“N” is For Newsletter-Our Around the Ship Adventure

From the moment you board your ship, there are things to know, new foods and drinks to experience and activities to engage in.  How do you keep it all straight?

Each evening a newletter will be delivered to your stateroom.  This will list the activities for the next day. Here you will find pool games, trivia contests, a list of movies which are playing, lectures, classes and what time the entertainment starts.

The newsletter will map out ALL the activities on board for the day.  There will be many and they will often be happening at the same time.

We suggest carrying a highlighter to mark those which interest you.  If two or more of you are trying to decide what to do, use a different colored highlighter for each person.

The newsletter will also let you know what time bars, restaurants, the casino, the photo booth and stores will be open.

It will often contain coupons, daily specials and discounts for photos, the spa, drinks and the shops.

There will be details about the weather and what time you are expected to be back on the ship.  The newsletter will tell you whether it is a formal, dressy or casual evening.  It may even give you some history about the locations you are visiting.

Learn to love and use this daily information resource to get the most from your vacation.

 

“I” is For Island Princess-A Cruise Ship Review

One of the most important things about cruising is choosing the right ship for your personal needs.  From amenities to cabins, itineraries and passenger capacity, knowing what your ship offers can have a big impact on how you enjoy your vacation.

Every cruise line has a brand.  Some are party boats, others offer upscale luxury.  Some ships specialize in their food, others focus on entertainment. Some cruises cater to families, others to retirees. Princess is an American-British company, owned by Carnival Corporation, which is the second largest agency by net revenue.  Carnival owns 10 different sub agencies, Princess is one of them.  They are an experienced cruise line and cater to a middle to upper income crowd.

Princess is a classic line, offering an Old English/European feel.  I have consistently found the brand to be slightly elevated and catering to an older clientele. There is less emphasis on poolside parties and more on educational lectures and cultural experiences.   With this cruise line we can expect nice staterooms, decent food, great entertainment and amazing itineraries.

It is important to define what you are seeking before shopping for a cruise.  If you are looking for a party boat, Princess is likely not your brand (however Carnival does offer several other companies which would meet your needs).  While there are enough poolside activities and bars to keep the ship interesting, the focus tends to be on providing an upscale resort-like experience.

Princess offers 16 ships ranging from 2,000 passengers up to 3660, so there are a nice variety of size options. Island Princess was one of the first.  She is a relatively small vessel.  In general, smaller ships are able to navigate to more destinations but larger ships may offer additional amenities and activities.

When we chose to embark on the Island Princess, it was the itinerary, size and price which attracted us the most.

Princess ships sail to over 700 ports. The Island Princess is one of the smaller ships in the Princess fleet. With a capacity of 2200 passengers it is a very intimate ship.   She has a twin sister called the Coral Princess.

Island Princess is narrower than many other cruise ships and her small size allows her to explore the fjords of Norway and Alaska (which is how we discovered the cruise line).  She is also able to dock at smaller ports.  Of late Island Princess has been doing mostly world tours.  Of interest might be that she is one of the few cruise ships which can sail through the old Panama Canal locks, larger ships must use the new ones.

Perhaps one drawback to the smaller ship would be that passengers should expect to feel more wave action, so if you are prone to seasickness, the Island Princess may be less appealing than one of the newer (larger) ships in the fleet.

Having been built in 2003, Island Princess is one of the oldest ships in the Princess line.  She was completely remodeled in 2017 and put back into service with a brand new itinerary. Our Pacific Island Adventure is one leg of a 111 day around the world cruise.  This feature in itself is unique, since Princess allows passengers to purchase various segments along the itinerary, if they are unable to commit to the entire trip.

World cruises can mean a lot of days at sea.  From bow to stern, Princess put a lot of effort into creating a luxurious environment.  The European flare is represented in the Italian styled Piazza located at the center of the ship and the beautiful Sabatinni restaurant.   Polished brass and rich wood work brings an Old World style to many of the bars and lounges including the Wheelhouse Bar and a New Orleans styled Bayou Steakhouse.

