live from the golden

[kfgarrow]

Poetrylady-

Getting to St. John's from St. Thomas is a breeze. Take a taxi from the ship to the ferry dock at Red Hook. Buy a ferry ticket and ride to downtown Cruz Bay. Take a taxi to the beach of your choice (or do an island tour) and then return to Cruz Bay by taxi. We like to take the return ferry to Charlotte Amalie to do some shopping before returning to the ship, but you could return to Red Hook and taxi straight back to the ship. This is a very easy process and lots of people will be doing it on their own. Ferries run very regularly and it makes for a fun day of exploring.

[poetrylady]

We will take your advice and head for St Johns on Sunday, Jan 1. We may just have a quick look around, a tour of sorts, and then had back to do a bit of shopping, if things are open.

 

We are packed and ready to leave around 7 in the morning. We are driving to OHare (3 hours in normal traffic) and will drop of f our son for his flight to Bangkok at noon, then do a bit of last minute shopping, and then take our flight to San Juan at 5pm. I'm so looking forward to this cruise. It has been 16 months since my last cruise, on the Caribbean Princess, which was such a great time.

 

I know the next 14 days will just fly by! We will be home on the 9th of Jan, so it is not just the cruise. We're allowing ourselves 5 nights in SJ (4 pre and one post) plus one night in Chicago before driving back home.

 

Was there a southwestern specialty restaurant on the Golden??? I was so hoping there would be one. It doesn't look like it though. DH enjoys his fajitas and would break his diet to have some on the ship.

 

Thanks for everyones wonderful advice here.

[poetrylady]

We will take your advice and head for St Johns on Sunday, Jan 1. We may just have a quick look around, a tour of sorts, and then had back to do a bit of shopping, if things are open.

 

We are packed and ready to leave around 7 in the morning. We are driving to OHare (3 hours in normal traffic) and will drop of f our son for his flight to Bangkok at noon, then do a bit of last minute shopping, and then take our flight to San Juan at 5pm. I'm so looking forward to this cruise. It has been 16 months since my last cruise, on the Caribbean Princess, which was such a great time.

 

I know the next 14 days will just fly by! We will be home on the 9th of Jan, so it is not just the cruise. We're allowing ourselves 5 nights in SJ (4 pre and one post) plus one night in Chicago before driving back home.

 

Was there a southwestern specialty restaurant on the Golden??? I was so hoping there would be one. It doesn't look like it though. DH enjoys his fajitas and would break his diet to have some on the ship.

 

Thanks for everyones wonderful advice here.

[sacway]

poetrylady - kfgarrow's correct, it is quite easy to get to St. John's. There's a ferry from Charlotte Amalie where the ship docks that runs about once an hour and takes about 40 minutes (something like that) and the other ferry at Red Hook which runs twice an hour and takes about 20 minutes. Once you get to St. John's you can catch a cab to one of the beaches. On my last cruise I think we went to Cinnamon Bay via shared cab so that let us check out the beaches before Cinnamon when the other riders were dropped off. The ferry schedule and other info is available at http://www.usvi.net/usvi/stj.html.

 

rphcruiser - maybe another cruise! & am looking forward to your review. DH & I have commented that it seemed there was too much to do (sort of like rosellen62's point that this cruise ended too soon) and there were just the two of us, no teens in tow.

 

poetrylady - there isn't a southwestern theme restaurant on the ship, it's only got a southwestern name "Desert Rose" for the speciality steakhouse. The other speciality restaurant was Sabatino's, Italian. I think that one lunch or one dinner, fajitas were on the menu (first day, perhaps?); you might also find some in San Juan before you go. Travel safely!

 

seems to me that the explorer's lounge/wheelhouse confusion was not just ours, confirms my impression that it's a tricky place for a rendevous. Next time, how about the Player's Bar? It's the only one at the front of the ship.

 

thx cruzholic - you can see from our group that it was a very satisfying trip on a well-tended ship. as for your thread, expect it will build over time. for some, it's tough to think how far away the next cruise is, so can't logon and post till it's closer.

[sacway]

In the report card spirit of things, here are my scores:

 

Precruise: A

Embarkation: A-

Ship condition: A

Ship amenities: B+

Dining and food: A-

Cabin: A

Entertainment: B

Itinerary: A

Service: A-

Disembarkation: A-

Overall Cruise: A

 

comments and caveats

Precruise: loved the ability to book spa appts and excursions in advance

Embarkation: being at OSJ Pier 4 meant easy walk-off/walk-on; DH went across the street to the Sheraton to watch Utes basketball before sailaway.

