Alaska was amazing!

Item: Island Princess
Rating: 3.3
Author: SailLynn

Island Princess Cruise Review to Alaska - Gulf of Alaska

SailLynn

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 4-6 cruises

Review: 1

Helpful Votes: 35

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5

7 Night Voyage Of The Glaciers Northbound (Vancouver To Anchorage)

Sail date: August 16, 2017

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: P609

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 7 years ago

Review summary

The Alaska scenery was breathtaking. We enjoyed being on a ship. The rude behavior of some of the staff we encountered on the Island Princess overshadows this cruise. We may head back to Alaska again but not on the Island Princess.

Embarkation

4 out of 5

This went fairly fast. The only anxious moment was when our luggage was taken from us and we wern't given any claim tickets. This may not make others nervous. It all turned out fine though. Our luggage was in our room by 9:00 p.m..

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5

I want to say great things about our food experience on the Island Princess but this was an area we were most disappointed. We requested a table for six and were assigned to a table for six and sat alone. The food was good but not exceptional. Not what We were expecting from a cruise line that rates themselves as midrange. The breakfast menu selections were very sparce in the main dining rooms and what we ordered fell below mediocre (2 out of 10), unless you got an omelet which could also be custom made in the buffet. We'd give the breakfasts in the buffet a 7 out of 10, much more variety and by far tastier. The meals in the main dining room were good with a good variety most days. The wait staff were very attentive,; however, we found the ladies standing at the lido buffet entrances to be rude.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

There were two pools (one enclosed and one in the open); several hot tubs. We didn't use any of the water features but others did (Alaska cruise). The ship offered yoga and fitness classes. The gym was always full. (What is typically the Promenade deck has been cut off to add additional rooms, you couldn't do laps on the ships deck).

Entertainment

4 out of 5

Our favorite entertainer on the ship ( unfortunately he only did two shows, but they were one's not to miss!). Was Phil Tag, a comedienne. Very funny guy. The other shows had elaborate sets and costumes which made them very entertaining. We spent several evening going to the Explorers Bar to dance to live music. It was never crouded and several bands rotated during the cruise.

Service and Staff

3 out of 5

The waiter was exceptional and so was our room steward. We did encounter rudness by several Princess personnel, the IT director (a young man manning the computers); and several others. Very dissapointing and unexpected behavior when we were only enquiring about services.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5

The Island Princess is a pretty ship but we think her age is showing. As far as the layout, we were mid ship so we didn't have to travel far to get to anywhere we needed to go.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

After we booked with our travel agent, we were concerned about the location beging a noisy cabin because I'm about the lightest sleeper in the world and any noise keeps me awake. All concerns vanished after the first night. The cabin was extremely quiet and because it was so near center ship and on a lower floor, neither one of us had seasick issues.

Ship tip

I'd avoid assigned seating for dining. It was a joy to meet many new faces during our lunches in the main dining room ( when it's ooen seating); unlike our evening meal.

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