Just Back- Golden Princess to Alaska

[rhgru]

Golden Princess was wonderful!! Great Ship- Great staff- wonderful ports and excursions- overall a great cruise.

 

This was our first cruise to Alaska and on the Princess ships- I was so excited but a little aprenhensive because many people dislike the food on the Golden- but I dont know why- We had wonderful meals in the dining room- had anytime dining and all the waitstaff was great- We never had to wait for a table and we ate at all different times of the evening.

 

The food at the Horizon buffet was OK- not bad but not great. Breakfast was good- lunch was OK.

 

We did think the lines at the buffet were completely unorganized when it was busy and it was hard to find seating sometimes. Once my breakfast got cold from trying to find a table indoors.

 

The ship itself was immaculate and we did not notice its age at all. Every single staff person we encountered was friendly.

 

We loved the comedians, jugglers, magician,- all great- in fact one of them is on America's Got Talent tonight - he's a ventriloquist.

 

We loved the $16 we paid for express luggage serivce- It worked out fine- no problems.

 

The Naturalist-Michael Modzelewski was the highlight of my cruise- HIs presentations were so touching- We looked forward to hearing him speak and he is a wonderful person.

 

So the Golden gets high marks in my book- It was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken.

[bhopal21]

Thanks for your report.

 

The Golden is one of my favorites.

 

Mike:)

[wizard-of-roz]

rhgru: I, too, am a fan of the Golden. I didn't much like the Canaletto Dining Room location...but, that's a hard thing to change. (There are only two elevators that go directly down to the dining room) and, they're at the aft of the ship. If you, mistakingly, take the middle elevators you wind-up on the floor above and have to take the stairs down.

When the crowds are "deep", around 6:00pm, it can be a bit disconcerning and frustrating. Once we figuered it out, it became much easier and user friendly.

You don't have to rush to dinner...it is a vacation....it's just that there are time constraints that you have to fall into! Once you learn to be more flexible, on a cruise, it can be a bit more fun!!!!!! (I'm sorry, I guess I was talking to myself!)

Did you do High Tea?

I'm glad you enjoyed her.....we will be sailing her to Hawaii, for 2 weeks, in November....how lucky are we? :)

[Paka]

Just curious....for traditional dining, what dining room do you go to?

[bhopal21]

Canaletto is the traditional dining room and Bernini and Donatello are the two anytime dining rooms. Donatello and Canaletto are on the Fiesta Deck and Bernini is located on the Plaze Deck.

 

Mike:)

[dforeigner]

Welcome back. Even though you were initially apprehensive, I am glad to read you had a blast on your cruise.

[Colo Cruiser]

Thanks for your comments. :)

[Sandytoes]

Golden Princess was wonderful!! Great Ship- Great staff- wonderful ports and excursions- overall a great cruise....

...So the Golden gets high marks in my book- It was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken.

 

Thanks for sharing!!!

So glad to hear you had a wonderful cruise.

Now you're hooked!!!! :D:D:D

Join the crowd....:p

[highheel girl]

"We did think the lines at the buffet were completely unorganized when it was busy and it was hard to find seating sometimes. Once my breakfast got cold from trying to find a table indoors."

 

We have loved all of our Princess Cruises to Alaska, except when going to the buffet. Everyone that goes there just stays there to look out the windows so there's never any place for people to sit when they want to eat. Breakfast and lunch are the worst.

Glad you had a good time. We are going in September on the Island. Can't wait.

[ibfern]

Golden Princess was wonderful!! Great Ship- Great staff- wonderful ports and excursions- overall a great cruise.

 

This was our first cruise to Alaska and on the Princess ships- I was so excited but a little aprenhensive because many people dislike the food on the Golden- but I dont know why- We had wonderful meals in the dining room- had anytime dining and all the waitstaff was great- We never had to wait for a table and we ate at all different times of the evening.

 

The food at the Horizon buffet was OK- not bad but not great. Breakfast was good- lunch was OK.

 

We did think the lines at the buffet were completely unorganized when it was busy and it was hard to find seating sometimes. Once my breakfast got cold from trying to find a table indoors.

