Panama Canal on Island Princess
Island Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America
15 Night Panama Canal - 2 Day Canal Experience (Ft. Lauderdale To Los Angeles)
Sail date: October 02, 2016
Ship: Island Princess
Cabin type: Suite
Cabin number: C209
Traveled as: Couple
Reviewed: 8 years ago
Review summary
We thoroughly enjoyed our cruise on the Island Princess. We have sailed Princess at least 4-5 times in the past and while they are a good middle of the road cruise line, I think they have dropped somewhat in overall quality the past few years, perhaps since "joining up" (acquired) by Carnival Cruises. Food quality, especially room service, is far less than it was several years ago. Dining room food also lower in quality and choices from our perspective. Can't speak to the buffet as we almost never go there. Overall service and staff still quite good. Evening entertainment was very enjoyable (productions, etc). Would have like a few more ports on the itinerary and a few less days at sea (this was a 15 night cruise). Port Chiapas in Mexico a huge disappointment, quite primitive and the "ruins" they touted in one of the excursions was a total waste of time and $ as the "ruins" are nearly totally under ground and not even visible! Port stop in Costa Rica was great. We booked our own excursion privately and loved it, just 4 of us and we used Odyssey Tours for a "walk in the clouds" over suspension bridges, a zip line which was different and more extnsive than the one offered through Princess and included a "Tarzan" swing which was exhilarating! Panama Canal transit was very good, informative presentation going on throughout on the TV in cabins.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
Onboard Activities
Entertainment
Service and Staff
Ship Quality
Cabin / Stateroom
Ship tip
If you choose any time dining, either plan to go very early or after 7:45 , or you will encounter very long lines. In hindsight, we would just have selected late dining. That would still allow you time for a pre-dinner cocktail and the early evening production show/entertainment.
Ports of call
Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida
Fort Amador
Puerto Chiapas, Mexico