Cruise Talk: Golden Princess woes

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Author

Topic: Golden Princess woes

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 07-27-2005 03:11 PM

I had a retirement cruise to New England/ Canada a few years ago. We had a Mini Suite.
On arriving to our cabin and opening the door and the carpet was pulled away from the threshhold about 2" and was frayed badly. (hazard).
Upon entering the bathroom, the tile on the bathtub and floor had black mold in the grouted areas.(nasty). A LOT!!
The bed spread was dirty. Stains all over.
The cabin steward said the carpet was replaced a month earlier. NOTE :Ship was 1.5 years old.
He also said previous occupants complained about these problems. DUH!! Why didn't he fix or report this??
He said he didn't know how to remove the mold. I told him bleach will work. His response was he didn't think they had any. Did he ask??
He also said they didn't have a clean bedspread.
The other thing I found was the supports for the glass partitions on the balcony where so corroded that they could easily fallen causing injury if someone was sitting out there. This was caused by salt water spray running down a beam on to these aluminum supports. You could see other supports down the line also with this problem-a design problem.
I went to the Pursers desk after a few days, as nothing was done to fix any of these issues. They were surprised to hear of these problems. The next day a maintenance officer and maintenance man came to inspect the cabin. The cabin steward pulled me aside and said he might lose his job. The officer and crewman came in and cleaned the bathroom(with Bleach) replaced the bed spread and had the carpet fixed. They noted the structural problem on the balcony.
The cabin steward did not lose his job. ????
Upon returning home I wrote Public Relations at Princess and got a reply basically saying "Yeah Right" as though this couldn't happen. Not even an apology.
Any other horror stories out there??
I did sail again on Princess last year-No Problems.
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

Mariposa
First Class Passenger
Member # 4174

posted 07-27-2005 03:17 PM

Almost EXACTLY the same problems on transatlantic Golden Princess this year, May 8 (9th - the ship was late due to a storm off Cape Hatteras). Will update soon....................

Posts: 101 | From: Vermont, USA | Registered: Sep 2003 | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 07-27-2005 03:38 PM

As I have said before, I think the standard of finish on the Grand Class ships from Italy is horrific.

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-27-2005 05:08 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mec1:
As I have said before, I think the standard of finish on the Grand Class ships from Italy is horrific.

Mec1, tell me more!

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 07-27-2005 05:21 PM

I did an inaugural mini-cruise on Golden princess when she was brand new. There were already rusting welds, shoddy flaking paintwork and decking surfaces that were lifting off metal underneath. Shoddy stuff. Compare that with the craftsmanship on Oriana or Queen Mary 2!

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-27-2005 06:02 PM

Did you like the ship in general, apart from the workmanship?

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Frosty 4
First Class Passenger
Member # 5826

posted 07-27-2005 06:51 PM

Malcolm,
Nothing really special . I've been on the Tahitian(needs an update),Dawn and as stated Golden. We're going back to RCI and will be coming to London on 8/7 to take the Jewel out of Harwich.
We also have booked an "Around the Horn" cruise on Celebrity for next Feb.
F4

Posts: 2531 | From: Illinois | Registered: Jul 2005 | IP: Logged

mec1
First Class Passenger
Member # 4287

posted 07-27-2005 06:52 PM

No Malcolm. The restaurants are low ceilinged, the layout poor and the decor bland in the extreme. The "shopping trolley" handle is completely impractical and creates a huge sort of wind tunnel across the after decks. Plastic deck surfaces look (and are) cheap...

Didn't like her one bit.

Posts: 1675 | From: London, England | Registered: Nov 2003 | IP: Logged

cruiseshipluver
First Class Passenger
Member # 5104

posted 07-27-2005 07:01 PM

the newer princess ships seem to being showing up bad workmanship/craftmanship.......Diamond and Sapphire....Grand, now Golden Princess......l
cruiseshipluver

Posts: 1797 | From: Barbados--cruiseship capital of the Southern Caribbean | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-27-2005 07:02 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mec1:
Didn't like her one bit.

I had a tour of her a year or so ago. Now I do not really think it is fair to judge a ship during a quick tour because you do not experience many aspects such as food, service and atmosphere. However, of course I did make a judgement, and I didn't like her, either.

'Bland' is the word. She felt like she was made up of lots of bits of other cruise ships with no style of her own. Only her exterior is impressive.

The disco (spoiler) once again looks impressive externally, but is narrow and impractical internally. The only design aspect that I though was clever is the fact that her public rooms give her a smaller ship feel than she really is.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

Ocean Liners
First Class Passenger
Member # 4013

posted 07-27-2005 08:45 PM

quote:
Originally posted by mec1:
I did an inaugural mini-cruise on Golden princess when she was brand new. There were already rusting welds, shoddy flaking paintwork and decking surfaces that were lifting off metal underneath. Shoddy stuff. Compare that with the craftsmanship on Oriana or Queen Mary 2!

