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Golden Princess New Zealand 11th to 24th February 2016 - Complete Picture Review!

hopestotravelmore

By hopestotravelmore,
in Princess Cruises

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hopestotravelmore

hopestotravelmore

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Maureen-

I have mad respect for you. I have been on CC for years, posted a few times, written a live from or two--- AND STILL CANNOT POST A PICTURE! You are amazing to me! My new hero!

 

Thank you for the fun start of what will become an epic review---

 

Can't wait for more!

Tracie-Lynn:)

 

Hi Tracie

 

I have read all three of your Alaskan cruise reviews in my research. Loved them all. Posting pictures is so easy. If I can do it anyone can. Please give it a go.

There are plenty besides me on CC who could help. This is the link I followed to learn how.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1234944

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1234944

 

I love looking at all the pictures, I think that is why I want to go to Alaska so much after seeing all the pictures on Glacier Bay and Ketchikan

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TracieABD "Live from...." Rare

TracieABD

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Hi Tracie

 

I have read all three of your Alaskan cruise reviews in my research. Loved them all. Posting pictures is so easy. If I can do it anyone can. Please give it a go.

There are plenty besides me on CC who could help. This is the link I followed to learn how.

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1234944

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1234944

 

I love looking at all the pictures, I think that is why I want to go to Alaska so much after seeing all the pictures on Glacier Bay and Ketchikan

 

Thank you so much for the help. I swear, I am going to take the time to learn.

Alaska is gorgeous. You just can;t get an ugly view.

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TracieABD "Live from...." Rare

TracieABD

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By the way Tracie

 

What did you think of the Victoria Anna- Yangtze River Cruise 7/10/11

 

That is on my list. I have read perhaps 2 on here on this cruise. I wish more would post

 

It was an interesting cruise. Very short and part of a much longer trip through China. I have been to China 4 times. When you get ready to plan it, please, feel free to email me. I would be happy to send some pointers to you. My email is tracie <at> carolina <dot> rr <dot> com

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hopestotravelmore

hopestotravelmore

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Sorry I have jumped all over the place for my first sea day. I should have begun with breakfast.

 

In the morning we went to the Donatello dining room for breakfast. Here they serve breakfast from 7.30am TO 9.30am every morning. We are early risers back home and I wanted to sleep in on this cruise. But hubby cannot sleep in ever. Bloody male! I guess it’s all those years working on a farm rising with the sun. So we were the second couple to arrive when the doors opened at 7.30. All the staff line up to great you with “good morning madam.” It is rather embarrassing. I felt like a lady from Downtown Abby. I think I said “Morning” 10 times. We were taken over to a table for 6 by the window. We met two retired couples from Geelong and Melbourne. There was a great choice on the menu they handed to you. Lots of juices, cereals, toast, eggs, bacon, salmon, breads and pastries etc. Not a huge selection as in the Horizon Court. But that was fine by me. We can’t be too greedy.

 

We managed to have breakfast in the dining room every second day. For some reason James loved Horizon Court. If it wasn’t for my persistence we would have ate at HC every meal. I love the idea of being waited on like a lady. Don’t get that at home! Smiles.

 

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On that first sea day we went back to the Donatello Dining room for afternoon tea, which is available on sea days between 3.30 and 4.30pm. No charge. WOW! It was amazing but so much food. We couldn’t keep going at this rate every day, so we decided to forgo afternoon tea in the dining room. We had done it once and that was enough especially for the old man. I could have gone back again, not for the food but for the first class service. I love being treated like a lady. There was scones, little sandwiches, pastries, seafood … you name it you could get it.

 

Sometime in the afternoon, I went on the internet on my iPad up on Deck 14 and informed all our private tour operators about the change of days and could we alter our tour with them. They all got back to me by the next day to let me know that they already knew of the Golden Princess’s change of course and all but one couldn’t give us a tour on the new date. More on that later.

When we booked this cruise we decided to take anytime dining. 6-6.30 was our usual time to head to the Bernini Dining room on deck 5 which was assigned for anytime dining from 5pm to 9pm. There was never any wait if you were happy to share a table with others. We loved that idea. It was usually tables of 6, 8 or 10. If you wanted a table for 2, you usually had to wait. James is not really a big talker…surprise surprise. I Ioved the idea of sharing a table with others. I could chat to these privileged (smiles) people instead of sitting in silence after 10 minutes with the hubby. Poor man! He does get tired of all my chatter.

 

After dinner, we headed back to Deck 14 and got ready for MUTS. The movie, Bridge of Spies began at 7.30pm. The waiters brought around popcorn then cookies and milk. We never had the milk, but said yes to the popcorn and cookies. I love MUTS. Sitting up on deck with a blanket and popcorn is just a delightful way to pass the evening. You could even watch the sea and the sunset. There is much activity on Deck 14 before the movie starts. The pool deck hand guys (some were cute in their shorts) place red covers on all the lounges ready for the evening movie. Then out come the blankets and if you take any you have to leave your room number and they cross your number when return the blankets.

