In early December, we boarded Caribbean Princess for a 12-day Southern Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises, our longest sailing so far and one of our most enjoyable. If you are considering a Caribbean cruise that balances relaxation, destination variety, and onboard comfort, this experience offers a helpful reference.
The itinerary was thoughtfully paced, combining three sea days at the beginning and end with port stops in Aruba, Bonaire, Dominica, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Antigua and Barbuda. The sea days turned out to be just as valuable as the destinations, allowing us to slow down, settle in, and fully enjoy the ship.
The Ship: Caribbean Princess
Caribbean Princess is a mid-size ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, carrying just over 3,000 guests. While it is not a new ship, it has been recently renovated, and the updates are noticeable throughout. Public areas were clean, well maintained, and comfortable, with a layout that became intuitive within the first couple of days.
The ship offers a good balance of lively spaces and quieter corners, making it suitable for travelers who want options without feeling overwhelmed.
Stateroom Experience
We stayed in an interior stateroom on Deck 12, close to the main public decks. This location was extremely convenient and reduced the amount of time spent moving around the ship. Choosing an interior room was a deliberate decision. Since we planned to spend most of our time exploring ports and enjoying public areas, a balcony was not essential. The room was comfortable, quiet, and well designed for sleep, and we did not miss having outdoor space.
Princess Plus Package Value
Instead of upgrading the stateroom category, we invested in the Princess Plus package, which significantly enhanced the overall experience. The package included Wi-Fi, beverages, crew appreciation, and additional service benefits.
Having these essentials bundled removed daily decision-making and allowed us to enjoy the cruise without tracking onboard spending. From morning coffee to evening drinks and consistent connectivity, the package delivered excellent value on a longer sailing.
Dining and Food Options
Dining on Caribbean Princess was varied and consistently enjoyable. Options included multiple main dining rooms, casual poolside venues, specialty restaurants, a buffet, and a 24-hour café.
We tried a range of venues and found the food quality reliable across the board. Menus offered enough variety to avoid repetition over the course of 12 days, and service was efficient without feeling rushed.
Entertainment, Activities, and Wellness
Daily programming was plentiful and leaned toward a mature audience, which suited the timing of our cruise. Activities included live music, theater shows, trivia, and enrichment talks.
For quieter moments, the ship offered a spa, gym, and a smaller, less crowded pool area, providing a welcome retreat from busier decks.
MedallionClass Technology and Wi-Fi
One of the most impressive features of Princess Cruises is MedallionClass technology. The wearable Medallion enables touch-free boarding, automatic stateroom access, onboard navigation, locating travel companions, and ordering food or drinks anywhere on the ship. The technology worked seamlessly and genuinely improved the experience rather than feeling like a novelty. Wi-Fi performance was also excellent, with fast speeds and minimal dead zones, comparable to home internet use.
Service and Crew
Service onboard Caribbean Princess was consistently warm and professional. Crew members were approachable and attentive across all departments. Our stateroom attendant played a key role in making a longer cruise comfortable, especially with timely housekeeping and laundry support.
Final Thoughts
This 12-day Caribbean cruise with Princess Cruises delivered exactly what we were looking for, relaxation, destination variety, and a well-run onboard experience. Caribbean Princess may not be the newest ship, but it excels in comfort, service, technology, and overall ease. For travelers seeking a Caribbean cruise that prioritizes smooth logistics, good food, reliable Wi-Fi, and a relaxed pace, Princess Cruises remains a strong and dependable choice.
If you're thinking of going on a cruise, and would like to know more about my experience, then feel free to contact me.
Images: Self and Princess
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