 

The ship itself was immaculate and we did not notice its age at all. Every single staff person we encountered was friendly.

 

We loved the comedians, jugglers, magician,- all great- in fact one of them is on America's Got Talent tonight - he's a ventriloquist.

 

We loved the $16 we paid for express luggage serivce- It worked out fine- no problems.

 

The Naturalist-Michael Modzelewski was the highlight of my cruise- HIs presentations were so touching- We looked forward to hearing him speak and he is a wonderful person.

 

So the Golden gets high marks in my book- It was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken.

 

We were just on this ship last March to Mexico and we had a room with a lot of problems, such as the toilet flushing 3 hours after I pushed the button. For days the ghost toilet would go off at all sorts of odd times. Then they finally showed up to fix it one night at 11:30 PM and stayed two hours replacing the whole toilet unit.

 

In spite of this, or maybe because of this, we laughed at ourselves the whole time and had one of the best cruises ever! It was ridiculously funny.

 

Amelia

[JillK]

Hi rhgru...

 

I'm so thrilled to learn that you enjoyed your recent cruise. My husband and I are booked for September and agree that some of the posts we've read recently haven't been comforting!

 

Can you please post here with a link if / when you post a longer review? I'd be very interested to read more about your experience in more detail!

 

Thanks,

 

Jill

[rhgru]

Hi rhgru...

 

I'm so thrilled to learn that you enjoyed your recent cruise. My husband and I are booked for September and agree that some of the posts we've read recently haven't been comforting!

 

Can you please post here with a link if / when you post a longer review? I'd be very interested to read more about your experience in more detail!

 

Thanks,

 

Jill

 

Jill- What did you want to know? I'll be happy to answer any questions in more detail. I can tell you about our excursions- the entertainment- BTW-DId you see Michael Harrison- the ventriloquist on America's Got Talent last night- He was on our cruise- shopping in the ports- etc?

[JillK]

Hey rhgru.

 

Thanks for taking the time to discuss your cruise in more detail. This will be our second Princess cruise (7th overall) but our first to Alaska/outside the Caribbean so I'm not sure what to expect in that regard.

 

A few specific questions I'll ask as you've offered:

 

1/ Did you use the spa? Do you know if it has the pay-for steam rooms with the ceramic benches? I was thinking if the weather's not great, this might be something I'd want to check out.

 

2/ Were the exterior pools open and if so were they busy?

 

3/ What was the overall "night life" like... we found it generally quiet on our last Princess cruise and I'm curious to know if your recent experience was similar.

 

More than specifics, I'm just curious to know tips like what are the "must-do" and what to miss... and since you mentioned it, any info on your shore excursions would be great!

 

Many many thanks again for your kind offer and your time!

 

Jill

[rhgru]

Hey rhgru.

 

Thanks for taking the time to discuss your cruise in more detail. This will be our second Princess cruise (7th overall) but our first to Alaska/outside the Caribbean so I'm not sure what to expect in that regard.

 

A few specific questions I'll ask as you've offered:

 

1/ Did you use the spa? Do you know if it has the pay-for steam rooms with the ceramic benches? I was thinking if the weather's not great, this might be something I'd want to check out.

 

2/ Were the exterior pools open and if so were they busy?

 

3/ What was the overall "night life" like... we found it generally quiet on our last Princess cruise and I'm curious to know if your recent experience was similar.

 

More than specifics, I'm just curious to know tips like what are the "must-do" and what to miss... and since you mentioned it, any info on your shore excursions would be great!

 

Many many thanks again for your kind offer and your time!

 

Jill

 

Hi Jill- well- I did not use the spa- my 16 year old daughter did get a massage- they were offering a special for $50 for 20 minutes of head, neck and shoulders and we took advantage of that. I was not with her- but she said that the maseusse (spelling?) was trying to pitch their products after the massage but the massage itself was great.- sorry- dont know about hte steam roonms-

 

I did use the fitness room- their equiptment is good but the room opens at 7AM and of course that is when it is most crowded and you do have to wait for the treadmills and elipticals at that hour.

