Live from the Golden

[Host CJSKIDS]

Current Golden cruisers, can you please tell us what nights the formal nights on? How about the rotation on menus~anything new or special? I'm just trying to figure out what night to book Sabitinis? Does anyone think that the ultimate balcony dinner is doable or is the weather simply too cold?

 

Glad to hear you're all having fun. Can't wait to read some trip reports as we'll be doing this same route on July 11th.

 

Carolyn

[blackegg]

Hello Goldeners:

 

I hope to be back LIVE on the Golden is about an hour. I had to find an Internet cafe on land.

 

Some quick comments:

 

1. Zeebruck - There were no taxis outside the small train station when we arrived there. They SUGGESTED that when you take a taxi into Bruge in the morning arrnage with him for the trip back. But I think you have plenty of time to get the public bus (#12??) to the Bruge train station, a cheap train trip, then maybe there will be a cab for you. Please note that MANY people arrived back at the ship late before sailing and there was an hour wait to reboard. We were already safekly soaking onboard.

 

2. The jacuzzis and steam rooms are very nice - HOT, available, and BUBBLY!

 

3. Formal nights were the first and last sea days. Many are formal or at least dressed up for the night. If asomeone grunges it, head for the Horizon Court for din din.

 

4. I can only reiterate that we got royal treatment at our CC party. It was OPEN BAR not just free champagne. Richard Joseph is the NEW cruise director and he is heavily and happily promoting Princess cuirses. He did well last night. PLEASE someone from the June 11 sailing e-mail him at: <goldenprincess@princess.com> with an attention to the Cruise Director. I will be on this sailing (staying on for B2B). I have talked a lot with him and can probably get us the same treatment. But if someone else can e-mail him all the better.

 

5. I am in E-614 but hoping to get upgraded still for the next cruise. See all of you 6/11 CCers at teh Wheelhouse Bar after the muster drill. I would try to get to Southampton sooner rather than later.

 

Hope to post mor later,

 

 

Jim

Blackegg

[Bob & Barb]

First of all -- NO ONE paid for that party -- much less the honeymoon couple. There was no "wedding party" -- our CC group was the wedding party! But they were certainly the center of attention. The party was done completely by CD Richard Joseph and his staff. Nothing planned ahead -- they put it together during the trip. He had earlier said he was going to put it in the "Patter" but thought better of it later because he thought other people would come to see what it was all about. -- A couple even did -- but I ended up having to call 25 cabins to let everyone know.

 

As to formal nights, it is the 1st and 3rd sea days. The 3rd sea day is a bit strange because it is the morning we leave Hamburg at 6:00 AM (because that is the only time we spend a night in port). The 2nd formal night is tomorrow night. I'd say the dress was pretty much "normal" -- as I have seen it on cruises during the past few years. Same mix of formal wear and same casual clothes other nights. Haven't seen many shorts or aloha shirts -- it's been too cold. It did get up to 60 today in Hamburg, because the sun stayed out most of the day, but it has been in the 40's and 50's every night.

 

As to the menu, there have been a lot of new, European foods. Kind of fun. The menu has been different each night. It is the same in all three dining rooms. We are doing personal choice and are having no problems.

 

The internet is pretty fast today, but was very slow last night -- even though we were also tied to the pier. You can use your internet from the atrium, but not in any of the cabins. If you are platinum and get free internet in the cafe, you don't get it free when you use your own laptop. You have to buy a slug of 30 minutes at a time and that costs $10.50. The only good thing about using your own is that you can prepare things ahead and then go on line and send them -- or you can forward pictures, etc. -- you can't do that in the internet cafe. They won't let you copy anything in -- they're afraid of viruses.

 

I'll ask the question of Capt. Warner if I get to see him again. I wasn't aware that he was leaving the Golden. I will probably see him at the Captain's Circle Party tomorrow night but don't know if we'll get to converse.

 

We entered the Elbe about 1:00 AM. There were no brass bands........ There was a great oompah band in the new terminal where we docked this morning -- beating out a few tunes. The new terminal is very nice -- though not quite finished completely.