Hi, Cruise Talkers, Any thoughts?

Here are photos taken by Ian Boyle on May 16th 2001.
Golden Princess sailed on her official Maiden Voyage from Southampton to Barcelona on the same day.

More photos can be seen at

Simplon's Golden Princess Prior to Maiden Voyage

[ 07-28-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

Posts: 4502 | From: Japan | Registered: Jul 2003 | IP: Logged

sealeg claude
First Class Passenger
Member # 5565

posted 07-27-2005 11:52 PM

Hi,
Malcolm,

This is the best description I ever read .....

Right on !!!!

Her sisters in GRAND class suffer likewise....
Even STAR.

Cheers
CG

Posts: 173 | From: vancouver, b.c. Canada | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Cruiser Nutt
First Class Passenger
Member # 4826

posted 07-28-2005 12:06 AM

I would definitely disagree with your assessment of the Sapphire Princess. Sapphire and Diamond were built in Japan, admittedly, but they were beautifully built out. Moving the Skywalkers towards the funnel makes the ship much less like a shopping cart also. She looks more like a ship.

Posts: 23 | From: Miami, Florida | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged

Ocean Liners
First Class Passenger
Member # 4013

posted 07-28-2005 12:09 AM

quote:
Originally posted by mec1:
No Malcolm. The restaurants are low ceilinged, the layout poor and the decor bland in the extreme.

Bart has excellet review and photographs at www.shipparade.com

quote:
I was able to join the first-ever bunch of guests to ever sail on this magnificent ship on a 2-night pre-inaugural cruise to "nowhere" from Southampton, England.......
As for the decor of the Canaletto, Donatello (both on deck 6) and Bernini (deck 5) Dining Rooms, there are hardly any surprises if you know previous Princess vessels. Lots of wood trim, comfortable chairs, few tables for two, and lots of space between tables - a pleasant dining environment. Our two dinners in the Bernini Dining Room were very enjoyable and very tasty! Service was polished, the food was excellently prepared. The fish was fresh, the meat was tender, and the desserts were to die for! We were able to get a table for two on both nights within 20 minutes after reporting ourselves to the Maitre d' at the entrance of the dining room. We were then asked to wait in the Lobby Bar, where one of the waiters would later come and escort us to our table. A very nice arrangement!

[ 07-28-2005: Message edited by: Ocean Liners ]

Posts: 4502 | From: Japan | Registered: Jul 2003 | IP: Logged

Teva
First Class Passenger
Member # 5327

posted 07-28-2005 12:36 AM

Hey,
That's disappointing to read,simply because the ship is so large and complex can't be justification for lax maintenance.I recall seeing a number, though not many,of small areas of wear and tear on the Star Princess while she was visiting Sydney in late 2003.Things like stripped varnish on caprails
an numerous rusted welds on the undersides of some of the balcony decks,damaged window tints and such.Quite strange i thought for so new as ship.
Those things,naturally would be caused by the harsh ocean environment these,and indeed all ships endure...But,fast forward to late 2004 and the
Sapphire Princess..a newer ship to be sure but the finish of the ships exterior,the neatness and overall look of the ship,made her look,how can I put it?like a professionally finished model kit..smooth,almost flawless,from welding,to exterior paint finish,she just seemed to have been constructed and finished with more care and attention to detail than her Finantieri built sisters.I suppose theres a cultural difference to where these ships are buit in the instance of Sapphire Princess,Mitsubishi Heavy and Grand/Golden/Star by Fincantieri.Oh,and one thing really annoys me about the design of Sapphire and Diamond,is that hideous looking funnel and rear quarters,looks all the world to me like an overturned wire basket or collander,and the repositioning of the Disco,and the rear terrace area look extremely "afterthought".Love the spoiler or hate the spoiler on the others,I reckon it gives the Grand class a rather unique look to them.
Teva

Posts: 78 | From: Sydney,Australia | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

pungpui
First Class Passenger
Member # 1218

posted 07-28-2005 04:58 AM

I agree with you on that Teva, for once somebody actually joins me in preferring the Grand class over the Sapphire class.

But you know what, on Star in early 2004, I found her absolutely flawless. Absolutely flawless. No evidence of wear and tear, just maybe bits of the promenade railings needing alittle polishing. And maybe its evident in this post as well, where so far only 1 or 2 people have listed Star as undermaintained. And the evidence of that?

