Overall Score

BERLITZ'S RATING
	Possible	Achieved
Ship	500	356
Accommodation	200	135
Food	400	235
Service	400	252
Entertainment	100	61
Cruise	400	273

How this score is created

Designed to be a (somewhat smaller) competitor to Royal Caribbean International’s Voyager-class ships (but with a similar passenger carry), Carib­bean Princess has the same profile as half-sisters Golden Princess, Grand Princess, and Star Princess. This ship accommodates many more passengers than half-sisters due to an additional extra deck (Riviera Deck) full of cabins, and the fact that two of the ship’s 17 upper decks are made of aluminum (although lighter than steel, it does tend to “harden” over time).

Although the ship accommodates over 500 more passengers, the outdoor deck space remains the same, as do the number of elevators (so waiting time increases during peak usage). The Passenger Space Ratio is also reduced considerably compared to that of its half-sisters. Caribbean Princess is built for year-round service in Caribbean cruises.

There is a good sheltered teakwood promenade deck, which almost wraps around (three times round is equal to one mile) and a walkway which goes to the (enclosed, protected) bow of the ship. The outdoor pools have various beach-like surroundings, and “Movies Under the Skies” and major sporting events are shown on a 300-sq-ft (28-sq-meter) movie screen located at the pool in front of the large funnel structure in what, aboard Golden, Grand and Star Princess would be The Conservatory. Movies afloat in the open are a big hit with passengers (they remind many of drive-in movies, which have mostly disappeared from land-based venues).

Unlike the outside decks, there is plenty of space inside (but there are also plenty of passengers), and a wide array of public rooms to choose from, with many “intimate” (a relative word) spaces and places to play. The passenger flow is well thought-out, and there is little congestion.

High atop the stern of the ship is a ship-wide glass-walled disco pod. It looks like an aerodynamic “spoiler” and is positioned high above the water, with spectacular views from the extreme port and starboard side windows (it would make a great penthouse).

The interior decor is attractive, with lots of earth tones (well suited to both American and European tastes). In fact, this is a culmination of the best of all that Princess Cruises has to offer from its many years of operating what is now a well-tuned, good-quality product.

An extensive collection of artworks has been chosen, and this complements the interior design and colors well. If you see something you like, you will probably be able to purchase it on board – it’s almost all for sale.

Caribbean Princess also includes a Wedding Chapel (a live web-cam can relay ceremonies via the internet). The ship’s captain can legally marry (American) couples, thanks to the ship’s Bermuda registry and a special dispensation (which should be verified when in the planning stage, according to where you reside). But to get married and take your close family members and entourage with you on your honeymoon is going to cost a lot. The “Hearts & Minds” chapel is also useful for “renewal of vows” ceremonies.

For children, there is a two-deck-high playroom, teen room, and a host of specially trained counselors. Children have their own pools, hot tubs, and open deck area at the stern of the ship, thankfully away from adult areas. There are good netted-in areas; one section has a dip pool, while another has a mini-basketball court.

Gamblers should enjoy what is presently one of the largest casinos at sea (Grand Casino), with more than 260 slot machines, and blackjack, craps and roulette tables, plus newer games such as Let It Ride Bonus, Spanish 21 and Caribbean Draw Progressive. But the highlight could well be the specially linked slot machines that provide a combined payout.

Other features include a decent library/CD-Rom computer room, and a separate card room. Ship lovers should enjoy the wood-paneled Wheelhouse Bar, finely decorated with memorabilia and ship models tracing part of parent company P&O’s history (this ship highlights the 1950-built cargo ship Ganges. Churchill’s cigar/sports bar has several television screens. A high-tech hospital is provided, with SeaMed tele-medicine link-ups to specialists at the Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles, who are available for emergency help.

The ship is a stunning, grand resort playground in which to roam when you are not ashore. Princess Cruises delivers a consistently fine, well-packaged vacation product, always with a good degree of style, at an attractive, highly competitive price. Whether this really can be considered a relaxing holiday is a moot point, but with so many choices and “small” rooms to enjoy, the ship has been extremely well designed, and the odds are that you’ll have an enjoyable cruise vacation. If you are not used to large ships, it will take you some time to find your way around this one, despite the company’s claim that it offers passengers a “small ship feel, big ship choice.”

Caribbean Princess is a first year-round Caribbean cruise ship, but the company competes with Carnival Cruise Lines and Royal Caribbean International in the same segment, the world’s most popular but over-­tonnaged and discounted cruise region – the Caribbean. However, Carib­bean Princess is among the best in the standard market segment.

Berlitz Guide © Apa Publishing 2008