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Caribbean Princess

Cruise line Princess Cruises

• Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida)
• Port Canaveral (Orlando, Florida)
• Vancouver (BC Canada)
• Southampton (England)
• Whittier (Alaska)

Caribbean Princess current position

Caribbean Princess current location is at North West Atlantic Ocean (coordinates 24.63166 N / -76.18500 W) cruising en route to USPEF>BSELE. The AIS position was reported 1 hour ago.

Current itinerary of Caribbean Princess

Caribbean Princess current cruise is 14 days, round-trip EasternWestern Caribbean Adventurer , themed as "Easter". Prices start from USD 1694 (double occupancy rates). The itinerary starts on 31 Mar, 2024 and ends on 14 Apr, 2024 .

Specifications of Caribbean Princess

•   Itineraries
•   Review
•   Wiki

Caribbean Princess Itineraries

Caribbean princess review, review of caribbean princess.

The 2004-built Caribbean Princess cruise ship is the 6th Grand-class Princess Cruises liner, with sisterships Crown , Diamond , Golden (Pacific Adventure) , Grand , Emerald , Ruby , Star (Pacific Encounter) and Sapphire .

The vessel (IMO number 9215490) is currently Bermuda- flagged (MMSI 310423000) and registered in Hamilton .

History - construction and ownership

Princess Cruises is a USA-based passenger shipping company headquartered in Beverly Hills CA. A former subsidiary of P&O Princess Cruises (1977-founded), in 2003, the company merged with Carnival Corporation - the world's largest cruise shipowner. Among Princess Cruise Lines Ltd's assets is the Caribbean private island resort Princess Cays (on Bahamas Eleuthera Island's southern end), located approx 80 km (50 mi) from Nassau .

The 2600-passenger ship Caribbean Princess underwent a major drydock refit in early 2009 when were added facilities available on the younger fleet mates Crown, Emerald and Ruby. Now passengers spend hours sitting in the cosy, patio-style seating places, sipping coffee, reading, playing board games and watching occasional performers, ranging from a Cirque-type cube-spinner to a BMX biker. The new Piazza-Vines Wine Bar is the place to try over thirty wines by the glass while snacking on artisan cheeses, sushi and tapas. Of the changes, the most remarkable and appreciated, is the transformation of the former atrium into a new 3-deck-high, street-cafe-style Piazza - home to the International Cafe (a combination bakery, deli and coffee shop), Vines Wine & Seafood Bar, the Internet Cafe & Library, and an amusement zone.

Decks and Cabins

Most Caribbean Princess staterooms (1569 total, in 34 grades) are 170-ft2 balcony cabins (675). Almost 80% of ship's outside accommodations have private step-out balconies. Wheelchair-accessible cabins are 25. The largest accommodations are the Grand Suites (615 ft2 / 57 m2 with terrace sized 115 ft2 / 11 m2).

The boat has 18 decks , of which 15 are passenger-accessible and 9 with cabins.

Shipboard dining options - Food and Drinks

Caribbean Princess features three dining rooms, all with twinkling lights on their ceilings and tasteful, Caribbean-themed menu. The Palm is for fixed-seating dining, while Island and Coral are for passengers who have chosen "Anytime Dining". Reservations are available but are not required. Coral also welcomes guests for waiter-service breakfast and lunch. Rotating menu options include soups, appetizers, mains and desserts. There are also signature pasta and choices like Caesar salad and salmon. The healthy Lotus Spa selections are low in sodium and fat. Cafe Caribe and Horizon Court look identical and are open all day long. The Horizon section serves as a lido buffet restaurant and features breakfast buffets. Lunch choices may include unusual dishes like peanut butter sandwiches and fried banana. 

Follows the complete list of Caribbean Princess restaurants and food bars.

• Island Restaurant (ship's aft Dining Room; dinner only - offers “Anytime Dining” between 5:30 p.m. -10 p.m.)
• Crown Grill (160-seat steakhouse/seafood restaurant, reservations recommended; on select days serves British Pub Lunch, complimentary)
• Coral Restaurant (ship's forward Dining Room for Breakfast 7-9 a.m., Lunch 12-1:30 p.m., Afternoon Tea 3:30-4:30 p.m.; features “Anytime Dining” for Dinner between 5:30-8 p.m. or 8-10 p.m.)
• Palm Restaurant (dinner only aft Dining Room; with 2 fixed seatings at 6 p.m. or 8:15 p.m.)
• Sabatini’s Restaurant (Italian speciality restaurant; reservations recommended)
• The Salty Dog Grill (replacing Trident Grill, self-service, complimentary fast food bar)
• World Fresh Marketplace (replacing Horizon Court, self-service buffet restaurant, complimentary)
• Planks BBQ and Steamers Seafood (replacing Cafe Caribe, aft self-service buffet restaurant)
• Slice (formerly Pizzeria, with west and east coast offerings, classic Neapolitan-style pizza)
• Coffee & Cones (formerly Scoops, offers free ice cream cones, treats of gourmet ice cream sandwiches, speciality coffee).

Shipboard entertainment options - Fun and Sport

The Princess Theater is the main venue on Caribbean Princess for comedy acts and production shows with a variety of music and selections appealing to a broad mix of ages. Each of the ship's venues has a different offering. Crooners feature music trivia contests and a pianist. Explorer's Lounge hosts events for everything from Wii sports tournaments to art auctions, plus comedy shows and magicians. The Piazza offers various demonstrations, circus-lite acts and musical performances throughout the day. Club Fusion is a part game show, part nightclub venue. Skywalker Nightclub, Princess' trademark, hosts the 70's-, the 80's- and the 90's-inspired nights and a few nights with a variety of modern music. For low-key dancing, head to the Wheelhouse Bar, which hosts combos playing standards and soft rock.

Follows the complete list of Caribbean Princess lounges, clubs and other entertainment venues for kids, teens and adults.

• The Piazza Atrium (3-deck open floor area; features live performances entertainment and lobby Bar Piazza)
• Princess Fine Arts Gallery; Photo Gallery & Shop; Platinum Studio
• International Cafe (24-hour speciality coffee bar and patisserie)
• Vines Bar (wine/seafood/sushi bar)
• Library (with Internet stations); Internet Cafe (24-hour)
• Princess Caribbean Theatre (2-level musical and show productions; hosts workshops, seminars, game shows)
• Churchill Lounge & Bar (smoking lounge and sports bar)
• Calypso Cove Shop; Essence Shop; Limelight Shop; Meridian Bay Shop; Facets Shop
• Princess Caribbean Grand Casino
• Crooners Lounge & Bar (live music; also used for seminars)
• Explorers Lounge & Bar (disco/show lounge; hosts karaoke, comedy, game shows and art auctions)
• Wheelhouse Bar (piano bar during the day and an English pub nightly).
• Club Fusion Lounge (hosts dance classes and quizzes, after 7:30 p.m. becomes Disco & Nightclub)
• Scoops Bar (Sundaes Ice Cream Bar, complimentary)
• Outrigger Bar (poolside bar); Tradewinds Bar
• Caribbean’s Lotus Spa complex; Beauty Salon; Fitness Center (with Aerobics Studio)
• Hearts & Minds (Wedding Chapel)
• Movies Under the Stars (LED screen outdoor cinema)
• Video Games Arcade; Teen Center; Youth Center with Paddling Pool and outdoor playing areas
• The Sanctuary (adult-only open-air area)
• Camp Discovery (Youth Center)
• Calypso Reef & Pool area; Neptune’s Reef & Pool area; Pirate’s View Pool area (served by Morgan’s Bar)
• The Skywalker (Jogging Track); Sports Court (volleyball, basketball, European football); Princess Links mini golf course, Cybergolf simulator
• Skywalkers Disco & Nightclub

Reef Splash Zone (kids aquapark / without waterslides) was added during drydock refurb 2019. Read more in the ship's Wiki section .

Itineraries

Caribbean Princess itinerary program is based on seasonal deployment in Europe (voyages out of Southampton England UK ) and in the Caribbean (roundtrips from Port Canaveral/Fort Lauderdale Florida USA ). When changing regions (in spring and fall), the ship offers 2-week-long Transatlantic crossings between Europe and the USA (RepositionCruises.com).

Caribbean Princess - user reviews and comments

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Other Princess Cruises cruise ships

• Coral Princess
• Crown Princess
• Diamond Princess
• Discovery Princess
• Emerald Princess
• Enchanted Princess
• Grand Princess
• Island Princess
• Majestic Princess
• Regal Princess
• Royal Princess
• Ruby Princess
• Sapphire Princess
• Sky Princess
• Star Princess
• Sun Princess

Caribbean Princess Wiki

Princess Cruises Caribbean ship belongs to company's Grand-class liners ( Fincantieri Monfalcone -built), with (same-designed) sisterships Crown  and  Emerald . The ship is slightly bigger than the other (similarly-designed) Grand-Class liners  Star (now Pacific Encounter) ,  Golden (now Pacific Adventure)  and  Grand . The reason for this is the additional cabin deck (Riviera Deck). The vessel also has no sliding roof to cover the swimming pool area as this liner was planned for exclusively Caribbean itineraries.

Ship's christening ceremony was on April 2, 2004, held in  Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) , from where also started the inaugural cruise (maiden voyage). Ship's godmother was Jill Whelan - US actress, best known for her role of Vicki Stubing in the 80's TV series "The Love Boat". The vessel was the biggest one in the fleet right until June 2013, when Royal Princess  entered into service.

Fun fact: Caribbean Princess is the first cruise vessel to have an open-air theatre/ outdoor movie screen (named "Movies under the Stars").

Ship's European maiden season was based on homeport Southampton England . Then, it was repositioned to  NYC New York  to operate Fall Foliage cruises to New England, then relocated back to Fort Lauderdale for roundtrip Caribbean itineraries. In April 2013, the liner was deployed back to Europe for the British Isles and various Northern European itineraries in Baltic Sea.

In early-September 2018, Caribbean Princess became fleet's first vessel with installed  Carnival Corporation's OceanMedallion technology  (wearable devices allowing passengers access to "virtual concierge" services and amenities, as well as interactive entertainment). The new technology also includes the MedallionNet - Wi-Fi connectivity via access points installed in every stateroom. Passengers on MedallionClass cruise liners experience land-like connection quality allowing streaming of movies, music, videos, video phone calls, real-time sharing on social media platforms.

Panama Canal cruise itineraries 2017

In 2017, Caribbean Princess made her maiden season of  Panama Canal transition cruises  through the new locks. The ship operated on the 10-day itinerary (with partial transits through the new Agua Clara locks) on roundtrips from  Fort Lauderdale (Port Everglades, Florida) . The ship's first ever transit was on October 26, 2017. Prices started from USD 1250 pp (double occupancy). This voyage also celebrated Princess Cruises' 50th anniversary of the 1967 crossing (world's first ever on passenger ship).

The fleet mates  Coral  and  Island  continued to transit the canal through the 3 old locks (Pedro Miguel, Miraflores, Gatun). The new locks were officially inaugurated on June 26, 2016. They are the result of a 9-year (USD 5,2 billion) construction project.

USA to Greenland itinerary 2019

A new Greenland cruise roundtrip from USA (NYC New York ) was revealed in January 2018 for the Princess Cruises Caribbean ship.