The entire ship is always a hub of activity, but with a nice variety of spaces, it is able to be as active or as serene as you need. By day there are a variety of shops and plenty of lounges and gathering places for activities such as trivia challenges and guest lecturers.  There are numerous options of where to eat including the above mentioned restaurants, two main dining rooms, a grill, a pizzeria and a buffet.  We might pass the time with a wine tasting, pub lunches and/or afternoon tea.  When we need a quieter pace we could choose to visit the adults only sanctuary at the top of the ship, a well appointed library or indulge in pampering in a small spa. We might lounge by one of several (freshwater) pools situated both indoor and out, or we might decide to walk around the promenade deck or exercise in the fitness center.

By night Princess continues to entertain with a variety of Broadway style shows, magicians, comedians, piano bars, jazz bands, a casino and more.  Unique to the Princess brand is the Champagne Waterfall, offered on one of the formal evenings.  This is yet another nod to the elevated luxury we find aboard this ship.  We also find people dress up more on these evenings than they do on other cruise lines.   When we seek quieter activities, we might choose to snuggle under provided blankets, while eating popcorn or cookies and milk and taking in a Movie Under the Stars.   This is one of our favorite ways to unwind when we are on the seas.

After all of this activity we are often ready to retreat to our stateroom.  The entire Princess line offers some of the most comfortable mattresses and linens of any cruise line.

We always book a balcony cabin.  For us, this little piece of heaven offers a respite from the hustle and bustle of the ship.  Being able to step out into fresh air and watch icebergs, sunrises/sunsets, whales and scenery from the privacy of our balcony offers the unique luxury that we equate with cruising.   We often order room service and enjoy a private picnic from this space.

Other people may not be that bothered about their stateroom, especially if they are only using it to sleep.  Interior cabins can offer deep discounts and Ocean view cabins may offer a similar views without the fresh air.  We have been spoiled by our balconies and this is now one feature our ships must always have.

One of my few complaints about the Island Princess is that she has some of the smallest showers ever, but you will always find good water pressure and hot water on demand, so it is (almost) something which can be overlooked.

This is our fourth cruise with this company (and its former company, P &O).  My favorite things about cruising with Princess are the consistency across the ships, the all inclusive options and the amazing itineraries. Being a little older, I also appreciate that the ships cater to (mostly) adults.

The Island Princess may be old, by ship standards, but she is well equipped to navigate the world and provide an outstanding and immersive adventure.   In the coming days we will continue to explore in depth, some of what this stately Princess has to offer.

“R” is For Reservation-Cruise Tips and Tricks

There are a few activities around the ship which will fill up quickly, specialty dining, salon and spa services, private areas and on board tours to name a few.

Booking these activities is one of the first things we do after boarding the ship.  Sometimes we use the time between embarking and waiting for our room to be ready, to get this done.  The faster you make reservations, the more options you will have.

The other great thing about booking on the first day of your cruise, is that there are often coupons and promotions happening that day.   Your embarkation newsletter can help you to decide which days to make reservations.  Formal nights and at sea days will be some of the busiest in the following venues:

If you have specialty dining options (as we did with Sabatinni’s and the Bayou Steakhouse), you will want to book a table as soon as you are on board.  These restaurants often charge a nominal fee above and beyond your usual dining options but if you are looking for a special treat and/or planning a celebration, it can be fun to have dinner in one (or all) of the unique venues.  These restaurants are often closed on port days.

Formal nights can be very busy times in the salon as women get their hair styled, nails done and indulge in pampering.  Massages and spa services may be hard to come by on any sea day.  Some of the best sales and discounts will be offered on port days.

Also, if you desire to spend time in the adults only “Sanctuary”  (specific to Princess Cruises), you will want to book this as soon as you arrive for your trip.  Again, this can be a busy location on sea days.

Finally, if any galley, backstage or bridge tours are being offered, this is a great time to make reservations for those too as spaces will be very limited.

It is important to note that the above items are generally not included in your standard travel costs, so expect to pay extra.

