What will Island Princess look like after May 2015?

[Colo Cruiser]

There was no international café.

 

 

Now that's a big head scratcher for me.

They put one on the Coral. :rolleyes:

[mina]

Hi all,

I'm going to be in one of the new aft balcony cabins on Baja deck starting on July 9th. I'll see what I can do about posting about it while on board.

:)

Bonnie

 

THank you Bonnie! We are in the Baja balcony as well in October - so your thoughts will be appreciated!!

[mina]

I'll make a note of smoking locations. Good idea.

 

If I meet anybody in the new stern cabins, I'll ask them about vibration. Not sure if there is any other way for me to assess the situation for you other than luck of meet somebody helpful. My own cabin is way forward.

 

 

Thank you Starry Eyes. Since they reconfigured the back and put the sanctuary in the area where the old outdoor smoking area was, I am thinking that there is no longer an aft area for smoking (or at least hope so given the limited aft public space). DH will not like having to walk to the front to go to Churchills, but since I quit -- I'm good with him getting some more exercise to offset.:)

[cruisequeen4ever]

Does anyone know anything about the new Promenade balcony staterooms? I chose those after studying the ship for a while but would love more info. to make sure they're as good as they appear.

[RSF Cruiser]

I've just read all of these posts, and have a few questions for someone who has stayed in one of the aft suites on the Aloha or Lido decks - was there any noise from the teen center on the Lido deck or the youth center on the Aloha deck?

 

It also looks like the Vista Suites on the Aloha deck (A728 and A729) have larger balconies than the Vista Suites on the Lido Deck(L723,L724, L726). am I correct?

 

And, do suites A726 and A727 have wrap balconies so that you can sit on the balcony facing aft and see the ship/s wake?

 

I've booked L723 and am concerned about noise from the teen center. If the balconies on the Aloha deck Vista Suites are larger, and if they open up (they are currently booked for our cruise), I may change my cabin.

 

Thanks!

[CKCruising]

I've just read all of these posts, and have a few questions for someone who has stayed in one of the aft suites on the Aloha or Lido decks - was there any noise from the teen center on the Lido deck or the youth center on the Aloha deck?

 

It also looks like the Vista Suites on the Aloha deck (A728 and A729) have larger balconies than the Vista Suites on the Lido Deck(L723,L724, L726). am I correct?

 

And, do suites A726 and A727 have wrap balconies so that you can sit on the balcony facing aft and see the ship/s wake?

 

I've booked L723 and am concerned about noise from the teen center. If the balconies on the Aloha deck Vista Suites are larger, and if they open up (they are currently booked for our cruise), I may change my cabin.

 

Thanks!

I was watching these as well as we have one booked for 2016.

 

From what I can see...

 

L721 and L722 are marked (when you go into the room to book it) as 740 square feet with two balconies (not the wrap around as in the picture). The square footage on L723-726 are all different as noted above and it says they have wrap around balconies...that can't be correct

 

A726 and A727 are marked as 617 square feet with a wrap around balcony as per the pictures. A728 and A729 are marked as 664 square feet. From the image the balconies look twice as big as those on the lido deck.

 

The reason we choose the aloha deck is that the washroom for the teen center is in the back near the cabin entrances where as there is nothing in the back of the youth center so there would be no reason for anyone to go back near the cabin entrances.

[f-mattox]

They seem to be having the same problems they had with Royal Princess before her launch: last minute changes are not reflected in the published deck plans.

 

For example: A726 and A727 show only side-facing balconies on the deck plans, but the photos clearly show both have wrap-around balconies. And L721 and L722 both show wrap-around balconies in the deck plans but the photos clearly show they are two separate balconies.

 

Vista Suite L723 is listed as 740 sq. ft. and L724 and L726 are listed as 511 aq. ft. and 551 sq. ft. respectively when they are clearly all nearly the same size. And all claim to have wrap-around balconies which is not the case at all.

