Greetings from the rockin' Golden Princess!

[cruisingpeople]

As for the problems with the purser's desk, it all had to do with our transition from Gold members to Platinum members, and we still are having problems. This is just a minor annoyance, nothing to ruin a cruise. Just annoying.

 

Hi Nina,

Have you tried straightening out your status problem with the Captain Circle Host ? They might be a little better helping you out than the people at the Purser's desk. Just a thought.

 

BTW, if you remember, we sailed with you on the Sapphire last April. I was the keeper of the Friday Countdown poems.:)

[Belle]

Aloha

It started out cloudly but cleared up..

was hot. Duke's and the Hulu Pie was

great!

 

Kevin came on board today. Saw his show

tonight and doing a different one later.

 

Yes pier 2 is far away from pier 11. Have

to walk a few blocks to even see it far away.

 

Dave love you two..you help make the cruise

wonderful. We will protest if they don't bring

you back. Sure they wil...;people come for you!!!

[twocats]

What transportation is there back to the Aloha Tower Marketplace, shuttles? From Princess or otherwise, public? We are not good walkers.

 

When did they let you know that you were changing ports?

If you have a private tour, would those companies know of the change much before docking?

 

Thanks for the answers you might be able to give me.

[bonsai3s]

Aloha Kakou,

To answer a few questions posted:

-No, you don't need to tune down the strings on your uke if you have it with you in the cabin

-As far as this fall, no offer has been officially extended to us yet to return to the Golden Princess. Usually we will be asked about half way through the summer, but we have been in contact with the Princess folks and are pretty sure that we will be back

-Mahalos for all the kind words for Leialoha and myself...we love working on the Golden and bringing Hawaiian music and culture to the passengers on board. We look forward to many more years of doing just that.

 

Malama Pono,

Dave

 

Dave and Leialoha,

 

We met you two years ago on the Golden Princess...it was by far one of the most memorable cruises we have taken. My wife participated in the hula show and I played the ukelele.

We were on the Golden again two weeks ago. Attended your ukelele classes and participated in the show...simply the best.

Don't really know why...but the song "Aloha Oe" makes us cry...

At home, my wife finished "croche-ing" her lei and said: "I finished matching ones for our next Hawaiian cruise." PRINCESS PLEASE KINDLY EXTEND ELUA'S CONTRACT...."until we meet again"...Aloha...Efren and Maria :)

[Astro Flyer]

I got a few, great tips from Pam. I'll send you an email and let you know.

Would it be possible to also email me Pam's tips to my email address listed on the spreadsheet for the Royal's TA cruise? I've sailed on an eastbound TA however this'll be the first time westbound for us. I could email Pam however it would be simpler if you were able to share them with me. :)

[Adventures ahead]

We'be been to the other pier which as I recall was closer to Waikiki but definitely not a part of the Aloha Tower area. The free Hilo Hattie & Walmart shuttles still picked up passengers from the other pier.

 

Thanks, from the maps and Belle's posts, that's what I thought. :( Is is just a terminal building, and out the door?

 

It will be a bummer if we're not docking at the Aloha Tower that sounds like more fun and logistically-friendly. Come on, Princess:rolleyes:!

 

However, we'll be in Hawaii, so this may prove to be a only a minor inconvenience. My half-full glass says that we may dock at pier 2 after all!

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks, from the maps and Belle's posts, that's what I thought. :( Is is just a terminal building, and out the door?

 

It will be a bummer if we're not docking at the Aloha Tower that sounds like more fun and logistically-friendly. Come on, Princess:rolleyes:!

 

However, we'll be in Hawaii, so this may prove to be a only a minor inconvenience. My half-full glass says that we may dock at pier 2 after all!

