Random Thoughts on a B2B in a Window Suite on the Golden Princess from 09/01 to 09/15

[IECalCruiser]

• We have only gone to two shows so far, Stardust and Rollin’ Jay Moore. Both times we went to the late show and there were very small crowds. You could walk in just before the show and get a seat almost anywhere you wanted. Rollin' Jay Moore was very funny. Too bad the crowd was so small for the late show.
  
• Sabatini’s breakfast is a very nice perk. They have a French toast similar to the James Beard French toast but without the corn flakes and less greasy. IMHO it is the best French toast I have ever had.
  
• Weather is very nice in Ketchikan, mostly sunny with no rain. Those who missed the flightseeing in Juneau should have an opportunity today to make up for that.
  
• The was a Code Alpha in the Casino last night. Never good to see an oxygen tank and a gurney going anywhere on board :eek:
  

[IECalCruiser]

• It was a beautiful morning in Ketchikan.
  
• The salmon spawn was almost done. There were so few salmon in the creek that we didn’t bother to walk to the fish ladder this time. I forgot to mention earlier that the salmon never showed up in Skagway this year.
  
• With the short stop in Ketchikan today one passenger barely won Cruise Ship Roulette. She was running up the gangway at 12:27 PM with her arms full of shopping bags while the fork lift was waiting to remove the last gangway.
  

[Jeepers385]

Here's a shopping question for you, have you seen any end of season sales starting yet? :D

[IECalCruiser]

• For you smokers (and non-smokers), on the Promenade deck the smoking side is the starboard side (even though the documentation at the Passenger Services Desk states port side). It is port side on the upper decks. Just look for the ashtrays to confirm.
  
• Most Traveled Passengers had 1,057 days and third Most Traveled had 460 days.
  
• There were a lot of new Princess cruisers on board with only 400 Gold, 100 Platinum and 16 Elite on this cruise. Cut off for the most traveled gathering was 110 days which we didn’t make with only 89 days.
  
• We saw British Invasion for the first time last night. What a great show. It was still not very crowded at the late show.
  

[IECalCruiser]

Here's a shopping question for you, have you seen any end of season sales starting yet? :D

If you are asking about Alaskan ports, yes there have been a lot 50% off signs in port. I don't know if those are always the prices or really a sale. When we were in Alaska two years ago in mid August there will also many "Sales" in port.

[Avatar345]

IECalCruiser: Will be on the Golden next week and seeing as this was an NFL Sunday, was just wondering if you had noted whether any of the games were available for viewing in any venues, whether MUTS, in-room TVs, or in the Players bar? Thanks in advance for any insights!

[Solara]

Hi Brian & Janet,

 

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Enjoy the rest of your b2b.

[IECalCruiser]

IECalCruiser: Will be on the Golden next week and seeing as this was an NFL Sunday, was just wondering if you had noted whether any of the games were available for viewing in any venues, whether MUTS, in-room TVs, or in the Players bar? Thanks in advance for any insights!

Yesterday they showed the Redskins/New Orleans, 49ers/Packers and Steelers/Broncos. The first two were shown on MUTS and the Steelers/Broncos was also shown in Explorers Lounge. Didn't check out the Sports Bar but there was nothing shown in our cabin.

[IECalCruiser]

Hi Brian & Janet,

 

Sounds like you are having a wonderful time. Enjoy the rest of your b2b.

Donna, We really are enjoying the "Suite Perks" in the Window Suite. We just might book a WS for the 2014 ten day Mexico cruise RT from San Francisco.

[IECalCruiser]

Victoria

 

• Weather was nice in Victoria and we were good with a light sweater.
  
• There is definitely not enough time to see Victoria from 7:00 PM to 11:30 pm, especially with it getting dark so early at the end of the season.
  
• We just took the $9.00/person shuttle into town. Nice views of the Empress Fairmont hotel and the government buildings.
  
• Unfortunately where the shuttle leaves you off there are mostly only souvineer shops, restaurants and bars. No Diamonds International, but no “real” Victoria either.
  

Seattle

 

• It was nice not needing to worry about packing to go home.
  
• We did need to move from F307 to F315 but that was done before 9:00 AM with the help of our Steward.
  
• We met in the Crown Grill at 9:30 AM with a few others to be escorted through customs and back on to the ship. We had to wait a while in the terminal but were back on board by 10:30 AM and could enjoy an empty ship for almost two hours.
  
