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Princess Cruises - Island Princess
Island Princess
As Part of the Princess Cruises fleet, the Island Princess is one of five ships in the Sun class of vessels. It was launched in 2003 and - along with its identical sister vessel, the Coral Princess - the Island Princess is one of only two ships operated by Princess that were specifically created to offer voyages through the Panama Canal.
The vessel offers a wide range of cruise itineraries and it regularly spends time on both the eastern and western coasts of the US, Canada, Mexico, Central America and South America.
One of the most popular routes is the one between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska, which gives passengers the chance to see gorgeous glaciers up close. Other options include Caribbean cruises, Panama Canal crossings and voyages along the coast of California.
Ship stats and features
Passenger capacity: 2,590 Year entered service: 2003 Beam (ship width): 105.6 feet Draught (ship depth): 26.7 feet Length: 964.5 feet Tonnage: 91,627 Crew: 900 Maximum speed: 21.5 knots Number of passenger decks: 11 Number of lifts: 14 Number of swimming pools: 3 Number of cabins: 987
Food, cuisine and dining
There's no chance of going hungry on any Princess Cruise, and this is certainly true on the Island Princess. The ship offers a vast range of dining options to choose from and with Anytime Dining available in many of the venues, you can eat when you're hungry, rather than when scheduled.
Passengers can choose from: â?¢ Provence Dining Room â?¢ Bordeaux Dining Room â?¢ Sabatini's â?¢ Horizon Court Buffet â?¢ The Grill â?¢ Sundaes Ice Cream Bar â?¢ Patisserie â?¢ Princess Pizza â?¢ Room Service â?¢ Ultimate Balcony Dining
One popular alternative restaurant is the Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse. This elegant space offers cuisine inspired by the delicious food of New Orleans. And while you dine, you can enjoy live jazz music.
On-board entertainment and activities
There are two main theatres, which host performances every night. The Princess Theatre is the larger venue, which spans two decks and offers larger-scale productions. Meanwhile, the Universe Lounge is a more intimate option. You can also enjoy live music at many of the bars and lounges.
The large screen on the main pool deck offers Movies Under the Stars most evenings. During the day, it regularly shows concerts, sporting events and other entertainment. Lectures about the various ports of call are another popular option and there are, of course, the traditional cruise favourites like bingo and karaoke.
Younger passengers are also well-catered for and there's a fabulous kids' club, as well as activities and play areas that children are sure to love.
Spas and fitness facilities
Exercise classes are a popular choice on the Island Princess and a wide range of options are offered for a minimal cost. These include aerobics, Pilates and yoga, as well as spinning, circuit training and workouts focused on toning a particular part of the body. Alternatively, those who prefer to exercise on their own will find that the fully equipped gym includes everything they need.
The Lotus Spa is the place to go if you want to really unwind. The facility consists of a thermal suite, as well as a number of treatment rooms where you can enjoy the benefits of massages, facials, body wraps and other indulgences.
Elsewhere on the ship, there are swimming pools - including one with a current that you can swim against - a jogging track, shuffleboard, ping-pong and a golf course.
Cabins
Accommodation options are plentiful on the Island Princess and passengers considering a voyage on the vessel should be able to find something that suits their requirements and budget.
If you're looking for cruise deals, then standard cabins are the best choice. These are the smallest quarters available, but are comfortable and have adequate storage space. Interior cabins - which have no view - are the lowest-priced rooms, while those with ocean views or balconies will cost a bit more.
Alternatively, the most lavish rooms are the Premium Suites. They are large and luxurious, with loads of space and a separate bedroom. Plus, the bathroom features a full-size bath.
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By lawrence, Cambridge on 26th Apr 2012
We recently cruised on
the Island Princess on a
partial transit of the
Panama Canal. We really
did enjoy this cruise.
We had one night in Miami
at the Intercontinental
Hotel in Doral...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Jones, Wareham on 2nd Apr 2012
This was our 10th cruise
but our first with
Princess Cruises. We
thought they were
excellent and, unlike
some other lines, were
not too pushy with
selling their wares...
704
views 1
comment 11 of 13 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Alaska
By Trudgeon, St Austell. on 1st Oct 2011
We recently returned from
a wonderful cruise and
land tour of
Alaska.Joined Island
Princess in Vancouver
soon boarded and away
to our cabin on Baja deck
luggage had already been
delivered to our...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Alaska
By Payne, Hemyock on 24th Sep 2011
Our cruise started from
Vancouver on 7 September.