Ship condition: the longest I saw any piece of trash on deck before being swept up was 15 minutes, and that was at 5:30 am.

Ship amenities: adequate gym, library; really attractive internet cafe

Dining and food: less bland than other cruises, occasional quality problems

Cabin: clean; two tv's in minisuite could be tuned to same channel, resembling stereo sound

Entertainment: some theater shows weren't very good; many other options; comedian Jim David was great

Itinerary: great if you like lots of ports, and if you don't you can just stay onboard

Service: nice to have 24/7 service at pursor's desk; maitre'd "found" us a table at early sitting with a terrific family

Disembarkation: the last 50 yards from customs to taxi stand was tough; you can get a porter, though

Overall Cruise: good value! and met great people onboard

 

Next time I will ask for the egg-crate mattress cover (hardly believe it myself, but I slept in four different "beds" in the one cabin in one week, everywhere but on the balcony lounger). I'll leave textbooks home and bring cruising books. I'll buy a brand new bottle of sunscreen instead of using summer leftovers. If I go to Isla Margarita again anytime soon, I'll buy more pearls (regretting not buying a pair of pearl chandeliers for $25)

[IDGiant]

This will be our first time cruzin'! We are very :) excited to go. We will be sailing February 24th with a few (12) close friends. Can anyone give advise on embarkation and liquor?

 

Thanks:cool:

[sacway]

The several threads/reviews from last week's Golden offer points on both embarkation and liquor.

Like the others, we showed up between 11 and 12, taxi got us close enough so we had to lug our luggage only about 30 yards where we gave it to porters along with a couple dollars tip, then spent about twenty minutes in line and a few minutes processing paperwork, then another twenty minutes waiting for the ship to be opened for embarkation. Showing up after about 6 in the evening would eliminate the lines, but the 2 pm time suggested on the cruise documents was more crowded than we overeager early birds had it.

You are allowed a reasonable amount of wine, beer or soda in your carry on luggage. I thought the wine selection in the pier 4 area and the surrounding blocks was limited, (or maybe I just didn't know where to look). If there's something special you want it might be best to bring it with you from home. If you are not fussy there is a store inside the terminal with a couple of cheap brands.

Have a terrific cruise!

[mtjlr]

sacway - Thanks for all the updates and all the information on the Golden. We will be boarding in 2 weeks. I have a followup question to the liquor store at the port and in the surrounding blocks. Do they only have wine and hard liquor or can you also get soda and beer at the store at the terminal or the others? And, are the ones you mention in the surrounding blocks close enough for walking distance?

 

Thanks again!!

[sacway]

Don't drink soda so I'm never looking for it... Can't recollect what else was in the one shop in the port building proper, but across the street from the pier (across the alley from the Sheraton) was a little sundries shop with a bunch of stuff. Up the hill behind the Sheraton was a liquor store. Thnk both have soft drinks and I'm sure there are other places within walking distance of the pier, too.

[obladi1]

There didn't seem to be any problem bringing liquor on board, our bags were never checked. We brought a back pack with us to the ports and carried on the local liquors at most of them back on the ship. There are a number of liquor stores in Old San Juan and you can get off the boat after you check in and stock up. My husband enjoyed the local Carib beer. I think as long as you are not blatant about it, Princess looks the other way.

[poetrylady]

I'm currently staying at the Sheraton Old San Juan, and will be embarking on Golden tomorrow for the NYEve cruise. DH and I have noted that things are very expensive here in Old San Juan. We brought wine from home rather than try to find labels we really enjoy at the port or in Old San Juan stores. That way, we know we will have good wine with dinner.

 

If you have not yet booked a pre-cruise hotel, I would suggest staying at the Caribe Hilton. We are booked there for post-cruise stay of one night, and decided to take a taxi over there today for a little look around. Very nice resort on a private beach. Old San Juan Sheraton is not on a beach at all, and there are no balconies to speak of, and the windows in the rooms do NOT open, so no chance of fresh SJU air!!! Very disappointing!!!

 

We found a Walgreens and a grocery store in old San Juan, where we got some fresh fruit and water and such. Expensive... in our opinion.

 

Can't wait to embark tomorrow. If I wake up at 5 am I may go up to the rooftop pool area to take a look at the ship coming into port. (yeah, like I'm going to be waking up at 5... LOL) The beds are really very comfortable here at the Sheraton, and I've been sleeping like a baby.