 

And Penthouse Suites L721 and 722 are listed as 471 sq. ft., 509-512 sq. ft., and 740 sq. ft., depending on which deck plan you are looking at.

 

I know this will all eventually get sorted out; but that's no help to those of us who are trying to make educated decisions about our bookings right now.

[step_out]

the TV system had not been updated to the on demand system.

 

I'm sailing the Island in August and am disappointed to hear this... I was obviously spoiled on the Regal, as I just assumed that the whole fleet now had On Demand....

 

Somewhat trivial matter of course, though when travelling with a 4 year old, it was fantastic to be able to use the on demand system, on occasion....

[Bernbun29]

We were booked on the Island for a full transit and cancelled, now we have rebooked, Very excited, second time on this ship. I too am disappointed in no International Cafe, it to me, really helps you eat less, the buffet is "not my cup of tea", but I will be on a cruise, and will definitely survive!!

[catsforkids]

Without an IC there will only be a tray or 2 of pastries or small finger sandwiches at the atrium bar "La Patisserie". Its always been a bummer after experiencing the IC on other ships then not having it on the Island. :(

 

And they open late (usually 6-6:30) for us early birds. 2 more wasted coffee cards for good coffee I don't get.

[jasbo49]

A fairly upbeat review was posted in the review section in the past day or two. One of the most encouraging things was that they're still offering the "On the Bayou" show. I had read that this was one of the best shows Princess offers, but it couldn't be staged anywhere but the now-defunct Universe Lounge. Apparently they found another venue and it's still great.

 

For those of us booked on the Island and reading a lot of downer stuff, it's nice to read of someone having a great time aboard the ship. Anyone else who wants a pick-me-up can read CaliJohn's review.

 

Jim

[Astro Flyer]

One of the most encouraging things was that they're still offering the "On the Bayou" show. I had read that this was one of the best shows Princess offers, but it couldn't be staged anywhere but the now-defunct Universe Lounge. Apparently they found another venue and it's still great.

 

Jim

That's good news...we've enjoyed "On the Bayou" several times in the Universe Lounge. :)

 

They previously said that "Motor City" could only be performed in the Vista Lounge yet they were able to modify it to be performed in the Princess Theater where I'm guessing "On the Bayou" will be performed on the Island.

Edited July 4, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[caribill]

That's good news...we've enjoyed "On the Bayou" several times in the Universe Lounge. :)

 

They previously said that "Motor City" could only be performed in the Vista Lounge yet they were able to modify it to be performed in the Princess Theater where I'm guessing "On the Bayou" will be performed on the Island.

 

"On the Bayou" was designed for the special stage that the Universe Lounge had with rotating sections on the stage. Obviously when performed elsewhere the show and set had to be modified.

 

Although "Motor City" was offered in the Vista Lounge on several ships, it has no special stage requirements and can easily be presented in the Princess Theater and has been so presented on a number of the ships.

[Astro Flyer]

"On the Bayou" was designed for the special stage that the Universe Lounge had with rotating sections on the stage. Obviously when performed elsewhere the show and set had to be modified.

As I previously posted I've enjoyed "On the Bayou" several times which was performed on the Universe Lounge's rotating stages so I am fully aware of the reasons why it was performed there. And obviously since it's being performed on the Island it has been modified to be performed elsewhere.

[JAF1]

We have just come off the Island and were not at all impressed with her. I am normally a very regular gym user but did not like the new gym at all and did not use it. They made us laugh as on deck 7 there is still a sign which reads 2.8 times round the deck equals a mile well it does not any longer as part is blocked off with cabins. We are normally regular International Cafe users and found the Patisserie was no equal so did not use coffee cards after first punch. We were planning on a Panama transit next year but would definitely not sail again on the Island and are waiting to see what happens with the Coral as if she is refitted out the same as the Island then we will choose another line to cruise this route.

