tml1230

Thanks for a GREAT report! Currently sitting on my balcony on the Island P. and I just  found your report. It peaks my interest as we sail on the emerald in June! 

thanks again and continue to have an outstanding cruise!

thanks much for posting! we are currently on the Island P transatlantic having an outstanding cruise....you have me thinking!

all the best!

we never had much interest in the reserve (old club class) option .....UNTIL we tried it!  To us the instant seating and engaging staff makes for a wonderful experience! we don"t leave home without it!!

14 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

Thank you.  Looking forward to what you find out.

greetings from Messina Sicily .....per guest services, they hold chefs table  in a separate portion of the Bordeaux dining room....they said a staff member is waiting at the entrance to escort participants to the area.....

he thought they did it 3 times on this 14 day portion of the cruise. many of the crew we have chatted wit h will be on for the entire world cruise...GREAT crew! you won't be dissapointed!

2 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

Any idea where the chef's table dining was held?

 

Looking forward to 111 days on the Island.  The shop has some detractors, but I followed the 2023 WC live report and it looks just fine to me.

not sure on chefs table .....but you have given me an enjoyable  project  for the upcoming days on board to research for you! 

for the record.... we have easily compensated  for NO  international  cafe by  a quick sojourn to the buffet.

the coffee and cappuccino  on deck 5 is equal to or better  than international cafe.....

just returned  from another great dinner  ....double order of escargot!!

2 hours ago, seachelt said:

Just to clarify, not all ships had all dining options. Island Princess never had Alfredo’s.

exactly! research on cruise critic is a beautiful thing!

Currently on the island P for 28 days....it's been  a great experience (top 5 of 30 for us). Enjoying it so much we booked up another 28 dayer on her next year.Maybe it's the reserve class experience we have, but it sure beats a greyhound bus experience. 

dont foget a small flashlight, a  small roll of duct tape, and a small multi use {leatherman type} tool!

Have a great cruise!

we are currently on the Island P for 28 days in the Med and the transatlantic back to Florida. All above is great advice and mirrors our current experience. 

If I  may add....we were slightly apprehensive about this cruise based on  some reviews we read. we knew it was an older and much smaller ship, but the itinerary which included stops in Israel sold us on it.

We are well seasoned cruisers, mostly on princess . I measured the downright nasty, hardcore " never again" comments and reviews with some skepticism.

the ship, the crew, and the amenities have all exceed our expectations. we really have enjoyed the small ship feel! Sadly we couldn't stop in Israel, but we are enjoying it so much we just booked 35 days next year and will try again.

Have a great cruise!

19 hours ago, SargassoPirate said:

Thanks for your very current review.  Sounds like the ship is not in the "terrible shape" described by jeno.  I'm looking forward to spending 111 days on her in 2024.

you are very welcome! I am looking forward to your reports on the world cruise!

Not for nuthin-  but we just retuned from the future cruise desk and booked a B2B  next November on the Island...we will be trying again to visit Israel..... same reserve class mini suite we are presently in.

I am trying real hard to find ONE thing on board that I am not satisfied with... 

other than a few loud speaking passengers.....nuthin!

15 minutes ago, LACruiser88 said:

@tml1230 Enjoy your cruise!

LA Cruiser.....Thanks! im following very closely your day to day journey as we are hitting many of the same ports. That outdoor market you just  visited is now on our list!

we are CURRENTLY on the Island P for 28 days..... our first time on this ship....I was nervous based on some of the reviews but we really booked it for 

the 2 planned and now cancelled stops in Israel.

Since we boarded, we have found the ship to be in EXCELLENT condition throughout! As usual, the crew has been incredible ( they always are on Princess!)......our mini suite is in great shape and the food has been well above average.

we have been on at least 30 princess cruises on a lot of different ships....This cruise so far is in the top three! Like the poster above, I would cruise again on the Island P. in a minute and plan to do so.

LA cruiser 88, As usual, your trip reports are incredible! over the last few years you have provided us with great information and suggestions! Everything from annual trip insurance  to tours , we take your advice ....

we were on the Regal transatlantic   to FLL with you and follow  all your  reports very closely.

we join the Island Princess in Rome on 11/23 for 28 days and It appears you will be docked close by.   Currently in Paris for a few weeks prior to flying to Rome on the 22nd..

Thanks again and safe travels!

Paula, KKB and sultan....thanks very much for responding! GREAT information all! all the best and safe travels

we have followed your reports very closely ,as we board the Island next month.

Thanks VERY much for the very well written and entertaining reports!  Your words are very encouraging! 

2 pick questions....can you recommend the best place for early morning coffee?

And...based on your excursion...will you be returning to Paris?

