We are just back from our first Princess cruise. We were on the Caribbean Princess Apr. 10-17Th.As you can see below in my signature we are fairly well "cruised" in that we have tried some other lines (with an open mind). Since we fall in the category of those who cruise for the ports NOT the ship we have found that different lines do offer different itineraries thus allowing us to visit new ports/places.All that said, we too have a wonderful week on the Caribbean Princess but, we probably won't be coming back much.We flew into San Juan a day before (we always do) and stayed at the Sheraton OSJ. We prefer the El Convento but couldn't get in. We enjoy staying in the old town area for the ambiance. We also stayed one night post cruise for ease of air arrangements. The day after the cruises end (usually a Monday) is less hectic getting out of San Juan. We had breakfast both mornings at La Bombonera (our favorite) and dinner at El Picoteo at El Convento the evening of our post cruise stay.As for the cruise itself: A few items we noticed.....CABIN: the storage is great! Love the open closet area with the shoe bin and safe in a nice roomy cabinet. No love seat/sofa - just a chair which was always in the way in front of the dressing table/drawer area. BTW: We were in the highest balcony category on deck 11 - mid-ship. Balcony furniture pretty bad shape - one chair almost broken (had to be real careful sitting down !)SHIP LAYOUT: Pretty good actually. No one area really ever felt crowded. But some really screwy areas in places. Walking down one hall we ran into a dead end ???? Also, I did not like how the flooring was CONSTANTLY changing...... tile, carpet, tile, carpet etc etc.... made walking in heels weird. And the stairs everywhere.....sometimes just one or two - not very user friendly.LOUNGES: We felt some of the lounges in the best areas (for sitting and watching the views) were not open (the bar) often enough. So if you went and sat to enjoy the view you couldn't get anything to drink. But 5 minutes later if you went down to the pool area there would be more than enough waiters/bars with some of the staff "standing around" joking and talking among themselves.DINING: We booked quite late and got anytime dining. While I prefer late seating we have done anytime before and it works for us too. That said, the last night we went to dinner and were asked if we would share a table..... we said either way. They walked us across the entire dining room and put us at a table for 10 - alone. They then waited a long long time to bring us water, bread or anything. Finally they came and brought those and menus. Then another long wait. I guess they finally figured they made us wait long enough and came and took our orders. Now, there were other smaller tables 4's, 6's and 8's all around - empty. I have to comment that this situation was awkward to us. We felt like the kids in the cafeteria that no one wanted to sit with After our salads came they brought in 2 other couples and sat them at our table. Of course then the whole rhythm of the table and being served was "off". The food was only so-so in my opinion as one night I had a "spongy" steak. I probably only ate half of what I was served the whole cruise. We opted to do 2nd formal night in the Crown Grill. Big mistake. $50.00 for not much better fare than the MDR. DH didn't even eat his chops. My filet mignon was good but not great. I can only compare it to the specialty steak grill on Celebrity Solstice which was leaps and bounds better and only $40. more for 2 people.EMBARKATION/DEBARKATION: don't want to forget to comment on these. Both were really good. Chairs to sit in while waiting to embark. Debark was small groups so went really fast ! They have this down pat.ENTERTAINMENT: Don't really go to the shows much anymore. Saw the hypnotist - lame. And he was constantly plugging his DVDs to cure smoking, weight loss, fear of flying and just about anything else. Casino was not kind to me either but fun. Loved the non-smoking nights.We will cruise Princess again if we ever get around to booking Tahiti..... since they and Paul Gauguin are really the only ones to consider for us. But we tried it and just didn't get that "glad you are here" feeling. Even had one waiter roll his eyes at me Hope this helps others - not dissing Princess - just calling it like I saw it. HAPPY SAILING TEXANCRUZER