I am looking to book a cruise for President's week on Grand or Golden Princess. I went to the site Mytravel.com to read thier reviews. Suprisingly, a lot of them were negative. On the contrary, reading RCCL review on Voyager or Explorer leaves you with the very positive feeling. Is there a chance those review were tailored? Or people who went on PRincess expected a lot and the ship didn't meed their expectations? <BR>Anyone who traveled on Grand/Golden Princess recently - how do you rate their food, service, ship layout,etc.<BR>

So far - Princess is my favorite cruise line and the Grand is my favorite ship.<BR><BR>Our service on the Grand was the best I have ever encountered (far surpassed Celebrity's Millennium). Our food was excellent, our room steward was excellent and our wait staff was excellent (we did not choose personal choice). Layout took me awhile to get used to (it was big) but I loved the freshwater pools and the fact that one pool has a retractable roof was wonderful the one day it rained on our trip.<BR><BR>I liked my trip so much, I booked another trip on the Grand but due to family emergency, had to cancel. I would not hesitate to sail again on the Grand or any of her sister ships.<BR><BR>I will be on Explorer this weekend and will be able to compare the two.

Hi Kira,<BR><BR>I sailed the Princess Grand and the Golden, also the RCCL Voyager and Explorer. I found the RCCL ships the most exciting, truly a destination in itself, so much to see and do. But keep in mind there will be tons of kids on board.<BR><BR>The Princess ships I believe are the most beautiful in the world. I could not get enough of them. Extremely elegant. The service, of course, is better. The food is a matter of taste. Great amount of seafood. I believe the buffet is better on Princess but not as varied as RCCL.<BR><BR>Food is rated average on both lines.<BR><BR>Tough decision really but there will be less children on Princess and the children's programs are more structured.<BR><BR>Paul

What is Presidents week? I am a Canadian, and don't have a clue. We should have a Prime Ministers week. Any exuse for Stat pay.

My husband and I went on the Ocean Princess last year during President's week. One thing we discovered was that there were alot of children on our cruise. If you are taking a family vaction then it would be a great time to go but if you are looking for a quiet, romantic get away then President's week is not the best time to cruise. I know that you are asking for information specifically about the Grand or Golden and can find more positive comments about the ships on cruisecritics.com.

Hi Melissa,<BR><BR>President's Day ..... a long time ago we had a president called Abe Lincoln who's birthday was on February 12th and another president called George Washington who had a birthday on February 19th. Since that meant we had two holidays and not too any people knew too much about either guy except that George chopped down the cherry tree and K-Mart was always open anyway, the government decided it was too much time off from work and said ..... lets take and celebrate both guys on one day and pick a convenient Monday date. So for this year President's day was on Feb. 19th and in 2002 it will be on February 18th.<BR><BR>Now if you would be so kind as to explain Stat pay.<BR><BR>Paul

You don't have Stat pay? <BR>Stat is short for statutory holiday pay. We have 7. New Years Day, Victoria Day, Canada Day, Provincial holiday (ie New Brunswick Day), Labour Day,Christmas day, and last but not least Boxing Day. These days you by law have to get paid for. If you do not work, you get regular pay, but if you have to work you get time and a half.

Some of us get double time for working on paid holidays. And some of us like me, work every day with no extra pay.<BR><BR>Paul

well Paul, you need to work for a better agency. I am pretty sure in Canada stat pay is law anyway. My agency is in a mall, so I couldn't go to work on holidays even if I wanted too.

Hi Mellissa,<BR><BR>I do work for a better agency ..... mine.<BR><BR>Paul

Paul,<BR>But isn't it fun to close all those sales when the traditional agencies are closed.<BR>I remember Labor Day 2000 I booked about 10 Funjet Vacations while the rest of the agencies were closed. I think it is more fun to close sales than go to some parade or picnic.<BR>My agency is also mine.

You're right, it is a lot of fun and so gratifying when those "thank you" letters come in.

Paul, and Joyce, I work for the largest leisure agency in Canada, I am not worried about losing sales. Actually we are open more hours than all the independants.<BR><BR>Also, I would never own my own agency. Not enough money in it. I can sell ice to an eskimo, but I know I would never want to have to worry about the headaches of my own agency.<BR><BR>Taking days off is nessisary for your own well being people.

You bet. It is so important to spend quality time wth your family. This is why one sees so many travel agents working out of their homes.<BR><BR>Paul