An experience

Island Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 41

Overall rating:

3.3 out of 5
Island Princess

10 Night Panama Canal With Costa Rica & Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: March 20, 2019

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Suite

Traveled as: Family (older children)

Reviewed: 5 years ago

Review summary

The objective of cruising thru the canal was met, the suite was miserable, service excellent.

Embarkation

5 out of 5
The process was well thought out and pain-free

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

3 out of 5
The food was just okay. Nothing stood out even the specialty restaurants. The service however was another story. Our server Sandra & Jako were outstanding and they made the dining experience very special.

Provence Dining Room

3 out of 5

The food was average at best but the service provided by Sandra & Jako was spectacular.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Entertainment

4 out of 5
The ship's stage shows were fantastic but too short. The musicians playing in the atrium often played the music at too fast a beat. The lounge performer played the piano well but struggled with singing.

Children's Programs

No children

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
Everyone from the room stewards to waitstaff were very accommodating and fulfilled every request.

Ship Quality

3 out of 5
It's a small ship that's a bit outdated but overall was maintained well and clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

1 out of 5
Not by our choice we were assigned PR727 a disabled suite located a deck above the engine room and as such was extremely noisy. Balcony doors could not be opened during transit as the noise level increased substantially. This suite is certainly not worth the price.

Ship tip

Don't let Princess assign you a Suite.... it will ruin your trip.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

3 out of 5
No excursion

George Town, Grand Cayman Did not visit port

We were told sea's were too rough to bring in tenders.

Cartagena, Colombia

3 out of 5
Port was ok. Locals trying to sell are annoying and had to be told multiple times to back off. Took the hop on hop off bus which given the limited amount of time gave a good sense of the city.

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

5 out of 5
To be able to experience such an historical and amazing feet of engineering was fantastic. The narration that accompanied the transit was excellent and brought to life the struggles it took to build the canal. This was truly a bucket list experience.

Colon, Panama Did not visit port

Stayed on the ship

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

5 out of 5
Port is located in a rough neighborhood so we took the Hacienda excursion. It was a long bus ride into the mountains but well worth the scenary

Ocho Rios, Jamaica

2 out of 5
Attacked by local's as soon as you step off the ship. Walked around town being constantly harassed by salesmen.

Disembarkation

3 out of 5
They really want you off the ship.
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2 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

lakestu    5 years ago

So you saved $50 for them to assign your room...Always do it yourself, not at the back, elevators or where people congregate

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