Island Princess

[Duffysmom]

We are interested in learning about cabins PR712, PR716 on Island Princess.   Never sailed Island and have heard conflicting opinions about her;  we will be on the ship for 28 days so my cabin (sanctuary) is important to me.  Thanks

[nini]

I am curious as well. After hours of research, people do not seem to care for the Island.

[philabos]

4 hours ago, nini said:

I am curious as well. After hours of research, people do not seem to care for the Island.

I would be one of them.

Originally a sister of the CORAL she was "renovated" by ripping out the double deck lounge aft and replacing it with  additional cabins. The once full promenade deck was hacked about two thirds of the way aft and turned into "balconies" for some of the new cabins. The casino was reduced to provide for more - you guessed it - cabins. Vastly reduced lounge space and ever more cabins.

Sister CORAL was scheduled for the same treatment. Apparently someone at Princess was so appalled by the result of the ISLAND the CORAL's  similar "renovation" was cancelled. One of the crew on the ISLAND told us everyone associated with the "renovation" was fired. I would mark that up to urban legend.

That should tell you all you need to know.

 

All of that said, some people still love IP. It's great to have so many choices.

 

 

 

[partybarbie]

I've stayed in that area.  The balcony decking is the teak Promenade Deck wood, and not the horrible hard blue plastic.  Also, the balcony is completely covered and larger than the standard balcony, about 50 sq. feet.

 

Cabins are the newer style, like on the Royal or Regal.  IMHO, much nicer than the older balcony cabins. The bathroom is just slightly bigger too.  

 

If you are going through the Panama Canal, there is no balcony access while in the actual locks, otherwise there are no restrictions.  The lock restrictions are due to the steel cables that are attached to the ship while it is transiting the locks. 

 

I found the area quiet, yet easy access to everything.  I have been on the Island both before and after the current renovations.  I still like her.  If you like to gamble, work out in the gym, or like an aft pool, then you will probably have issues with her.  This ship only has two dining rooms, so would highly recommended going with traditional dining, or going to late anytime dining.

 

[tiger18]

Hi, I am curious, is there any sort of  Cafe' mid ship ? for coffee and such. ? thanks, sailing on her next month, and gotta have my

 Coffee !

[partybarbie]

19 minutes ago, tiger18 said:

Hi, I am curious, is there any sort of  Cafe' mid ship ? for coffee and such. ? thanks, sailing on her next month, and gotta have my

 Coffee !

 

While there is no IC, there's a specialty coffee area in the atrium.  I like the one in the Horizon Court.  It's way up in the bow, has a nice pastry area and excellent views. 

 

[sheffield]

I read on another thread that only the end balconies were closed while in the locks. We have the center vista suite on the Lido deck and were intending spending our time during the transit on the balcony. I hope we will be able to do that

[partybarbie]

20 minutes ago, sheffield said:

I read on another thread that only the end balconies were closed while in the locks. We have the center vista suite on the Lido deck and were intending spending our time during the transit on the balcony. I hope we will be able to do that

I don't know about the Lido deck.  We were on the Promenade Deck, about 3 or 4 cabins in from the aft cabins.  We could see the cable outside the window. 

[partybarbie]

I found a picture of the cabin for you.  This is PR716.  We were comp'd a day in the Sanctuary, or we could take the equivalent in shipboard credits, for our inconvenience of not being able to use the balcony on the Canal Day.  We took the credit, but honestly, there was only about a total one hour, in the entire day, that we couldn't be out there. 

Edited August 16, 2019 by partybarbie

[geoherb]

I questioned whether I wanted to sail on the Island after the refurbishment added so many cabins, but I had a great time on my back-to-back cruises to Alaska this summer. The entertainment director, cruise director, and their staff were great. I missed the Universe Lounge the most during trivia when too many people showed up for the Wheelhouse. I had second seating traditional on both cruises with great waiters. My cabin steward was one of the best as well. I was in one of the ocean view cabins added beside the casino. It was a great location. Even without the fully walkable Promenade Deck, there was plenty of space for viewing the glaciers for those of us without private balconies.

[Scorpio41]

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Booked to go on Island Princess next year. Not been on her before.

 

What can you  tell me about her and picture too if you want to share.

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[partybarbie]

23 hours ago, Scorpio41 said:

.

Booked to go on Island Princess next year. Not been on her before.

 

What can you  tell me about her and picture too if you want to share.

.

There's a beautiful covered indoor pool.  It has an Asian/Tiki Bar theme. 

[partybarbie]

Looking inside the Bayou Cafe.  It's a fun little extra pay restaurant that serves New Orleans cuisine. Sometimes there's a jazz band and excellent mint juleps. 

[partybarbie]

The front of the restaurant. 