Because there are limited spaces and time slots available at these specialty locations and thousands of guests wanting the same experiences, these activities are often very busy and sell out quickly.  Make your reservations early.

ABC Adventures-At Sea-An Overview of Ways to Spend Your Time During Sea Days

The Island Princess set sail from Los Angeles, California for a 111 day, around the world tour on Thursday January 19, 2023.  Alan and I would be completing over 50 days of the journey as we traveled from Los Angeles to Dubai..   More than half of our days days would be at sea so we decided to create an ABC list of ways to spend our time.

There is never a reason to be bored while at sea! Below you can find our list of things to do and places to explore.  Some are specific to the Island Princess but many are adaptable to any cruise ship. Highlighted items link to additional stories and further adventures of our time while on board.

A-Art/Art tour/Atrium (see also Centrum)/Auction/Afternoon Tea/A la cart/Around the Ship/Aperitif/al fresco dining/Arts & Crafts/Accupuncture/Amuleto/Alfredo’s Pizzaria

B-Balcony/Bars/Bayou Café and Steakhouse/Buffet/Basketball/Beauty salon/Bordeaux Dining Room (Open for lunch on sea days and has open seating for dinner)/Breakfast in bed or on the balcony/Bridge tour/Backstage tour/Bingo/Board games/Boutiques/Blackjack/Ballroom Dance/Broadway show/Balloon drop/ Burgers/Bible study/Boat building challenge/Bridge Tournament/Basketball/Board Games/Bean Bag Toss

C-Classes/Cocktails/Comedian/Coffee/Cappachino/Crew/CruiseDirector/ Chocolate/Casino/Captain/Chapel/Crooners Lounge/Champagne/Cocktails/Cooking Demonstration/Cards/Celebrate School/choir/Champagne waterfall/Calypso Cove (shop)/Classical music/Churchill Lounge (cigar/smoking lounge)/Card games/Cabin/Cabin Steward/Centrum (see also Atrium)/Can You Survive (see also games)/Cross the Line Celebration/Center Court/Carpet Bowl Challenge/Chinese Herbal Remedies/Card Making Class/Concerts/card games

D-Drink/Dance/Dance classes/Dining/Delight/ Duty Free shopping/Drink of the day/Dance parties/dock/Dress For Dinner/Discovery at Sea/Destination lectures

E-Eat/Entertainment/Espresso/Exercise/Explorers Lounge/Equator/e-course/Essence (shop)/Effy (shop)/Evening parties/Explore/Egg drop challenge/Excursion Desk

F-Food carving/Facts/Fitness Center/Flowers/flash mobs/friends/Formal Night/Facet’s (shop)/Facials

G-Games (Can You Survive/High Seas Heist) /Game Shows/Grill/Golf course/galley tour/Games Under the Stars/Guest Services/Good Spirits at Sea

H-Horizon Court/Hot tub/history/Hypnotist/High Seas Heist (see also games)/Hula lessons & dancing/Hawaiian enrichment classes

I-Ice cream/Ice sculptures/International Dateline/Internet café/Iced coffee/Italian Trattotoria/Island Princess

J-Jazz/Jog/Joy/Jeopardy show/Jewelry/Journal/Jewelry Making Class

K-Kissing/karaoke

L-Lectures/Library/Lifeboats/La Patisserie/Learn something new/Lotus Health and Fitness/Lotus Spa/Lotus Salon/Lido Bar/Lido Pool/Live Music/Latte’/Lounges/Line Dance/Language Class/Lei making class/Live Music/Lotto/Lottery/Laundry

M-Movies under the stars/Music/Magic Show/Magician/Muster/Mini golf/Martini Demonstration/Murder Mystery/Meridian Bay (shop)/Marriage Game/Massage/moon/Musician/Musical Tributes

N-Newsletter/nap/Nautical/Nighttime

O-Open Ocean, On deck

P-Pizzaria or pizza/Pool/Provence Dining Room/Patisserie/Pastries/Pictures/Princess Patter (newsletter)/poker/Photography/Photos/Photo Gallery/pub/promenade/port talks/Princess/Play/poker/Princess Theater/Princess Plaza/Piazza/Princess Casino/Ping Pong