 

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We actually found the sound travelled better up on Deck 15 so if wasn’t too hot we usually watched the movie up there. The movie finished at 10pm and we located our butts to the International Café for dessert and a pot of specially tea. Haven’t we had enough to eat by this stage, apparently not?

 

Then it was off to bed. And thankfully, Gary our lovely room steward had put on the egg crate that I had asked for. God, these Princess mattresses are hard. Last night I did not sleep due to the mattress. At home we have a soft mattress. Tonight our clocks will be set one hour forward.

 

In the evening, there was the usual Dance parties, Ballroom dance favorites, happy hour and performers but we didn’t go. A spotlight/Showtime starring Rock violinist sensation Katei was held in the Princess theatre. Everyone said she was great.

 

Partying the night away is not really our scene.

 

P.S. Every evening in our cabin guess what we did? Come on guess! It wasn’t what you all think. Get those minds out of the gutter please. This is what we did. James snored beside me while I watched THE LOVE BOAT. Gee, I loved that show back in my youth. So I made a point of watching at least one (sometimes two) episode every night before I went to sleep.

 

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hopestotravelmore

hopestotravelmore

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so enjoying this review i wish i could have done mine like this too but i am not the best at this sort of stuff sadly

 

Hi Hawka

Thanks for the kinds words. My hubby tells me I talk to much so I guess I am doing the same here. I hope its ok but I had such a wonderful time and want everyone to know it..:D

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hopestotravelmore

hopestotravelmore

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Saturday Feb. 13 Todays Weather 21

 

At Sea: Speed 17.4 Knots Slight seas with long/low NE’ly swell

 

After breakfast in the Donatello Dining Room, James went for a swim and I went to the Welcome to Princess Presentation in Wheelhouse bar at 9.15am. You learn about Princess Loyalty programs with Alessandra the captains circle host. I was the only passenger who turned up. Told you I wanted to do everything. Lol I had both girls (forgot the other girls name) talk to me about the program. Told them I was going to do a cruise review on CC and they said got to take a photo of us as they love that on CC. Very fun. They were really nice girls. They gave me my Princess passport and two pins.

 

Now that we have completed our first cruise we have become a Gold Member. Which gives us access to a Circle Host onboard, free cruise photo contest, Members only onboard events, the passport and pins, magazine, pricing offers etc.

 

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After their talk, I rushed to the Princess Theatre for a Shore Excursion Live Tour Presentation which begun at 9.45am. What was I doing at this talk when we had all our excursions booked you may ask? It was a senseless act on my part, now that I think about it. But I am one of those people who have to do it all. I can’t miss out. Just call me crazy. I give you permission. It was a very good presentation by the way. However I hate to say this, but I knew it all. Smart arse!

 

After the presentation, met James at the Wheelhouse Bar for cappuccino and hot chocolate and a read. This bar has a nautical theme with a wheel, pictures of ships hanging on the walls and model ships on display. I loved all the dark seating nooks to hide away in.

 

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I wanted to try lunch in Donatello dining room but as usual James got his way, and I accompanied him to the Horizon Court. I had various meat cuts and cheeses and those to die for bread rolls. Yummy! I could live off Princess Bread rolls. James had some hot stuff. Unsure what it was.

 

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We never did get to eat lunch in the Donatello DR. Damn hubby once again!

 

After lunch we both had a snooze out on Deck 15 until 2.45pm where I headed to the Canaletto Dining Room on Deck 6 for a Maitre d’ Wine Club wine tasting. This cost me $34 AUD James didn’t go he doesn’t drink wine. Beer is his preferred form of drink. It was a lovely formal presentation with three guys speaking about the wines and how to choose a wine. There were 6 wines to taste and you also got to eat canapés and cheese. They were very funny men. The only problem I found was all the canapes were seafood and I am not really into seafood, so I wolfed down the cheeses. On the very first day of the cruise there were stuff going around selling this wine tasting as well as tables set up around the ship. Very easy to find out about it as they want you to part with your money.

 

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During the day, there was the usual happy hour buy 1 get one for $1….trivia, Karaoke, bingo, art auctions, 60 second frenzy, music, pop choir rehearsal, destination presentations, dance classes, (phew… so much to do) seminars run by The Lotus Spa such as Wrinkly Remedies with Dr. Mona Yacoub. Should I have gone to that talk? I am getting older perhaps her talk would give me some ideas but somehow I knew it would more than likely be a sales pitch so didn’t attend.

 

Did you know that Princess Cruises came from the name of the first vessel first chartered from Canada in 1965 – the Princess Patricia owned by the Canadian Pacific Railway? I didn’t know that. Gee you learn something new every day.