The other pier appears to be an old warehouse but they did have HVB personnel to help passengers & the Hilo Hattie and Walmart shuttles. The 3 times we've sailed from the West Coast to Hawaii it's always been at the Aloha Tower pier; the only time it was at the other pier was when we were sailing from Sydney to LA. So for me, 75% of the time it was at the Aloha Tower pier & you should have the same experience coming from LA, right? Does that help you feel 'mo bettah' as they say in the Islands? ;)

 

If you check the schedule for NCL's Pride of Aloha ship which does continuous 7 day roundtrip cruises around Hawaii, you'll know if she's in Honolulu & would probably take priority over another ship. :(

[Jasperdo]

Don't really know why...but the song "Aloha Oe" makes us cry...

Elua's beautiful rendition of Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World gets me every time.

[Working 2 Cruise]

Hi Nina,

Have you tried straightening out your status problem with the Captain Circle Host ? They might be a little better helping you out than the people at the Purser's desk. Just a thought.

 

BTW, if you remember, we sailed with you on the Sapphire last April. I was the keeper of the Friday Countdown poems.:)

 

Oh, I remember you well! :) You also were the seat keepers at Crooners! I finally got everything in working order. To add insult to injury, after numerous trips to the purser's desk/internet manager, we finally got our free internet, then we try to get off in Honolulu, of course, our platinum cards did not work! We were still able to get off the ship, but what a hassle, that called for yet another trip to the purser's desk. But all is well that ends well.

 

Maui was, as usual, wonderful, but for the overcast skies... We did a snorkel excursion with the Hula Girl, www.sailingmaui.com, and they did a great job.

 

We have stopped for a while going to the dining room... Just too much food. Kevin Hughes was on two nights ago, unfortunately, I was not feeling well and went to bed early.

 

We are now, unfortunately, on our way back...:mad: Seas have been moderate. I heard someone saying that last night was "absolutely awful!" I hope for her sake that the seas do not get any worse, although it was just a little rocky, not much.

 

One thing I saw I could not believe: A man stealing the small jar of nuts at the Promenade Bar! Unbelievable. I guess it takes all kinds. This is the kind of jar you can find for $.25 in stores...:mad:

 

 

Joe and Amelia, where are you cruising next?

Michelle, I will definitely do a Carnival review and a Carnival v. Princess comparison upon my return..,.

[4cats4me]

Oh, I remember you well! :) You also were the seat keepers at Crooners! I finally got everything in working order. To add insult to injury, after numerous trips to the purser's desk/internet manager, we finally got our free internet, then we try to get off in Honolulu, of course, our platinum cards did not work! We were still able to get off the ship, but what a hassle, that called for yet another trip to the purser's desk. But all is well that ends well.

 

Maui was, as usual, wonderful, but for the overcast skies... We did a snorkel excursion with the Hula Girl, www.sailingmaui.com, and they did a great job.

 

We have stopped for a while going to the dining room... Just too much food. Kevin Hughes was on two nights ago, unfortunately, I was not feeling well and went to bed early.

 

We are now, unfortunately, on our way back...:mad: Seas have been moderate. I heard someone saying that last night was "absolutely awful!" I hope for her sake that the seas do not get any worse, although it was just a little rocky, not much.

 

One thing I saw I could not believe: A man stealing the small jar of nuts at the Promenade Bar! Unbelievable. I guess it takes all kinds. This is the kind of jar you can find for $.25 in stores...:mad:

Joe and Amelia, where are you cruising next?

Michelle, I will definitely do a Carnival review and a Carnival v. Princess comparison upon my return..,.

 

Yeah, what's the deal with cruise ship kleptomania anyway? People spend tons of money to cruise, yet they feel the need to "get away with something." On a cruise last year we were in line for the repeater's captain's party, and we had to walk past the photos, and there was a group of six elderly people in front of us and one of the elderly women took her photos and slipped them underneath her jacket shortly before going into the party. The three of us were right behind them and just could not believe it. She was such an arrogant woman.

[cruisingpeople]

Oh, I remember you well! :) You also were the seat keepers at Crooners!

 

I'm not sure if that is a good thing when people remember us from Crooners.:D I mean, just because the bartenders put our names on the bar stools and it looks like we live there all evening......Sheeeesh ! ! ! LOL:eek:

One good thing about that though, is that a lot of people are able to navigate their way around the ship because when they see us sitting there, they know which direction they have go travel in order to get to their destination.:rolleyes:

 

 

Joe and Amelia, where are you cruising next?

