Back from Island Princess to Canal 1/14-1/24

[johnandlinda]

I promise to write a review very soon, but if anyone has questions will try to answer. This was first Princess cruise and for the most part we really enjoyed it

[silverbird]

I look forward to reading your review. I always like to hear of a "first-timers" experience.

 

SilverBird

[thecruiselover7]

I went on my first Princess cruise on Island in November. I look forward to reading your review.

[icw1957]

I just returned from the same cruise. What did you think?

 

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[Colo Cruiser]

Great.

[icw1957]

Me too. This was my first time on the Island Princess and I was impressed. A smaller ship is the way to go.

 

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[johnandlinda]

We definitely prefer the smaller ships! I cannot remember the class of ship similar in size on Carnival, but those were our favorite on that line too...Miracle is one of them. The highlight of course was the Canal...we did not do a tour. We were on Deck 7 as we went thru in the morning and in the afternoon we were on Deck 14 right past Lotus pool. Since we had a cargo ship going thru with us in parallel on the return was really able to get great views of the locks and how they work. The biggest negative we had was early dining time of 515 is too early and although the menu changed every night, we thought the food was ok to good, not great. But I can say that about all our recent travels...food quality is not as good. Food portions were not an issue, but we want quality, not quantity. We wanted to do Crab Shack but when we called we couldnt get a reservation before 830 or 900. We were on deck 10, C335, happy with everything there, huge balcony but we hardly used it. Loved the Lotus Pool!

[socmft]

We're in C335 on upcoming cruise - so glad you liked it! (How was the bed??!!!)

 

Thanks!

[icw1957]

We were in F514 , one of the new ones added during the drydock. It was very comfortable and centrally located. The bed was new and very comfortable.

 

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[johnandlinda]

How was the bed? I guess it was a normal bed for a cruise

We slept fine

The balcony is half covered, half not...no privacy from above

We had a lot of wind, so spent lil time out there

Plenty of storage and closet space

No problems with hot water or pressure

Very convenient location to elevators

Easy room to find as its right under an eergency exit sign in the hallway

[Pushka]

We are on Island for Alaska in June. Did you have ATD? The stories of long queues are a worry.

[icw1957]

We had traditional dining at 5:15. Unfortunately, the stories are true. The line ups were long for STD, at least at the early sitting.

 

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[partybarbie]

Good to know about the anytime dining. I think we will be doing late traditional in November.:cool:

[socaljo]

We sail on the Island in March...love hearing that all was good! :D

[socmft]

LOL - I asked about the bed because I have been reading some real horror stories about beds on some of the ships (Island being one) and was hoping we would have a decent one. Sorry I didn't explain when I asked.

[Pushka]

The long line ups were the same on Celebrity last year because they took away some dining space for a new Suite restaurant. Oh well. Might book some specialty restaurants to mix it up.

[Pushka]

Well, thanks to this thread I went back in to check the dining for TD and there is an 8pm slot, no waitlist. So have now changed.

[johnandlinda]

The shows on this cruise were pretty good....early show was 800 pm but if you were not seated by 730 seats were difficult to find

AIBP worked perfect for me...Linda didnt have. Loved being able to order just about anything and never sign, eexcept did sign in MDR. Could ask for specific brands, bartenders even offerred doubles sometimes...definitely worth it overall

[icw1957]

Try Alfredo's Pizza for lunch. Sanatinis turns into a pizza restaurant at lunch time. Delicious pizzas with excellent service. We ate lunch there 4 out of 10 days.

 

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[NauticalMiss]

Looking forward to reading your review as we are considering this ship through Panama Canal this coming Christmas. It will be our first with Princess :)

[ComeSailAwayWitMe]

I too was on the 1/14 cruise. I enjoyed it very much with really nothing to complain about. We has 5:15 seating and arrived a bit late. By time main course was served it was past 6:00. Some days we did eat later due to a long day at shore. Getting immediate seating didn't seem an issue. I did see lines but maybe some guests just like making life difficult. Bed is huge when the two are together. I was comfortable. Food was to me well above average with plenty of options to make anyone happy. Steaks were not the best but fish and poultry were decent

[jes04]

Good to hear. We are doing the full passage to LA. March 24 2016. Wondering if Sanctuary is worth it for the days at sea. We have 8

[renesir]

First time on the Island a Princess in July 20 2016

We are E309

Wondering if there are late shows? We have traditional dining at 8