(Almost) Live From Island Princess 1/29-2/8

[srpilo]

Enjoy your time on the Island, and thanks for sharing it with us.

 

 

 

 

Srpilo

[crusdiva]

Cruizenchris.. I just heard from Jose. Check your email.. You made it... :D:D:D

 

You are a god among men, my friend. ;):D

[-Lew-]

Hi Mike,

 

Thanks for your posts from the Island. We're reading with interest as we're boarding on February 8th.

 

We're currently decompressing from our Vermont winter at Disney's Old Key West Resort at Walt Disney World. We'll be driving down to Port Everglades on the 8th.

 

Have a fantastic cruise!!!

 

Lew

[LARGIN]

You are a god among men, my friend. ;):D

 

I like paying it forward. If I remember correctly you set us up with a great Head Waiter.. :D

[KangarooCruiser]

Mike and Chris,

 

Will be looking for you on the Fort Lauderdale web cam, have a wonderful, enjoyable and safe cruise. DW and I will be boarding the Island in October (it seems so far away, yet your posts will make it seem close).

 

Will be very interested in your opinion of the Lotus Pool area v's the Sanctuary?

 

Again, have a great time, looking forward to your posts.

 

Tony & Tracy

[seacrystal]

The Panama Canal is such an awesome experience. Everyone should experience it. Such beauty and oh the birds!!:D

 

Have a smooth trip.

[GoBlueCruiser]

Nearing the end of a beautiful day at sea. We began with breakfast in the dining room where Chris enjoyed her favorite Eggs Benedict. The joke of the day occurred at breakfast also when our waiter, Richard, noted that I had neglected to remove the tag from the shirt I had just recently purchased for the cruise. Everyone had a big laugh at my expense. :D

 

Chris was then off to the vegetable carving while I went to trivia and joined a team of two lovely couples originally from Windsor, ON, just across the river from our home. There was a large group at trivia and we finished second.

 

A few disclaimers before I continue. We don't do the Casino or Bingo and won't see any of the production shows as we've seen all of them before.

 

Although we almost never have lunch in the Dining Room, we chose to eat there today as they were serving the Cobb Salad which Chris especially enjoys. After lunch we continue exploring the ship which is quite different from the Grand class ships we are used to sailing. We then enjoyed a game of Scrabble where I withstood a furious comeback from Chris for a narrow win; I'm sure she'll even the score tomorrow. I went back for afternoon trivia with the same folks but with not so great results and then

dressed for Formal Night dinner. The second formal night will be the night before Ocho Rios. Our wait team of Susana from Chile and Pedro from Argentina are very good and we'll comment more about dining in another post.

 

Prior to dinner a brief stop at the Platinum/Elite cocktail hour for our beloved Steak Tartare. As we were leaving, Chris was almost in tears at the thought of the staff disposing of the leftover Tartare instead of sending it to our stateroom.:D

 

Another day at sea tomorrow and we'll try to answer some questions then.

 

Mike

[cruzinchris]

Greetings from the Island Princess.

Mike said that it was my turn to post, so I'm here while he will see the comedian in Princess Theatre. We enjoyed our second full day at sea aboard this lovely and very friendly ship.

 

We received our preliminary invitation to the Chef's Table and are eagerly anticipating this gastronomical event. We are pleased with our dining room waitstaff (Provence, late seating, Susana and Pablo) and have had much attention from Maitre d' Jose and Head Waiter Martins. Our Junior Waiter and his colleague (also from Provence) were serving beverages in Horizon Court this morning and provided excellent service. Head Waiter presented a special (unexpected) appetizer before dinner this evening and checks on us regularly :)

 

Mike and I are participating in Princess Pop Choir. We met for the first time today and will rehearse a few more times before our debut in the Atrium toward the end of the cruise. This activity will be fleetwide within a few weeks, has been well-received, and is great fun!

 

Even though we've attended wine tastings previously, I went to the Maitre d's event this afternoon. It was very informative, and I was pleased to be introduced to a few new vintages.

