Just arrived home after the 10 day Panama Canal trip on 01st October 2009 on the Island Princess. This is the first time traveling with Princess, our first with Royal Caribbean. I have to say that the trip was great, we went with another couple and found that it had everything we needed to keep us entertained. The ship was really well kept and felt spacious wherever you went. This is one thing I noticed over RC, the boat really is a great smaller cruising ship. The pools were never too busy, the hot tubs always available and the food amazing. The cruise staff were great fun and really made the effort to ensure that you had the best time possible. The same however couldn't be said with the dining staff, I do feel we missed out on that as at times other tables seemed to have better waiters. For the 10 days there was no real engagement without a lot of hard work on our part. Even when asking questions about the menu it was either made up or answered when walking/looking away. There were small touches that I think never cost anything that could also have been improved - serve ladies first, wait until everyone has finished before clearing the table, not have your next course sat waiting for you to finish the one you are eating. (RC excelled in this) The other last niggle with the trip was the incessant sales drive of additional items. I totally understand that any extra money is much needed at the moment but the brute force and tenacity was amazing. You could be sat having something to eat and staff would come selling items such as water, overpriced wine packages, photo's and spaces at the other restaurants. The term "nominal fee" became a running joke for us as everywhere you looked a fee of some sort could be found. So much to say as the call the back page of the Princess Patter their "revenue" page. Just be a bit more subtle about it, if we wanted something we'd do it.

As for the trips, these we all really well organized especially the one for the Panama Canal, getting everyone off the boat with the emergency vessels and in to coaches took around 30 mins! I would however say where possible look to arrange independent tours as these are similar and usually a fraction of the price. In Aruba we just left it until we got of the ship and pad $15 each for an island tour of all the essential spots plus time for the beach. Princess had this for over $40. In Costa Rica we booked in advance on the net with Okey Dokey tours as recommended previous on Cruise Critic. This is a must, not only cheaper but a lot more personal with the tour tailored to what you want to do. The guys were brilliant an with free beer/coke who can complain.

Overall the boat was really nice, entertainment good and food excellent. Service poor and "nominal fees" a favorite. What made the cruise was the ports we stopped at and this is what you'll enjoy.