 

The exterior pools were open- they didnt seem overly busy to me- I am not a pool person and I dont sit at the pool so the time I spent on the open decks was basically for scenery viewing. We had a beautiful week- weather wise- no rain at all- it was cloudy sometimes which made it cool outside (50's) . In Tracy Arm the weather was gorgeous- it was sunny near the glacier.

 

Night Life- Well Jill, I am a morning person- I hit the sack about 11:00PM- I think I did stay up until about midnight one night- We spent the evenings at the shows- the entertainment was great in the princess theater and the vista lounge- the cruise director's staff- well they were all great- and very entertaining. I had a 22 year old son and he spent some time at a piano bar and in the casino and had a great time. My 16 year old daughter spent some time in the teen program but that was during the day- she was basically with us in the evenings. Sky walkers is the nightclub but I did not go there at all in the evening- we were in there to view some of the scenery on a cold morning.

 

Must do for me: The fruit carving exhibition- the coctail mixing presentation by the bar staff- the naturist presentations by Michael- all of them- anytime dining is definitely a must do for me- the chefs presentation on the last day at sea before Victoria was a hoot- a room with a balcony is a must for me- especially in Alaska- I would skip the musical reviews- they bore me and were very cheesy- but the comedians and juggler and ventriloquists were great.

 

Excusions: Juneau: We took a helicopter to Mendenhall glacier - WOW -what an experience- highlight of the cruise- We also did the salmon bake at gold creek- very nice- good food- I bought the glaze that they put on the salmon- it was so good.

 

Skagway- Yucon Jeep excursion- this was great too- We drove a jeep in a caravan into the canadian Yucon with a guide (who was on a CB radio in the lead jeep)to Carcross (Lake Bennet) and then took them offroad for some wild driving and them drove back to Skagway. We saw bald eagles and a black bear that wondered into the road- It was fun and the scenery was gorgeous.

 

Tracy Arm- OMG- the beauty of this place is undescribable for me. I highly recommmend going out on the decks to view the scenery. Even if it is cold- bundle up and go out!!

 

Ketchikan: We did the Wilderness Exploration and Crab Feast- Again- alot of fun- We were driven on a bus to George Inlet Lodge (about 15 minutes) and got on a small boat and went crabbing on George Inlet- It is about an hour and a half on the water and we saw otters and porpouses and eagles and then our guide pulled up some crab pots (dungeouness). Then back at the lodge they cooked us a crab feast and if you like dungeouness crab- it was the best I ever ate!! The only think is that this took place in the early hours of the morning- so I was feasting on crab and drinking beer at 9:00AM.

 

Victoria- We took a taxi into downtown and just hung out- went to the empress hotel and a art fair along the pier. took alot of pics-

 

Our famliy spent some quality time together on this cruise- it was an experience we will all never forget- I hope that we can do it again someday

[DrivesLikeMario]

Golden Princess was wonderful!! Great Ship- Great staff- wonderful ports and excursions- overall a great cruise.

 

The ship itself was immaculate and we did not notice its age at all. Every single staff person we encountered was friendly.

 

So the Golden gets high marks in my book- It was one of the best family vacations we have ever taken.

 

I couldn't agree with your comments more!! We had a terrific time on our Golden cruise too; in fact, we had so much fun that I think it was one of our best! Glad you enjoyed it! ;)

[pvmkmyer]

We were on the Golden last December and are taking her to Hawaii r/t from LA on 10/29. I agree she is a great ship. I've also been on one of her sister ships, the Sapphire, which is newer, and several other Princess ships, but my wife and I prefer the Golden. I am convinced it's the crew that makes the difference. I know that crew members come and go, but our experience showed that there is a definite insistence on pleasing the passengers on this ship, and I'm also convinced that it is generated from management down to every crew member. Even the normally grubby engineers were friendly and said "hello" while passing you in the corridors or on deck. That sort of atmosphere doesn't come randomly; it has to be a "from the top down" ethic that is somehow instilled more effectively on the Golden than on other ships, including other Princess ships.

