Golden Princess

"Golden Princess" is a Grand Class cruise ship for Princess Cruises that entered service in 2001. It is the sister ship of "Grand Princess" and "Star Princess". It measures 109,000 gross tons and carries 2,600 passengers (double occupancy) plus 1,100 crew members. As of 2007, she primarily operates on the Mexican Riviera and the West Coast of the United States.

Some environmental experts were alarmed by a recent trip to Antarctic waters this season by theGolden Princess. [cite news |title=First cruise ship sets sail for Antarctica |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-403743/First-cruise-ship-sets-sail-Antarctica.html |work=Mail Online |date=2006-09-05 |accessdate=2008-07-24]

Amenities

The ship features three formal dining rooms [cite web |url=http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/np/amenities_publicrooms/personal_choice_dining/index.html |title=Personal Choice Dining |accessdate=2008-07-24 |work=Princess Cruises] , mini golf course (9 holes), several pools, a spa, a gymcite web |url=http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/np/amenities_publicrooms/activities/index.html |title=Golden Princess Activities |accessdate=2008-07-24 |work=Princess Cruises] , a video arcade, a children's facility, a dedicated teen centercite web |url=http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/np/amenities_publicrooms/under_18/index.html |title=Golden Princess Under 18|accessdate=2008-07-24 |work=Princess Cruises] , a screening room (for recent movie releases), multiple bars and three modern show loungescite web |url=http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/np/amenities_publicrooms/entertainment/index.html |title=Golden Princess Entertainment|accessdate=2008-07-24 |work=Princess Cruises] .

Restaurants

The ship's main restaurants, which honor Personal Choice Dining (A Princess service that allows a passenger to dine at a designated restaurant at whatever time they please), are laid out on three different decks on three different areas of the ship; 2 aft and 1 midships.

taterooms

The sizes of the rooms on board vary based on the amount paid, but there are several standards one can reserve. Each room includes a refrigerator, TV and a personal safe for the passenger's convenience, and European-style duvets and 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens, plus, the following amenities for the chosen category:

Interior Rooms

*Interior rooms are the same throughout the ship. Each has a private bathroom, two twin beds that convert to queen, small fridge, enclosed closet, and a television. Total area of 160 square feet average.cite web |url=http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/np/staterooms/index.jsp |title=Golden Princess Staterooms |accessdate=2008-07-24 |work=Princess Cruises]

Oceanview

*Oceanview (porthole) room similar to interior room with exception of porthole window. Located on lower decks. Total area of 168 square feet average.
*Oceanview rooms are similar to the ones with portholes with the exception that windows are square instead of circular. These cabins are located on the exterior of the ship, from the lower to middle decks. Total area of 168 square feet average.
*Oceanview (obscured) staterooms have square windows. The obstruction indicated is typically lifeboats that semi-obscure the window view. These cabins are located only on Emerald deck. Size of obstruction depends on location. Total area of 168 square feet average.

Balcony Rooms

*Balcony staterooms include a balcony, and all previously listed features. They are slightly larger given the balcony. Total area from 214 to 257 square feet average (including the balcony).

uites

*Family suites are the equivalent of two rooms connected by a living room. Includes all previously listed features with the exception of an oversized balcony. Sleep up to 8 persons.
*Mini suites include all features previously listed and an additional t.v. for a total of two, a walk-in closet, and a bathroom with separate tub and shower. Also include separate sitting area with bed, desk and sofa. Average 323 square feet including balcony.
*Regular suites have all previously listed features with an addition of a wet bar. Oversized balcony. Total area of 468 to 591 square feet depending on category. Listed bellow are the area measurements for the listed suite (including balcony):

Owners Suite (OS)
B751 - 591 Sq. Ft.

Penthouse Suite (PH)
ALL - 536 Sq. Ft.

Premium Suite (PS)
B749 - 473 Sq. Ft.
C748 - 468 Sq. Ft.
C749 - 468 Sq. Ft.
C750 - 468 Sq. Ft.
C751 - 468 Sq. Ft.

Vista Suite (VS)
E732 - 527 Sq. Ft.
E733 - 527 Sq. Ft.
D736 - 495 Sq. Ft
D737 - 495 Sq. Ft.

Mini Suites (AA, AB, AC, AE, AD)
ALL - 323 Sq. Ft.
Four Mini Suites (E728, E729, D732, and D733) are a bit larger because of the larger balcony.

uite Amenities

In total, suite passengers can look forward to the following amenities:

In-Room Amenities

*Upgraded mattresses
*Upgraded ivory satin pinstripe bed linens
*Upgraded duvets in place of blankets
*Luggage protector on bed at embarkation
*Upgraded bathrobes
*Upgraded towels
*Pillow menu - option of feather or therapeutic pillows
*Massage shower heads
*Luxury bathroom amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, bath gel, plus new lip balm, gel eye mask, bath salts and loofah mitts)
*Facial mist (choice of scents)
*Complimentary slippers
*Fresh flower arrangement
*Complimentary corsage and boutonniere on first formal night
*Complimentary mini-bar - one-time set up
*Combined DVD/CD Players
*DVD Library - each vessel has a 100-title DVD library available to suite passengers
*Halo light magnifying vanity mirrors on vanity
*Upgraded room amenities, including ice bucket and tray, leather wallet for cruise card, high quality pen, combined clothes brush, lint remover and shoe horn, shoe cleaning mitt, sewing kit, white cloth laundry bag, black cloth shoe shining bag
*Complimentary Princess tote bag
*Umbrella for use during the cruise

ervices

*Expedited embarkation process
*Preferred Anytime DiningSM reservations
*Personal shore excursion reservations
*Complimentary laundry and dry cleaning service
*Complimentary shoe polishing service

Dining Services

*Welcome glass of champagne at embarkation
*Extended room service menu (extended breakfast, lunch, dinner offering)
*In-suite afternoon tea service
*Passenger's choice of canapés, delivered daily

Onboard Activities

*Complimentary internet access in onboard Internet Cafes (wireless internet connection not included).
*Private portrait sitting
*Complimentary use of the thermal suite in the Lotus Spa (Caribbean Princess, Crown Princes, Sapphire Princess, Diamond Princess, Star Princess, Coral Princess and Island Princess).*

Mini-Suites -- In Room Amenities

*Upgraded mattresses
*Upgraded ivory satin pinstripe bed linens
*Upgraded duvets in place of blankets
*Luggage protector on bed at embarkation
*Pillow menu - option of feather or therapeutic pillows
*Upgraded towels
*Glass of champagne at embarkation
*Upgraded bathroom amenities (shampoo, conditioner, body wash and lotion)

Activities

Pools

*Terrace Pool
*Calypso Reef and Pool (includes 2 hot tubs)
*Neptune's Reef and Pool (includes 2 hot tubs)
*Oasis bar & hot tubs

ports & Spa

*Lotus Spa, gym and fitness area
*Swim-against-the-current lap pool
*Digital golf simulators
*Nine-hole putting course
*Center Cou
*Jogging track
*Shuffleboard

Enrichment

*Art collection, gallery and auctions
*Library, writing and card room
*Hearts & Minds Wedding Chapel
*24-hour Internet Cafe (wireless access available)
*ScholarShip@Sea

hopping

*Future Cruise Sales
*Boutiques (duty-free)

References

External links

* [http://www.princess.com/learn/ships/np/index.html Golden Princess Official Page] (Princess site)
* [http://www.cruisecritic.com/reviews/review.cfm?ShipID=174 Cruise Critic Review]
* [http://www.shipparade.com/cruise%20reviews/Golden%20Princess/GoldenPrincess1.htm ShipParade Review]

Gallery