Island Princess - Honest Thoughts Please

[Nicole&Pete]

11 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

Well...I really don't understand all of the comments downplaying the Island.  We were just on her back in October for a Northern Europe sailing and we had zero issues.  It was the first time we'd been on this particular ship (we've been on 8 other Princess ships as well as a handful on other lines).  To give a picture of the "range" we've done...we've done the Pacific Princess all the way up to Discovery Princess...so we've seen a pretty wide range of ships/designs.  We thoroughly enjoyed our time on the Island and would not hesitate to rebook.

Thank you that puts me at ease a bit. Can I ask what type of cabin you booked? We are looking at a premium balcony.

[Nicole&Pete]

11 hours ago, stevenr597 said:

We sailed on the sister ship Coral Princess twice.  Coral did not have an extensive a refit as Island, but it, in total, in had less cabins.

 

When we first sailed Coral, it was a brand-new ship.  Our last cruise (both Panama Canal) was just before the Pandemic.

We thoroughly enjoyed both cruises, but the Coral has become dated.  Like the Island it was build to transit the canal, and is longer, but not as wide as other ships.  My impression it did not handle as well in rough seas. 

Thank you that is something I hadn’t thought of actually. I don’t travel well and a longer ship could mean it may feel slightly rougher.

[Nicole&Pete]

10 hours ago, TM said:

We've sailed on the Island both before and after the retrofit and would definitely sail on it again.  If you go with a positive attitude and not try to look for things to complain about you will have a great cruise regardless of which ship you are on.

Thanks very much. Have you been on the Sky Princess or another Royal class ship?

[Nicole&Pete]

10 hours ago, reedprincess said:

We've sailed Island both before and after it's refit back in 2015 where they added 150+ cabins, removed the two story Universe Lounge, shrunk the casino and moved the gym.

Let's just say, we won't sail her again - unless she's the only ship, among any line, doing a particular itinerary that we absolutely want to sail. 

The removal of so much public space to add cabins made zero sense - makes all the remaining venues more crowded. The casino is a postage stamp, atrium is very small (to begin with) and with the added hundreds of passengers, makes for extra people vying for even more limited space, seats were not added to the MDR, and so forth.. 

The lack of IC is a major downside for us also as we're night owls - but then, since there is no nightclub or late night dancing venue on Island, not all that big of a deal in the end .. 

Yes, breakfast is served in the MDR on Island, same as all Princess ships. Same limited hours, which don't work for some.. 

Thanks for your honest review.

 

With the lack of public space we were wondering how crowded the pools get as they took out the back pool and also how much evening entertainment they have because all I can see is two bars where people can sit etc. Was there live music at all? When we were on the Sky they used the back lounge for a live band and dancing but I can’t see where they would do that on the Island?

 

How did you find the accommodation?

 

Thank you very much

[Nicole&Pete]

9 hours ago, seachelt said:

We cruised on the Island last year to Iceland and Greenland. We requested to be moved to a different cabin due to extreme noise in our origingal cabin. Moved to a premium balcony and were very happy with the ship, food and service etc. We have booked again for this coming fall.

Thank you that sounds good. I’d heard a lot about a shaky restart for the ship after not being used during the pandemic but it doesn’t sound like you had any problems last summer.

[Yehootu]

5 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Thanks we don’t usually opt for the speciality dining anyway. Have you been on the ship since the refit?

Yes, we went on a 19day Panama Canal/Pacific Adventure cruise. We stayed in a new mini suite on the Caribe deck.

[disneyochem]

5 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Thank you this is a really useful post.

 

To be honest we prefer Celebrity to Princess but the thing that we much prefer on Princess is the variety of other dining options and the fact that we didn’t have to use the buffet for breakfast and lunch each day as a result. However that is not the case on the Island which is a shame. 

Is there a pool grill and a pool pizzeria on the island?

 

As we are looking at a cold weather cruise the covered pool appeals to me and there isn’t one on the Sky but like you say the lack of public areas means overcrowding. I can see there are not many loungers in the pool area as well.

 

Can I ask if your cabin had an interactive TV with movies to watch etc.? Was the bed in your cabin comfortable?

