It was a good cruise for us but not for others

Item: Island Princess
Rating: 3.4
Author: vanessasaenz

Island Princess Cruise Review to Caribbean - Southern

vanessasaenz

Contributor Level: Third Mate

Cruises: 7+ cruises

Reviews: 4

Helpful Votes: 109

Overall rating:

3.4 out of 5

Verified Review

14 Night Circle Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: December 22, 2022

Ship: Island Princess

Cabin type: Balcony

Cabin number: E229

Traveled as: Couple

Reviewed: 1 year ago

Review summary

I had a pleasant experience but the ship was old and breaking down constantly. We did not suffer for it but I heard from others that they had awful experiences with broken bathrooms, Televisions, the ship was squeaking all night from the motion of the ocean etc. The cabins are small and the buffet is the smallest I have ever seen. Furthermore most of the ports were very poor and run down islands that we really did not enjoy. There was nothing to do but MAYBE go to the beach, see one church and a plantation. Not good options AT ALL.

Embarkation

5 out of 5

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

4 out of 5

They seemed to be understaffed. Service in the main dining room was always slow. The first two nights were chaotic. I heard many complaints of super slow service and others not allowed to eat in the dining room because it was full.

Onboard Activities

3 out of 5

Most of the activities were sales pitches. the others were mostly trivia games.

Gymnasium

3 out of 5

Quite small and no view of the ocean.

Entertainment

3 out of 5

the shows with the exception of the ventriloquists were pretty good. The ventroloquists were awful.

Princess Theater

4 out of 5

Quite small, sometimes it was heard to get a seat. However the view was good from everywhere.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5

The service department as usual were super friendly and nice.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5

This is the smallest ship in the fleet. However the flow in the design was good.

Cabin / Stateroom

3 out of 5

The cabin was about the smallest I have ever been in. The shower was too small and uncomfortable.

Ship tip

Do not choose this ship. It is the OLDEST and SMALLEST ship Princess has. We were told that several times by the crew. Everything in it was breaking down constantly. The bathrooms, TV, buffet drink fountains. They need to retire this ship ASAP. The poor thing has had it.

Thumbs up

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

5 out of 5

Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas

4 out of 5

Basseterre, St. Kitts

1 out of 5

Fort-De-France, Martinique

1 out of 5

Kingstown, St. Vincent

1 out of 5

Bridgetown, Barbados

2 out of 5

Port of Spain

1 out of 5

St. George's, Grenada

3 out of 5

Oranjestad, Aruba

4 out of 5

Disembarkation

5 out of 5

smooth

6 Comments

outtoseapatty 6 months ago

Awesome ports of call! Im going on this ship later this yr. I will remember it's old and small. It has fewer people so therefore, I will expect a smaller buffet. But I see the benefits of going to smaller ports. I kind of go for the ports.

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WhippetMum 1 year ago

There are awesome things to do at those ports. Plus Island Princess is an awesome small ship with amazing crew.

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willwork4cruz 1 year ago

Note to self: If I book a small old ship, the buffet will be small and things might break. Also the Caribbean is full of islands with a lower standard of living than I'm used to.

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javawoody 1 year ago

Appreciate you sharing your experience

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Gwbigdog 1 year ago

Agree on the research thank you for sharing your crews

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4tanya 1 year ago

You missed a lot of fun adventurous educational and beautiful things at all your stops !!! Research research research your ports before you cruise and you’ll enjoy everyone of them !!!

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