Q-Quiet/Quiz

R-Read/Room Service/relax/rest/roulette/reception/receipt/Room service/Rough seas/rejuvenate

S-Shops/Shopping/Spa/Swim/Sunbathe/Sunsets/Sunrises/Stargaze/Stateroom/ Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria/Ship/Swimming pool/ Shows/ Sundaes/ Stargaze/shuffleboard/staircase/Ship/Ship tour/slot machines/Scavenger Hunt/Sanctuary/Scattergories/Sanctuary Pool/Splash Pool/Salon/Spin class/Smoothies/Steakhouse/Shore Excursion Desk/Swirl’s Ice Cream Bar/Good Spirits/Stateroom

T-The Sanctuary/Tennis court/The Grill/table tennis/towel art/trivia/tea/tour/table tennis/Theater/tapas/Teen Lounge/Tai Chi

U-Ultimate Balcony Dining/Universe Lounge/Ukulele lessons

V-Video Games/Vow renewal/Vocalist

W-Write/Wine/Wine tasting/Wheelhouse Bar/Wake show/Walk a mile/wake/Wine/wine tasting/Wake/Wedding Chapel/Weight Loss Seminar/Watercolor Painting/Watch the world go by

X-Xbox

Y-Yoga/Youth Center

Z-Zzz’s/Zen/Zumba

“S” is For Stateroom-Island Princess Ship Overview

Choosing a cabin can be one of the most important decisions you might make while on a cruise.  Some will argue that you only sleep in them, so location and size don’t matter.  I disagree.

In our years of cruising we have experienced everything from an interior cabin to a mini suite and we have had an opportunity to tour others.

We tend to favor balcony rooms.  There is nothing quite like watching a sunrise or sunset from your own sacred space.

While sailing through very scenic locations such as the fjords of Norway or Alaska we have found our own private haven on our balcony. There are no crowds to fight and no obstructions to our photography.

When we tire of people, we simply pull up a chair on our balcony and retreat for bit of respite from the crowds and activities.

When the Pandemic hit, many passengers were quarantined to their staterooms.  Those who had interior rooms went stir crazy.  Those with balconies were at least able to get outside for some fresh air.

In 2017, the Island Princess underwent a complete refurbishment.  Televisions, carpet, furniture, linens, drapes, beds and all the amenities were upgraded and given a fresh new look.

The soft palette of mushroom, beige and taupe encourages relaxation as do the amazing Sleepeezee beds found in the suites and Matermoll brand mattresses found in all other rooms.  (These are made exclusively for Princess) The 100% Egyptian cotton bed linens and European inspired duvet are a divine luxury to slip into at the end of a long day.

While somewhat smaller than other cruise lines, Princess cruises offer beautiful staterooms.  All cabins are equipped with satellite tv’s, a hair drier, a desk/vanity area and a refrigerator,

On the Island Princess there were 11 suites, 53 balcony rooms, 43 oceanview rooms and 10 inside cabins added during the renovations.  This made the original cabins just slightly smaller,  bringing the total to 1,107 cabins. Twenty of these are wheelchair accessible.

Interior rooms are favored by those who spend little time in their room.  They are the least expensive on most cruises.  Inside rooms on the Island Princess  are 156-165 square feet.

Ocean view cabins range in size from 162-200 square feet.  These are available on deck 5 through 9.  If you are considering an Ocean view room, there is a bank of  cabins on the Fiesta Deck that are worth seeking out. Cabins F502 through F526 have the largest windows of any of the ocean view rooms. Equally important, the bathrooms are a newer design that includes a larger shower than the ship’s balcony cabins have. The TV is affixed to the wall in front of the bed, instead of in the corner as in the balcony cabins. And there are newer hair dryers, which is one item that wasn’t upgraded in many of the rooms, during the renovation .

Balcony rooms range from 210 square feet to 235 square feet. They also have 35-72 square feet of additional outdoor space, which is some of the largest in the industry.   Each balcony comes equipped with 2 chairs and a table.  Balcony cabins are available on decks 7-12 and 14.

