Live - Island Princess Oktoberfest cruise Sept. 27 - Oct. 7

[Rick&Jeannie]

Thanks to all who have commented and posted likes for this thread...even though I screwed up a couple of times and got my ports mixed up! It's easy for this old guy to get the days mixed up when I don't take daily notes. 

[Mackenzie1]

Thanks for taking us along with you on your cruise. I especially like the picture of the atrium area. By the way, did your cruise have any covid issues? We’ll be on the Island in November for a 28-day cruise from Rome to Ft. Lauderdale, and several previous Island Princess threads have mentioned that their cruises had covid issues. Would you be so kind to give us your observations?  We may want to mask up until the coast is clear. Thanks!

[Julia’s Journey’s]

Thanks for all the info, we are on our first Island Princess cruise in December, we love sitting at the IC on the grand and Royal class and probably going to miss that. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

2 hours ago, Mackenzie1 said:

By the way, did your cruise have any covid issues?

I do not have any first-hand knowledge of any covid case forsure...but just down the hall (deck 9 Dolphin) for the past week there has been one of those very small tables blocking the cabin door and usually with a finished tray on it. I don't know any other explanation for this but our cabin steward told me that deck 8 was the quarantine deck.

[Level six]

8 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I do not have any first-hand knowledge of any covid case forsure...but just down the hall (deck 9 Dolphin) for the past week there has been one of those very small tables blocking the cabin door and usually with a finished tray on it. I don't know any other explanation for this but our cabin steward told me that deck 8 was the quarantine deck.

It's because quarantine deck is full, now they have to stay in their cabins

[ldubs]

On 10/1/2022 at 10:57 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

Well, Gothenburg is a nice little port town but to be honest...there's not really a lot to do here. We did a very short excursion which apparently hit the absolute highlights. Total time was about 3 hours so that should tell you something! Still, it was a nice break from the crazy long "Best of Berlin" that lasted 12 hours!

 

 

 

We walked a long way from the Kingsport Bridge along the canal to get to the "Fish Church".  It was a nice walk, but we were disappointed to find the Fish Church all boarded up.  Otherwise we had a nice walk along some of the major avenues.  I would say, of all the ports, Gothenburg was our least favorite.  We did manage the rain well.  It started pouring just as we returned to the ship.  

[ldubs]

On 9/30/2022 at 11:44 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

Ok, we just got out of this show. Here are my thoughts:

 

It was entertaining and lively, obviously a very talented group of performers.  That being said,  it really wasn't anything special (in my opinion). The "set" was a facade of a swamp shack and a bar. The cast had no interaction with anything on the stage except for each other. As is the case with most cruise line "shows" these days it is basically a showcase for the singers and dancers (which were very good) to present familiar/popular songs. Most (not all) of the selections either were literally about New Orleans and/or "cajun" life or simply mentioned a passing line involving such. There were a couple that I really don't understand why they were included. 

 

Don't get me wrong here...it is an entertaining show but I somewhat associate the term "production show" with a show that has more substance and the set plays an integral part. 

 

As with all shows on most cruise lines it was presented by a very talented troupe. 

 

We thoroughly enjoyed the "On the Bayou" show and also thought the four lead singers were very good. Though, I do wish the sound engineer would pay more attention to the levels for the background singing.

 

 

[ldubs]

On 9/30/2022 at 5:23 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

Entertainment on board (so far) has been mixed. The first sea day we had a comedian that really needs to consider another line of work. I won't go into too much detail here other than to say that I saw at least 20 people walk out of the main theater before we did ourselves. Worst show I've ever seen on a ship of any cruise line. (Sorry...I don't even remember his name.)

 

 

I found him entertaining for chuckles.  Reminded me of a sorta Rodney Dangerfield style.   I think he put on a second show, but we didn't go.  

 

Most cruises we think the "guest" entertainers are better than the production show staff.  On this cruise, I thought just the opposite.  We would have been happier on this cruise if they put on more with the production staff.  Especially if just the four lead singers.   We thought they were very good.  

BTW, thanks for sharing this thread. 