 

One thing that does annoy me a little (and this is with all cruise lines) is the fact that cruise lines tend to put their focus into new ships and not renovating older ships. I often find there is a lot of rust and debris on older ship balconies and the furniture and TVs in the cabins have often not been updated. This is a shame as the older ships are sometimes nicer laid out and have a lot going for them but they seem under loved. When they do get a dry dock the focus is usually to put in more cabins not to renovate the ship. 
 

It’s nice to know that you found the ship OK, did you find there was rust in places?

 

Thank you so much for your help and sorry for all my questions 
 

 

 

Yes, as I mentioned the dining issue is the main reason we didn’t enjoy the ship (loved the cruise though!).  Our journey was part of the 2023 world cruise.  Hubby and I were intrigued and were thinking about the possibility of going on it next year.  At the end of two weeks, we’ve eliminated that possibility on Princess since next year’s world cruise is also on the Island!  
 

The food in the MDR was good—breakfast, lunch and dinner—we never had poor service or food.  It’s not always convenient to eat in the MDR.  The pool side grill was just okay, didn’t try the pizza joint but hubby said it was okay, nothing special.  We really missed not having the IC for a quick bite or light lunch/breakfast.  We only eat two meals a day while on board and missed being able to just pick something up.

 

The covered pool was great but since there were only two pools, it did get crowded. And it got crowded early!  People were saving lounges at 7 am in the morning—putting towels, books etc on them.  We walked through that area a few times in the afternoon on sea days and it was packed!  (As was all the public areas…)

 

The bed in our cabin was very comfortable—both hubby and I slept well the entire cruise.  The sofa in our mini suite was ‘well used’ and sagged a bit.  Not very comfy!  There were spots of rust and wear on our balcony but didn’t notice any in the public areas.  Our bathroom was clean but the fixtures were dated.

 

Mini suite had two tvs—they were interactive.  Able to order room service, check our account, watch movies etc.  Cabin only had one remote though.  Oh, and the room didn’t have a curtain to separate the bed from the couch area.  We missed that on this ship.  Hubby will sometimes stay up late and watch tv.

 

I showed hubby my first post.  His response was that he would sail on the Island again if it was the only option on a desired itinerary!

[linaka625]

I'm doing my first transatlantic in December, and it will be my first time on Island.  Looking at the deck plans, I see La Patisserie on Deck 5.  Is this anything like the IC? 

I'm getting a bit worried after reading these comments, but I like the itinerary.

[Rick&Jeannie]

6 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Thank you that puts me at ease a bit. Can I ask what type of cabin you booked? We are looking at a premium balcony.

We were in a Dolphin deck mini-suite

[Paula_MacFan]

We haven't been on the Island yet but have a 12 night cruise booked for September. I've been wary of the whole trip based on reviews here but the unique itinerary is the draw so another ship isn't an option.

 

For comparison we just sailed on NCL Pride of America in Hawaii 2 weeks ago and had a wonderful time. The POA is almost identical in size and passenger load to the Island. We have always sailed on Grand and Royal class ships so we were a bit nervous about sailing on a 'small' ship. It was all for nothing as the trip was great.

 

Also have to chuckle a bit as the POA is back sailing at full capacity and has even less pool and public spaces than Island and we were suitably fed and entertained.

 

Given that experience we are now looking forward to our Island cruise even more 🙂

 

 

Edited February 15, 2023 by Paula_MacFan

[disneyochem]

8 minutes ago, Paula_MacFan said:

 

Also have to chuckle a bit as the POA is back sailing at full capacity and has even less pool and public spaces than Island and we were suitably fed and entertained.

 

Given that experience we are now looking forward to our Island cruise even more 🙂

 

 

And on the POA, there are a number of port days on its sailings.   On our 14-day Panama Canal cruise on the Islander, we had four port days and ten sea days.  Lots of crowding in public areas on cool, windy days (all of the outdoor activities were moved indoors--golf, dance lessons, tai chi, zumba) and limited pool space on hot days!

 

We had a great cruise on the Islander--fantastic going through the Panama Canal, the staff was great, met some wonderful people.  The ship itself was not our favorite, and with so many other ship choices (both on Princess and other lines), I would not pick the Islander for a cruise.  Some ships I do like and try to see if we can fit in a cruise to go back on the ship.  For example, we love HAL Koningsdam and have four cruises booked on her this year!  

