World Cruise 2023 - Occasionally Live from the Island Princess

[SargassoPirate]

we_like_to_cruise.....I was watching an Island Princess video tour on YouTube and noticed how open the casino is to the Fiesta Deck, especially to the photo gallery.

 

Is the casino a smoking area?

[shamrockace]

On 3/5/2023 at 8:37 AM, SargassoPirate said:

we_like_to_cruise.....I was watching an Island Princess video tour on YouTube and noticed how open the casino is to the Fiesta Deck, especially to the photo gallery.

 

Is the casino a smoking area?

I don’t think so. They have a really nice smoking area on deck 7 which had bar service and an outside place around the corner from the grill on deck 15. 
 

this ship is older and she’s showing a few wrinkles but she still has some life and I’m not sure if she doesn’t try a little harder 😉

[memoak]

11 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

we_like_to_cruise.....I was watching an Island Princess video tour on YouTube and noticed how open the casino is to the Fiesta Deck, especially to the photo gallery.

 

Is the casino a smoking area?

Every Princess casino I have ever been on has had smoking. At one time they were non smoking on formal nights but every cruise I have been on in the last year has had smoking in one half every day 

[Steelers36]

12 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

we_like_to_cruise.....I was watching an Island Princess video tour on YouTube and noticed how open the casino is to the Fiesta Deck, especially to the photo gallery.

 

Is the casino a smoking area?

Look at the deck plan. The smoking area is the aft-most section on the port side which looks like an alcove.  Several slots in that area.  No smoking at poker and card tables, plus some slots in the no smoking area.

[TravelLizzy]

Shamrockace - great pics - glad to see you are adventurous with the new and different.  We have been to AU and NZ previously, including AU outback and Great Barrier Reef for the day - these were a precruise packgage - this was our 3rd time on AU/NZ and we were extremely disappointed to miss Wellington and Darwin.  Saw the affect of COVID at Melbourne's port, it did not look like that in 2020, during our 2nd cruise of AU. Continue to be adventurous.

Edited March 6, 2023 by TravelLizzy

[ekka49]

2 hours ago, memoak said:

Every Princess casino I have ever been on has had smoking. At one time they were non smoking on formal nights but every cruise I have been on in the last year has had smoking in one half every day 

All Princess ships sailing out of Australian Ports have NO smoking in any inside areas

[TravelLizzy]

16 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

we_like_to_cruise.....I was watching an Island Princess video tour on YouTube and noticed how open the casino is to the Fiesta Deck, especially to the photo gallery.

 

Is the casino a smoking area?

No casino is not smoking, but Churchill is and deck 16 above pizza/burger - smoke travels down to deck 15

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/4/2023 at 10:45 PM, MustangGT said:

@We_like_to_cruise- t

 

I have a strange question.  In the buffet, are the coffee cups plastic or ceramic?  I cannot drink my hot tea from a plastic cup so I usually bring a ceramic one from home.  We were on the Sky a few weeks ago and they had ceramic cups in the buffet.  I will be excited if I don’t have to pack my mugs!  
 

Thanks and wishing you continued smooth sailing!

 

Hi Mustang GT.  The coffee cups in the Horizon Court buffet are plastic.  They do have clear glass coffee mugs in the Amuletto Cafe (which is part of the same buffet area) for specialty coffees.  Although honestly I don't recall anyone using them - everyone gets their drink in a to-go cup.  I do see some other buffet patrons using their own ceramic cups brought from home.  You probably could also snag a ceramic mug from the MDR if you don't mind washing it yourself or replacing frequently.

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/5/2023 at 10:14 PM, ekka49 said:

All Princess ships sailing out of Australian Ports have NO smoking in any inside areas

 

Yes, the Churchill Lounge had a big sign with closed doors and there was no indoor smoking allowed during our time in Australia.

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/5/2023 at 8:11 PM, Steelers36 said:

Look at the deck plan. The smoking area is the aft-most section on the port side which looks like an alcove.  Several slots in that area.  No smoking at poker and card tables, plus some slots in the no smoking area.

