World Cruise 2023 - Occasionally Live from the Island Princess

[We_like_to_cruise]

SHIP INFO

 

The Island Princess entered service in 2003 and had a major dry dock in 2017.  It has a passenger capacity of 2200.  Although small by today’s cruise ship standards, we have heard numerous times that this is the largest ship Princess has ever used for a World Cruise. 

 

Despite her age, we have had few issues with our cabin.  The ship seems well kept up – you always see staff cleaning and painting and working on maintenance.  We have been on some of the newer ships with some of the more modern conveniences (e.g., USB ports in the room) but have no complaints about this older vessel.

 

This World Cruise is divided into 5 segments:

Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, California to Sydney, Australia

Sydney, Australia to Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai, United Arab Emirates to Ravenna, Italy

Ravenna, Italy to Fort Lauderdale, Florida

 

The first segment we had 1800 pax per Guest Services and as per the CD our current number of guests is 1933.  Not sure out of this number how many are actually taking the full World Cruise.  I have heard (not confirmed) guests say it was 600.  Or 800.  It depends on who you ask.  I could not get a confirmed number from Guest Services.

 

Princess-ship-facts.pdf

Edited January 23, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise
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[We_like_to_cruise]

Masking info

 

During the first segment (Fort Lauderdale to LA) there were no masking requirements.  Mask usage was small, perhaps 5-10 percent of pax.  We masked sometimes when in crowded indoor events.  As mentioned earlier we never take the elevator.

 

However, a few days ago we were all advised (including newly embarking passengers) that there would be mandatory masking for the first three days of this voyage segment.  Then each of us would take a mandatory COVID test and the captain and medical staff would decide the next steps.

 

During the mandatory masking phase compliance was near 100%.  It was rare to see someone without a mask.

 

Yesterday morning our cabin steward provided us with a COVID test; instructions were provided the night before.  We all had to take the test, provide a photo to our steward with the results, our names, cabin number and time and date of test.  We thought it was pretty straightforward.

 

But, I was surprised at the number of people our kind and patient cabin steward had to hand-hold during the testing phase.  After two+ years they had never done a COVID test before?

 

Anyway, at the show last night, Cruise Director Cole announced that effective today masking is at your own discretion and no longer mandatory.  He insinuated the COVID counts were low, but of course we have no actual knowledge of numbers. 

Edited January 23, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise
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[We_like_to_cruise]

More on Entertainment and Food

 

We have already had three production shows – Encore, Do You Wanna Dance and On the Bayou (a personal favorite).  Other performances in the Princess Theater included comedy magicians, solo male and female vocalists, comedians and the talented Princess dancers and band.  (Love them!)

 

We have mostly been attending the earlier show at 7:30 pm and the good seats are taken by 7:15 pm or earlier depending on the show.  Have not seen a lot of pax  reserving excessive numbers of seats, and have not seen at all the Princess Premium reserved seating perk I read about on CC.

 

Cole, our Cruise Director, advised us that they are working on a total of 10 new production numbers.  I will keep you informed.

 

In addition to the theater, all of the lounges have varied performances of pianists, musical duets, acoustic guitar and vocalist, etc.  Since the ship is relatively small it is easy to walk from one location to another to find a place to sit down with a drink and listen to some music before or after dinner.  Last night the Princess band performed in the Wheelhouse Bar and that was a treat.

 

Our Hawaiian ambassadors boarded in LA.  Now every day we have special themed activities including lei making classes, Hawaiian language classes, ukulele lessons and hula dance lessons.  I am participating in the uke lessons and there are about 40 of us learning and practicing every day in the Explorer’s Lounge. 

 

There was a problem with our ship live TV satellite antenna which has been resolved.  This announcement by Cole last evening was met with cheers – after all it is football season and the Super Bowl is right around the corner.  Games are available for viewing both in your cabin and at MUTS outdoor by the pool.  Many of us gathered there this afternoon to watch the games.

