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Opinions on Island Princess

By Al2863 , May 8 in Princess Cruises

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50+ Club

Island Princess seems to be the only option for us for a Med cruise.  We recently sailed on Discovery so I’m afraid sailing on Island might be a huge mistake. We would be off ship practically everyday for ports though. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated!

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DCThunder

I did two 30 day cruises on Island in 2024 and had no issues with the ship.  So long as your expectations aren't for glitz and glamour of the newest ships, Island is very nice.  She has her quirks that take a bit of getting used to, but the Explorers Lounge is great with a couple of good bartenders, and by and large the ship isn't crowded.

Bayou Cafe instead of Crown Grill, but still a good steak, and there's a Sabbatini's.  Anyway I liked Island. 

Like

Much smaller ship, and older than Discovery.  Island is a Panamax ship, so it is narrower than your typical modern cruise ship, built specifically to fit through the old locks at the Panama Canal.  It is missing some of the things most Princess cruisers really crave, like a full International Cafe.  Since your trip is very port intensive, I don't think you'll be too displeased with the smaller ship since it is basically a place you have breakfast and dinner each day and a place you sleep.  You'll have most of the same Princess style entertainment and shows in the evening.  And since it is a smaller ship, fewer passengers, which also means fewer crowds.

I was on Discovery last year, and while it is a beautiful ship, you can really tell the difference in the number of passengers on board compared to sailings I've done on smaller Grand class ships.

3,000+ Club

If the ship is the destination and you like new and fancy the Island is not for you.   If it's all about the ports then it really doesn't matter what ship you are on.   Having a port just about every day is exhausting.   You will not see much of the ship just the bed as you fall asleep. 

I did a TA on Island and the 7 sea days were just as nice as the port days.  You do feel closer to the ocean on a smaller ship when you're out in the middle of the Atlantic.

1 hour ago, Al2863 said: Island Princess seems to be the only option for us for a Med cruise.  We recently sailed on Discovery so I’m afraid sailing on Island might be a huge mistake. We would be off ship practically everyday for ports though. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated!

All in what you like, but the Island has a forward facing buffet with full glass for a >180 view. 

You don't get forward views on Royal Class, like Discovery, unless you're paying for Sanctuary or watch the view ahead on TV.

Yes, they did add cabins to the Island since we sailed, but I would still prefer that over any Royal Class ship, if only to cut down on the elevator wait time for which the Royal Class is notorious. 

Kineticoh20

Kineticoh20

Did 12 nights on Island right after its remodel dry dock in the Amalfi Suite, it was amazing. Something to consider is a Med cruise is port intensive and your onshore all day so to me ship is more transportation rather than destination.

"Live from...."

Paula_MacFan

We were on the Island in September/October 2023 for a port-intensive European cruise.  We had a great time and enjoyed the ship.  Our mini-suite was in good condition, we enjoyed both Sabatini's and Bayou Cafe (serves Crown Grill menu), there was plenty of evening entertainment, and everything went as planned.  One downside is no International Cafe, as someone else has mentioned. I wouldn't hesitate to sail on the Island again!

500+ Club

We sailed to Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and England on her in September 2023. A bit tired but perfectly serviceable. The food was good, the covered pool was nice, great library, large balconies, scooped ice cream at no extra charge, and I liked the location of the buffet. Room steward was the best one ever! (Dmetri from Ukraine.)

The only downside was saggy mattresses. By the end of the cruise, 3 out of the 4 in our group had Covid. The one who didn't catch it received a booster before we traveled.

I'm getting a booster tomorrow for my cruise in 45 days.  😵‍💫

tml1230

we did a TA on the Island last fall....we went onboard with low expectations given reviews we had researched.......

we enjoyed it so much  we have booked the TA again this fall. Great crew, ship didn't seem crowded ....Very good food and we loved the small ship feel and the covered pool!

The reserve (club class) dining was incredible!

have a great cruise!

Did a 17 night T/A on Island Princess last summer, and 20 more nights this January. It's smaller and older than the glitzy new-builds, but I absolutely LOVED the ship, the crew, and the vibes. Bayou Cafe was fantastic and I am hoping for 20 more nights in January of '25!  😉

The biggest drawback to the Island is the fitness center is in a windowless area at the stern of the ship on a lower deck.  It is kind of depressing if you're used to the upper deck fitness centers with wide windows to look out while on the treadmill or elliptical.

