Topic: Golden Princess

Hi,

We have the opportunity of a cruise to Hawaii on the Golden Princess, has anyone out there sailed on this ship before, I would welcome feedback (both good and bad) especially regarding meals, accommodation and tipping costs and procedures.

I have read that passengers are charged 15% on all drinks but is there also a set tipping levy imposed as well? Normally I add tips for good service as and when received.

Any feedback and guidance would be gratefully received.

Supemac, Hebburn

I haven't sailed on Golden Princess - but have sailed on her sister ships, Grand Princess and Star Princess - which are virtually identical. These are very large ships, which provide a wide range of facilities, with lots of glitz and glamour. Of necessity, they cannot offer the same degree of intimacy as the small, 670-passenger ships (Ocean, Pacific and Royal Princess).

Princess provide a good standard of accommodation on all their ships - so I don't think you will be disappointed with your cabin. Much depends upon how much you want to pay. The cheapest cabins are inside, with no window or natural daylight. Better grades include Obstructed Outside (a lifeboat will block your view), Outside (a.k.a. ocean view), Outside with Balcony, Mini-suite, and Suite. Check the Princess brochure for full descriptions.

You will find details of meal options in the brochure. Basically, you can dine in the self-service buffet restaurant or in one of the waiter-service restaurants. When you book your cruise, you will be asked whether you prefer fixed sitting dinner (which may be as early as 5:45 pm for first sitting or 8:00 pm for second sitting) - or anytime dining.

For fixed sitting dinner, you will be served at the same table and by the same waiters every night. For anytime dining, you can choose from several restaurants and unless you make a table reservation, you will be served by different waiters. You can also dine in the speciality restaurants, which impose an additional cover charge. See the brochure for details.

Main meals include breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Food is always available 24/24 in the buffet restaurant - and you can also order from 24-hour room service.

The onboard currency on Princess ships is the US Dollar. All cruise lines operate a cashless system and you should register a credit card at the start of your cruise. Purchases will be charged to your cabin account and unless you pay cash, the total cost is settled to your credit card at the end of the cruise. I recommend that you register a card that does not impose any foreign currrency loading (such as the Post Office credit card or the Saga Visa card). Also, instruct the ship NOT to covert the balance of your cabin account into Pounds Sterling. You will receive a much better rate from your own credit card company.

With regard to tipping, Princess add a 15% compulsory service charge to the cost of all drinks. I have been assured that the money is distributed to the serving staff, and there is certainly no need or obligation to add any additional tip.

Princess also impose a 'hotel charge' of US$10.50 per passenger per night (US$11 for passengers in a suite). The 'hotel charge' will be shared between your cabin steward, the restaurant waiters, and some of the backroom staff. There is no need to pay additional gratuities (although you can do so, if you want to reward any exceptional service).

A passenger can opt out of the automatic 'hotel charge' but if you do so, it will be entirely up to you how much you give to your cabin steward and waiters. We have only opted out on the very rare occasions that we have receved sub-standard service. Furthermore, opting out causes problems if you are on anytime dining - because how do you reward different waiters every night?

British passengers are sometimes unhappy with the tipping concept. However, it is important to remember that Princess Cruises cater for the American market, where generous tipping is a way of life. Service staff in the USA receive minimal wages and rely on their tips to make a decent living. Like or loathe it, it is best to pay the standard service charges - and regard them as part of the overall cost of your holiday.

QUOTE:

I haven't sailed on Golden Princess - but have sailed on her sister ships, Grand Princess and Star Princess - which are virtually identical. These are very large ships, which provide a wide range of facilities, with lots of glitz and glamour. Of necessity, they cannot offer the same degree of intimacy as the small, 670-passenger ships (Ocean, Pacific and Royal Princess).

Princess provide a good standard of accommodation on all their ships - so I don't think you will be disappointed with your cabin. Much depends upon how much you want to pay. The cheapest cabins are inside, with no window or natural daylight. Better grades include Obstructed Outside (a lifeboat will block your view), Outside (a.k.a. ocean view), Outside with Balcony, Mini-suite, and Suite. Check the Princess brochure for full descriptions.

You will find details of meal options in the brochure. Basically, you can dine in the self-service buffet restaurant or in one of the waiter-service restaurants. When you book your cruise, you will be asked whether you prefer fixed sitting dinner (which may be as early as 5:45 pm for first sitting or 8:00 pm for second sitting) - or anytime dining.

