GOLDEN PRINCESS REVIEW - ALASKAN CRUISE 6/11 to 6/18

[Janet Foster]

Golden Princess

June 11th - 18th

Alaskan Inside Passage from Seattle

We sailed with a group of 10 people. All in our 50’s.

Coming from: Nevada, Colorado, Texas and Oregon

Cabins: C401, C409, C415 and C421 - DECK 10 CARIBE

Cabin: E401 – DECK 8 EMERALD

 

This has taken me awhile to do but here it is~

I like to use my pictures as my visuals in my review so this will be long but hopefully fun!

 

We (I) had made our reservations direct with Princess back in May 2010 when the book was first open so that we could get cabins all in a row. We had selected Mini-Suites AA Category - D501, D503, D505, D509 and D517 (Inside Category J) . About 10 days before we sailed, Princess called me to offer our group all upgrades. The AA Category Mini-Suites were upgraded to PENTHOUSE Category PH Full Suites and the couple with the inside cabin were upgraded to OUTSIDE STATEROOM category E. Needless to say we were all thrilled.

 

SEATTLE

Most of us got to Seattle on Thursday pre-cruise so that we could have some sightseeing time and pre-cruise excitement. We all stayed at the HAMPTON INN – DOWNTOWN. http://www.hamptoninnseattle.com/images/hampton_seattle.pdf

 

 

 

The location was perfect, right by the SPACE NEEDLE and SEATTLE CENTER.

 

 

The monorail was accessible to take you to PIKE PLACE MARKET if you wanted to go. $2 pp each way. There also was a great 24-hour grocery store one block over called QFC which had great deli and a Starbucks. We stopped in here frequently for items and picked up a case of water to take on the ship.

 

 

We used SHUTTLE EXPRESS , http://shuttleexpress.com/seatac-airport/cruise-transfers/default

For our mode of transportation from the airport to the hotel and from the hotel to Pier 91. They were reliable and we booked early in February. This is their check in desk at the airport.

 

 

 

 

The hotel was going through renovations and I found this out about a month before our stay. I really didn’t think it would be a big deal but really, I was surprised they didn’t start their renovations process prior to cruise season. They temporarily discontinued their full breakfast, which we were not aware of, because of the renovations (had a very weak continental breakfast) and there was a smell of caulking and cement. Construction was limited to the hours of 9:30 to 4:30pm. Hard to describe but I had a room freshener that served its purposes. The room was clean and the linens were comfortable, the towels were thin. Walking the streets around the hotel were easy and we felt very safe. The rooms were not ready when the rest of our friend arrived on Thursday. My husband and I had arrived the night before so our room would be the luggage drop off location for everyone. Not sure if it was due to the construction or not but it did seem a bit chaotic at the front desk and the rooms would not be available until after 3pm. We later found there were some high school graduations at nearby Memorial Field which made the hotel busy.

 

Thursday afternoon we strolled over to the EMP Museum, about a seven minute walk. http://www.empmuseum.org/index.asp

 

 

This was something my husband really enjoyed. Me, not so much. It was a museum of rock and roll named for the band of native son Jimi Hendrix. I did enjoy the Jimi Hendrix exhibit.

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUED

[RickEk]

Nice upgrade!! :)

[Janet Foster]

After our tour, some of us walked back to the hotel to get settled and another group walked to the liquor store to buy a car. OOPS… I mean to buy some booze. The cost of the liquor in Washington State is expensive!! After we got the liquor back to the hotel we transferred the booze into our RUM RUNNERS that we brought with us. http://www.rumrunnerflasks.com/ .. For our group of 10 I am not kidding when I say we had about 18 of the 32 oz rum runners and about 11 of the 8oz. We then place the rum runners in zip lock bags and then distributed them throughout our luggage. Never putting them all together. WE WERE READY!!

 

For dinner that evening we took two (2) cabs to Elliot’s Oyster House. http://www.elliottsoysterhouse.com/ Very - good food and atmosphere. We tried to inform the hostess that we were a loud group and would need to be sequestered. The hostess proceeded to seat us in a private room with a group of Japanese businessmen which looked like a business dinner. We quickly informed her we should not be in here and we were reseated. They put us in the back corner of the restaurant but to no avail we were still loud. We hadn’t seen each other in a long time… and well.. we are loud.

 

The next morning was Friday and we had a full kitchen in our hotel room so we made a huge breakfast for everyone.

