Live from the Golden 05/30

[Cruisin' Chick]

Well here we are in heavy fog again. We had fog late yesterday afternoon as well. Guess its expected here on the ocean, but I have never seen it so many times in 2 or 3 days.

 

Last night at 7pm we attended the Captains Circle party. I ordered my Ultimate Cooler. Captain Foster gave us the gossip that there is another ship on the horizon (2011) for Princess. It will be a stretch version of the current Ruby as they are adding 25 meters (75-100 ft?) to the length. No more capacity though. No additional info was given as he said he really was not supposed to discuss it.

 

At dinner I had the Beef Wellington and a couple of lobster tails.

DW had the Wellington. I asked for a small birthday cake (not my birthday) but I love them with coffee. They also offered the diplomat cake which is similar to Baked Alaska.

 

After dinner we went to the Words/Music show in the Princess Theater. It was very good.

 

Clocks forward an hour last night, and this morning as I listen to the horn blasting every 2-3 minutes or so the fog is completely blanketing the ship.

We ordered room service this morning and it is lightning fast.

Coffee/Danish was the order of the day.

 

We are off for the Ultimate Ship Tour in about 30 minutes so I will cut this short for now and report back later.

 

I was just thinking this morning about how Princess hasn't had a new ship since the Ruby, while many of the other major cruiselines have. Glad to see Princess isn't planning to build one 150,000 gt or more...at least right now. It would be nice if one of the more recent ones would be sent over to the west coast, even if it has to sail around the Horn to get here.

[Colo Cruiser]

On Friday due to our 7pm arrival into Victoria we went to eat dinner early at 545pm. We finished up around 7:15 and walked off the ship.

The Amsterdam was docked next to us. Walked to the harbor area and took some photos as the light was fading. Walked through the Empress Hotel and then downtown. It was very busy with all the artists and vendors around the harbor walkway and around the stores/restaurants on the main drag.

 

Spent around an hour shopping then walked back to the ship. The sunset downtown was awesome. The wind was very brisk both from/to the ship. The walk is very nice through a residential area and takes about 20 minutes. I love the horses they have on the tour carriages downtown. I am not a horse person but they look alot like Clydesdales.

On the way back we stopped at a breakwater wall next to the dock area and saw all the lumber that had washed onto the rocks. Huge logs the size of telephone poles, and lots of small pieces too.

 

When we returned to the ship we were both pretty chilled so we went to the Crown Grill and had coffee (this is not standard), the head waiter Halil promised me cup after we had dinner in there a couple of nights earlier. The coffee even beats the IC as they have their own unique machine that grinds and brews the coffee on the spot, it was excellent. He told me it was unlike the machine in the IC and the only one on the ship.

 

After warming up we went to say our goodbyes to a couple of the bar staff. Especially John/India in the Explorers Lounge. Took a couple of photos and headed back to the cabin around 10:00 pm. We had packed earlier and set out the luggage before going to dinner. Did not see/hear our departure from Victoria.

 

On Sat morning we awoke around 6:45am and the ship was already docked at Pier 91.

When we were ready we headed to the Donatello dining room for breakfast around 7:30. Our tour was to meet in the Wheelhouse at 8:30. Had a nice relaxing breakfast of a mushroom omelet/hashbrowns/juice. We were finished and headed out at 8:20.

 

Princess Best of Seattle Tour:

 

When we arrived at the Wheelhouse it was overflowing people into the photo gallery area so we stood there. An annonuncement was made almost immediatley to form a line and head to the Vista Lounge. We went to the VL went inside and stood for maybe 3 minutes and we headed out the side door to the Promanade deck gangway. Found our bags in the madhouse in the terminal and headed to a Grayline Seattle bus at the end of the cab/shuttle/bus line.

 

We first went to the Space Needle then Pikes Market then a tour of the downtown area. We were dropped off at the airport at 1pm.

 

Best of Seattle tour.

This tour is for people with flights after 3pm.

 

Had to make a comment about our waitstaff in Traditional. After coming into the traditional dining room on 2 occasions and the table not being set (napkin laying there by itself), consistantly not being asked about drinks and refills. Slow service and sometimes being ignored, we went to anytime on Thurs/Fri nights. Our waiter has been with Princess 18 years and his assitant was fairly new. Both were from Mexico so I thought they would work well together, wrong.