 

Amelia leaves in 3 weeks for a 4 day repositioning cruise on the Caribbean Princess from San Juan to New York.

We both will be on the Island Princess in October for a 10 day Partial Panama Canal Transit.

 

 

Joe

[Belle]

Everything is going great!

 

Easter actives for the kids right now.

 

The ship is in dry dock only for ten

days, more tech stuff. New carpets.

 

Pier #2 at Honolulu is fixed nice inside.

Pride usuallys docks there. We were only

ship inntown..so don't know why.

 

Bring sweaters, cool in parts of the ships.

 

Any questions..ask. On ship for the next cruise too.

[Adventures ahead]

Nina and Belle,

 

We're on the April 25 cruise.

 

OMG, Belle, you lucky girl, on a B2B! Thanks for posting on our roll call.

 

Tell us anything. We're all ears... :)!!!!!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Yesterday was yet another fabulous day at sea! I watched Puss In Boots on Lido deck, on one of the precious few seats we had found... and in the pool, of course. It was a great day until about 2:00 when it started raining cats and dogs. We still have some small showers...

 

Captain's Circle Party was held three times this cruise, and we went yesterday. It was short, fun and sweet, made all the sweeter by our favorite waiters bringing us drinks over and over! Suffice to say, we just went straight to our cabin after that!

 

Another funny anecdote (or maybe not so much). My husband is black, and this woman steps into the elevator and exclaims: Oh, I did not see you, are you a spy or something? I just saw your sunglasses!"

 

Tonight's entertainment is Words and Music, and the comedian is Kevin Hughes. TaTa!

[Woobstr112G]

Yesterday was yet another fabulous day at sea! I watched Puss In Boots on Lido deck, on one of the precious few seats we had found... and in the pool, of course. It was a great day until about 2:00 when it started raining cats and dogs. We still have some small showers...

 

Captain's Circle Party was held three times this cruise, and we went yesterday. It was short, fun and sweet, made all the sweeter by our favorite waiters bringing us drinks over and over! Suffice to say, we just went straight to our cabin after that!

 

Another funny anecdote (or maybe not so much). My husband is black, and this woman steps into the elevator and exclaims: Oh, I did not see you, are you a spy or something? I just saw your sunglasses!"

 

Tonight's entertainment is Words and Music, and the comedian is Kevin Hughes. TaTa!

 

Nina;

 

Glad you enjoyed another great sea day.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Working 2 Cruise]

Thanks Bob! I bet our roll call for the 2013 TA is still growing!

 

Another comment I wanted to make is about the platinum/elite/suite "cocktail party" or "lounge." As a newbie platinum member, I really enjoyed this. It was always pretty well attended.

 

Got our disembarkation tags tonight... bummer. But, after a cruise on the Sapphire to Hawaii, this one, and the cruise to Mexico leaving on April 15, I can't feel too bad.

 

Thank you Belle for updating us on the Easter activities. We did not attend since we are way past the age of believing in the Easter Bunny, but I am sure it was great for the many teenagers and children on this cruise.

 

Champagne Breakfast. If your TA gives you this, or someone else, and you do not want it (it is way too much food), do not believe the purser's desk who said you can only exchange it for something else. I called room service and they credited our account.

 

We will be on our way to the production show soon, so I will talk to y'all later!

[Astro Flyer]

Nina...enjoy your trip home! :)

[dianef]

I am also on the April 25th cruise.All and all,how were the seas on this trip?Iknow you mentioned a couple of rough days but were most of the days calm?Did you have rain in the ports?Hoping by the end of April seas will be calm and weathe warmer,though I know Hawaii will be pretty warm.

 

How was the cruise director?Was there enough things offered to do on sea days?Iknow Eula is a great duo to listen to.I guess there are alot of movies shown inside and out?Getting excited!

[Belle]

I think the seas were fine..moving a little but

the rocking doesn't bother us. First days out.

