Island Princess: A Closer Look at Life On Board

There’s something rather appealing about the Island Princess onboard experience. A cruise ship that combines classic cruising, interesting destinations and plenty of places to enjoy a little downtime. That’s exactly what caught my attention about Island Princess.

She’s not one of those enormous floating resorts where you need a map, a packed lunch and a good pair of walking shoes just to find your cabin. Instead, Island Princess offers a more traditional Princess Cruises experience, with elegant surroundings, a good choice of restaurants, entertainment and some genuinely interesting features.

And there’s one rather important detail that makes her stand out: she’s one of only two Princess ships specifically designed to navigate the historic Panama Canal. Now that’s a pretty impressive claim to fame.

So, let’s take a closer look at what life on board Island Princess could be like, from the food and entertainment to those quieter corners where you can simply sit back and watch the world go by.

A Ship With a Few Stories to Tell

Island Princess first welcomed guests in 2003 and has a capacity of approximately 2,200 passengers, with around 900 crew members.

At approximately 294 metres long, she’s a substantial ship, but one that retains a more traditional cruising feel. For me, that’s part of the appeal. Sometimes it’s nice to have plenty of choice without feeling as though you need to plan every minute of your holiday.

One of the ship’s standout features is the Piazza, an open, European-inspired social space where you’ll find entertainment, cafés, bars and places to sit and watch the activity around you.

It’s the sort of place I’d happily spend a little time, particularly if there’s live music playing and a decent coffee within reach.

And if you’re wondering what else the ship has to offer, take a look at our Island Princess ship guide for more details about cabins, facilities and available sailings.

Dining on Island Princess: Decisions, Decisions!

One major part of my Island Princess onboard experience is the food. After all, nobody wants to spend their holiday wondering where their next decent meal is coming from.

Fortunately, Island Princess has a varied selection of dining options, from relaxed poolside bites to speciality restaurants for something a little more special.

Bayou Café and Steakhouse

Now this is one that caught my eye.

Bayou Café brings a taste of New Orleans to sea, with Cajun and Creole-inspired cooking. Think bold flavours, seafood, jambalaya and dishes with a little Southern personality.

It’s a rather different option from the usual cruise restaurant offering, and definitely one I’d be tempted to try.

Sabatini’s Italian Trattoria

If Italian food is more your thing, Sabatini’s offers a menu inspired by traditional Italian cooking.

Pasta, seafood and classic flavours make this a tempting choice for an evening when you fancy something a little more special.

I’d certainly struggle to say no to a good Italian meal, particularly when someone else is doing the washing up.

Main Dining Rooms

Island Princess has two main dining rooms, Bordeaux and Provence, offering a selection of dishes throughout the cruise.

Depending on your dining arrangement, you can enjoy a more traditional dining experience or a flexible approach.

It’s a great opportunity to try something different each evening, although I’m not promising you’ll resist ordering dessert.

Horizon Court

For something more relaxed, Horizon Court offers buffet dining with a selection of international dishes, fresh produce, snacks and desserts.

It’s ideal when you don’t fancy sitting down for a formal meal or simply want to try a little bit of everything.

And by a little bit, I mean whatever fits on the plate. We won’t judge.

Poolside Favourites

Sometimes a full restaurant meal is simply too much effort. That’s where the casual options come in.

Island Princess also offers poolside favourites including burgers, hot dogs, grilled food and pizza, alongside sweet treats from the ice cream bar.

It’s the sort of holiday dining that requires absolutely no complicated decision-making.

Bars and Lounges: Where’s My Drink?

A good cruise ship needs somewhere to enjoy an evening drink, and Island Princess has a selection of bars and lounges to choose from.

Crooners Bar is one of the venues I’d be keen to visit. With its classic Rat Pack atmosphere, martinis and piano entertainment, it sounds like a lovely place to settle in for the evening.

Wheelhouse Bar offers a more traditional nautical setting, with drinks and live entertainment. It’s a good option for a relaxed drink before or after dinner.

Explorers Lounge provides a livelier atmosphere, with a dance floor, stage and a programme of entertainment.

There’s also Good Spirits at Sea, where guests can enjoy cocktail experiences inspired by flavours and destinations around the world.

Personally, I’d be quite happy sampling a few of those cocktail creations. Purely for research purposes, of course.

Entertainment: There’s More Than Just the Buffet!

If you’re worried about running out of things to do, Island Princess has plenty of entertainment options to keep you occupied.

The Princess Theatre hosts live productions, musical performances and other shows throughout the cruise. It’s a great option for an evening out without even having to leave the ship.

The Piazza also hosts live music and performances, while the Explorers Lounge provides another place to enjoy entertainment and social activities.

One of my favourite cruise concepts has to be Movies Under the Stars. Island Princess has a giant outdoor screen where guests can enjoy films, concerts and sporting events.

Imagine settling into a comfortable lounger, grabbing some popcorn and watching a film under the night sky. It’s a rather lovely way to spend an evening.

There’s also a casino for anyone feeling lucky, although I’d probably keep my holiday spending money for another cocktail.

Time to Relax: Pools, Spa and a Little Me Time

Not every day needs to be packed with activities. Sometimes the best part of a cruise is having absolutely nowhere to be.

Island Princess has swimming pools, hot tubs and plenty of outdoor spaces where you can relax and enjoy the sea views.

For something a little more indulgent, the Lotus Spa offers treatments including massages, facials and other ways to unwind.

There’s also a fitness centre with gym equipment and fitness classes, for those who like to keep active while away.

And if you’re after somewhere quieter, The Sanctuary is an adults-only retreat offering a more peaceful environment.

It’s the sort of place I’d happily escape to with a book, a drink and absolutely no intention of checking what time it is.

Why the Panama Canal Makes Island Princess Special

Here’s where Island Princess really gets interesting.

She’s one of only two Princess Cruises ships specifically designed to navigate the historic Panama Canal, alongside Coral Princess.

The Panama Canal is one of the world’s most remarkable engineering achievements, connecting the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans through a system of locks and waterways.

It’s also a fascinating cruise experience. Rather than simply arriving at another port, passengers get to witness the ship navigating the canal itself, with changing landscapes, impressive engineering and plenty of opportunities to take in the scenery.

This is one itinerary I’d particularly like to experience. There’s something quite special about seeing a destination from the deck of a ship, especially one as historically significant as the Panama Canal.

If this sort of adventure appeals, have a look at our Panama Canal cruise holidays for more inspiration.

Is Island Princess Worth Considering?

For anyone who enjoys traditional cruising, interesting itineraries and a good choice of onboard facilities, Island Princess certainly deserves a look.

What stands out to me is the combination of classic Princess features and her ability to navigate some particularly interesting routes, especially the Panama Canal.

There’s a good mix of dining, entertainment, relaxation and activities, without everything feeling centred around big attractions and headline-grabbing gimmicks.

I’d put her on the list for anyone considering a more traditional cruise experience, particularly if exploring destinations is just as important as enjoying the ship itself.

Would Island Princess Make My Cruise Shortlist?

Definitely.

The New Orleans-inspired dining, traditional bars, Movies Under the Stars and the opportunity to explore destinations such as the Panama Canal all make Island Princess an interesting ship to look into.

And let’s face it, having someone else prepare your meals, make your bed and bring you drinks while you sail somewhere spectacular isn’t a difficult lifestyle to get used to.

If Island Princess has caught your attention too, take a look at our Island Princess cruises and latest sailing deals.

You can also browse our wider Princess Cruises holidays to see what else is waiting across the fleet.

Now, where did I put that suitcase?