Island Princess Suites

[Denali2003]

Hello!  Has anyone stayed in a Vista Suite on the Island Princess?  If so, what did you think of it?  Do you have any photos?  Thank you 🙂

[Papa Yoda]

 D630 14 days and L724 19 days and enjoyed both.  L724 got a soot fall one afternoon, but being just a short walk to the Thermal Suite and covered pool was terrific.  I don't think we'd like any aft Vista Suites that aren't on Lido deck.

 

Soot:

 

Edited January 5, 2021 by Papa Yoda
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[Ken the cruiser]

We were in A729 for 25 days in Jan 2020 on an Easter Island cruise and loved it! Definitely felt spoiled. The only minor shortfall was the aft-facing balcony wasn't covered at all. But OTOH, it was definitely a big plus when taking in the views going through the Panama Canal!  Also, as this was our first suite experience on any Princess ship, we truly loved eating breakfast at Sabatinis! We wouldn't hesitate booking another aft-facing vista suite if the price was right. On this cruise the base price we paid (before adding in any TA incentives) was $368 per person which included a promotional free gratuities. 

[RSF Cruiser]

We were also in A729 for a Panama Canal crossing and that suite is our favorite suite of all time (I don't know how many suites we've stayed in, at least 15 on Princess). No, the balcony isn't covered, but the size is huge and the furniture is the most comfortable of any suite we've been in. The inside is well lit and brighter than other aft suites - probably because this suite is one of the newly added ones. We like the two sinks in the bathroom and didn't miss a sink in the bar area. I prefer to be closer to the water, but wouldn't hesitate booking this suite again.

[Denali2003]

On 1/5/2021 at 11:14 AM, Papa Yoda said:

 D630 14 days and L724 19 days and enjoyed both.  L724 got a soot fall one afternoon, but being just a short walk to the Thermal Suite and covered pool was terrific.  I don't think we'd like any aft Vista Suites that aren't on Lido deck.

 

Soot: 166.08 kB · 0 downloads

 

 

How often did the soot "fly onto" your balcony?  I'm assuming it was cleaned off every day.

[Denali2003]

We are looking to book a suite for a Panama Canal cruise in 2023.  My husband wants to go through the original locks.  We are hoping to get cabin A726.  We like the idea of the wrap around balcony.  It will be for our 25th wedding anniversary.

[RRFPresident]

16 minutes ago, Denali2003 said:

We are looking to book a suite for a Panama Canal cruise in 2023.  My husband wants to go through the original locks.  We are hoping to get cabin A726.  We like the idea of the wrap around balcony.  It will be for our 25th wedding anniversary.

We sailed the Island Princess back in 2016 through the old locks but had a suite on the side, C704. We put ourselves on the waiting list for an upgrade to the penthouse or premium suites but only were ever offered handicap ones at the aft. While we wouldn't have taken a handicap cabin, we did some research and they were included in the list of cabins where they block use of your balcony when in the locks because of the cables used. We ended up befriending the couple staying in one of those and they confirmed they weren't allowed to use their balcony until we left the locks. You might want to make sure A726 isn't also on the list. 

 

I did a photo review on here back then. Hopefully this link is to the first post with suite pictures: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2336037-panama-canal-on-island-princess-1017-111-photo-review/?do=findComment&comment=50278053

 

[LSGDRG]

I was in one the aft suites back in 2016,  The suite was added during dry dock.  There was constant vibration.  It became irritating after awhile.  For that reason, I wouldn't recommend a suite at the very aft of the ship.

Edited January 6, 2021 by LSGDRG

[Denali2003]

2 hours ago, RRFPresident said:

We sailed the Island Princess back in 2016 through the old locks but had a suite on the side, C704. We put ourselves on the waiting list for an upgrade to the penthouse or premium suites but only were ever offered handicap ones at the aft. While we wouldn't have taken a handicap cabin, we did some research and they were included in the list of cabins where they block use of your balcony when in the locks because of the cables used. We ended up befriending the couple staying in one of those and they confirmed they weren't allowed to use their balcony until we left the locks. You might want to make sure A726 isn't also on the list. 

 

I did a photo review on here back then. Hopefully this link is to the first post with suite pictures: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2336037-panama-canal-on-island-princess-1017-111-photo-review/?do=findComment&comment=50278053

 

 

WOW that is a long and very detailed account of your trip!  I will admit, I did not read all of it.  Mostly the captions of the photos.  

 

* Law & Order bing on the bathroom door*  That is hysterical 😅

* Barf bags in the hallways?  WOW, how much rocking was the ship doing?

* Carpet in the Bayou Cafe *LOL* on your comment

* Do you happen to have a picture of the breakfast menu in Sabatini's?

* Incline in the hallway.  I think we saw that on the Sky Princess

* The Library is nice.  Better than some of the other ones.

* The Casino ATM looks like it's winking and laughing.  It probably is considering how much they charge to us it.

* The Panama Canal Certificate is COOL.  I didn't know you get one.

* Sad that the Fitness Center has no windows.

[Denali2003]

5 minutes ago, LSGDRG said:

I was in one the aft suites back in 2016,  The suite was added during dry dock.  There was constant vibration.  It became irritating after awhile.  For that reason, I wouldn't recommend a suite at the very aft of the ship.

 

That is one of our concerns also.  We had an Aft balcony cabin on the OLD Royal (2010) - small ship.  The vibration was HORRIBLE.  The bed felt like the ones you had to put quarters in *LOL*.  The safe door kept clanking we had to duct tape it shut.

[RSF Cruiser]

We always stay in aft suites. Aft cabins have more vibration than midship, regardless of the ship. I did not notice more vibration on the aft suite on the Island than any other ship we've been on. Fortunately, I find the vibration relaxing; the slight movement lulls me to sleep whenever I'm in a horizontal position 🙂

[Papa Yoda]

9 hours ago, Denali2003 said:

 

How often did the soot "fly onto" your balcony?  I'm assuming it was cleaned off every day.

 

Just the one time - and yes it was cleaned up right away, it was weird as we were in port.  I figure they cleaned the stacks that day we were in Guatemala.

[Kineticoh20]

We were in L721 Amalfi suite for 14 days in the Med, it has 2 balconies. A different suite design from the usual Princess layout. About 40 feet of balcony. 

[Kineticoh20]

[Denali2003]

Thank you for the photos!