We are considering booking to Hawaii on the Island Princess in Feb.2005. Your post in Jan. said you were taking this cruise in Feb.2004. Any info you can give me will be appreciated. Was it a smooth crossing? How did you like the ship? Did you enjoy the excursions and if so which ones? Please give me as much info as possible. Thanks!

I suggest you go to www.cruise-addicts.com and read the numerous reviews of that ship.

Hi Wags - yes, we were on the Island Princess in February, but it was to the Panama Canal and it was fantastic. The ship was beautiful - everything you would expect from Princess. We are on Island again in March next year to Hawaii and would also be interested in details such as excursions etc. We've gained a great deal of info from cruisecritic, which may also help you, but if you have any specific questions on Island, I'd be pleased to try to help.

kitticat1: Thanks for responding. We have decided to cruise to Hawaii on the Mar.05 Island Princess sailing. Is this the cruise you're on? Did you book on-line or with your TA? If on- line which site gave you the best price? We are thinking about BA category. Can you tell me, if you know, which balconies are exposed and which are protected? Thanks

Wags, we are sailing on 19th March, which is the trip after yours, but last time we were in C402, which is a BA grade cabin, pretty central in the ship, which was fine. The balcony has half covered and half open and was nice and roomy, which two relaxer type chairs and a table. We ate breakfast out there practically every day, although we did have some pretty rough seas for two days, storm force 9, when the ship really swayed and some of the dancing shows and the champagne waterfall had to be cancelled because of this, but we are pretty good sailors and were not concerned by it. We are from the UK and booked through a cruise club here, so I don't think my experience of that will be much use to you, but if you want to email me with any questions, please do. My address is [email protected]. Have you done much planning for your trip yet? We are busy researching, but there is so much to look at and read up about and so many things to do, it's hard to decide.

kitticat1: That's exactly what I wanted to know about the cabin. Anything at all that you can tell me about the ship will be appreciated. We are "seniors" and are interested in the average ages of the passengers and if there were a lot of children aboard. How was the food, entertainment,staff,etc.? I too have tried to research as must as possible. It helps to have someone like you who has been aboard and can give us first-hand information.I've been to several sites pricing the cruise and have an idea of what it should cost. We live in the NY area and must fly to LA. Thanks for any info you can give.

We are in our 50's and saw practically no children, so either there weren't any or they were well occupied. The food was lovely - we ate breakfast on the balcony most mornings and just wrote down what we fancied, even if it wasn't on the breakfast menu, and it was always delivered. Whatever time we ordered breakfast for though it was always early, and it did catch us out once or twice - eithere we weren't up, or were walking a few laps round the deck before breakfast. Originally we had booked for traditional dining, but altered this to PC and booked a table for 2 for the same time each night - 8.00, and we had the same wait staff each night, who got do know us just as the staff would in traditional. Nothing was too much trouble - the only problem we had was eating so much food, but it really was good. Have you cruised with Princess before? We didn't go to any of the shows, but went to the Wheelhouse Bar on several nights for dancing - we also visited the casino and several other bars, including the Patiserrie, which was a particular favourite as you could just watch the sea pass by. You were never short of something to do, and often there was too much, but it was up to you what you did. Anything else I can help with?

kitticat1: It sounds like you had a really nice cruise. You've answered all my questions. We have sailed with Princess before and were very pleased with our ship. Now that you have brought me up to speed I'll have to get busy and make sure we can get flights to coincide with the sailing. Thanks again for all the info you have given me. Bon Voyage on your Mar.19th sailing! Wags