Live from the Golden May 16 Alaska

[andrea63]

Vickie,

 

Thanks for the live thread. We will be on the GOlden August 29.

I will also be lucky enough to be back in your beautiful city of Vancouver on May 28. We will be sailing on the Splendor. I'm thinking of getting my Son and I all day bus passes for Vancouver for the day. I'll keep an eye out for you!:D

[vickie_bernie]

Yay! We are on the Star at the very end of August and I have always wanted to sail with Richard. I have heard so much about him on CC, so now I am even more excited about our cruise, if that's possible. :)

 

Maria

 

he is great, certainly helps create a festive atmosphere on the ship

[vickie_bernie]

Hi Vickie, just wondering about the Captain, they have Captain Foster listed as the Staff Captain on the Princess website Golden photos. Is he in fact the Captain now? Thanks

 

definately is Captain Foster

[vickie_bernie]

We're cruising on the Golden on May 30th and I have a couple of newbie questions since this is our first time cruising with Princess.

 

(1) I've heard they've put flat screen TVs on the Golden during the drydock. Do these TVs have any inputs so you can hook up a portable DVD player? I was thinking of bringing one.

 

(2) We'll be staying on the E deck in a room with overhead bunks. Does anyone know how these are set up? My wife is pregnant and we'll be travelling with our four year old, and I'm trying to figure out who will sleep where.

 

Thanks in advance if anyone knows!

 

- Alex

 

yes flat screens are installed and there are plug in at the back to hook up dvd player

 

E deck I am guessing you have obstructed view... if you do then your room configuration will be with bed with head at the window and overhead bunks on each wall, when closed (they fold up agains the wall) stick out about 7 inches, carefull you will hit you shoulder tons of times on them. But usually they keep the beds below as singles that will be situated right below the bunks.

 

Enjoy your trip

[vickie_bernie]

Hello and thanks for the"live" feed! We are booking an Alaska (our 2nd) cruise today on the Golden. We won't be going until Jun of next year though!

 

From what I understand, there hasn't been much remodeling to the cabins (other than the suites), just curious why? We'll be in a BC balcony category (Baja deck, mid-aft). Maybe new TV's, not sure. Could you find out about that please?

 

I'm curious if the food is still as good. I've only been on Princess twice, both times, Caribbean Princess.

 

Also not sure if your itinerary includes Victoria or not, but ours does but for some reason, it's not there until like 9pm. Is that how it is with yours? IMHO I would rather see Victoria in the day time!

 

Thank you for any info you can provide! Have fun!

 

rooms look very good inside, ours certainly doesn't require any updating.

 

Food is great, something for everyone.

 

Our itinerary does have Victoria (the mandatory international port) and we do dock late as well. Since we are from Vancouver we wish we could be in Victoria also during the day but it is beautiful at night too. I recommend the Butchart Gardens lighted tour.

[vickie_bernie]

Vickie,

 

Thanks for the live thread. We will be on the GOlden August 29.

I will also be lucky enough to be back in your beautiful city of Vancouver on May 28. We will be sailing on the Splendor. I'm thinking of getting my Son and I all day bus passes for Vancouver for the day. I'll keep an eye out for you!:D

 

that is great about your son taking transit, our system is very good and plentiful... I will look out for him, but it is unlikely he will ride on my bus as I usually work 430 am to noon.

[vickie_bernie]

In Juneau today but first I will report about our first sea day.

 

- cold outside but no rain!

- lunch was in dining room and was great, no wait at all

- saw the movie "Yes Man" with Jim Carrey - hilarious

- played Wii Guitar Hero (doesn't matter your age - everyone was helpful and no one laughed)

- Meet and Greet was well attended and some of the staff attended - including Richard the CD and Matre D'Hotel, Shore Excursion Mgr, Circle Host. Officers were in a meeting, but have a gathering planned for later in the week for us. We did a gift exchange and it was a lot of fun.

- There was a mix up with something that the events manager corrected and it was handled very professionally.

- the Morning Show is a must to watch, cute and very informative

 

Formal night was last night and we had a table for 10 and didn't have to wait at all for a table. Reservations can certainly be made; however we have noticed that it is not necessary at all.

 

- Saw the comedian again last night Jim McDonald and he had us rolling in the aisle.

 

Today:

 

- Slept in and then went up on deck. Vickie sacraficed her new Princess ball cap she bought on the Grand in January to the Pacific Ocean :o

- It is beautiful here, and the weather is amazing. We sure lucked out. We went ashore with just a sweatshirt and it wasn't needed during the day. In fact we all got sunburns on our face!

- We walked off the ship and purchased the Mendhall Express bus tickets $7 each way per person; however with our group of 8 we all got $2 off a return ticket.

- Takes about 20 min to get there and we walked all around the trails and checked out the waterfall. We got some wonderful shots.

- Came back into town and walked around.

- Ended up at the Red Dog Saloon and had a beer and a Duck Fart shooter! Very fun; but very very crowded, loud... and well a little overrated. Maybe I am just getting old.

 

The ship looks great, love the international cafe. It is exactly like the Star's Intl Cafe, no gelato or chocolate fondue :confused: oh well just as well I guess.

 

Entertainment is plentiful and you can be as entertained as you want to be. There currently is a great Dixie Band playing in the Atrium right now.

 

Tonight we are skipping the dining room and probably opting for HC or room service and maybe snuggling up with my honey and catching a movie.

 

One of the CD staff we recognized from the Grand in January (Adam) great guy and it was nice to chat with him again.

 

Someone had asked about temp. in the common areas, well I had said it is good for me; however during the movie yesterday I was cold and I had a sweater.... so I thought I should report it.

