We (46 and wife 46) sailed on the Caribbean Princess on December 4, departing from Ft. Lauderdale and stopping in San Juan, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Princess Cays was still not available due to hurricane damage, so a 4-11 p.m. stop in San Juan on Monday was substituted. This was our third cruise and our second on Princess.
Getting There
Because we came from the West Coast, we flew into Ft. Lauderdale the night before (Friday), staying at the Best Western Marina & Yacht Harbor. A big reason for this choice was it included transfers from the airport and to the cruise terminal. Cost for the room was $110 including tax. The hotel was certainly nothing special for that rate (high by our standards), though it was just across from the harbor -- it was exciting to see our ship close by in port when we got up Saturday morning. Friday night we took the water taxi into town to walk along Las Olas Boulevard. The water taxi departs from just under the bridge by the hotel (stop #9A), though we walked to the next stop (#9 to the north -- walk around the iron fence by the water and go to the back of the marina, behind the two-story store and bar to the fuel pumps). We later found out it didn't stop at #9A because the currents were too strong. Along the way we saw some nice homes, many decorated for Christmas, including the $44 million estate of the owner of Blockbuster and the Miami Dolphins. Las Olas is called the Rodeo Drive of Ft. Lauderdale, with specialty shops and some expensive restaurants. We ate at Johnny V's, which was recommended by the Wine Spectator. Had five wonderful appetizers at the bar and a glass of wine. Not cheap -- about $60. This place has a fantastic list of cheeses. A Cheesecake Factory restaurant is along this street to the west.