 

I hope I have answered all of the questions. Let me know if you have others and I'll try to get on again tomorrow during sea day. It's almost 5:00 PM here -- 6 hours difference or almost 11:00 AM back in Boston. :)

 

Bob

[Logie]

First of all -- NO ONE paid for that party -- much less the honeymoon couple. There was no "wedding party" -- our CC group was the wedding party! But they were certainly the center of attention. The party was done completely by CD Richard Joseph and his staff. Nothing planned ahead -- they put it together during the trip. He had earlier said he was going to put it in the "Patter" but thought better of it later because he thought other people would come to see what it was all about. -- A couple even did -- but I ended up having to call 25 cabins to let everyone know.

 

As to the menu, there have been a lot of new, European foods. Kind of fun. The menu has been different each night. It is the same in all three dining rooms. We are doing personal choice and are having no problems.

 

 

Bob

 

Thanks Barb and Bob for confirming the free party. That is great, something good to talk about when people complain about not getting free ice cream every day-I'd rather have a free drink :) This CD is great and I am not that big into who's the CD, but I will be looking for this guy.

 

Also thanks for the update on the menu's that is a welcome relief and good to know I can plan on adding an inch to the waist line trying something new!!

 

I think the formal nights on the last cruise were sea days 1 and 2 so I will be curious as to what nights we get. I was kind of planning my tours around those.

 

Have a great rest of your cruise!!

[Kruizefan]

Today I have been one of 250 guests onboard the Golden in Hamburg.

We enjoyed a great day, had a wonderful show in the theater, an excellent luncheon in the Canaletto Dining Room and were overwhelming amazed by the Skywalkers Night Club.

Thanks to Princess Cruises.

Peter

[Elcruzer]

Well I just have to tell you -- what a royal treatment we got tonight! Princes and Cruise Director Richard Joseph and a half dozen staff invited us to the Wheelhouse Bar and Lounge at 5:15 tonight for a Cruise Critic Party -- and party it was!!! All but two of the 50 of us showed up (including the newly weds from this afternoon). We had an OPEN BAR for an hour (whatever you wanted), trays of hot and cold munchies and nuts on the tables, a chance to talk at length with any of them (at least 6 or 8 there the whole time), and a gift Princess tote bag for everyone. I just couldn't believe it. At the end, Richard took us out into the atrium and grouped us on the steps and then had the staff photographer take our picture from the next deck up. Wow -- couldn't have been nicer. ;)

 

All I had done was email Richard -- title it to CD Richard Joseph and email to www.goldenprincess@princesscruises.com and tell him when your first party is to be. Then when you come on board, seek him out and remind him. He'll take the ball from there. He's been a CD on many ships since the early 80's -- most recently on the Island to Hawaii this past summer. Don't bother to try to call Princess customer relations -- it won't help at all! Just contact the CD.

 

I had collected pictures from everyone which I arranged on a couple of pages and emailed to everyone before we left. Also made out a roster to give to everyone on board with everyone's name, cabin number, CC name and email address and home town, and also did up some name tags for everyone. It made the whole thing a lot more fun and we got to know each other more quickly.

 

Let me know if you need any other questions answered. Hope you have as much fun on your up coming cruises as we've been having. We're about to enter the Elbe River and travel up it tonight and arrive at Hamburg, Germany at 6:00 AM.

 

Bob

Richard Joseph seems to be a fantastic cruise director :) . I hope he is still on board when we sail Aug. 10. Even tho we have been on many Princess cruises for some reason for the past several years we have been on RCCL. They've always given CC a great meet & mingle party and was disappointed that Princess did not also acknowledge us. I'm hoping Richard Joseph is starting a new trend. It's really good public relations. I would like to contact him but can't seem to get his e-mail address. The site you mentioned just brings me into the Princess website. :(

[GottoCruise]

Elinor - Go to the Princess Cruises thread on the message board and look for RICHARD JOSEPH.....he is monitoring that thread and you can leave him a message ...I did!

[Host CJSKIDS]

Thanks everyone for the updates! Which formal night had the lobsters, that's all my kids want to know. We figured we'd only do one of them and the family will kill me if we miss the lobsters!!

[Bob & Barb]

Good morning from the Golden on a cool (45 degrees) morning with the wind blowing about 20 MPH. We slipped the mooring at Hamburg right on time at 6:00 AM and are sailing down the lovely Elbe River with gorgeous scenery on both sides. 88 miles to the North Atlantic and then we turn towards Amsterdam. Arrive at 7:00 AM tomorrow for another day of sight seeing.

