Island Princess- why so many bad reviews?

[Gatormomma]

We have reservations for 60 days around South America in Jan 2018. Been reading the reviews, and they all are consistent....since refurbishing, they added many staterooms and cut public space...VERY crowded and a lot of waiting in line! Forget anytime dining...long wait.

 

Any recent opinions?

 

Thank you.

[reedprincess]

Sailed her for Christmas /New Year's Panama Canal. While we enjoyed our cruise, we will not be be booking anymore on Island unless, for whatever reason, she's the only ship from any line sailing a particular itinerary. The removal of venues and chopping up of others really did make her feel crowded at times and left few options of where to go. Service was hit or miss in venues also as they didn't really seem to up the staffing after having added so many cabins. We had traditional late dining, so can't answer to waits for ATD, but the lines did look long, especially around 7, although they seemed to move OK..

We enjoyed our sailing, but will not be sailing her again, except in circumstances above. And yes, we've sailed her a few times before the changes, and really enjoyed her..

[jasbo49]

Those reviews sound like a bunch of hooey. We were on the Island Princess for 15 days in December (don't know whether that qualifies as recently). Crew was great, ship was shipshape. Entertainment, bars, food all great.

 

I had only one complaint: the coffee bar in the Piazza didn't open until something like 6.

 

Jim

Edited June 5, 2016 by jasbo49

[Jessejo]

Same with the Ruby Princess reviews - 4 very poor reviews, all written as first reviews and no forum posts. They could all have been written by the same person with 4 screen names???

[Legoman]

We were on the Island Princess last August. We had a great time. Ship did not seem to be crowded. We had anytime dining and sometimes there were long lines in the evening for the MDR. We opted to be seated with other groups (rather than a table for 4) and were seated fairly quickly. Other downside was the limited selection in the International Café.

Embarkation in Barcelona was quick. No waiting at all.

Disembarkation in Venice was a little slower but reasonable.

[Pam in CA]

I'm on the Island Princess in November for 19 days and looking forward to sailing on her. While I haven't been on her yet, I suspect some of the negatives are due to "change" which people don't like. I'll form my own opinion in November.

[Brisbane41]

It is on my blacklist. I would not cruise on that ship even if someone paid me to. Princess totally destroyed it in the last refit by cramming it with cabins and taking away public space. Why on earth would I spend good money on a cruise on a ship like that when all I have to do is find another ship which is larger and has less passengers.

 

Princess cruises reap what they sow by doing that and I hope it effects their profit margins so much that they never make the same mistake again.

 

Blacklisted for life that ship is with me.

[tiessa]

We were on the Island the end of January and beginning of February. I liked the ship. I didn't Iike the long lines for the theater or anytime dining. The trip was very unorganized and much of the crew was rude at the worst and just going the motions at the best. Many of us on the ship talked about the attitudes and decided they were just very unhappy. I think the disorganization we cruisers experienced was typical of what the crew experienced. It was just a bad cruise. This was my first and last Princess cruise but even Elite cruisers were constantly complaining. I don't know if it was the captain's fault or the hotel manager's fault but someone higher up created the problems, I am sure. We did meet a lot of great people on the cruise and that saved it for us.

 

There were over 100 of us complaining at one time one evening and about 50 another night. I know they received a lot of complaints throughout the cruise. Hopefully they listened and made adjustments. I do know one of the staff that was a particular problem was put on another ship at the end of this cruise. The situation may have been corrected by now.

 

I hope all is good now and you have a wonderful cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[RDC1]

The Island and the Coral were my favorite ships until the modification of the Island. The elimination of a major public venue, the Universe Lounge. The relocation of the gym from ocean view to a totally inside space on deck 6. Those two changes, in my opinion, made a major difference in my enjoyment of the ship. I use the gym almost every day so your opinion might vary. The elimination of the Universe Lounge made activity/entertainment scheduling less effective then on the Coral, at least to me.

 

I would suspect the reason why the Island is doing most of the full canal runs is because if someone really wants to do one they need to book the Island. The Coral on the other hand is scheduled where people have a choice. The 60 day South America trip is the same way no choice, Island or nothing.

[Gatormomma]

We were on the Island the end of January and beginning of February. I liked the ship. I didn't Iike the long lines for the theater or anytime dining. The trip was very unorganized and much of the crew was rude at the worst and just going the motions at the best. Many of us on the ship talked about the attitudes and decided they were just very unhappy. I think the disorganization we cruisers experienced was typical of what the crew experienced. It was just a bad cruise. This was my first and last Princess cruise but even Elite cruisers were constantly complaining. I don't know if it was the captain's fault or the hotel manager's fault but someone higher up created the problems, I am sure. We did meet a lot of great people on the cruise and that saved it for us.