• The cruise departure was scheduled for August 19, 2019.
• The 16-days long itinerary's ports of call were in Greenland (Nanortalik, Nuuk, Qaqortoq) and Canada (Halifax, Sydney, St Johns).
• Cruise prices started from USD 2,500 pp (double occupancy Inside Cabin rate) plus additional USD 220 in Gov taxes and port fees.

Caribbean Princess refurbishment 2019 review

During drydock 2019 refurbishment (in June, done in Freeport Bahamas ) on the ship was installed fleet's first-ever waterpark - Reef Splash Zone (without waterslides!). Located aft-portside on Deck 17/Sports Deck (beneath the ramp leading to Skywalkers Nightclub on Deck 18), the water park was added as a new section to the original aft swimming pool (Pirate's View). The redesigned area now includes a large-sized Splashpad (outdoor water playground) fitted with splash pool, water cannons, water sprays, showers, interactive whale-like structure (with a "raining" fluke). The surrounding lounging area (designed for families with kids) was updated with new patio furniture (comfortable sectionals, chairs, sunloungers, padded garden couches with tables), new fixtures and finishes. The existing swimming pool, whirlpool hot tub (large outdoor Jacuzzi) and poolside bar (Morgan's Bar) were also renovated.

The newly-added Game Zone hosts family fun competitions and features oversized backyard games (the likes of Jenga, Cornhole, Connect Four). At Morgan's Bar (kids-friendly) parents can enjoy mocktails and cocktails. The surrounding lounge area is furnished with comfortable sectionals. The water-park is protected by wind panels (throughout the area) while its Shade Canopy (aft-starboard) is a sun-protected seating area covered with canvas canopies. The music system and lighting were upgraded (to the steps and swimming pool) and new wall lighting was installed for the evening open-deck parties, activities (including stargazing and educational kids programs) and themed events.

On Deck 16, the Spa complex (forward) was renovated, redesigned and updated with contemporary artworks and signage. On Deck 16 aft, at Camp Discovery Youth Center (kids-only complex for children 3-12 yo), the Outdoor Play Area was upgraded with an interactive water table for current itinerary/destination-themed fun activities.

Caribbean Princess refurbishment 2017 review

During the ship's 2017 drydock refurbishment (March 25 - April 5, done in Freeport Bahamas) resulted in the following deckplan changes:

• New kids area ("Camp Discovery" / kids and teen center) was added aft on deck 17.
• Pool deck's MUTS screen ("Movies Under the Stars" / 850-seat outdoor movie theatre) was upgraded.
• The number of interconnecting cabins (for families) was increased with an additional 87 pairs.
• (Lido Deck 15) "Horizon Court" was replaced by "World Fresh Marketplace". The ship's new buffet restaurant now has new decor, improved layout and more food options. Breakfast includes 24-hour cereal station, designer pancake station, hot cereal choices (like shrimp & grits and polenta porridge). Lunch includes hand-crafted sandwiches, regionally-inspired soups, a wide selection of meats (sausages, hams, roasted). Dinner includes family comfort foods, PB&J bar ("Peanut Butter and Jelly").  Nighttime buffet offerings include live-action cooking station (stir-fry, customized pasta, salads).
• (Lido Deck 15) the ship now has 2 casual specialty restaurants formed from the old "Cafe Caribe". Both restaurants are designed for families with kids. The first at-fee restaurant ("Planks BBQ") serves family-style meat planks (ribs, beef, sausages, chicken) plus sides (fries, chili, coleslaw, charred toast, dill pickles).  Dinner here is served and costs USD 12 pp.  Free buffet-style breakfast and lunch here include customizable breakfast bowls, signature soup, fresh-made salads, fork & knife sandwiches. The second at-fee restaurant ("Steamers Seafood" offers steamers with regionally sourced seafood (Black and Blue Mussels, Scallops and Sausage, Classic Clams, Crab-stuffed Flounder).  Dinner is served and costs USD 12 pp.  Free buffet-style breakfast and lunch choices include egg dishes and ramen bowls.
• Following the 2017 refurbishment, the ship's pool deck (15) offers 4 outdoor dining options. "The Salty Dog Grill" (formerly "Trident Grill") offers “The Ernesto” burger (best at sea), other specialty beef burgers (with handmade patties and buns), also Street Tacos (with grilled chipotle-lime chicken or roasted sweet potato, corn tortillas), fries and classic hot dogs. "Slice Pizzeria" (formerly "Prego Pizzeria") offers Neapolitan-style pizzas, Deep Dish Focaccia (with marinara, meatballs, cheese), California Artisanal Toast, Sliced Stromboli (calzone filled with deli meats and cheese). "Coffee & Cones" (formerly "Scoops Bar") offers gourmet ice cream sandwiches, free ice cream cones, specialty coffees and teas. "THE MIX" (formerly "Blackbeard’s Bar") / poolside drinks bar) was updated and redesigned.
• The specialty Italian Trattoria restaurant Sabatini’s (formerly "SHARE by Curtis Stone", on Promenade Deck 7) was redesigned, debuting a new menu with antipasti and handmade pasta dishes by celebrity chef Angelo Auriana, Sabatini’s new menu was implemented fleetwide in 2017. Angelo Auriana is an Executive Chef and partner in the Los Angeles' Italian restaurants "The Factory Kitchen" and "Officine BRERA". Chef Auriana's dishes are based on using old-world grains (like buckwheat and durum wheat) giving them the protein strength necessary to keep the house-made pasta's shape. He also uses numerous non-traditional herbs (like mints and marjoram).

All stateroom beds (a total of 3200 units) were replaced with the company's signature "Princess Luxury Beds”.

Carnival's Ocean Medallion technology was installed in September 2018.

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Booking a Panama Canal Cruise: Cruise Ships, Sights and Attractions

If you want to explore the Panama Canal and experience the culture in this region of the world, there's no better way to do so than a Panama Canal cruise vacation, where you'll have the opportunity to see all of the sights and engage with the locals, making for a memorable trip you'll be talking about for years.

There are several Panama Canal cruise ship options to choose from, and every Princess cruise ship to this region is well-suited for couples and families with children alike. Regardless of whether you choose a Panama Canal shore excursion or a luxurious cruise that stops at some of the liveliest ports, you're bound to make memories and friendships that last a lifetime.

The Coral Princess

The Coral Princess is the perfect choice for those who want a beautiful view of the ocean. Approximately 90 percent of the staterooms on this vessel offer travelers a great view of the water as they travel to their destination. There are also about 700 balconies, giving visitors a marvelous opportunity to see the canal and all of its splendors as they make their way through the region.

If you've always wanted to get a taste of New Orleans, traveling on the Coral Princess is a great way to do so. At the Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse, you can take in a live jazz show while dining on New Orleans-inspired cuisine.

With the abundance of lounges throughout the Coral Princess, you'll never run out of places to meet and greet with other travelers. Throughout the ship, there are also luxurious dining areas, bars and a casino for adults to enjoy, relax and unwind.

The Island Princess

Specifically designed to travel through the Panama Canal, the Island Princess is a great choice for those who want to experience a new culture in this region. This ship also has approximately 700 balconies and a majority of its staterooms give travelers a magnificent view of the ocean.

Similar to the Coral Princess, the Island Princess also has New Orleans-inspired cuisine and The Bayou Cafe and Steakhouse for those who want a taste of this unique culture. There are also several lounges, a Lotus Spa and a casino for those who want to kick back and relax. Traveling on the Island Princess can make this one of the most memorable Panama Canal cruise vacations of your lifetime.

We also sail on the Caribbean Princess to the Panama Canal on From the East Coast and Ocean to Ocean itineraries. Refurbished in March 2017, with a guest capacity of over 3,000, the Caribbean Princess offers more luxurious amenities, staterooms, and delicious cuisine to bring you deep into the history and culture of the Panama Canal.

Attractions and sites to see in the Panama Canal

Once you arrive in the Panama Canal, there will be plenty to see and explore. Even if you've been to the canal before, there's always something new to see when you return. One activity you might want to consider while you're in the area is snorkeling or diving. The warm waters of the canal and the abundance of wildlife make this a great place to explore marine life.

If you aren't interested in getting wet, there are plenty of other activities you can try to get your fill of all the Panama Canal has to offer. There are many forests throughout the area and professionals who provide tours of the natural surroundings, in addition to the wide array of exotic birds that live in the area. Even if you aren't experienced in bird watching, experts can help you recognize and spot some of these beautiful winged creatures.

When planning your trip to the Panama Canal, make it a point to book your cruise with Princess for a memorable, fun-filled experience.

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12 best Panama Canal cruises for a bucket-list trip

A Panama Canal transit is a rite of passage for many cruise lovers. Experiencing this marvel of early 20th-century engineering appeals to those with a wide array of interests, from history and politics to colonial architecture and wildlife spotting. Built by the U.S. government between 1903 and 1914, this 50-mile waterway linking the Atlantic and Pacific oceans revolutionized shipping by creating an expedited route for the transit of cargo and, ultimately, cruise ship passengers.

Panama Canal itineraries are offered by almost every cruise line. Thanks to a 2016 canal expansion project, a third set of locks can now accommodate larger vessels. It's possible to cruise the Panama Canal on ships of all sizes (from 148 guests to more than 3,000) on itineraries that range from a week in the sun to a six-month world cruise.

Some ships sail a full transit of the canal, from the Atlantic to the Pacific, or vice versa. These one-way journeys between Miami or Fort Lauderdale and Los Angeles or San Diego, visits ports in Central America, South America, Mexico and California.

Others sail only a partial transit, entering the locks from the Atlantic and cruising into Lake Gatun before turning around and exiting again. These itineraries, sailing round-trip from Florida ports, combine the canal experience with island-hopping in the Caribbean.

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The array of options means that a Panama Canal cruise experience is possible even if you're short on time or have a limited budget — and chances are high that your favorite cruise line offers one or more itineraries. Most sailings attract couples, typically retirees, but if the timing is right a Panama Canal cruise can also be a great multi-generational experience.

Here are a dozen of the best Panama Canal cruises to consider.

Holland America's 14- to 16-day Panama Canal cruises

Holland America offers a variety of Panama Canal cruises , but the most popular itineraries span 14 to 16 days. They offer a full transit between Fort Lauderdale and San Diego, or vice versa, and are offered on multiple ships, including Zaandam, Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Volendam. These sailings call on Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Huatulco and Puerto Vallarta or Cabo San Lucas, Mexico.

Who should go: Holland America ships sailing a full transit are popular with retired couples who appreciate the cruise line's consistency and good value. All four ships accommodate between 1,432 and 2,106 passengers and offer signature onboard experiences that include the Greenhouse Spa and the BBC Earth in Concert multimedia performance. The larger Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam feature additional specialty dining options, such as Tamarind and Nami Sushi, as well as B.B. King's Blues Club, Lincoln Center Stage and Billboard Onboard.

Regent Seven Seas Cruises' 16-night Los Angeles to Miami cruise

Regent Seven Seas Cruises ' newest ship, Seven Seas Grandeur, debuts in November 2023 and its first two Panama Canal itineraries in early 2024 are already waitlisted. For those planning ahead, the 16-night Miami to Los Angeles (Dec. 13-29, 2024) and 16-night Los Angeles to Miami (Jan. 8-23, 2025) transits offer luxurious all-inclusive pampering, plus port calls in Ensenada, Cabo San Lucas and Acapulco, Mexico; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; Corinto, Nicaragua; Panama City, Panama; Cartagena, Colombia; and George Town, Grand Cayman.

