Caribbean princess: largest "love boat" in Princess Cruises' Grand Class is specially built for Caribbean cruising

Cruise Travel, May-June, 2005 by Theodore W. Scull

Handicap Access: Elevator access to all decks except jogging tracks and forward Sports Deck, with escalator to Skywalkers Nightclub; 14 passenger decks, public rooms, corridors, and promenades are all wheelchair accessible; tenders have wheelchair platforms, and a dedicated elevator is used to assist tender embarkation; 25 cabins--including 16 with balcony, four oceanview, and five inside--have handicap access and facilities.

Money Matters: Princess uses cashless system. Major credit cards; U.S., Canadian, British, and euro traveler's checks; and cash may be used for all shipboard purchases (personal checks are not accepted); two ATMs are located on decks 5 & 6). An itemized statement is delivered to the stateroom on the final night; Princess includes gratuities of $10 per-person/per-day on guests' personal statement, which may be adjusted at the end of the cruise by approaching the Passenger Services desk; a 15 percent service charge is automatically added to all drink orders and spa services. There are charges for dining in the Sabatini's Trattoria and the Sterling Steakhouse, and for some activities.

Itineraries/Fares: The Caribbean Princess sets sail every Saturday from Fort Lauderdale on weeklong roundtrips, alternating Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries: the Eastern route calls at St. Thomas, St. Maarten, and Princess Cays (the line's private Bahamian island), with three full days at sea; the Western route calls at Princess Cays, Cozumel, Grand Cayman, and Ocho Rios, with two full days at sea. Early-booking-discount brochure fares, per-person/double-occupancy, range from $549 (inside cabin) to $4,199 (Grand Suite); balcony cabins start at $799, mini-suites at $999.

For More Information: Contact your travel agent or Princess Cruises (Cruise Travel Magazine) 24305 Town Center Dr., Santa Clarita, CA 91355; or log on to www.princess.com.