I think fine on way back but others might say..

no. It depends what bothers you.

Rain tonight but done in the ports. Warm in ports.

 

We like movies, watch in the showroom or on TV,

don't do mutts. Mutts ok in ports I guess.

 

CD is alright, talked to him a few times. Martyn (Martin)

John the 2nd in command is funny.

 

There's lot to do..just depends on what you want to do!

 

Always Hawaiian music..Hulu lessons and Uke lessons.

Bingo, lectures of all kinds, casino, music in all the bars, ect.

 

The most important...EATING 24 HOURS!!! LOL

 

You'll have a great time on the 25th Adventures and Diane

[Working 2 Cruise]

Hulu classes? Now that would have been fun to attend!

 

Seas have been really calm, but that can change at a drop of a hat. We had a sunny morning today, but the temperature as of noon was 63 degrees! Very cold.

 

The CD, Martyn Moss, is fine. A lot of movies are showing on television as well as MUTS, Vista Lounge and Princess Theater.

 

This morning we watched the Muppet Show movie on MUTS while it was still sunny.

 

Tonight is our third formal night... I assume complete with lobster and Baked Alaska...

 

Pop Star rehearsals are on for tonight, although we tend to avoid those. Production show for tonight is British Invasion.

 

For all those getting ready to embark the Golden Princess, you will enjoy your trip! It is a wonderful cruise and there is plenty of time to eat, be entertained, or just relax.

 

My kindle was very much used!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Did I mention the food was great? Tonight was our third formal night, and the lobster and prawns did not disappoint.

 

Kudos to the Chef and the Food and Beverage Director,Anthony DeFelippes, he is great!

 

Tonight was also Baked Alaska night. Both my husband and I really enjoyed our favorite dessert!

 

Tomorrow is a sad day. Time to pack... :mad: Tomorrow's movies are: The Artist, Midnight in Paris, Bon Jovi Live in Concert, the Descendants, 50/50... The Golden does have a great variety of movies and concerts. Tomorrow is also the International Crew Show!

 

Till we meet again tomorrow!

[Working 2 Cruise]

Disembarkation is always very sad, as we all know. The process was very efficient. We finally were able to avail ourselves of the platinum, elite and suite disembarkation lounge where everything was nice and quiet, unlike some of the places we have seen!

 

It was another great cruise with Princess.

 

Now, tomorrow is the Carnival Splendor. It should be interesting to see the differences between Princess and the Splendor and I will do a comparison/review and post it on both the Carnival and Princess sites.

 

I am also hoping to post pictures when I return...

[Woobstr112G]

Disembarkation is always very sad, as we all know. The process was very efficient. We finally were able to avail ourselves of the platinum, elite and suite disembarkation lounge where everything was nice and quiet, unlike some of the places we have seen!

 

It was another great cruise with Princess.

 

Now, tomorrow is the Carnival Splendor. It should be interesting to see the differences between Princess and the Splendor and I will do a comparison/review and post it on both the Carnival and Princess sites.

 

I am also hoping to post pictures when I return...

 

Nina;

 

Sounds like you and Norman had a great cruise on the Golden. Bon Voyage and hope your cruise on the Splendor is a great one as well. Looking forward to seeing your pictures.....:):):)

 

Bob

[Working 2 Cruise]

Nina;

 

Sounds like you and Norman had a great cruise on the Golden. Bon Voyage and hope your cruise on the Splendor is a great one as well. Looking forward to seeing your pictures.....:):):)

 

Bob

 

Bob, I promise to do my best! When I return, it will be time to start looking at that wonderful website you set up for our transatlantic! Another thought is since you work and I live so close to Princess HQ, maybe we can have lunch at some point before the TA... Have a wonderful weekend!

[Woobstr112G]

Bob, I promise to do my best! When I return, it will be time to start looking at that wonderful website you set up for our transatlantic! Another thought is since you work and I live so close to Princess HQ, maybe we can have lunch at some point before the TA... Have a wonderful weekend!

 

Sounds like a plan. We'll touch bases when you get home.....:):):)

 

Bob