[Level six]

7 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Is there a pool grill and a pool pizzeria on the island?

Yes, but the grill is not on the same level as the pizza place like it usually is.  It was on the higher deck which was hard to get to and almost impossible for our friend in a wheelchair without having to go on the upper deck for half the ship in the cold wind.

 

We were on for 30 days and would probably never sail on the Island again.

 

Layout is weird, some main venues are on deck 6 (like explorers and not convient, especailly for friend in wheelchair who had to keep taking the elevator just for the main venues)

 

TV's were on demand(nice), bed was comfy.  Ship did have some rust, but crew was painting everyday, so it might be better now. 

 

Covered pool was nice area.  On our cruise, not many people used that pool (hot tubs were closed a lot of the time).  We would eat there because it was too cold to eat outside and the buffet was packed, even with 3/4 full ship (Baltic/Iceland)

 

Buffet in front of the ship and it seemed like a lot less seating.  

 

Always lines for dining room.........for any meal,long lines.  Our friends (wheelchair friend) had club class dining, so they had a far better experience with dining than we did. 

 

As I said, our cruise was not full and the ship always seemed full.  From the venues (explorers, theater, buffet) to the long lines getting on and off the ship.  We are elite and we still had to wait long times for tenders.  For the reasons above, I would not sail on the Island again, unless really, really a good itinerary or very, very cheap. 

[MissP22]

We haven't returned to the Island in many years and unless it was an extortionary deal or ports we really wanted, we prefer the newer Royal class ships over the Island any day.  The Island was OK in it's day but ship designs have changed for the better.

[TM]

9 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Thanks very much. Have you been on the Sky Princess or another Royal class ship?

I have not.  We have not cruised since the pandemic began and have no plans to do so, at least for this year.  We don't like the fact that traditional dining is gone and in my humble opinion looking at the menus here on cruise critic the variety of food in the MDR has been significantly reduced and has a bunch of stuff I wouldn't eat.  When we do decide to cruise again it will probably be on Celebrity even though we are Elite on Princess and just a couple of cruises on Celebrity.  But like I said originally, I found our experiences in the Island, both before and after the renovation, to be excellent.

[clojacks]

On 2/14/2023 at 11:34 AM, seachelt said:

We cruised on the Island last year to Iceland and Greenland. We requested to be moved to a different cabin due to extreme noise in our origingal cabin. Moved to a premium balcony and were very happy with the ship, food and service etc. We have booked again for this coming fall.

Can I ask what cabin or location you were in and where you moved to.

[Steelers36]

On 2/14/2023 at 6:56 AM, Nicole&Pete said:

Thank you very much. That’s what we liked about the Sky, there were lots of dining choices, however we did sail when they were half full so I don’t know what the ship will be like full.
 

Did you find the Island Princess quite crowded? Also is it looking a little tired now?

 

We are looking at a cold weather cruise so one benefit for the Island is the covered pool area, but we would definitely miss the dining options we had on the Sky. 

I have not read this full thread.  Look, the Island is just fine if you like the itinerary.  As it happens, we have had more days on Island than any other PCL ship - primarily due to 60 nights around South America, including the Canal.  Also, another 14, this past November in Med area.  Wouldn't hesitate to go on it for a desired voyage.  That said, if the Island and Sky were doing the same thing, I'd pick Sky or any other ship.

 

[seachelt]

4 hours ago, clojacks said:

Can I ask what cabin or location you were in and where you moved to.

Certainly. We had booked Deck 7, cabin PR723.  We were moved to Deck 10, cabin C537.

 

If you look at the Island deck plan you will see that PR723 has a "white area" on each side of it. It's a lovely cabin, great extended balcony BUT the white area contains what sound like industrial fans/blowers that operate 24/7 making sleep or balcony enjoyment impossible.

 

C537 is a premium balcony cabin with a lovely extended balcony, all good. When we booked our upcoming cruise this cabin was not available so we are booked in the adjacent C539.☺️

 

seachelt

[tml1230]

9 hours ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

We were in a Dolphin deck mini-suite

Regarding your dolphin deck mini suite.....we are in  a club class mini suite on dolphin deck next November ........2 stops in Israel sold us on this particular cruise! also doing it B2Bto port everglades since we live in Florida and I don't like flying...would you do dolphin deck location again on island princess? . .

thanks for your thoughts and perspective!

