Live from the Golden 05/30

[Northender]

Full steam ahead. Colo. Lunch sounded great. Looking forward to your Live From updates.:)

[kimchee1212]

Sorry to hear that you're in for rough seas. According to maps, Princess is not going through the Inside Passage, and is instead going through the ocean.

 

Let us know how the seas way throughout the trip!

 

Thanks for the updates!

Enjoy~

[SeattleCruiselover]

Sorry to hear that you're in for rough seas. According to maps, Princess is not going through the Inside Passage, and is instead going through the ocean.

 

Let us know how the seas way throughout the trip!

 

Thanks for the updates!

Enjoy~

 

Here is the local marine forecast for the next couple of days. They will make the Queen Charlottes tomorrow evening/night:

 

http://www.atmos.washington.edu/data/marine_report.html

[msweeble1]

Have fun!!!!

[cruisingready]

Excited about your live posts. We will be on the Golden July 4th. Have a great cruise and hope the weather is also great. Thanks so much for posting LIVE

[rdsqrl]

We have late seating so will have to snack several more times here in the next hour or two.

 

 

Yep, gotta keep your strength up! Thanks for taking us along with you -- looking forward to your impressions of the "new" Golden. I'd love a sneak peek at the new oceanview cabins on the Sun Deck, if you can somehow manage it.

[teacherme]

I love to read live reports. We leave on the Golden in 20 days, please leave some snacks for me. (L0L) :D

[Rockymountainsparky]

CC, have a great cruise. It seams that Alaska usually has great weather in early June.

[Cruisin' Chick]

Wow, Seattle seems to have warmer weather right now than here (our June gloom hasn't burned off in the last couple of days).

 

Hopefully I can convince hubby that we should be boarding the Golden in about 18-1/2 months.

 

Have a great cruise.

[Rockymountainsparky]

CC, are you going to try the chef's table? I want to try that on the Crown Nov. 28th.

[Shifra]

Thanks for the live post. The Golden was my first Princess cruise so it's fun hearing about the ship. I haven't been to Alaska yet and appreciate you sharing your cruise with us. Rough seas? You will have to let us know how that goes. :)

[BayCalif-Ariz R Us]

Can you who are currently onboard a Princess ship tell us if ice cream actually does become free:eek: at Scoops as of tomorrow (Monday, June 1). That is the rumor circulating amongst us temporarly land-locked cruisers. If it is free, does that include sundaes, banana splits, etc? Thank you and good cruising!!!!

[hydrodriver831]

Just pulling away from the dock. captain says we are in for a continuation of the great weather. So keeping fingers crossed. He also says that after we leave the Staights of Jaun De Fuca we will experince some rough seas so we will see what happens. We have late seating so will have to snack several more times here in the next hour or two..

 

Talk at ya all later!!

 

Colo Cruiser,

 

Has Princess restarted the sailaway party. I remember reading posts over the last few weeks that Princess had stopped the sailaway party because of noise complaints from the residents near Pier 91. Thanks.

[Colo Cruiser]

Good Morning from Golden Princess!!

After sailing from Seattle we settles down to some drinks at Explorers Lounge. The waters were smooth as glass. Just relaxed and shared some laughs with the bar staff .

 

Headed back to the cabin get ready for din din at 8pm (late trad).

We were met at the door of Canaletto by MD Angelo Balbiani. He had set up a great table for 2 by a window. This table was a round 4 top set up for 2. We opened the sheer curtains and had light until 9pm or so. The waters continued to be smooth and we passed the NCL Norwegian Star and watched as one of the HA ships (Oosterdam type) head the other direction possibly the west coast?

We had been docked at the pier with the Amsterdam but this one was one of their biggies.

 

I ordered a New York steak which used to be on the always available menu. The Golden now has the new menus instituted.

Had a couple of shrimp cocktails, great salad with Princess house dressing, melon balls in a port type juice. There was Prime Rib/Texas Chili/Barramundi fish/Pork type dish. Can’t remember them all. Anyway my steak was excellent. I had the floating islands and bananas foster for dessert. All I can say is that both were heavenly!!