 

Our 2 nights in anytime were fantastic and exactly what I look for in waitstaff. Different tables each night. They had the ice tea on the table almost immediatley, had refills right away without asking. Pretty much learned what you liked and disliked during the 1 meal.

 

Anyway it happens in all the dining rooms so we made the adjustment, and should have done it earlier. :)

 

Overall a fantastic cruise. :D

[NancyIL]

Thanks for a great report throughout your cruise. I am envious of your great weather, getting to the glacier in Endicott Arm, and being able to dock in Victoria! You were very fortunate.

[JSWalk]

Colo Cruiser,

 

I am glad you had a great time on your cruise. Thanks for keeping all of us informed of your trip. For those of us waiting to take the same cruise this summer it has been fun living the cruise with you. :)

[KansasScrapper]

On Friday due to our 7pm arrival into Victoria we went to eat dinner early at 545pm. We finished up around 7:15 and walked off the ship.

The Amsterdam was docked next to us. Walked to the harbor area and took some photos as the light was fading. Walked through the Empress Hotel and then downtown. It was very busy with all the artists and vendors around the harbor walkway and around the stores/restaurants on the main drag.

 

Spent around an hour shopping then walked back to the ship. The sunset downtown was awesome. The wind was very brisk both from/to the ship. The walk is very nice through a residential area and takes about 20 minutes. I love the horses they have on the tour carriages downtown. I am not a horse person but they look alot like Clydesdales.

On the way back we stopped at a breakwater wall next to the dock area and saw all the lumber that had washed onto the rocks. Huge logs the size of telephone poles, and lots of small pieces too.

 

When we returned to the ship we were both pretty chilled so we went to the Crown Grill and had coffee (this is not standard), the head waiter Halil promised me cup after we had dinner in there a couple of nights earlier. The coffee even beats the IC as they have their own unique machine that grinds and brews the coffee on the spot, it was excellent. He told me it was unlike the machine in the IC and the only one on the ship.

 

After warming up we went to say our goodbyes to a couple of the bar staff. Especially John/India in the Explorers Lounge. Took a couple of photos and headed back to the cabin around 10:00 pm. We had packed earlier and set out the luggage before going to dinner. Did not see/hear our departure from Victoria.

 

On Sat morning we awoke around 6:45am and the ship was already docked at Pier 91.

When we were ready we headed to the Donatello dining room for breakfast around 7:30. Our tour was to meet in the Wheelhouse at 8:30. Had a nice relaxing breakfast of a mushroom omelet/hashbrowns/juice. We were finished and headed out at 8:20.

 

Princess Best of Seattle Tour:

 

When we arrived at the Wheelhouse it was overflowing people into the photo gallery area so we stood there. An annonuncement was made almost immediatley to form a line and head to the Vista Lounge. We went to the VL went inside and stood for maybe 3 minutes and we headed out the side door to the Promanade deck gangway. Found our bags in the madhouse in the terminal and headed to a Grayline Seattle bus at the end of the cab/shuttle/bus line.

 

We first went to the Space Needle then Pikes Market then a tour of the downtown area. We were dropped off at the airport at 1pm.

 

Best of Seattle tour.

This tour is for people with flights after 3pm.

 

Had to make a comment about our waitstaff in Traditional. After coming into the traditional dining room on 2 occasions and the table not being set (napkin laying there by itself), consistantly not being asked about drinks and refills. Slow service and sometimes being ignored, we went to anytime on Thurs/Fri nights. Our waiter has been with Princess 18 years and his assitant was fairly new. Both were from Mexico so I thought they would work well together, wrong.

 

Our 2 nights in anytime were fantastic and exactly what I look for in waitstaff. Different tables each night. They had the ice tea on the table almost immediatley, had refills right away without asking. Pretty much learned what you liked and disliked during the 1 meal.

 

Anyway it happens in all the dining rooms so we made the adjustment, and should have done it earlier. :)

 

Overall a fantastic cruise. :D

 

We have booked this. Is the ticket to the top of the Space Needle included???

[Colo Cruiser]

We have booked this. Is the ticket to the top of the Space Needle included???

 

Yes it is. ;)

[Colo Cruiser]

I wanted to add a comment about the new build for Princess that Captain Foster mentioned while onboard the Golden last week. Similar to the Ruby but about 75-100 feet longer/140,000 tons. The info I first heard did not include the fact that they would add approx 200 berths to the stretched ship and it was due out in 2011. :)

[mii]

Keith I am not trying to change the subject but heard that Denver area had some tornadoes. Hope it did not hit you.

