Island princess alaska our impression

[gertz]

ISLAND PRINCESS ALASKA VANCOUVER TO WHITTIER AUGUST 17, 2009.

Denver to Seattle to Vancouver. Departed Denver with an hour layover in Seattle and then the newer turboprop of Horizons to Vancouver. Who says these things don’t vibrate. Still a scenic 30 minutes to Vancouver. Took approximately one hour to depart plain walk and claim luggage then clear customs. A no brainer. Taxi to downtown and the Pan Pacific. Lovely room 21st floor corner overlooking bay mountains and Stanley Island.

Most memorial things at Pan Pacific. Watching the Island come in and dock. Two CC Manhattans in the Pan Pacific lounge $25.00 + tip for a very skimpy drink that we had to ask for cherries in. Compare this to Crooners at $6.99 + tip for a big one.

Cabin Mini 10727 Cabrie. We always book a covered mini but we decided to change a little this time. 10727 is the last cabin aft starboard side it has no obstructions and is not covered. You don’t have a complete 180 degree aft view of everything but you do have about a 150 degree aft view. If you are totally a privately person you might not like this as one of the viewing areas is within talking distance but very few people use these viewing areas. So we could just pop out of our cabin to the viewing area in 5 seconds if we wanted to see more of the port side.

The cabin was very clean with no worn spots or stains on carpet. The bath was also clean with one exception there was, we though. A little too much mill dew on the long wall of the bathtub. Not enough for us to become alarmed but it didn’t match the cleanliness of the rest of cabin. We did report it but other than that said nothing. Beds and mattresses were fine except for the bump in the middle. Cabin attendant was very adequate.

Ship: If we didn’t know better, and we do as we were on the Island its first year, we would have thought this ship was new. No place did we find worn anything. The passenger to space on the Island is great. It was never crowded for us anyplace or anytime.

Muster: Captain Roger Bilton gave the usual welcome but followed it up with a message to parents with children, which I didn’t see many of, asking them to and telling them they were responsible for the actions of their children and no unruliness would be put up with. This is the first time I had heard this and apparently a few others heard it for the first time also as we cheered.

Food: We did most of our dinning in the MDR 1st seating always, and enjoyed it immensely. Our table mates were wonderful and a blast. We never did a specialty restaurant except for the Chef’s table because we didn’t want to miss visiting them. Dinners were for the most part outstanding. We did however, not order the King Crab which we love because they are still cutting the legs in half which we don’t like so we ordered something else.

Waiters were very adequate but the head waiter was outstanding. I ordered Escargot which is not on the menu on the second night it had to be cleared with head waiter but I had to wait until the next night to get it. Only three of us ordered it, myself and the other two ladies who had never eaten Escargot, come on guys. The next evening after or before the salad, I’m not sure, here came the head waiter with six orders of Escargot. The three of us ate every bit and then I showed them how to sop up the juice with your hard roll. Om my, heaven.

Horizon court: the few time we ate there just fine, no complaints.

Pizza: What can I say just great. Next to Big Bill’s in Centennial for you Colorado people it doesn’t get much better.

Room service: Excellent on time and with everything we ordered from Bacon, Omelets, Fruit, Rolls, etc. As always swapped out the mini bar as requested.

Chef’s table: Really great but too much for us, think we were overwhelmed. Tried almost everything of course all the wine and then the Caviar which I know was the real good stuff. Tried it sorry folks can’t handle it taste like the ones I fish with smell. This comes from someone who loves snails. I am not being critical I do recommend this as a wonderful dining experience. However, compared to the Ultimate Ship’s Tour, do think I would opted for the UST. Of interest I asked the Executive Chef Nilo Palma the filets served in the Bijou Café or any or the other steak houses on Princess ships are they USDA choice or PRIME. The answer PRIME. I only asked.

Art Auctions: What can I say, free champagne and the same lady, Jennifer, doing the auctions we had on the Tahitian last September.

Entertainment: We love the production shows. This time “Do you wanta dance and Motor City”. Have seen both before probably more than once. Still like then. As a side note have seen Wayne Newton many times in Las Vegas served his beer for him still liked the show, they were all the same, and it has been 18years since I’ve seen it so what’s with these people complaining about repeat shows? But there is a new one and live. Adrian Zamed--- in concert. It is not only good it is excellent. I ll bet some one knows who he is. Outstanding show.

Most sailed cocktail party: Had to leave dinner early as this started at 7 or 7:30. Excellent wasn’t hungry so drank Manhattans. Had our picture taken with Captain Roger Bilton and took the opportunity to commend him on “parents taking responsibility of their kids and we had a nice conversation on this. I’m not sure if my young kids were cruising with me, there all grown, I would let them out of my sight. At a Boy Roger. Also ask Captain Circle lady Celia with Captain present why a cocktail party or luncheon. Answer 7 day party 10 or longer luncheon. I only asked.

