Once In A Lifetime Panama Canal Experience. Absolutely enjoyed the talks by Bill Fall. It was a real pleasure to have him speak on the day that we were going through the canal. Definitely recommend it, if he is the guide on the ship.

Item: Island Princess
Rating: 4.7
Author: SamsonWong

Island Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

SamsonWong

Contributor Level: Purser

Cruises: 2-3 cruises

Reviews: 2

Helpful Votes: 31

Overall rating:

4.7 out of 5

15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean Eastbound (San Francisco To Ft. Lauderdale)

Sail date: December 05, 2018

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Oceanview

Cabin number: P536

Traveled as: Large Group

Reviewed: 2 years ago

Review summary

Excellent 15 day cruise from one part of the U.S through the Panama Canal to the other sided of the U.S.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

From Uber to onboard the ship in about 15 minutes.

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5

The MDRs was excellent as well as the buffet. I did not get any time to experience the specialty restaurants. Especially when one of the nights aboard just so happened to be my birthday.

Horizon Court

5 out of 5

Loved the Horizon Court. Plenty of tables on both sides.

Bordeaux Dining Room

5 out of 5

It was excellent. The main waiter was excellent. He knew my name in just a couple of days.

Onboard Activities

5 out of 5

I checked out almost everything. Spent a lot of my time inside the casino. Also spent a couple of days in the fitness center and trivia meets. It was a blast seeing Crazy Rich Asians and one of the Rock's movies.

Gymnasium

5 out of 5

It was good,

Casino

4 out of 5

It took a couple of days to figure out which area was non-smoking.

Entertainment

5 out of 5

Loved the steel drummer and the party band. The stage shows that I saw were fun.

Grand Atrium

5 out of 5

The highlight of the cruise. It was where the action was.

Service and Staff

4 out of 5

All the waiters, room stewards and almost all of the ship personnel were good. The only negative encounter was on my birthday as there was no balloon and/or note on the door. I had to call and complain. The person answering the phone at the front desk was absolutely mean. I told the person that the room next door to me had one, but why not me. Someone must have gotten the message after I hung up. I received two desserts after dinner in the main dining room as well as the birthday song from some of the staff. And saw the balloons, etc. on the door.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

Yes, all the common areas were clean.

Cabin / Stateroom

4 out of 5

The room size was comfortable and the room was kept always nice. The shower was tiny by cruise ship standard.