It was clearly added to the ship long after she was built and fitness centers became increasingly important to some cruisers.

We are going on the Island in July for 21 days. We have not cruised on this ship before but have cruised on the Coral several times.  The Coral is a similar layout.  Two things I will miss will be the International Cafe & Vines wine bar.  I am sure we will make do.

KreinKrunker

KreinKrunker

7 hours ago, DCThunder said: The biggest drawback to the Island is the fitness center is in a windowless area at the stern of the ship on a lower deck.  It was clearly added to the ship long after she was built and fitness centers became increasingly important to some cruisers.

The fitness center is where the Universe Lounge used to be.  Similar to the Vista Lounge on other ships.

artvlay

On 5/9/2024 at 2:09 AM, Teechur said: We sailed to Iceland, Ireland, Scotland, and England on her in September 2023. A bit tired but perfectly serviceable. The food was good, the covered pool was nice, great library, large balconies, scooped ice cream at no extra charge, and I liked the location of the buffet. Room steward was the best one ever! (Dmetri from Ukraine.) The only downside was saggy mattresses. By the end of the cruise, 3 out of the 4 in our group had Covid. The one who didn't catch it received a booster before we traveled. I'm getting a booster tomorrow for my cruise in 45 days.  😵‍💫

Where on the ship do they serve scooped ice cream for free?

Haha

47 minutes ago, artvlay said: Where on the ship do they serve scooped ice cream for free?

At the counter where they dish soft-serve ice cream and make those disgusting premium sundaes, by the covered pool. They always offered a choice.

I didn't have a package, but I did have $850 in OBC, and I would have paid but they didn't ask.

ridgecrest

We just booked the Island Princess for an 18 Day Canada & Greenland cruise.  I have watched several vlogs but I have not been able to determine if there is a place that is open at night (like from 10pm to 1am) to get snacks or do you have to order room service?

The Island was like a morgue after midnight. A few employees running vacuum cleaners, etc.

rdsqrl

On 5/9/2024 at 1:12 PM, DCThunder said: The biggest drawback to the Island is the fitness center is in a windowless area at the stern of the ship on a lower deck.  It is kind of depressing if you're used to the upper deck fitness centers with wide windows to look out while on the treadmill or elliptical.   It was clearly added to the ship long after she was built and fitness centers became increasingly important to some cruisers.

She always had a fitness center, but it was relocated when she was mangled, er, I mean extensively renovated several years ago.  It was aft on Lido, with windows, where now there are cabins. 

5 hours ago, Teechur said: At the counter where they dish soft-serve ice cream and make those disgusting premium sundaes, by the covered pool. They always offered a choice. I didn't have a package, but I did have $850 in OBC, and I would have paid but they didn't ask.

Could it be that your medallion was read and your account was debited without your knowledge?

Clek

6 hours ago, artvlay said: Could it be that your medallion was read and your account was debited without your knowledge?

No. The plain ice cream is free.

11 hours ago, artvlay said: Could it be that your medallion was read and your account was debited without your knowledge?

I would have known when I checked my account (daily).

gvre

16 hours ago, rdsqrl said: She always had a fitness center, but it was relocated when she was mangled, er, I mean extensively renovated several years ago.  It was aft on Lido, with windows, where now there are cabins. 

Did Octoberfest cruise on her last year. Mini suite was tired and the air never worked though they tried for days to fix it. The fitness center is like doing time in jail. We vowed never to go on the Island again

5,000+ Club

frugaltravel

Sailed on Island once after the renovation (Panama Canal).  Fewer public areas, more staterooms.  Seemed very packed - queues for almost everything.  I personally would never said on the Island again.  

TRLD

Was on Island last October of the Northern Light Cruise.

Doors to covered pool area such open most of the time making the area too cold to use. Since it was a cold weather cruise the smaller amount of public space was noticeable compared to the Coral and other Princess ships.

Location of the gym into an inside space also made it less usable.

Basically we only book on Island if the itinerary is one we really want to go on and no other way to do it.