 

Marilyn

 

P.S. By the way that is all we need is another BIG ship. :confused:

[Colo Cruiser]

Keith I am not trying to change the subject but heard that Denver area had some tornadoes. Hope it did not hit you.

 

Marilyn

 

P.S. By the way that is all we need is another BIG ship. :confused:

 

Thanks Marilyn, we were spared but my son lives 35 miles north and he took some photos on his cell phone of one very near his home.

It is that time of the year between tornados, hail and very severe thunderstorms. :(

[Shoalwater]

Had to make a comment about our waitstaff in Traditional. After coming into the traditional dining room on 2 occasions and the table not being set (napkin laying there by itself), consistantly not being asked about drinks and refills. Slow service and sometimes being ignored, we went to anytime on Thurs/Fri nights. Our waiter has been with Princess 18 years and his assitant was fairly new. Both were from Mexico so I thought they would work well together, wrong.

 

 

Colo Cruiser,

 

We had the same wait staff pairing second sitting traditional the week prior to your trip and had the same lack of service. They just didn't work well. The waiter made some excuse about being limited by kitchen rules, but sorry, doesn't fly. Anyhow, we didn't let it get in the way of enjoying our trip.

[Colo Cruiser]

Had to make a comment about our waitstaff in Traditional. After coming into the traditional dining room on 2 occasions and the table not being set (napkin laying there by itself), consistantly not being asked about drinks and refills. Slow service and sometimes being ignored, we went to anytime on Thurs/Fri nights. Our waiter has been with Princess 18 years and his assitant was fairly new. Both were from Mexico so I thought they would work well together, wrong.

 

 

Colo Cruiser,

 

We had the same wait staff pairing second sitting traditional the week prior to your trip and had the same lack of service. They just didn't work well. The waiter made some excuse about being limited by kitchen rules, but sorry, doesn't fly. Anyhow, we didn't let it get in the way of enjoying our trip.

 

 

Interesting, they told us it was because the kitchen serves 2 dining rooms. :rolleyes:

Go figure.

[LarryF]

Thanks for a great report throughout your cruise. I am envious of your great weather, getting to the glacier in Endicott Arm, and being able to dock in Victoria! You were very fortunate.

 

Hi Nancy...not sure if you remember me, but we chatted a lot a couple of years ago on the Alaska board.

 

We're going to NE/Canada in Oct. and noticed you have done that cruise. Want to get some advice from you if possible. Pleaae email me at lfeinb9640@gmail.com

 

Thanks,

 

Larry

[Travel_Lover28]

At dinner I had the Beef Wellington and a couple of lobster tails.

 

Was it only one night that they served lobster in the main dining room? What night is it?

Did you do specialty dining? What night is best to do this?

Did you bring home your Princess Patters? What are the best highlights of this cruise that is not sure to be missed? Shows? Games? Casino? Dining?

Was there a sail away party? This is one of my favorite events on cruises.

I will be going in July.

[Colo Cruiser]

Was it only one night that they served lobster in the main dining room? What night is it?

 

Yes one night only, Thurs.

 

Did you do specialty dining? What night is best to do this?

 

Crown Grill, it is really up to you. We did it on Tues night.

It was fantastic.

 

Did you bring home your Princess Patters? What are the best highlights of this cruise that is not sure to be missed? Shows? Games? Casino? Dining?

 

I believe the production shows are excellent, especially if you have not seen them before.

The Comedian Carlos Oscar was hysterical.

I am not much for magic shows so we bypassed that.

The street performers in the Piazza were excellent too.

The band Phoenix Rising were in the Wheelhouse Bar and had an excellent play list.

Was there a sail away party? This is one of my favorite events on cruises.

I will be going in July.

 

Yes there is but due to some noise restrictions by the port it was a little quieter then usual.

 

 

Forgot the chicken salad with cashews and the lime shrimp in the IC was very good as well.

 

Enjoy!

[i guide the sky]

colo,

 

are you going to be posting pictures to a photo album?

[i guide the sky]

disregard there they are!!

[butterfly55]

Dear Keith,

I have just fininshed reading your whole live thread while you were on the Golden. Thanks for sharing. I loved reading it all and it was very informative. I hope our weather is even to close what you had. At least that we don't get a lot of rain.