[Astro Flyer]

Thanks & the Coral's overhaul has been cancelled for next year but have not read anywhere whether it's merely a postponement or a complete cancellation.

 

If you went to the Princess Theater for shows, did you notice any additional crowding since the other showroom was removed? How about in the dining room now that capacity has increased by 10%? Did you experience or talk to anyone who were in the new cabins that have been reported to be experiencing vibration problems?

 

The last time I can remember going to a gym buried inside a ship was the old Regal Princess over 10 years ago and it's a big step backwards to me. When passengers yearn for the "old days" of sailing, it doesn't mean an inside gym. ;)

Edited July 24, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[IECalCruiser]

With the addition of about 100 additional cabins we know that the double occupancy capacity has been increased by about 200. Does anyone know if the maximum capacity was increased by the same amount?

[waltd]

Thanks & the Coral's overhaul has been cancelled for next year but have not read anywhere whether it's merely a postponement or a complete cancellation.

 

If you went to the Princess Theater for shows, did you notice any additional crowding since the other showroom was removed? How about in the dining room now that capacity has increased by 10%? Did you experience or talk to anyone who were in the new cabins that have been reported to be experiencing vibration problems?

 

The last time I can remember going to a gym buried inside a ship was the old Regal Princess over 10 years ago and it's a big step backwards to me. When passengers yearn for the "old days" of sailing, it doesn't mean an inside gym. ;)

 

Oh I remember the old Regal gym. When I got on the tread mill my head hit the ceiling. Oh the good old days. :)

[Astro Flyer]

Oh I remember the old Regal gym. When I got on the tread mill my head hit the ceiling. Oh the good old days. :)

 

Or the good ol' days of building a ship & later deciding where & how to configure cabins resulting in some very odd cabins. :p

 

Being considerably shorter than you the gym must have been designed for the Italian crew & me.

Edited July 24, 2015 by Astro Flyer

[waltd]

Frank do you remember the bathrooms on the old Regal and Crown? The showers were the best on any new ship standard cabins that I have been on. Rectangle in size and big enough for two with higher ceilings.

[wowzz]

We have just come off the Island and were not at all impressed with her. I am normally a very regular gym user but did not like the new gym at all and did not use it. They made us laugh as on deck 7 there is still a sign which reads 2.8 times round the deck equals a mile well it does not any longer as part is blocked off with cabins. We are normally regular International Cafe users and found the Patisserie was no equal so did not use coffee cards after first punch. We were planning on a Panama transit next year but would definitely not sail again on the Island and are waiting to see what happens with the Coral as if she is refitted out the same as the Island then we will choose another line to cruise this route.

 

Fortunately I have the body of a Greek God, so I am not bothered about the gym. Also, when I walk round the deck [not that I really need to, given my heavenly body] when I reach as far as I can go towards the stern, my brain [which is the size of a small planet] tells me to turn around and walk back in the opposite direction.

As the Island has never had an IC I am not sure what your gripe is about.

I and my Greek Goddess of a wife will be on the IP next year and if these are the only complaints, I see nothing to change my booking.

[eldridchapman]

For those who took the refitted Island, how does the casino look like now?

[shredie]

Frank do you remember the bathrooms on the old Regal and Crown? The showers were the best on any new ship standard cabins that I have been on. Rectangle in size and big enough for two with higher ceilings.

 

Sigh. I loved the old Regal. I was sad to see her go.

[CruiseKing]

For those who took the refitted Island, how does the casino look like now?

Small. It was narrowed due to the new cabins on deck 6. It has no character or theme as on some other Princess ships. I did not use it so I cannot comment on the traffic flow.

[roblc1]

It never seemed busy. We did not use it but walked by often as we had been moved into one of the new cabins next door. I was fit to be tied when Princess did that and complained big time to my TA and Princess directly, but it actually turned out fine and no smoke or noise in the stateroom. Casino seemed very bland, white walls, well lit, not noisy like other casinos.