live from the golden

[Northender]

Hi, I think the difference is Saturday vs Sunday at the airport. If I am not mistaken, posters have advised that more ships return to port on Sunday and with the folks that stay over in SJU, it makes Sunday the busier day of the two. We opted to return late Saturday afternoon. But I won't be able to comment until April 1st on that part:D

 

If anyone could get me a copy of the menus - right side only, it would be greatly appreciated. We have a web site up for our roll call and have the patters from an earlier Golden sail and would love to have the menus. I will be glad to send a self-addressed stamped envelope to someone if this can be done:)

 

What nights are the formal nights :)

Thanks in advance

[ev8876]

Can you tell me if on the first night (Saturday) do they have traditional dining at the regular hours? Wasn't sure if it might be open seating the first night as the ship doesn't sail until 11pm and people could be arriving late. Thanks.

[sseaver1]

Hi there....i too, have been following this thread with great interest as I am on the Golden on the same cruise as Northender in late march....Can someone tell me the true conditions of the islands...I have heard such grave reports on Grenada as far as damage and washed out roads that have not been repaired. Some of you talked about shopping and walking around in Grenada - is there plenty to see right in the area of the pier, or do you need to take a cab?

 

Scott and Barb

New Gloucester, Maine

[sacway]

formal nights - st. kitts and aruba

first night in San Juan - open seating in the main dining room

sorry, no menus, I guess I could have taken pix of them, didn't think of doing this.

state of grenada - folks who went inland reported some portions pretty torn up. DT georgetown (is that what it's name is...) there are some roofs off, the churches at the top of the hills are basically 4 walls (pix attached); Carnage area is accessible through Sendall tunnel -- turn right after leaving mini-mall when exiting port area & you won't miss it past the taxi stand. Or go straight out from mini mall cross main street and you are in a business district only one block from spice market. Great panoramic views if you go up the hill (another pix attached) -- the hill is short but steep, you might want to take a brief rest half way up. You can see from the pix that climbing the hill is the rough equivalent of taking the stairs from deck 3 to Lido on board the Golden. And from the pix you can also see how compact the area is. IMHO, little point taking a cab in the area around the ship, the traffic is a total jam. Would only get one if you have your heart set on visiting a particular place in the burbs or beyond walkable distance.

[Sandie]

We are sailing on the Golden in March, and are trying to decide whether to purchase the transfer ($30.pp) from Princess or to take a taxi. Does anyone know the price of a taxi from the airport to the ship?

 

We are also intereted in booking dinner in Sabatini's. Can anyone tell me which night would be a good choice for doing that? We don't want to miss Italian night in the DR or French night.

 

Thanks!

Sandie

[sacway]

San Juan has a regulated taxi system, as in many other places. Similarly, you might find someone coming up to you as you walk out of baggage claim asking if you need a cab -- ignore this and find the ladies/gentlemen in uniform by some little kiosk near the curb and the official taxi line. (says something like "taxi")

 

They will ask where you are going, how many bags, and fill out and give you a "Ground Transportation System" receipt for your trip (you'll give one copy to the driver when you arrive at your destination) that has the price on it. We were in Condado which was $14. plus $2. for luggage plus $1. for late night (10pm till 6 am) -- total cost $17, throw in a $5 tip at the end and we've saved a pretty penny. I think it might be $2 more if your hotel is in Isla Verde or you are going straight to the port or Old San Juan. Sounds a little complicated but really it's very straightforward and everyone is very professional and helpful.

 

On the way back, you just lug your luggage to the curb and there's a line there, too, I think we paid $20. for a cab back to the airport. Best part, we were out of the port area in 5 minutes (rather than waiting for a bus to load) and were taken to our airline's checkin area.

 

In the good ole days when we put our cruise tags on at home, checked our luggage at our local airport, and next saw it in the room, airport transfers made more sense to us. But now we have to handle the luggage more, and so we tend to pack a little differently, use different luggage, and take care of our own transportation to the ship for the most part.

 

Don't know what nights are French or Italian, sorry.

[poetrylady]

Sacway

Our formal nights were St Thomas and Aruba. But then, St Thomas was New Years Day. That might have been why it was right away, on Sunday, rather than Monday. I don't know if St Kitts is the "usual" formal night on sailings other than holiday times.

 

We thought taxis were expensive in San Juan. We stayed pre-cruise at the Sheraton Old San Juan and didn't want to haul our heavy bags down the street. The taxi was $15!!! (but we have a lot of bags... LOL!)

 

We paid $20 for a trip from the ship to the Caribe Hilton for post-cruise stay. That included the tip. The fare from Sheraton Old San Juan to Caribe Hilton (just to go from one hotel to the other... without luggage) was $10. Sometimes the price was "set" and other times you made an offer!!

[Sandie]

Thanks for the great explanation on the taxi transfer in San Juan. We will be taking the taxi from the airport. I know that there are a couple of piers where the ships dock. Do the taxi drivers routinely know where the Golden will be docked?

