Island Princess Review
Rating by category
Additional details
We chose this cruise last minute after our transatlantic cruise was cancelled last minute. The cruise was wonderful; the cruise director and staff fantastic, and there were so many activities available each day and night. Both the production shows and the music entertainment around the ship were good. Food in the main dining room and buffet was excellent, on par (and sometimes better) than Celebrity.
The only drawback was the tours offered. They were pricey and one in particular a "Cooking and Discovery" tour while we were in Nicaragua was very misleading. We arrived at the meeting time for the tour, but had to wait 45 minutes to leave. We then had to wait until a tender filled up to make it to shore. We were put on a tiny bus with uncomfortable seats for a 2 1/2 hour drive. When we got to the city, there were no restrooms available and by now it had been almost 4 hours. At the restaurant we neither cooked nor discovered. Friends at our dinner table took a tour in Panama that was terrible as well.
Cabin Review
Interior
The cabin was surprisingly spacious. Two separate closets with plenty room for a 15 night cruise. In addition to the closets, the safe was located in a floor-to-ceiling shelf unit and there were two night tables with 2 drawers each. There was a desk/dressing table with three drawers, and large mirrors which added to the sense of space. In one corner, there was a mini refrigerator with a beverage shelf above it and a wall-mounted adjustable flat screen tv above that. There were movies and tv shows available on the tv for viewing free of charge. The bathroom was very small, and it took experience to be able to shower without getting the floor drenched. Basically, had to turn down the water pressure, which was not difficult because it was more than adequate.
Port Reviews
Cartagena (Colombia)
When you first get off the ship there is an area with tropical birds, pink flamingos, a sloth, a monkey, and several shops. We decided to go further and took a cab to "Old Town". However, the cab driver repeatedly insisted on taking us for a tour around the city to which we continually requested to be taken to "Old Town". He finally dropped us off next to a church and a small square and left. It was not "Old Town" and it took us an hour walking to find a cab back to the ship. We never did get to "Old Town". No one spoke English, not even the police.
Fuerte Amador (Balboa)
We took a hop on hop off bus and toured the city. It was pretty along the waterfront and we were surprised at the city skyscrapers.
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)
We just walked off the pier and through the markets. Stopped along the beach and had something to drink to cool down before returning to the ship. There were a lot of friendly locals because it was just before Easter and they were vacationing as well. We bought a beautiful wooden lazy susan.
San Juan del Sur
This is where we took a cruise tour (described above).
Puerto Vallarta
We took a cab to the Malecon along the waterfront. It is a beautiful place, with giant sculptures, sandcastles, shops, restaurants, etc. and it is quite long. Very clean and the people are super friendly. We stopped at a restaurant (second floor open air seating) and had chips, guacamole made at the table, fish tacos and margaritas. It was lovely with a cooling breeze and the overlook onto the malecon and all the people enjoying the day.
Los Angeles
Had an early flight so we grabbed a cab and left the ship early,