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reviews for island princess cruise ship

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Island Princess cabins and suites

Island princess staterooms review, floor plans, photos.

Island Princess cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations , including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Princess Cruises en-suite amenities and services.

The Island Princess cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with a legend and review of all onboard venues.

Balcony Suite

Layout (floor plan), balcony cabin, oceanview cabin, interior cabin, island princess cabins review.

Island Princess cabins with balconies are 789 (80% of all the 879 outside rooms). Wheelchair accessible cabins (for disabled passengers) are 20 (of which 16 outsides, 4 insides).

Follows the review of Island Princess staterooms as amenities, furniture and included (complimentary) services:

All Island Princess Suites have a walk-in closet (ample storage space), living room (sofa bed, desk, vanity, table, armchairs), bathroom (WC, shower stall, whirlpool bathtub, double sinks). Oceanview Mini-Suites are with large picture window instead of verandah (same suite amenities). Bonus amenities in all Suites are the deluxe mattress/pillows, 2 smart HDTVs, CD/DVD player, upgraded bathroom amenities (massage showerheads, luxury bath products), luxury furniture on the balcony, complimentary services (Spa Thermal Suite, Internet Cafe, laundry/dry cleaning, one-time minibar).

All balcony accommodations feature sliding glass doors (floor-ceiling) opening to a private verandah (round table, patio chairs) plus sunloungers (balcony suites only). Balcony cabins have ample closet space, bathroom (shower), desk, drawer. Some have additional beds for 3rd/4th person.

Oceanview cabins have picture window (category OE with Porthole Window), Ocean-view cabins in categories OV, OW, OY and OZ are with an obstructed view. Inside cabins have the same size and amenities as Ocean-View rooms but lack the window.

All Island Princess cabins as amenities have living area (vanity, desk, seating), 2 twin beds (convertible to queen), deluxe bedding sets (Egyptian cotton linens), closet, desk, smart HDTV (infotainment system, Internet, on-demand-movies), direct-dial phone, electronic safe box and lifejackets (in the closet), hairdryer, bath products (shampoo, body lotion, conditioner), mini-bar/fridge, individual air-conditioning, evening turndown service, complimentary 24-hour room service.

Passenger-use launderettes (laundromats) are located on decks 5, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12. These are self-service laundry rooms with ironing boards and detergent being provided.

During drydock 2020 refurbishment, all Island Princess staterooms were upgraded with the company’s new signature “Princess Luxury Bed”. The new “cruise bed” was developed in collaboration with PhD Michael Breus (commonly known as “The Sleep Doctor”) and the designer Candice Olson. The new cabin beds feature a luxury pillow-top mattress, individually wrapped coils (reducing surface sway) and hypoallergenic duvets.

“Club Class Mini-Suite” is a new cabin category that was rolled out fleetwide in 2017. The new (VIP-guest) Mini Suite cabins offer the following complimentary services and amenities – “Club Class Dining”, Elite Lounge exclusive access, complimentary in-cabin dining (hours d’ oeuvres), priority embarkation/disembarkation/tendering. Club Class Dining includes a separate area part of the MDR (main dining room) reserved for Club Suite guests only. The exclusive dining experience includes expedited seating, dedicated waiter staff service, exclusive menu (featuring chef’s specials) and tableside preparation of some dishes. Club Class Dining is available for breakfast and dinner every day, and also for lunch on sea days only. The new suites replaced some existing mini-suites. Their cabin size and layouts remained the same as the other mini suite grades.

Island Princess cabin and suite plans are property of Princess Cruises . All floor plans are for informational purposes only and CruiseMapper is not responsible for their accuracy.

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Sun princess: the best dining, amenities and more on princess cruises' newest ship.

Sun Princess features an updated layout, delicious new restaurants and plenty of spaces to be entertained.

Sun Princess Review

Aerial of the Sun Princess over open water.

Courtesy of Princess Cruises

Key Takeaways

  • Sun Princess' fresher, more modern design may appeal to a younger crowd than the line normally caters to.
  • Incredible dining options abound, including The Catch by Rudi and the new Spellbound dinner and magic show.
  • New Cabana Mini-Suites feature indoor-outdoor cabana areas and spacious balconies.

