Island Princess Review

Beautiful Ship, Great Destinations

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Island Princess
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deepwaternz
10+ Cruises • Age 70s

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Sail Date: Oct 2014
Cabin: Balcony

After having been on a couple of Princess cruises in Australia/New Zealand on smaller ships, we were excited and interested to board Island Princess. This was the first time we have had a balcony in our 11 cruises. What a treat.We were on the starboard side, near midships on deck 10. We were given a premium balcony suite which had a larger balcony than the cabins above or below. Our cabin was kept immaculate, and apart from a leaking pipe in our bathroom wall, which was rectified very promptly, our stewardess was so obliging, always remembering our names and wearing a constant smile.The shows and activities on board are of a similar standard to most cruise lines, but the choice was a little more limited. However we were able to fill our time on the mini putt golf, and joined the Pop Choir (on You Tube) along with 50 others, which was interesting and fun.

The chior master, Dino I think was his name, was always encouraging and each member seemed to build a relationship with this personable young man. Pre port lectures by Bill --- were interesting and informative.

We only did one onboard booked tour as the price was quite high. Instead, at most ports, we disembarked and usually with a few other like minded passengers, picked up a local tour on the wharf area, at a fraction of the price. These tours went to the same places as the ship booked ones but at a fraction of the price. Usually in a smaller group, so more interesting. They all appeared to be govt licenced, and ran to the same schedules as the ship ones. Food and dining venues were generally first class.The only complaint was the formal nights on board. Living in NZ, to carry too much in the way of formal wear was not an option. For the first couple of formal nights, I, as did a number of other diners, turned up in a dressy shirt, dress trousers and shoes, and as on every other cruise ship had been welcomed into the dining room, but on one night I was informed I needed a jacket, and had a hideous jade green jacket of two sizes pushed at me to wear in to dinner. The irony was that on being escorted to our table, two other men at our table also had no jackets as was the case with others dotted around the dining room. Apart from the humiliation in front of the other guests on entering, I had trouble getting it on and off with a shoulder injury. "Doesn't matter apparently. Rules are rules." Apart from that one incident, we found all passengers and staff (one excepted) were extremely friendly and on such a great ship, we would definately go again. Our most enjoyable Ports were Fort Laurderdale (Florida Keys in particular) Colombia (Cartojena), Nicuragua (Granada City and Lake Nicuragua boat tour round the small inhabited islands). Well down Island Princess and crew from Capitain right down.

Cabin Review

Balcony

Cabin B2

Our first balcony cabin in 11 cruises. Good size and excellent sized balcony. Half the balcony was under cover. Seemed to be only on this deck level. Two adjustable deck chairs and a small outdoor table on the balcony. We had an easy chair with footrest, and a second comfortable chair that was for use at the desk as well. Average sized TV (Ample) Great wardrobe and storage, Small shower with body hugging curtain, but adequate for our needs. Would be an interesting exercise having a shower, if you were any thing above average size. Luckily we are only average. Have no complaints though.

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