 

You can sit down and eat at a dining venue anytime between 6 am and 11 pm.  Regular coffee is available earlier than 6 am in the Horizon Court.  After 6 am you can get specialty coffees there or at the Good Spirits Bar.  A snack after 11 pm?  I imagine you can use room service, or your medallion app to order, but honestly have not personally done so.

 

Unlike many ships we have been on, both the theater and the buffet are both forward, but of course on different decks.  More commonly we find each on opposite ends of the ship.  (And now I realize a factual error posted on the Panama Canal report.  Many people arrived in the Horizon Court early that morning to secure a table in the FORWARD section – I inadvertently posted aft.  Mea culpa.)

Edited January 23, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise
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[phabric]

Which deck do they usually use to enter and exit the ship?

 

I am planning to meet others to meet for a car service back to Rome.  When meeting others for a private tour, I like to meet everyone on the ship  so we all exit the ship together.

 

Any suggestion where to meet others?

[Tyskie]

10 hours ago, phabric said:

Any suggestion where to meet others?

 

When we were on the Island in the Mediterranean we had many private tours.  We met at the casino.  I would just pick a less congested area & walk off together.

[phabric]

4 hours ago, Tyskie said:

 

When we were on the Island in the Mediterranean we had many private tours.  We met at the casino.  I would just pick a less congested area & walk off together.

Thank you

[Denali2003]

Is the buffet still self serve, or is the crew still serving you?  It's different on different ships.  Since 2021 - some ships have gone back to self serve and some are still having a crew member plate your food.

[We_like_to_cruise]

9 hours ago, Tyskie said:

 

When we were on the Island in the Mediterranean we had many private tours.  We met at the casino.  I would just pick a less congested area & walk off together.

 

This is good advice.  We have not always left the ship on the same deck, or even the same location on a deck.  So you cannot count on meeting at the gangway since it might vary.

[We_like_to_cruise]

43 minutes ago, Denali2003 said:

Is the buffet still self serve, or is the crew still serving you?  It's different on different ships.  Since 2021 - some ships have gone back to self serve and some are still having a crew member plate your food.

 

I would say the majority is definitely self serve.  There are a few items (especially hot items) that a crew member will add to your plate or provide a new plate with your choices.  But all of the salads, breads, desserts, etc. are self serve.

[SargassoPirate]

we_like_to_cruise, I would like to know how your packing list for that many days expanded. Extra clothes? Extra toiletries is a given. 

[BerthaButt]

My husband and I are booked on the 2024 world cruise  and were wondering what the turnaround  time is on the  elite laundry.   Trying to plan on how many days of clothes  to bring.   Thanks

[windsor26]

1 hour ago, BerthaButt said:

My husband and I are booked on the 2024 world cruise  and were wondering what the turnaround  time is on the  elite laundry.   Trying to plan on how many days of clothes  to bring.   Thanks

It always depends on how many elite on board  I suspect on this cruise there will be a larger amount so laundry will probably take about 3 days  minimum   Your room steward will advise you best at the time

[SargassoPirate]

4 hours ago, BerthaButt said:

My husband and I are booked on the 2024 world cruise  and were wondering what the turnaround  time is on the  elite laundry.   Trying to plan on how many days of clothes  to bring.   Thanks

I'm Elite but never use the laundry perk.  I prefer to do my own and be in control of soap, water temp, and dryer temp.  There's a guest laundromat just down the hall and the turn around time for one load is about an hour and a half.

 

Never had any laundry damaged by me, but can't say that for the free laundry service according to anecdotal be stories I've heard.

[Denali2003]

Last year we became Elite for the first time.  We used the laundry service.  Turn around was about 3 days.  Then again, there were a lot of Elite members.  The ship was 95% passenger capacity and only 50% crew.  They had to pull some of the waitstaff from the dining rooms to work in the kitchens.  Our cabin steward had 23 cabins to take care of.  That's A LOT!  I certainly hope this will not be the norm for them.  The cabin stewards work so hard.  It's not fair to them to have so many cabins to take care of.  In 2010 they only had 10-12 cabins to take care of.  In 2019 they had 18.  In 2022 they had 20-24 (depending on the deck and staffing of crew members).

