Need Comments: Golden - 12 Day Venice to Barcelona

Help...at the very last minute we're thinking of hopping on the Golden from Venice to Barcelona.

We've always been on the smaller ships like the Royal and Sky...want to know how you like the Golden...minisuites..facilites...crew...etc

Any comments on the ports....where is Valetta??

Thanks for all your help!
Crowsie

[nketz]

We were on Golden in January for our 20th anniversary. We had a minisuite on Dolphin deck & loved it. No privacy on this particular balcony, but it was ok with us. The ship is beautiful & spotless - so clean & new. We didn't mind the largeness, never felt overwhelmed & never felt crowded either. We thought the staff was very good, our room was cleaned almost the minue we left, but we never really saw the room steward. The cruise director and staff were very good. We did personal choice dining & liked it. On the days in port we could later to dinner and other days we even went a little earlier (that way there was room enough for a late snack!) We liked the Golden a lot and would definitely go again. Of course, I've felt that way about my cruises on smaller ships on Carnival and Royal Caribean, too, but by far, the Golden was the nicest ship I've been on.

Hope you go & have fun!

Nancy

[ALAN]

Hi there:

April 2001, we did the Grand in cabin A626. Loved it so much, that whilst on the ship, we took advantage of their future cruise discount (not really that much) and we booked the Golden, same cabin, for Venice to Barcelona on June 19, 2002.

The Golden is a sister of the Grand. If you are concerned about the size of the ship, don't be. Yes, it is large but they have done a remarkable job in designing the interior and it doesn't feel like the megalith that it is.

Everything on the Grand (and l'm sure it will be similar on the Golden) was excellent.

Valetta is the capital of Malta.

Hope you do the cruise. If you do it before mine, l sure would like to hear your comments.

Regards

Alan

[SteveS]

We sailed on the Grand in 2000. Barcelona to Istanbul. Fabulous trip! Last year we sailed on the Rotterdam. Barcelona to Venice. We much preferred Princess. Be sure to book extra time in Barcelona and Venice, two fun cities.

This summer we are sailing on the Royal Princess. How did you like your cruise on her?