 

 

 

We had a scheduled tour up to the Boeing Factory in Everett. http://www.boeing.com/commercial/tours/index.html A bus picked us up promptly at our hotel. We made the reservations through reading notations from a CRUISE CRITIC thread. http://www.ourtoursrock.com/

 

 

 

It would be about 6 hours before we got back to Seattle. I enjoyed this tour of how planes were built. My husband.. not so much. It was an assembly line of planes being made and quite interesting. My husband had mentioned that he would have rather gone on the tour of the MUSEUM OF FLIGHT http://www.museumofflight.org/ which was in Seattle. But majority ruled. There is also a DUCK TOUR in Seattle that got rave reviews. http://www.ridetheducksofseattle.com/ Just not enough time~~.

 

For dinner on Friday we chose to go to SALTY’S on ALKI BEACH. http://www.saltys.com/seattle/ This was another excellent choice. Salty’s will arrange for free limo service from most downtown hotels in Seattle.

 

 

The restaurant is across the bay and you get an excellent view of Seattle downtown after the sun sets. Just beautiful! Food and service were outstanding. A good positive note is that the weather was just excellent the whole time we were in Seattle. I was expecting rain and clouds~~ Hope your trip is just as nice!

 

View from Salty's

 

BON VOYAGE!!!

Saturday morning we were all up bright and early. Had a bit of the weak continental breakfast, knowing we would soon be eating a nice lunch. We had pre-arranged for SHUTTLE EXPRESS to pick us up at 10:40am. We had taped copies of our luggage tags onto our water so that it would be delievered to our cabin.

 

 

 

 

 

CONTINUED

[Janet Foster]

BON VOYAGE!!!

Saturday morning we were all up bright and early. Had a bit of the weak continental breakfast, knowing we would soon be eating a nice lunch. We had pre-arranged for SHUTTLE EXPRESS to pick us up at 10:40am.

 

 

 

 

We were all outside with our “tons” of luggage by 10:30am. The driver had a shocked look on his face as he saw all-of-the luggage but somehow it all fit-in-the van. We got to the pier and we were dropped off at the furthest part of the parking lot, I guess the SHUTTLE EXPRESS has to drop you off at this location.

 

 

The ship looked so pretty sitting there. Remember this picture because it will look quite different at the end of our cruise!

 

The driver proceeded to unload our hundreds of bags. We actually looked like we were stranded on the roadside and it was great because hardly anyone was there. I had read a previous review where it was mentioned that there were no porters to help you with your bags. I had read another notation that you HAD to search for the porters. So my husband went one way (into the terminal) and I went the other way (across where HAL customers were getting loaded up after their cruise). We each found a porter but I am not kidding when I say this took about 15 minutes. It was crazy that they didn’t have more porters. I just don’t get that. Wow, then all of the sudden the buses start arriving and swarms of people. The terminal is straight ahead. Golden Princess is on the left and the HAL ship is on the right. Our porter is in the lime green vest pushing the cart. The other porter is way ahead on the right. So when you go, look for these lime green vests!!

 

 

 

 

CONTINUED

[srpilo]

Wow, can wait for more :)

 

 

 

 

Thanks for sharing

Srpilo

[Janet Foster]

We pushed and shoved our way into the terminal. Actually, we were all walking nicely. I like to convey how excited we all were.

 

 

At this point you will want your boarding docs and passport in your hands as they check them at the door. We got into the terminal and there were disney-like ride lines that weaved in and out but the time was approx 11am and there was hardly anyone in the lines. We rode up the escalator and proceeded to go through security.

 

 

At least you don't have to take your shoes off!

 

 

I had a small backpack with little pineapple juice cans and other items we used in our hotel, I also had another carry-on type tote. Others in our crowd had wine in their bags, soda and the like. None of our bags were opened, searched or given a second thought. My husband had one of the small 8oz rum runners in his pocket.

 

We were then directed to another area where we did the actual check-in. The line was not long at all. Being that we were upgraded to suite status they took us to the “preferred line”.

 

 

The preferred line probably takes longer than the regular line. Either that or they just didn’t have anyone working the line when we arrived. Nonetheless we checked in very quickly and got our Sail and Sign cards.

 

 

I had brought a hole puncher so we all punched our cards and put them on our lanyards that moment. You could go to the front desk or the casino to also get your card punched but we always do it right away and end up making friends with others who ask to use our hole punch. Just make sure you punch the hole on the opposite end of the arrow, as you will need that end for your cabin key. We were then directed to the ship. Just a few more steps!! OH THE EXCITEMENT....

