Is Island Princess really that bad??

[zalusky]

We sailed on the Island on a Pacific Coastal last year. All the above complaints about the promenade, the gym, and reduction in lounges are spot on. Doing the treadmill is an absolute must for us and watching the view while doing it is only my pleasures I cant get anywhere else. The island ruined that for me. We also did the Coral on a Alaskan cruise tour so we know what it looked like before. I have heard through friends who talked to the staff that Princess knows they made a big mistake on this retrofit.

 

But the bottom line is WHY would you choose to go on a ship like this given all the other choices.

[BoopTennis]

But the bottom line is WHY would you choose to go on a ship like this given all the other choices.

 

Because the Itinerary outweighs the issues mentioned. And we don't care that much about the things mentioned. We are going to have a great time on the Island!

[Pierlesscruisers]

But the bottom line is WHY would you choose to go on a ship like this given all the other choices.

 

Just because you like some features on some given ship doesn't mean that someone else will like that ship. Different tastes for different people. It's the same with ships as well as cruise lines. My wife and I spent a couple of weeks on the Island going from Florida through the Panama Canal to California. It had not been her favorite ship before but she really enjoyed that trip and the Island is now one of her favorites. That is WHY we will probably cruise on it again, given the chance. That doesn't mean that your opinion of the Island is right and ours is wrong or vice versa. It simply means that the two opinions are very different. If you don't like the Island, don't go on it but don't infer that someone else is wrong for liking that ship simply because you don't agree with their viewpoint.

 

Tom

[nsw104]

Just because you like some features on some given ship doesn't mean that someone else will like that ship. Different tastes for different people. It's the same with ships as well as cruise lines. My wife and I spent a couple of weeks on the Island going from Florida through the Panama Canal to California. It had not been her favorite ship before but she really enjoyed that trip and the Island is now one of her favorites. That is WHY we will probably cruise on it again, given the chance. That doesn't mean that your opinion of the Island is right and ours is wrong or vice versa. It simply means that the two opinions are very different. If you don't like the Island, don't go on it but don't infer that someone else is wrong for liking that ship simply because you don't agree with their viewpoint.

 

Tom

I agree! Have been on the Island multible times pre & post retrofit as well as on the Coral. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Having Churchill's lounge is a big plus! My 2 cents.

[partybarbie]

I agree! Have been on the Island multible times pre & post retrofit as well as on the Coral. Everyone has their own likes and dislikes. Having Churchill's lounge is a big plus! My 2 cents.

 

DH loves Churchill's :) We also love the Bayou Cafe. I certainly agree with the comments about the casino and the gym. We don't gamble and we're on a cruise to relax, not go to the gym. The Sanctuary is small, and doesn't have a pool. There's no Skywalker's! :eek: There's no IC! :eek:

 

I couldn't care less, but if those things are important to someone, then they should pick a different ship.

[BoopTennis]

What is the Bayou Cafe?

[partybarbie]

What is the Bayou Cafe?

 

It's a specialty restaurant that serves New Orleans themed cuisine. It's decorated to like you are in the French Quarter. Sometimes they have live Jazz music, and sometimes it's just a piano player. Even if you don't eat dinner there, you can sit in the bar and have a mint julep (my favorite). There's also a small dance floor.

[zalusky]

Because the Itinerary outweighs the issues mentioned. And we don't care that much about the things mentioned. We are going to have a great time on the Island!

 

I am suggesting that there are better ships with pretty much the same itinerary that the island has.

 

There are plenty of ships that do Alaska, and Pacific Coastals. There are plenty of ships that do the canal.

Its not likes its some around the world or trans pacific like other Princess ships that are clearly one of a kind.

 

Given that I would choose most other ships in a heartbeat.

 

Other Princess ships really seem to have more entertainment options, more restaurant options, and better technology in addition to the promenade, gym, and other issues.

 

Its the first Princess ship that really disappointed me. I have been on the Diamond, Crown, and Coral and have two booked on the Royal. I also have quite a few under my belt on RCCL, Celebrity, and NCL.

 

Itinerary is part of the decision yes but the ship is just as important to me and given all the equivalent but better alternatives I just cant see one reason to ever do the island again.