 

The restaurant on the street floor is not bad. They had a nice looking salad bar which we were going to sample, but they take it down at 3pm and we didn't get back from Caribe Hilton until 3:30. So... We missed it!!!

 

Oh, one more thing, the Sheraton has $9.95/24 hour internet in-room connection. The location of our small but comfortable room was such that I got a free San Juan wifi service instead of paying the 9.95!! We are on a lower floor, above the main entrance to the hotel. There is no view from our room, and no fresh air (sealed windows) but it's OK for a short visit. Next time, we'll book the Caribe Hilton for both the pre and post cruise stays.

 

I'll try to post from the ship when I have a chance.

[STUR]

Happy New Year !

We leave in two weeks on January 14 th the same Cruise

Staying the night b/4 at the Marriott Resort Stellaris Casino (Booked with Princess)

Al Sheraton charge $9.95/24 hour internet in-room connection

 

Will check for your post from the ship (IF YOU HAVE TIME ) Injoy

 

STU DAYTON,OHIO

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

Hi Poetrylady,

 

Thanks for your post from the hotel. It's nice that you took time away from your vacation. We were in OSJ last year and also found prices to be quite expensive. We tried to reserved the Sheraton, but they were all sold out for our dates so we are staying at Hotel Milano - we loved OSJ and wanted that location - were not concerned about a beach location for a one night stay. Last year we stayed in Condado and the Wynham and that was nice. This year I need to look for the Coach store outlet and see what kind of deals they have. If you have time to post again - I wonder if you would notice if they have a shop at pier 4 for pop and liquor like the Pan Am pier does. Or is the price on the ship cheaper? Don't worry about a response if internet access is not easily available - we'll play it by ear if need be.

 

Hi Stu - See you soon at the Outrigger of course!

 

Happy New Year,

Kaye

[poetrylady]

DH woke up this morning just in time to see a ship coming into San Juan harbor. Our one window at Sheraton doesn't have a very interesting or good view, but we sure can see the entrance to the harbor!! He woke me to say our ship was here (he has NO idea about ships..). Anyway, that was 4:30. It was a Celebrity ship coming in. About 20 minutes later, one of the Royal Caribbean voyager class (Serenade of the Seas I believe) came in. And at 5:10am the beautiful Golden Princess came sailing into OSJ. Maybe my view from my little room at Sheraton isn't so bad after all!! I'll never get back to sleep. I might have to go up to the rooftop pool and have a look!

 

The ship did a marvelous 360 turn, right before my eyes, and then gracefully backed into her docking space. Beautiful! She's got a large lighted Christmas tree on the top, just in front of the ramp to Skywalkers. I suppose that will stay in place for our New Years cruise, but then will be taken down.

 

Kaye, to answer your question about the pier. If I recall, there is a shop at the pier where you can purchase liquor and pop. We have never sailed out of the Pan Am pier, but I now know where it is. The RCCL ship, Empress of the Seas (formerly Nordic Empress... and the ship we sailed on before) sailed out of Pan Am last night around 7:30. I can't tell where the Celebrity and RCCL ships went, that just sailed in before Golden, but I'd guess they are at Pan Am.

 

We, too, enjoy Old San Juan. We have strolled the streets and had a nice time enjoying the weather, which is lovely. Hope it holds out for this entire week, and of course for those of you cruising in the next few weeks as well.

[kfgarrow]

Poetrylady-

Thanks for posting from San Juan. With just two weeks until our cruise, these reports are getting me all pumped up! I can just envision myself there! I hope you have an excellent cruise. If you can make the time, we would love continued reports.

[jetsfan]

Have a great time Poetrylady! We will be on the Golden in Aprill. I am hanging on every word. Enjoy and happy New Year!

[mapsmith]

Checking the CIA and State Department Website, it says that to visit Venezuela you either need a Visa or a Tourist Card. Is the Ship Card good enough or do I need to send my passport to a Venezuelan Embassy.

 

(That is providing that our current Administration does not Break off all Contact with Venezuela before our cruise!?!?!?)

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

I've never been advised of that requirement since we are going to Isla Margarita. I think my TA would have advised that if we needed a Visa. She said we are ready - set - go!

 

Happy cruising,

Kaye

[obladi1]

Just back from the Golden 12/24 and Isla Margarita is treated the same as any other port. You show your ship ID card when you get off and when you get on. Nothing special is needed, the ship has already cleared all passengers for each and every port.

