The main Island Princess cabins to avoid are the Aloha Deck (12) rooms directly under the Lido Deck pools and Horizon Court buffet, cabins next to the self-service laundries, obstructed-view oceanview grades (OV, OW, OY and OZ), and cabins near the far aft on lower decks if you are sensitive to vibration. For the best balance of quiet, stability and value, pick a balcony or mini-suite midship on Dolphin (9), Caribe (10) or Baja (11) Deck, where there are cabins above and below you.
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Island Princess is a Coral-class ship built in France and introduced in 2003. A 2015 dry dock added 121 cabins, so today it holds about 1,107 staterooms and roughly 2,200 guests at double occupancy. It is one of only two Princess ships (with sister Coral Princess) sized to transit the original Panama Canal locks, which is why it spends so much time on canal itineraries. This guide walks through the deck plan so you know which rooms to skip and which to grab.
Island Princess at a glance
| Detail | Island Princess |
|---|---|
| Class | Coral class (sister ship: Coral Princess) |
| Entered service | 2003 |
| Gross tonnage | About 92,800 |
| Guests (double occupancy) | About 2,200 |
| Staterooms | About 1,107, most of them with a balcony |
| Major work | 2015 dry dock (121 cabins added, Horizon Court and fitness areas reshuffled); routine dry dock in Palermo, Italy, in September 2024 |
| 2026-27 focus | Panama Canal voyages linking Los Angeles or San Diego with Fort Lauderdale |
Island Princess cabin types and grades
Princess sells cabins by category code, and the code tells you a lot. Sizes below are approximate and vary by cabin, so always confirm the exact room on the Princess Cruises booking page.
- Interior (IA to IF): roughly 155 to 165 sq ft. The cheapest way onboard and the darkest rooms for sleeping.
- Oceanview (OB to OE, plus OV, OW, OY, OZ): picture windows on the lower decks. OE has a porthole, and OV, OW, OY and OZ are sold as obstructed view, usually by lifeboats.
- Balcony (BA to BF, B1, B2, BY, BZ): the most common cabin onboard, with a balcony of about 35 to 75 sq ft depending on location. Standard bathrooms have a shower only.
- Mini-suite (MB, MD, ME, M1 and related): a larger room with a sitting area, sofa bed, two TVs and a bathtub/shower combination. Club Class Mini-Suites add dedicated dining, priority boarding and other extras.
- Suites (S4 to S6 and up): 31 suites, from Vista-style rooms to larger Penthouse-style suites, several of them aft with big balconies. Suite guests get perks such as priority tendering and complimentary laundry.
The ship has a small number of connecting staterooms (Princess lists 15) and around two dozen wheelchair-accessible cabins spread across grades. If you need either, book early, because they go first.
Island Princess cabins to avoid (and why)
No cabin on Island Princess is truly terrible, but some locations come with predictable trade-offs. These are the pitfalls worth checking on the deck plan before you pay a deposit.
1. Aloha Deck cabins under the Lido Deck
Island Princess has no Deck 13, so Aloha (Deck 12) sits directly beneath Lido (Deck 14). Lido holds the Horizon Court buffet forward, then the Lido and Lotus pools, bars and the Lotus Spa. Crew set out and stack deck loungers early and late, buffet carts and chairs move around in the small hours, and pool pumps run in the background. Some guests sleep through it; light sleepers often do not. If you like Aloha Deck for its height and quick access to the pools, choose a room under a quieter area or bring earplugs.
2. Cabins next to the launderettes
Self-service laundries are on Decks 5, 8, 9, 10, 11 and 12. On busy sea days they attract queues, chatter and dryer doors slamming from early morning to late evening. Look for the small laundry symbol on the deck plan and avoid the cabins on either side of it and directly opposite.
3. Obstructed-view oceanview grades
Categories OV, OW, OY and OZ are cheaper because lifeboats or tender equipment partly or almost fully block the window. That can be fine if you only want daylight, but if you are paying for a view, check whether a room is listed as obstructed before booking. A few balcony cabins also report window-cleaning gear stored overhead or partial overhangs, so read the cabin description carefully.
4. Rooms above or below late-night venues
The busiest public decks are Plaza (5), Fiesta (6) and Promenade (7). Fiesta holds the casino, Explorers Lounge and, since 2015, the fitness center aft; Promenade has the upper level of the Princess Theater forward plus bars such as Crooners and the Wheelhouse. Cabins on the decks directly above or below these spaces can pick up music, bass or early gym noise. Cabins sandwiched between other cabin decks are almost always quieter.