Who should go: This itinerary can be a wonderful splurge for a couple seeking to celebrate a milestone anniversary or birthday in a memorable way on a luxurious new ship. Prices start at a hefty $10,399 per person for a spacious balcony suite, but they also include airfare, transfers, gratuities, dining and beverages, Wi-Fi and shore excursions — meaning you'll hardly have any other vacation expenses.

Related: The 8 best luxury cruise lines for elegance and exclusivity

Celebrity Cruises' 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean cruise

For a Panama Canal experience that begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale, Celebrity Cruises ' 11-night Panama Canal & Southern Caribbean itinerary is a great option. There's plenty of time to plan ahead for the Dec. 2, 2024 cruise or the half-dozen almost identical sailings that follow through March 2025. All sailings are aboard the new 3,260-guest Celebrity Beyond and visit Cartagena, Colombia; Colon, Panama; Oranjestad, Aruba; Kralendjik, Bonaire; and George Town, Grand Cayman (Willemstad, Curacao replaces Grand Cayman on some 2025 sailings).

Who should go: Celebrity Beyond and its Edge-series sister ships appeal to Millennials, Gen Xers and young-at-heart Boomers who appreciate innovative design, entertainment and dining options. The ships are geared toward couples or groups of friends, but families with older teens might also enjoy the onboard vibe. There are no splash pools or waterslides for younger kids, although calls on three Caribbean islands offer aquatic fun.

Windstar Cruises' 7-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal cruise

To explore the Panama Canal region in a relaxed manner aboard an intimate motorized sailing yacht, check out Windstar Cruises' 7-night Costa Rica & Panama Canal itinerary aboard the 148-guest Wind Star. Bookable on more than two dozen dates in 2023, 2024 and 2025, the itinerary takes guests from Colon, Panama to Puerto Caldera, Costa Rica (or vice versa). The ship will transit the canal and visit Panama City and Isla Parida in Panama, plus Golfo Dolce and Quepos (for Manuel Antonio National Park) in Costa Rica.

Who should go: Fans of small-ship cruising who enjoy a casual onboard ambiance, are interested in nature and wildlife and wish to sample the regional flavors of Central America should consider a Windstar cruise . All accommodations are in snug yet well-designed staterooms with windows, but no balconies. Wind Star is a cozy and social four-deck ship featuring a pool and pool bar, a lounge and two restaurants.

Related: Big vs. small cruise ships: Which will I like better?

Silversea's 31-day New York to Lima cruise

Silversea Cruises ' indulgent 31-day New York to Lima sailing aboard its newest ship, 728-guest Silver Nova features a Panama Canal transit in the middle of the trip. The one-way itinerary departs New York City in November and visits Bermuda and multiple sunny Caribbean islands — Puerto Rico, St. Thomas, St. Barth's, St. Kitts, Antigua, Martinique, St. Lucia, Barbados, Bequia, Grenada, Curacao and Aruba — and Cartagena, Colombia before transiting the canal to call on ports in Ecuador (Manta) and Peru (Salaverry and Lima).

Who should go: Silversea's clientele is mostly mature couples with a luxury mindset and an appreciation for elevated dining with a strong regional focus. They also appreciate the cruise line's all-inclusive ease. A month-long itinerary such as this is likely to attract retirees seeking an extended warm-weather escape.

Related: The 10 best cruises for couples seeking romance and together time at sea

Carnival Cruise Line's 8-day Panama Canal cruise from Tampa

Experiencing the Panama Canal doesn't have to be time-consuming or budget-busting. Carnival Cruise Line 's 8-day Panama Canal from Tampa itinerary offers a round-trip, partial-transit sailing aboard the 2,124-passenger Carnival Pride with port calls in Limon, Costa Rica and George Town, Grand Cayman—beginning at under $900 per person.

With four pools (including an adults-only aft Serenity Pool), a WaterWorks aqua park, Camp Ocean kids club and seven restaurants, the ship offers enough diversions for sea-day fun, even at half the size of Carnival's newest megaships.

Who should go: Carnival's action-packed ships and affordable cruise fares appeal to families, friends and couples of all ages who enjoy a lively onboard ambiance and casual complimentary dining options (including a Guy Fieri burger venue).

Related: Best cruise lines for families

Seabourn's 21-day Caribbean & Panama Canal Passage

For a one-way Panama Canal transit that visits six countries (Aruba, Curacao, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala and Mexico) and offers six relaxing and luxurious days at sea, consider Seabourn 's 21-day Caribbean & Panama Canal Passage . The 450-guest Seabourn Sojourn will sail from Miami to Los Angeles in December.

Calls on Golfito and Puntarenas in Costa Rica offer access to eco-adventure. Visits to Puerto Quetzal in Guatemala and Puerto Chiapas and Huatulco in Mexico feature excursions focused on pre-Spanish-colonial culture, coffee cultivation and more, while a call on Cabo San Lucas offers whale-watching, deep-sea fishing or tequila tasting opportunities.

Who should go: Work-from-anywhere entrepreneurs and retirees who enjoy the luxury and refinement of small-ship cruising will enjoy this three-week Panama Canal transit. Seabourn Sojourn pampers its guests with attentive service, elevated cuisine and all-ocean-facing suites featuring walk-in closets and spacious marble bathrooms. Seabourn's all-inclusive cruise fares also cover gratuities and complimentary wines and spirits.

Princess Cruises' 10-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruise

While Princess Cruises does offer several longer ocean-to-ocean Panama Canal itineraries — including two in 2023 that transit via the historic locks — its popular 10-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean cruises conveniently sail roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale on more than a dozen dates in 2023 and 2024.

What's more, you can choose from among three ships: 3,140-guest Caribbean Princess or 3,080-guest Ruby Princess and Emerald Princess. In addition to the partial transit, these sailings call on Jamaica and Grand Cayman in the Caribbean, as well as Cartagena, Columbia; Limon, Costa Rica; and Colon, Panama.

Who should go: Couples who enjoy a ship with a more traditional vibe and families with kids who are content to participate in interactive learning activities and nature-based adventure (vs waterslides) will enjoy this cruise. Princess ships are known for their Movies Under the Stars screenings, multiple pools, specialty dining options such as Sabatini's Italian Trattoria and The Salty Dog Gastropub, and Crooners piano bar.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on a Princess Cruises ship

Norwegian Cruise Line's 17-day South America: Peru, Colombia & Chile cruise

There's no "Panama Canal" in this itinerary's name, but Norwegian Cruise Line 's 17-day South America: Peru, Colombia & Chile cruise in January 2024 does a full canal transit (and spends a day in Panama City) as it sails from Miami to Santiago, Chile. The 1,936-guest Norwegian Sun sails to historic Santa Marta and Cartagena in Colombia; Manta, Ecuador; Trujillo, Lima and Pisco in Peru; and Arica and Coquimbo in Chile, before disembarkation in Santiago.

Who should go: Couples and friends interested in experiencing not just a Panama Canal transit but some of the top coastal experiences along the Pacific Coast of South America should choose this itinerary. Norwegian Sun is an older, smaller vessel that was refurbished in 2018 and features a top deck more conducive to sunning than thrill rides. The ship also has a surprising number of restaurants for its size: two main dining rooms, a buffet restaurant, a sports bar and an outdoor grill on a complimentary basis, plus eight specialty dining venues (including Mexican, Italian, French, Japanese and a steakhouse) for an added fee.

Oceania's 16-day Miami to Los Angeles cruise

Following its May debut, Oceania Cruises ' 1,200-guest Vista — the first new-build ship in Oceania's fleet in more than a decade — will offer back-to-back 16-day Miami to Los Angeles and Los Angeles to Miami itineraries in October and November. Both sailings visit six countries with port calls that include George Town, Grand Cayman; Cartagena, Colombia; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; Corinto, Nicaragua; Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala; and Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas and Ensenada, Mexico. (The second sailing visits San Diego instead of Ensenada.)

Who should go: Oceania's newest ship offers a great compromise between a small and medium-size vessel and is ideal for those seeking a premium cruise experience with casual sophistication. Older couples especially will appreciate the ship's elegant stateroom decor in soft hues of wheat and seagrass, mix of grand and intimate spaces and wide array of dining options (including two new venues, Ember for inventive American cuisine and Aquamar Kitchen for wellness-focused breakfast, lunch and dinner). A more immersive mixology program features curated cocktail menus, indulgent pairing experiences and specialty beverage carts.

Related: The 5 best destinations you can visit on an Oceania Cruises ship

Cunard's 29-day Alaska & Panama Canal cruise

Talk about packing for all kinds of weather! Cunard's 29-day Alaska & Panama Canal sailing aboard 2,081-passenger Queen Elizabeth begins in Vancouver on Aug. 7 and explores Alaska for more than a week (visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Hubbard Glacier, Skagway, Glacier Bay National Park and Sitka). Then the ship heads back south along the U.S. Pacific Coast (stopping in Victoria, Vancouver, San Francisco and Los Angeles) before heading to Cabo San Lucas, Mexico and Puntarenas, Costa Rica. Only then will it transit the Panama Canal. The ship makes one Atlantic stop in Aruba before passengers disembark in Fort Lauderdale.

Who should go: British cruise line Cunard appeals mainly to older travelers who savor the line's formal traditions. This cruise is for you if you enjoy afternoon tea, dressing up for dinner, gala evenings and dancing to big-band orchestras. The particular itinerary appeals to retirees who wish to visit a variety of cruise regions in one singular itinerary.

Viking's 180-day World Voyage

For the ultimate cruise indulgence, Viking's 180-day World Voyage I includes a Panama Canal transit (on Christmas Day, no less) as 930-passenger Viking Sky cruises from Fort Lauderdale to New York City (Dec. 19, 2024–June 17, 2025). This round-the-world cruise will visit 37 countries as guests enjoy Viking Sky's modern Scandinavian interior decor, soothing LivNordic Spa, two pools (including one with a retractable roof) and six onboard restaurants. Pricing includes airfare, gratuities and complimentary wine and beer with lunch and dinner.

Who should go: With cruise fares that start at $79,995 per person, this six-month adventure at sea requires a luxury budget. Viking 's base clientele is mostly retired or close-to-retirement-age professionals who enjoy the cruise line's focus on educational enrichment (via onboard lectures) and serene ambiance (there's no casino and the nighttime vibe is on the quiet side).

Planning a cruise? Start with these stories:

• The 5 most desirable cabin locations on any cruise ship
• A beginners guide to picking a cruise line
• The 8 worst cabin locations on any cruise ship
• The ultimate guide to what to pack for a cruise
• A quick guide to the most popular cruise lines
• 21 tips and tricks that will make your cruise go smoothly
• 15 ways cruisers waste money
• The ultimate guide to choosing a cruise ship cabin

• Princess Cruises

Princess - 2025-26 Caribbean and Panama Canal Program

By Coral , December 13, 2023 in Princess Cruises

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Princess is thrilled to reveal our Caribbean and Panama Canal programs for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, including the first sailings ever from North America for our newest ship, Star Princess.  

