've had a really cold spring so far this year...don't know if one week would make that much of a difference.

Also, think the one is on Mother's Day. Do you think that is not an optimal weekend to cruise? I think it might be better, myself. Anyhow, if they aren't offered any longer, I guess it is a moot point.

[PrincessNancy]

For clarification--The Golden has already been updated and remodeled with the IC and MUTS...the drydock in 2012 is not a major overhaul.

 

I don't think you can go wrong with either ship. As Pam noted, they are very similar, and will both have had the newer updates by the time you are sailing. Personally--I love having the IC. :) It has become my "go to" breakfast and lunch spot.

[IECalCruiser]

The ships are very, very similar. Roughly the same number of passengers, same number of decks, same look and feel, same amenities. The Star will have gone into dry dock and be upgraded with the International Cafe, Vines, Crown Grill, etc. Can't remember when the Golden is going into dry dock. The differences between the two ships are minimal.

 

FYI, you won't be able to "switch" your booking; you'd have to cancel the Star and book on the Golden. You'd lose any cabin preference and if you have Traditional dining, you'd lose that.

The Star had the IC and Vines added during her last drydock. The upcoming drydock should include a "Real" Crown Grill (using the old Southwest themed restaurant space currently), a new Casino and Fiesta deck Window Suites. Don't know if she will get any of the Grand Princess additions such as "Leaves" or "Alfredo's" or the modified layout for the HC. The Thermal Suite was first added when the Star was built so the older Golden doesn't have one.