• It was sunny and almost 80 degrees at sailaway and a beautiful start to the second leg of our cruise.
  

Sea Day

 

• The Pacific Ocean waves were much higher than our first week and many people were feeling ill during the day.
  
• I wondered why we sailed in the rough Pacific Ocean waters for over 30 hours rather than in the Inside Passage. Apparently, there are speed limitations in the Inside Passage and the Golden needed to stay in the Pacific Ocean at higher speeds to make it to our first port of Juneau in time.
  
• It was so rough that the show British Invasions was cancelled for the night and will be rescheduled later in the week.
  
• Only the Bellini Dining Room was open for early Anytime Dining. We were seated at 5:45 PM and we were surprised that the Dining Room was no more the 50% full throughout our dinner. Many people must have skipped dinner because of the effect of the high waves.
  
• We went to another very funny Rollin’ Jay Moore show at 8:30. It was fairly full but there were some good seats available ten minutes before the show.
  

Approaching Juneau

 

• We made it into the Inside Passage about 4:00 AM this morning and the sea are quite calm now.
  
• There has been some sun breaking through the clouds and no rain. It might be a better days in Juneau for excursions this week.
  

[Avatar345]

Yesterday they showed the Redskins/New Orleans, 49ers/Packers and Steelers/Broncos. The first two were shown on MUTS and the Steelers/Broncos was also shown in Explorers Lounge. Didn't check out the Sports Bar but there was nothing shown in our cabin.

 

Many thanks, the info is much appreciated!

[IECalCruiser]

Many thanks, the info is much appreciated!

They are also showing the Bengals/Ravens and Chargers/Raiders today on MUTS

[caribill]

They are also showing the Bengals/Ravens and Chargers/Raiders today on MUTS

 

Just don't expect many movies on Movies Under the Stars during football season.

[IECalCruiser]

• The third time in Juneau is the charm! On our first two stops in Juneau, in 2010 and last week, the weather was bad and the Mount Roberts Tram disappeared into the clouds less than half way up the mountain. Today it has been dry and partly sunny.
  
• The Golden was the first ship in port and we walked to the Tram station, bought tickets, boarded and made it to the top before the crowds.
  
• We walked the half mile Alpine Trail route and took the added half mile round trip to the observation deck on the way to Father Brown’s Cross.
  
• There are about sixty stairs on one half of the Alpine Trail. We decided to walk up the sloped portion and down the portion with the steps. It is easier walking down steps IMHO.
  
• The weather varied with sun and patches of fog which created interesting lighting and views on the trail
  
• After our hike we watched the film “Seeing Daylight” about the Tlingit in the Theater and had a bonus performance by the Alaskan String Band, a very talented family of five.
  
• All in all, a great trip up Mount Roberts.
  

 

One Burning Question?

As far as I know, at least four cruise ships can dock in Juneau. We have been in Juneau twice with three other ships. The two HAL ships were docked but both times the Celebrity ship anchored rather than docked and there were very few tenders seen. Why??

[penguinNoVa]

Thanks so much for your updates! I'm very glad you had great weather in Juneau this week. I have a question about toiletries. I've been on Princess before but can't recall...does the cruise provide liquid bath gel, shampoo and conditioner from large pumps or are they in individual small bottles?

[Avatar345]

One Burning Question?

As far as I know, at least four cruise ships can dock in Juneau. We have been in Juneau twice with three other ships. The two HAL ships were docked but both times the Celebrity ship anchored rather than docked and there were very few tenders seen. Why??

 

Probably dock rights controlled by either Carnival Corporation or Holland America specifically.

[caribill]

I've been on Princess before but can't recall...does the cruise provide liquid bath gel, shampoo and conditioner from large pumps or are they in individual small bottles?

 

Individual small containers. May need to ask for the bath gel.

[PathfinderEss]

Enjoying the nice report of your cruise, sounds like you had a good time.

[Jasperdo]

Thanks so much for your updates! I'm very glad you had great weather in Juneau this week. I have a question about toiletries. I've been on Princess before but can't recall...does the cruise provide liquid bath gel, shampoo and conditioner from large pumps or are they in individual small bottles?