As a travel writer who cruises with all the major lines, I was excited to travel through the Mediterranean on the new Sun Princess cruise ship in May 2024. I traveled with my mother to celebrate her 76th birthday shortly after the new ship's February debut in Rome . The itinerary we sailed was a unique, one-way offering that departed from Athens, Greece , with visits to ports like Bar, Montenegro; Corfu, Greece; and Messina and Naples, Italy .

A true marvel of modern engineering and ship architecture, Sun Princess boasts a maximum guest capacity of 4,300 and room for 1,600 crew. The Sphere-Class vessel is 1,133 feet long and 200 feet high, with a breadth of 139 feet and 21 total decks. There are 2,157 staterooms, including 80 unique suites with extra space for guests.

Standout features include a three-floor main dining area, the Princess Arena with capacity for 990 guests and a 250-person entertainment space known as The Dome. Read on to learn everything there is to know about the Sun Princess cruise ship, including my own take on the dining and entertainment options available to cruisers.

Find your perfect cruise

Sun Princess itineraries for 2024 and 2025

Sun Princess.

Holly Johnson

While Sun Princess is scheduled to cruise the Mediterranean through September 2024, the ship will cross the Atlantic on its way to Fort Lauderdale, Florida , by October for the winter cruise season.

From this new homeport, Sun Princess will offer seven-day Caribbean cruises with the stops in Honduras, Belize , Mexico, the Bahamas , the Dominican Republic, and Turks & Caicos through March 2025.

Sun Princess will then embark on a 14-day Spanish Passage voyage in March 2025, which ends in Barcelona, Spain , and repositions the ship for its summer in the Mediterranean. At that point, cruisers can book a range of lengthy Mediterranean options over various dates, which include stops in Turkey, Greece, Montenegro, Italy, France, Spain and more.

Who should sail on Sun Princess?

Sun Princess.

While most people may think of Princess Cruises as a cruise line for baby boomers, Sun Princess aims to attract a younger, livelier crowd. This is immediately apparent when walking around the ship's common areas; Sun Princess boasts bold color schemes, endless windows, sparkling lights and a more modern central piazza than other Princess ships.

While my Mediterranean sailing largely consisted of adult travelers, Sun Princess will likely attract more families on its Caribbean itineraries. The ship's layout is ideal for parents with children of all ages, and amenities geared specifically toward kids abound. It all starts with the ship's Park19 family area, which features a huge climbing structure, a splash zone, a recreational court, a jogging court and more. Sun Princess also has three dedicated youth clubs: Firefly Park Kids Club (ages 3 to 7, with a separate play area for babies and toddlers 6 months and older), Neon Grove Tweens Club (ages 8 to 12) and The Underground Teen Lounge (ages 13 to 17).

What's interesting about Sun Princess is that it still has so much to offer more mature travelers, including couples who want to enjoy a romantic, upscale vacation. This is shown in the ship's elevated dining venues, expansive casino and luxurious spa. Sun Princess also offers the Sanctuary Collection of rooms and suites, which offer more amenities and spaces to relax on the ship.

Travelers who book a room in the Sanctuary Collection get their pick of a nicer selection of rooms, a premium beverage package, access to a private restaurant and pool deck and a more personalized experience overall. Think of the Sanctuary Collection suites as an alternative to MSC Cruises Yacht Club cabins – the biggest difference being that the venues available to cruisers in these cabins are spread throughout the ship.

The stateroom

Sun Princess.

I stayed in one of the new Cabana Mini-Suites on the Sun Princess, which I would book again in a heartbeat. These rooms are a take on the classic balcony cabin most cruisers expect, but with a twist. In addition to an outdoor balcony, Cabana Mini-Suites have a separate indoor-outdoor cabana-like area with a flat-screen television.

This extra space means the new Cabana Mini-Suites are much longer from one end to the other than a traditional balcony stateroom. The additional space is nice to have whether you want more room for storage or a separate place to read or relax while your cabinmate naps. My mom sat in our cabana area and read several times while I showered and got ready for dinner, and she even took a nap out there while I worked on my computer in our stateroom.

