Goofyisme

How have people enjoyed the classes conducted on the Vista?

Any insight on what type of classes are typically offered?

Is there a charge for these classes?

Thanks for any information you can provide

Other than the dining room what are the differences between the Balcony and the Club Balcony.

Seems like a large price difference for just the dining room so I must be missing something.

Any information would be much appreciated.

TIA

Thanks

Other than size what have you found to be the benefits of a Vista suite over a Veranda?

I haven't been able to find many but maybe I am not looking in the right places.

So many decisions.  LOL

TIA

How do people fell about purchasing a Club Orange membership?

Do you feel it is worth the cost and if so, what are your favorite benefits?

TIA

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

Upgrade with your first login onboard.

 

Upgrade Price List 2024

Thanks great information and thanks to all the other posts.

Is it possible to upgrade the Internet Surf Package included with the HIA to an Internet Premium Package?  If so does anyone happen to know the daily price for doing so.

TIA

7 minutes ago, bjahil47 said:

• $18.00 per guest, per day will be applied to guests sailing on all Inside, Oceanview and Veranda staterooms.
• $19.00 per guest, per day will be applied to guests sailing on all Concierge and AquaClass staterooms.
• $23.00 per guest, per day will be applied to guests sailing in The Retreat staterooms.

Thank you

Suite and Veranda

Since they are no longer included in the all inclusive package what are the daily amounts?

Also can anyone find the current prices for the drink packages?

TIA

Such great information.

Do any of you have any experience with the Thermal Suite in the spa?

Also what are your favorite places to eat breakfast when onboard?

Some of the menus look a little "eclectic" for me but I have never had a big problem finding something I enjoy eating.

Sorry for all the questions but my wife and I both have backgrounds in project management and analysis.

Thank you to everyone for your quick and thoughtful responses.  They continue to peak my interest in VV.  Anymore comments are more than welcome.\

Thanks again.

Hello, we are pretty seasoned cruisers having sailed over 15 times on 6 lines over the last 20+ years.

Considering trying virgin sometime in the not to distant future.

Things that have us interested in Virgin are its adult only policy, things that are included in the base fare and the variety of places to eat.

We have not considered Virgin in the past because we have heard it is a party line like a Carnival cruise but have been told that is not really true.

We are a couple in our 60s and 70s who enjoy music, dancing, some show, food, and just relaxing on the water either on our veranda or public places.  Don't drink much alcohol and usually enjoy one or two spa treatments.

For those of you experienced with Virgin, how do you think we would fit in and enjoy a Virgin cruise.

TIA for any info you can provide.

2 hours ago, memoak said:

Yes laundry service is free in full suites and gets priority. We usually put it out 9am or so and it comes back the same day. Be aware that everything goes in at the same temp. If you have delicates you  may want to do your own

Thanks for the info

In 8 days we will be sailing in a Vista Suite on the Island.  This is our first Princess cruise and the suite looked perfect for us.

2) From my research but of course not experience I concluded that the only difference between Vista and Premium was location and the "prime" locations were not really any better or worth the extra cost to me.  Vista met our needs perfectly so didn't really look at Penthouse

3} I have concluded that laundry service is free for a suite and usually a one day turn around so you do not have to use the washers/driers.  Really hope I am right.

5} I stayed away from aft Vista suites because the ones available when we were booking were near the kid/teen centers and I was worried about noise.  I have since been informed on this and other boards that noise was not a problem.

Again this is all from research not experience but I have a background in planning and analysis so I hope I am right.  Will know soon.

Happy sailing

The NY Cruise Ports site does not allow people to reserve a parking space in Brooklyn for any upcoming Island cruise now all reservations for parking for Island cruises are at Manhattan.  Just last week you could make reservations in Brooklyn.  Tis a mystery but my bet is that all these cruises are going to and from Manhattan.

7 hours ago, latebuyer said:

Thanks everyone for replying. I'm feeling better about it now. I'm also a bit nervous as first time on princess, i've only been on royal caribbean and holland america. I do like its a smaller ship.

We too have been a little nervous about sailing on Princess and the Island.  Having sailed on several other lines don't really know what to expect and all the negative comments had worried us.

However, posts like these have helped make us feel better.  This cruise just fits perfectly what we were looking for after having not been able to cruise for over 2 1/2 years.

I actually think this sounds more like the kind of ship we initially sailed on and fell in love with cruising back in 1999.

Can't wait till next month to get back on the ocean.

1 hour ago, Aggie83 said:

I was on the Island this January for the FLL to LAX leg of the world cruise. I have not previously sailed the Island. General notes, thoughts, observations, etc.:

 

• While onboard, they installed a new MUTS screen.  Quality was excellent.
• There was also new pool area furniture waiting to deploy after LAX. 
• Brand new washers and dryers were installed while we were on the ship.
• It appeared that the carpeting was fairly new, as I didn't see any worn or frayed areas. 
• Overall, the upholstered furniture was in excellent condition.  Nothing that appeared worn out. 
• The Piazza is not as large as on the Royal class ships; however, it extends 4 floors versus the typical 3.  Then again, it is narrow enough to go through the old locks of the Panama Canal and the Royal class ships can't.
• It seemed that the shops were smaller on the Island compared to the Royal ships.
• The casino is small and isolated.  On the plus side, you don't have to walk through a smoky casino to get anywhere.
• Horizon Court is forward versus aft.  This means there is no outdoor seating area like you have when it is aft. I wasn't a huge fan of this configuration.
• No common area at back of ship to sit, relax, have a drink etc.
• Never, ever had an issue finding a place to sit and relax.  Lots of chairs and love seats available all over.
• The Wheelhouse is large.  Which is a good thing, because it was a very popular place.
• The ever-popular Crooners is also large.  Never had an issue finding a place to sit for our pre-dinner cocktail. 
• I haven't been a fan of the Explorer's Lounge on any of the ships we've been on.  I think that is because it is usually a dark place with a low ceiling. However, I liked this one.  There was a very comfortable seating area next to a window.  
• No International Cafe.
• No Vines.
• No lower-level exit for the Princess Theater. Only exit was at the rear.  
• Our cabin was aft on 10.  Loved that I could be on the decks below 10 and walk aft and take the last bank of elevators (or stairs) up to 10.  No dining room blocking my way. The aft elevators were never crowded.  Usually rode in them solo.
• The captain came through the MDR one evening and introduced himself.  That was a nice touch.  We've never experienced that before.

If the itinerary was right, we would board the Island again.

An excellent summary.  As a first time Island cruiser next month this gives me more information on what to expect.  Thank you

Do I understand correctly that there is a different door hanger for breakfast for suites?

For those of you who have travelled through the terminal in Brooklyn I have a coupe of questions.

How easy is baggage drop off before parking the car?

How far of a walk is it from parking to the terminal?

Are there separate lines for those boarding in suites or with status such as elite?

Is there any waiting area/lounge for suite or elite passengers?

Thanks for any answers anybody can provide.  Looking forward to a new experience.

Thank you

I have enjoyed Chef Tables on other ships. Does a chefs table exist on the Island Princess?

Somewhere I found the instructions on how to set up the Medallion with the cell phone and separately setting up the laptop I will use for internet access but I can't find it now.  Can someone help me find those instructions? My better half wants to see them.

TIA

2 minutes ago, memoak said:

Different things on different ships. Las 2 on the crown no tokens needed to wash dry just for product. Now on the Ruby and tokens needed for everything 

LOL isn't that the way of cruising these days.

Any clues about the Island.

We are staying a couple of nights in NYC so can adjust timing as need to.

Thanks for the ino.