In our balcony room, the large tv’s are a nice upgrade from the tiny versions usually offered on many other cruise lines.

There are also mini suites and suites available which range from 280-over 500 square feet respectively.  These both come with upgraded amenities and luxuries not found in the other cabins.  After getting a great deal on the second leg of our trip, we would upgrade to a mini suite on the second leg of our journey.

One thing that all rooms offer is a massive amount of closet and storage space.  The closet in our balcony room was over 5 feet!   The walk in area is across from the bathroom and a wall divides it from the bedroom.  In this area there is also a closet which holds the life vests and room safe.  Additional shelves located below offer ample space for folded clothing. We found these areas ample enough to store all of our items, even on a 55 day cruise.

There are additional storage cubbies and drawers in the nightstands and in the desk area.  The beds are slightly elevated which allows empty suitcases to be stored underneath, making the room easy to organize.  Passengers are often surprised to learn that the walls and ceilings are magnetic. Strong magnetic hooks and binders can offer extensive options for hanging clothelines, photos and more.

Perhaps one thing which is still lacking is enough outlets, there are still only two and they are inconveniently placed near the desk.  The hair drier occupies one of them and plugs often don’t work easily in the second outlet. This inconvenience if easily rectified by bringing along an extension cord or power strip.  Just make sure there is no surge protector on them, or they will be confiscated.  Fire is a real concern on cruise ships. Depending on the cabin you choose, there may be an additional outlet located behind the t.v. and possibly one used by housekeeping, located near the floor by the door or behind the bed.

The Island Princess has very small bathrooms.  I remember a comedian on our very first cruise, he suggested soaping the walls and spinning to use the tiny showers.  This is a pretty accurate description.  The water pressure and heat just about compensate for the size.  Mini suites have a bathtub/shower combo which is a bit more comfortable.  There are three shelves located alongside the vanity for storing supplies.  The large shelf under the sink provides ample room for toiletry bags and larger items.  There is a single shaving outlet in each bathroom.

A few things to consider when choosing your stateroom:

A forward location will feel more wave action, mid is the most stable and aft may experience more engine noise.  Study your deck map to see if you are located near elevators, laundry or teen centers.  Is the buffet or bar situated overhead?  You may hear rolling carts and music respectively.  Any of these locations can be noisy and may disrupt your tranquility.  In general the higher decks may also feel more swaying.  If you are prone to seasickness or motion problems it is best to get an ocean view or balcony room.

If you are choosing a room with a balcony or window consider which side will have the most scenery as you cruise.  For some it may be important to see the sun rise or set.

All in all, we really enjoy being in our balcony stateroom B519, starboard side, midship on the Baja Deck.

For the second half of the trip we will move to a mini suite on the port side, aft and one deck lower on the Caribe Deck.  I will add photos once we relocate.

“E” is for Embarkation Day-A Guide for Cruisers

Embarkation Day on a cruise is an exciting and busy day.  Below are a  the steps to help you get the most from the process.   If an item is highlighted, look for additional links about the topic.

1) Check in.  This process has become simplified over the years.  Often many of the steps have already been completed online.  The procedures vary between cruise lines, but checking in usually involves re-checking paperwork (passports, tickets etc.) Once you are checked in, you are free to come and go off the ship until the “all aboard time”.

2) Just past the check in you will be greeted by the ships photographers. This is your “Welcome Aboard” photo.    Usually there is some prop to commemorate the start of your cruise.  If you do not want a photo, feel free to continue past the photographers.

3) The moment the ship leaves port, your phone will begin roaming.  Unexpected phone calls, background activity and more can incur unexpected fees.   If you have selected a wifi package on the ship, put the phone in airplane mode and then you will be able to connect to the ships wi fi. If you turn on wi fi calling you will still be able to receive calls and texts.

While You Wait For Your Room-It is not uncommon to have to wait an hour or two to get into your room.  Here are a few things you can do while you wait:

4) Make reservations for the sanctuary, spa treatments, ship tours and specialty restaurants as soon as you are on board. These things often fill up and sell out fast.