For fixed sitting dinner, you will be served at the same table and by the same waiters every night. For anytime dining, you can choose from several restaurants and unless you make a table reservation, you will be served by different waiters. You can also dine in the speciality restaurants, which impose an additional cover charge. See the brochure for details.

Main meals include breakfast, lunch, afternoon tea and dinner. Food is always available 24/24 in the buffet restaurant - and you can also order from 24-hour room service.

The onboard currency on Princess ships is the US Dollar. All cruise lines operate a cashless system and you should register a credit card at the start of your cruise. Purchases will be charged to your cabin account and unless you pay cash, the total cost is settled to your credit card at the end of the cruise. I recommend that you register a card that does not impose any foreign currrency loading (such as the Post Office credit card or the Saga Visa card). Also, instruct the ship NOT to covert the balance of your cabin account into Pounds Sterling. You will receive a much better rate from your own credit card company.

With regard to tipping, Princess add a 15% compulsory service charge to the cost of all drinks. I have been assured that the money is distributed to the serving staff, and there is certainly no need or obligation to add any additional tip.

Princess also impose a 'hotel charge' of US$10.50 per passenger per night (US$11 for passengers in a suite). The 'hotel charge' will be shared between your cabin steward, the restaurant waiters, and some of the backroom staff. There is no need to pay additional gratuities (although you can do so, if you want to reward any exceptional service).

A passenger can opt out of the automatic 'hotel charge' but if you do so, it will be entirely up to you how much you give to your cabin steward and waiters. We have only opted out on the very rare occasions that we have receved sub-standard service. Furthermore, opting out causes problems if you are on anytime dining - because how do you reward different waiters every night?

British passengers are sometimes unhappy with the tipping concept. However, it is important to remember that Princess Cruises cater for the American market, where generous tipping is a way of life. Service staff in the USA receive minimal wages and rely on their tips to make a decent living. Like or loathe it, it is best to pay the standard service charges - and regard them as part of the overall cost of your holiday.

Than you very much for the information, the points about use of a Post Office Credit Card and not converting back into sterling I found particuarly helpful.

Thanks again

Supermac

Sailed on the Golden from New Orleans to Rio [17 days] .Thought it was a great ship, no complaints at all.
NAR

QUOTE:

Hi,

We have the opportunity of a cruise to Hawaii on the Golden Princess, has anyone out there sailed on this ship before, I would welcome feedback (both good and bad) especially regarding meals, accommodation and tipping costs and procedures.

I have read that passengers are charged 15% on all drinks but is there also a set tipping levy imposed as well? Normally I add tips for good service as and when received.

Any feedback and guidance would be gratefully received.

Supemac, Hebburn

We sailed on that cruise in January the ship is fine. You can go to the purser and have the daily tipping taken off, it is not compulsory and they are quite happy to do it. They will deduct it though from the day you request it, it is not backdated so make it one of the first things to do. We personally did not enjoy this cruise as it consisted of too many sea days for us and we found Hawaii very commercialised. But...., we have been to French Polynesia and that spoilt us as it is so beautiful there. Dont let us put you off, try it out, it may suit, but dont worry about the ship, the food or the tipping.

The first thing I do on a cruise [ and there have been many] is stop at the pursers office and ask for a tip exemption form. After I have filled it out and give it back ,I'm not charged the per day tip cost. At the end of a cruise I'll give what I want to whom I want. As for the drink tip, I don't think there is much that can be done about that. I do buy beer and wine on shore for my cabin use though.
Nar

QUOTE:

Hi,

We have the opportunity of a cruise to Hawaii on the Golden Princess, has anyone out there sailed on this ship before, I would welcome feedback (both good and bad) especially regarding meals, accommodation and tipping costs and procedures.

I have read that passengers are charged 15% on all drinks but is there also a set tipping levy imposed as well? Normally I add tips for good service as and when received.

Any feedback and guidance would be gratefully received.

Supemac, Hebburn

Hi,
we are also sailing to Hawaii with the Golden Princess in October, great to meet you! We have started a roll call here: http://www.cruises.co.uk/784-golden_..._princess.html
Please join in! Hopefully it will be used for tips and suggestions. If enough people join in, we might even have a reception on board. I think they call this a 'meet and greet'.

Candy and Conrad

The Golden is a fine ship, enjoy it :D :D :D