I picked this 10-night cruise because the date spanned Christmas, and because it included four ports I hadn't visited before. I was a bit doubtful, because my last experience on the Crown Princess was a bit of a mixed bag. The good news: this ship has really pulled up its game, and the service staff were light-years better at their jobs than on my last trip. From cabin steward to bar servers, and dining rooms to specialty restaurants, the service everywhere was terrific.

I got a last-minute upsell from a regular balcony cabin to a mini-suite, and loved the extra space. It was actually a wheelchair-designed cabin, so I had space to spare and more closet space than I could ever use. The regular service and cleaning was impeccable.

Since it's the Caribbean, the sundecks and pools are a favourite area. Nice to know that the smaller Terrace Pool at the rear of decks 14/15 is reserved for adults only. The main pool areas, especially on sea days, are crowded and noisy, with live music and movies. Great for those who want them, but the Terrace is a nice quiet alternative. Read more