 

We set clocks ahead last night and slept in past dining room breakfast. We rarely go to Horizon Court but were pleasantly surprised by the efficient layout and fabulous service on this ship as compared to larger Princess vessels.

 

We appreciate the new and improved layout of the Patter that is more streamlined and reader-friendly.

 

Mike and I are both making copious notes for a comprehensive review following our cruise. Please let us know if you have questions, and we will provide as much information as possible.

 

Later....

Chris

[LARGIN]

Chris.. Glad Jose is taking good care of you. He said he would.. :) Did you give him the pictures?

[cruzinchris]

Good afternoon. Mike wrote a long post this morning only to have it go Poof! We have sailed away from Aruba and our headed towards Cartagena where we will do a walking tour of the Walled City.

 

We are doing the Chef's Table this evening and are excited about this event that we haven't experienced yet.

 

There is a classical pianist performing tonight, and we hope to see most (or all) of his show depending on the length of our "marathon meal" :)

 

There's a blizzard headed towards Michigan, so we are very happy to be here and not there :D

 

Cheers!

Chris and Mike

[GoBlueCruiser]

Internet working at a snail's pace so just a few words about the Chef's Table: an amazing culinary experience enjoyed by everyone that we dined with this evening. We'll devote a whole thread to it upon our return.

 

Weather has been perfect and seas calm, a combination we hope continues.

 

Mike

[cruzinchris]

Greetings from the Island Princess. Bumping this so you know that we are still on the 1/29 voyage and are currently in Costa Rica. I am keeping Patters and have made notes about nightly dinner menus. I will post a review upon our return next Tuesday.

 

Dining service and food has been some of the best we've had on our 15 Princess cruises, and the crew/staff is definitely the friendliest we've encountered.

 

Please let me know if you have questions about the ship or itinerary.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[Loonbeam]

Chris - if you have a chance could you research a question that came up on another thread, namely if the Sanctuary has a higher charge on Canal day and if that is in effect if you buy in advance?

 

Would be greatly appreciated to get a definitive (at least as far as Princess gets definitive) answer!

 

Greetings from the Island Princess. Bumping this so you know that we are still on the 1/29 voyage and are currently in Costa Rica. I am keeping Patters and have made notes about nightly dinner menus. I will post a review upon our return next Tuesday.

 

Dining service and food has been some of the best we've had on our 15 Princess cruises, and the crew/staff is definitely the friendliest we've encountered.

 

Please let me know if you have questions about the ship or itinerary.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[cruzinchris]

Good morning from Ocho Rios. It's foggy and raining, but Mike and I will likely not disembark today. Will do some laundry and enjoy the ship. I received my Elite card and pin - truly among the highlights of this cruise :)

 

Besides the Chef's Table that was awesome, another fond memory of this voyage will be our particpation in the Princess Pop Choir. We had three rehearsals earlier in the week and performed yesterday at 3:00PM in the Atrium. I will start a thread about this new Princess activity so that others can read about the experience.

 

Tonight is our favorite Princess dinner - Chef's Menu - and we will enjoy a bottle of the fine Mondavi Cabernet that was featured at the Maitre d' Wine Tasting.

 

I haven't been to the Sanctuary or Spa on this cruise but will visit there shortly and report about the Canal day charges, Loonbeam.

 

Carpe Diem.

Chris

[cwayne]

Chris,

I have really enjoyed reading your postings about the Island Princess. We are booked on her for the Jan 18th, 2012 sailing and were a little hesitant as she is smaller then the ships we've sailed on before, but after reading your posts, we are very excited about both the ship and the itinerary. Thanks so much! I've tried to get a roll call started, but it is either too early (how can that be) or we're the only ones sailing!! ;)

Monika

[crusdiva]

Good morning from Ocho Rios. It's foggy and raining, but Mike and I will likely not disembark today. Will do some laundry and enjoy the ship. I received my Elite card and pin - truly among the highlights of this cruise :)

 

Besides the Chef's Table that was awesome, another fond memory of this voyage will be our particpation in the Princess Pop Choir. We had three rehearsals earlier in the week and performed yesterday at 3:00PM in the Atrium. I will start a thread about this new Princess activity so that others can read about the experience.