[tml1230]

On 10/6/2022 at 12:43 PM, Level six said:

It's because quarantine deck is full, now they have to stay in their cabins

thanks for your input....Are you currently on this cruise?...looking at your previous posts it doesn't appear so....your previous posts included ...your word...specu;lation and " I heard" im just trying to separate facts and speculation.

   

[Loveh2ofl]

5 minutes ago, tml1230 said:

thanks for your input....Are you currently on this cruise?...looking at your previous posts it doesn't appear so....your previous posts included ...your word...specu;lation and " I heard" im just trying to separate facts and speculation.

   

I'm not the poster but to me it's speculation.  FAQ in Princess site to the Queston - what if I have Covid onboard says (emphasis mine):

 

"Anyone reporting or exhibiting COVID-19 symptoms will be reviewed by the shipboard medical staff and tested. COVID-19 cases will be assessed and treated either in their stateroom or in a designated area of the medical center in a single occupancy ward. 

Positive cases that do not require admission to the ship’s medical center, or medical disembarkation, will most likely be moved to a different stateroom for the duration of isolation."

 

The statement has not changed in months whereas how covid is handled probably has.  When we were on the Island Princess in mid-late May the quarantine deck was not expanded in any way and there were some tables outside cabins scattered throughout the ship on all the decks on occasion.

[Rick&Jeannie]

11 minutes ago, tml1230 said:

thanks for your input....Are you currently on this cruise?

   

Moot point given that the cruise is now completed

[ldubs]

1 hour ago, tml1230 said:

thanks for your input....Are you currently on this cruise?...looking at your previous posts it doesn't appear so....your previous posts included ...your word...specu;lation and " I heard" im just trying to separate facts and speculation.

   

 

We were on this cruise.  One of our travel mates tested positive day after we returned home.   We are testing negative (so far).  

[Level six]

4 hours ago, tml1230 said:

thanks for your input....Are you currently on this cruise?...looking at your previous posts it doesn't appear so....your previous posts included ...your word...specu;lation and " I heard" im just trying to separate facts and speculation.

   

I can't say what happened on this cruise(Sept 27th), I was on the previous cruise for 30 days.   No, I did not get covid on the ship, but someone we know did and she said that they were not allowed to separate (because one tested positive, the other didn't at first and they wanted to have separate cabins) She stated she was told the covid deck was full(so this part may seem like speculation but it is what she said exactly).  So they stayed in the room together and both ended up testing positive.  I have no reason not to believe this person who I know. 

We did test positive the very day we got home, and have been pretty sick since then, on day 11 now and still testing positive. 

Anyone can believe what they want, I don't really care honestly.  I am just reporting what happened on the 30 days I was onboard the Island. I only responded the first time because I have seen posts from OP and I like them and I thought they should know about the covid that was onboard just before they boarded.  Then I didn't respond anymore because I didn't want to take away from their live report, but now the cruise is over. 

I gave an honest report of what I saw (all the covid tables, the letter from the captain and the announcement that everyone had to wear masks indoors anyone who was on that cruise knows that is what happened) and of what I heard from a reliable source who experienced covid onboard.  Believe whoever you want, me who was actually onboard or a person who has no knowledge of what happened on the cruise starting Aug 28 and ending Sept 27 who said I was speculating...... I was not speculating at all.   I was just trying to help people, I won't be doing that again.  Good luck!  

Edited October 9, 2022 by Level six

[Rick&Jeannie]

Just in case anybody is interested...here was the Pub Lunch Menu:

 

Edited October 9, 2022 by Rick&Jeannie

[c-boy]

Steak and Guinness pie .....

 

  

[venussuz]

On 10/9/2022 at 11:13 AM, Rick&Jeannie said:

Just in case anybody is interested...here was the Pub Lunch Menu:

 

Thank you for posting this! I was hoping there would be a pub lunch on our Island Princess cruise, but I missed it if so. 

 

Just curious, which did you choose? I'd have trouble deciding between the first three but likely go with the fish and chips though bangers and mash can be fantastic. 

[Rick&Jeannie]

1 minute ago, venussuz said:

Just curious, which did you choose? I'd have trouble deciding between the first three but likely go with the fish and chips though bangers and mash can be fantastic. 