 

Coffee, and at 9:45 it was off to the Princess theater for the welcome aboard show at 10:15. We stopped by the cabin as DW needed to grab a sweater as it was getting chilly indoors and received a call from CD Richard Joseph. We have sailed with Rich many times. He is an excellent host with never ending energy. We were looking forward to meeting up with him. As we entered the Princess Theater about 15 minutes before show time it was only about 1/3 full so seating was not a problem. Even though the first night most people are exhausted from traveling the theater filled pretty fast by 10:15. A short intro of the Production team/Cruise Staff and we were entertained by Comedian Carlos Oscar. Really funny guy. After the show we spoke with Rich outside the theater and then headed to the cabin.

 

This morning I awoke at around 6am and felt the movement of the ship had picked up to this point the stabilizers are in operation and we are shimmying a little with the sideways motion. It is clear but there is a strong headwind with 4 to 6 foot seas. Just as the Captain had predicted.

We are on Dolphin deck just a few cabins forward of the atrium elevators so I don’t think we could be anymore central.

Captain Foster is on the speaker telling us that we are currently passing the Sea Princess (S/B) on the Port side.

 

Had a chance to look closer at the new updates to the atrium area. The Future Cruise office/Captains Circle office is now located on the port side (old casino) area along with the new shore excursion desk which is directly behind the passengers services desk and right outside the new Crown Grill. I must say the Vines area is much more striking then the ones on the Ruby/Crown/Emerald. Those ships had the FC office right next to Vines. On here that area is all Vines and has 2 or 3 additional big windows which really light up and open up the space. The Internet café is in the same area now as the Ruby/Crown/Emerald.

 

Staff.

Captain-John Foster

Staff Captain-David Galloway

Passenger Services Director-Claudio Mazzoni

CD-Richard Joseph

MD-Angelo Balbiani

Executive Chef-Paolo Merio

 

I have to mention that upon boarding I saw a gentlemen carrying one of those old stainless steel folding chairs with the old type multi colored webbing that had the rocker bottom on it! I tried to get a photo because I figured nobody would believe me. Guess it was like his security blanket?

He also had what appeared to be a tackle box!!

We will leave the rest up to your imagination.

Well I am hungry again so will head up to the HC.

I don’t think we will do the Chefs table as we have done it twice before. I did see it noted in the Patter though.

Pia no mention of a seafood buffet.

Have a great day.

　

[BayCalif-Ariz R Us]

How about the free ice cream in Scoops effective June 1? Any truth to that? Thanks!!!!!

[spingal]

Keith,

 

It is great to read your reports! My family and I are on the Golden for a cruise to Hawaii this Thanksgiving.

 

Interesting to hear that they have not updated at least some of the cabins. Maybe they will be doing that over the next few months? Could you possibly ask someone?

 

Have a wonderful cruise!! :D:D

[Pia1913]

How about the free ice cream in Scoops effective June 1? Any truth to that? Thanks!!!!!

 

Hang in there, guys. It's not June 1st yet! :D

[Colo Cruiser]

Well we have been in 8-12ft seas all day, stabilizers are still out. Temp 50 f and the wind is relentless. The Captain said it would last the rest of the day.

We went up to Skywalkers and watched some of the bow waves! Incedible!

Ice Cream (soft serve) is now available 11a-11p at Scoops. No more in the Horizon Court the old way. Does not look like Scoops is doing any other ice cream besides the soft serve so maybe on the Golden at least Scoops does not have the milk shakes and sundaes for a fee like the other ships.

Future Cruise guy had a big line today as did the Captains Circle host “Jacqui”. She told us yesterday that most traveled has 464 days so we will fall in third place and be at the Captains table for the luncheon Friday.

The Naturalist Michael Modzelewski was introduced last night in the Princess theater. As someone noted in a past Golden thread he is a very knowledgeable dude but an eccentric one at that.