 

There were over 100 of us complaining at one time one evening and about 50 another night. I know they received a lot of complaints throughout the cruise. Hopefully they listened and made adjustments. I do know one of the staff that was a particular problem was put on another ship at the end of this cruise. The situation may have been corrected by now.

 

I hope all is good now and you have a wonderful cruise.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

 

I've been reading all the bad reviews about the Island, but yours is the first that mentions the crew. I would like to think that was an isolated case. But when you're on a cruise ship you really don't expect that.

[Gatormomma]

The Island and the Coral were my favorite ships until the modification of the Island. The elimination of a major public venue, the Universe Lounge. The relocation of the gym from ocean view to a totally inside space on deck 6. Those two changes, in my opinion, made a major difference in my enjoyment of the ship. I use the gym almost every day so your opinion might vary. The elimination of the Universe Lounge made activity/entertainment scheduling less effective then on the Coral, at least to me.

 

I would suspect the reason why the Island is doing most of the full canal runs is because if someone really wants to do one they need to book the Island. The Coral on the other hand is scheduled where people have a choice. The 60 day South America trip is the same way no choice, Island or nothing.

 

Actually there is a choice for the South America cruise. I just also booked on cunard's Queen Victoria...50 days with basically same itinerary. This is our 2nd trip around SA, so ship has a lot of importance for us. Been on Queen and enjoyed...however, Princess was our first choice. Now...I don't know.

 

I'm reading all replys. Int'l cafe is big for us, as it's where we kind of hang out....latte and special dessert treat. That will definitely be missed.

[RDC1]

Actually there is a choice for the South America cruise. I just also booked on cunard's Queen Victoria...50 days with basically same itinerary. This is our 2nd trip around SA, so ship has a lot of importance for us. Been on Queen and enjoyed...however, Princess was our first choice. Now...I don't know.

 

I'm reading all replys. Int'l cafe is big for us, as it's where we kind of hang out....latte and special dessert treat. That will definitely be missed.

It is the only choice on Princess, just as most of the full canal cruise compared to the Coral which sales where there are other Princess ships.

[jdeanski]

Those reviews sound like a bunch of hooey. We were on the Island Princess for 15 days in December (don't know whether that qualifies as recently). Crew was great, ship was shipshape. Entertainment, bars, food all great.

 

I had only one complaint: the coffee bar in the Piazza didn't open until something like 6.

 

Jim

 

Agree with you on your comments. We did a 10 day Panama Canal in January and with very few exceptions it was great. Not having an International Cafe was my only major complaint.

[partybarbie]

LOL, I remember sailing on the Island before she had MUTS or the Sanctuary, two things that would supposedly "ruin the ship".

 

We are sailing on her in November, in one of the new aft cabins. We've heard about the long waits for anytime, so we have traditional late dining instead.

 

We also have a balcony cabin, so if the ship is crowded, we have a place to retreat too.

 

As for the shows, we've seen most of them, so that won't be a problem.

 

Just looking forward to relaxing, having a good time, and not sweating the small stuff.

[FirstCruiseBeth]

We were on the Island Panama Canal full transit in February and really enjoyed it. We went to the early shows and ATD around 8pm and had no lines for either. We did miss the International Cafe but otherwise had no disappointments and would sail on her again.

[Thrak]

It is on my blacklist. I would not cruise on that ship even if someone paid me to. Princess totally destroyed it in the last refit by cramming it with cabins and taking away public space. Why on earth would I spend good money on a cruise on a ship like that when all I have to do is find another ship which is larger and has less passengers.

 

Princess cruises reap what they sow by doing that and I hope it effects their profit margins so much that they never make the same mistake again.

 

Blacklisted for life that ship is with me.

 

It sounds as if you haven't actually sailed on Island Princess since the refit. We're giving her a try in June and, while I will miss some of the features we enjoyed on Coral Princess last fall, we are sailing with an open mind and will decide for ourselves after checking it our personally.

[clr315]

I JUST got off an Alaskan cruise on Island. I have a few qualms about the ship but all and all she was fine. Space is tight as she was built to go through the the Panama Canal. As a result the atrium was tight, but I can't say as it felt crowded. There was no international cafe which was a bummer. The Horizon court was repetitive and a bit boring but we always found a seat and service was good there. Main dining room ran relatively smooth bit they had issues the first two days with getting the system down pat. They just need to be a little clearer on where reservations stand and where walk ins stand. Also ship was clean but pillows awful, bedding needed replacing. Carpet was pulled up in places. I do think overall she was fine.