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hopestotravelmore

hopestotravelmore

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While I was at the wine tasting, James was at MUTS watching Mission Impossible – Ghost Protocol.

 

After a rest from all that wine I drank, we went to the Piazza for afternoon tea. Yummy cookies again. Did I tell you I love those cookies. Then it was back to Deck 14 to watch Brits Icon: Elton John on MUTS. It sounds like we watch a lot of TV, but with all the action on Deck 14/15 and my people watching we only saw bits of Elton John.

 

Tonight is Formal Night. So James has to wear his suit I made him bring. Guess what…miserable me… He didn’t wear it because my son in law told him that when he went on his cruise on RC he didn’t wear a suit to formal night, just nice pants and shirt. Damn! Should have acted quicker and informed that bloody son in law to keep his mouth shut. Oh well at least he didn’t wear jeans. So instead of going to the dining room we had dinner in the HC again.

 

At 7pm, I drag James to the Piazza for the Captains Welcome aboard Party and Champagne Waterfall. And guess what? I did the champagne waterfall picture. Not many men had their photo taken just us women. It was fun. Won’t do it again though.

 

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At 8pm the first production show of the cruise – Caribbean Caliente in the Princess Theatre with the Golden Princess Singers and Dancers. It was a Latin show with music from Miami, Cuba, Mexico and the Caribbean Islands. Really enjoyed all the dancing and singing.

 

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The cast from Caribbean Caliente

 

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On left The Scottish One…………….On right Mosaic

 

Then we went to the Promenade Lounge on Deck 7 for Tinis & Tunes with “The Scottish One.” This guy played the piano, sang and told some very funny jokes. By the end of the cruise he had such a big following and if you didn’t get there early it was standing room only. He usually began at 8.45pm and finished at closing time…whatever that was because we usually headed up to bed around 10.30pm such oldies that we are. After a couple of drinks we headed to bed for tomorrow we had to be up early as we were going to sail through Milford Sound.

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crochetcruise

crochetcruise

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Lovely photos, especially of the Wheelhouse Bar. It looks as if I could practise ascending and descending the 2 steps using my walking sticks rather than the walker quite safely

 

By any chance, do you know the cost of a Formal Portrait please? I get a Free Sitting as a Suite Perk, am guesstimating AUD$50 for the photo. Already know about the Welcome Aboard Photo Package, it's on my list of On Board Purchases to Pre-Pay, still have Gift Services, Internet, Soda & More Package, On Board Credit to pay for Cocktails, Culinary Delights, Lotus Spa and Casino Credits to organise.

 

My TA's just done a 2 night cruise on the Pacific Eden, she warned me that the selection in the on board shops is FAR more extensive than Gift Services-start "squirrelling" extra money. I did see the price of a plush bathrobe AUD$125, and probably bulky to pack! Not this time, I'll enjoy it in the Window Suite, and get the mugs my cousins would like as their Cruise Souvenirs/Christmas presents-too good an opportunity to get something useful and practical!

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hopestotravelmore

hopestotravelmore

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Lovely photos, especially of the Wheelhouse Bar. It looks as if I could practise ascending and descending the 2 steps using my walking sticks rather than the walker quite safely

 

By any chance, do you know the cost of a Formal Portrait please? I get a Free Sitting as a Suite Perk, am guesstimating AUD$50 for the photo. Already know about the Welcome Aboard Photo Package, it's on my list of On Board Purchases to Pre-Pay, still have Gift Services, Internet, Soda & More Package, On Board Credit to pay for Cocktails, Culinary Delights, Lotus Spa and Casino Credits to organise.

 

My TA's just done a 2 night cruise on the Pacific Eden, she warned me that the selection in the on board shops is FAR more extensive than Gift Services-start "squirrelling" extra money. I did see the price of a plush bathrobe AUD$125, and probably bulky to pack! Not this time, I'll enjoy it in the Window Suite, and get the mugs my cousins would like as their Cruise Souvenirs/Christmas presents-too good an opportunity to get something useful and practical!

 

Hi crochetcruise

 

The formal photo I got was $30 It was only one but the one above was only $14.99

 

The Wheelhouse bar and all the other bars where easy to use if you had a walking stick or walker. I am sure you could manage.

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hopestotravelmore

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Sunday Feb. 14 Todays Weather 17

 

Fiordland: Speed 17.4 Knots Slight seas with short/low N’ly swell

 

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Happy Valelntine’s Day! Today was the coolest day we had on the cruise. So off we went up onto deck 15 with our coats and beanies. We were sailing into Fiordland National Park. What spectacular scenery. We saw Milford Sound, Thompson Sound and Doubtful Sound.

 

We entered Milford Sound at 8.05am with a stunning mist covering the mountains and finally Doubtful Sound at 15.00hours. A gorgeous day of viewing. I will let my pictures speak for themselves. This girl can not compete with nature.

 

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