The wife an I were on the CARIBBEAN Princess for out third ever cruise, two prior being on Carnival. The trip was Jan 31 to Feb 7, 2010, Southern Caribbean. We flew into San Juan a day early because on Michigan's unpredictable weather. Stayed at the airport Best Western hotel, arraigned by Delta travel. It was a decent hotel,clean rooms,good AC,small flat screen tv, but also a smaller room. Small restaurant in hotel, limited menu. It was decent hotel for one night with absolutely nothing around it except airport.Got up the next AM, the hotel will store your bags for 24 hrs free if you are staying there. We took a $10 cab ride in AM to see some of the nearby hotel/resort/casino's along the beach, killed a few hours went back to the hotel, got our bags and a $22 cab ride later were at the Caribbean Princess at the Pan-American docks. Once at the docks, checked the bags with the Porter, went though security,Princess check in, and onto the ship. Arrived 1:30-2PM, 20 min to go aboard, only a few people ahead on us. Once on board we went to our cabin where we met our cabin Steward, Lilly, who already had our bags in the cabin. The entire process was very quick com-paired to previous cruises. The cabin was very well arraigned, plenty closet and drawer space Refrigerator,Nice flat screen TV and a wall safe.The balcony was larger than Carnival 9'x 5', actually room to stretch our legs. Then off to the HC for lunch. The buffet was very good, good choices of food. Just like our last trip. buffet was very crowded, just like our last trip on Carnival Valor. Approx same size ships. The only time we didn't experience the HC crowded during the next week was the one time we went there about 11:30 at night. On to exploring the ship,very clean and modern, we especially loved the International Cafe, Fresh baked good,sandwiches on one of my favorites Lattes on the coffee card which I immediately purchased Casino-larger then I expected, good variety of machines. Princess Theater-about half of the one on the Carnival and always crowded as you'd expect. We saw 3 shows during the week, all good, nothing great though. The layout out the ship was easy to find things with the information placards at each elevator. We did eat in the Main dining room every night mainly because the wife wanted to, personally a like the MDR on Carnival better myself. The menu's were mostly I think in French,so I had to guess a lot what was being served. We did ask about the menu items but i found out later the wife couldn't understand the waiter either. This is all my personal opinion and I'm sure others might disagree. Personally the HC with the buffet was better and Carnival as was the pizza. Room service in the AM was prompt we just ordered the continental breakfasts, nothing else although the choices are many to pick from. Neither of us could believe the waiters in in HC to bring you coffee juice etc, not available on Carnival. On the second day we signed up for the EZ check baggage program. In the program you leave your bags outside your door on the last evening, In San Juan you have to take them through Customs personally, then turn the bag over to EZ check personnel, then meet them at your final destination. It sure saves the airport lines, you get airline boarding passes on the ship, so you only go Thur the security at the airport, the straight to the boarding gate. The trip must be all on the same airline and costs $20 extra, plus regular airline bag fees. With Princess the paperwork has to be in by noon of the second day. EZ check people are among the first off the ship so with only carry on bags and 5 hours to kill we took one of the San Juan tours being offered by the companies at he pier. Cost $25 PP for a 4 hour bus and walking tour of old and new San Juan, and a drop off at the airport. Your bags are left on the bus with the driver staying there.