[Gatormomma]

LOL, I remember sailing on the Island before she had MUTS or the Sanctuary, two things that would supposedly "ruin the ship".

 

We are sailing on her in November, in one of the new aft cabins. We've heard about the long waits for anytime, so we have traditional late dining instead.

 

We also have a balcony cabin, so if the ship is crowded, we have a place to retreat too.

 

As for the shows, we've seen most of them, so that won't be a problem.

 

Just looking forward to relaxing, having a good time, and not sweating the small stuff.

 

I love your positive attitude!! It seems like 50/50 in reviews.

I noticed an old posting of yours with pictures of the crab shack pot. Unable to open it....would appreciate if u can repost. Never attended one....looks so good!

 

Thanks to all for opinions

[elliair]

We have reservations for 60 days around South America in Jan 2018. Been reading the reviews, and they all are consistent....since refurbishing, they added many staterooms and cut public space...VERY crowded and a lot of waiting in line! Forget anytime dining...long wait.

 

Any recent opinions?

 

Thank you.

 

The first time we cruised on the Island we enjoyed the ship. After the hatchet job of taking out the aft Promenade Lounge and adding the cabins, we were no longer able to walk clear around the Promenade deck. The cabins that were added and located on opposite sides of the doors leading out to the Promenade deck got the constant slamming of doors. Sometimes people propped them open only to have the crew close them due to the air conditioning. There was no Vines, and the waiting to get into the ATD MDR was a long, long wait. The Coral is the sister ship and thankfully they're going to leave her alone. If they were going to do anything to the Coral, they can remove the Churchill lounge and relocate it down to the casino area. Put an IC and Vines where Churchill is now. We won't cruise on the Island again, just sad to see what they did to her.

Edited June 5, 2016 by elliair

[elliair]

The Island and the Coral were my favorite ships until the modification of the Island. The elimination of a major public venue, the Universe Lounge. The relocation of the gym from ocean view to a totally inside space on deck 6. Those two changes, in my opinion, made a major difference in my enjoyment of the ship. I use the gym almost every day so your opinion might vary. The elimination of the Universe Lounge made activity/entertainment scheduling less effective then on the Coral, at least to me.

 

I would suspect the reason why the Island is doing most of the full canal runs is because if someone really wants to do one they need to book the Island. The Coral on the other hand is scheduled where people have a choice. The 60 day South America trip is the same way no choice, Island or nothing.

 

I would also like to add that those who had an aft cabin balcony on the retrofit (Promenade and up) WERE NOT ALLOWED TO USE THEIR BALCONY going through the canal for safety reasons. Might want to take that into consideration when anyone decides to book. Who at Princess thought that one through?

[TracieABD]

These are some lessons I have learned on CC:

• Everybody has an opinion. Some I agree with, and others I don't.
  
• A cruise is what you make it. If you look for the joy in the day, most likely you will find exactly that.
  
• Unfortunatly, there tend to be trends. In posts, in opinions, in attitudes.
  
• People love, love, love the Coral and the Island. They are really different than the Grand class.
  

 

I hope you have a wonderful time planning such a grand adventure. Have to admit, I am just a tiny bit jealous.;)

[tiessa]

Agree with you on your comments. We did a 10 day Panama Canal in January and with very few exceptions it was great. Not having an International Cafe was my only major complaint.

 

 

Just because your experience was different doesn't mean the reports from others are not genuine. Our Island cruise was our worst cruise ever.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums mobile app

[Brisbane41]

I should also add that despite how good the crew, food and entertainment is, I would still keep that ship blacklisted for life thanks to the "destruction" that Princess did in the refit.

 

To me it is no fun lining up and waiting for things on holidays when I can book a better ship at better prices.

 

Thankfully after completing 25 cruises and seeing every continent except Antarctica I have the luxury of holding off for the better ship.

[partybarbie]

I love your positive attitude!! It seems like 50/50 in reviews.

I noticed an old posting of yours with pictures of the crab shack pot. Unable to open it....would appreciate if u can repost. Never attended one....looks so good!

 

Thanks to all for opinions

 

I think these are pictures that you were looking for.:D Just click on them and they will get a little bigger. You might also need to be logged in to Cruise Critic to see them.

Edited June 6, 2016 by partybarbie

[mdmc]

We just got off a 15 day Panama cruise on Island. Personally I would not sail the Island again. Missed the International Cafe. The gym is on deck 7 with no view of the sea. Although they did a facelift the cabins could use some work. We also prefer bigger ships. I didn't post a review because these are just my feelings. Others may not agree.