Regardless of the stateroom you book, know that Sun Princess cabins feature soft, neutral tones and plenty of closet space. Power outlets are abundant, and there are all kinds of nooks and crannies for storage. Cabin types on Sun Princess include the following:

Interior Cabins (136 to 145 square feet)

Basic interior rooms offer a queen bed or two small twin beds, a flat-panel television, a refrigerator, and a private bathroom with a shower. These are the most affordable cabins on the ship, and they work best for guests who just want a place to relax and sleep.

Premium Oceanview (212 square feet)

Ocean-view cabins have slightly more space than interior rooms, but they still lack a balcony. These rooms feature a queen bed or two twin configurations, a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Deluxe Balcony (235 square feet, including balcony)

Balcony cabins offer more space than ocean-view rooms due to the addition of a spacious balcony with outdoor seating. Balcony cabins can also come in a queen bed or two twin configuration and have a large flat-screen television, a refrigerator, and more floor and storage space.

Mini-Suite (303 square feet, including balcony)

Mini-Suites are essentially large balcony cabins with more storage space, more closet space and more floor space. These rooms have all the amenities of other cabins but include two flat-screen televisions (one for the bedroom area and another for couch viewing).

Cabana Mini-Suite (329 square feet, including balcony and cabana)

The Cabana Mini-Suite on the Sun Princess.

These rooms add the indoor-outdoor space of the cabana adjacent to the outdoor balcony. The cabana area has seating for several people and its own flat-screen television (in addition to the in-room TV).

Signature Suites (304 to 636 square feet, including balcony)

Signature Suites range in size and include larger balconies with premium furniture, two flat-screen televisions, a more spacious bathroom with a separate tub and shower, and dedicated sleeping and living areas.

Signature Sky Suites (1,262 square feet, including balcony)

Princess Cruises Signature Sky Suites are the largest staterooms across all Princess vessels, and they have all the bells and whistles you can imagine. Standout features of Sky Suites include separate living and dining areas; huge, luxurious bathrooms; and Nespresso coffee machines.

(Note: Sanctuary Collection rooms are dotted throughout the ship and consist of balcony-, mini-suite- and suite-category accommodations.)

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Best amenities on Sun Princess

Sun Princess.

Since my itinerary on the Sun Princess cruise ship included multiple port stops, I didn't get to experience everything the ship had to offer. However, what I did experience was worth it – from the nonstop entertainment in the piazza to over-the-top dining features. Some of my standout experiences include:

Part dinner and part magic show, Spellbound by Magic Castle is bookable for an additional charge. The experience begins with a small group dinner with drink pairings, then moves to a hidden bar area of the ship, where the magic begins. The bar itself features magical artifacts and vintage curiosities, a "ghost" pianist, and an incredible drink menu designed to wow and delight guests. Some drinks were served in cages, golden owls and elaborate chests with dry ice.

Magic came in the form of intriguing card tricks and disappearing acts at the bar, plus a separate stage area where crowd participation helped facilitate the illusions. I don't want to give anything more than that away – you must simply experience it for yourself. Though I thought Spellbound was slightly cheesy at times, I thoroughly enjoyed the dinner and show and feel it was worth the added cost.

The Dome on the Sun Princess is part pool area and part stage. Guests can swim in a unique indoor-outdoor pool by day and watch entertainers dance in the evening, with alluring lighting effects and a cozy, intimate atmosphere.

I watched an acrobatics show in The Dome from the comfort of a padded lounge chair and thought the venue was the place to be.

Princess Arena 

The Princess Arena is a circular stage area that holds up to 990 guests. Shows on offer include multifaceted stage productions and acrobatic features with plenty of surprises.

Fitness center

The Sun Princess' fitness center was huge and featured a range of treadmills, stair climbers, weights and machines to choose from. I never had trouble securing a treadmill at any time, even though I've had to wait and fight crowds for machines on other cruise ships.

I also loved the expansive walking track on the ship, which was constantly in use by both serious exercisers and cruisers walking leisurely to enjoy the views. I used the walking track every morning for at least an hour; I found it much more spacious and usable than other ship walking tracks, which are often congested and never quite wide enough.

The ship also features a Fitness Studio with guided classes, but I did not use it during my trip.

Sun Princess features five large pools and nine hot tubs. There are two pools on the lido deck, plus an indoor-outdoor pool in The Dome, a Sanctuary pool (for Sanctuary Collection guests only) and a wake-view infinity pool.