[reedprincess]

17 hours ago, Nicole&Pete said:

Thanks for your honest review.

 

With the lack of public space we were wondering how crowded the pools get as they took out the back pool and also how much evening entertainment they have because all I can see is two bars where people can sit etc. Was there live music at all? When we were on the Sky they used the back lounge for a live band and dancing but I can’t see where they would do that on the Island?

 

How did you find the accommodation?

 

Thank you very much

Yes, there's pizza and grill on deck, different decks though, which is awkward.

Yes, pools are crowded, regardless of weather. Indoor pool gets super crowded if it's inclement outside, and both get very crowded if weather is nice..

Yes, a band plays in Explorer's and a duo or such in Wheelhouse. Pianist in the postage stamp Crooners..Once they're done, that's it. No nightclub or dancing area, a DJ at Explorer's, but that's not exactly a night club venue. And with the removal of the Universe Lounge which was used as a dance venue for later at night - there's nothing. 

It's an awkward deck plan. There's no craps in the casino, no space. Limited table games at all, it's small.

 

La Patisserie is not like the International Cafe. It's not open 24 hours and only serves a small warming counter too box of pastries in the morning or some finger sandwiches in the afternoons.. it does serve specialty coffees. And, is also home to Good Spirits.. and again, only open 5:30/6am to 10 or so at night..

Specialty coffees in the buffet also. Or delivered bus Ocean Now/Room Service...

 

Yes, we've sailed Royal class ships, many times.  Unless the itinerary was significantly better somehow on Island, we'd sail a Royal class ship any day and twice in Sunday... (Or any other ship on other lines!). 

 

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by reedprincess

[Rick&Jeannie]

2 hours ago, tml1230 said:

...would you do dolphin deck location again on island princess? . .

 

You know...I don't think I've ever done a cruise that disappointed me.  I've done a couple on NCL that were not my favorites but I still enjoyed them.  I just need to be on a big boat....floating!

[G&T Cruisers]

We have been on the Island 3 times first was 15 day Panama Canal cruise before the retrofit then a 7 day Alaska cruise and just recently a 14 day Caribbean Holiday cruise we love this ship and would go back on it without hesitation.

We were Aloha forward your right below the buffet area easy to get to,We had no problems with long lines at the buffet area or wait times in the dining room 

Have been on several Royal class ships and yes they are nice but we still prefer the Island 

[gkkapp]

We were on the Island last summer.  A note on the lack of the IC.  The buffet area had square glass containers with "snack" food in the afternoon, maybe earlier.  They were things like you might find at the IC, chips and salsa, salads etc.  While we didn't get them (prefer pastries or cookies for snacks) friends did and were very pleased.  Just my thoughts.

 

<<<Karen>>>   

[vjmatty]

11 hours ago, Rick&amp;Jeannie said:

You know...I don't think I've ever done a cruise that disappointed me.  I've done a couple on NCL that were not my favorites but I still enjoyed them.  I just need to be on a big boat....floating!

 

Same here.... while I have no interest in sailing NCL again and prefer Princess and other lines, I have never thought to myself "I can't wait to get off this ship"

[Level six]

2 hours ago, vjmatty said:

 

Same here.... while I have no interest in sailing NCL again and prefer Princess and other lines, I have never thought to myself "I can't wait to get off this ship"

Expressing how we feel about a certain ship does not mean we didn't enjoy the cruise.  It is just our opinion and there are probably 2000+ opinions onboard.  The OP asked for opinions and they were given.  We always have fun on cruises, but I was just letting the OP know what we thought of the ship.  There is a big difference.    

[vjmatty]

6 minutes ago, Level six said:

Expressing how we feel about a certain ship does not mean we didn't enjoy the cruise.  It is just our opinion and there are probably 2000+ opinions onboard.  The OP asked for opinions and they were given.  We always have fun on cruises, but I was just letting the OP know what we thought of the ship.  There is a big difference.    

 

Not sure why this is directed at me, I wasn't even responding to your post.  I was simply sharing the opinion expressed by Rick&Jeannie (the poster that I actually quoted and was responding to) that I have never been in a hurry to get off a ship.

 

 

Edited February 16, 2023 by vjmatty
Spelled Jeannie's name wrong... sorry!!