The Island Princess was built in France in 2003, a year after her sister Coral Princess. At 91,627 tons, she is smaller than the initial Grand class to be able to transit the Panama Canal, increasing her flexibility in providing itineraries. Carrying 1,970 passengers, she has the same capacity as the smaller 77,499-ton Sun Princess class, so she is roomier. Her Bermuda registry allows the British captain to marry passengers. From the exterior, the pair looks less like slab-sided structures on a hull and veer toward the cruise-liner profile.
Princess Cruises got its start in 1965, merged with Sitmar Cruises, mixing American British and Italian atmospheres, then in 2003 became part of the Carnival Corporation. The rapidly expanding line now operates 15 ships, the oldest dating from the mid-1990s, with more planned.
The 7-day itineraries draw a younger crowd with families during school holidays, which Princess handles very well. The age range varies considerably and British passengers are often in the mix to Alaska as the lines catering to the U.K. market do not have Alaska programs. Tips are added to the passengers' accounts.
The Island Princess spends the summer in Alaska on one-way cruises between Vancouver and Whittier, Alaska, a rail head that allows direct transfers to Anchorage and onto Denali National Park and Fairbanks. In winter she moves down the coast for 7-day Mexican Riviera cruises from Los Angeles to Acapulco, Ixtapa, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta.
Most public rooms range over two decks, and one of the largest is the Princess Theater, located forward on one gradually sloping level with very good sightlines. Another entertainment venue is the Explorer's Lounge for cabaret-style revues, game shows and before-dinner dancing. All the way aft, the innovative Universe Lounge sees lots of varied uses such as cooking from a stage kitchen demonstrations, computer instruction with 50 computers, straight lectures on finance and photography, and ambitious stage productions on a multi-level stage. Always a favorite for ship buffs is the Wheelhouse Bar, paneled with leather couches and chairs in private recesses and groupings. The maritime theme touts the company's 172-year history with displays from the company's collection, here a brass bell from the Orient liner Oronsay and a collection of post cards form the recently departed and much loved Canberra. Classical music is performed by a quartet in the afternoon while a dancing band plays in the evenings. A four-deck atrium is rimmed by shops, a big-windowed yet very cozy cigar lounge, a trendy piano bar with soloist pianist, and the Internet center with a news ticker. On the next deck down, the large ship's library and card room suffer from being walk-through spaces. Children's facilities are well thought out with a Fun Zone, Pelican's Playhouse and an outdoor play area with a pool for kids and parents. Off Limits for teenagers is equipped with computer, dancing and just lounging about. In the same area, adults gravitate to a pottery studio for hands-on lessons in design and hand painting ceramics. Those using the main swimming pool, three large hot tubs and white plastic chair sunning areas are serenaded during the day by a steel-drum duo, while the Lotus Pool, protected by a sliding glass roof, is quieter with a Balinese theme and handsome wooden deck chairs. Additional chairs line the wraparound promenade deck. Additional activities take place in the gym and aerobics room, Lotus Spa, on the basketball-cum-volleyball court, at the computerized golf simulator, and on a 9-hole miniature golf.
Princess' Personal Choice features two similar dining rooms with both fixed-seating dining or dining when you wish. The two specialty restaurants, with service charges, are Sabatini's Trattoria, a traditional-looking Italian restaurant with an open kitchen that provides a set menu of dish after dish brought to one's table, with the exception being the choice of entree. Adjacent Bayou Cafe, with a New Orleans decor and a jazz trio serves appetizers such as exotic barbecued alligator ribs, fried catfish seafood gumbo, and chicken-and-chorizo jambalaya. The Horizon Court buffet, open 24 hours, may be the only space that ever gets crowded, but pickings one's arrival time can eliminate waiting. Above the main pool, a grill serves hot dogs and hamburgers while next to the pool is a pizzeria.
The cabin accommodation boasts 74% with tiered private balconies, a very high figure for a popularly priced ship. The size is more generous than the Sun Princess class but otherwise even with most of the competition. Most are similar in design and non-flashy decor, and vary mostly by location such as high up or low down, forward amidships or aft. Standard features are good storage space, TVs broadcasting CNN, CNBC, ESPN, plus lots of entertainment channels and films, hair dryers and safes. Mini-suites come with much more space for the sitting area, larger verandas, two TVs and baths with tubs. Sixteen proper two-room suites have curtain divided sitting and sleeping areas, walk-in closets, spacious balconies, a wet bar, whirlpool tub baths and separate showers.
At over 91,000 tons, the Island Princess is hardly small, but Princess has been successful in creating a smaller ship feel with the down-sized scale and number of public rooms