Caribbean Highlights include: 

• Star Princess and Sun Princess lead this 10-ship lineup sailing from four US homeports including Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Port Canaveral and New York. 
• Star Princess and sister Sun Princess sail 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages with convenient weekend departures. 
• Majestic Princess sails a brand-new program including 6- and 8-day voyages to the Southern, Eastern and Western Caribbean. 
• Enchanted Princess sails 10-day voyages to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean visiting the British Virgin Islands and Martinique. 
• Regal Princess returns to the Lone Star State of Texas and will sail roundtrip from Galveston sailing 7-day Western Caribbean voyages. 
• Sky Princess sails for the first time from the Space Coast with 6- and 8-day Western and Eastern Caribbean sailings roundtrip from Port Canaveral. 
• Enchanted Princess sails a Fall 12-day New York to Fort Lauderdale Caribbean Islander voyage visiting Aruba and Curacao. 
• 29 destinations including 23 Caribbean Islands 
• 178 total departures of 25 unique itineraries ranging from 4 to 20 days 
• More Ashore late-night stays on select itineraries in Bonaire, Curacao, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Thomas 
• Access to 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison in Barbados, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St. Kitts and Belize Barrier Reef

Panama Canal Highlights include: 

• Caribbean Princess and Island Princess spend their season venturing the Panama Canal, and joined by Coral Princess, Emerald Princess and Sapphire Princess as they transit the region. 
• Ocean-to-Ocean with full transits of the Panama Canal from either the historic or new Panama Canal locks
• Partial transits of the Panama Canal including the new locks which opened in 2016 
• 27 destinations in 13 countries throughout Central America and the Caribbean 
• 28 total departures of 8 unique itineraries ranging from 16 to 23 days 
• Voyages departing from Fort Lauderdale (including roundtrips), Los Angeles, San Francisco New York and Vancouver 
• Access to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Port Fortress of Cartagena and Antique Guatemala (from Puerto Quetzal)     

CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE LAUNCH PROMOTION  

Princess Past Guests are eligible for a special promotion when they book early!  The special promotion consists of a Captain’s Circle Launch Discount, which may be combined with launch and group promotions.  These discounts do not apply to third or fourth berth guests.  Please refer to the attached fares and itinerary sheets for Captain’s Circle Discount amounts. 

This discount expires on March 31, 2024.

2025-26 America Caribbean and Panama Canal- FaresItin.xlsx

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Thank you Coral for sharing.

It seriously looks as though Princess has run out of ideas. How many ships do they need doing the same seven day itineraries?

8 hours ago, Geoffa30 said: Thank you Coral for sharing.   It seriously looks as though Princess has run out of ideas. How many ships do they need doing the same seven day itineraries?    

I honestly had not had time to look at it until now.

I don't think it will get any better with a fleet of large ships. Though - I haven't been to the Caribbean for a long time and don't know what the competition is doing.

AtlantaCruiser72

9 hours ago, Geoffa30 said: Thank you Coral for sharing.   It seriously looks as though Princess has run out of ideas. How many ships do they need doing the same seven day itineraries?    

Given that they are focusing mostly on 6-8 day itineraries from Florida or Texas there are so many places that the ships can visit.  Like the rest of the industry they are focusing on weeklong itineraries as that is where the $$$$ is. 

snoozecrooze

9 hours ago, Geoffa30 said: It seriously looks as though Princess has run out of ideas. How many ships do they need doing the same seven day itineraries?

I'm genuinely surprised they didn't even cave into the soup of short Caribbean cruises that every other cruise line is diving head-first into. Considering they put in all the effort to transfer Majestic to the Atlantic, I was expecting them to use it on 3-4 day trips or something of the like, to compete against Celebrity. Not that the 6-8 days are any less cookie-cutter against Celebrity either but, it is what it is.

Princess is trying to change the demographic of their cruises.  It's running too old at the moment and these cruisers don't have much time left to cruise.  The way to attract new cruisers to Princess (younger and/or with kids) is to cruise shorter itineraries (younger crowd doesn't have much vacation time) and to the Caribbean (cheap).  Families want don't to travel long haul to go on a cruise because of cost and the challenges of travelling with children.

In addition, Princess is positioning themselves for a recession.  The US economy is supposed to contract at some point due to the Fed interest hikes.  No one can say when and the US economy has proved very resilient, but every one does agree it will happen at some point.  When this does happen, people won't have a lot of money to spend on vacations.  Where can Princess provide cheap cruises?  The Caribbean and North American Coastal Cruises.

Why such a focus on the North American Market?  It's the largest market source for cruising.

12 hours ago, Coral said: Princess is thrilled to reveal our Caribbean and Panama Canal programs for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, including the first sailings ever from North America for our newest ship, Star Princess.     Caribbean Highlights include:    Star Princess and Sun Princess lead this 10-ship lineup sailing from four US homeports including Fort Lauderdale, Galveston, Port Canaveral and New York.  Four ships call Fort Lauderdale home this season:  Star Princess and sister Sun Princess sail 7-day Eastern and Western Caribbean voyages with convenient weekend departures.  Majestic Princess sails a brand-new program including 6- and 8-day voyages to the Southern, Eastern and Western Caribbean.  Enchanted Princess sails 10-day voyages to the Southern and Eastern Caribbean visiting the British Virgin Islands and Martinique.  Regal Princess returns to the Lone Star State of Texas and will sail roundtrip from Galveston sailing 7-day Western Caribbean voyages.  Sky Princess sails for the first time from the Space Coast with 6- and 8-day Western and Eastern Caribbean sailings roundtrip from Port Canaveral.  Enchanted Princess sails a Fall 12-day New York to Fort Lauderdale Caribbean Islander voyage visiting Aruba and Curacao.  29 destinations including 23 Caribbean Islands  178 total departures of 25 unique itineraries ranging from 4 to 20 days  More Ashore late-night stays on select itineraries in Bonaire, Curacao, San Juan, St. Maarten and St. Thomas  Access to 11 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including Historic Bridgetown and its Garrison in Barbados, Brimstone Hill Fortress National Park in St. Kitts and Belize Barrier Reef   Panama Canal Highlights include:    Caribbean Princess and Island Princess spend their season venturing the Panama Canal, and joined by Coral Princess, Emerald Princess and Sapphire Princess as they transit the region.  Two ways to sail the Panama Canal, an engineering marvel completed over a century ago:  Ocean-to-Ocean with full transits of the Panama Canal from either the historic or new Panama Canal locks Partial transits of the Panama Canal including the new locks which opened in 2016  27 destinations in 13 countries throughout Central America and the Caribbean  28 total departures of 8 unique itineraries ranging from 16 to 23 days  Voyages departing from Fort Lauderdale (including roundtrips), Los Angeles, San Francisco New York and Vancouver  Access to 8 UNESCO World Heritage Sites including the Port Fortress of Cartagena and Antique Guatemala (from Puerto Quetzal)            CAPTAIN’S CIRCLE LAUNCH PROMOTION   Princess Past Guests are eligible for a special promotion when they book early!  The special promotion consists of a Captain’s Circle Launch Discount, which may be combined with launch and group promotions.  These discounts do not apply to third or fourth berth guests.  Please refer to the attached fares and itinerary sheets for Captain’s Circle Discount amounts.  This discount expires on March 31, 2024. 2025-26 America Caribbean and Panama Canal- FaresItin.xlsx 49.66 kB  ·  86 downloads

Is there any way you can post this file as a pdf?

7 minutes ago, candy4040 said: Is there any way you can post this file as a pdf?

Are you go.

2025-26 America Caribbean and Panama Canal- FaresItin.pdf

56 minutes ago, SCX22 said:   Princess is trying to change the demographic of their cruises.  It's running too old at the moment and these cruisers don't have much time left to cruise.  The way to attract new cruisers to Princess (younger and/or with kids) is to cruise shorter itineraries (younger crowd doesn't have much vacation time) and to the Caribbean (cheap).  Families want don't to travel long haul to go on a cruise because of cost and the challenges of travelling with children.

So tell us what you think of HAL?

11 hours ago, Geoffa30 said: Thank you Coral for sharing.   It seriously looks as though Princess has run out of ideas. How many ships do they need doing the same seven day itineraries?    

Agree.  They don't even look to throw in St Maarten as a swap for STT the odd time.  Tons of voyages to the same Western Caribbean ports.  Tons of beach stops.

2 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said: Given that they are focusing mostly on 6-8 day itineraries from Florida or Texas there are so many places that the ships can visit.  Like the rest of the industry they are focusing on weeklong itineraries as that is where the $$$$ is. 

Looks like the Star is the one for beach lovers since half its trips go to Cays, Cove and Turk only.  All three basically beach stops. 

You have to take a 10-nighter to get any variety in the Caribbean.  That said, at least our first voyage on Sun or Star would be for the new ship experience and I wouldn't really care where it went for the week. 

4 hours ago, Coral said: So tell us what you think of HAL?

Just my 2 cents...

The baby boomers are disappearing.  The tail end of their generation is fast approaching.  Eventually there won't be as many legacy cruisers (euphemism for old people).  In terms of Carnival Brands, they will leave their two legacy brands, Holland America and Cunard, to cater to the legacy cruisers.  (I call them legacy brands because they have history dating back to the 1800s--OLD.)  Three brands catering to legacy cruisers will be too much in the future.  Carnival Corp wants to begin switching the demographic of the Princess brand now, so when the legacy cruisers disappear, there will be someone to take their place.

TBH, in my mid-30s, I don't care for the Princess crowd at the moment.  (There are exceptions; it's great when we meet cool older folks that don't mind chatting it up with us younger folks.  Even better when we meet peers in our age group that we jive with.)  I cruise Princess for the price and nostalgia.  It reminds me of cruising in with my grandparents in the 1990s.  It's the brand recall that keeps me coming back.  My favorite mass market line is X followed by RC.  If Princess can capture the brand recall with the young ones, they will be more likely to cruise with Princess when they get older.

X has caught up with the trend of catering to a younger generation with their Edge Class ships.

What interests me more is what will happen to Viking River and Ocean.  The expanded exponentially over the past decade.  What will happen to their offerings once the legacy cruisers disappear?  There will always be a market for that type of cruising, but I think that they will have to downsize their fleet or change their offerings.

CLIA's State of the Cruise Industry 2023 Report states that "the future of cruise is the younger generation."

Ugh. Princess. Your Galveston offering SUCKS! If you want to be competitive here, you need to offer a DIFFERENT itinerary than the same one that CCL & RC have been doing for years. There are basically zero ships that sail to Grand Cayman and Jamaica from Galveston anymore. Why Princess isn't capitalizing on this market gap I have no idea as Regal isn't too big for tender ports.

I have no idea why they don't put Regal doing a 6/8/7 schedule:

- 6 Day to Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, and Costa Maya

- 8 Day to Key West, Princess Cays, and either Grand Turk or Nassau&Freeport

- 7 Day to Falmouth/Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel

The same freaking Cozumel/Mahogany Bay/Costa Maya itinerary that happens every single week is getting so old. Princess needs to compete on the itinerary from Galveston, not on the ship. Ugh. Guess I will have to fly to Fort Lauderdale to get something different!