 

Yes, when wandering around I have seen smokers in that small area of the casino.  However, unlike every other ship board casino I never noticed the smell of smoke when walking by the casino or in any other adjacent public areas.

Edited March 6, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[memoak]

18 hours ago, ekka49 said:

All Princess ships sailing out of Australian Ports have NO smoking in any inside areas

Yes but there would have been smoking prior to arriving in Australia and once you leave it will be smoking again

[MustangGT]

1 hour ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

 

Hi Mustang GT.  The coffee cups in the Horizon Court buffet are plastic.  They do have clear glass coffee mugs in the Amuletto Cafe (which is part of the same buffet area) for specialty coffees.  Although honestly I don't recall anyone using them - everyone gets their drink in a to-go cup.  I do see some other buffet patrons using their own ceramic cups brought from home.  You probably could also snag a ceramic mug from the MDR if you don't mind washing it yourself or replacing frequently.

Thanks so much for the reply!  I will add them back to my packing list!

[EDVM96]

Shouldn't the next stop be Langkawi? Bridge Cam sais Penang? 🤔

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/6/2023 at 5:06 PM, EDVM96 said:

Shouldn't the next stop be Langkawi? Bridge Cam sais Penang? 🤔

 

Yes, you are absolutely correct.  Our port in Langkawi, Malaysia was changed to Penang, Malaysia.  Apparently there was some issue in Langkawi about accessing the road into and out of the port. 

[EDVM96]

On 3/1/2023 at 7:57 AM, JABTPS said:

Since we just missed a big port for supplies, it will be tough until singapore. 

Did the situation improve after the SIN stop?

[EDVM96]

2 hours ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

 

Yes, you are absolutely correct.  Our port in Langkawi, Malaysia was changed to Penang, Malaysia.

And now you're arriving late in Phuket.

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 3/7/2023 at 6:33 PM, EDVM96 said:

Did the situation improve after the SIN stop?

 

Yes, very much so.  And I noticed many more new items as well as replacements.  For example, today we had peaches and plums in the buffet fruit area.

[We_like_to_cruise]

Singapore – a mixed bag

 

There was a lot to like about visiting this port.  There was also a lot of frustration.   Following is the good/bad, pro/con, and positive/negative.  We will start with the obstacles followed by the opportunities.  

 

Singapore Obstacles

 

The day before we reached this port, we receive a letter in our cabin that everyone needs to complete a Singapore Arrival Card to proceed ashore.  The document included a 43 character (I counted) complicated hyperlink you must type into your browser.  Of course this would have been much simpler (one click) if Princess had also emailed us the information.  Princess provided zero information on how to fill out specific parts of the electronic arrival card once logged into the website.  E.g., there was an option for “Group Submission”.  Should we use that for a couple traveling together?  E.g., what was our last port?  There are many options for Indonesia, none being Komodo Island.  As you can imagine pax arrived en masse at the Internet Café for assistance and guidance.  Princess you dropped the ball on this one.  To make it even worse, this card can be filled out up to three days before arrival!

 

The next day we must bring our passports (and carry them around all day) and go through immigration.  As DW and I had left early we only waited an hour in line.  From where we stood outside the immigration hall, you could see the line stretching behind us, apparently through the enclosed gangway and lined up on the exit queue on the ship itself.  Others we spoke with waited two to even three hours to get through immigration.  As a result some tours were cancelled.  Many crew members spent their precious few hours of leave on line and never made it to shore.  Some friends gave up and went back to the ship.

 

Immigration involved scanning your passport, standing steady for the facial recognition camera and providing both thumb prints on another device.  Like many others, after numerous failed attempts I was sent to a second line to try again. 

 

More waiting.

