We went to Western Caribbean since we hadn't done those ports before. Been to eastern and southern. Something for everyone on Western - beaches, history (Mayan ruins), good on-ship entertainment, relaxation! We went to Roatan, Belize and Cozumel. Arrived in Roatan and rain started pouring down. We'd planned to take a taxi to West end beach, but because of the rain, opted for local Mahogany Beach. It was a five-ten minute walk from the cruise ship and the beach was fine! Not sure if it would win for someone who travels the caribbean a lot, but for a winter break getaway, just the fact that there was warm water to swim in, and humid warm air to bask in was enough. Water not perfectly clear and not too much to see snorkeling by the pier, but good enough. THe rain stopped early and didn't return, so we could have tried another beach, but we were already settled in at this beach. So can't say anything else about the rest of the island. Local shops near cruise terminal had some interesting things. Nice carved wood (mahogany!) and local cocoa powder to bring home. On Belize we opted for the ruins since the day was not so sunny and I prefer beach snorkeling to getting on a boat anyway. THis would have been great had we just gotten a taxi there. The cruise excursion was too much traveling and barely no time at the ruins (like 45 minutes!!). We did the river one way and bus back but in my opinion the river trip was TOO LONG and not enough to see. After five minutes looking at jungle and muddy water, that was enough for me. We did get to see and hear some howler monkeys up in the trees, but I would have preferred just more time at ruins. I also think they slowed the boat trip down to coordinate timing with the bus meeting us at the lunch spot. We spent a crazy amount of time "looking for manatees". The ruins were pretty cool and tour guides were good. If I went again, I'd skip the river part. There were some wildlife along the way, but not that visible. Stop for lunch was nice - great chicken! Around Belize day I started getting a sore throat (day 3 of cruise). I wonder if something in water in Hondurus, or something from the ship. Our steward got sick and disappeared for half the cruise and I got two different versions of what was wrong with him. Cozumel was beach day - we would have liked to try going to Tulum but looked at the itinerary and it was about 5 hours traveling with 45 minutes at the ruins, so no thanks! We took a taxi to Paradise beach and it was fine, again, not great for snorkeling, but for escaping winter weather, perfect. The man at the kiosk directed us to Aquarium beach, but I had not heard of that one, actually wanted to go to Chanukaab park but he told me there was "no beach" there. Luckily on the way to Aquarium I sussed out from taxi driver that it was not a great place, and he took us to Paradise instead. Nice way to spend the day! Good taxis everywhere, no worries to be stranded. So excursions were nice. I didn't see water as nice as on St. Johns or Barbados, but not to say it's not there if you know where to go!

On ship - entertainment was great and plentiful as usual. Two little things that I look forward to on Princess and missed on this cruise were the fresh baked cookies passed out during movie under the stars (attendant had never heard of this!!) and the wonderful shampoo and conditioner they used to have. I applaud replacing tiny plastic bottles with larger containers, but the quality of shampoo was bad, and no conditioner provideded! I am sure there was room in the shower for three containers, and salt water damage to hair required more that a combo poor quality shampoo/conditioner. Princess bring back that wonderful shampoo and conditioner - seems petty, but it is something I remembered and looked forward to - my hair always looked and smelled amazing (some kind of mint...?). So I was disappointed in that, silly as it seems.

Food as usual was so-so. Not a highlight of Princess. Clam linguini tasted like the base was Cambells soup and all the soups were super salty - with 70% of the passengers over 70, you'd think they'd consider hypertension. Anyway I enjoyed the cruise with my mom (84) and son (20) but then I got super sick. Worst sore throat, chest congestion, cough in about 20 years. We all three got sick and so far it's been over a week and still bad. I emailed Princess to find out what it could have been but got no response. So am thinking cruises might not be in the future if the end result is wasting a week afterwards not able to do anything (week before Christmas too!).