By Kent Ninomiya
Princess Caribbean Cruise
Princess
cruises is one of the leading cruise lines servicing the
Caribbean. They currently have 18 cruise ships. Most sail to the Caribbean at least part of the year. They offer five different types of Caribbean cruises. The different itineraries focus on the Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Assorted Caribbean (including ports outside the Caribbean), and Grand Caribbean (at least 10 ports of call). Most of these cruises are between 7 and 14 days. However some can be as short as 6 nights and as long as 21 nights. Princess Cruises boasts some of the largest and most luxurious ships in the world. They are recognized as having some of the most varied and comfortable Caribbean cruise options in the cruise ship industry.
Insider Tips
Eight of Princess Cruises ships specialize in the Caribbean. They are the Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Royal Princess, Ruby Princess, Sea Princess, and Star Princess. If you want to take a Princess Caribbean Cruise, stick to these eight ships. Their crews have the most experience with the region since they spend most of the year there. Your Princess Caribbean cruise experience will vary greatly depending on which ship you choose. The Caribbean Princess is a giant with 900 balcony staterooms and an entire deck of mini-suites. Meanwhile the Sea Princess is tiny in comparison with just 400 balcony staterooms. Choose a large ship if you plan to spend most of your time enjoying the ship. Pick a small ship if you wish to visit more ports.
Pros and Cons
Princess Cruises is considered a high end cruise line. It has luxuries, service and amenities that you would expect from a high-end cruise line. It regularly gets rave reviews for its food, decor and customer care. Princess Cruises also has one of the newest fleets in the cruise ship industry. Its latest ship, the Ruby Princess, entered service in November 2008. Prices for cruises aboard Princess Cruises ships are predictably high. Passengers pay a handsome premium to enjoy the newer ships and attentive service. As a result, the passengers tend to be older than those who sail on "party" cruise lines like Carnival. The child care facilities are adequate but don't compare to a cruise line like Disney that specializes in child passengers. Consider these things carefully if you plan to socialize with your fellow passengers.
Bottom Line
A Princess Caribbean cruise is an excellent choice if you wish to splurge on a cruise to the Caribbean. The cruise line has plenty of experience in the region and offers a predictably high level of quality service. Expect to pay an above-average amount for a Princess Caribbean cruise. It is not for those wishing to cruise on a strict budget. It is also a poor choice for college students who want to party with hundreds of others their age. This crowd is rarely found on a Princess Caribbean cruise. It is also not the best choice for families with very young children. Some ships do not offer youth programs unless 20 or more children are sailing. Children must also be at least 3 years old and potty trained before they can be left in the child care facility.
Resources
About the Author:
Kent Ninomiya is a veteran journalist with over 23 years experience as a television news anchor, reporter and managing editor. He traveled to more than 100 countries on all seven continents, including Antarctica. Ninomiya holds a Bachelor of Arts in social sciences with emphasis in history, political science and mass communications from the University of California at Berkeley.
Photo Credits:
Juan-Manuel Gonzalez
