We learned to not arrange a trip specifically to view northern lights. Cloudy and some rain every day meant very little time (less than 2 hours) to see the lights and "severely dampened the excursions."
Embarkation
5 out of 5
Embarkation went fast and smooth because there were no lines. Airline arrival was 2 hours late.
Ship experiences
Food and Dining
4 out of 5
Dining room service and menus were excellent. Some buffet items (dry French toast, unripe kiwis) not up to standard. Glad to have self service in buffet. We didn't go to specialty restaurants.
Onboard Activities
4 out of 5
Very glad to see the fitness center moved from deck 15 to deck 6 so it was open 24/7.
Entertainment
4 out of 5
Some theater and lounge entertainment were excellent, some just good, as typical.
Service and Staff
5 out of 5
Waiters were always attentive and efficient. Medallion feature was superb to notify room steward to clean room.
Ship Quality
5 out of 5
We've cruised on the Island Princess previously. Theater re-design allowed more seats. Moving fitness center to deck 6 a HUGE plus. All areas were clean. Our cabin on deck 11 was very quiet.
Cabin / Stateroom
4 out of 5
Cabin was kept clean. We asked for, and didn't get a raised toilet seat. Shelf and drawer space seemed smaller than on past Princess cruises. Room temperature control worked well. Very quiet.
Ship tip
Moving the fitness center to deck 6 to allow 24/7 access was the most significant change from the previous time we were on the Island Princess.
Thanks for your review. Glad you had enjoyed your cruise. Yes, the Northern Lights are never guaranteed. We had a good viewing in Iceland (in Reykjavik and were not on a cruise) in the fall of 2021 but your plans must always be flexible and you have to be willing to stand outside in the cold and have a lot of patience!
Good lesson. Seeing the northern lights is a rare experience requiring many factors to align simultaneously. We can never assume it will be visible at any planned time. Sorry so much rain but of course that's what makes the greenery and waterfalls.
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