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Island Princess

habita

By habita,
in Princess Cruises

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Pam in CA

Pam in CA

Posted
Posted
Thinking of going on the Island to the Panamá Canal. How bad is it after the makeover? I want to do the round trip from LA
I personally don't care whether the changes are good or bad. They won't affect me nor my enjoyment of the cruise. If you're thinking of booking the 19-day round trip Panama Canal cruise next November, book ASAP. Prices are already 50% more than when I booked and the cruise is selling out. No one I know who has already booked this cruise (and there are quite a few I know) hesitated a minute whether they'd like the renovations or not. It's gonna be a great cruise.
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thecruiselover7

thecruiselover7

Posted
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I was on the Island Princess in November for a partial transit of the Panama Canal. The ship, entertainment, food, and crew were all wonderful. I have no complaints. I have read many complaints on the new makeover of the ship, but I think the ship is great.

 

I think the Island Princess is a great choice. And the Panama Canal is a spectacular thing to see!

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2pbears

2pbears

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I am so happy to read all of these comments. We booked the Island for the Panama Canal next February with great hesitation after reading all of the comments about the re-fit. But when it came down to booking we could not find another itinerary that fit our needs (or likes) as well (FLL to San Francisco). Feeling a lot better about the decision now.

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snafyensid

snafyensid

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Count me in for having recently sailed on the Island through the Panama Canal. The gym is now in an enclosed space, some found this annoying. The casino is very cramped and the International Cafe is gone. You can lo longer walk around the entire length of the ship. Since we never really take advantage of any of those, we didn't really mind. We didn't seem to feel crowded at all.

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waltd

waltd

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Count me in for having recently sailed on the Island through the Panama Canal. The gym is now in an enclosed space, some found this annoying. The casino is very cramped and the International Cafe is gone. You can lo longer walk around the entire length of the ship. Since we never really take advantage of any of those, we didn't really mind. We didn't seem to feel crowded at all.

 

Sorry but the Island never had an International Café.

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Lizziebiff

Lizziebiff

Posted
Posted
Thinking of going on the Island to the Panamá Canal. How bad is it after the makeover? I want to do the round trip from LA

 

I also came of the Christmas and new year cruise and unlike the other posters I didn't enjoy it and wouldn't go back on the Island. Reasons I like to sit on the promanade deck, but there were very few chairs. I thought the service in crooners was poor and we had a nasty smell and plumbing problems near our cabin on E deck. However I didnt enjoy it because it didnt suit my needs, others loved it because it fulfilled theirs. I thought the captain was great as was the cabin steward and service in the dining room. I spoke to a number of people who were unhappy with the dining room so I supose it depends on the waiter. I loved the self service for breakfast, easy to move around, lovely veiw of front of ship and plenty of tables.

Equally I have read a lot of negative comments about the Emerald recently but I did 21 days in August and absolutely loved it.

Go with an open mind, if it meets your personal requirements you will love it.

Oh and be prepared for loads of sea days

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Lizziebiff

Lizziebiff

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Just got a email describing embarkation by deck. Rooms would only be ready at that time. If we don't care about being in the room right away, will they stop us from boarding? Don't want to wait until 1pm to board. How early has anyone gotten on board?

 

We arrived at San Pedro at about 11am and were onboard within about 45 minutes and our cabin was ready.

I suppose it will depend on whether it needs a deep clean.

Have a great trip

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Lizziebiff

Lizziebiff

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We arrived at San Pedro at about 11am and were onboard within about 45 minutes and our cabin was ready.

I suppose it will depend on whether it needs a deep clean.

Have a great trip

 

Forgot to say they allowed elite and suites on first but were calling all other passengers as we boarded. They didn't mention decks.

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Colo Cruiser

Colo Cruiser

Posted
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I'm happy to read so many positive comments. I'm booked on the Island for a December full transit. I was worried that the ship would be a lot more crowded with the addition of so many cabins, but no one mentioned that. Good news.

 

This was in my review as well.....

Yes it does affect dining. There were lines through the atrium every evening from 5:00-8:30 for AT. The Princess theater and the production show On the Bayou were standing room only, needed to get there a minimum 30 minutes prior to the show. The extra 200 plus onboard were noticed and after losing lounge space it was not made up anywhere else.

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KruzPrincess

KruzPrincess

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This was in my review as well.....

Yes it does affect dining. There were lines through the atrium every evening from 5:00-8:30 for AT. The Princess theater and the production show On the Bayou were standing room only, needed to get there a minimum 30 minutes prior to the show. The extra 200 plus onboard were noticed and after losing lounge space it was not made up anywhere else.

 

Thanks for your comments on that. I usually don't eat in the MDR very often so I pick Anytime Dining, but I'm thinking I might do 5:45 Traditional Dining for this cruise. I haven't done Traditional Dining in several years, but you make me think I might want to try it.

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Lizziebiff

Lizziebiff

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Thanks for your comments on that. I usually don't eat in the MDR very often so I pick Anytime Dining, but I'm thinking I might do 5:45 Traditional Dining for this cruise. I haven't done Traditional Dining in several years, but you make me think I might want to try it.

 

I love anytime dining but not on the Island, didn't get to main dining room the first 2 nights because of the queues, booked early by phone on the 3rd day, then spoke to maitre D and was given the same table every night, but only after a long discussion, his comment was he had over 200 elite and suite passengers who all wanted to be accommodated at their chosen time and since the refit he didnt have the capacity and the kitchen couldn't cope. We were lucky and ended up with a brilliant waiter. My advice would be to go for traditional dining if you do not want to queue.

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Lizziebiff

Lizziebiff

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We're you assigned a boarding time? or is this new?

Yes we were assigned a boarding time but we have preferred embarkation, having said that anyone who was there was allowed to board.

Just arrive when you are ready you will soon find yourself onboard when embarkation starts.

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