Medallion services

Princess MedallionClass is one of the coolest and most convenient amenities at sea. In place of a traditional cruise card, Princess gives you a small wearable device to bring with you around the ship and on shore. The medallion tracks your physical location on the ship, which allows you to order services and deliveries on board no matter where you are. Medallion delivery options range from food and drinks to extra pillows or bottled water.

I ordered room service through my medallion multiple times and hot, fresh food arrived in my cabin in less than 20 minutes. Meanwhile, drinks were delivered to our cabin and elsewhere on the ship in less than five minutes.

MedallionNet

Princess' Wi-Fi at sea (MedallionNet) is the fastest internet service I have ever used on a cruise ship. The internet was fast and reliable enough for me to complete some work while on board, which is not the norm on cruise ships.

Best dining venues Sun Princess

Sun Princess.

Sun Princess features 30 dining and bar options, many of which are included in the base cruise fare. Complimentary dining venues on Sun Princess include three traditional dining rooms, The Eatery (a take on the classic buffet, but with staff service), a café for coffee and light bites, The Lido (serving up salads, pizza and more) and the Promenade Dining grill.

Specialty dining options for an extra charge range from O'Malley's Irish Pub to a sushi spot to steak, seafood and Italian restaurants. For an extra special experience, head to Love by Britto to indulge in fine dining, or opt for Umai hot pot or teppanyaki venues. Meanwhile, bars on Sun Princess include Bellini's Cocktail Bar, Sea View Bar, The MIX and more.

My personal favorite dining experiences included:

My Spellbound dinner was excellent, even though the menu is fairly brief. I enjoyed a delicious shrimp cocktail and seafood entree, followed by a vegan dessert (I'm allergic to dairy and the ship happily accommodated). What stood out for me with Spellbound, at least food-wise, was the eclectic selection of drink pairings offered with the meal. It started with a caprese salad cocktail that tasted like tomatoes and balsamic vinegar in a strange, delicious way, then moved on to the spooky concoctions offered in the Spellbound bar.

Crown Grill

Crown Grill, a specialty dining venue, is not unique to Sun Princess, but it is the cruise line's most popular steakhouse brand. My mom and I had a delicious meal here for her birthday that included a Mediterranean-style spiny lobster cake, Chilean sea bass and a huge (surprise) birthday cake delivered to our table.

The Catch by Rudi

The Catch by Rudi is the ship's specialty dining seafood restaurant. Here, I dined on a delicious shrimp cocktail and the catch of the day (a grilled dorado filet). Everything was fresh and the meal was exceptional from start to finish.

I loved The Eatery, the ship's buffet-style dining option. The main difference between this venue and more traditional cruise ship buffets is that you're served by staff instead of serving yourself, which I prefer. The Eatery featured a rotating selection of exceptional main courses (seafood, chicken, beef and ethnic options), salads, appetizers and delicious desserts. It even had a vegan section and an easy-to-find selection of gluten-free offerings.

Best excursions on Sun Princess

Sun Princess.

The best excursions on Sun Princess vary depending on where you're going on your cruise – the Caribbean or various Europe destinations. Here's an overview of some excellent excursions offered aboard Sun Princess, a few of which I did myself.

Corfu, Greece 

Catamaran Coastal Cruise & Swim: This easy excursion lets you see Corfu from the sea and get out into the water for some snorkeling and swimming. I picked this excursion so we could relax for one day and avoid a lot of walking, and it delivered. A delicious lunch with an open bar was served on board as we sailed around the island taking in some of Corfu's most beautiful sights.

Naples, Italy

Sorrento & Amalfi Coast Cruise: No trip to this region of Italy is complete without a stop in the Amalfi Coast . This excursion was a long one (eight to nine hours) with lots of walking and bus time, but the views of this dynamic coast and time spent in Amalfi and Sorrento made the travel time well worth it.

Grand Turk, Turks & Caicos

Island Vibes & Beach Swim: This relatively short excursion includes a narrated bus trip throughout the island of Grand Turk, highlighting some of the island's top sights. A beach break at picturesque Governor's Beach is included.