 

CONTINUED

[Janet Foster]

Oh? They actually put us in a line. The ship had not opened up to the passengers so we did have a few more moments to wait. Oh the suspense… so we just kept taking pictures.

 

 

It was not more than a 10 minute wait, the lines started moving and we are on the ship~

They directed us to get our individual security pictures taken, then the BON VOYAGE Photo. Would you like to see?

 

 

By the way... each picture is $20.... and no... they don't have a sale at the end of the cruise. We did wait till the last day to buy pictures... just got a few..

 

After everyone had completed that task we went to the Purser’s Desk so that we could sign up for the ULTIMATE SHIP TOUR. We knew that if you wanted to take that tour you better get signed up right away. They take about 15 people on the 3- hour tour later in the week and if there are more people that want to go they will hold a lottery. $150pp. While we were there we also phoned the CROWN GRILL and made reservations for MONDAY night. From there we went down to the PIAZZA DECK and purchased the UKP - ULTIMATE KID PACKAGE at the bar to the left of the International Cafe. This is a sticker that goes on your Sail & Sign card that allows you to go up to the bar and get unlimited sodas, milk shakes, mocktails, smoothies, hot chocolate, juices…. The cost for the week for this was $56.35 pp. I loved my Mai Tai's and Pina Colada's spiced up with my rum... YUMMY... No one in our group got the coffee card.

 

We all got the three things we needed to do out of the way so it was time to go find our cabins. We thought the ship looked beautiful. Well maintained. We were happy that we boarded early as we saw long lines of anxious cruisers that wanted to get on the ship. We always start out at 10:30 the morning of our cruise and usually always work out well for us. So within an hour we were in our cabins.

 

 

CABINS

 

 

My poor husband.. if he thinks we will be able to get me into anything less than a full suite on our next cruise he is crazy. We were spoiled beyond belief. Being that we had a line of cabins with our friends all in a row just made it all the more fun. The room attendant Edwin Bonaficiado was so helpful and made our trip just so much more enjoyable. He opened up all of our balcony partitions and it was really nice so now they all connected outside! The perks from the suites were really outstanding and I made sure I had done the research to look them all up to make sure I had taken advantage of all. Edwin took really good care of us all week and he was always attentive and enjoyable. I got out my clorox wipes I had in my purse and quickly wiped down the telephones, remote controls, light switches, doors, toilet seat.. you name it. Thinking that someone just left the cabin a few hours earlier and spent the whole week in it, I had to do it. We loved our cabin, I would never have dreamed we had something like this.

 

 

 

CONTINUED

[Janet Foster]

 

The bed was so comfortable and the sheets were my favorite... creamy smooth...

 

 

 

Nice jacuzzi tub with bath salts and bubble bath...

 

 

The bathtowels were thick and fluffy..

 

 

They had a one time bar and mixer set up...

 

CONTINUED

[Janet Foster]

There were three flower arrangements in the cabin. One from Princess, one from my husband and one from our friends as a thank you for planning the cruise.

 

 

There are drapes that can close off the bedroom area for more privacy if you wish.

 

 

 

 

There were two entrances to the double balcony. One off the living area and one off the bedroom. The furniture on the balcony was like the authentic wood furniture on cruise ships.

 

 

THIS IS TO BE CONTINUED... my husband just infomed me that we are going out to get a bite to eat..

 

Back soon!!!!

[marym933]

Janet, you're doing an awesome job! I can't wait to see your photos of the ports and Glacier Bay!

[Janet Foster]

Mary.. this is a lot of work.. HAAA

BUT FUN... I get to relive it....

 

OK.. BACK SOON....

[NRG]

Great review so far....can't wait for the rest!!

[PrincessNancy]

Love your review so far...really appreciate the boarding tips for embarkation. We will definitely arrive early to avoid the rush!

[azdmelani]

Janet, thank you again for your lovely review (and your live from/patters). I feel like I am cruising vicariously through you :)

[flashdog_1]

This has taken me awhile to do but here it is~ I like to use my pictures as my visuals in my review so this will be long but hopefully fun!

 

You are too much! Besides a detailed review, those links were indispensable to me. I saw that Go Shuttle Express, clicked on it and made my own reservation. Thank you so much. Loved the pictures, too.

[Janet Foster]

Big shout out to the upgrade fairy who made this all possible. We know we will never get an upgrade like this in the future. I do know we were really lucky...