2 hours ago, talkorpi said: Ugh. Princess. Your Galveston offering SUCKS! If you want to be competitive here, you need to offer a DIFFERENT itinerary than the same one that CCL & RC have been doing for years. There are basically zero ships that sail to Grand Cayman and Jamaica from Galveston anymore. Why Princess isn't capitalizing on this market gap I have no idea as Regal isn't too big for tender ports.   I have no idea why they don't put Regal doing a 6/8/7 schedule: - 6 Day to Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, and Costa Maya - 8 Day to Key West, Princess Cays, and either Grand Turk or Nassau&Freeport - 7 Day to Falmouth/Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel   The same freaking Cozumel/Mahogany Bay/Costa Maya itinerary that happens every single week is getting so old. Princess needs to compete on the itinerary from Galveston, not on the ship. Ugh. Guess I will have to fly to Fort Lauderdale to get something different!

Come on, preach it @talkorpi . I'm still manifesting a career in fleet deployment for you at Princess or any other cruise line. I seriously respect your passion for it. Hope you've been doing well!

Paula_MacFan

3 hours ago, talkorpi said: Ugh. Princess. Your Galveston offering SUCKS! If you want to be competitive here, you need to offer a DIFFERENT itinerary than the same one that CCL & RC have been doing for years. There are basically zero ships that sail to Grand Cayman and Jamaica from Galveston anymore. Why Princess isn't capitalizing on this market gap I have no idea as Regal isn't too big for tender ports.   I have no idea why they don't put Regal doing a 6/8/7 schedule: - 6 Day to Mahogany Bay, Cozumel, and Costa Maya - 8 Day to Key West, Princess Cays, and either Grand Turk or Nassau&Freeport - 7 Day to Falmouth/Montego Bay, Grand Cayman, and Cozumel   The same freaking Cozumel/Mahogany Bay/Costa Maya itinerary that happens every single week is getting so old. Princess needs to compete on the itinerary from Galveston, not on the ship. Ugh. Guess I will have to fly to Fort Lauderdale to get something different!

Agreed! Galveston is our preferred port for Caribbean cruises as we are from the midwest so it's an easy travel destination. We are going on the Regal in 6 weeks, but after that I doubt we'll go again anytime soon. I was disappointed they weren't offering some new itineraries too. Maybe some Eastern Caribbean routes or even Panama Canal with a smaller (non Royal class) ship. Carnival has a Panama Canal cruise from Galveston but we've never been on that line.

They are offering the same old thing unfortunately.

We don’t really care for the Royal class ships and have no interest in the new humongous ships. It looks like most if not all ships out of FLL are on those ships so we will probably stick to Panama, Alaska, Hawaii, Mexico and New England cruises and leave the Caribbean alone for a few years

11 hours ago, SCX22 said:     What interests me more is what will happen to Viking River and Ocean.  The expanded exponentially over the past decade.  What will happen to their offerings once the legacy cruisers disappear?  There will always be a market for that type of cruising, but I think that they will have to downsize their fleet or change their offerings.  

I am not worried about Viking. They have huge name recognition in the US - most people are not aware of other river boat companies even though some are far superior. Plus - river boat cruising is so popular right now, regardless of company. Plus, right now, Viking Ocean has top marks for luxury and popularity. Due to their size, they can get into ports other ships can not. Their pricing is high and they are filling the ships. A lot of people who don't like the mega ships are turning to them. My agent is getting a lot of requests from former Princess/HAL/Celebrity cruisers who are disenchanted with the changes these lines have made in cut backs and they are choosing Viking Ocean.

4 hours ago, talkorpi said: Ugh. Princess. Your Galveston offering SUCKS! If you want to be competitive here, you need to offer a DIFFERENT itinerary than the same one that CCL & RC have been doing for years. There are basically zero ships that sail to Grand Cayman and Jamaica from Galveston anymore. Why Princess isn't capitalizing on this market gap I have no idea as Regal isn't too big for tender ports.

1 hour ago, snoozecrooze said: Come on, preach it @talkorpi . I'm still manifesting a career in fleet deployment for you at Princess or any other cruise line. I seriously respect your passion for it. Hope you've been doing well!

Might be out of Princess' control.  There ports might have congestion and reached the maximum number of ships.  The Caribbean is a very saturated destination year round.  There was a thread recently about how Princess had to re-arrange ports in the Caribbean.  

Speaking as someone on the tail of the Baby Boomers, I haven't even retired yet, let alone died. Stop trying to kill me off (in marketing)!!! Seriously, I've been hearing about how it's not worth it to market to me for decades. It's annoying. 😄  

6 minutes ago, MacMadame said: Speaking as someone on the tail of the Baby Boomers, I haven't even retired yet, let alone died. Stop trying to kill me off (in marketing)!!! Seriously, I've been hearing about how it's not worth it to market to me for decades. It's annoying. 😄  

Amen to that. We are boomers in our early 70’s and cruise 4 times a year on Princess. We are not going anywhere but do not want to sail on humongous ships with amusement parks attached

40 minutes ago, MacMadame said: Speaking as someone on the tail of the Baby Boomers, I haven't even retired yet, let alone died. Stop trying to kill me off (in marketing)!!! Seriously, I've been hearing about how it's not worth it to market to me for decades. It's annoying. 😄  

32 minutes ago, memoak said: Amen to that. We are boomers in our early 70’s and cruise 4 times a year on Princess. We are not going anywhere but do not want to sail on humongous ships with amusement parks attached

In business, there's the short term, medium term, long term, and lag time.

The baby boomers are Princess' customers in the short/medium term.  In the long term, they want to capture the younger crowd.  It will take time for this transition to happen.  

Take the photos being used in Princess' advertising as of recent.  It's no longer grey haired couples.  It's younger folks.  There will be lag time from they start this campaign to when it actually comes into fruition.  Princess however, cannot wait for too long because if the baby boomers disappear without replacement cruisers, then Princess will have a very small audience and that's not good for financials.

13 hours ago, SCX22 said: CLIA's State of the Cruise Industry 2023 Report states that "the future of cruise is the younger generation."

Agree with your post, but truly the above statement applies to almost any business that needs an infusion of new customers as children grow into adults and older adults die off.

17 minutes ago, SCX22 said:     In business, there's the short term, medium term, long term, and lag time.   The baby boomers are Princess' customers in the short/medium term.  In the long term, they want to capture the younger crowd.  It will take time for this transition to happen.     Take the photos being used in Princess' advertising as of recent.  It's no longer grey haired couples.  It's younger folks.  There will be lag time from they start this campaign to when it actually comes into fruition.  Princess however, cannot wait for too long because if the baby boomers disappear without replacement cruisers, then Princess will have a very small audience and that's not good for financials.

I have been cruising Princess for over 30 years and have always felt that there is a very good combination of ages, families and singles. 

Coral, I can't thank you enough for your cruise schedule postings.  I love getting a head's up on new cruises!

23 minutes ago, Steelers36 said: Agree with your post, but truly the above statement applies to almost any business that needs an infusion of new customers as children grow into adults and older adults die off.

Unfortunately, many on this board can't seem to grasp that.  Many post about how they don't want to cruise with kids, etc.

Remember why they're called Boomers.  The Boomers' parent's generation had access to jobs and money which created the middle class and the population boom.  Never in history did the population grow at such an exponential rate.

The problem now is that the Baby Boomers are disappearing faster than they they are being replaced and the fertility rate is down.  In the U.S. there's the ongoing argument that Social Security will fall off a financial cliff because the Boomers depleted the funds and the contributions by the subsequent generations isn't enough to keep the program going.  (Politics that I shall stay out of.

I guess my argument is that there will be less passengers in the future for cruise lines to fight over (because of the decrease in population) and it would be in Princess' best judgment to capture them while they are young.

It's as if Princess is starting over again.  These many of these older cruisers were young(er) cruisers with Princess at some point.  Their brand has come full circle.

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MAN-MADE MARVEL

Panama canal cruises.

From Cartagena to Cabo San Lucas, cruise the Panama Canal.

The Panama Canal is one of the most astonishing human-made wonders, a sliver of ingenuity that allows ships to move from one ocean to another. Cruise from the Pacific to the Atlantic, or vice versa, and take in the scenery as you move through this engineering marvel built in 1914. Along with the tropical views and modern design of the canal, there's also great opportunity for adventures on land and by the shore, where you can get in touch with the indigenous culture at the Museum of Oaxacan Art in Huatulco, Mexico, or go kayaking in Nicoya Bay at Puntarenas, Costa Rica.

Journey Between Worlds

From Cartagena to Cabo San Lucas, cruise the Panama Canal

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DIVERSE DESTINATIONS

Descend on some of the most exciting travel destinations in Central America during a Panama Canal cruise. Stops in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico; Puntarenas, Costa Rica; and Colón, Panama, means appreciating countless natural landscapes on top of traversing through the famous shortcut itself. 

HOME OF THE CANAL

A stop in Colón, Panama, lets you lay on the sand at serene Maria Chiquita beach or hike your way through Portobelo National Park to reach the 17th-century San Lorenzo Fort. And if you're in the mood for the city life, head to Panama City, the Caribbean's most urban cluster that's only an hour away by car.

ROCK THE BOAT

Accessible only by water taxi, El Arco at Land's End in Cabo San Lucas is a natural rock arch that frames a powdery beach. It's the perfect backdroparagraphCopy for a jaw-dropping photograph — just watch out for the sea lions that like to photobomb while sunbathing on the rocks.

HEAD IN THE CLOUDS

Cross foggy suspended bridges or zip-line along the treetops at the Monteverde Cloud Forest Reserve near Puntarenas, Costa Rica, where local travel guides take you deep within the forest as you learn about its precious ecosystems.

CROSS-CANAL CULTURE

Along with crossing the impressive Panama Canal during your vacation, you can also get in touch with the local cultures of different countries, where indigenous peoples still live and where heritage and history are treasured and preserved. 

COLORS OF FOLKLORE

About a 90-minute drive from Puntarenas, the artisan village of Sarchi, Costa Rica, is known for the quality of its arts and crafts, especially the beautiful construction of the colorful oxcarts, the folkloric carriages that are a symbol of Costa Rican culture.

EAT LIKE A LOCAL

Mercado de Bazurto in Cartagena, Colombia, is home to stand after stand of local fruits like mamey, a sweet tropical fruit with a creamy texture, as well as cooked-food kiosks serving generous plates of seafood like crab, rice and veggies, for just a few dollars.

HISTORIC HUES

Step into the past as you stroll down the Spanish Colonial lanes of Antigua in Guatemala, a picturesque town with pastel buildings and balconies filled with pink flowers. A short trip from the port at Puerto Quetzal, the city is home to museums like Casa de los Sueños, where the history of this town is depicted through art.

CRISS CROSS TO A NEW WORLD ON THE PANAMA CANAL

A cruise to the Panama Canal is filled with country-hopping adventures that take you to Mexico's Mayan ruins, white beaches in  Cabo San Lucas  or Colonial treasures in  Colombia .

ONE TRIP, MANY ADVENTURES

As part of your grand crossing of the Panama Canal, you can also laze on beaches and trek lush mountains in places like Mexico,  Costa Rica , Colombia and Grand Cayman .

