Pre-cruise, we stayed at the Ramada in Ft. Lauderdale. It was away from everything and we had to spend money to get anywhere we wanted to go. No public transportation in this area. The hotel posts rates for their shuttle to take you downtown..depending on where you wanted to go it was 20-30 dollars each way. We took a cab back from one of our outings and the price was almost equal to what the hotel shuttle cost..so no rip-offs there. We went to Bubba Gumps for dinner, which is where I like to go in any city that has this restaurant..Good drinks, good food, nice surroundings.Our bill was 60.00 including tip, and I had 8 giant stuffed shrimp, with all of the sides. The Jungle Queen river boat ride was really nice..Passed many beautiful sites, including "Millionaire's Row" with alot of celebrity homes, and the downtown area. We got off the boat to a private Island where a dinner of all you can eat ribs, chicken, and shrimp was served, again with all of the sides. After dinner a comedy show was put on which was very enjoyable. All of this for under 50.00 p.p. November 1st, we boarded Island Princess. The ship was grand, as most ships are.She was dressed to the nines for Christmas with lights and Christmas trees everywhere. Very festive. Our cabin was an ocean view, and was in a perfect location. We didn't have to walk alot of winding halls to get anywhere..Just walked out of our door and there was the Atrium, shops, restaurants..etc. Typical cruise ship stateroom..enough room for everything, suitcases fit under the bed, lots of closet space and hangers, shampoo, conditioner, and body lotion. Fresh towels every evening. We never had to ask for a thing. The shower is ridiculously small, and I had to wonder how the bigger people managed. The ship was noticeably smaller in some areas but it took me a couple of days to see the differences. The theater was smaller, the atrium and bathrooms ( in cabins) were smaller, but nothing to worry about. We ate at the Bordeaux Dining room for most of our meals and never had a complaint. Fillet Mignon, scallops, lobster, Cornish hen, chilled soups ( I had Pina Coloda soup), turkey with all the trimmings, goat cheese souffle. I can't say enough about the food, or the dining room service..Wonderful. Desserts were delicious, and beautifully presented. PORTS OF CALL: Aruba: Took a completely submersible submarine excursion. Took us down 130 feet.The beauty under the sea took my breath away. Fish and barracudas would come right up to the port holes, and startle you a bit. We saw a couple of sunken ships, lots of coral, and colorful fish everywhere. Aruba's downtown appeared very small, but really pretty. Shops everywhere. Columbia: We took a tour of the old walled city, and inquisition palace..Both something to see. The old buildings were beautiful to look at. If you want to take this tour for shopping purposes, I would say don't bother..They take you to shop at "their" places where there is probably some sort of kick-back. I think we had exactly 20 minutes to shop at the "market" where most people like to pick up their trinkets. The Colombian people were terrible for harassing you, and didn't like to take "no" for an answer..They completely just invaded your space. I would not go back there. Panama: We did not do a tour here but did shop a bit. The Panamanian people were lovely..No pushing of their wares, no bothering you. Their specialty is hand woven baskets and they were very nice. Alot of the women sell their wares topless. The Panama Canal was a marvel to experience, given it's history. The manpower that is needed to get a vessel through is huge.people and machinery (mules) everywhere. We were told it cost Island Princess around the 230 thousand dollar mark to go through the canal that day. Cruise ships pay more because they reserve a year in advance, and for specific days. Without it's history, it's really just a big set of locks. Costa Rica, Limon: The best tour we took was "All about Limon" We had a terrific self-taught guide named Xavier..There was not a question that he couldn't answer. It was a thrill to see monkeys in the wild, swinging from tree to tree..Lots of beautiful birds, and some wildlife in captivity. The information given through our rain Forest tour was very interesting. Ocho Rios Jamaica: I put this on the same scale as Columbia..People harassing you, invading your space..A little bit of a walk to town, and not really much to see there.We didn't take a tour as I have been there before. Our fellow passengers were very elderly. Alot of wheelchairs, walkers, oxygen etc. There was only 1 child on board that I saw. The only negative I can add to this review is that I was assaulted by another passenger..one who thought she had a sense of entitlement when it came to pushing through the crowd etc. On the morning of the Panama Canal, there was a large group that I was standing in the back of. I only point out where I was standing because I know that the cruise ships have many security cameras, and I'm very sure this incident would have been caught on camera. The lady slapped me hard across my arm..then she took off. I ran after her, and the first staff I saw I asked them to call security. They told me to go to the Purser's desk, which I did after going through the canal. I was not going to let this incident have me miss this. By the time I got to the purser's desk, I was told that they had already spoken to the other woman, and she had admitted hitting me. Their solution was to tell me to "steer clear of her" for the sake of "peace on the ship" I wonder would they have treated a sexual assault in such a relaxed manner. I never heard a thing more about the incident. I do plan to write Princess a letter. An incident like this makes me wonder how really safe we are while on these cruise ships. I did not let this mar my trip, and aside from that, it was a wonderful, once in a lifetime experience.