Have our M&G at 3. CD Rich told me that he and the officers will be unable to make the get together due to a senior staff meeting just prior to ours, so he asked if he could set up a second one on Friday.

Due to the cold/windy weather all I have been doing is eating today. Danger Will Robinson Danger, not good, must slow down.

Phoenix Rising is the onboard band, if I remember right from other cruises they are pretty good.

In the Promanade Bar AKA (Crooners type) is Chris May on the piano.

The production show tonight in the Princess Theater is Cinematastic held at 8:15/10:15.

　

I will ask Rich about the sailaway noise, if there is any truth to the rumor.

 

Internet is pretty fast although late last night I could not get on.

For Elites the 30 minute bonus is only added if you purchase a $100 or more package, so no bonus with just the free $75 internet package.

Not sure for everyone else I think you get the 30 minutes if you sign up the first day. It just does not show up until the second day I was tlds by the IC guy.

[Pia1913]

Well we have been in 8-12ft seas all day, stabilizers are still out. Temp 50 f and the wind is relentless. The Captain said it would last the rest of the day.

We went up to Skywalkers and watched some of the bow waves! Incedible!

Ice Cream (soft serve) is now available 11a-11p at Scoops. No more in the Horizon Court the old way. Does not look like Scoops is doing any other ice cream besides the soft serve so maybe on the Golden at least Scoops does not have the milk shakes and sundaes for a fee like the other ships.

Future Cruise guy had a big line today as did the Captains Circle host “Jacqui”. She told us yesterday that most traveled has 464 days so we will fall in third place and be at the Captains table for the luncheon Friday.

The Naturalist Michael Modzelewski was introduced last night in the Princess theater. As someone noted in a past Golden thread he is a very knowledgeable dude but an eccentric one at that.

Have our M&G at 3. CD Rich told me that he and the officers will be unable to make the get together due to a senior staff meeting just prior to ours, so he asked if he could set up a second one on Friday.

Due to the cold/windy weather all I have been doing is eating today. Danger Will Robinson Danger, not good, must slow down.

Phoenix Rising is the onboard band, if I remember right from other cruises they are pretty good.

In the Promanade Bar AKA (Crooners type) is Chris May on the piano.

The production show tonight in the Princess Theater is Cinematastic held at 8:15/10:15.

　

I will ask Rich about the sailaway noise, if there is any truth to the rumor.

 

How well we know third place. Trying eventually to end up in 2nd. Good thing we're not travelling with you. :D

[vickie_bernie]

Well we have been in 8-12ft seas all day, stabilizers are still out. Temp 50 f and the wind is relentless. The Captain said it would last the rest of the day.

We went up to Skywalkers and watched some of the bow waves! Incedible!

Ice Cream (soft serve) is now available 11a-11p at Scoops. No more in the Horizon Court the old way. Does not look like Scoops is doing any other ice cream besides the soft serve so maybe on the Golden at least Scoops does not have the milk shakes and sundaes for a fee like the other ships.

Future Cruise guy had a big line today as did the Captains Circle host “Jacqui”. She told us yesterday that most traveled has 464 days so we will fall in third place and be at the Captains table for the luncheon Friday.

The Naturalist Michael Modzelewski was introduced last night in the Princess theater. As someone noted in a past Golden thread he is a very knowledgeable dude but an eccentric one at that.

Have our M&G at 3. CD Rich told me that he and the officers will be unable to make the get together due to a senior staff meeting just prior to ours, so he asked if he could set up a second one on Friday.

Due to the cold/windy weather all I have been doing is eating today. Danger Will Robinson Danger, not good, must slow down.

Phoenix Rising is the onboard band, if I remember right from other cruises they are pretty good.

In the Promanade Bar AKA (Crooners type) is Chris May on the piano.

The production show tonight in the Princess Theater is Cinematastic held at 8:15/10:15.

　

I will ask Rich about the sailaway noise, if there is any truth to the rumor.

 

Internet is pretty fast although late last night I could not get on.

For Elites the 30 minute bonus is only added if you purchase a $100 or more package, so no bonus with just the free $75 internet package.