This is what the toiletries will look like:

 

 

Coral Princess by Jasperdo, on Flickr

[IECalCruiser]

Standard bathroom amenities include bar soap, shampoo, conditioner and lotion as shown in the photo. Upgraded suite amenities include bath gel. Other suite amenities include chap stick, emory board, bath salts, shower cap and gel eye mask among other items.

[IECalCruiser]

Smoker Update

 

As I posted before smoking is allowed on the starboard side of the Promenade deck. Unlike cruises before the new policy, there were no ash trays on the tables aft on the Horizon Terrace or forward on the tables in the Calypso Pool. Only ashtrays were on the tables on the port side of the Neptune Pool area so the only Lido deck smoking was there. Can't comment on Sun deck because it is really too cold to be out there in Alaska now.

[penguinNoVa]

Thanks for the pictures and responses regarding the toiletries - very helpful!

[IECalCruiser]

Skagway

 

• Our second day in Skagway was overcast and cold. We had thought about walking to Jewell Gardens for another visit, but decided the weather was too cold to enjoy a long walk. We walked through all seven blocks of the town and bought some smoked salmon before going back to the Golden.
  
• Without rain the flightseeing was going full speed. We saw as many as four helicopters taking off at a time.
  
• We decided to do the Chef’s table on the second cruise and it was scheduled for the evening in Skagway. Chef Convery had some interesting appetizers including white tomato soup and miniature duck burgers with sweet potato fries. The burger and fries were presented in a serving dish with a rubber ducky on top. The risotto was pumpkin and crab and the entrée was “Double Impact” with lobster, scallops, filet and lamb chops. All in all it was a very enjoyable meal with plenty if wine.
  

 

Tracy Arm

 

• This was our first visit to Tracy Arm Fjord. The weather was cold, rainy and overcast. Fortunately this weather gives brilliant blue colors to the floating ice which is missed in the sunshine.
  
• The overcast prevented good viewing of the hanging glaciers. In addition, we only could go as far as the island because of the large amount of ice in water the closer to the glaciers.
  
• Before we reached the island we met the Star as she passed a bend and we passed close to one another as she was leaving.
  
• Not a good day for seeing glaciers but great views of the many waterfalls in the fjord. As we have seen glaciers before, we had a very enjoyable morning of scenic cruising in Tracy Arm.
  

 

Ketchikan

 

• It was a cold and rainy morning for our stop. Very different from last week when we saw a couple on board who had been sunburned walking in town.
  
• We made a quick walk off the ship to pick up a few items and were back on board in an hour. We watched The Best Marigold Hotel in the Princess Theater and then went to the HC for a quick lunch before the Golden departed Ketchikan.
  
• There was only one other ship in town and there didn’t appear to be many people booking a tour from one of the booths at the dock. Tourist season is just about over in Alaska.
  
• Not much entertainment we want to see tonight. We saw Stardust for the first time last cruise and that was one time too many. Alexander the Illusionist is doing another show tonight and last night’s show was also one too many for us.
  
• Tonight is the second Formal Night and after three previous Formal Nights we are going to skip the festivities and go to the HC for dinner tonight after watching the Bears hopefully defeat the Packers.
  

 

Premium Teas in the IC

Both Revolution and Mighty Leaf teas are available for purchase at the IC.

 

Another Burning Question?

What ever happened to elevator manners? On numerous occasions people would start pushing into an elevator before people had a chance to get off. On other occasions, people would push into the elevator and push those inside to the wall in an attempt to fit more people into the elevator than could be accommodated. Why all the rush?

[moose.]

Another Burning Question?

What ever happened to elevator manners? On numerous occasions people would start pushing into an elevator before people had a chance to get off. On other occasions, people would push into the elevator and push those inside to the wall in an attempt to fit more people into the elevator than could be accommodated. Why all the rush?

 

I was on the September 1 sailing, and I noticed the same thing. I suppose people don't realize that people have to get out of the elevator first in order for others to get in. When those in the elevator tried to get out, it seemed like those trying to push their way in were shocked that people were even in there :rolleyes:. I'm only 23, so I was younger than the vast majority of passengers, and it was amazing to me how many (older) people don't have manners when it comes to things like that.

[IECalCruiser]

• Tonight is the second Formal Night and after three previous Formal Nights we are going to skip the festivities and go to the HC for dinner tonight after watching the Bears hopefully defeat the Packers.
  

• Well, that was a short night :(