Posts: 419 | From: Sydney, NSW, Australia | Registered: Apr 2000 | IP: Logged

sunviking82
First Class Passenger
Member # 4930

posted 07-28-2005 10:05 AM

In the past year I spent time on the Sapphire and Caribbean Princess and to be honest, we like the Sapphire design much better. The larger Wheelhouse Lounge and wider promanade deck made the ship much more relaxing. I must say that I do prefer the Skywalkers on the Grands Class ships from the inside, the view is better looking forward. Caribbean's two buffets where much less crowded ( even with 500 more passengers ) then Sapphire's one and they had a card room, something that is sorly missing on the Sapphire. I personally like the overall interior designs of both ships. Dawn / Sun are still my faviorates in the Princess fleet however.

Posts: 383 | From: Minneapolis Minnesota , USA | Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

cruiseshipluver
First Class Passenger
Member # 5104

posted 07-28-2005 10:13 PM

quote:
Originally posted by Cruiser Nutt:
I would definitely disagree with your assessment of the Sapphire Princess. Sapphire and Diamond were built in Japan, admittedly, but they were beautifully built out. Moving the Skywalkers towards the funnel makes the ship much less like a shopping cart also. She looks more like a ship.

well, i am not sure, but ti think mabe why the skywalkers came down to closer behin the funnel on Diamond and Sapphire was cuz of all the complaints about the vibration levels in skywalkers on the Grand class at high speeds...as i said, i am not sure...but thats what i think.
cruiseshipluver

Posts: 1797 | From: Barbados--cruiseship capital of the Southern Caribbean | Registered: Oct 2004 | IP: Logged

Cruiser Nutt
First Class Passenger
Member # 4826

posted 07-28-2005 11:05 PM

It would have seemed to me that the powers that be got smart and decided to move Skywalkers to open up the aft decks and give more of an open sun deck area at the stern. The Grand class ships have too much shade and more of a closed in feel about them.
I say that but they continue with Caribbean Princess and now Crown Princess to build that hideous aft end.

Posts: 23 | From: Miami, Florida | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged

sunviking82
First Class Passenger
Member # 4930

posted 07-29-2005 09:54 AM

Crown and Emerald Princess will not have the shopping cart handle, but will have Skywalkers positioned in the same location as the Diamond and Sapphire. While the two new builds are twins to the Caribbean Princess, they are being significantly modified inside and out. Not only will Skywalkers be relocted, but the Atrium is being replaced by a Voyager style Promade (sp?), the Lotus Spa is going to be two stories, a larger Wheelhouse Lounge is being added and Sabitini's is moving to the top and front of the ship. While same "size" they will be very different ships from the original Grand Class design with is great news.

Posts: 383 | From: Minneapolis Minnesota , USA | Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

kit
First Class Passenger
Member # 4933

posted 07-29-2005 10:29 AM

I also had a tour of a couple of hours on de golden princess last week in Rotterdam and i wasn't impressed by her.Ofcourse,the interior is fine and shiny but i could feel no caracter at all.Just a bigger sister of the Dawn,only with a lot less outdoor space.The swimmingpool area felt really enclosed!
Also the diningroom ,were we had lunch,felt that way because of the low ceiling.Only the view from the disco is incredible!So,when they offer me a trip on her ,i wouldn't say no,but when i have a choise ,it wouldn't be on The Golden princess.
(for as far you can give an opinian about a ship after 5 hours) KIT

Posts: 74 | From: netherlands | Registered: Aug 2004 | IP: Logged

Malcolm @ cruisepage
Cruise Director
Member # 301

posted 07-29-2005 10:47 AM

...although I was not over impressed with the GP on my tour, I appreciate that there is much more to a good cruise than just the ships decor.

Posts: 19210 | From: Essex (Just Outside London) | Registered: A Long Time Ago! | IP: Logged

sealeg claude
First Class Passenger
Member # 5565

posted 07-30-2005 01:02 AM

Hi,
Again, well said, Malcom.

Cheers
CG

Posts: 173 | From: vancouver, b.c. Canada | Registered: Apr 2005 | IP: Logged

Cruiser Nutt
First Class Passenger
Member # 4826

posted 07-30-2005 09:35 AM

My faith in Princess is restored! They seem to be taking the best from each of the 2 styles of Grand class ships and modifying the new builds.
Sabatini's will become a busier lunch location with bow views, Skywalkers positioning makes much more sense, and making the Wheelhouse larger is a great decision as it is always busier than all of the other lounges.

Posts: 23 | From: Miami, Florida | Registered: Jun 2004 | IP: Logged

Meldrew of the Seas
First Class Passenger
Member # 5298

posted 09-15-2005 03:05 PM

So the Japanese built Princess Ships are better built than the Italian ones?

Big surprise!

Come on, just compare a Fiat to a Mazda...........
No Contest!

Posts: 71 | From: Southport, UK | Registered: Jan 2005 | IP: Logged

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