I have been on 2 cruises and I have friends who have been on 12 Princess Cruises - all different ships! Our family went on the Princess ship "Golden Princess" January 2016 for 7 nights. We had a wonderful time and stayed in Australian waters. We even docked at Adelaide for a day - and no, we didn't get off the boat.
Interior cabin Deck 12
Golden Princess
The is a mighty ship with all the bells and whistles. Princess Cruises will have about 68 cruises leaving Australia in the coming cruise season, so you must book early if you have a particular place and deck you want.
The lower interior rooms are cheaper and just the same as the deck above it in most cases. The more you sail with the same company the more little rewards to get. Diamond carries about 2670 passengers and 1100 crew. As on our first cruise with Royal Caribbean, the crew make it special for you.
One of the swimming areas
There are many pools, including a spa, whirlpool and terrace pool. Enough to go around.
Terrace Pool
Our cabin was on the same level as the Terrace Pool, so we only had to walk out the back door and we were at the pool. Up the outside stairs was the dining area. We picked that on purpose!
We chose the same time for dining every night, often with the same waiters looking after us. For breakfast, you come up and have the all you can eat buffet or you can book a breakfast in the dining room. We did that once; you sit with who they put you with and mix with new people.
Yummy desserts at the evening dining
One thing not to miss is the outdoor cinema. We watched the latest movie at the time, outside under the stars in the deck chairs. It was cold but the waiters gave us blankets and then topped it off with cookies and popcorn. You can order drinks as well.
Evening on board
There is lots of entertainment. Each evening, you get a booklet of the next day's entertainment. Everything that goes on will be in that booklet along with the times.
Promenade Deck
This is the heart of the ship around the Promenade. All the shops, bars and so forth lead of this. This is your home base.
Balloon drop
So do your homework, The most important things once you choose your cruise is to take the proper electric plug for your Australian cords. Also, take a highlighter to mark when and what you want to see in the booklet - there is so much you will miss some things if you don't mark it.
Docked at Port Arthur
Docked at Hobart
I can not recommend cruising enough. The website if pretty easy to navigate; just click on "plan a cruise" and fill in the rest from there.
It is great now the cruise liners are understanding that Australia is a gold mine of people who want to cruise. You can always leave from Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and go to other destinations. Enjoy cruising, I did!
