ISLAND Princess -- Please tell us everthing you know about this ship! - Cruise Line Fans: Cruise Forum, Reviews and Chat From Real Cruisers

LuLu · 08-17-2008, 01:33 AM

Please tell us everything you know about ISLAND Princess!

cruisin' chick · 08-18-2008, 05:26 AM

Just saw this, Lulu. I was on this ship back in December 2005 so maybe I can answer some of your questions.

We tend to like bigger ships, but this was a nice size (we also were on the Star and Sapphire, which are bigger). My biggest complaint about the actual layout was concerning the placement of Churchills and Crooners right on the Grand Atrium, creating a lot of smoke there, but probably won't matter to you. It was a totally different layout than the Sapphire with the Horizon on a different deck, etc. There is a pool under a retractable roof, which is good for all weather cruising. We had traditional dining so I'm not familiar with the anytime dining rooms.

We were midships in an inside cabin on Caribe. Was big enough for all three of us, but we're all small (hubby was the biggest at 5'7" and 160 pounds). Did see the inside of a fellow passenger's balcony cabin on Emerald, when she was giving me something to pass on to the girl, but I'm not sure what category that cabin was.

Let me know about any concerns, questions.

LuLu · 08-18-2008, 05:21 PM

Thanks, Patty!

The cruise we're very seriously considering for 2010 would be on Island. It's the B2B from Ft. Lauderdale to Acapulco (10 days) then another 10 days back from Acapulco to Ft. Lauderdale. Seems early ... but ... with a B2B we like to get the same cabin for both in the location we want.

You're right ... smoke won't be a factor nor will be a smaller ship. We're been on all of the Sun class Princess ships and have found them to be the perfect size for us... and Sun Class is smaller than Island Princess.

Mainly, just wanted the opinion of someone I trusted to say Island is a decent ship. Thanks for doing this!

cruisin' chick · 08-18-2008, 06:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LuLu

Thanks, Patty!

The cruise we're very seriously consinding for 2010 would be on Island. It's the B2B from Ft. Lauderdale to Acapulco (10 days) then another 10 days back from Acapulco to Ft. Lauderdale. Seems early ... but ... with a B2B we like to get the same cabin for both in the location we want.

You're right ... smoke won't be a factor nor will be a smaller ship. We're been on all of the Sun class Princess ships and have found them to be the perfect size for us... and Sun Class is smaller than Island Princess.

Mainly, just wanted the opinion of someone I trusted to say Island is a decent ship. Thanks for doing this!

We were on the cruise for 15 days, the majority were sea days, and we thought it was a nice ship. It seems that whenever people are talking about their favorite Princess ship on the dark side, the Island or the Coral are constantly brought up. And it's supposed to be perfect for the Canal.

LuLu · 08-18-2008, 08:31 PM

Thanks again, Patty! I very much trust and appreciate your opinion!

cruisin' chick · 08-19-2008, 04:44 AM

Certainly glad to help. If you have more questions, I can look back at my report and see if I can answer them.

floflegs · 08-19-2008, 03:38 PM

WE loved our trip on Island through the Panama Canal.

LuLu · 08-19-2008, 03:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by floflegs

WE loved our trip on Island through the Panama Canal.

Thanks so much!

On this one we would be going through the Panama Canal twice! While we aren't real fond of the Panama Canal, we do like the other parts of the itinerary.

For sure I don't want to book a balcony TOO HIGH! On our last trip through the canal we were just too high to see anything below -- it was the everything looked like ants thing.

Do YOU or PATTY have any suggestions for a balcony or a mini-suite location? (Being sea sick is not a problem for us.)

cruisin' chick · 08-20-2008, 02:05 AM

I belong to the "Never had a balcony Club." I would suggest checking out a deck plan (which I'm sure you're doing anyway) just to make sure you're not near any undesirable location. I think this one guy was regreting booking one of the suites (the type that have names) as he was near the laundry room. While we were getting a load going, the girl and one of her new friends were hanging outside of the room...and the girl has a strong voice (she has done some musical theater). I think that guy came out once or twice giving them the evil eye.

There are some aft patios (with deck chairs) on some of the decks (something I learned about on the ds by someone who had just returned from his cruise while we were waiting for ours). So if you have a cabin back there, it may be convenient to you to use, or maybe a headache if too many people discover it.

MD11F · 08-20-2008, 10:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cruisin' chick

We were on the cruise for 15 days, the majority were sea days, and we thought it was a nice ship. It seems that whenever people are talking about their favorite Princess ship on the dark side, the Island or the Coral are constantly brought up. And it's supposed to be perfect for the Canal.

The Coral and Island Princess are Panamax vessels, meaning they were built to traverse the Panama Canal.