 

Sandie

[sacway]

poetry lady - so it looks like both the big holidays were formal nights sailing out of St. Thomas; meanwhile it was St. Kitts our week and the weeks just before. I have seen formal nights matched to the "majors" so that's what seems to be the case here, guess it's best to check with the maitre d' when you board (since we always check for our reservations anyhow, that would work out for us) Guess the maitre d' would also be able to recommend nights for specialty dining.

 

You are right, $15 from the Sheraton to the ship is expensive, until you think you might have wrenched your shoulder lugging your luggage down the street. I do believe there is an "official" intrazone fare between those two places that is quite a bit less ($5 plus luggage fee), but you might remember that there are a lot of people looking for cabs to the ship on disembarkation and embarkation so it's not surprising that some drivers are opportunistic. It's really easy to get the "official" rate from the airport because the whole system's in place. The hotels are supposed to help guests with taxi prices but again it's pretty busy when so many are getting on and off the ship. Sandie, the drivers do know where the ships are, and the ships are rather towering and obvious anyhow. Mostly, even if we don't speak the same language, all we really needed to say is "Pier 4" and "Golden Princess" (the big question is old town vs. Pan American, so another time, another line "Pan American" are the magic words)

 

I agree that on Aruba there are definitely "best" parts and "ho-hum" parts. The 7-mile-long beach is one of the former, and the mall is one of the latter (except, I did get a nice latte there, something I didn't spring for on the ship, drinking the borderline onboard coffee instead.)

[Seal]

Will be boarding the Golden tomorrow for b2b sailing the Caribbean--see everyone tomorrow at 4pm

 

Hope everyone is well

 

Nancy:D:D

[poetrylady]

To those sailing tomorrow, have a great time! I hope you will help keep this thread alive and on the first page. Reading about your adventures (and maybe posting a reply here and there) will keep the memories alive for me!

[jetsfan]

We cruise in April, keep it coming. It makes the waiting so much easier! Have a great time.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

Hi all!

 

I'm going to keep this brief - too much to do - too little time.

 

San Juan - Hotel Milano - quaint and quite friendly - clean and more than adequate for a pre-cruise stay. Right in the heart of OSJ - walking distance to everything - we were pleased.

 

Embarkation was slower than I've experienced in the past. When they say 1:00 p.m. they mean it- didn't open the doors to the ship until 12:45. After they opened all went quick and we were in our room by 1:15 p.m. The lines were very long behind us though - don't know how long it took them. By the time we had lunch our luggage had arrived and we all unpacked in time for our CC 'Meet & Greet.

 

The 'Meet and Greet' we all decided was a great success. Although only about 15 - 20 showed up. I had e-mailed Omar the CD and he had a welcome sign for our group on both sides of the Outrigger bar - pretzels on the tables. He sent a representative down to meet with us and gave me a personal call to my stateroom to see if there was anything else he could do or provide for our group. I was surprised and impressed.

 

People that questioned about liquor - don't buy it in San Juan - The terminal liquor stores prices are about half the price (save a little room in your carry-on - a six pack of soda was $2.95 as to opposed $1.50 per can on the ship). A liter bottle of Absolute is about $10 at the terminal store. No problem brinking it aboard from San Juan.

 

After "Meet and Greet' we went to dinner and saw a terrific show in the Explorer's Lounge - it was called "Latin Tradition Show "Juan Carlos & Dancers from Puerto Rico.

 

We are enjoying terrific weather so far. Shopped St. Thomas today - got that Coach purse at the flea market (real? - Yeah Right!), the usual T-Shirt, and a Panama hat for DH. Shopped for diamond stud earrings - couldn't find prices any better than in the states.

 

DH is in the Player's Bar now watching the end of the Bear's game - then to the casino for a little while. Got to get up very early tomorrow to meet for the Scenic Railway Trip in St. Kitts

 

That's all for now!

Get back to you later if time permits - if not, for sure when we return -

Keep tuned - I'll try -

Wth smiles from the sunny Caribbean,

Kaye

[poetrylady]

It sounds like you are having a nice time on the Golden. DH and I also saw the Puerto Rican dancers that you saw. They were very talented! We decided that they got off the ship before it left SJU harbor, but it was a nice show of local talent, we thought.

 

Enjoy St Kitts. It's an interesting island, though not my favorite from our cruise. I've posted trip pictures on my web site now, at cjscollection. Just click on the Photo Gallery name on the left side of the page, and then open the "Islands" album.

 

I'll be watching for your posts for a day or two more, but then I'm off to Thailand for two weeks. I'll be off line for at least 24 hours, and probably more. Flights last about 20 hours, and then it's night when we get there so I'll be sleeping a bit. But, once I'm back on line I'll be checking in again.

 

Have fun!!

[AZPam]

I hope Kaye is having fun and can post again soon! All of us that are still waiting for our turn on the Golden are anxious to hear more details! :)

[sacway]

thx, Kaye, sounnds fun. good idea, emailing Omar & glad he delivered. how did you email him?

keep it coming!

