Review Golden 1/23-1/30

[karen2cruz]

We just got back from a great cruise on the Golden 1/23-1/30 Review is mostly of the ship. Port reviews on ports board later, except to recommend Debbie from Legends of San Juan for a pre/post tour. She is entertaining and informative.A++

 

 

Embarkation A+…our taxi driver dropped us off at 11:25 am and at 11:45 they opened embarkation. we had our room cards and were boarding in 5 minutes.

 

Room B+….We had a minisuite balcony on the Dolphin deck mid ship. We didn’t mind the open balcony at all. In fact, it helped having the full sun to dry out our scuba gear and we loved to star gaze at night. Nice bathroom with tub/shower combo. Lots of closet space, hangers and drawers.

 

Room Steward A+…James from the Phillipines was awesome. He got our robes & egg crate mattress cover right away. When the tux shoes we rented didn’t fit, he got us the right size. When the fruit bowl didn’t come one night, he got us one in an hour.

 

Room Service A…Just wrote in whatever we wanted for breakfast and it was there at the requested time. Sometimes even got more than we asked for –lol!

 

Dining A+…we had traditional and our servers were great (Alejandro and Ronnie). They anticipated our every need and had our drinks waiting every night. We sometimes couldn’t decide and they would bring us a little of everything! Only downside to early traditional was missing sailaways at the ports, but our waiters got use to all of us coming about 10-15 minutes late from seeing the ship sail.

 

Other dining B+ …Horizon court average food but open 24 hours. Loved the grill and pizzeria. Bars very accommodating, even with soda cards. Just asked them for a large cup for the soda and no problem.

 

Entertainment Activities A….The comedians were funny and the juggler too. The production shows were so-so. Cruise director Omar OK, but loved his staff, especially Jen from Canada who did the Liars Club and Trivia game. Island night party was fun too, too bad my DH fell asleep in the chair-lol! Liked the bands too, especially Blueyz(sp?)

Internet Cafe - B. Sometimes card reader wouldnt work and a little slow. Was able to print out my plane boarding passes- convenient.

Disembarkation-A… Had yellow tags (later) and wanted earlier, the purser changed with no problems. Walked down, went through customs, found bags and got taxi in all about 15 minutes.

Got to go to sleep now- hope this made sense:)

[bryan41]

Thanks for the great review! My family and I are going to be on Golden on sunday and I was wondering if you happened to notice if there was a texas hold'm table in the casino??

 

Also, did you get a refillable mug with the drink card or do they just use paper cups??

[mmsoko]

Thanks for the review. You know how we crave them.

 

Will be watching ports boards for your review. Which itinerary were you on?

[thebrat99]

Hi Karen! Waiting patiently for the full review. Will board the Golden on Sunday and love reading others experiences! Thanks! :D

[crisp1]

Thanks for the review. So glad you enjoyed the ship and crew. 10 weeks away!

[CyndiNYC]

Karen, how are you. We missed you at the rendevous point on Sunday the 23rd. Glad you had fun though!

[CruiseFever]

Thanks for the current marks on the Golden.....not surprising though, I know we sure did like sailing her.

[karen2cruz]

Hi Cyndi - sorry we missed the cruisecritic rendevouse- was playing already.

 

Bryan41- didn't carry the mug around - no paper cups - small, medium or large hard plastic cups like they use in the buffet or dining rooms. No Texas hold-em, they had some 3 card poker that my DH thought was silly.

[Clubber]

Was there a duty free liquor store at the Pan Am Pier in the Princess building where you got on the ship? We were on the Adventure of the Seas at the same time and did not have a liquor store. We are going on the Golden in a year and just want to make a mental note in advance. Thanks.

[karen2cruz]

MMSoko- we were on the sme itinerary with CyndiNYC, who posted a review too- Barbados, St Lucia, Antigua, St Maarten and St Thomas.

 

BTW- my husband picked up the CondeNast Traveler magazine February, 2005 edition, which rated the top 80 Best Cruiseships and the Golden Princess was #5 in the large ship category. Only 3 Celebrity ships and Island Princess were ahead - woo hoo!

 

Ports Review:

San Juan like CyndiNYC we flew in early with a connecting flight out of NYC. We left on the 9:30 plane and I think Cyndi's plane was the last out! Anyway we stayed at a little guesthouse Numero Uno Guesthouse, right on the beaach. In fact their have a wonderful breakfast bar with fruits, juices and fresh pastries, that we ate on the beach table right outside our room. Furniture could use an update but the location was fabulous.

It was a big festival weekend but we had a tour with Debbie of Legends of San Juan and plan on using her again next time we go. She knows everyone one and everything and gave great tips on where to shop and eat and lots of history of the city.

Barachina's restaurant - we took our luggage here on disembarkation and the process was very smooth. In fact we were there at 8:45 am but the owner saw us and opened up the shop for us 15 minutes early. The food is good there too.

Bombanera(sp) has great breakfast pastries, fun local diner type. Mojito's is a great bar/restaurant too.

[karen2cruz]

More Port Reviews:

St Lucia - only ship in port. Warning the ship excursion vendors and local vendors are on Caribbean time (late). Beautiful island, freindly people. Whether you do the land tours or scuba diving/snorkling you will have a wonderful time.

Barbados - Only two ships in port, I think, it all blends together-lol! Nice island, our tablemates enjoyed the land tour especially the "scottish" side. Warning - taxis - negotiate price and do your homework. Also, write down the total price quoted, they might change their mind. Lucky for us our dive shop paid our taxi fare and we let him even argue with the driver.

Antigua - husband did scuba and I did island tour/shopping. Both are highly recommended. Turtles and manta rays and octopus and lots of other great sealife at all these ports. Recommend private tour over ship excursion - negotiate with a taxi driver- more freedom.

St Maarten - did the America's Cup excursion and had such a great time. Also did the island tour. Best shopping at this island, by far, lowest prices and lots of variety. Same advice here on island tour - negotiate with a taxi driver.

St Thomas -we dove in the morning and I shopped while DH slept in the afternoon. Wonderful snorkeling and diving most everywhere, definitely best coral reefs of the islands.

[mmsoko]

More ????'s

 

When did your return flight leave and when did you head for the airport?

Were there lots of folks leaving bags at Barachina's? Did you eat there, or just pay to leave bags there?

[karen2cruz]

MMSoko- Our flight didn't leave until 3:30. There was alot of luggage at Barrachina's but he has a big room. I think only cruiscritic people and locals know about this service! You only pay him a $5 tip at the beginning and we had 5 bags, very reasonable.He gives you a receipt and attaches a copy to your luggage-very professional. You don't have to eat there to do it. We ate there the Saturday before we cruised for dinner after our "Night Tales" tour with Legends of San Juan.

 

There was a lot of time to shop, visit El Morro and San Cristobol forts. Old San Juan's blocks are small.