 

Thanks for the posts I have read so far.. I am having fun doing this for you all to read...

 

CONTINUING THE REVIEW:

 

 

 

We all went up to the Horizon Court Buffet for a quick bite (I will review this later) then we went back to the cabin as the luggage started arriving and we wanted to unpack quickly. The water and all the rum runners made it safely. PARTY TIME!! I like my water ICE COLD plus we brought flavored drink packets. Edwin keeps the ice going for us all week. He also arrives with glasses of champagne and canapes. We captured all the moments best we could. The views of downtown Seattle were great!

 

 

 

Trying to unpack as fast as we can. Next thing you know it was time to go for the MUSTER DRILL. Be sure NOT to put on your life vests until instructed by a crew member. (not every one listens!!) Yes, this is our group... LOL

 

I thought that the handling of the Muster Drill was far superior to any of the cruises we have been on as far as organized and quick. The crew comes by to scan your Sign & Sail card to make sure you are in attendance. After the drill was complete going back to the cabin was a breeze. We all did sail away from our cabin balconies as the sight of Seattle downtown was not to be missed.

.

 

It was a beautiful day.

 

CONTINUED

[ladyco4]

Janet, thank you for taking the time to write your review. I am loving the pictures. Our family is sailing on the Golden September 2012. We are a large group, too. (21!) Maybe the upgrade fairy will visit us like she did you!

I can't wait to read more.

 

Ruth

[Kellie in Texas]

Janet, we were on the Golden the week before you. I intended to write a review, but you are SO intimidating me!!! Your details, complete with photos, is just great. It's making me "homesick" for the beautiful Golden! That bathroom in the suite is amazing! Like one of your group, we had booked an inside and got upgrade to E516 which was great. I'll look forward to more of your review and maybe I'll work up enough nerve to do one of my own. :p

[Janet Foster]

There was a NCL

and a HAL ship that also set out about the same time. We would be playing tag with ms Westerdam/HAL all week long.

FOOD:

Ok... here is the deal on the food...

 

We are foodies and by that I mean we like to eat at good restaurants and my husband should be a food critic for a local paper. I honestly have to say that the food in the Horizon Court Buffet is mediocre and was disappointing. I was really looking to pig out on this cruise as I have been watching what I have been eating since January. I didn’t find anything that ‘WOWED” me in the Horizon Court.. By the time you would fill your plate and then go look for a place to sit then your food would be cold. So this is why I say eat your meals in the dining room. The food is so much better in there.

As one of our suite perks we got to have breakfast inside Sabatini’s Restaurant and enjoy complimentary Mimosas or Bloody Marys. We went in here Sunday morning for our first breakfast and were very disappointed by the service. The made to order eggs were not impressive either. Now, I will say we went to the CROWN GRILL on Monday night, the cost for this is $25pp added to your shipboard account. The food was excellent. The cuts of meat were outstanding and you have to get the MOLTEN FUDGE BROWNIE for desert. We did not go to Sabatini’s for dinner so I have no opinion of that restaurant. We ate most of the meals in the main dining room and had ANYTIME DINING which worked out perfect for the ports we visited and the time schedules we were on.

We probably never ate dinner earlier than 8pm and we never had to wait for a table with our large group of 10. Vejlko (“j” is silent)

was our favorite headwaiter and always acted like he was looking out for us and make a point to visit us every night . He was every entertaining and made the dining experience so much nicer. The sandwiches in the International Cafe were good. The pizza and hamburgers were also good.

Shipboard Entertainment:

We aren’t like your normal cruising group. We are our own entertainment. Having lived in Las Vegas for several years it is hard for a cruise ship show to be over the top for me. My husband is a trumpet player in a band and so any “concert type show” or musical event is to naturally be critiqued by him. It is just his nature and I can’t even watch American Idol with him. I am not saying the shows are bad, don’t’ get me wrong, they are just not for us. We did go and play bingo on Sunday afternoon and my husband hit a bingo for $150. We laughed because when he said his name and where he was from over the microphone he did it with a really hard Texan accent.

Here is our entertainment. With our group of ten (five couples) we have themed cocktail parties in our cabins on five nights. We generally start with the first full sail day (Sunday and then the last party is on Thursday). Each couple is responsible for picking their THEME and then they must have invitations delivered; their cabin is decorated to theme. We play one game with a prize and have cocktails and hors d'oeuvres. This is a highlight of our cruise for us and we have been doing this for a few cruises now as we travel with the same group over and over.

