After a break from the big cruise ships we decided to return and try the Western Caribbean route on the Caribbean Princess. As some reviewers have commented boarding in Houston is a challenge. Our wait to board the ship was about 3.5 hours. The lines are long but move along. After checking in the waiting area is small for the number of arriving passengers and the overflow is a large tent that can get quite warm even with the large fan. The staff is friendly and constantly thank you for your patience, but patience does wear thin after 2+ hours of sitting in a folding chair. We were boarded in groups which basically ques you into another long line to have your picture taken (really a picture after sitting for 3.5 hrs.). Best tip for embarkation is pack your patience.

Overall the staff is friendly and professional, but there is no sense of personal service due to the number of passengers, it's just not possible.

A lot of precaution is taken to control any chance of nirovirus, for the first few days the dinning personnel served the buffet food and beverages. By mid week with no reports of ship board illnesses the passengers we were allowed to serve ourselves in the Horizon Cafe. The ship's public areas and hallways are constantly being wiped down which was very reassuring. Read more