Weather: Mostly bad.

Glacier Bay and College Fjord: Just outstanding even with the weather.

Most fun tour: Short time in Ketchikan and we wanted to shop also so we took the Duck Tour. Not much cash and a blast.

Most fun show: Executive Chef, Maitre D’ and the cooks and waiters afternoon show. Wonderfully entertaining. Our head waiter that served the Escargot he should be on stage he is that good of a singer.

Most disappointing experience: The lady ranger on the PA in Glacier Bay doing her best to promote Global Warming. Yuck.

Walked off at 8:30 in Whittier caught our ride and headed to Seward for a couple of days.

4th time to Alaska but this was our very first review thanks for reading.

Jack and Nora from Parker, Colorado

[TuxedoMan]

Originally Posted by gertz

ISLAND PRINCESS ALASKA VANCOUVER TO WHITTIER AUGUST 17, 2009.

Entertainment: We love the production shows. This time “Do you wanta dance and Motor City”. Have seen both before probably more than once. Still like then. As a side note have seen Wayne Newton many times in Las Vegas served his beer for him still liked the show, they were all the same, and it has been 18years since I’ve seen it so what’s with these people complaining about repeat shows? But there is a new one and live. Adrian Zamed--- in concert. It is not only good it is excellent. I ll bet some one knows who he is. Outstanding show.
Weather: Mostly bad.

Most disappointing experience: The lady ranger on the PA in Glacier Bay doing her best to promote Global Warming. Yuck.

Entertainment...isn't that the truth...whiners get a lot of attention.
Weather...so sorry, we lucked out in June on Sapphire and it was perfect.
Most dissap...The lady ranger we had, had a real condescending way of talking, but actually said that if global warming is going on, we really have no idea how much is being caused by human activity...I liked that part
Yeah buddy, keep the ships going!!


Thank you SO much for taking the time...loved your review

[georoc01]

Yeah, we had that same ranger during our trip on the Island last month too.

She stated in her bio that she was a former school teacher and it showed in the tone of her discussion.

Adrian Zmed was a fun show. I didn't have a clue but my S.O. new exactly who he was as did my sister. I guess not being a big TJ Hooker/Dance Fever fan had alot to do with it.

[LisaH]

Originally Posted by TuxedoMan

Entertainment...isn't that the truth...whiners get a lot of attention.
Weather...so sorry, we lucked out in June on Sapphire and it was perfect.
Most dissap...The lady ranger we had, had a real condescending way of talking, but actually said that if global warming is going on, we really have no idea how much is being caused by human activity...I liked that part
Yeah buddy, keep the ships going!!


Thank you SO much for taking the time...loved your review

Adrian Zmed played on TJ Hooker...with William Shatner

[gooch47]

Took the same cruise the end of July. Weather was pretty rotten then, too. But we enjoyed it just the same. No complaints about the ship at all. Our cabin steward was great. We did Anytime Dining and most of the time were seated right next to the window at a table for two.

Captain Bilton is really a nice person. We talked with him for quite a while at the Most Travelled Cocktail Party.

[gertz]

Originally Posted by georoc01

Yeah, we had that same ranger during our trip on the Island last month too.

She stated in her bio that she was a former school teacher and it showed in the tone of her discussion.

I think there is a possibility we had her two years ago.

Adrian Zmed was a fun show. I didn't have a clue but my S.O. new exactly who he was as did my sister. I guess not being a big TJ Hooker/Dance Fever fan had alot to do with it.

We had no clue what he had been in when we first saw it. But he was in one other big time series also??

Jack

[georoc01]

Originally Posted by gertz

We had no clue what he had been in when we first saw it. But he was in one other big time series also??

Jack

He did Grease on Broadway and was in the movie Bachelor Party.

And don't forget two episodes of the Love Boat.

[Colo Cruiser]

Excellent review, Thanks.

Love those Escargot!!

[snedecor]

Re: Capt. Bilton,

I had a chance to chat with him during the Ultimate Ship's Tour. He really is the steely-eyed British Captain. I loved his "corral your children" speech, along with is "if you didn't eat it, don't flush it" speech, as well!

However, he was friendly to us tour-takers and willing answered the questions he had heard probably 100 times before.

When I asked him what was the best way to cross huge waves like those associated with hurricanes, he got a little animated, and told me that a few degrees either side of straight on was the best tack that he'd found. He said that it keeps the ship from teeter-tottering and slamming into the trough, at the expense of a little more rolling. Fascinating!

[gertz]

Originally Posted by georoc01

He did Grease on Broadway and was in the movie Bachelor Party.

And don't forget two episodes of the Love Boat.

