Island Princess Review
Worst cruise ever from frequent cruiser!!
Rating by category
Additional details
Panama Canal itinerary. We traveled with friends and this cruise date and itinerary worked for us. Enjoyed the ports visited and transiting Panama Canal. The shore excursions were very expensive compared to the prices and options available after we departed ship, so we purchased our excursions through local vendors. The cruise office required mandatory gratuities charged to my credit card, which made the cruise staff lazy. Service was not a top priority since they didn't have to earn tips. Dining room staff was rude as well as jewelry store staff. One guy insulted me because I couldn't afford a $2000 ring and turned down the credit card application he pressured me to take. There was no midnight buffets and very little activities on sea days compared to other cruise lines I have sailed on. After boarding ship, everything required an additional fee as compared to other cruise lines offering those items for no charge. Food in dining room and buffets was blah, blah, same old stuff every day with no specialty meals. Overall this cruise was very disappointing. Will not cruise with princess again.
Cabin Review
Oceanview (obstructed view)
Room was too small to be comfortable. Mold and mildew in shower. Steward did not clean after it being brought to his attention. Bed was comfortable. Obstructed view was like NO View!! Princess agent said I would be able to see out the window, but the lifeboat totally blocked my view. Why couldn't agent be honest and tell me? ;Same view as interior room but more money. Broken stuff everywhere. There was bolts, nails, screws, and broken pieces in the cabin and all around the ship. Cabin steward did minimum necessary for his job. Nothing extra. Very displeased! I disliked the mandatory gratuities. Service staff did not earn their tips. Dining room waiters and Horizon Court service staff provided little or no service. We had to ask multiple times for coffee, juice, etc. In the dining room, we waited 45 minutes for our dessert one evening. Staff in jewelry store was rude. They told me to tell them my budget so I wouldn't waste their time. When I responded with $200 t0 $300, the guy said, "You've got to be kidding!", which I found repulsive.
Port Reviews
Falmouth
Did not take an excursion Did some shopping in port area, but cut it short due to constant haggling by local vendors.
Cartagena (Colombia)
We did not take a shore excursion from ship. Very pricey!! We hired a local cab driver to drive us around to several places and take us shopping. We saw more and learned more from him for a fraction of the cost of ship's shore excursions.
Colon (Cristobal)
Very disappointed here. We did not take an excursion, but hoped to shop a little. Our time was cut short and barely had time to go to one shop after walking a long way to get there. No a good area either.
Grand Cayman (Georgetown)
Did not take ship excursion. Purchased one from local vendor to multiple places. Had a nice visit with this vendor.
Puerto Limon
Did not take ship excursion, but purchased through local vendor. Nice tour with him.