LIVE from the Island Princess

[dsawyer]

I was trying to let people know about the negatives but tried to emphasize that even though we had to wait around a lot, it was all worth it.:)

 

Dobie is right - don't do Princess tranfers. I never will again.

 

DesertNurse is right, most of the waiting around is not really the fault of Princess but the port authorities.

 

I do want to do a land cruise of Hawaii the next time around as it is so lovely and there is so much to see. This cruise gave us a taste of the magic of the islands.

[suziehmkr]

I don't think anybody is blaming Princess for the problems in getting on and off of the ship. I think that we are all thankful for the extra security. It is unfortunate that we need it, and it is also unfortunate that Princess has the smaller pier in the port of LA. DesertNurse explained to me that it is because the ships that are there on the same days take priority for the better pier, so that is why the Island has the pier with no indoor waiting area (as the RCI ships have).

Thank you so much for all of the information that you have ALL been sharing! We love it.

 

OK - so we have to wait outside... if the Island is the only one embarking that morning, is there a pier that has an inside waiting area? As of right now the Island is the only one embarking in San Pedro when we depart in December... but I know that can change. My concern is the weather... do they have tents if it is raining?

[suziehmkr]

In my opinion the long lines were the port authority/security/immigration lines in each and every port. Since Princess doesn't have control of these lines I would be surprised if they improve anytime soon.

OK - now I understand... it isn't actually on the ship for things on the cruise, just ports, embarking & disembarking. I understand these are not issues with Princess...... thanks for the clarification.

 

I wish every port could be set up like San Diego. They have a HUGE waiting area while waiting to embark. And you don't have to go thru immigration when disembarking. You simply fill out your customs forms the night before and when the ship is cleared they start calling your color. It is a breeze.

 

I remember San Pedro when we sailed the first time in 1992 and when we went thru customs upon return they had you push a button and if the light was red ( I think that was it) then you got your bags searched - all random. My how times have changed... well, in most ports anyway.

[Desert Nurse]

Thank you so much for all of the information that you have ALL been sharing! We love it.

 

OK - so we have to wait outside... if the Island is the only one embarking that morning, is there a pier that has an inside waiting area? As of right now the Island is the only one embarking in San Pedro when we depart in December... but I know that can change. My concern is the weather... do they have tents if it is raining?

 

Here's a link to the San Pedro port cruise ship schedule so you can check and see which terminal you will be in. The ships that have "standing weekly reservations" generally get the bigger terminal. Since the Island Princess comes in on an irregular basis, it gets the smaller terminal if another ship is in port.

http://www.sanpedro.com/spcom/cruiscal.htm

[dobie]

There is another pier (at the same port) in LA. When we have cruised on RCI we have always been at that pier, and the immigration and waiting formalities are all inside. DesertNurse (AKA Cricket) is the one who explained to me that RCI had priority for the pier with the inside waiting area on the days that their ships were scheduled to be there (regularly). The way she explained it to me, the Island gets the "other" pier on days when the regularly scheduled ships are to be in port. SO.......if I understood her correctly, if there is not another ship scheduled to be in port the day yours is, you should get the good pier with the inside waiting area. Cricket, am I right??? I am quoting you without permission........

[dobie]

For those of you who don't know, Cricket and I tend to post at the same time and say the same things, so this is deja vu all over again....

[suziehmkr]

SO.......if I understood her correctly, if there is not another ship scheduled to be in port the day yours is, you should get the good pier with the inside waiting area.

 

Fantastic! The both of you are awesome with your replies!!! This is exactly what I am hoping for, especially if it is raining. So far she is the only scheduled in port that day. Woo Hoo! Again, I know it can change.

 

Thanks again Ladies! You are two of the most helpful people!

[Albywon]

Hi Dobie & Desert Nurse and all,

You seem to have a few wine tasting gatherings. How are these organised? Did you bring your own wine?

Happy Cruisin'.

:cool:

[dobie]

We all brought our own (and so much that we had 2 after we couldn't drink it all at the first). We just had somebody volunteer their cabin and munchies, and off we went.....speaking of off, I am off to bed!!

[mike35]

Unfortunately, this is going to happen on just about any cruise that you are on...:(

 

Hmm - not so on Crystal and Radisson - never any sales pitches there, I can assure you. With that being said, however, we loved the Island Princess and the Hawaiian cruise, and we have already booked a couple of other Princess cruises in the future.

 

Mike

[mike35]

I hate to disagree with Dobie (because we agree on so many other things), but we didn't experience the "stay with baggage" problem. We arrived at the terminal around 11:30, found a porter, and had our bags taken at least an hour prior to the time they finally started boarding. While waiting in line was a bummer (we're not Platinum or Elite), we did meet some nice folks while waiting, which made the wait easier.

 

Mike

[Albywon]

Dobie,

I was under the impression that you were not allowed to take any alcohol on board. As I enjoy a scotch or 2 or 3... I would prefer to take my own and some wine as well.

