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Live From the Golden Princess Oct 15th-29th and beyond?

Suzieb

By Suzieb,
in Princess Cruises

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Suzieb

Suzieb

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Live from the Golden Princess It’s now our second day at sea and well, things have been wonderful. So far with us everything has run very smooth. Embarkation on Wednesday went very well. We caught the Crowne Plaza Shuttle about 10am, and met the folks coming off the first Hawaiian run, and they were full of smiles and good comments. Off to the port we went and on arrival we were met by a porter! While he had a fairly full luggage cart, he was able to fit ours on. Off we went, they had just started checking people in. My, how things have changed in several years since our last cruise. We handed in our e-ticket, showed ID, and we were sent off to a large waiting area and given an embarkation slip. I believe there are numbers 1-25. A sign said we would not start boarding until 12:30, so everyone started the long wait. Priority boarding started just before 11:30. And before we knew it, it was our time (we had #1). Everything went smooth and we made it quickly onboard. It was between noon and 12:30 and we were onboard heading to our cabin to drop our hand carried luggage. Then we were off to explore. All too quickly it was time for the emergency drill and then the Sailaway Party was started. And we were off! First day at sea – There was a cool breeze (slight to moderate wind) blowing, but the sun was out and many sun-seekers were enjoying the weather. There was plenty of snooze time, and the wife got some reading time in. There was a CC gathering planned for 2pm, but the Patter said it was to be at 11am. Seems that people do read the Patter, so we had a nice gathering of folks from our group and got to meet most of them. At noon the first dance lessons took place and it was Merengue. We had fun and it seemed there were more folks taking the class than we have seen in other dance classes on previous cruises. Is it because of Dancing With the Stars? After that - back to relaxing. There are a lot of things going on—Hawaiian lectures and other fun games, as well as things happening that we did not attend. One nice thing they have for you when you do arrive at your cabin is a “Cruise Planner” that has all the basic thing happening each day of the cruise. This really helps out planning your days out. Sea conditions today were listed as moderate, with about 7-10 ft swells, windy conditions and the stabilizers were hard at work trying to stop the ship from rolling too much Second day at sea – Today (which just happens to be the wife’s 50th birthday). Another relaxing day, there are port talks and various lessons on Hawaiian cultures, lei making and several other things. The dancing lessons today were Salsa. Beware! There are folks that take very BIG steps and they can hurt the ankles and toes! I got confused and at the end and was helped out by someone who knew what she was doing. That was a big help. Tonight is our first formal night and Captain’s Welcome Party. And the show tonight is “Words & Music.” Sea conditions today are following seas, swells to 7ft with a slight warm wind with the ship gently rolling. We will not feel like drunken sailors today! To those who want to know – the Cruise Director is David Cole and the Captain is John Foster. If there are any more questions feel free to ask and we will try to answer them, if not right away, when we get home. Until next time, Aloha!

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dobie

dobie

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We're here as well.......sharing the same experiences.

 

Our cabin is E418, an obstructed ocean view, we have a small rescue craft outside, so the view is good, and no "little man" on it all the time as on the Emerald. We don't have a quad cabin this time, either, so lots of extra space without those bunks to bump my head on. Our room steward is awesome. He had our complimentary mini bar not only stocked, but with the beer and soda in the fridge....had our robes and slippers out, and got us a big thick foam pad for the top of our bed. Must be 4 inches thick.

We've been hanging out at the Calypso (indoor) and Lotus Spa pools and jacuzzis. Haven't been to any shows, my husband went to the golf lecture which he enjoyed. They're doing ukelele lessons, lei making, etc.

We have second seating traditional dining at a table for 8. The food has been, well, "fine". One of the couples at our table didn't show up last night, they told one of the other couples they were going to try another restaurant to see if the food would be better. Another couple is doing the same thing tonight. It is not that the food is awful, it's just not great. Hopefully it will improve. Tonight is formal night so there should be something special on the menu!!

Looking forward to a few more sea days before Hawaii. Yesterday was a bit rough, I didn't notice it but my mom got seasick. She's wearing the bands now and taking Dramamine and feeling better.

Off to shower for dinner, as suzieb mentioned, it's formal night....the cocktail party is from 7 to 8 for the whole ship. Should be interesting!!

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heisnuts

heisnuts

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Thanks for the updates. We will be on this cruise the end of January and cannot wait.