[BoopTennis]

not on the dates I needed. For the specific itinerary we chose. and believe me I will not be complaining about the ship no matter what.

[BoopTennis]

It's a specialty restaurant that serves New Orleans themed cuisine. It's decorated to like you are in the French Quarter. Sometimes they have live Jazz music, and sometimes it's just a piano player. Even if you don't eat dinner there, you can sit in the bar and have a mint julep (my favorite). There's also a small dance floor.

 

thank you

[Steelers36]

It's a specialty restaurant that serves New Orleans themed cuisine. It's decorated to like you are in the French Quarter. Sometimes they have live Jazz music, and sometimes it's just a piano player. Even if you don't eat dinner there, you can sit in the bar and have a mint julep (my favorite). There's also a small dance floor.

 

Also serves as the steakhouse. Going there for my birthday next March.

[Steelers36]

Because the Itinerary outweighs the issues mentioned. And we don't care that much about the things mentioned. We are going to have a great time on the Island!

 

Agree - it's the only Princess ship going all the way 'round South America and through the Canal this winter. And posters like partybarbie and others give me encouragement that it will be fine. Sure, if I could pick any Princess ship to do this trip, I'd have picked something else, but the trip is the thing and the ship will be fine. I just want it to have good staff.

[DreamflightPat]

I was on the same sailing and totally concur. Anyone who states otherwise about the overcrowding is writing total fiction because they are just diehard Princess groupies! The post stating that there were plenty of seats at the theater even arriving five minutes before the show is absolute nonsense.

 

It is not absolute nonsense about seats five minutes before the show. I did it on six nights during this cruise. Not only that, four others on my table came with me and we found seats together fairly near the front. Are you trying to call me a liar? I am not a diehard Princess cruiser this was only my second with Princess, although plenty on other lines. You are putting me off cruising with Princess again.

[partybarbie]

Agree - it's the only Princess ship going all the way 'round South America and through the Canal this winter. And posters like partybarbie and others give me encouragement that it will be fine. Sure, if I could pick any Princess ship to do this trip, I'd have picked something else, but the trip is the thing and the ship will be fine. I just want it to have good staff.

 

You are going on one of my "dream cruises". We hope to do this in about 3-5 years, when DH retires.

 

Just make sure you get Traditional Dining. The Island only has two dining rooms, one for Anytime and one for Traditional. There are long lines for Anytime dining.

 

One different thing about the Island is the Lotus Pool. It's covered and located mid-ship. There's a full bar there too. It's a nice place to relax.

[Steelers36]

You are going on one of my "dream cruises". We hope to do this in about 3-5 years, when DH retires.

 

Just make sure you get Traditional Dining. The Island only has two dining rooms, one for Anytime and one for Traditional. There are long lines for Anytime dining.

 

One different thing about the Island is the Lotus Pool. It's covered and located mid-ship. There's a full bar there too. It's a nice place to relax.

 

Yes, I recall you posting that in reply to me some weeks back. Hope you get to do that trip. I notice in 2019 it is FLL to LA and no Canal. Different ship.

 

Yes, we will be Traditional 5:45pm. Do you know which DR the later TD is? I'm not sure if it or the 5:15pm aligns with the late TD (~8:00pm). We are on a tiny W/L for the TD because we cancelled and re-booked as three segments. I'm not worried at all for a table.

 

Covered pool area will be nice for the extreme southern areas as it is probably nice on a sunny cool day. Did you guys try the Sanctuary at all (as I recall I don't think you use it).

[vplsh]

Agree - it's the only Princess ship going all the way 'round South America and through the Canal this winter. And posters like partybarbie and others give me encouragement that it will be fine. Sure, if I could pick any Princess ship to do this trip, I'd have picked something else, but the trip is the thing and the ship will be fine. I just want it to have good staff.

We are in the same boat, so to speak! (Pun intended!) The Island is the only ship doing partial transit at a time when we can go on the cruise. So, that's what we'll do. It may not be our first choice of ship, but we really want to do this itinerary at this time, so the Island it is!

[partybarbie]

Yes, I recall you posting that in reply to me some weeks back. Hope you get to do that trip. I notice in 2019 it is FLL to LA and no Canal. Different ship.

