About 5 years ago we did a cruise with Princess to Panama. It was absolutely outstanding. Thus, we were very excited at the prospect of being the beneficiaries of the Princess experience once again.
We boarded the Caribbean Princess at Southampton at the Queen Elizabeth terminal. Check in involved queuing but nothing too terrible.
In reading this review there are a few points that should be borne in mind. First of all Princess describes itself as ‘5’ star. I would award them ‘2’ at best. Second, Princess has made a big deal of its 50th anniversary; thus we expected something a bit special to mark this. Apart from a grotty tote back with flimsy handles, they may as well not have bothered! The whole 50th Anniversary thing is a vacuous and deceptive PR stunt to attract you to book with them this year. Don’t be conned!
The cabin was old and tired. The sink did not empty properly and leaked. The toilet blocked up more than once. Although it was comfortable, the cabin was long past its sell-by date.
Wonderful place. Don't bother with the ship's tours... Do the old town yourself.