Just off the Golden Princess 3-night West Coast Getaway with Ensenada

[anteaters]

Hi! We just arrived home mid-morning today after getting off from our mini-cruise. It was an interesting one, because there were from 500-600 (depending on whom we asked) members of a kickball organization, mostly in their 20's and 30's, on board, all out to have a very party weekend. DH and I are seniors (66 and 70) and found that on this cruise, seniors were definitely in the minority. But, we had a wonderful time and met several really nice couples whom we ate and chatted with at our Anytime Dining meals (and Anytime Dining went as smoothly as could be.) In fact, maybe because there were fewer seniors, we kept running into our smaller group of new friends and got to know them very well. Our good time was never ruined by the somewhat loud, boisterous crowds around the bars and other favored areas. The food was excellent, with many of our favorites on the menu for this short cruise, beginning with one of the best prime rib dinners that we have had and ending with the turkey dinner baked Alaska. The desserts, which we enjoyed throughout each day, were excellent and it was fun trying one of the new chocolate specialties that we have heard about, a chocolate hazelnut creation. We enjoyed the evening performances, especially an illusionist who was absolutely amazing and also a comedian, the British Invasion, and Caliente. I was pleased to get to have line dancing on our one sea day. On such a short cruise, there were no lecturers but there was a backstage tour which was excellent and a chocolate pastry making demonstration with samples afterwards from the International Café. Of course there were the usual games and art auction, lots of music and dancing, and the late evening parties for those who enjoy them. We received wonderful service from everyone involved with easy embarkation and disembarkation (actually we arrived at the port at 11:30 and were on board at noon and eating lunch at 12:15 after leaving our luggage in our cabin.) I do wish that the pools were heated because they were too cold for me (low 70's when we checked) but that was really our only complaint. We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves although we did talk to some people who were not pleased to have such a large partying group on board.

[shredie]

We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves although we did talk to some people who were not pleased to have such a large partying group on board.

 

These shorter, less expensive cruises seem to be attracting groups of cruisers. It's not something you see often on a longer cruise.

[wizard-of-roz]

Thanks for sharing your experience onboard the Golden. I've planned a 10 day cruise in April and I'm looking forward to it.

 

How was she looking? I know she's due for dry dock soon. Is she looking worn? I have never seen a Princess ship look tattered and worn even before she was getting ready for a dry dock.

 

The Golden was one of my DH's favorite ships. I can't wait to see her again, even though it will be without him.....I'm looking forward to the memories!

Edited November 18, 2014 by wizard-of-roz

[Ronnieslady]

Was the MDR open for lunch on embarcation day???? Also does anyone know when the Golden is going in for dry dock???

[lovevacadays]

My friend and I were on this cruise as well. We were not impacted my the large group of very rowdy youngsters who were kick ball players from across the U.S. A few of them told me there were 1000 onboard so who knows the real number. We were fortunate to not have some of the experiences like others who told us some of them played kickball in their hallway late at night. We also hung out at the aft pool and this group pretty much took over the main pool. So, no issue for us there either. We were also fortunate to be in cabins next to any of the group.

 

We really enjoyed this cruise. The weather was great and we thought the food in the MDR, buffet, Crown Grill, and Sabatini's was great.

 

I'm happy to hear you enjoyed the cruise. I have been curious as to what comments I would see on Cruise Critic.

 

 

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[waltd]

Thanks for sharing your experience onboard the Golden. I've planned a 10 day cruise in April and I'm looking forward to it.

 

How was she looking? I know she's due for dry dock soon. Is she looking worn? I have never seen a Princess ship look tattered and worn even before she was getting ready for a dry dock.

 

The Golden was one of my DH's favorite ships. I can't wait to see her again, even though it will be without him.....I'm looking forward to the memories!

 

We were on the 4 day prior to the OP cruise. The ship looked fine to me. Nothing jumped out and said yuck you need fixin. :) My only complaint was the Atrium didn't have enough seating. And we thought the beds were very comfortable.

