Pacific to Atlantic via Panama Canal

Island Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 7+ cruises
Reviews: 5
Helpful Votes: 250

Overall rating:

5 out of 5
Verified Review
Island Princess

15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean (Los Angeles To Ft. Lauderdale)

Sail date: January 04, 2017

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Cabin number: D311

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

This trip was a special event that had been planned for a year. Transiting through the Panama Canal was the highlight of the cruise and was well worth it. The ship was sold out and had a very mature crowd aboard of mostly senior citizens. There are no more midnite buffets but there are still formal nights (3) which are nothing more than an attempt for the cruise line to earn money by selling pictures taken by their staff. On board entertainment was better than our last cruise and there was a nice variety of shows. The lecture series was something new but well received. Be sure to take copies of all paper work along because the cruise line does not recognize any document that is not theirs. Internet service is still not good and very expensive. 

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

3 out of 5

Children's Programs

Not applicable

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Cabin was always clean & neat. Twice daily visits from our room steward. The duvet on the bed was too warm so we had a normal sheet added which helped with the comfort. Bed was very hard, pillows very soft. During rough seas the room creaked and groaned quite a bit. Balcony was nice but covered in salt spray every morning.

Ship tip

You must sail on this ship or its sister ship if you wish to transit the Panama Canal Locks. The panoramic (glass) lifts in the center of the ship (the Atrium) only cover floors 5 - 8. You must move to other lifts in order to reach cabins. There is only one way in/out of the dining rooms.

Ports of call

San Pedro (Los Angeles), California

3 out of 5

Puerto Vallarta, Mexico

3 out of 5

Huatulco, Mexico

1 out of 5
Unless you booked a tour there is nothing much at the shops at the end of the dock.

San Juan Del Sur, Nicaragua

5 out of 5

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

5 out of 5
Tour buses are allowed to drive up onto the dock so no long walk is required.

Panama Canal Transit

5 out of 5
You definitely need a balcony room to fully enjoy the transit through the canal.

Cartagena, Colombia

5 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

5 out of 5
White sand beaches are terrific. No shade unless you rent an umbrella on the beach. Everything is expensive.

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5
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