5) Explore the ship (often you won’t be able to enter your room for an hour or two). Use this waiting time to locate the fun stuff.  Its a great time to take pictures of the venues before they are teaming with passengers.

6) Get something to eat.  There is food almost everywhere on board.  Stop by the buffet, the grill or the pizzaria for a quick bite,  or enjoy a leisurely sit down meal in the dining room.  Food is a large part of your cruise fees, you may as well enjoy your meals.

7) Enjoy a glass of champagne or cocktail. Many times long time cruisers will have a signature drink.   Even if you don’t see it on a menu, many bar tenders will be able to make drinks based on your description, they are masters of their craft!

Want something unique to drink?  On our ship, the Explorer’s Lounge features themed drinks from exotic destinations, specialty liqueurs and spirits  which are offered nowhere else on board.

Once You Can Get in Your Room

8) Make a note of landmarks and orient yourself

Where is the nearest bank of elevators? Which way do you turn as you exit this elevator bank?  Is

your room on the right or left, starboard or port? *It helps to remember there are 4 letters in both

the words left and port).  Is your room forward (front), midship or aft (back)? Are there photos or statues

which can help you remember the correct deck and side which your cabin is on?

Which way is the front of the ship and which way is the back?  Sometimes there are

little clues such as waves curling toward the front, or fish lining the halls which all swim facing

toward the front  *Believe me, when you have had a few drinks you will appreciate having the

landmarks.  Now orient the other major features of your ship.  Are the restaurants forward or aft of your room?  Is

the laundry forward or aft of your room?  Are the elevators forward or aft?  What about the pool?

9) Take a picture of the room (before it gets messed up!)-It will never look like this again!

10) Do a cabin “check”

  • Make sure beds are set up correctly.
  • Check pillows (you can request feather pillows or additional pillows if needed).
  • Check the bed for firmness/softness (mattress toppers or boards can be brought in to adjust)
  • Examine the outlet locations-do you have correct adapters?  Are all the outlets working?
  • Check the ac-is it noisy?  Is it working correctly?  *If it is set high and not cool in the room, it may not be working.
  • Turn the tv on to make sure it is working.
  • Check the safe.  Is it working correctly?
  • Flush the toilet and run the water in the bathroom-are both flowing correctly?

11) Meet your cabin steward

This is a great time to request any additional items you may need:

  • Bed arrangements (beds are pushed together to make a queen or separated to make two twin beds).
  • Extra hangers
  • Extra towels
  • Extra blankets
  • Extra pillows
  • Do you want your ice bucket filled morning and evening?
  • If ac/safe/toilet/outlets/tv are not working, this should also be addressed at this time.

12)  Check Your Mail

A newsletter is usually provided daily.  It will be list all the activities occurring around the ship.

  • Decide what you will do for lunch/dinner.
  • Decide which activities you will enjoy today.
  • Look for special offers.
  • See when formal nights are, this may help decide when you will make reservations at other restaurants.

Your mail may also include perks your membership is offering (such as an invitation to meet the Captain or free drinks)

Often excursion tickets will be delivered with your mail.  Be sure to review them and note the cancellation deadline.

13) Complete any requested paperwork.

14) Clean (optional)

  • Wipe all “touchable” areas with disinfecting wipe (door handles, phones, light switches, remote control, toilet seat, faucet)

15)   Load the Safe

  • Stash your good jewelry, cash, keys, wallet, passport, sensitive documents etc. in your safe.
  • Make sure your safe is working properly.  If not, report it to the cabin steward.

 

Once Your Luggage Arrives

15) Unpack completely

  • The joy of cruising is that you only have to unpack once.  Do it now so you can start your vacation.
  • See our tips for organizing your cabin here.
  • Store empty luggage under the bed.

When completely unpacked

16) Complete the safety or muster drill.

17) Go PLAY!!!

18) If you haven’t already done so, make reservations for specialty restaurants and spa.

19) Enjoy Your Sail Away Party!

20) Congratulations, you are now “on vacation”!