 

Tonight is our favorite Princess dinner - Chef's Menu - and we will enjoy a bottle of the fine Mondavi Cabernet that was featured at the Maitre d' Wine Tasting.

 

I haven't been to the Sanctuary or Spa on this cruise but will visit there shortly and report about the Canal day charges, Loonbeam.

 

Carpe Diem.

Chris

 

Great News Chris!

Congratulations to you and Mike. I guess you won't have to worry about doing laundry on your next cruise! ;):)

[cruzinchris]

Chris - if you have a chance could you research a question that came up on another thread, namely if the Sanctuary has a higher charge on Canal day and if that is in effect if you buy in advance?

 

Would be greatly appreciated to get a definitive (at least as far as Princess gets definitive) answer!

 

Here's the 4-1-1 on Sanctuary booking for Canal day:

 

* Book in person immediately upon embarkation for Canal day only

 

* $70.00 charge includes Champagne, fruit drinks, snacks throughout the day

 

* Canal day booking is not included as part in a full-cruise Sanctuary package; it is separate and must be reserved for the specific day

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[Nymue]

This may be a silly question.....but why is that day any diffrent? Is it a good viewing location?

 

Thanks,

Anne

 

Here's the 4-1-1 on Sanctuary booking for Canal day:

 

* Book in person immediately upon embarkation for Canal day only

 

* $70.00 charge includes Champagne, fruit drinks, snacks throughout the day

 

* Canal day booking is not included as part in a full-cruise Sanctuary package; it is separate and must be reserved for the specific day

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[Loonbeam]

Thanks!

 

That actually works perfectly for us as we won't be on the ship most of that day and hoped we did not have to pay up for a full cruise booking...

 

Here's the 4-1-1 on Sanctuary booking for Canal day:

 

* Book in person immediately upon embarkation for Canal day only

 

* $70.00 charge includes Champagne, fruit drinks, snacks throughout the day

 

* Canal day booking is not included as part in a full-cruise Sanctuary package; it is separate and must be reserved for the specific day

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris

[Loonbeam]

Not sure yet, but since it is reserved access you know it won't be crowded and food an everything are right there, plus the shaded loungers, etc.

 

This may be a silly question.....but why is that day any diffrent? Is it a good viewing location?

 

Thanks,

Anne

[cruzinchris]

Not sure yet, but since it is reserved access you know it won't be crowded and food an everything are right there, plus the shaded loungers, etc.

 

The Sanctuary - especially the upper level - provides a fabulous, unobstructed panoramic view. An added bonus is the private Sanctuary pool - nicest on the ship, imo.

 

It's our last day onboard the beautiful Island Princess :( as we disembark tomorrow in Fort Lauderdale. Mike and I will write a comprehensive review and will answer any questions that you may have about the ship and itinerary.

 

Bon Voyage!

Chris and Mike from Michigan

[cruzinchris]

We have arrived home safely and will be happy to answer any questions that you may have about the Island Princess 10-night sailing to the Panama Canal. We have Patters, dinner menus, and nightly "food action station" selections in the Elite/Suite/Platinum Lounge. We'll also post a review within the next day or so.

 

Chris and Mike in Michigan

[doe326]

Looking forward to your review. DH and I will be on the Island 11/29/11. Really looking forward to this cruise. Thanks for the information you have already posted.

[LARGIN]

Welcome home... :)

[dcruisers]

Welcome home Mike and Chris! You make an awesome CC team..sharing such wonderful information. We will be on the Island for our Alaska cruise end of Aug. We have been on 16 cruises but haven't cruised with Princess in a while ( sailed Sea Princess and Golden twice) You both have made me more excited to have chosen the Island Princess for our Alaskan adventure.

Thanks for taking the time during your cruise to make postings and I look forward to your reviews.

I would like to know if you think the Chef's Table is worth the extra money! We are interested in doing that as well.