[gomertz]

On 1/22/2023 at 10:00 AM, We_like_to_cruise said:

Here are the officers for WC 2023 on the Island Princess

 

Cole Bockman, from New Zealand and Susan Rawlings , were great back in 2020!

[JABTPS]

Just adding some additional information to this live blog:   It was reported on 1/24 that there are 28 cabins with tables out in front.  Not sure if both passengers have it (Covid), but they are restricting both in cabin if one has it for 7 days.

Laundry note in state room says 3 days turnaround and we just experienced that. 

Still short staff and was told approx 50 more crew were to join in Honolulu.  All venues are still short.  Dining is getting better, but still has long wait times.  Almost back to 2 seatings (old traditional) with many requesting same table to shorten their wait time.  Meals for breakfast and Dinner are taking almost 2 hours.

As of LAX, the dining room has only served 1 good beef meal (my opinion).  No prime rib after 6 days, no good steak other than a beef tenderloin meal on day 4 (formal).  Very bad Strip loin served day 5.  Seems like dining meals are not up to past experience with Princess.  No Vegan menu available and usually only 1 Vegetarian meal ( per our table guest).  Shrimp cocktail is still free and available on board at dinner.

Internet has been slow, but does seem to work.

Difficult to get good mixed drinks with so many inexperienced bar tenders.

Most evening venues are full in all lounges.  Some trivia having to get there 30-45 mins ahead to get a seat ( standing room crowded)

This just doesn't compare to the 2020WC quality we experienced

 

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 1/25/2023 at 10:13 AM, windsor26 said:

It always depends on how many elite on board  I suspect on this cruise there will be a larger amount so laundry will probably take about 3 days  minimum   Your room steward will advise you best at the time

 

Yes, we heard from others that 3 day turnaround was typical.  Not yet Elite, so still using the laundromat.  Our turnaround time is less than 2 hours.  😁😁

[We_like_to_cruise]

On 1/25/2023 at 7:02 AM, SargassoPirate said:

we_like_to_cruise, I would like to know how your packing list for that many days expanded. Extra clothes? Extra toiletries is a given. 

 

Yes, definitely extra toiletries.  We have the backups stored under the bed in a separate bag.  We packed clothes for about 14-16 days and that seems to be working out. 

 

We also have already been to two ports with convenient WalMart stores, so picked up a few items we either didn't think of or realized could be of value for the rest of the journey.

[We_like_to_cruise]

19 hours ago, gomertz said:

Cole Bockman, from New Zealand and Susan Rawlings , were great back in 2020!

 

Yes both Cole and Susan are great entertainers and provide a wonderful upbeat contribution to our cruise.  Unfortunately we will be losing Cole once we reach New Zealand (he is from Tauranga).  Not sure if Susan will still be onboard but I hope so.

[PescadoAmarillo]

2 minutes ago, We_like_to_cruise said:

 

Yes, definitely extra toiletries.  We have the backups stored under the bed in a separate bag.  We packed clothes for about 14-16 days and that seems to be working out. 

 

We also have already been to two ports with convenient WalMart stores, so picked up a few items we either didn't think of or realized could be of value for the rest of the journey.

Target in Honolulu us your friend on a WC. You can order online using their app, pick up the order inside the store and take it back to the ship. No need to spend time shopping. 

[We_like_to_cruise]

17 hours ago, JABTPS said:

Just adding some additional information to this live blog:   It was reported on 1/24 that there are 28 cabins with tables out in front.  Not sure if both passengers have it (Covid), but they are restricting both in cabin if one has it for 7 days.

 

 

 

Thank you for providing that info.  I am not sure where that was reported.  Did not hear about it from any official source unless I missed it.