MAN-MADE FOR YOU

Cruise from Los Angeles  or  Miami  and pick the trips that make your favorite stops. Prefer more of Mexico? There's a cruise with stops in Manzanillo,  Puerto Vallarta  and Cabo San Lucas. Want to include some Caribbean islands? Finish your cruise in Puerto Rico or stop in Grand Cayman.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE YOU GO Plan-ama Canal

Panama enjoys a gentle tropical weather almost every day of the year. This translates into the easy planning of a crossing anytime is convenient for you.

Moving around in the different ports is simple, just choose the authorized taxi services or hop on the local public buses. You can also rent a car and be your own guide.

The best time to go on a Panama Canal cruise is anytime. The canal never stops working and you will traverse along with other ships and boats and witness the swift movement of these vessels.

Finding the Right Ship for You

7 Unexpected Places You Can Go on a Cruise

Once you're crossing the canal, head to the front of the ship for the best view.

You'll get to see other ships as they cross, too, giving you a different vantage point and a new way of learning how the canal works.

The thrill is not over after you go through the canal locks, there's more to see as you travel through the canal, with tropical flora and fauna adorning the way.

LOCAL CUISINE A WORLD OF FLAVORS  

Stopping at different cruise ports during a Panama Canal crossing makes it easy to savor the varied flavors of these countries, each with its own signature spice and tang.

TASTES OF JALISCO

Jalisco, the state where Puerto Vallarta is found, is the definitive influence on this destination's cuisine. Go for the famous lemon-marinated grilled fish known as pescado embarazado, and ask for huichol sauce, a blend of chili peppers, cumin and vinegar.

SAVOR GUATEMALA

Enjoy a mouth-watering empanada in Antigua, Guatemala — these savory pastries are stuffed with potato and meat and topped with guacamole, cilantro and onions.

TAMALES AND THEN SOME

Famous for its tamales fajados (chicken tamales) and tamales guemes (pork, raisin and olive tamales), Cabo San Lucas also boasts a seafood stew known as comida de pobres, served with rice and beans and flour tortillas.

Related Ports

A cruise to the Panama Canal is a chance to land on amazing destinations during the same trip. Get in some beach time Oranjestad, Aruba. See traditional tapestry-making in Huatulco, Mexico. Or go snorkeling along the coral reef off the coast of Grand Cayman.

Cabo San Lucas, Mexico

Cartagena, Colombia

Colón, Panama

Huatulco, Mexico

Panama Canal (Cruising), Panama

Puerto Quetzal, Guatemala

Puntarenas, Costa Rica

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica

Manzanillo, Mexico

Panama City (Fuerte Amador), Panama

Related Destinations

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• Cruise News

Easier Access to Princess Cruises in Florida with Improved Train Service

Andrea Santillan

• April 8, 2024

Princess Cruises and passenger rail company Brightline made it easier for guests to catch their sailings in Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral (Orlando).

The two companies are offering a “Rail and Sail” Program. It allows cruisers to book a Princess cruise and train tickets to their port of embarkation while enjoying discounts and a more seamless experience. 

Passengers of Princess Cruises get to travel in brand-new train cars designed with the Love Boat’s branding. Brightline’s 5 Florida terminals will also have the same look and feel. 

Brightline’s rail service is available at two price points: Smart and Premium. Savvy passengers can enjoy handstitched leather seats with multiple ports for USB and power connections. In addition to these features, the Premium service comes with Premium Lounge access and free food and beverages.

Aside from shorter travel times than other modes of transport, one of the Rail and Sail’s most attractive offers is the luggage express service. Instead of passengers transferring their luggage from the train to the port, their bags will be securely moved to their cruise ship staterooms, ready for arrival. This additional service is available for $35 per bag.

Princess Cruises President John Padgett noted the added convenience for customers. “A Princess cruise is already the best value in travel and this new partnership with Brightline makes it even easier and more enjoyable to sail with us from the top-rated ports in South and Central Florida,” he said.

Passengers of the cruise line can select from 16 daily roundtrip transfers between Fort Lauderdale and Florida:

• Northbound trains from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando, with stops at West Palm Beach and Boca Raton
• Southbound trains from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale, with stops at Boca Raton and West Palm Beach
• Aventura and downtown Miami trains that stop at Orlando and Fort Lauderdale

Princess Cruises will provide complimentary motorcoach services to guests to move between its embarkation terminals and Brightline’s Fort Lauderdale and Orlando stations.

Love Boat cruises from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral

From Fort Lauderdale, cruisers can take weeklong sailings to the Caribbean and longer 10—to 20-day cruises that explore the Panama Canal. 

Meanwhile, the Caribbean Princess will be the first to host a Love Boat cruise from Port Canaveral starting November 27, 2024. Four- to 14-day itineraries allow guests to experience popular Caribbean destinations like Grand Turk, St. Thomas, San Juan, Belize, and Mahogany Bay.

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Alaska Cruise Tours:

A cruise tour is a voyage and land tour combination, with the land tour occurring before or after the voyage. Unless otherwise noted, optional services such as airfare, airport transfers, shore excursions, land tour excursions, etc. are not included and are available for an additional cost.

Mexico and Central America: Panama Canal with Costa Rica & Caribbean Cruise

12-night caribbean princess cruise.

From $748 per person* Additional government taxes, fees and port expenses per person: $540 - $568

Princess Cruises

This 12-day Panama Canal with Costa Rica and Caribbean sailing is ideal for the thrill of transiting the canal's locks on the Atlantic side. Visit relaxing beaches in Costa Rica and historic cities like Cartagena, Colombia.

Included Extras

  executive member benefit.

Executive Members receive an annual 2% Reward, up to $1,000, on qualified Costco Travel purchases

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Member Exclusive: Digital Costco Shop Card with every Princess Cruises® sailing†

Sailing Itinerary

Note: Cruise itineraries are subject to change. Please verify ports and times directly with the cruise line.

Port of Call Port of Call (Arrival, Departure)

Fort Lauderdale

Ft Lauderdale is a city of islands held together by an intricate web of canals, rivers, bays and waterways hundreds of miles long. Needless to say, boating is a favorite city pastime, whether zooming along on a speedboat, enjoying a fishing charter, or cruising the coastline by yacht. Beautiful homes of every size and style make up the bulk of this primarily residential area. By the beach, a leisurly stroll can be taken along the new landscaping wavewall design of the beachfront promenade. But this city is anything but sedate. Once a spring break hot spot, the town still has an energetic and colorful nightlife. Nearby, charming Laudrdale-By-the-Sea is home to one of the only living coral reefs in the US accesible from shore. Las Olas Boulevard, a shoppers paradise, is the chic new shopping and trendy dining area of downtown. If sports are more your inclination, dozens of golf courses and hundreds of public parks allow you to absorb the great Florida outdoors. Cultural arts are also popular. Water taxis bring theater-goers from throughout the city to the Performing Arts Center on the water.

Aruba's path to the present day is marked by the mystery of ochre-colored rock drawings left behind by island shamans, the enterprising spirit of European adventurers and settlers and the diverse experiences and traditions brought by the many nationalities that have since sought out the island as either a new home or temporary resting place. The look of the people, the languages they speak and the innate hospitality that manifests itself in the Aruban psyche is the result of a multi-cultural mix that reflects a rich past.

Curacao is a long, arid, and generally flat island, stretching some 40 miles (64 km) from southeast to northwest, at much the same north-south angles as it's sister islands in the ABC group (Aruba to the west and Bonaire to the east). The island is about 10 miles (16 km) at it's widest point, and the area is about 180 square miles (472 square km), making it the largest island in the Netherlands Antilles group. The coastline along the south is irregular, peppered with small bays and inlets, including the spectacular bays and beaches at the west end of the island. The largest bays are located along the central-east and east end of the island, where you'll find the capital and major port of Willemstad. Most of Curacao's 170,000 residents live in and around this historic town. The long north coast of the island, buffeted by constant northeast trade winds, is characterized by a rough coasthne, limestone cliff formations set on top of eons-old volcanic rock, and weather-beaten terrain. It is generally less inhabited than the south coast, but you will find smaller villages and many of the island's famous landhuis, or old plantation house, structures here. The west end of the island is also characterized by expansive, hilly terrain, most of it encompassed by Christoffel Park. The 4,500-acre (1,820-hectare) park contains Mt. Christoffel, at 1,239 feet (377 meters) the highest elevation on Curacao. The east end of the island comprises flat and mostly barren plain, with few settlements and some secondary roads weaving to and from its coastal inlets. With an average 20 inches (510 mm) of rainfall yearly, Curacao is generally a dry island. There are few standing bodies of water save some saline ponds, and most of the island's water is provided by a large desalinization plant found on the south coast.

Cartagena/Colombia

Cartagena, conveniently located on Colombia's Caribbean coast, is a unique city filled with sun, sea and history. Comprised of a series of islands connected by bridges, Cartagena is divided by 17th Century walls into a historic "old city" and a cosmopolitan "modern city". Tour magnificent fortresses including "The Castle", one of the largest examples of military architecture in Latin America. Relax on Cartagena's beaches or travel by speed boat to the nearby Rosario Islands for snorkeling, sunbathing and swimming in private Caribbean hideaways. Browse through shops and boutiques for emeralds, gold, and Pre-Colombian treasures. Enjoy the ambiance of Cartagena's captivating history inside rebuilt ships and forts where diners feast on fresh seafood. Recognized by the United Nations as a city of major cultural significance, Cartagena has a charm all its own.

Gatun Lake/Panama

Ships travel for 37.6km through the Gatun Lake - a 418 square km reservoir created by the damming of the Chagres River. The giant Gatun Dam which holds back the Chagres also generates electrical power for the canal. At the time of its construction, the Gatun Lake, which also provides all the water for the lock system, was the largest man-made body of water in the world.

Colon, Panama.koh LOHN(2000 pop. 204,208), is the second largest city in Panama, at the Caribbean end of the Panama Canal. Colon was surrounded by, but not part of, the former Panama Canal Zone. Colon is an important port, commercial center, and tourist destination. It was made a free trade zone in 1953 and is the world’s second largest duty-free port. The city was founded in 1850 by Americans working on the Panama railroad and was named Aspinwall after one of the builders of the railway until 1890. Colon is the Spanish form of Columbus; the name of the neighboring port of Cristobal is Spanish for Christopher. After completion of the railway in 1855, Colon overshadowed the older Caribbean ports of Panama, and with the first plans for the isthmian canal it took on additional prestige. Built on a swampy island, the city was notoriously unhealthful and often scourged by yellow fever until Colonel William C. Gorgas, in charge of sanitation during the canal construction, gave it a new system of waterworks and sewerage and drained the surrounding swamps. Three modern ports make Colon one of the most important ports of the Caribbean Sea. It is connected to Panama City by Road, Rail, Air and of course the Panama Canal!

Puerto Limon

Puerto Limon, also Limon, city in eastern Costa Rica, capital of Limon Province, on a bay in the swampy Caribbean coastal lowland. It is a leading port of the country and a terminus of the Northern Railway to San Jose. Exports include bananas, coffee, cocoa, and coconuts. Puerto Limon is the site of a cathedral, a large trading market, and Vargas Park, with botanical gardens; beaches lie nearby. The city was built in 1871 on the site of the Native American village of Cariari, which was visited by Christopher Columbus in 1502. Prospering after the construction of the railroad in 1890, it was the leading banana port of Costa Rica until the 1930s.