I have a couple questions though. I thought I read much earlier on CC that the dining rooms do not serve lobster tail and some of the better meals. Did you have those in the Anytime dining rooms and if so was it the Canaletto DR? Is the Crown Grill one of the DR that has a cover charge? Also, what about the International Cafe? Is there a charge there for all of the meals also, or just the coffees?

Thanks again for the wonderful thread.

Diana

[vmom]

Was on the same cruise...

 

Lobster was serviced in the main dining room on the second formal night. It was one lobster tail and 2 giant tiger prawns. The prawns were wonderful.

 

We also had King crab legs one night. The portion was not large but I found adequate and you could ask for more. Beef wellington was also offered the same night as lobster and there were several nights that a very good beef tenderloin was offered.

 

All of these were served in the anytime dining venue. Fixed seated dining was in the Canaletto DR. Anytime was in the other two dining rooms. The Crown Grill is one of the speciality dining areas with a cover charge.

 

International Cafe....during the day they serve pastries, sandwiches, and wonderful salads...all free. There is also soup available. In the evening there was sushi which was an extra charge. On the Crown Princess the International Cafe also serves fondue in the evening for an extra charge.

 

Speciality coffee drinks and brewed coffee have an additional charge at the International Cafe. If you think you are interested in this, buy a coffee card.

[vmom]

Keith,

 

Absolutely loved your pictures. They came out better than mine. I think I need to upgrade my camera after seeing your photos. Its amazing what a difference that the same thing looked in my pictures compared to yours.

 

Do you have them posted somewhere else other than on this site?

 

Sandy

[Colo Cruiser]

Dear Keith,

I have just fininshed reading your whole live thread while you were on the Golden. Thanks for sharing. I loved reading it all and it was very informative. I hope our weather is even to close what you had. At least that we don't get a lot of rain.

I have a couple questions though. I thought I read much earlier on CC that the dining rooms do not serve lobster tail and some of the better meals.

 

We started with Trad in Canaletto then the last 2 nights we went to anytime mostly due to the all around waiter bomb out by our team.

As mentioned above lobster tail was on thurs night (secong formal) in the reg dining room. You can order as much lobster as you wish.

Did you have those in the Anytime dining rooms and if so was it the Canaletto DR?

We had them in the trad Canaletto DR. But they are in the anytome rooms as well.

 

Is the Crown Grill one of the DR that has a cover charge?

 

 

Crown Grill is a fantastic specialty restaurant. The charge is $25 which includes a regular lobster tail.

For a $9 upcharge you can have a live Maine or 12 ounce Brazillian Tail which was out of this world. You can also order as many dishes from the menu as you wish. They have a filets/New York/Porterhouse/rack of lamb. Great black/Blue French Onion soup/mussel pots, and the list goes on.

 

Also, what about the International Cafe? Is there a charge there for all of the meals also, or just the coffees?

 

Charges here are just for Tapas type food (3 to a dish) the dish is clear glass and has 3 places in it for the food to sit in. The chicken/Cashew salad/lime shrimp, paninis desserts are free. Fresh cookis are made there all the time. (oatmeal/peanut butter/choc choc chip. There is a charge for specialty chocolates and some other additional items. You can definately have an excellent meal without paying a cent.

Coffees, specialty and otherwise are at a per charge basis.

Frech brewed coffee is $1.25 per cup.

 

Thanks again for the wonderful thread.

Diana

 

Hope this helps.

[Colo Cruiser]

Keith,

 

Absolutely loved your pictures. They came out better than mine. I think I need to upgrade my camera after seeing your photos. Its amazing what a difference that the same thing looked in my pictures compared to yours.

 

Do you have them posted somewhere else other than on this site?

 

Sandy

 

 

Thanks Sandy, I just have them posted here. ;)

[butterfly55]

Thanks, Keith and vmom for the answers to my questions. Four more days before we leave!

 

Diana

[wizard-of-roz]

Can anyone tell me if they took away the "card room" on the Golden?

[bjbear]

Keith, thanks so much for taking us along, I too love to read the "live reports" of people's trips. And I really enjoyed yours as am going to be on the Golden in 2/10 and can't wait. Now I can start making my list of what not to miss. Thanks again and glad you had a great trip! :)

 

Sue

[Colo Cruiser]

Keith, thanks so much for taking us along, I too love to read the "live reports" of people's trips. And I really enjoyed yours as am going to be on the Golden in 2/10 and can't wait. Now I can start making my list of what not to miss. Thanks again and glad you had a great trip! :)

 

Sue

 

Your welcome. :)