Princess Cays, Bahamas

Princess Cays Coastal Cruise: Princess Cruises' private island offers a range of bookable activities, from banana boat rides to snorkeling tours. This coastal cruise is another option that takes you along the shores of Eleuthera in a 40-foot Reef Princess boat.

Overall impressions of Sun Princess

Sun Princess.

If you're considering a cruise on Sun Princess, you should know that this isn't your traditional Princess ship. The look and feel of this vessel are younger and livelier compared to other Princess ships I have sailed on. Gone are the hallways filled with cruisers knitting and playing cards; in their place, you'll find dancing, entertainment, music and activities around the clock.

When it comes to Sun Princess dining, every meal I had on board was either very good or excellent. You don't even have to opt for an extra-cost specialty dining venue to get a good meal. The Eatery and the regular dining rooms feature fresh, seasonal foods that are more than enough for the average palate to enjoy.

Caribbean itineraries on offer later this year (and into 2025) start at around $660 per person for an interior cabin, and Princess features an endless roster of sales throughout the year. If you're looking for a new cruising experience and want to give Princess a try (or another chance), Sun Princess is more than worthy of your consideration.

Why Trust U.S. News Travel

Holly Johnson is a travel writer who covers all aspects of family travel, including all-inclusive resorts and cruises with both boutique and major cruise brands. Johnson has traveled to more than 50 countries around the world, and she has cruised in destinations throughout the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, Northern Europe and the Arctic Circle, and the Middle East. Johnson works alongside her husband, Greg, who runs the travel agency Travel Blue Book .

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  1. Island Princess Cruise

    reviews for island princess cruise ship

  2. Island Princess Itinerary, Current Position, Ship Review

    reviews for island princess cruise ship

  3. An Island Princess Cruise Ship Review

    reviews for island princess cruise ship

  4. Princess Cruises · Island Princess · Ship Overview and Itineraries

    reviews for island princess cruise ship

  5. Island Princess Cruise Review by andreaCG

    reviews for island princess cruise ship

  6. Island Princess Cruise Review by Worldtraveled

    reviews for island princess cruise ship

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COMMENTS

  1. Island Princess Cruise: Expert Review (2023)

    Our expert Princess Island Princess review breaks down deck plans, the best rooms, dining, and more. Check out the best Island Princess cruise ship tips now. Effective July 1st.

  2. Island Princess

    Island Princess. 93 reviews. 1-800-774-6237 Website. All photos (2,112) Traveler ( 491) Common Areas ( 1,283) Dining and Bars ( 390) Itineraries for this ship. Itinerary.

  3. Island Princess Reviews from Travelers

    Disappointing world cruise by Goesbyship. Sail date: Jan 05, 2023 / Traveled as: Couple. Ship: Island Princess. Saw some interesting places, but had far too many canceled ports. The ship is old, outdate d with a gym in a dark, windowless room on deck 6. The food was only fair.

  4. Island Princess Passenger Reviews

    Read passenger reviews for Island Princess. Cruise was so-so . May 14th, 2024. This was a spur of the moment cruise to fit other events in our lives and a good deal.

  5. An Island Princess Cruise Ship Review

    An Island Princess Cruise Ship Review. Howard: The Island Princess was my third ship to sail in the Princess fleet, having previously sailed a 14-day itinerary on the Caribbean Princess and a 25-day transatlantic and Northern Europe itinerary on the Enchanted Princess. At the time I booked the back-to-back itinerary on the Enchanted Princess ...

  6. Island Princess Review

    Rankings. Island Princess ranks # 14 out of 15 Princess Cruises Cruise Ships based on an analysis of expert and user ratings, as well as health ratings. #14. in Best Princess Cruises. #56. in Best ...

  7. Island Princess Reviews, Ship Details & Photos

    Since 2003, this Coral-class ship from Princess Cruises has earned a loyal following among the line's core audience of mature couples. Island also appeals to first-time cruisers seeking a small-ship experience with diverse big-ship amenities. The ship has an excellent selection of dining, entertainment, and activities.

  8. Island Princess Cruise Review by Hiroshi

    4.7 out of 5. Verified Review. 14 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean Westbound (Ft. Lauderdale To Los Angeles) Sail date: January 04, 2024. Ship: Island Princess. Cabin number: GUAR. Traveled as: Couple. Reviewed: 5 months ago. This was a very relaxing cruise for us.