 

The lobster night is the second formal night which is tonight! We've already reserved a half dozen lobsters.....they are the true Homarus americanus this time (not rock lobsters).

 

Peter -- I think you were one of the 2,500 (not 250) visitors to Hamburg yesterday! They were very cordial to us. Many were on the dock waving as we left this morning -- awed by the size of our ship.

 

Richard will be on this ship for the summer. He may go back to the Island next winter. You can reach him at the address I gave you above. Just write an email and send it to the address I gave you above and put To: CD Richard Joseph in the subject line. He'll get it!

 

More later -- back to my balcony to watch the countryside. Many windmills (not the Dutch type) churning out electricity all along the way, and in every city so far. By the way, the starboard seems to be the best side. It has been tied to the pier at every stop. Now watch me jinx myself at Amsterdam!:rolleyes:

Bob

[spongerob]

Have the menus included any regional items, or have they been the standard Princess bill of fare?

[Casshew]

I am loving all your reports from the Golden, thanks so much for the info!

 

:)

[Wenneke]

Blackegg,

 

when you see the CD can you pls ask him for a ccparty for the 6/11 sailing?

I will also send him an email, I don't know when we can plan it, or how many we are. A lot of my fellow travellers are already on their way to the UK.

 

Wendy.

[Wenneke]

read your messages first, and then ask the questions.

I will send the email.

[blackpool belle]

Is anybody going to Amsterdam by train? I would love to know if the station is near to the port in Rotterdam and how many euros it cost?

[AJY46]

Did anyone take the train yesterday to Berlin? If so, how easy was it? How close is the train station to the cruise terminal and are there taxis at the terminal to get there?

 

Anne

[Bob & Barb]

Tonight was the 2nd formal night and lobster night -- and were they good! Our waiter brought 2 for Barb and, without even asking, he brought 4 for me! With lemon and drawn butter, there was nothing left but shells. :D

 

Amsterdam tomorrow morning at 7:15 AM . We're doing "Amsterdam in a nutshell".

 

Didn't go to Berlin, but many did. There is a Princess shuttle bus to the railroad station and the center of town every half hour each way. Costs 4 Euros -- taxi is 4 or 5 euros, depending on traffic. It is a 1 1/2 mile walk. Give them $1.00 and they give you back .75 euros. That's the present exchange. Princess has change machines on board -- they charge $2.50 per conversion but you can change $10 to $100 for same cost.

 

Menus have had a lot of regional items -- plus a lot of the regular stuff.

 

Sorry to report that this is Capt. Warner's last cruise. He will not be captain on the next trip on June 11th. Don't know who the next one will be.

 

11:15 PM -- off to bed to get ready for Amsterdam!

 

Bob

[Logie]

Thanks Bob for the update, Captain Nash is coming back on next cruise......

[J18ktleo]

O.K. Now that you're fresh in from Rotterdam/Amsterdam could you tell us if it's a good idea or to time restrained to do the train to Amsterdam ourselves? We are planning on doing the Princess 'Amsterdam on your own' for peace of mind but if others found it no problem doing the whole thing on their own we'd consider it... :o

 

Jeani

[blackegg]

Dear fellow sailors:

 

I will work the CD for the free CC party. Having a GREAT TIME.

 

Had SIX lobsters last night AND the Beef Wellington...........

 

 

Jim

Blackegg

[lkmamom]

Hi Jim,

 

Wow, now that is the perfect solution to the question lobster or beef wellington??have some of each! I don't think that I could eat 6 lobster tails but it is always hard to choose. My DH and son look forward to "Lobster night!"

 

It sounds as if you are all having a great cruise, thanks so much for the updates, they are so very helpful to all of us awaiting our cruises. When you mentioned above getting to Southampton earlier as opposed to later, what time do you suggest? I am still a little stumped with that. We would really like to beat the Princess buses;) I know that I am going to have to pry my DH away from London.

 

The new CD sounds wonderful. What a very nice gesture it was to help with your CC party, and to be present as well. I think that says so much. Enjoy the rest of your cruise and thanks so much again for all of your helpful updates:)

Linda

[Logie]

Dear fellow sailors:

 

I will work the CD for the free CC party. Having a GREAT TIME.