Not sure for everyone else I think you get the 30 minutes if you sign up the first day. It just does not show up until the second day I was tlds by the IC guy.

 

Rich told me about the noise issue re sailaway, made for an odd sailaway but was still fun.

 

We didn't get the free 30 minutes, computer person said this ship doesn't give it to elite/platinum members with free package.

 

Glad the crew are able to do a m&g again on Friday... they did that for us too and the sailing before.

 

Yes the naturalist is interesting... we had fun imitating him all week.

 

Funny the HC had the ice cream when we sailed two weeks ago. Must be a recent change. Didn't even check Scoops for soft serve or anything else.

 

Seems like you are having a great time. I really enjoy following your live thread, keep up the great work. And enjoy the cruise.

 

Vickie

[Northender]

Keith, you will enjoy Phoenix Rising. They are still my favorite Princess entertainment. No pressure, but ask how far in advance they know their schedule. Honestly, I would take a cruise if they were performing. And if you do get their ear, they need a website so their cruising fans can follow them:)

 

Tell them you want something by Jimmy Clanton and they will do Just a Dream:D

 

Thanks for the updates and enjoy, enjoy

[Momma Mojito]

Keith, Thanks for all your information on your cruise. I am enjoying all of it, but especially what you had for dinner. I got hungry just reading what you had for dinner. Will you be sharing all your dinner menus with us? Hope so.

I too am a fan of "Phoenix Rising" We heard them on the Caribbean Princess two years ago and thought thier music was fantastic. If you stop by the Wheelhouse please tell them that Gene and JoAnn said Hi and ask Joey to play "Soulman". Then see if Randy the drummer will play "Wipeout". He can really beat those drums.

[TracieABD]

Colo-Cruiser-

Thank you so much for all of your updates. It is really fun to get a preview of our upcoming cruise vicariously through you.

 

If you have an extra second, can you check to see if they really tore out the jogging track? What solutions, if any, are they offering runners/joggers/ walkers? (That does not include a dreaded treadmill!:()

 

I really appreciate any info that you can come by.

 

Thanks again for all of the information. I have really looked forward to your posts.

TL

[Colo Cruiser]

Good morning,

Yesterday was a lazy day. We had lunch in the HC around 1pm then the M&G at 3:00. Only about half of our 40 showed but a good time was had by all.

We were asked to stop by the Champagne Waterfall a little early (it started at 8pm) and meet the Captain/Staff Captain/PSD/ etc.

Captain Foster is a very personable/funny guy along with his Staff Captain Galloway. Both hail from England.

For dinner I had the Silver Salmon along with the 2 orders of Escargot that I pre ordered the night before. DW had the Cornish Game Hen with the always available shrimp cocktail.

 

Our waiter/asst are Salvadore/Alberto, from Guadalahara/Mazatlan respectively (Mexico).

Our Head waiter is Mossimo from Italy. He has been very attentive

We watched comedian Carlos Oscar in the Vista Lounge at 10:30.

He prides his routine on no profanity and is hilarious.

Cinematastic was the production show in the Princess Theater.

It stayed light out last night until around 11pm so we had great views out our dining room window throughout the meal.

 

We are currently headed for Juneau and passing between Admiralty Island and 2 other small Islands known as the The Brothers. After clearing these we will make a turn to Port and enter Stephens Passage. Later in the morning after leaving Stephens Passage we will enter Gastineau Channel that leads into Juneau where we will arrive at approximately Noon.

The water is pure glass and the temp is around 50 already with clear and blue skies. Looks like a fantastic day!!

We have already seen an Orca breaching, so close you can hear the rush of air from his/her breath. The oo’s and aas’s were funny from the others around.

Will be on the balcony for the next few hours until we reach the dock in Juneau. We have no plans there. Just a trip to town and maybe a beer at the Red Dog.

 

I am not going to post more pictures during this, it is just too much of a pain

 

Will report later.

[Clutterlady]

Thank you for your live reports. Looking forward to reading more:)