 

I do have one question (and only if you have the time and desire to do it). On the days at sea, does the back of the ship have a lot of vibration to it (meaning at the back rail on the Promanade deck or better yet the Dolphin or Caribe decks at the very end of the hallway). The reason I ask is that we will have an aft balcony cabin on this cruise and it will be our first time in the back of the ship (we have always been either mid or forward baclonies in the past). If you get a chance, it would be great to hear your feedback.

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sailinsal

sailinsal

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Just what I hoped would happen some of you would do live from on the Golden................my family will be on the next cruise so all the neat news is terrific...............so second nite out is the lst Formal............hmm we want to do Sabatini's for my husbands birthday that nite...........great to dress all up. Great the weather has been holding up the first two days...............keep smooth sailing...........and the notes coming..................sailinsal

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Tallcruiser

Tallcruiser

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Thank you Susieb and dobie for posting live. I appreciate the time and expense you are spending so we can come along:D

 

I would like to know if there is the wooden horse racing? Is like the old days when we could buy a horse at auction and dress them up. Or has it been taken over by the Casino and just a general race, no owner?

 

Also let us know if you sail around the volcano when you leave Hilo. If you do what time and could you see the lava flow.

I wish you all calm seas and sunny skys!

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1gail1

1gail1

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THANKS FOR THE INFO, WAS LOOKING FOR SOMEONE TO DO THIS ON THE FIRST TRIP, SO i WAS VERY EXCITED TO SEE YOURS, HAPPY 50TH SUSIEB I TURNED 50 ON THE 15TH :eek: GOING ON THE GOLDEN NOV.12 FOR MY B-DAY PRESENT. ENJOY AND HAPPY SAILING.

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donscomp

donscomp

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Thanks for the updates. We will be on this cruise the end of January and cannot wait.

 

I do have one question (and only if you have the time and desire to do it). On the days at sea, does the back of the ship have a lot of vibration to it (meaning at the back rail on the Promanade deck or better yet the Dolphin or Caribe decks at the very end of the hallway). The reason I ask is that we will have an aft balcony cabin on this cruise and it will be our first time in the back of the ship (we have always been either mid or forward baclonies in the past). If you get a chance, it would be great to hear your feedback.

 

I donno if this will help but we were on Diamond last year and in the Aft. Personally? we loved it. The sound of the wake and thrust of the props/podes. A little vibration. In fact it was funny. The 1st Island we came to. We must have got there early. It was quiet early in the AM and I went out to NO wake noise. Then a burst of water and stopped. This was really the only time we noticed the vibration. When it wasnt there and then restarted. For us? It was NO big deal. I hope someone AFT will give you their .02 from this cruise.

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donscomp

donscomp

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Just what I hoped would happen some of you would do live from on the Golden................my family will be on the next cruise so all the neat news is terrific...............so second nite out is the lst Formal............hmm we want to do Sabatini's for my husbands birthday that nite...........great to dress all up. Great the weather has been holding up the first two days...............keep smooth sailing...........and the notes coming..................sailinsal

 

 

I THINK it is the 3rd night out. Could be wrong. But it was on Diamond last year and I THOUGHT that is what the cruise before said. But since they knocked off a day from the cruise maybe it IS the 2nd night.

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Cruise Raider Great Review Rare

Cruise Raider

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We're here as well.......sharing the same experiences.

 

Our cabin is E418, an obstructed ocean view, we have a small rescue craft outside, so the view is good, and no "little man" on it all the time as on the Emerald. We don't have a quad cabin this time, either, so lots of extra space without those bunks to bump my head on.

 

We're booked in this room for a late winter cruise in 2009 --- glad to hear the view is good. Hope we have the same room steward for our cruise....kind of hit or miss although most are very good. We originally wanted a balcony but oh so much more --- all for chancing a smoker just forward of our cabin. Plus, I tend to get a wee bit sea sick as well so though midship / low deck might be best for the rocky crossing. Any more tidbits on the cruise or room would be most appreciated. If you can insert a picture of your room and/or view....well, even better yet. I know that is asking a lot so just request that you have a great time and thanks for any additional info!! :)

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rickandjanie

rickandjanie

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We will be on the 11/26/08 cruise and I have a couple of questions.

 

1. Is there WiFi available for laptops using the "free minutes" available to Plantinum/ Elite cruisers?

 

2. Who is the Maitre d'?

 

3. Who is the Head Chef?

 

Thank you very much. Hope you have a great time.

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