[STUR]

Kaye fron Chicagoland and all on Golden Princess January 14,2006

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Only 13 more days left and we will all be together on the Golded a great way to start the New Year

STUR DAYTON,OHIO:)

[mapsmith]

Just back from the Golden 12/24 and Isla Margarita is treated the same as any other port. You show your ship ID card when you get off and when you get on. Nothing special is needed, the ship has already cleared all passengers for each and every port.

 

Thanx

[poetrylady]

Looking for a "live from Golden" thread I thought I started yesterday but cannot find any sign of it. Maybe it didn't post!!

 

We just left St. Kitts about an hour ago. I was so excited to find that a ship I've sailed twice to Bermuda pulled in right beside us. The NCL Majesty, an older ship, but a nice one, and one that gets a lot of repeat customers, pulled in about 10 this morning. Nice memories of two cruises on her!

 

Princess gets a great thumbs up from me. When we boarded the Golden on the 31st, we had neighbors in our vicinity who were playing some very loud and very raunchy music. Rap and such. It was really AWFUL. And the young guys in the cabin were swearing loudly, like drunken sailors. Welll..... I wanted to complain but DH said, "NO" so I didn't. Someone else beat me to it. Yesterday, last night, and today, the two guys have been very quiet. I heard one of them mumbling something like "individual rights." and I'm sure it was part of a complaint on HIS part because he could NOT play his awful music. Hurray Princess!!!!!

 

The starboard side faced the dock in St Thomas, and the port side faced the very narrow cement pier in St Kitts today. So far, starboard side has been seeing the morning sun and afternoon shade. We'll see if that continues.

 

We have not taken tours, but did take a computer class on photoshop and will take another class or two in the next few days.

 

A couple of gentleman who took the train tour in St Kitts today were not impressed at all. I don't know if that will be disappointed to those of you who want to take it or not. They just said for them it was not worth the money. They didn't think they saw very much, and the train moved very slowly.

 

Shopping in St Kitts was right at the pier, as was St Thomas. I noted that a lot of the "stuff" was made in China! Did NOT buy anything. Prices are high, as well.

 

We did not manage a table for second seating, but it's just as well. We've been eating salads in Horizon instead. We are trying to stick to diets. We did take plates to our cabin last night, and enjoyed dinner and our own bottle of wine on our balcony on Caribe deck. It was windy, but pleasant.

 

Weather has been in the 80's and some rain. When it rains, it usually pours pretty good, but then clears up quickly. We are not complaining about the weather at all. Beats Illinois, for sure!!!

 

I will try to report live again tomorrow.

 

Poetrylady

[STUR]

Poetrylady Keep the reports comming

injoy reading them

we did book the train in St. Kits (have read good & bad)

 

we have aranged a privet tour in Geranada Some one that went to the same High School as my wife and I lives there (There are 4 of US for the all day tour @ $25 to $30 per person ) If we find Some others on the ship Price will go down to $20 per person Also Taking us to Coconut Beach for Lunch (I am sure lunch is on us)

 

4:20pm here in Dayton

5:00 pm GO BUCKS (OHIO STATE)

 

THE BENGALS DIDNOT DO TO GOOD YESTERDAY (THEY HAVE TO WIN NEXT WEEK OR IT IS ALL OVER

 

STU DAYTON,OHIO

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

Poetrylady,

 

I'm sure you know that a few of us are following your posts regularly. Thanks for that. Well, we prebooked the Scenic RR tour as well. I also have read good and bad reports about this excursion. I think we will still give it a try. We are not swimmers or snorkelers and thought it might be a way to see the island in a different way. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. We'll see and I'll post back our opinions when we return. I sometimes get tired of taxi tours. After all, Stu will be there. We always know how to make the best of a bad situation if need be.

 

STU - We have pre booked a tour of Grenada with Mandoo - as have many of our CC shipmates. I just E-mailed Hotel Milano and they reconfirmed our reservations (very efficient). I also E-mailed Audioguia for luggage storage & return trip to the airport, since we have a late flight out on Jan. 21. Have not received a reconfirmation as of yet, but expect it soon. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU, TOO!

 

Poetrylady-

I hope you're having a great cruise - any entertainment that you would recommend so far?

 

Thanks for your posts, it is appreciated!

Kaye

[Seal]

Love to hear more from you aboard the Golden--Guess it's about time to get the suit cases out and try on summer clothes--would rather put that off--but, here we are

 

We'll be on the 1/14 sailing also--look forward to seeing everyone Saturday, 4pm at the Outrigger

 

Happy Sailing to All of You

 

Nancy;)