Cayman/George Town

Miles of powdery white beaches above clear blue water and one of the richest marine environments make Grand Cayman one of the Caribbean’s finest vacation destinations (and a world class scuba diving destination). As a British Crown Colony, Grand Cayman enjoys all of the benefits of sophisticated government, touting one of the strongest economies in the Caribbean (with over 600 banks) while still allowing visitors to enjoy duty free shopping in Georgetown for jewelry, art, local crafts, and unique souvenirs like treasure coins from a sunken Spanish galleon circa the “Pirates of the Caribbean” era.

Onboard the Caribbean Princess

Caribbean Princess

Costco member reviews.

• Year Built: 2004
• Year Refurbished: 2019

Double Occupancy Capacity: 3140

Exciting adventures await aboard Caribbean Princess following her multi-million-dollar array of luxurious enhancements. From staterooms that offer a more restful sleep, to endless tempting new dining options, the newly reimagined Reef Splash Zone for kids and families plus other upgrades, you’ll find Caribbean Princess herself has come back new.

Member reviews become available after at least 5 are received in order to provide you with an accurate picture of this travel product.

Onboard Activities

Activities & services (included in cruise).

• Sports Facilities
• Disco/Nightclub
• Movies Under the Stars®
• Theater/Show Lounge
• Beauty Salon
• Fitness Center
• Culinary Arts Center
• Miniature Golf
• Pool - Adults Only
• Pool - Children's
• Pool - Outdoor
• Pool - Indoor
• Pool - Indoor/Covered
• Whirlpool/Jacuzzi
• Bars/Lounges
• Internet Center
• Children's Indoor Play Area
• Children's Outdoor Play Area
• Organized Age Specific Activities
• Teen Center or Disco
• Teen Programs
• Business Center
• Concierge Desk
• Conference Center
• Duty-Free Shops/Boutiques
• Infirmary/Medical Center
• Religious Services
• Safe Deposit Boxes
• Self-Service Laundromat
• Wedding/Vow Renewal

Activities & Services (available for an extra fee)

• Full-Service Spa
• Game Arcade
• Fitness Classes
• Spa Services/Massage
• Sauna/Steam Room
• Educational Programs
• Babysitting
• Educational Classes
• Dry Cleaning/ Laundry Service

Dining Room

Main Dining

Coral Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions, and dietary needs.

Island Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions, and dietary needs.

Palm Dining Room:  After final payment, through the MedallionClass® app, you may request your dining preference with Dine My Way℠. Customize your dining experiences nightly by choosing your seating time, dining companions, and dietary needs.

Specialty Dining

Chef's Table Experience:  Taking dining to a new level, the Chef’s Table Experience includes pre-dinner cocktails and hors d’oeuvres in the galley for you and a limited number of fellow guests. After your executive chef describes the specially designed menu for the night, participants are escorted to an intimate table for the main course, including pairing suggestions. Each couple receives a personalized autographed copy of Princess’ best-selling cookbook, a handwritten copy of the special menu, and a complimentary photo. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Crown Grill℠:  An upscale and more refined approach to the traditional steakhouse, this venue features some of the best, most tender cuts of beef, such as New York and porterhouse, plus a prime rib carving station. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Planks BBQ:  Drop by for a classic American-style dinner. This casual BBQ restaurant gives you a choice of "Planks" loaded with four types of meat, chili, coleslaw, and seasoned fries along with starters and decadent dessert. Planks BBQ also serves a buffet-style lunch at no charge, with signature soup and freshly tossed salad, as well as regionally inspired fork-and-knife sandwiches. Buffet-style breakfasts, also at no charge, include savory breakfast bowls customized for you. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Sabatini's Italian Trattoria:  A new menu features handmade pasta dishes from Chef Angelo Auriana of renowned L.A. restaurants The Factory Kitchen and Officine BRERA, plus treasured family recipes from Italian chefs across the fleet. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Steamers Seafood:  At this family-style seafood restaurant, dinner choices range from Black & Blue Mussels or Classic Clams "Steamers" to the Broiled Platter which includes scallops, shrimp, and crab-stuffed flounder. All come with generous sides and dipping sauces as well as starters and dessert. At lunchtime, help yourself to a buffet that includes Gourmet and Ramen Bowls with regionally inspired broths – all at no charge. And join Steamers for breakfast, also at no charge, for specialty egg dishes like omelets, fried eggs, and eggs Benedict. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

Ultimate Balcony Dining:  A luxurious breakfast experience at sea all served right on the privacy of your own balcony by our dedicated waitstaff. Treat yourself to this unparalleled indulgence and savor food, views, and memories that will never be forgotten. This option is available for an additional cost.

Vines Wine Bar:  Located in a charming corner of the Atrium, Vines boasts an extensive collection of wines, fine Champagne and sparkling wines, and regional offerings for purchase. The menu also includes wine flights and a selection of unique wines by the glass. Gourmet delicacies, such as antipasti and tapas, are complimentary with any wine purchase. This restaurant is available for an additional cost.

World Fresh

Casual Dining

Afternoon Tea:  Afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, pastries, scones, cookies, music, and white-glove service.

Chocolate Journeys℠:  There are few foods that inspire as much passion as chocolate. Our pastry chefs channeled their love of chocolate into handcrafted treats designed exclusively for our Chocolate Journeys℠ program. These sweet creations combine premium quality chocolate with unique flavors and artful designs and can be found throughout the ship.

Coffee & Cones:  Complimentary ice cream cones await you at the newly transformed top-deck creamery. Treat yourself to an ice cream sandwich or a specialty New Grounds Crafted Coffee.

International Café:  Open 24-hours a day, the International Café located in the Piazza is the place for an ever-changing array of small bite meals, treats, and gourmet beverages. Grab a freshly baked croissant to start your day, snack on pies and quiche, or choose from a wide variety of salads and sandwiches at lunchtime, and indulge in decadent desserts in the evening. Coffee and tea fans will love the New Grounds Crafted Coffee menu featuring a variety of specialty espresso-based drinks made from a custom blend of coffee beans, as well as iced tea fusions.

Slice Pizzeria:  This top-deck pizzeria features a bold new look that sets the stage for tempting offerings that include specialties inspired by local favorites from the Pacific to the Atlantic. Try a Deep Dish Focaccia or a slice of signature Neapolitan-style classics. Savor some California Artisanal Toast with Cali-Avocado or Caprese toppings. Or go for a Sliced Stromboli, and enjoy an East Coast take on a classic Italian calzone that’s stuffed with delicious Italian deli meats and cheeses.

The Salty Dog Grill:  Treat yourself to "The Ernesto" burger, created by acclaimed chef Ernesto Uchimura. Or try one of the other 100% handmade Gourmet Burgers, including the Princess Burger or Triple Smoked Burger. The Salty Dog Grill also offers new Street Tacos featuring a choice of grilled chipotle-lime chicken or roasted sweet potato-green chile. And don’t miss the Classic Hot Dogs, plus loaded fries in tempting varieties including chili cheese and bacon and cheese.

World Fresh Marketplace:  Whenever you visit, you’ll find plenty of well-balanced options to choose from. Stop by for breakfast and visit the designer pancake station, or enjoy one of the unique hot cereal offerings. At lunch, look for handcrafted sandwiches, regionally inspired dishes and soups, as well as delicious carvery selections. For dinner, there’s everything from breakfast at night, family kitchen comfort foods with PB&J bar, stir-fry or customized pasta, plus a multitude of fresh fruit and salad choices.

Room Service:  Call for room service delivery or order through OceanNow® in the Princess® MedallionClass® app at any time of the day or night. Guests with the latest Princess Plus and Princess Premier packages enjoy OceanNow® and room service delivery with no charge. Otherwise, a one-time access fee of $14.99 per person per voyage will apply for OceanNow® delivery and a $5 room service fee will apply for each order placed by stateroom phone. To order, guests can press the "Room Service" button on their stateroom phone, or order through OceanNow®.

Disclaimer regarding ship dining

Inside Stateroom

Ocean view stateroom, balcony stateroom, suite stateroom.

Staterooms feature two twin beds or a queen-size bed, TV, a refrigerator, hair dryer, digital security safe, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Interior (Category: IA)

Category: IA Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IB)

Category: IB Approximately 162 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IC)

Category: IC Approximately 162 to 182 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: ID)

Category: ID Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IE)

Category: IE Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Interior (Category: IF)

Category: IF Approximately 162 sq. ft., this well-appointed interior stateroom provides fine amenities.

Staterooms feature an ocean view from either a picture window or porthole, two twin beds or a queen-size bed, TV, a refrigerator, hair dryer, digital security safe, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Oceanview (Category: OC)

Category: OC Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Porthole Oceanview (Category: OE)

Category: OE Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a rear-facing porthole for memorable views.

Oceanview (Category: OF)

Category: OF Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window for memorable views.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OV)

Category: OV Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OW)

Category: OW Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OY)

Category: OY Approximately 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Oceanview (obstructed view) (Category: OZ)

Category: OZ Approximately 158 to 179 sq. ft., this well-appointed stateroom features a picture window with an obstructed view.

Staterooms feature a private balcony with a table and chairs, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, two twin beds or a queen-size bed, TV, a refrigerator, hair dryer, digital security safe, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Premium Balcony (Category: B1)

Category: B1 Approximately 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Premium Balcony (Category: B2)

Category: B2 Approximately 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Premium Balcony (Category: B4)

Category: B4 Approximately 240 to 298 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides dramatic wake views from a rear-facing private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BA)

Category: BA Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BB)

Category: BB Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BC)

Category: BC Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BD)

Category: BD Approximately 231 to 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BE)

Category: BE Approximately 231 to 271 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Balcony (Category: BF)

Category: BF Approximately 231 sq. ft. including balcony, this stateroom provides outstanding views from a private balcony.

Staterooms feature a private larger balcony with a table and chairs, floor-to-ceiling sliding glass doors, two twin beds or a queen-size bed, separate sitting area with sofa and coffee table, two TVs, a refrigerator, hair dryer, digital security safe, spacious closet and bathroom with shower.

Premium Club Class Mini-Suite (Category: M1)

Category: M1 Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MB)

Category: MB Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: MD)

Category: MD Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Mini-Suite with Balcony (Category: ME)

Category: ME Approximately 323 sq. ft. including balcony, this spacious stateroom provides a seating area with sofa bed, and full bath with combination tub and shower.

Grand Suite with Balcony (Category: S1)

Category: S1 Approximately 1,277 sq. ft. including balcony, the Grand Suite features an expansive stateroom and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Owner's Suite with Balcony (Category: S2)

Category: S2 Approximately 687 sq. ft. including balcony, the Owner's Suite features an expansive stateroom and oversized aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S3)

Category: S3 Approximately 524 to 531 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious stateroom and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Penthouse Suite with Balcony (Category: S4)

Category: S4 Approximately 533 sq. ft. including balcony, the Penthouse Suite features a spacious stateroom and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Premium Suite with Balcony (Category: S5)

Category: S5 Approximately 568 sq. ft. including balcony, the Premium Suite features a spacious stateroom and separate seating area with a sofa bed. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Vista Suite with Balcony (Category: S6)

Category: S6 Approximately 460 to 495 sq. ft. including balcony, the Vista Suite features a spacious stateroom and aft-facing balcony. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Window Suite (Category: S7)

Category: S7 Approximately 319 to 341 sq. ft., the Window Suite features a picture window from which to enjoy the views. Includes exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

Two-Bedroom Family Suite Interconnecting Staterooms (Category: S8)

Category: S8 Approximately 606 sq. ft. including balcony, the Two Bedroom Family Suite features 2 bedrooms to accommodate up to 8 passengers. Enjoy exclusive suite-only upgrades and benefits.