 

Yes, we will be Traditional 5:45pm. Do you know which DR the later TD is? I'm not sure if it or the 5:15pm aligns with the late TD (~8:00pm). We are on a tiny W/L for the TD because we cancelled and re-booked as three segments. I'm not worried at all for a table.

 

Covered pool area will be nice for the extreme southern areas as it is probably nice on a sunny cool day. Did you guys try the Sanctuary at all (as I recall I don't think you use it).

 

The Traditional dining room will be the Provence, Deck 6, mid-ship. It will be for both early and late. I believe the late seating was 7:45 pm, and the early was 5:15 pm.

 

I have been to the Sanctuary on the Island, but it was before they removed the aft pool. It was a very small pool, not the like the ones on the Ruby and Emerald, but it was nice to cool off in. Now the Sanctuary is only one level (it was two before) and no pool at all. The majority of the time there are plenty of loungers at the Lido pool, so that's where we normally go during the day. The Lotus pool area is much larger than the Lotus pool on other ships. It's pretty quiet in there. I do like the Sanctuary on the larger ships, but I never really found a need for it on the Island.

[DanaPointBob]

I am suggesting that there are better ships with pretty much the same itinerary that the island has.

 

There are plenty of ships that do Alaska, and Pacific Coastals. There are plenty of ships that do the canal.

Its not likes its some around the world or trans pacific like other Princess ships that are clearly one of a kind.

 

Given that I would choose most other ships in a heartbeat.

 

Other Princess ships really seem to have more entertainment options, more restaurant options, and better technology in addition to the promenade, gym, and other issues.

 

Its the first Princess ship that really disappointed me. I have been on the Diamond, Crown, and Coral and have two booked on the Royal. I also have quite a few under my belt on RCCL, Celebrity, and NCL.

 

Itinerary is part of the decision yes but the ship is just as important to me and given all the equivalent but better alternatives I just cant see one reason to ever do the island again.

 

I totally agree. Your post absolutely nailed it. I have sailed on the Grand, Star, Ruby, Sapphire, Golden and Island. I would sail again in any of the aforementioned except the Island. I would not sail on her again, nor would I recommend her. One other issue that I noticed on the Sep 20 sailing, was that it was the first time in 23 Princess cruises that there was no one at the aft embarkation location directing people to their cabins not manning the elevators. It was total chaos. Very odd!

[DanaPointBob]

It is not absolute nonsense about seats five minutes before the show. I did it on six nights during this cruise. Not only that, four others on my table came with me and we found seats together fairly near the front. Are you trying to call me a liar? I am not a diehard Princess cruiser this was only my second with Princess, although plenty on other lines. You are putting me off cruising with Princess again.

 

I am not TRYING to call you anything! Just posting what I observed. Readers of CC will glean what they will.

[bbum]

Keep in mind that everyone's experience and expectations on a cruise will vary widely, I will add my 2 cents about the Island. We sailed on a 19 day Panama Canal last April in one of the new aft suites and we loved not only the new suite but the whole ship. We never felt overcrowded, and we never had a problem getting seats in the theater for ourselves and another couple together. We had late traditional seating for dinning so I can't comment on the anytime dinning. For some reason it was a very friendly passenger crowd onboard and the crew was honestly the happiest I have ever seen on a Princess ship (32 cruises). We did not miss the wrap around promenade deck and didn't hear too many (actually none) complaints about it. One nice thing was the promenade deck is quite wide and has a few full loungers on it if you are early or lucky enough to snag one. We dealt with the Captains Circle rep, the Internet folks and we were fortunate enough to meet the captain, and very much enjoyed meeting with everyone. It seemed like a very well run, happy ship. Now that may change as staff changes but I wouldn't cross the Island off my list if the itinerary was what suited my taste and my timeline, especially if you haven't been on it since the refirb, give it a chance. Then again like I said everyone has different expectations of what their cruise should be. I too was a bit leery when we booked from reading some bad reviews but I was very pleasantly surprised.

[Steelers36]

The Traditional dining room will be the Provence, Deck 6, mid-ship. It will be for both early and late. I believe the late seating was 7:45 pm, and the early was 5:15 pm.