[rhgru]

I am convinced it's the crew that makes the difference. I know that crew members come and go, but our experience showed that there is a definite insistence on pleasing the passengers on this ship, and I'm also convinced that it is generated from management down to every crew member. Even the normally grubby engineers were friendly and said "hello" while passing you in the corridors or on deck. That sort of atmosphere doesn't come randomly; it has to be a "from the top down" ethic that is somehow instilled more effectively on the Golden than on other ships, including other Princess ships.

 

 

Couldnt have said it better myself- the only other place that I have experienced this type of service and attitude is at Disneyworld and on the Disney cruise ships

[wizard-of-roz]

Couldnt have said it better myself- the only other place that I have experienced this type of service and attitude is at Disneyworld and on the Disney cruise ships

 

I totally agree.....I love the Golden....The Captain is a really nice guy!!!!!!

 

He took the time to have a complete conversation with me about how much he loves dogs, etc., etc.

It's why we chose her for our longer voyages!!!!!! ;)

[DisneyScrapper]

I'm so glad to hear good things about the Golden since there seems to be so much neg. about her. We went on the Coral last year to Alaska and such a awsome time that I was afraid that we had made a BIG MISTAKE not taking her again this year. But we want to go out of Seattle this time.

[Cruiser-66]

rhgru-Thanks for all the good information. Do you by chance know what dinning rooms are open for breakfast and lunch? Also did you see any comedians, and were they good? Thanks

[atdahop]

Rhgru,

 

thank you for the review. We were on the Golden in February and will be on her in mid September. A few questions.

 

What kind of dress in the dining rooms at night?

 

Will I need a winter coat? We live in Las Vegas and to us 50 degrees is cold?

 

Do you need waterproof footwear?

 

Thanks,

Carole

[rhgru]

rhgru-Thanks for all the good information. Do you by chance know what dinning rooms are open for breakfast and lunch? Also did you see any comedians, and were they good? Thanks

 

Donatello was open for breakfast and lunch--

 

We saw all the comedians and they were all good- Michael Harrison was the ventriloquist and he was a hoot- He is currently on TV on America's Got Talent- We caught him last night and the audience and judges loved him. He will be performing in the Vegas round in a few weeks. Another comedian was also a professional musician and he performed with the Beach Boys for 20 years- He played the guitar- cant remember his name- There was also a juggler who did comedy with his juggling in the Vista Lounge- He was great- very funny- You will enjoy all the comedians- Dont miss them.

[rhgru]

Rhgru,

 

thank you for the review. We were on the Golden in February and will be on her in mid September. A few questions.

 

What kind of dress in the dining rooms at night?

 

Will I need a winter coat? We live in Las Vegas and to us 50 degrees is cold?

 

Do you need waterproof footwear?

 

Thanks,

Carole

 

Carole- On non formal nights I wore jeans - On formal nights I wore dressy pants and a dressy jacket- my hubby and son wore suites and ties and my 16 year old daughter wore a nice dress. Most passengers did look nice on formal nights- a few wore tuxes but not the majority.

 

As to the winter coat- It might be much colder in September on your cruise than on mine in mid July- I did not need a heavy coat- We dressed in layers and wore either longsleves with a zipped up sweatshirt- on the glacier I needed a heavier jacket and had a windbreaker lined with fleece and with gloves and a hood- that was warm enough on the galcier.

 

If it was in the 40's or 30's I would have wanted a heavier coat- We really lucked out with the weather- We had alot of sun in the ports.

[JillK]

Hi Rhgru-

 

Well many thanks again for taking the time to detail your experience. Sounds like you really had a fantastic time, and your comments have me re-energized for September.

 

From your description, I think we're a lot alike so I'm sure I'll be quite pleased with the entertainment choices in the evenings as you were.

 

Comments on the excursions are very helpful. Will have to take them into consideration as we decide what we'd like to do!

 

Much appreciated!

 

Jill

[RaeVynn]

Jill, when in september are you sailing?

 

We are on the Golden on the 20th, to Alaska :D

 

Really, really looking forward to it!

 

Oh, and on Saturday, the 19th, we saw the ships in port in Seattle! :) We were driving up I-5, and wishing it was time for our trip. :D