• Ship Name: Caribbean Princess
• Year Entered Present Fleet: 2004
• Ship Class: Grand
• Maximum Capacity: 3,782
• Number of Passenger Decks: 19
• Number of Crew: 1,200
• Officers' Nationality: British/Italian
• Ocean-View without Balcony: 230
• Ocean-View with Balcony: 669
• Total Inside Staterooms: 445
• Tonnage (GRT): 112,894
• Capacity Based on Double Occupancy: 3,140
• Country of Registry: Bermuda
• Total Staterooms: 1,556
• Suites with Balcony: 203
• Crew/Hotel Staff Nationality: International

Available Dates & Prices

Departure date, departure date - 10/16/2025, departure date - 12/23/2025, departure date - 01/04/2026, departure date - 01/16/2026, departure date - 03/17/2026, terms & conditions.

*Price shown is per person based on double occupancy and is valid for select stateroom categories only. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for details.

†One Digital Costco Shop Card per room/stateroom, per stay. The exact amount of the Digital Costco Shop Card will be calculated during the booking process. The Digital Costco Shop Card promotion is nontransferable and may not be combined with any other promotion. A Digital Costco Shop Card will arrive by email approximately 10 days after the start of your cruise. Click on the Terms & Conditions link below for additional information.

© Princess Cruise Lines, Ltd. Ships of Bermudan and British registry.

Digital Costco Shop Card

This booking includes a Digital Costco Shop Card which will arrive by email one to two weeks after you return from your vacation. The Digital Costco Shop Card is a convenient payment option in our warehouses and on Costco.com.

Ship Rating

An outstanding luxury cruise experience with an exceptional level of attention to detail. Expect superb service from all levels of officers and staff.

A very good quality all-around cruise experience aboard a ship that offers a range of facilities and services.

A decent, unpretentious cruise experience, with a moderate amount of space and quality in furnishing and fittings.

A modest quality cruise experience with less attention to detail and service.

Expect a very basic cruise experience with minimal attention to service, hospitality and finesse.

Offers some, but not all, of the amenities and services associated with the next highest star rating.

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Home » Cruise » Princess Cruises » Princess Cruises Partners With Brightline For ‘Rail & Sail’ Program

Princess Cruises Partners With Brightline For ‘Rail & Sail’ Program

Princess Cruises and Brightline have teamed up to offer a program called Rail & Sail for easy access to eastern Florida homeports.

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Princess Cruises and Brightline, a central and southern Florida passenger rail route, have partnered to introduce the Rail & Sail program. It will offer guests in Florida quick and easy access to Princess cruise ships departing from Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral.

The partnership also includes the debut of a train with four custom-designed cars wrapped in Princess’ iconic Love Boat branding, complete with its signature seawitch logo and depictions of popular ports of call. The cruise line’s branding will also be featured in Brightline’s five terminals throughout Florida.

Brightline and Princess’ Rail & Sail Service

Princess Cruises guests will have access to Brightline’s full schedule of trains departing daily with 16 round-trip transits between Orlando and Fort Lauderdale. Options include:

• Southbound from Orlando to Fort Lauderdale (with stops at West Palm Beach and Boca Raton)
• Northbound from Fort Lauderdale to Orlando (with stops at Boca Raton and West Palm Beach)
• South Florida residents can also take Brightline from its downtown Miami and Aventura terminals with stops in Fort Lauderdale or Orlando.

Princess Cruises will also provide guests with complimentary motorcoach service between Brightline’s Orlando and Fort Lauderdale stations and their embarkation terminal.

Special Discount and Luggage Express Service

Brightline will offer Princess cruise passengers a new luggage express service where they can check their bags upon arrival at their Brightline station and it will automatically be delivered to their stateroom on the ship. The cost is $35 per bag.

Luggage express will initially be available on Orlando-to-Fort Lauderdale trains, with plans to add the service to Fort Lauderdale-to-Orlando trains ahead of Caribbean Princess’ arrival and homeport at Port Canaveral in November.

For a limited time, Princess guests who book a cruise through May 5th will receive a credit that can be used toward Brightline’s signature Premium and Smart class:

• Interior/Oceanview stateroom: $50 per person Brightline credit
• Balcony/Deluxe stateroom: $100 per person Brightline credit
• Mini-Suite/Suite: $150 per person Brightline credit

Brightline’s Smart service includes hand-stitched leather seats, complimentary wifi, and multiple power and USB outlets at each seat. Premium service adds complimentary snacks and beverages and access to a Premium Lounge at the Brightline station.

Princess’ Fort Lauderdale and Port Canaveral Cruises

Princess Cruises is one of Port Everglades’ largest cruise operators with seven ships sailing out of Fort Lauderdale — nearly half its fleet. Voyages include week-long getaways to the Caribbean as well as longer length 10 to 20-day cruises, including those that go into the Panama Canal.

Caribbean Princess will inaugurate Princess sailings from Port Canaveral on November 27, 2024. It will operate a series of four to 14-day itineraries to ports including Grand Turk, San Juan, St. Thomas, Belize, Amber Cove, and Roatán. This program runs through April 2025.

For more information on Princess Cruises and Brightline’s Rail & Sail service, visit princess.com/brightline .

Do you plan to take advantage of the Rail & Sail service? Have you ever taken a train to get to your cruise homeport? Drop us an anchor below and let us know!

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DB & The Princess

Welcome Aboard! We are Don and Heidi, the husband and wife travel team behind EatSleepCruise.com. We took our first cruise vacation together 13 years ago and have been hooked ever since. Follow along as we share our travel tips, cruise reviews, information on ports of call, and the latest cruise news to help you plan the ultimate cruise vacation. Are you ready to embark on your journey to “sea the world, one port at a time”?

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Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel

I was rushing to make my dinner reservation on Princess Cruises’ new ship. But when I arrived at the restaurant, the view made me stop.

From the windows at the sushi eatery Makoto Ocean – part of a sphere-shaped structure near the middle of the vessel – I saw the sun sinking below the horizon, a reddish-orange dot on the Mediterranean Sea. The Sun Princess facilitates scenes like that by design.

“We wanted to make sure that within how we designed the (venues) and placed the furniture, we gave maximum opportunity for our guests to be able to celebrate those outward views,” Denise Saviss, Princess’ vice president of entertainment experience, told USA TODAY. “It is really, really unique to have so much glass on the ship.”

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That was one of several striking features during a recent sailing (the ship is now cruising the Mediterranean before it moves to the Caribbean in October). Here are three takeaways from the first in the line’s aptly named Sphere Class.

1. The design showcases views at sea and in port

Makoto isn’t the only venue that offers that kind of view.

Other spaces inside the Sphere – which also houses lobby-slash-entertainment venue The Piazza – feature similarly sweeping vistas across decks 7, 8 and 9. I watched the light sparkle on the water while I sipped coffee one morning at International Café, and patrons dining at Alfredo’s Pizzeria can take in the scenery during their meal from many seats.

That’s also true elsewhere on the ship. At Horizons Dining Room, floor-to-ceiling windows face the ship’s wake. At the other end of the vessel, the Dome, a geodesic structure that Princess has said was inspired by the hills of Santorini, is like a massive solarium.

The space – which will also host shows including acrobatics – has multiple tiers of loungers, an indoor-outdoor pool and the Cascade Bar (which comes in handy for cooling off, as it felt a bit muggy in the Dome at one point on a sunny sea day).

The overall effect helped to bring the outside in.

2. The ship is bigger but still intimate

Sun Princess is the largest ship in the Princess fleet, and the 21-deck vessel can accommodate 4,300 guests. But that doesn’t mean everything is huge.

Given the scale of the offerings, a number of spaces on board feel notably intimate. One night, I walked to Good Spirits at Sea, a cocktail bar crafted in partnership with mixologist Rob Floyd that also hosts classes, and thought I was lost before stumbling upon it tucked around a corner on Deck 7. Inside, the 40-person venue offered a laid-back alternative to other more boisterous nightlife options.

On Deck 9, the ship’s buffet-like venue, The Eatery, gives way to narrower hallways toward the aft with backlit wood paneling and benches. At the end, they open back up to reveal specialty restaurants The Catch by Rudi and The Butcher’s Block by Dario (from Princess’ head of culinary arts, Rudi Sodamin, and in partnership with famed butcher Dario Cecchini, respectively).

Even the multi-configuration Princess Arena felt cozier than its near-1,000-guest capacity would suggest. I sat in the second-to-last row of my section for a performance by the vocal group ODY·C and was still close enough to see clearly.

3. The line leans into family-friendly activities

Part of Sun Princess’ expanded footprint has been used to broaden the line’s family offerings.

Park19, a new space on the ship’s top decks, features a variety of activities in an open-air setting. Saviss said the line worked to balance the interests of core customers and a growing family market “and make sure we're prioritizing spaces that everybody can enjoy.”

“There are some attractions that I think naturally, at first blush, people would say, ‘Oh, it's just for kids,’ but actually, the space is really comprehensive,” she said. “Our attractions are available for many different levels of ability and mobility.”

Those include Coastal Climb, an obstacle course that culminates in 360-degree views from The Lookout observation deck (the highest point accessible to guests on the ship, also reachable via elevator) and The Net ropes course.

On Sea Breeze, billed as the first Rollglider on a cruise ship, passengers will glide along the outer edges of the ship on an electric track (the ride will also be ADA-accessible, though Saviss said some mobility is required for maneuvering into the seat).

It’s as close as the ship gets to an amusement park (Princess’ version). “We're not running the rat race, if you will, of like, who can do it bigger, better,” Saviss said. “If you want to just have a really incredible bird's-eye view of Sun Princess, and in and around where the ship is sailing, you can do that. But there is an option to push a little lever while you're riding it and dial up the speed a bit faster, and then it does become a bit more thrilling.”

The ride was not yet available when I was on board, as the line moved through a testing, certification and training process, but is expected to open on April 27. Sun Princess’ original launch was delayed with the cruise line citing “additional technical work” needed at the shipyard, which pushed back the opening of some onboard amenities.

When is the best time to take a cruise?: We broke it down by region.

There is also a hammock area to chill when guests need a break, a recreational court that can host activities from pingpong to morning meditation, a jogging track and more. Elsewhere on board, guests will find the Firefly Park kids club and hangout spaces Neon Grove and The Underground for tweens and teens, respectively.

The reporter on this story received access to this sailing from Princess Cruises. USA TODAY maintains editorial control of content.  

Nathan Diller is a consumer travel reporter for USA TODAY based in Nashville. You can reach him at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bigger ship, better views: 3 takeaways from Princess Cruises' newest vessel