One of the most important things about cruising is choosing the right ship for your personal needs.\u00a0 From amenities to cabins, itineraries and passenger capacity, knowing what your ship offers can have a big impact on how you enjoy your vacation.<\/p>\n
Every cruise line has a brand.\u00a0 Some are party boats, others offer upscale luxury.\u00a0 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.\u00a0 Carnival owns 10 different sub agencies, Princess is one of them.\u00a0 They are an experienced cruise line and cater to a middle to upper income crowd.<\/p>\n
Princess is a classic line, offering an Old English\/European feel.\u00a0 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. \u00a0\u00a0With this cruise line we can expect nice staterooms, decent food, great entertainment and amazing itineraries.<\/p>\n
It is important to define what you are seeking before shopping for a cruise.\u00a0 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). \u00a0While there are enough poolside activities and bars to keep the ship interesting, the focus tends to be on providing an upscale resort-like experience.<\/p>\n
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.\u00a0 She is a relatively small vessel.\u00a0 In general, smaller ships are able to navigate to more destinations but larger ships may offer additional amenities and activities.<\/p>\n
When we chose to embark on the Island Princess, it was the itinerary, size and price which attracted us the most.<\/p>\n
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. \u00a0\u00a0She has a twin sister called the Coral Princess.<\/p>\n
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). \u00a0She is also able to dock at smaller ports. \u00a0Of late Island Princess has been doing mostly world tours. \u00a0Of 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.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Having been built in 2003, Island Princess is one of the oldest ships in the Princess line.\u00a0 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. \u00a0This 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.<\/p>\n
World cruises can mean a lot of days at sea.\u00a0 From bow to stern, Princess put a lot of effort into creating a luxurious environment.\u00a0 The European flare is represented in the Italian styled Piazza located at the center of the ship and the beautiful Sabatinni restaurant.\u00a0 \u00a0Polished 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.<\/p>\n
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. \u00a0There are numerous options of where to eat including the above mentioned restaurants, two main dining rooms, a grill, a pizzeria and a buffet.\u00a0 We might pass the time with a wine tasting, pub lunches and\/or afternoon tea.\u00a0 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.<\/p>\n
By night Princess continues to entertain with a variety of Broadway style shows, magicians, comedians, piano bars, jazz bands, a casino and more. \u00a0Unique to the Princess brand is the Champagne Waterfall<\/a>, offered on one of the formal evenings. \u00a0This is yet another nod to the elevated luxury we find aboard this ship. \u00a0We also find people dress up more on these evenings than they do on other cruise lines. \u00a0\u00a0When 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.\u00a0\u00a0 This is one of our favorite ways to unwind when we are on the seas.<\/p>\n After all of this activity we are often ready to retreat to our stateroom.\u00a0 The entire Princess line offers some of the most comfortable mattresses and linens of any cruise line.<\/p>\n