 

My husband and I had the first night and we selected a CARNIVAL theme. Here is how we decorated our cabin.

Edited June 25, 2011 by Janet Foster

[Janet Foster]

Yes, I brought all these decorations with me. My husband and I dressed up as carnival workers. Everyone is so excited to see what the other has planned. It really is lots of fun. We had three carnival games (here is one of the games ) and having the extra room in the cabins really helped out.

 

 

My husband and I just had a couples massage so we were greasy and sweaty ... so it helped our appearance as carneys.. ARE YA READY?? Yes we answered the door like this.

 

 

We also had a photo op area..

 

 

Just to knock out these themes so I can review the ports here is what the other's had:

 

Monday Night was WESTERN THEME

 

Sorry blurry...

 

 

CONTINUED....

[quincytoo]

After seeing your pictures this review has me not wanting anything less then your cabin too :) Poor Mr.Janet Foster......Mr.Qt would be scared that I would not settled for any less either.

 

Great review, information and the pictures are wonderful :)

 

Thank you

[FoghornLeghorn]

Loving this review!

The pictures make it even better!

 

We were on the Golden to Hawaii and we love her.

 

I know it takes a long time to do this, and it is much appreciated - as we feel like we're cruising with you.

 

I love the party theme in each cabin - sounds like something I would do if we traveled with a group.

 

Can't wait for the next part ::::biting nails in anticipation::::

Edited June 25, 2011 by FoghornLeghorn

[Janet Foster]

Wanted posters all over the cabin.. Everyone had to wear a mustache...

 

 

TUESDAY NIGHT was ICE ROAD TRUCKERS THEME...

 

This was the couple that had the OV category. They completely toilet papered their cabin and had Christmas lights strung. They also had mustaches for everyone. We had a good laugh at their party

 

 

 

Here are the snacks they served.... fancy tablecloth and all..

 

 

 

CONTINUED.....

[Janet Foster]

Wednesday Night was a 50's Themed Party....

 

I forgot to mention that our room attendant Edwin wanted to help us decorate each night. We also gave him all of the left over decorations to share with his fellow cruise mates.. We had visitors come in and take pictures and laugh with us.

 

Door decoration...

 

Our hosts... They even brought a hula hoop in their suitcase they took it apart and retaped it.. Too funny..

 

 

Photo-op

 

Plus everyone had their iPods playing with the themed music.

 

Thursday the last night of the themed cocktail parties.. was FIESTA NIGHT.

 

 

TOO FUNNY

 

 

 

CONTINUED....

[Janet Foster]

Here is how we were greeted at the door..

 

 

We just died laughing... They ALSO had mustaches for everyone.. big mustaches... I took the picture below.

 

 

And another photo-op..

 

 

This was all so much fun. After the cocktail parties we would go to dinner. This is why our dinners were generally after 8pm. Then we'd be in the MDR until at least 10:30pm.. Exhausting but fun. We will do it again the next time we all cruise together...

 

 

PORT VISITS , EXCURSIONS and SHOPPING

 

Juneau -

 

After we got to port we walked around and visited RED DOG SALOON, had a drink. This place is so cute. http://www.reddogsaloon.com/

 

 

Sawdust on the floor and all. Walking around we got some fudge from ALASKAN FUDGE COMPANY on Franklin Street. http://www.alaskanfudge.com/

YUMMY!! This came in handy when we had that chocolate craving in the late evening. We enjoyed walking all over this town. Lots of cute stores and the town is really clean, put me to mind of KEY WEST. The weather was nice too! Then it was time for our excursion at 3pm.

 

Our excursion I planned in Juneau was WHALE WATCHING and MENDENHALL GLACIER tour with DOLPHIN TOURS http://www.dolphintours.com/. I found this company by doing research on CRUISE CRITIC. Since we had a large group they gave us a discount. The jet boat was comfortable and enclosed, there were decks up on the bow and aft so you could get out and take pictures if you wanted. Or, you could take pictures out though the windows. Seeing the whales was very exciting and I enjoyed this tour very much. We saw lots of whales. We were given some refreshments, offered smoked salmon and chocolates. The boat also had a little bathroom. The captain and staff were very friendly and it was a fun time. We also saw a bald eagle and some sea lions. I would recommend this company.

 

This is just a tease... it was great seeing all the whales.. I can't even count how many we saw. The hard part was trying to capture the picture.