 

Later in the evening, DW and I came back to the ship and went out again (more on that in part two) and oh boy, what confusion that caused.  “Don’t move” we are brusquely ordered, as if we could, being trapped between two barriers.  Supervisors consulted and telephone calls ensued before we were cleared to enter Singapore again.  There was no line at that later time, but once again I was forced to stand on a second line as the equipment failed to do its job.

 

Immigration woes were the most talked about part of our visit to Singapore among the passengers.  Perhaps since tourism is only a very small percentage of their GDP being cruise visitor-friendly is not a priority?

 

The MRT subway system is modern, very clean, extensive and pretty easy to follow. And it was rarely crowded on this Sunday in Singapore.  However, we repeatedly received error messages using our contactless credit card at the turnstiles to pay for rides.  Invariably we would need to walk to one of the customer service desks and they would open a gate for us.  At one stop the agent apologized and explained there were ongoing technical difficulties with foreign credit cards.  In fact he was so concerned that I wouldn’t be able to tap out after that trip that he offered me cash out of his own pocket to pay for the trip! 

 

 At the end of the day, after each taking a half dozen rides  to various stations around town our total credit card charge was only a bit over $5.00 for both of us combined.  So I guess it ended up being to our advantage.

 

I had pre-conceived notions of Singapore being a pristine and law-abiding city due to some of its well-known strict laws. 

 

Yet, when we attempted to walk down posh Orchard Road, many groups of young people - ranging from four to twenty or more -  were gathered outside the shops, socializing while sitting on and blocking the sidewalks.  The numerous signs prohibiting such actions were ignored.  We saw this at other locations including the covered walkway from the ship terminal to the MRT train station. 

 

And, to make it even worse, the latter groups left behind many bags of garbage that were spilled all over the ground and the walkway.  Not what I expected.

 

Finally, when we climbed up the stairs from the MRT station to Chinatown, an Instagram zombie was posing and completely blocking the exit as her boyfriend took pictures.  Despite my “Excuse me” as we attempted to get by, she turned around and gave me the finger.  Welcome to friendly Singapore.

 

Addendum.  Three days after leaving Singapore we receive a Singapore visa in our email.  ???

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[We_like_to_cruise]

Singapore Opportunities

 

After navigating immigration we follow the well-marked covered walkway from the pier to the MRT station.  Although our destination is within a healthy walking distance, we elect to try out the local transportation.  Two stops later and we are at Gardens by the Bay, a large complex that includes numerous botanical attractions.  It is one of the most popular tourist sites in Singapore.  Interestingly, not one word of Gardens by the Bay is mentioned in the Princess Port Guide and no excursions go there. 

 

We walk the grounds for a bit and then show our ticket to enter the Flower Dome.  (Tickets were pre-purchased a few days before, although not really necessary as the ticket queue was not too long).  The Flower Dome is the world’s largest indoor greenhouse housing thousands of exotic plants and flowers and many exhibits.  It is easy to spend a few hours admiring and photographing.  It is air conditioned and very comfortable and the crowds are spread out.

 

The adjoining building holds the Cloud Forest, an indoor tropical rainforest.  It also has comfortable temps but much higher misty humidity levels as might be expected.  Upon entering, one of the world’s largest indoor waterfalls astounds.   An elevator leads to the top of the forest (almost nine stories high) and we follow the Cloud Walk down, seemingly suspended in air over the plants below.  At different levels escalators assist. 

 

It is now early afternoon, so we pause for an outdoor lunch in the Gardens by the Bay.

 

Sated, we walk over the famed pedestrian Helix Bridge, past the Esplanade, the performing arts center.  It is nicknamed “The Durian” as its exterior mimics the spiked fruit.   Around the bend is the spouting Merlion in the heart of Marina Bay.  The Merlion, half lion and half fish, is the national symbol of Singapore.  Many congregate here for their requisite selfies.  We do as well.

 

Across the boulevard we make our way past the huge Fullerton Hotel and take the MRT to Orchard Road, the upscale shopping district.  All the luxury big names are there, too numerous to name.  We window shop, saving money for our next cruise.  

