This was our first cruise. We chose Princess because we liked the Classic Southern Caribbean itinerary (San Juan, Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, St. Maarten, St. Thomas) and the Personal Choice Dining option. Golden Princess is a very beautiful ship and very clean. Warning to parents- stick with Disney or Carnival. This is not a good cruise line for kids or anyone under the age of 35. The average range was early 50s to 70. We were the youngsters at 42 and 47. We liked the fact that we didn't have to listen to other folk's noisy whinny kids and parents yelling all week. I can count the kids on one hand that I saw all week and they didn't seem very happy.

Room: We decided to get a balcony so we could have a nice private area to enjoy departures and arrivals in ports and just a quite place of our own. Our room was a balcony on Baja Deck 724. This was big enough for a couple of chairs and small round table. This was deck 11 and there only decks above was 12 Aloha, no deck 13. Above 14 Lido where the Horizon Buffet is located and some pools and hot tubs. The room has plenty of storage and an open closet six-seven feet long with a self above to store items. There is a small closet about 2 feet wide from floor to ceiling with shelves and a safe. Next to the bed is end tables with storage drawers and a vanity table with drawers with a light mirror. More than enough room for all the clothes we brought with us. There is a TV, hairdryer and refrigerator that can hold several bottles of wine or soda. The decor is nice and our cabin steward, Willy from the Philippines was the best. He brought us extra hangers, pillows, beach and regular towels, and bathrobes and kept our room very clean. We tip him extra too for the great job he did for us. These folks work hard. Oh, the bathroom is small but big enough, plus the vanity table has the hairdryer where you can finish getting ready and put on your makeup. Entertainment: Shows are typical resort type entertainment. Good comedians and shows. Casinos is fun area to people watch or gamble. Bars, plenty to suit all tastes. Drink prices are $3.50-$6.50 plus 15% gratuity. Two formal nights- Princess takes formal pics for $22 for an 8 x 10, good time to get new formals.

Excursions: Recommend the Catamaran excursions in St. Lucia to the Pitons was great. Good crew, but beware of the rum punch, very strong. Antigua- Catamaran, Snorkel and Beach-great time, stayed away from the rum punch. Both were about less than $60 but you can play more if you go all day. San Juan- New and Old San Juan $40 each. St. Maarten- stay on the Dutch side, great beach area, shopping and food right new ship. French side was dirty and the vendors sell junk. Great jewelry deals on St. Maarten, better than St. Thomas. Did the Ultimate Tour on St. Thomas, which includes two hours at Magen's Bay beach, tour of Blackbeard's Castle and shopping ($49. each). Now that we have seen the island, we will just spend day on Magen's or the beach near the town. Read more