Robert

Age: 41
Occupation: p/t Sales & raising my 3 kids!! 3-15 [widower]
Number of Cruises: 2
Cruise Line: Princess
Name of Ship: Golden
Sailing Date: December  2001
Itinerary: Eastern Caribbean

As our first vacation since Carole's passing, I and my 3 children, with grandparents and family of 4 [relatives], booked 3 cabins on the above. I took the AD mini Suite, the grandparents a nearby by outside twin, and the relatives another outside twin, but were unable to get one closer than the far end of the ship, - phew, what a hike, just to say 'hi'.

My AD was excellent for the 4 of us. Why Princess/P&O do not publicize the 5th berth, a totally concealed recessed pull down bunk above the so called double sofa/bed, I will never understand. This 5th birth gives you more options, my two smallest didn't ned to share the 'double' sofa bed [which it isn't - way too short for an adult]. A larger family too would make use of it, I have NEVER seen any ship with 5 births in one [large] cabin?

The full size bath was excellent and the balcony gave us even more space and an eye on the passing ocean.
The two tv's are pointless. The coffee table is too big for the space, and it has to go out overnight on the balcony when sofa bed is pulled out!.

An excellent cabin, well worth the extra cash.

The location is another matter, the back of the ship is VERY prone to NOISE from the SIDE THRUSTERS used at ports and for holding ship steady for tendering, so every a.m at 6, we were SHAKEN awake by these monsters.

Book higher cabins or forward.

The laundry was excellent and close by, just a few dollars.

Kids club were fine, 3 sizes, one for each of mine!!, kids can grade down, but not up, so when my smallest got bored his sister came from her club next door, but he couldn't go looking for her.

Kids hot tub was dangerously hot, scalding hot. Set in the kids deck, for kids only, even signed. It would have injured anyone using it. I had reported this 3 times during cruise and nothing was done. Puser's desk uninterested.

Pools were great, but the pools are surrounded by 'paddle water', just a few cm deep, and no lip/wall between this and the actual pool, so a small one [yes I know one should watch them 24/7 but anyone who says they do is a liar] would not realize until too late and would fall into the deep pool. A nice idea, just be warned if you take your kids to the adult pools [they ARE allowed].

Pizza bar fine, burger bar slow and very rude staff.

Horizon Court great, ate their all meals. [I wouldn't ruin others cruise by taking my 3 into a dining room].
Tea machine always faulty.

Soda cards saved me a ton, well worth the $18 or so.

Have the kids door card 'blocked for charging' so if they lose it no-one can use it to make a purchase.

Make your kids a necktie with their cabin/ship/emerg tel/sail dates/flight details etc on it.

If they get lost there is a real good chance you'll get them back faster. One of mine was lost in the WDW precruise package, we got them back very quickly, the staff said how good the necktie idea was.

Islands were OK, just loads of usual tat on dock and nearby. We went for the cruise experience/facilities, so this made no diff to me.

Princess island was great, go to the quiet side and you'll get the beach almost to yourself.

BBQ was a farce, way slow queues, and silly paper plates that just flip over. Food soso, loads of fab fresh fruit though.

Any Qs on kids and Golden, just ask

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