Golden Princess questions

[AntonJ]

My husband and I have sailed Celebrity (our favorite) and RCL. Unfortunatly we are unable to take a Celebrity cruise the week we want to travel so we are thinking of trying the Golden Princess. We would like to get the PH suite and wonder what perks come with this room. Also, has anyone sailed these cruise lines and have comments to make about food, service, rooms and anything else. We're also looking for pictures of the Golden to look at before we make our decision.

 

Thanks

[mringenoldus]

We loved the Golden last October (Southern Caribbean route) i especially liked the Solarium pool. The ship is large but well laid out.

 

Some minor things I noticed lacking on a recent RCCL cruise that Princess has are a "welcome back" greeting and elevator directions as you enter the ship, the champagne fountain, and a more polished sense of professionalism among the staff (OK..not so minor) We are also hooked on PC dining.

 

We have booked again in October for the New England route.

 

There are listings of the perk suites more comprehensive than this but here are some: Champagne greeting, free internet, free laundry, first time set up wet bar, flowers on formal night, upgraded amentities and canapes.

 

Enjoy!!

[pcumberl]

Anton,

 

You can get pics of a PH suite (C422) from the pics link in my signature below. We were on the Golden just a few weeks ago. Will be going back on her again this September. As for suite perks, click the following link.

 

http://www.cruisingthecaribbeanprincess.com/perksA.html

 

You'll love the ship! Enjoy your cruise.

 

~Paul :)

[rajjohnson]

We prefer Princess. We were on RCCL in January as a business bonus - still prefer Princess. The Golden is great - we've sailed her twice and are booked for next February already. One nice thing not mentioned above is that the carpeting in the cabin halls is color coded - one color for starboard and another for port side - makes it easier to find the correct side of the ship when exiting the elevators. The buffet on Golden is much superior to RCCL.

[Sailaway Girl]

:) I am a RCCL and Celebrity cruiser too. I'm trying out the Golden Princess in 4 weeks. Will let you know what I think upon my return

[Nightengale212]

I sailed the Golden last July which was my first cruise ever, was in a mini suite, and have absolutely no complaints.

[dcruisers]

I have sailed the Golden Princess, Sea Princess, Celebrity, Norwegian, RCCL, and Carnival.

The very best food so far has been the Celebrity line but my favorite ship is the Serenade of the Seas, RCCL. It was beautiful with the most friendly and customer service oriented crew I have ever met!

I enjoyed the Golden Princess (2002) and would sail her again. However, since they have automated the tipping, I noticed a decrease in service. It could have just been the waiter/asst waiter that we had.

[AntonJ]

Thanks for the comments. I guess I'm concerned about the personal choice dining and quality of food and service. RCCL is ok (we just got off the Navigator) but we really like the attention on Celebrity especially in a suite. While I don't expect butler service, I would want a good experience. How are the shows and the casino in comparrison?

 

Thanks

[spongerob]

You can also select traditional dining at a set time if you prefer. Personal Choice means that you have the choice between set dining times, or walk-up style service. Menus and dress codes are the same. If you like aft suites, consider a PS, which is the same inside as a PH, but of course faces aft and is slightly less expensive.

[AntonJ]

Thanks for all the comments. We prefer midship so really wouldn't look at the aft cabins. I found it odd that the two best suites are aft; usually they are midship.

 

I think Celebrity got the suites postion right by having them on a lower floor. We were in a sky suite on a 14 day panama canal cruise on the Infinity and loved being closer to the water. On our most recent cruise on the Navigator we were on the top floor and felt too far away. By the looks of the cabins on the Golden it appears the the PH suites are somewhere inbetween the two floors on Celebrity and RCL.