[partybarbie]

Found another cool shot of the pool, showing one of little tiki huts. 

Edited August 17, 2019 by partybarbie

[partybarbie]

I like the murals in Crooner's Bar.  The Island has a great Crooner's.  I wish I had more pictures to show how beautiful this ship is. 

[villauk]

On 8/16/2019 at 1:01 AM, partybarbie said:

I don't know about the Lido deck.  We were on the Promenade Deck, about 3 or 4 cabins in from the aft cabins.  We could see the cable outside the window. 

 

 

We’ve only been on Grand Class ships on Princess and wondered what area for cabins you recommend on the Island? We do like the larger Caribe balconies (category BD has been great), is there an equivalent on Island? FYI, we’d also need another inside cabin not too far from our balcony (I know this may limit our options). TIA 😘.

[Duffysmom]

Partybarbie thank you for the taking the time to post pictures and your comments regarding the IP.  I’m having a problem getting over the fact that there isn’t an international cafe, it’s one of the venues I enjoy on Princess ships, especially since we are looking at 28 days to the South Pacific.  

[partybarbie]

19 minutes ago, villauk said:

 

 

We’ve only been on Grand Class ships on Princess and wondered what area for cabins you recommend on the Island? We do like the larger Caribe balconies (category BD has been great), is there an equivalent on Island? FYI, we’d also need another inside cabin not too far from our balcony (I know this may limit our options). TIA 😘.

I really liked PR716.  This cabin is located in the aft area of the Promenade deck.  The balcony is about 5x10 ft. There are interior cabins right across the hallway.  The balcony is completely covered, and the balcony decking is teak.  The only issue is on the Panama Canal cruises.  You are not allowed on the balcony while in the actual locks.  This due to the steel cables that are attached to the ship.  Honestly, this was not a problem for us.  It's only about 30 minutes per lock.  Princess gave us the option of a free day in the sanctuary, or the equivalent in cash, to compensate for this small inconvenience. 

[partybarbie]

6 minutes ago, Duffysmom said:

Partybarbie thank you for the taking the time to post pictures and your comments regarding the IP.  I’m having a problem getting over the fact that there isn’t an international cafe, it’s one of the venues I enjoy on Princess ships, especially since we are looking at 28 days to the South Pacific.  

I did miss it too, but the forward section of the Horizon Court has a wonderful pastry section and coffee bar.  The tables give a great view from the bow of the ship.  

[Ken the cruiser]

On 8/15/2019 at 4:51 PM, partybarbie said:

If you are going through the Panama Canal, there is no balcony access while in the actual locks, otherwise there are no restrictions.  The lock restrictions are due to the steel cables that are attached to the ship while it is transiting the locks. 

Interesting. We will be going through the PC in January on the Island in our Aloha deck vista suite in January. Are you saying all aft cabin balconies are off limits while going through the locks?

[villauk]

16 minutes ago, partybarbie said:

I really liked PR716.  This cabin is located in the aft area of the Promenade deck.  The balcony is about 5x10 ft. There are interior cabins right across the hallway.  The balcony is completely covered, and the balcony decking is teak.  The only issue is on the Panama Canal cruises.  You are not allowed on the balcony while in the actual locks.  This due to the steel cables that are attached to the ship.  Honestly, this was not a problem for us.  It's only about 30 minutes per lock.  Princess gave us the option of a free day in the sanctuary, or the equivalent in cash, to compensate for this small inconvenience. 

 

 

Thanks for the reply. It’s not a Panama cruise and it appears there aren’t any available cabins on Promenade deck at this time. There are some available on the Emerald deck directly above PR716, are they the same?

[Ken the cruiser]

1 hour ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Interesting. We will be going through the PC in January on the Island in our Aloha deck vista suite in January. Are you saying all aft cabin balconies are off limits while going through the locks?

I just looked at the Island’s deck plan and I can see why those side facing aft area balconies might be off limits while going through the locks, although that still stinks if you’re in one. I just couldn’t picture why an aft-facing cabin’s balcony would be off limits and from what I can tell, they’re not. 

[Papa Yoda]

 

Only the Promenade deck cabin balconies are off limits during canal transit.  Upper decks are unaffected.  Not sure about those 2 aft suites on Prom.

Edited September 10, 2019 by Ferd Berfle

[partybarbie]

5 hours ago, Ken the cruiser said:

Interesting. We will be going through the PC in January on the Island in our Aloha deck vista suite in January. Are you saying all aft cabin balconies are off limits while going through the locks?

I believe it's just the Promenade deck.  There was a notification on our Travel Summary.  Our cabin wasn't an aft facing one.  It was a couple of cabins in from the very back, in the aft section.