[anteaters]

Thanks for sharing your experience onboard the Golden. I've planned a 10 day cruise in April and I'm looking forward to it.

 

How was she looking? I know she's due for dry dock soon. Is she looking worn? I have never seen a Princess ship look tattered and worn even before she was getting ready for a dry dock.

 

The Golden was one of my DH's favorite ships. I can't wait to see her again, even though it will be without him.....I'm looking forward to the memories!

 

You know, the Golden is looking worn in places. She can definitely use a dry dock face lift but she wasn't bad and we were still very comfortable. It didn't ruin our enjoyment of her but she was more "golden" when we were on her for Hawaii several years ago.

[anteaters]

Was the MDR open for lunch on embarcation day???? Also does anyone know when the Golden is going in for dry dock???

 

Yes, the main dining room was open, Donatello on deck 6. We had a most delicious cod entrée instead of the salmon lunch we usually get on the first day (we always have fish for lunch so we can select the prime rib for dinner) and this time they offered cod instead of salmon. The dining room wasn't at all crowded and we had great service, happy to "share" a table and enjoy the company of two other couples whom we then saw again several times on the short cruise. By the way, we had a very good chef....all the soups were delicious (they're not always on every cruise), the meat was tender, and the ice cream was way too good! We love fresh fruit and the pineapple was always so sweet although I can't give the chef credit for that ;) .

[sunsetme]

wonderful review, did you sailaway from Los Angeles on time?

[bigdog188]

Yes, right on time

 

 

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[SapphireHoneymoon]

My Golden cruise leaves this Thursday.

 

I received this in my email describing staggered boardings:

 

12:30 PM - Dolphin, Fiesta & Emerald Decks: Cabins begin with D, E and F

1:15 PM - Caribe, Sun & Riviera Decks: Cabins begin with C, S and R

2:00 PM - Aloha & Baja Decks: Cabins begin with A and B

2:30 PM - Lido & Plaza Decks: Cabins begin with L and P

 

By the looks of this we can't board until 2:00pm since we are on Aloha deck and we will miss the Embarkation Lunch that everyone always raves about.

 

Do they really enforce this?

 

 

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[waltd]

The times are only suggestions for a smoother boarding. Only time you might have to worry is if they are running behind. You can still get there around 11.

[SapphireHoneymoon]

The times are only suggestions for a smoother boarding. Only time you might have to worry is if they are running behind. You can still get there around 11.

I figured that was the case but the email subject field threw me off a bit. It said, "Emergency Notification."

 

 

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[anteaters]

I figured that was the case but the email subject field threw me off a bit. It said, "Emergency Notification."

 

 

Sent using the Cruis

 

Well, we're Platinum so can board any time but when we arrived at 11:30, it didn't matter at all. There were no crowds and although we were sent to the "preferred" line, it really didn't make a big difference. Then there was a bit of a wait (maybe ten minutes) once we were seated while they called first the in-transit passengers, then the Elite, then our Preferred ticket letter was called....So basically, it was only a half hour between when we showed up and when we boarded. For people not elite or platinum, maybe it would have been a bit longer but it couldn't have been much....All that said though, we never received any notification that there was going to be staggered time boarding happening. So, maybe we were just lucky on this cruise. And someone asked if the Golden took off on time and it was pretty close, certainly not much after 4:00. Some friends we met on board had already been on for two cruises back to back on the Golden, and on one of them, the ship couldn't leave until the next morning. They said it didn't have much effect on them except that for some people, not getting to go in shops or in the casino until the next day was disappointing. But all went smoothly on our cruise.

[Woobstr112G]

Thanks for the review. We are doing the same cruise in April.....:):):)

 

Bob

[2 to cruise]

Thanks for sharing your experience onboard the Golden. I've planned a 10 day cruise in April and I'm looking forward to it.

 

How was she looking? I know she's due for dry dock soon. Is she looking worn? I have never seen a Princess ship look tattered and worn even before she was getting ready for a dry dock.