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

HI ALL!

 

I'm having a really hard time with my platinum cruise card accessing these computers - they have replaced my card four times now. Somehow people with the gold cards get through easier or something on my body demagnetizes it - don't know why because I wear it around my neck on a lanyard.

 

Sacway - it was so cool -I just emailed goldenprincess@princesscruises.com and put 'CD - Omar' in the subject line. He even pulled me out on the dance floor tonight for the 'Dancing throught the Decades' Show.

 

It's very late - we are in route to Aruba. It will be easier for me to report details when I return. It goes too fast!

 

Your CC buddy,

Kaye

 

p.s. DH didn't win the $500 in the blackjack tournament but was in the top 7 qualifiers twice so we have two really cute T-shirts. He can quit now that he won onother one for me! Keep the tread going for details or questions upon our return.

[poetrylady]

Kaye,

I can't believe you are already on your way to Aruba. I've lost track of time after having been on planes for about 20 hours in the last two days.

 

Hopefully your cruise has been great so far. I know that ours went way too fast, and yours probably is too. How did you like Isla Margarita? That was probably our favorite port of the cruise. Did you buy some pearls?? I bought 9 strands and probably could have bought more.

 

Enjoy the rest of your vacation.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

Poetrylady - thanks for responding from Bankok.

 

We thoroughly enjoyed Isla Margarita, but what don't we like???

 

I didn't buy any pearls (although they were lovely). I already have a lot of Majorcan pearls and others that my parents have bought me as souveniers.

 

So far we think that Grenada was the most lovely island inspite of the hurricane devastation. Aruba is beautiful like Miami Beach or Honolulu - could easily spend a week just to relax.

 

Can't wait to hear about your trip in Thailand. I would love to visit one day.

 

Got to go get dressed for formal night!

Smiles from the STILL sunny Caribbean!

Kaye

[poetrylady]

Kaye,

"Any excuse will do"... as far as a reason to come to Thailand. This is my 9th trip here since summer 2001. We are here for a wedding (a friend from Denmark who lives in Bangkok is marrying a lovely Thai/Chinese girl). We are going not to the wedding (although our son will be a part of the wedding ceremony... he and the Dane are very close friends) but we will all be attending the reception and after party. Should be a very nice time. Today I must go shopping for something special to wear.

 

If you are getting ready for formal night, then you've been on Aruba and you are ready for a day at sea. I hope you've been enjoying some relaxation time on your balcony. How is the rib injury anyway? I've not heard you commenting on it anymore. Must be good then, if it is not a bother.

 

We also enjoyed Grenada, maybe a second to Isla Margarita. I got several spice baskets there, plus some of their local soaps. I liked the walk through the old tunnel to the inner harbor, although Dot's wasn't much once you got there. Dots was the ship recommended shopping place.

 

Gotta run. Time to go shopping. And then I'm going to be meeting someone from Chicago who is here in Bangkok. She and I "chat" on fodors.com Asia forum all the time. We will meet for the first time today. I went to a get together of people from fodors.com who post on the Asia and Europe forums in Boston last fall. The Chicago gal couldn't come because of her schedule, so we decided we should meet here in Bangkok... and today's the day, since we are both here. It should be fun! If you want to read about my Thailand trip, you should go to fodors sometime. It's a fabulous travel web site and the people who post on the Asia forum are THE MOST HELPFUL and kind folks.

[Kaye from Chicagoland]

Hi!

 

We are back home to the snow - it goes way too fast. We had a great time!

 

A wonderful cruise except for the three blisters on my left foot - and I was worried about the ribs - 'No Problem Mon'!!!! Poetrylady - I expect a full report when you return. We purchased the 'future cruise' onboard booking for our next cruise, but haven't decided when or where yet.

 

Northender - check the ports of call board for my opinion on the Scenic RR trip.

 

Unpacking in Chicagoland :(

Kaye

[aclay]

Thanks for the updates on the Golden. Please keep the reviews coming, we will sail on her again in May.. Interested to hear that Omar is still the CD, he was there in Nov '04, anyone know if he'll still be there in May/June or is he due for a move?

Many thanks for the info

Alex

[DawgTagz]

Who's Omar on the Golden?

[aclay]

CD= Cruise Director

[Seal]

HI EVERYONE

 

Got home last night after 2 great weeks on the Golden--Had a great time--also, came in 2nd on the slot tournament--never play slots--but can push a button--got a bag of goodies for my effort-FUN

 

This second week we visited different ports--except a second trip to St.Thomas

 

This was only my 5th Cruise--so I was really surprised with the rough seas--for a couple of nights and part of one day

 

On channel 31--captain's report--Force 8,9 and 10 gale force winds--don't really know what that is in miles or whatever

 

also on the report Rough Seas--7-1/2' to 12'

 

This gave everyone a lot to talk about

 

This was a great 2 weeks--lots of fun

 

If anyone has any questions--feel free to ask here or my email NanFreeze@aol.com

 

John & Nancy:) :) :)