Island Princess Review

4.0 / 5.0
1,228 reviews

First cruise since Pandemic - few hippucps but handled well

Review for the Panama Canal & Central America Cruise on Island Princess
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ThelmLou
10+ Cruises • Age 60s

Rating by category

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Sail Date: Apr 2022

Honestly, the first few days were a bit rough with mechanical/hotel issues but I must compliment the staff - when notified, they went above and beyond to accommodate and respond and make things right. The crew was amazing!!! Ship was 50% full and the Island Princess sparkled. I will state that the first half of the first week saw the covered/spa pool out of commission along with a majority of the spas ( don't understand with a ship that had so much time to prepare - why these facilities were not online). A lot of the crew was first contract and first time on Princess. I am Elite with Princess and I had to explain to my room steward what that meant. The Captain's Circle Rep onboard was AMAZING. Ports were great, the tours were excellent and good value. I have to mention: Princess MDR had the best food of the 8 ships I have been on since the restart (closely tied with the Norwegian Encore) - consistently good, hot, and a very nice MDR experience (light years difference from RCL and Carnival). Everything seemed stocked and I enjoyed the wonderful Princess Experience I have come to enjoy and appreciate. My cabin was spotless and since I was travelling solo, I opted for a spacious Ocean View on Plaza deck (P515) only complaint is Princess' use of shower curtains - yuck and confining. Island is a more intimate ship but very nice and looks new inside. Outside she is showing her 10 years but beautifully maintained. Not all was perfect: Spa was not ready for business and the staff was not trained. I felt sorry for the experienced Manager who had staff that appears to have been dumped on her. Pools and whirlpools were not ready , really bad on a canal cruise and the gym is horrible - dark box on deck 6 not near the spa, locker room, nothing - horrible.

Cabin Review

Comfortable and lovely

Port Reviews

Cartagena (Colombia)

Hot, hot, hot - but great tour through ship. Wonderful . Looks like a mini Miami with more character

Huatulco

What a surprise - lovely and quiet - will visit again

Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)

Went to the animal sanctuary - lovely day- highly recommend - must go inland away from the port to appreciate the natural beauty

Puerto Vallarta

Nicest visit I have had , did the walking tour and on a Sunday morning it was quiet and lovely.

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