 

The Golden was one of my DH's favorite ships. I can't wait to see her again, even though it will be without him.....I'm looking forward to the memories!

 

 

Hi Roz,

 

My husband and I were on a Hawaii cruise with you and a friend you met from Cruise Critic some years ago. We also had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Brenda!

 

We were on the Golden late September and I was just on her three weeks ago with a group of high school friends celebrating our 70+ years.

 

The Golden we thought, was fine, not worn out, not tattered and was always being cleaned. You will have a good time remembering all your memories!:)

 

Cheryl

[wizard-of-roz]

Hi Roz,

 

My husband and I were on a Hawaii cruise with you and a friend you met from Cruise Critic some years ago. We also had the pleasure of meeting the lovely Brenda!

 

We were on the Golden late September and I was just on her three weeks ago with a group of high school friends celebrating our 70+ years.

 

The Golden we thought, was fine, not worn out, not tattered and was always being cleaned. You will have a good time remembering all your memories!:)

 

Cheryl

 

Cheryl, hi! When you travel with a Service Dog you get to meet some of the nicest people you will ever meet in the world.

 

I've been very lucky to travel with friends that I've met on Cruise Critic and, of course, family.

 

I don't know if you remember Brenda but she was the most sweetest and precious being that I've ever known. I'm so lucky to have known her and I'm glad you got to meet her. Horton is a wonderful dog too and is turning into a good cruising buddy.

 

Thanks for the info. on the Golden. She is one of my favorite ships. My most favorite being the Sapphire.

[Cruisin' Chick]

I figured that was the case but the email subject field threw me off a bit. It said, "Emergency Notification."

 

 

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It seems that's been the subject line for every one of these we've ever received.:rolleyes:

[SoCal Cruiser78]

I figured that was the case but the email subject field threw me off a bit. It said, "Emergency Notification."...

 

IMO Princess is "crying wolf" with that Emergency Notification bit. I received several (none emergent) before my recent cruise on the Golden.

[SapphireHoneymoon]

It seems that's been the subject line for every one of these we've ever received.:rolleyes:

Ah, ok. This is only our second cruise and we didn't receive this notice last year.

 

 

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[Coveguy4]

I/we also were on this cruise and had a great time. Yes there were about 600 in the kickball group onboard, but they were fun to cruise with. The get ups were imaginitive and fun to see (costumes worn), they had theme nights, and when they dressed with a santa theme and took over Ensenada it was great. The pool bartender told us he never got a minute to himself. Wilder then any Princess cruise I have been on, but a great cruise! Food was fantastic this trip and great service from crew!

[grannylaw]

We were on this cruise too. I will admit that I was nervous when I saw the kickball group with their "Cruise From Hell" t-shirts but they were a fun group and their costumes were imaginative.

 

A couple of negative observations. One was the popcorn gatekeeper. It has been our experience on all of our Princess cruises that once the evening MUTS starts that popcorn is available until 11:00 p.m. The server wanted to distribute the popcorn only during movies, when I asked him when this rule was instituted he didn't have an answer for me. Then another server came from a supply room & asked how many bags we wanted & gave us 2 bags that had been previously popped & were cold.

 

Second, I asked for some blue cheese dressing for my salad while we were dining in the Crown Grill. The server told me that he would have to send his assistant to the MDR to get some blue cheese and it would be a pain. Never mind.

 

Overall, the cruise was great. We had accepted an upsell to a suite and thoroughly enjoyed it.

[lovevacadays]

I/we also were on this cruise and had a great time. Yes there were about 600 in the kickball group onboard, but they were fun to cruise with. The get ups were imaginitive and fun to see (costumes worn), they had theme nights, and when they dressed with a santa theme and took over Ensenada it was great. The pool bartender told us he never got a minute to himself. Wilder then any Princess cruise I have been on, but a great cruise! Food was fantastic this trip and great service from crew!

 

 

We loved the Santa costumes! Also thought the food was really good.

 

 

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