Yes and they showed episodes, thought more then two, on the TV for the entire cruise. Seemed like more maybe.

Originally Posted by Colo Cruiser

Excellent review, Thanks.

Love those Escargot!!

Thought of you when I ordered them and when I ate them. Most surprising moment the two gals, not when they ordered them but when they ate them and dug in with the hard roll. Nice to recruit converts.

Originally Posted by snedecor

Re: Capt. Bilton,

I had a chance to chat with him during the Ultimate Ship's Tour. He really is the steely-eyed British Captain. I loved his "corral your children" speech, along with is "if you didn't eat it, don't flush it" speech, as well!

However, he was friendly to us tour-takers and willing answered the questions he had heard probably 100 times before.

When I asked him what was the best way to cross huge waves like those associated with hurricanes, he got a little animated, and told me that a few degrees either side of straight on was the best tack that he'd found. He said that it keeps the ship from teeter-tottering and slamming into the trough, at the expense of a little more rolling. Fascinating!

Nice chap I would say. I had forgotten all about the "eat it flush it" speech. Hilarious. Think he gives the same speech every cruise?

From an old Navy guy you sorta angle at the waves and slide over them. Just kidding nobody in their right mind would have put me on the bridge I learned that from riding LCM's.

Jack

[cruisingallover]

Was the Chef's Table done on formal night?

[mii]

Jack what cabin were you in?? There is no 5 numbered cabins. do you mean Deck 10 cabin 727?? Just curious.

We had friends who just got off of the pacific Princess around that time and they also had rotten weather but they sure made the best of it. Personally I like to go around end of May first part of June. Glad you had a good time though.

Marilyn

[mizlorinj]

Is Adrian Zmed still cute? He was when he was on TJ Hooker! Maybe he'll be there in March for my cruise!

[jacketwatch]

I'm glad you enjoyed the Island. We were on her last Feb. and I agree its a very nice ship but I must disagree about one thing. You haven't had pizza till you've had the deep dish kind in my home town Chicago!!

[TuxedoMan]

Originally Posted by jacketwatch

I'm glad you enjoyed the Island. We were on her last Feb. and I agree its a very nice ship but I must disagree about one thing. You haven't had pizza till you've had the deep dish kind in my home town Chicago!!

Was that available through room service, cuz I didn't see it?! lol

[sunsetbeachgal]

Enjoyed your reveiw Gertz! We are on the Island in November-have been on the Coral before and loved her. Glad to hear that the ship is in good shape and that the food was good.

[bhopal21]

Originally Posted by mii

Jack what cabin were you in?? There is no 5 numbered cabins. do you mean Deck 10 cabin 727?? Just curious.

Marilyn

I'm sure he just posted the phone number by accident and meant Caribe 727.

Mike

[Whoo]

We were in Caribe 727 on the Island in May! We enjoyed the cabin also - and didn't mind being next to the "secret" deck. Fortunately, the weather was fantastic in May - sunny and warm!

[gertz]

Originally Posted by mizlorinj

Is Adrian Zmed still cute? He was when he was on TJ Hooker! Maybe he'll be there in March for my cruise!

Your asking the wrong guy. Oh wait Nora says yes.

Originally Posted by jacketwatch

I'm glad you enjoyed the Island. We were on her last Feb. and I agree its a very nice ship but I must disagree about one thing. You haven't had pizza till you've had the deep dish kind in my home town Chicago!!

What's deep dish?

Originally Posted by Whoo

We were in Caribe 727 on the Island in May! We enjoyed the cabin also - and didn't mind being next to the "secret" deck. Fortunately, the weather was fantastic in May - sunny and warm!

We have been once in May. The weather was fine but lots of little thing are not thawed out yet like water falls and the Eagles are still wearing ear muffs. I think next time tough we will move forwarded a few cabins to covered. It is so close to the stern you can get their in a few seconds. But it is great no matter which cabin your in.

Jack

[gertz]

Originally Posted by mii

Jack what cabin were you in?? There is no 5 numbered cabins. do you mean Deck 10 cabin 727?? Just curious.

We had friends who just got off of the pacific Princess around that time and they also had rotten weather but they sure made the best of it. Personally I like to go around end of May first part of June. Glad you had a good time though.

Marilyn

Hi Marilyn, Your very astute that is exactly what I meant and wasn't trying to be cute or anything just wanted to see who would pick up on it. Deck 10 cabin 727 or C 727, phone #10727.

We have never had bad weather in August until this time. Our luck ran out. Froze are bippies off on Chilkoots 7 hr Youkon and WP&YRR trip. We are also talking about going out of Seattle next year or year after. The long flights out of Anchorage are gettin to be too much.

And I wasn't stretching the truth. This ship looks brand new inside and out. The Island and Coral are just marvelous ships.

Jack