How much longer are you on board for? Very interesting commentary throught your cruise. Thanks. I'm on the Island on an alaskian cruise on 21st May, and am getting excited about it. It is a long way to travel from Sydney, Aust. but it will be well worth it, I'm sure.

Happy Cruisin'

:cool:

[suziehmkr]

Hmm - not so on Crystal and Radisson

That is exactly why I said "just about" any cruise you are on. ;) I am aware that the higher end cruise lines don't, but the middle of pack lines like Princess, RCCL, Carnival, etc are going to do this to you. I just wanted to reiterate that it was not only a Princess thing. We were bombarded on our RCCL cruise in June.

[Cruisin' Chick]

If you willing to schlep it, you can bring wine aboard (or at least we were able to last summer).

[Desert Nurse]

I hate to disagree with Dobie (because we agree on so many other things), but we didn't experience the "stay with baggage" problem. We arrived at the terminal around 11:30, found a porter, and had our bags taken at least an hour prior to the time they finally started boarding. While waiting in line was a bummer (we're not Platinum or Elite), we did meet some nice folks while waiting, which made the wait easier.

 

Mike

 

Mike,

 

You were lucky! I was in line with Dobie and hoards of others with our luggage. I'm not sure why you were able to drop your luggage off so early but the majority of us had to keep it with us until just before we were able to board. It was difficult because instead of waiting their turn, many folks jumped in ahead of us in line and filled the porters up. The security rule is that you can not have the porters take your luggage until the previous cruise has disembarked so I'm not sure why they took your luggage so early.

 

As for wine, yes, I carried 7 bottles onboard in my carry on!

[Hornet]

This is so much fun reading about the Island's past and upcoming cruises.

 

Question to anyone on the next 4/19 cruise ~ I had read on this board that if your room is starboard, you'll see the volcano at night. Then someone said you'll see from starboard only if Hilo is the 1st stop. I noticed that the 4/19 has Kona as the 1st stop as we do in Sept. So...could someone let me know which side you view from when passing the volcano? Thanks.

 

Also glad to read the discussion on pier waiting. We departed from San Pedro in Oct on the Diamond and I thought the Island would leave from the same place. We did wait in a nice building with lots of seating - very comfortable. I didn't realize there was another waiting area. I guess because the Island is smaller they don't get the nice waiting area.

[spingal]

Question to anyone on the next 4/19 cruise ~ I had read on this board that if your room is starboard, you'll see the volcano at night. Then someone said you'll see from starboard only if Hilo is the 1st stop. I noticed that the 4/19 has Kona as the 1st stop as we do in Sept.

 

Hornet,

 

I am on the 4/19 cruise and we stop in Hilo first........not Kona. Kona is our second port.

 

Jamie

[Hornet]

I looked on an online cruise site that listed Kona 1st. It does seem that most of the time Hilo is 1st. Well...if anyone finished this cruise with Kona 1st....???

[LARGIN]

My 4/19 cruise docs has Hilo first..

[dsawyer]

For those going to Kona first and then Hilo, you pretty much will miss most of the lava flow action. The ship will pass the volcano aroud 3:30 a.m. on the way to Hilo. Unless you are wide awake at that hour, it won't matter what side of the ship you are on.

 

When the ship goes to Hilo first, the ship goes by the lava flow much earlier and it can be viewed from the Starboard side.

[DesrtDrmr]

Hello,

It is much warmer today, and seas are pretty calm.

Internet charge is $ .35 a minute, unless you are Platinum or Elite, and then, it is included. Computers are VERY slow, and VERY busy.

Yesterday we attended two trivia contests, won one, a Broadway production show matinee, a horse race, a pottery class, and three full meals!!! :) And the CASINO.

We are really having a very good time, and the food is GOOD..........my favorite thing so far, is an extra charge item, fresh squeezed OJ. I love it. There is also free "regular" orange juice. Tried the pizza yesterday, excellent. .....

Our cruise critic bunch is a lot of fun.............do plan on having a get together on your cruise. It's fun to run into "friends" here and there.

Right now, everyone is applauding, as they are doing a fruit carving show in the atrium.

Today, the Princess Survivor starts...........

Later.........

[suziehmkr]

DesrtDrmr - Thank you for reporting in!!! It is very generous of you to do!! We away each & every post with anticipation! ;)

 

Sounds like you had a very full day yesterday! No chance of getting bored!! Glad it is warmer for you today!

[sunshine426]

have you had a "mai tai" yet? :)

[Hornet]

Thanks Dsawyer for the volcano info.

 

DesrtDrmr ~ Was the matinee show the same that they perform in the evening? I didn't know they did a show in the day. Sounds like you're having fun.

[wrkfire911]

What is Princess Survivor? what have you played in the Casino. My group is very interested in the nickel slots they have on board. I know the have Lucky Leprecaun!!!

Thanks So Much for your postings!! i too am on the next trip 4/19

 

Kelly