 

I have been to the Sanctuary on the Island, but it was before they removed the aft pool. It was a very small pool, not the like the ones on the Ruby and Emerald, but it was nice to cool off in. Now the Sanctuary is only one level (it was two before) and no pool at all. The majority of the time there are plenty of loungers at the Lido pool, so that's where we normally go during the day. The Lotus pool area is much larger than the Lotus pool on other ships. It's pretty quiet in there. I do like the Sanctuary on the larger ships, but I never really found a need for it on the Island.

 

TY - as always. We must be in the Bordeaux on Plaza then with 5:45pm. (The booking engine offers 5:15pm, 5:45pm, & 8:00pm). It's interesting to have two early times when only 2 DR's and not 3. Looks like AT doesn't get a full DR space. I know times on board can vary from booking engine, but hopefully we will still be early but not 5:15pm. That said I know we will have some later times due to excursions, but we can buffet it or whatever.

[Steelers36]

I have been to the Sanctuary on the Island, but it was before they removed the aft pool. It was a very small pool, not the like the ones on the Ruby and Emerald, but it was nice to cool off in. Now the Sanctuary is only one level (it was two before) and no pool at all. The majority of the time there are plenty of loungers at the Lido pool, so that's where we normally go during the day. The Lotus pool area is much larger than the Lotus pool on other ships. It's pretty quiet in there. I do like the Sanctuary on the larger ships, but I never really found a need for it on the Island.

 

Pam (you know who I mean) has been in it since the new build. She reported quite a small shaded area. I just want some warm afternoons in those comfy loungers when we are in the hotter weather. I realize it's smaller than I am used to. I don't care about the pool as never use it. And even on Ruby and sisters, the Lotus pool is outside and downstairs. None nearby on Regal/Royal. Anyway, I am sure we will try out various spots like Promenade deck and the Lotus Pool. I'm going to do a BVE on her in Dec for a sneak preview. :cool:

[partybarbie]

Pam (you know who I mean) has been in it since the new build. She reported quite a small shaded area. I just want some warm afternoons in those comfy loungers when we are in the hotter weather. I realize it's smaller than I am used to. I don't care about the pool as never use it. And even on Ruby and sisters, the Lotus pool is outside and downstairs. None nearby on Regal/Royal. Anyway, I am sure we will try out various spots like Promenade deck and the Lotus Pool. I'm going to do a BVE on her in Dec for a sneak preview. :cool:

 

Yes, we've been on a couple of cruises with Pam now, including the 19-day Panama cruise last year. The loungers are really comfy.

 

TY - as always. We must be in the Bordeaux on Plaza then with 5:45pm. (The booking engine offers 5:15pm, 5:45pm, & 8:00pm). It's interesting to have two early times when only 2 DR's and not 3. Looks like AT doesn't get a full DR space. I know times on board can vary from booking engine, but hopefully we will still be early but not 5:15pm. That said I know we will have some later times due to excursions, but we can buffet it or whatever.

 

That is going to make for crazy lines if they take away part of the anytime dining in the Bordeaux for early traditional dining. :eek: You'll have to post when you get back, or maybe some live posts? I so wanted to be on your cruise.

[Steelers36]

 

That is going to make for crazy lines if they take away part of the anytime dining in the Bordeaux for early traditional dining. :eek: You'll have to post when you get back, or maybe some live posts? I so wanted to be on your cruise.

 

So, you guys didn't have 2 early TD time slots when you last sailed on Island? (I know you do late seating). Yes, I will try and do some information on that - maybe after I do the BVE in December. It will be easier as I won't need ship's internet. I can do a BVE report instead. I plan to check out cabins, DR times, etc. Take a ton of pictures to share with our friends too.

[partybarbie]

So, you guys didn't have 2 early TD time slots when you last sailed on Island? (I know you do late seating). Yes, I will try and do some information on that - maybe after I do the BVE in December. It will be easier as I won't need ship's internet. I can do a BVE report instead. I plan to check out cabins, DR times, etc. Take a ton of pictures to share with our friends too.

 

I double-checked on the back of the patters. There was only one time slot for TD early, and it was at 5:15 pm. :)