A (mostly) Carnival Cruiser Tries Princess - a b2b on Golden Princess

[Sargent_Schultz]

Enough of that nonsense, time to eat!

 

Donetello Dining Room

 

 

 

They were pretty slammed and there was a line to get in, but I made it before closing time. No private table "available" and they were trying to get everyone in, so mostly shared tables for everyone at that point.

 

 

 

On Princess, lunch us served in a MDR on embarkation day and sea days only. Seems to me that in the good old days, lunch was served everyday, but that could be another cruise line. Of course, on Carnival, the MDR isn't open on embarkation day and Carnival is also moving to a brunch on sea days, instead of a breakfast and lunch.

 

 

 

One difference apparent is the minimal place setting

 

 

 

 

 

 

On the Carnival ships that still have lunch, more than you will likely use

 

 

 

 

Even at brunch

 

 

 

 

 

 

not a complaint, just an observation

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[Sargent_Schultz]

We saw this on the Oct. 24th sailing. We boarded with the disabled and we were on by 11:45. I could see a bunch of people waiting in another area.

 

Sarge your photos are great. We were on the cruise before yours.

 

Pat

 

Thank you.

[Sargent_Schultz]

One thing that was unexpected, and somewhat annoying was at the embarkation lunch, they seemed to expect me to reuse utensils. That could well have been because of the time and also the many people still being served. I don't recall that happening again, although this was the only time I had embarkation lunch in the MDR.

 

On the subject of bread, there seems to be a wider variety on Princess, and better, although I still have a favorite or two on Carnival. Butter was served in individual pats, balls, whatever.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I chose the soup, salad, sandwich combo, which in my case came out salad, soup, sandwich. It was all very good, but a sandwich is approximately a sandwich.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sargent_Schultz]

On my last Princess cruise (Grand, 2005), and okay, a Christmas cruise, embarkation lunch was a little different, but similar enough. Don't remember what this was, but London Broil was available on the current cruise.

 

 

 

[Sargent_Schultz]

After lunch, it was time for more exploring

 

There is more live music on Princess.

 

 

 

International Cafe (Part of Piazza) - Food was complementary but not specialty coffees

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Discovered the Princess Fine Arts Gallery - didn't realize there was a connection between Wyland and the ship, but that was interesting and nice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sargent_Schultz]

The Vines Shop

 

 

and more of Piazza

 

 

 

 

 

 

Vines Bar area - sushi and stuff. Think they expected you to make a drink purchase for the complementary food. I don't do sushi anyway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internet Cafe and Library

 

 

[TracieABD]

Love the photos!!!! I was on this ship right after her dry dock. It was a magical cruise!:)

[Clutterlady]

Loving every minute of this! The Golden was my first Princess cruise and the photos bring back such fond memories. Thank you for sharing...:)

[papakaiser]

Thanks for the review, and the pictures. Have enjoyed both !!

[cvpends]

There was a section reserved for Priority and the rest were by deck, but when check-in first started, all were "reserved" for Priority. After the initial rush, it went back to as you described. Perhaps this is unique to the Coastal cruises?

 

I noticed this also this time (as opposed to April when we were last in San Pedro), and wondered if it was because of the huge numbers of priority pax on these "free" cruises.

[paddingtonbear]

Okay, some of the differences I noticed -

 

 

Drink service in the MDR is different on Princess. No waiting for a bar server to make the rounds. Your waiter and/or assistant waiter takes the drink orders. The down side is it seems like every night they are asking if you want to purchase some fancy water or cocktails. Or after dinner coffee drink.

 

No charger plates in the MDR.

 

I'll probably remember some more.

 

What is a charger plate please?

[oncruisecontrol]

Great start to your review, Sarge. I usually sail Carnival(we are Platinum), but in 3 1/2 weeks, I will be leaving on my first Princess cruise (my travel companions have sailed Princess previously). I am looking forward to more of your review.

[TracieABD]

What is a charger plate please?

 

A charger is a plate that is part of the place-setting that "holds a space" for the plates that come from the kitchen. Sometimes, a charger remains on the table during apps (the app plate is placed on the charger). Sometimes it is removed when you are seated. Typically, no food ever touches the charger.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Love the photos!!!! I was on this ship right after her dry dock. It was a magical cruise!:)

 

Thank you.

 

Loving every minute of this! The Golden was my first Princess cruise and the photos bring back such fond memories. Thank you for sharing...:)

 

 

Thank you and you're welcome!

[Sargent_Schultz]

Thanks for the review, and the pictures. Have enjoyed both !!

 

You're welcome and thank you. :)

 

I noticed this also this time (as opposed to April when we were last in San Pedro), and wondered if it was because of the huge numbers of priority pax on these "free" cruises.

 

Maybe. It seemed well organized, so it wasn't the first time they had done it like that.

[Sargent_Schultz]

What is a charger plate please?

 

A charger is a plate that is part of the place-setting that "holds a space" for the plates that come from the kitchen. Sometimes, a charger remains on the table during apps (the app plate is placed on the charger). Sometimes it is removed when you are seated. Typically, no food ever touches the charger.

 

Correct. Looking back at some of my other cruises, I guess Princess never had them. No big deal and really just a waste of a plate.

 

On Carnival the first courses come on their plates and are placed on the charger plate. The charger plate is removed prior to the entree being served.

 

 

 

and looking at various cruises, it looks like they aren't on all Carnival ships.

 

 

[Sargent_Schultz]

Great start to your review, Sarge. I usually sail Carnival(we are Platinum), but in 3 1/2 weeks, I will be leaving on my first Princess cruise (my travel companions have sailed Princess previously). I am looking forward to more of your review.

 

Thank you. Enjoy your cruise!

[Sargent_Schultz]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sargent_Schultz]

Calypso Reef and Pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Neptune's Reef and Pool

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Trident Grill

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Sargent_Schultz]

Prego Pizzeria (sorry Princess, Carnival's new pizza is superior)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Gunner22aa]

Been two years since we were on her but less than two weeks before we are again. The ship looks great and pretty much just as I remember. Thanks for taking the time to post

[melody hounddog]

Great review. Thanks so much.

 

I think you said that you arrived at the pier at 10:15. Would you recommend arriving at this time or later?

[lovevacadays]

Thank you for your review and pictures. I am enjoying reading your thread. I see a few of these short cruises in my future.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Been two years since we were on her but less than two weeks before we are again. The ship looks great and pretty much just as I remember. Thanks for taking the time to post

 

I thought the ship was ll maintained. You're welcome.

 

Great review. Thanks so much.

 

I think you said that you arrived at the pier at 10:15. Would you recommend arriving at this time or later?

 

I don't think there would be a huge difference between 10:15 or 11. Of course, next time I'll be Platinum! :)

 

10:15 was probably too early, but I wasn't the first person there. If you get there that early plan on entertaining yourself for a couple of hours before boarding begins. If you arrive later there may be longer lines, but you may not have to sit for very long, if at all, waiting for the next phase.

[Sargent_Schultz]

Thank you for your review and pictures. I am enjoying reading your thread. I see a few of these short cruises in my future.

 

I think there may well be more in my future - especially if at a good price. a b2b2b2b2b will make me Elite!