Our next train ride takes us to a very large Chinatown.  Dozens of restaurants, fruit stands, market stalls and shops that sell everything from durian to digital cameras.  The narrow streets are very crowded.

 

At the outskirts we marvel at the colorful entry tower of Sri Mariamman Temple, the oldest Hindu temple in the city.  Its five tiers host numerous bright colorful figures.  As luck would have it, we are in the right place to view a religious procession going on inside the temple.

 

The weather forecast had been 70% chance of thunderstorms all day.  But, we have been lucky only being subjected to a few sprinkles here and there.  We were fortunate to miss the drenching downpours fellow passengers later told us about. 

 

We pop back to the ship to change our shoes and grab a jacket and a quick bite to eat.  (And a cold beer).

 

Again, post immigration, we take the MRT to a Marina Bay Sands hotel station.  The crowds outside the Shoppes are already waiting for the famous Spectra light and water show.  A half hour early, we manage to grab the last viewing area right in front.  Promptly at 8 pm the futuristic water / light / laser / sound show begins.  They even have holograms projected onto the water.  The magical show lasts 15 minutes.  We have been to the Bellagio, Las Vegas, water show many times. Spectra was that and much more.

 

All aboard is 9:30 pm and we are back at 9:10 having experienced the obstacles and opportunities of a visit to Singapore.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited March 10, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise

[wowzz]

14 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

Perhaps since tourism is only a very small percentage of their GDP being cruise visitor-friendly is not a priority?

Pre-covid Singapore had over 19 million visitors a year, and is a significant part of the economy. It's a major tourist destination in its own right, but many Europeans use it as a staging post for a few days, before flying on to other Asian destinations.

Normally the Singapore immigration process is extremely slick - you certainly seem to have had a bad experience. 

Just one point about the large groups of youngsters congregating together. Singapore had some of the most stringent rules in the world regarding socialising during Covid. A lot of what you saw is the understandable reaction to being free to again,  and making up for lost time. 

[JABTPS]

On 3/7/2023 at 4:33 PM, EDVM96 said:

id the situation improve after the SIN stop?

Not very much at all.  Yes, we got more supplies but some alcohol was out again just after 3 days and they still don't post the available wine for the drink package unless you complain.  Had meetings with Bar manager twice about the issues and only helps if you complain.  Some new speaker from Singapore that's not much for enrichment speaker and many of the musicians are still onboard.  We did get a Motown group and 2 new vocalists.  Food really hasn't improved.  It's so hit and miss.  Just last night they're trying to sell those small shot glass sets after the dinner in the dining room.  Really???

That said, the "Best of Phuket" tour was the best we've ever had on any cruise!  Fabulous.  On the other hand, Penang was not impressionable as it was not very clean city like Phuket.

[jcruizer]

We love Singapore. It's more of a local stop for Australians. Getting off a cruise wasn't a problem but that was post COVID.

[CeCe_]

On 1/10/2023 at 1:05 PM, We_like_to_cruise said:

Could we spend almost four months on the Island Princess ???

 

I didn't read through the entire thread.   I have the same concern.   We love new ships and have never been on one as old as the Island yet.  

[caribill]

8 hours ago, CeCe_ said:

 

I didn't read through the entire thread.   I have the same concern.   We love new ships and have never been on one as old as the Island yet.  

 

We pick the itineraries we like and if they are on the Island, we book that ship.

 

We do not just ask what cruises are available on the Island and then pick one.

 

Actually, that is the same for all ships/itineraries on all cruiselines.

 

We have never picked a cruise or rejected one just because of the age of the ship.

 

In the year before the pandemic on another cruiseline we sailed on both the oldest ship in their fleet and the newest ship in their fleet. Had a great experience on both ships which were picked by the itineraries that interested us.

[sunny88]

Following your trip, just wonderful. Thanks for the report and pictures.

 

Question, does Island Main Dinning Room accept the reservation?

Some of the Princess ships do not honer the reservation.   We ran into that situation on Sky.