 

Had SIX lobsters last night AND the Beef Wellington...........

 

 

Jim

Blackegg

 

See you soon!!! Finally flying out later today after working!!!

[tennis4me]

If you were responding to my cruise dates, (June 21-July 1)...then I will be glad to let you know regarding the port information. I can't wait, and I'm sure you are just as excited!

I will respond after my return, so keep an eye out.

June

 

June,

 

I'm on the July 11th cruise as well so am really looking forward to hearing all about your adventures.

 

Karen

[Ann25]

Hi fellow cruisers,

were on the Golden on May 1, Great ship. Wish we had your cruise director. We never saw ours. A few minutes here & there. If it wasn't for his great staff, it would have been a bust. Captain Nash was great. we got stuck out there an extra day due to bad weather and Captain Nash knew how to put everyone at ease. hope you had a great trip.

Ann25

[Bob & Barb]

We had a lovely trip to Amsterdam today. We took the Princess "Amsterdam In A Nutshell" tour and there were some 9 bus loads. Traffic was pretty bad during a weekday, and we had to even skip a couple of stops to make it back on time. I'm glad I didn't gamble that one on my own! Nice guide and bus driver -- sun shone all day. On the way out we stopped in Upper Church to tour a wooden shoe factory where they demonstrated the art of cutting the shoes. We toured the city of Amsterdam by bus, first, and then had a nice ride around the canals looking at things like Rembrandt Museum, Anne Frank's hideout, churches, ity hall, etc. The boat dropped us near a restaurant and we had lunch at Haesje Claes. We had a three course lunch which included a big plate of veal and veggies which was relly pretty tasty (included in the tour). I was surprised to see how many people live in houeboats along the canals. Didn't see as many flowers as I had expected to see.... Saw lots of "real" windmills, but there was no wind today so they were not working. Three busses were 45 minutes late getting back to the ship, but they held up for them so all got aboard, but another half dozen people didn't make it on their own and the ship left. Just had dinner -- Alaskan King Crab legs tonight which made a nice follow-up to the lobsters of last night. We're on the way to Paris now -- leave on busses early for the 3 hour drive to the City. What a whirlwind adventure this is -- not much time to lay back and relax. We docked on starboard side again -- will know if it holds for every port after tomorrow......Just dropped $20 in the Casino -- it hasn't been very nice to me on this trip. :(

Bob

[Host CJSKIDS]

We had a lovely trip to Amsterdam today. We took the Princess "Amsterdam In A Nutshell" tour and there were some 9 bus loads. Traffic was pretty bad during a weekday, and we had to even skip a couple of stops to make it back on time. I'm glad I didn't gamble that one on my own! Nice guide and bus driver -- sun shone all day. On the way out we stopped in Upper Church to tour a wooden shoe factory where they demonstrated the art of cutting the shoes. We toured the city of Amsterdam by bus, first, and then had a nice ride around the canals looking at things like Rembrandt Museum, Anne Frank's hideout, churches, ity hall, etc. The boat dropped us near a restaurant and we had lunch at Haesje Claes. We had a three course lunch which included a big plate of veal and veggies which was relly pretty tasty (included in the tour). I was surprised to see how many people live in houeboats along the canals. Didn't see as many flowers as I had expected to see.... Saw lots of "real" windmills, but there was no wind today so they were not working. Three busses were 45 minutes late getting back to the ship, but they held up for them so all got aboard, but another half dozen people didn't make it on their own and the ship left. Just had dinner -- Alaskan King Crab legs tonight which made a nice follow-up to the lobsters of last night. We're on the way to Paris now -- leave on busses early for the 3 hour drive to the City. What a whirlwind adventure this is -- not much time to lay back and relax. We docked on starboard side again -- will know if it holds for every port after tomorrow......Just dropped $20 in the Casino -- it hasn't been very nice to me on this trip. :(

Bob

 

Thanks Bob for the update. Glad we booked the Amsterdam on your own for July so if the bus is late it's okay. I can't belive that some people missed the ship, how horrible for them. I guess they're a few people trying to figure out how to get to France to met up with the ship. Hopefully Princess still has some representative at the dock for this type of thing and can help them out.