Hi Cruzkrazee. I did the exact same cruise almost a year ago, exept it was on the Grand, Golden's sister ship.
To answer you questions, Personnal Dining is great but it depends also of when you go to eat (after 8 PM is less busy). Sometimes, you'll get a line but it never last long and you can even make reservations.
Yes, you can have robes, just ask when your cabin stewart show up, he can also give you some more pool towells.
Yes, my husband and I brought liquor, we had it in our suitcases, not our carry-ons. We did it twice to have a little sail away cocktail after dinner *lol*. No problems!
The chairs... yes, the ones by the pool get filled up pretty fast but, people are coming and going. I know most people like to be by the Neptune Pool but if you don't really mind, don't worry, there are chairs a plenty aboard.
The Golden is probably very similar similar to the Grand and you'll see, it's a beautiful ship and you'll have a great time aboard.
Shore exursions.... OK... On St-Thomas, you cannot miss Magens Bay, it's one of the most beautiful beach in the Caribbean. The drive to go there is already worth the trip, you have to go on the other side of the island passing the mountains and the scenery is beautiful. Check if there is more than a ship on port because it might get busy... If you like action though, I don't recommend it. The water is very calm (it's protected from the currents) and there is noyjing else to do than swim, relax and walk along the beach. Lifeguard on duty and there is a snack stand. We went in May, supposed to be the low season and were the only ship. We wondered where everybody was... probably off to St-John (another exursion to do). You can take a ferry and go to St-John (which will take you probably all your time allowed on shore so, you need to get up early). In St-John, I can recommend Trunk Bay and Cinnamon Bay. Charlotte Amalie is cute and if you like shopping... you'll be happy. Don't forget to bring a bottle of Rhum *lol*.
Now, St-Martin... I loved it! We rented a car, which was great to drive along the island and see as much as we could. You have to go to Orient Bay, on the French side. The beach is gorgeous, it's very lively with lots of beach clubs and of course, the nudist camps at the south end of the beach (but you'll probably see naked people walking along the beach even if you're out of this area *;o)*). Marigot, the French capital, is worth a visit, it's a very pretty town, you can go up to Fort-St-Louis and see the town from above and have a view on the island of Nevis. Marigot has lots of nice cafés and boutiques. On the St-Maarten side... there are casinos, Maho Beach is a curiosity because it's not far from the airport and the planes fly REALLY low on approach, it is really weird. And Philipsburg, the capital, has nothing in particular exept it's a duty-free port so, lots of shopping to do if you're interested. There is also a butterfllies farm but I forgot whose side it's on.
Hope that helped.
Have a wonderful trip... lucky devil!