5. Far aft on the lower decks
The stern sits closest to the propellers and thrusters. Some guests in aft cabins report a noticeable vibration or hum, especially when the ship is maneuvering in port, docking, or making speed between Panama Canal stops. Higher aft cabins feel it less than low ones.
6. Forward cabins if you get seasick
The bow moves the most in a swell. Forward cabins on the upper decks, including the Aloha Deck rooms near the bridge, will feel pitching more than anywhere else. If motion is a concern, stay low and midship.
7. Rooms beside elevators and stairwells
Being near an elevator saves steps, but the cabins right next to the lobbies see foot traffic, conversations and doors at all hours. One or two doors along the corridor is usually the sweet spot.
Best cabins on Island Princess
If you want the best cabins on Island Princess without paying for a full suite, these are the safest picks.
- Midship balconies on Dolphin, Caribe or Baja (Decks 9 to 11). Cabins above and below, little through-traffic and the least motion for a balcony cabin. This is the default choice for most couples.
- Mini-suites on Dolphin to Aloha (Decks 9 to 12). Noticeably more space, a sofa, and a bathtub. On a long Panama Canal crossing the extra room is worth it for many guests. For a deeper look at whether the upgrade pays off, see our guide on Princess mini-suites and suites and whether they are worth it.
- Aft-facing balconies and aft suites. Wake views, often bigger balconies and more privacy. Go for higher decks to reduce vibration, and remember that aft-facing balconies can be overlooked by the ones above and catch more wind.
- Low midship cabins on Plaza or Emerald (Decks 5 and 8) for sensitive sailors. The most stable spots on the ship and close to the atrium, dining rooms and guest services.
- Interior cabins sandwiched between cabin decks. If budget comes first, an inside cabin midship on Dolphin, Caribe or Baja is dark, quiet and well placed.
Island Princess cabins compared
| Location | Good for | Watch out for |
|---|---|---|
| Midship Decks 9 to 11 | Quiet nights, less motion | Higher fares; laundry rooms on these decks |
| Aloha Deck 12 | Quick access to pools and buffet | Noise from Lido Deck directly above |
| Lido Deck 14 aft | Suites and balconies with a view astern | Wind; pool and spa traffic nearby |
| Plaza Deck 5 | Stability, budget | Public areas and theater nearby |
| Far aft, low decks | Wake views | Vibration and thruster noise |
| Forward, high decks | Quiet corridors | The most motion in rough seas |
Picking a side for the Panama Canal
This is something many cabin guides skip. Island Princess spends much of 2026-27 on full Panama Canal transits between the West Coast and Fort Lauderdale, so travelers often worry about booking the “wrong” side. In practice, the ship passes through the locks with walls close on one side and the parallel lane or open lake on the other, and which side gets which changes through the day. Both sides see plenty. The forward open decks and the bow area are where most guests gather for the locks, so a balcony matters less than you might expect on transit day. Spend the money on a quiet location rather than a particular side.
Sister-ship note: Coral Princess
Coral Princess is Island Princess’s twin, with the same Coral-class hull and similar deck names. The big difference is that Island Princess gained 121 extra cabins in its 2015 dry dock and had several public areas moved, so cabin numbers and what sits above or below them do not always match between the two ships. If you are comparing both, read our separate guide to Coral Princess cabins to avoid rather than assuming the same room number works on each.
How to check a specific cabin before booking
- Open the official deck plan and look at the deck directly above and below your cabin, not only your own deck.
- Find the laundry, elevator and crew-door symbols near your room.
- Confirm whether the category ends in an obstructed-view code before you pay.
- For connecting or accessible cabins, call Princess or your travel agent, as these are limited.
- Compare fares across a few sailings; prices for the same grade can shift a lot. Our roundup of cruise deals for 2027 is a good place to start.
FAQs
Which deck is best on Island Princess?
Dolphin, Caribe and Baja (Decks 9 to 11) are the best all-round decks because they have cabins above and below, with balconies and mini-suites midship offering the best mix of quiet and stability.
Are mini-suites worth it on Island Princess?
For longer trips, such as a 15-plus night Panama Canal crossing, many guests find the extra space, sofa and bathtub worth the step up from a standard balcony. On short sailings a well-placed balcony is usually enough.
Which Island Princess cabins have obstructed views?
Oceanview categories OV, OW, OY and OZ are sold as obstructed, typically by lifeboats. Check the category code on your booking to be sure.
Is Island Princess the same as Coral Princess?
They are Coral-class sister ships, but Island Princess added 121 cabins in 2015 and moved some venues, so deck plans and cabin numbers differ in places.
Where should I book on Island Princess if I get seasick?
Book low and midship, ideally on Plaza (5) or Emerald (8) Deck, and avoid forward cabins on the upper decks.
