I have just completed my 15th cruise on Princess, a 7 day cruise to the Western Caribbean. I am avid reader of reviews on this site but have never sat down and actually wrote a review. We flew into Ft Lauderdale a day early from Buffalo NY. We book a non stop and arrived in town around 10:30, rented a car and drove towards the 17 St causeway. We parked the car, boarded the "Water Taxi" and set off north bound on the Intercoastal water way. The cost was just 26 bucks, but what a great way to see town. The crew was freindly and funny and gave guided tour. We hopped off at a local resturant named Flip Flop and had a great lunch. We reboarded the taxi and were south bound for the car. I highly recommend Water Taxi as a sunny and delighlfully way to spend an afternoon.

We spent the night at the Cambria hotel and suites. The room was very spacious and clean. The hotel offered both a happy hour on arrival night and a breakfast buffet the next morning. Both were great. Early the next morning ( 4:30 ish ) we got up and went back down the the 17th causeway to watch the parade of cruise ship entering the port and dock. I know this is an activity that most cruisers do not partake in (since we were the only ones on bridge) but we got many great shots of the ships arriving in port.

Like stated before I have never written a review on this site in all my years of cruising but felt I needed to present my own personal perceptions of the cruise. I have sailed with Princess 15 times, this was my fourth trip on the Caribbean Princess, not because i am fond of the ship, but she was going where we wanted to go. My first trip was back in 2004 on one of CP inaurgual year trips. I have to admit she was brand new, sparkled in the sun and had that new car smell. I also have to admit I read some horrible reviews of the ship, Princess Cruises and of the crew. People wrote the ship was beat up, carpeting in bad shape, upolstery torn, rust , mold and odors abound and a crew that runs a muck. I do have to admit i was a little worried. Read more