We arrived at Canada
Place at around 1120hrs
and was on board at
1215hrs. We got rid of
our suitcases fairly
early in the process,
then queued for...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Alaska
By Schaap, Fleetwood on 23rd Sep 2011
We have just been on a
cruise and land tour of
Alaska and what a great
holiday. We sailed from
Vancouver and then up
north to our ports of
call in Alaska. First
port of call was
Ketchican were we...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Alaska
By Kirsch, Willaston, Neston on 13th Sep 2011
We have used several
cruise companies, but
mainly P&O, so it was
interesting to compare
the Princess experience
with the latter.
The holiday started for
us with a flight to
Vancouver (BA did the...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Alaska
By Fulton, Nottingham on 5th Jul 2011
Just returned from an
Alaskan Cruise on the
Island Princess. We had a
brilliant time and the
whole Princess experience
lived up to our past
experience of the
Princess Ships...
1407
views 3
comments 4 of 15 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By scammell, Epping on 2nd Jun 2011
Cruised through the
Panama Canal aboard
Island Princess in
February. Very
interesting - had no idea
you could actually touch
the sides of the canal.
We went right through
i.e...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Schlatter, Glattbrugg on 2nd Jun 2011
This was our 5th cruise
with Princess and the
Panama Canal itinerary
had been on our bucket
list for some time so our
expectations were fairly
high. I am happy to say
that apart from a few
small...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Silver, EDGWARE on 24th Dec 2010
Just returned from a most
wonderful cruise on the
Island Princes, from LA
to Miami through the
Panama Canal, what a
fantastic trip, there was
absolutely nothing to
complain about...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By May, Barrow upon Humber on 10th Dec 2010
For our second ever
cruise we again chose to
go with Princess, and our
decision proved to be the
right one. We flew from
Heathrow to Miami and had
an overnight stay in a
hotel before joining
Island...
691
views 2
comments 2 of 5 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Collier, Oldham on 4th Dec 2010
A fantastic holiday and
an unforgettable
experiance going through
the Panama Canal.Sights
worth seeing and
experiencing.
Ship and staff were
excellant, plenty going
on around the ship all
day and...
1237
views 5
comments 0 of 2 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Mcafee, Bellaghy on 25th Nov 2010
This is in response to
the lack of feedback from
princess.
Part of organising a
holiday is to look for
something special in the
cruise you choose to go
on. My wife and myself
where 20 years married...
1005
views 4
comments 0 of 1 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Tachon, Woking on 25th Oct 2010
I spent a fab time in a
mini suite on Island
Princess from Vancouver
to Miami transitting the
Panama Canal.
The staff were polite and
helpful, as usual. The
ship had just come from
dry dock for a...
1284
views 2
comments 5 of 5 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Brown, Edinburgh on 24th Oct 2010
Just returned from our
cruise San Francisco to
Fort Lauderdale through
the Panama Canal.A
wonderful trip transiting
the Panama Canal.
the Questions I would
have liked answered prior
to the cruise...
1129
views 4
comments 2 of 2 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Alaska
By Bailey, Stockport on 3rd Jun 2010
My second visit to Alaska
following my first 6
years ago. The verdict
then? Loved the place
but the cruise was the
worst I ever had and
vowed to do it again on a
decemt ship and line...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Watts, TORTHORWALD, DUMFRIES on 30th May 2010
We were back with
Princess again for theis
Vancouver to Miami via
the Panama canal cruise,
and they were kind enough
to let me have my
Platinum status since my
50th day with them was on
day one of...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By CLARIDGE, KEYNSHAM on 20th Apr 2010
A trip of a life time
I can only rate Princes
Cruises (Island Princes)
in very high esteem with
very attentive crew from
the cabin to a
pleasurable dining
experience...
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Price, Rotherfield on 2nd Apr 2010
March Panama Cruise on
the Island Princess
Embarkation
Not a good start as
British Airways announced
strike action the week
before, however the
outgoing flight was not
effected, flew to...
1157
views 1
comment 1 of 1 people found this useful
PRINCESS CRUISES / Island Princess / Panama Canal
By Grant, Fareham on 26th Feb 2010
We cruised with Princess
cruises. Island Princess
through the Panama Canal.
We flew to Miami and
stayed overnight in a
lovely hotel. Good start!
When we arrived the night
before two...