We both did fish & chips.  Very good.  The bread & butter pudding was very good as well.

[bobontheblue]

Rick and Jeannie , so happy the Island seems to be working out for you both. Was on her in August of this year. Have never been so happy to see the end of a cruise in all the years with Princess. If it had been an option to fly home early, that plane would have been full of passengers and some crew. 

 There came a point though, when you had to make a decision to make the best of the remaining days onboard. Turn the attitude around a create a good time. It was  the only thing that saved The Island, from being the worst cruise. The people you choose to meet and the attitude in which you approach a disappointing experience.

 Bottom line, will I ever choose The Island ever again or even recommend her.....NO. But I will always cruise with Princess because of the great people on board and the lasting friendships. Happy cruising everybody.

[Rick&Jeannie]

37 minutes ago, bobontheblue said:

Rick and Jeannie , so happy the Island seems to be working out for you both. Was on her in August of this year. Have never been so happy to see the end of a cruise in all the years with Princess....

I guess I'm going to have to show my ignorance here... What happened?  I've not heard of anything drastic that happened on the Island.  Please elaborate.

[ldubs]

49 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

I guess I'm going to have to show my ignorance here... What happened?  I've not heard of anything drastic that happened on the Island.  Please elaborate.

 

X2.  For one reason or another our last Princess cruise was in 2015.  We were excited to return and really enjoyed this cruise.  We did meet someone who was on the Island for the previous 30 days but didn't hear anything of concern.   

[gvre]

1 hour ago, bobontheblue said:

Rick and Jeannie , so happy the Island seems to be working out for you both. Was on her in August of this year. Have never been so happy to see the end of a cruise in all the years with Princess. If it had been an option to fly home early, that plane would have been full of passengers and some crew. 

 There came a point though, when you had to make a decision to make the best of the remaining days onboard. Turn the attitude around a create a good time. It was  the only thing that saved The Island, from being the worst cruise. The people you choose to meet and the attitude in which you approach a disappointing experience.

 Bottom line, will I ever choose The Island ever again or even recommend her.....NO. But I will always cruise with Princess because of the great people on board and the lasting friendships. Happy cruising everybody.

This was our 34th Princess cruise. I agree we were on the same cruise and glad to get off. Crew was great but we will never board that ship again.

[Level six]

1 hour ago, gvre said:

This was our 34th Princess cruise. I agree we were on the same cruise and glad to get off. Crew was great but we will never board that ship again.

Interesting.  We feel the same.  The couple we traveled with also feel the same.  We are both looking at other cruise lines now and we are both elite.  The Island was horrible for us too, but the whole Princess experience was also lacking. 

[coo359a2]

42 minutes ago, Level six said:

Interesting.  We feel the same.  The couple we traveled with also feel the same.  We are both looking at other cruise lines now and we are both elite.  The Island was horrible for us too, but the whole Princess experience was also lacking. 

Can y’all be more specific as to date of cruise and itinerary and what exactly was so horrible about the cruise

[caribill]

Several Island Princess questions:

 

o Which dining room is used for Club Class ?

 

o How was the Internet speed and reliability?

 

o Were soap bars available upon request for the bathroom?

 

o Besides On The Bayou, what were the other production shows?

 

Thanks

 

[ExploringTheGlobe]

I was also on this cruise.  I loved the itinerary but found it rather port intensive and felt I needed to return to work for a break!  This was my 37th Princess cruise so I know the ships quite well.  I had been on the Island once before but only for a 3 day cruise.  After this cruise, I will never sail on her again.  The layout was odd and I kept getting turned around.  I missed the international cafe and having a place to dance (there was never any good dancing music in Explorers lounge like the patter eluded).  The casino is tiny.  Loved Crooners and that is where I spent much of my time. 

 

To the person on the previous cruise talking about covid onboard- I spoke with several people who had been on that cruise as well.   They discussed the removal of seats at the bar, etc. and the amount of people who were quarantined to their cabins.  We did not have the same experience for our cruise.  I walked quite a bit down the hallways (because I kept getting turned around on that damn ship!) and I only saw one cabin with a table in front of the door.