Canal Transit on the Island

[skyline]

Planning a full canal transit from FLL to LA on the Island next Nov. We are a trio of seniors and most cruising the last 10 - 15 years has been on Princess ships with 3000+ pax. Have many ????? about "small ship" sailing in general, and the Island in particular. 1. Cabin: Considering D503. Is starboard a good choice for a westbound cruise? We love being on the balcony as much as we can. Are D503 beds on the left or right wall as you enter the cabin - use of med equip makes left side preferable. What is in the central area where inside cabins usually are? Crew cabins or crew work areas? 2. Evening Cocktails: Where is the Suite/Elite/Plat evening get together? Can you have any of the drinks on any day or just the particular "drink of the day" available at a reduced rate? 3. Dining: How does the Bayou Cafe compare to the Crown Grill? Are pub lunches on all sea days? Where and when is the Crab Shack? Unlimited refills or charge for seconds? Thanks for any and all information, suggestions and/or advice. We know to join the roll call; not stay in the cabin for the canal transit; and we prefer independent tours. Thanks again, Skyline

[Times Prince]

We sailed on the Island Princess on our Alaska cruise. She had a great design, and felt roomy at all times. The ship had a lot of the big ship feel without losing the Sun class ship feel. One of the things we appreciated was there were two decks with front to back access, avoiding the crowding of ships with only deck 7.

 

Based on our experience I think you will love the ship.

[fishywood]

To answer some of your questions:

 

P/E/S cocktail hour could be in Wheelhouse, or half of Explorers, or all of Explorers depending on how many are onboard. Word is that corporate has insisted fleetwide that only the one-count'em-one drink special be offered at a discount each night. Presumably this is due to the addition of the happy hours from 3 to 4 and 11 to Midnite where you can buy any one drink and get a second identical one for $1.

 

Since Canal Transits have more sea days than most North America cruises, pub lunch might not be held every single sea day. Plan on twice a week and be pleasantly surprised if more; just check your patter the night before.

 

The only ship reporting that Crab Shack was not AYCE has been Star Princess. On Island it should be located in a corner of the Horizon Court. The first day patter might list the nights it will be offered, or you can call the dine line to find out.

 

Starboard will be the side of the ship facing land on a E to W transit, though not close enough to see land as often as you would think. No way to know in advance whether your balcony view while in the locks will be of the operation of the locks or of a parallel ship as Island may be directed to either the left or right lane in each separate lock.

 

Someone may come along with a link to a cabin-pic site with shots of D503. And I also agree that you will love the ship and really appreciate the better passenger-space ratio with 400-800 fewer than on the larger Grand class ships.

Edited October 30, 2015 by fishywood

[Thrak]

We just did a 17 day Eastbound full transit on Coral. I don't think it matters which side you are on as most of the best canal viewing was on the outside decks so you could see both sides as well as ahead.

 

We had the P/E/S think in part of Explorer's and we were able to order whatever drink we wanted at the "special" price.

 

We enjoyed our dinner in the Bayou. It was at least as good as our last Crown Grill dinner although those can vary depending on ship/chef. I had shrimp and lobster but the filet looked fantastic. It was a 10 oz filet and was very thick. The ones I saw being eaten were cooked to perfection.

 

We booked an independent tour (8 people from the roll call) with Dora and it was a great tour. We were apparently the first group to contact her for our specific cruise so we had Dora herself rather than one of her other guides.

 

http://cartagenatour.com/

[cb at sea]

IN the canal, there are views on ALL sides! You do not want to sit on your balcony for all of it...you'll miss too much! Roam the ship to see everything...different deck levels, too...things look different down low than from up high!

[OCruisers]

We have been on Island Princess for two full transits and were very well pleased. Great viewing areas! :)

[bigchid]

I'm a big eater, and have never felt the need for seconds at the Crab Shack. :)

[BroncoLvrs]

We really used our Starboard balcony during our FLL to LAX...it was perfect. We love sea days and watching for marine life. We saw so many turtles, dolphins, flying fish and even an ocean sunfish! Enjoy your cruise!

[MTJSR]

We really used our Starboard balcony during our FLL to LAX...it was perfect. We love sea days and watching for marine life. We saw so many turtles, dolphins, flying fish and even an ocean sunfish! Enjoy your cruise!

 

And we enjoyed an amazing lightening, thunder and torrential rain storm the evening after departing Aruba from our Half covered Caribe balcony.

[IECalCruiser]

It depends upon whether you like sun or shade. During your westbound Canal transit you will actually be sailing south south east and your uncovered balcony will be in the hot sun all afternoon of your transit. In addition, other than the locks most of the sights will be on the port side. On the five long sea days from the Canal to LA your starboard side balcony will be in the shade during the heat of the afternoon.