All the best!

we did the repositioning cruise from Port everglades to Quebec City in July. we thought it was one of our top 5 cruises! If there was a staff shortage we never experienced it. As usual the crew was outstanding. Given the negative reviews I had read prior to embarkation ,we ,were preparing for  a garbage barge with balconies. ....we found the ship perfectly maintained.  YEA...  some of the furniture in  public areas was showing its age, but the food was great, the beer was cold, and I was on cruise on the ocean. How concerned do you think I was about a slightly worn booth in the wheelhouse?

25 minutes ago, Yehootu said:

We are on the same cruise. Can't comment on your experience, BUT

Been able to facetime with our Grandkids,

Watch Netflix every night,

Able to cable my phone to my TV and watched NCAA Football and NFL via YouTubeTV.

VPN working perfectly.

Guess everyone has a different experience and expectations.

Mahalo for sharing your experience!

22 hours ago, PacnGoNow said:

That is great!  And you are in the US?  I’m impressed.  
BTW, I love your sense of humor!

🤣

thanks for the kind words!  we split our time between the mountains of western North Carolina, the Sarasota Florida area and Paris  (France , not Texas)...

I hope all l your journeys are  safe and memorable!

Every day here I read  posts  from folks who proclaim that Princess customer service is non existent  (on a good day!). On a bad day?...its as useless as a case of ex-lax to a person suffering from food poisoning!

This morning I found a significant reduction in cost on a cruise we had already  booked in 2025 to Australia and the South Pacific. Wanting to cash in on this, At 0900 this morning I told my wife that I was going to use the Princess "chat function", and ...that according to many posters here..... it could be an agonizing and extremely lengthy adventure. So I logged on, clicked on the chat function. I immediately received the message that said "call volume was very significant and the first available agent would be with me on-line as soon as possible". I told my wife of 42 years that we may be celebrating our 43rd anniversary (next MAY) in the chat function Que.

Amazing as it sounds, 30 seconds later....Camelle joined the chat! She took all my information, verified it, and asked that we end the chat while she worked with "support" to honor my request. I thought OH BOY! ....here we go! ...She asked that I check back on Chat this afternoon, as she thought my time was to WAY to valuable to be on hold for an extended period of time.....yea right.....Lost in space episode 125!

To my surprise at noon I went to my account, and the new booking (and associated $3000 reduction) was in place!!

Last week I sent an email request for my CCL stock benefit for a cruise in 2 months...... within 3 hours that request was honored and displayed in my account!

I am beginning to believe that most passengers don't make the effort to post here unless they have a real (or perceived) negative issue....thats to bad.

First off, thanks very much for a GREAT report!  We board in November  visiting Rome, Israel and Greece...then the TA back to FLL.

 More than 25 princess cruises, but this is first time on the Island. Thats why I am very interested in your experiences and observations. It seems folks either LOVE the Island or HATE the Island! 

Glad you enjoyed Paris. We visit Paris at least once a year. Having said that,  Any time we dock in Le Havre, we ARE  going to Paris "on your own" for the day. Even with the long bus ride its well worth it! 

Thank you again, Have a safe and memorable journey, and please keep us posted!

On 9/7/2023 at 11:04 AM, DCThunder said:

Ask Frankie Valli.

 

now thats funny! 

7 hours ago, voljeep said:

open it and slide it right under the bed

YUP! EXACTLY!

My wife of 42 years smirked and chuckled as I tried to determine how to fit my "must have " HUGE hard sided  and very handsome  suitcase under the bed.... after watching me struggle with it for 10 minutes..... she suggested that I unzip it...basically cutting the dimensions for clearance in half....im Hoping for 43 years!

have a great cruise

we disembarked in Quebec City after boarding in FLL and visiting many ports on east coast and Canada.

Like you, were were a little concerned after reading some of the reviews.

Our trip was excellent to outstanding! Wonderful crew , spotlessly clean ship and well maintained, and some of the best food ever! 

Yea, she is showing her age, but so am I!

have a safe cruise!

I have never seen a princess policy prohibiting door decorations. Last month at least 15 such decorations where on our deck alone.... one night a sign on my neighbors cabin helped me find my way after several glasses of wine! 

GO GATORS!

Nikitty, I am guessing you are on the Regal P..... as according to its web cam the Regal  is en route LeHavre. It is our favorite ship! Please let us know  how your trip to Giverny went!

Even though  we visit Paris at least once a year, Any time we are on a cruise that docks in LeHavre, we take the Paris "on your own" bus tour. Paris and / or the Monet gardens is ALWAYS a good idea and your mom will do great!  Dont miss the opportunity

safe travels....