 

Casino seems to be very busy, I am not much of a gambler, I would rather spend my money on a good bottle of wine.

 

Someone told me yesterday (sorry can't remember which officer told me) but they said they didn't thing the Crown Grill will be ready this sailing.

 

There have been two weddings on board!

 

The passenger age seems very varried, there are 52 children and the age demographic is MUCH younger than our back to back on the Grand in January.

 

One thing today I noticed that could be improved was we docked at noon. So needless to say many people on board wanted to eat lunch before getting off; however there was only one station open at the HC. The lines were huge, I just grabbed a table and waited. The tried to get a burger or pizza but there must of been 30 people in each line. So I waited until 11:30 when the other HC station opened.

 

Well off to the room!

 

Oh yeah someone mentioned a flight for 11:30 at Seatac, I personally think that is cutting it close.

 

Happy sailings everyone from the beautiful Golden Princess.

 

Vickie

[JSWalk]

Vickie,

It sounds like you are all having a wonderful cruise. I hope in continues. Thanks for keeping all of us waiting to go informed.:)

[ukbballfan]

Can you tell me how dressy the attire was for formal night?

[Ruste]

 

One of the CD staff we recognized from the Grand in January (Adam) great guy and it was nice to chat with him again.

 

Vickie

 

Hi Vickie, if the Adam you are talking about is Adam Goder he has been down on the P&O ships in the Pacific for the last couple of years. Please can you say Hi to him from New Zealand, he will understand.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[Host Carolyn]

We have 11:30 flight from Seatac.. if you do your own luggage off express you won't have a problem.. Town car driver we are using has had his passengers there by 9:00 last Saturday so even if they do express an 1/2 hour later at 8:30 you will still be there by 9:30 allowing for traffic. Before 11:30 I wouldn't trust.. Met some people who work for HAL and they report same thing w/ their ship last week.. traffic and pickup issues are resolving...

 

70's here... supposed to be same in Yukon tomorrow!

[Francine]

Vickie,

Your plans in Juneau sound great for us. Not too much strenuous walking. Hubby is recouperating from Achilles tendon surgery. Where did you go to catch the bus to Mendenhall Glacier?

 

NCarolina,

What is the name of the Town Car company you are using?

 

Thanks for taking the time to do this review,

Fran

[TonyFred]

definately is Captain Foster

|

They must have changed Captains this week. Ours was Captain Perrin last week. I know because it was a trivia question on one of the morning shows and I got it right! haha

Our cabin did not need any upgrade either. It was perfectly fine. We were in a BC Balcony Cabin on Aloha deck.

[Momma Mojito]

Thnaks for taking the time to let all of know how things are going for you on your cruise. Although I don't have an Alaskian cruise planned, I am enjoying your review. I guess if you want to avoid the long lunch lines, a suggestion would be to eat a later breakfast, room service, or the dining room. I have to compliment you on not making such a big deal out it the lines , we all know some of the nit pickers would.

[cruzendude]

Vickie,

 

Your plans in Juneau sound great for us. Not too much strenuous walking. Hubby is recouperating from Achilles tendon surgery. Where did you go to catch the bus to Mendenhall Glacier?

 

 

 

NCarolina,

What is the name of the Town Car company you are using?

 

Thanks for taking the time to do this review,

Fran

 

Buses to Mendenhall are right there when you get off the ship...pretty much EVERYTHING is right there when you get off the ship in Juneau! LOL

[Francine]

Thanks cruzendude. I appreciate your help.

Fran

[wizard-of-roz]

Thanks for sharing this information....it's so helpful for those of us who are looking at Alaska in the next couple of months.

I don't think we'll be as lucky as you, when it comes to the weather but I'm so glad to hear that the buses are so available, right off the ship.

[cruzendude]

Thanks for sharing this information....it's so helpful for those of us who are looking at Alaska in the next couple of months.

 

I don't think we'll be as lucky as you, when it comes to the weather but I'm so glad to hear that the buses are so available, right off the ship.

 

Stop by and say Hi to Sarah Palin too...her office is right up the street! :D

[wizard-of-roz]

Stop by and say Hi to Sarah Palin too...her office is right up the street! :D

 

Hey, Dude: Leave it to you to suggest Ms. Palin as a destination to visit when I'm trying to be on vacation!!!!!!

Maybe, if I asked real nice, she'll conjur me up a Veggie Burger (inside joke!)

[VibeGuy]

We're really looking forward to a side trip to her place in Wasilla - it's our best chance to see Russia on this cruise!

[cruzendude]

Hey, Dude: Leave it to you to suggest Ms. Palin as a destination to visit when I'm trying to be on vacation!!!!!!

 

Maybe, if I asked real nice, she'll conjur me up a Veggie Burger (inside joke!)

 

Just say no to veggie burgers.....but I'm sure she can lead you to a great moose burger! :D

[wizard-of-roz]

Just say no to veggie burgers.....but I'm sure she can lead you to a great moose burger! :D

 

"YUM"!!!!!! :eek:

[wizard-of-roz]

We're really looking forward to a side trip to her place in Wasilla - it's our best chance to see Russia on this cruise!

 

Vibe meet Dude.....twice the fun! :D

[cruzendude]

Vibe meet Dude.....twice the fun! :D

 

Dude don't do Vibes....Left Vibes make Dude puke! :p

[wizard-of-roz]

Dude don't do Vibes....Left Vibes make Dude puke! :p

 

GEEEEZZZZZ!!!!! I'm laughing so hard, you've got me peeing in my pants.....right here, at my desk, at work!!!!!!!!

You crack me up!!!!!!