 

Anyway, I usually walk a few miles on Deck 7 Promenade.  This morning the doors to that deck were closed due to the windy conditions outdoors.  So, I decided to walk inside instead.  I made my way from up on Deck 12 all the way down to Deck 5 and walked through each hallway and down each corridor to pass each passenger cabin.  (The lengths I go to for my readers!).  During my travels I encountered a total of five (5) of the COVID tables outside cabin doors.  Just my unofficial report.

 

There is no separate section of "quarantine cabins."

Edited January 26, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise
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[We_like_to_cruise]

Just now, PescadoAmarillo said:

Target in Honolulu us your friend on a WC. You can order online using their app, pick up the order inside the store and take it back to the ship. No need to spend time shopping. 

 

Great info !  Unfortunately we were in Honolulu two days ago !  But thanks anyway, will keep it in mind for the next visit.

 

🤣🤣🤣🤣

[We_like_to_cruise]

Laundromat

 

Per the deck plans, each passenger deck has a dedicated laundry room, five in total.  We have already done the laundry twice and it appears as if the machines are very new.  You can purchase tokens for the washer and/or dryer ($3.00 each) either at the vending machine in the room using your medallion or down at Guest Services.  Detergent is also available for purchase with your token.  The washing machine, at the Permanent Press setting takes about 40 minutes.  The dryer takes about an hour depending on the setting.  There are also ironing boards, a sink and a TV in the Laundromat.  We just leave our clothes and do something else during that time. 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 26, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise
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[We_like_to_cruise]

23 hours ago, Denali2003 said:

  Our cabin steward had 23 cabins to take care of.  That's A LOT!  I certainly hope this will not be the norm for them.  The cabin stewards work so hard.  It's not fair to them to have so many cabins to take care of.  In 2010 they only had 10-12 cabins to take care of.  In 2019 they had 18.  In 2022 they had 20-24 (depending on the deck and staffing of crew members).

 

Our cabin steward advised us last week that he has 19 cabins to manage.  However, we heard a number of new employees joined the ship in Honolulu two days ago.  And we experienced some new wait staff in the MDR.  Hopefully there were also some new cabin stewards to help lighten the load for these hard working people.  Our steward is great and we are thankful for his hard work and dedication.

[We_like_to_cruise]

Fitness

 

The fitness center is open 24 hours and there are numerous classes available.  Unfortunately since the “butchering”  (as most would agree) of the IP  there is no outside view from the gym.  There are plenty of machines, although you might have to wait during some prime time morning hours. 

 

One of my favorite advertised classes is “Eat More to Weigh Less”.  Gosh, I am trying but it does not seem to be working!

 

I was in the fitness center last week and a very attractive woman was working out near me.  I asked the personal trainer what machine I might use to impress her.  He looked me up and down and replied “the cash machine!”  J

 

In addition to the fitness center, there are passenger run classes in Tai Chi and dance classes.

 

Zumba classes in the Explorer's Lounge are very, very popular and are well attended.  Energetic and enthusiastic CD Cole leads this entertaining class.

 

Pickleball up on Deck 15 is also pretty popular.  The outside dimensions of the court are small – not much room to move around behind the base lines and side lines.  A net entirely surrounds both, as well as overhead.  Don’t want any pickleballs stuck in a whale blowhole ala Cosmo Kramer’s golf ball (Seinfeld reference).  By 9 am it is crowded and you wait your turn to rotate into games.  There can be as many as 16 or so players waiting in line.  Some are better than others but it is still a friendly game.

 

Of course there are also options to play ping pong, shuffleboard, and basketball.

 

Lots of passengers spend some time walking the Promenade Deck, 7.  Due to the “reconstruction” of the Island Princess, one can no longer walk continuously around this deck outside.  You have two choices – walk the majority of the way and then turn around or walk to the turnaround point and cut through the inside of Deck 7 to the other side.  Both work, we prefer staying outside. 

 

The walk is interesting as you stride through different climate zones – from the hot dry side of the ship to the wet, windy, salt spray in your face side.  You are protected from the elements walking through the enclosed section – but the wind tunnel pushes you in all directions.  Hold onto your hat.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited January 27, 2023 by We_like_to_cruise
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