Mixed review

Item: Island Princess
Rating: 3
Author: nsws

Island Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

nsws

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 22

Overall rating:

3 out of 5

Verified Review

10 Night Panama Canal Partial Transit (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 04, 2016

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: D403

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 8 years ago

Review summary

Please see the comments below. We had a mixed experience with Princess. This was our first Princess experience, and will probably be our last. The outstanding feature on the Island Princess was the Sanctuary, which we used quite a bit.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The service and the food for the most part were the saving grace of the cruise. Jordan, our waiter, was excellent. The food was good for the most part.

Onboard Activities

1 out of 5

We felt "nickel and dimed" by Princess. After paying $40 to play Bingo, we were charged $2 for a marking pencil. The Spa seemed to be intent on selling products. Aggressively so. Even the acupuncturist - supposedly a medical professional - charged a 15% tip. Unbelievably unprofessional. After winning a $50 credit at the Spa, I got several different answers from different attendants regarding the use of the credit. I finally realized that my winnings only applied to the most expensive treatments - and only on port days. I never used the credit. Princess Cruises are too hungry for my taste.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Service and Staff

1 out of 5

Our cabin attendant, Nikki, was excellent, attentive and responsive. Some of the service desk personnel left much to be desired. Not responsive. Not friendly. Even rude in one instance. Smiles were few and far between. Very disappointed on that front.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

Nikki, our attendant, was great.

Ship tip

The ship was freezing. We were unprepared for "cold weather", with little or no protection. Consequently we stayed in our stateroom more than we have on other cruises. This was our first Princess cruise. It may be the last.

Thumbs up

5 Comments

noname111 8 years ago

Thank you for posting your review. Your comments are fair and consistent with some of our experience. We cruised the canal just prior to your trip and had a great time.

All cruise lines nickel and dime passengers these days. This is a fact of life unless you switch to the higher end lines that are truly all-inclusive. With a 7+ cruises under your belt, I'm surprised you haven't noticed that business practice before now.

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

ladyhagan 8 years ago

Royal Caribbean, Freedom of the Seas, awesome from start to finish, caution to stay away from Art Gallery. My opinion.

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

Daniel159 8 years ago

I am curious. What cruise line does better and why?

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

TeamDavonavo 8 years ago

Can't find your "comments below".

Thumbs Up 1

Flag

deboftheseas 8 years ago

Were you referring to PKVacations comments and photos? I hope your experience was better than theirs wad

Thumbs Up 0

Flag

Other reviews of this sailing

Met all of my expectations.