  9. Opinions on Island Princess

    70. January 23, 2021. South Florida. #1. Posted May 8. Island Princess seems to be the only option for us for a Med cruise. We recently sailed on Discovery so I'm afraid sailing on Island might be a huge mistake. We would be off ship practically everyday for ports though. Any thoughts or opinions appreciated!

  10. 10 Night Panama Canal on Island Princess

    10 Night Panama Canal on Island Princess. October 31, 2018. Itinerary: Ft. Lauderdale, At Sea, Falmouth, At Sea, Cartagena, Panama Canal, Limón, At Sea, Grand Cayman, At Sea, Ft. Lauderdale - Read Cruise Blog. When Island Princess was inaugurated in 2003, her 92,822 tons would have classified her as a large ship.

  11. Island Princess

    Island Princess Ship Review Island Princess passes under Vancouver's Lions Gate Bridge at sunrise. Photo courtesy of Princess Cruises. The lovely Coral and Island Princess are the largest of the midsize ships in the Princess Cruises fleet. Just barely small enough to fit through the locks of the Panama Canal at 91,000 gross tons, they can be deployed on cruises to Alaska, the Caribbean, or ...

  12. Island Princess Cruise Review by willwork4cruz

    4.5 out of 5. 15 Night Panama Canal - Ocean To Ocean (Los Angeles To Ft. Lauderdale) Sail date: May 11, 2023. Ship: Island Princess. Cabin type: Oceanview. Cabin number: E614. Traveled as: Couple. Reviewed: 1 year ago. We've been on a couple Celebrity cruises recently so let me compare our Princess experience to our last Celebrity.

  13. Island Princess Dining: Restaurants & Food on Cruise Critic

    Breakfast via a door-hung card is available in your stateroom from 6:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. Choices include juices, fresh fruits, yogurt, cold cereals, breads, pastries, preserves and one hot item ...

  14. Island Princess Cruise Ship: Review, Photos & Departure Ports on Cruise

    Island Princess Cruises: Read 1232 Island Princess cruise reviews. Find great deals, tips and tricks on Cruise Critic to help plan your cruise.

  15. Island Princess

    Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews. I've just got back from sailing around England, Wales and Scotland. Some observations about the ship are: 1) Although the Island Princess has kids facilities, the ship feels as thought it is aimed at the slightly older passenger. It certainly has a more 'adult' atmosphere than ….

  16. Island Princess Cruise Review by GeorgeHart

    Sail date: December 07, 2023. Ship: Island Princess. Cabin type: Balcony. Cabin number: A411. Traveled as: Couple. Reviewed: 6 months ago. overall very enjoyable and recommended with the reposition. Be prepared for the 6 days of Atlantic crossing. It's a bit boring, but for me, it was excellent boring.

  17. Island Princess- Your reviews

    72 reviews. 70 helpful votes. Island Princess- Your reviews. Feb 27, 2024, 5:27 PM. I've seen a Mediterranean cruise on Island Princess that is interesting. It is reasonably priced, but more than anything, visits ports we haven't been to before. We've been on Princess a few times beforehand, but this is one of the older ships, so I ...

  18. Island Princess cabins and suites

    Island Princess cabins and suites review at CruiseMapper provides detailed information on cruise accommodations, including floor plans, photos, room types and categories, cabin sizes, furniture details and included by Princess Cruises en-suite amenities and services.. The Island Princess cruise ship cabins page is conveniently interlinked with its deck plans showing deck layouts combined with ...

  19. Island Princess Cruise Review by cprcious99

    Read the Island Princess review by Cruiseline.com member cprcious99 from May 26, 2022 of the 18 Night Fire & Ice Explorer (Ft. Lauderdale To Southampton) cruise. Cruise review , rated 3.5 out of 5 stars by member cprcious99 ... Cruises: 7+ cruises. Review: 1. Helpful Votes: 26. Overall rating: 3.5 out of 5. Verified Review.

  20. Sun Princess: The Best Dining, Amenities and More on Princess Cruises

    Princess Cays Coastal Cruise: Princess Cruises' private island offers a range of bookable activities, from banana boat rides to snorkeling tours. This coastal cruise is another option that takes ...