Best Cruise Ever

Caribbean Princess Cruise Review to Panama Canal, Central America

Cruises: 2-3 cruises
Review: 1
Helpful Votes: 40

Overall rating:

4.5 out of 5
Caribbean Princess

10 Night Panama Canal With Costa Rica & Caribbean (Ft. Lauderdale Roundtrip)

Sail date: February 16, 2018

Ship: Caribbean Princess

Cabin type: Inside

Cabin number: D312

Traveled as: Singles/Friends

Reviewed: 6 years ago

Review summary

I really had a good time. It was an experience of a lifetime.

Embarkation

4 out of 5
Fairly quick. Princess Cruise personnel were right there at the baggage claim area at airport in Fort Lauderdale and directed us to the buses to take us to the ship. Walking distances were not too bad. Some might have trouble. Signage might be better

Ship experiences

Food and Dining

5 out of 5
I had the anytime dining and used the Island Dining Room. I also ate breakfast at World Marketplace on port days and Salty Dog Grill and pizza grill on lido deck for lunch. International Cafe was for snacks and specialty coffees. Food was great! Ice Cream bar on lido deck was great! I loved the soft serve ice cream in cones or cup topped with chocolate sprinkles!

Onboard Activities

4 out of 5
I liked the destination lectures with Dr. Dean. The movies shown in the Princess theater were very good. I saw Victoria and Abdul, Goodbye Christopher Robin, The Man who brought down Nixon. I went to a culinary demonstration.

Entertainment

5 out of 5
Shows were all top-notch! They were all full. I couldn't get into a couple unless I wanted to stand for an hour! You have to get there early. I went to the 8:15 show.

Service and Staff

5 out of 5
I can't say enough good about the service. Everyone had a smile on their face. They were always ready to get you what ever you wanted or needed. A+ to them.

Ship Quality

5 out of 5
Ship could not have cleaner!

Cabin / Stateroom

5 out of 5
Just the right size for a party of one. Room steward kept it very clean. He had my room clean by the time I got back from breakfast. Showers are tiny.

Ship tip

Do not overpack! I took way too much.

Ports of call

Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades), Florida

4 out of 5

Princess Cays (Cruise Line Private Island)

3 out of 5
The ship stopped here but I treated this as a sea day.

Cartagena, Colombia

4 out of 5
Hot. I went on the scenic drive of Cartagena and San Pedro Church. Vendors were in your face. Our tour guide was knowledgeable. Traffic was very heavy.

Panama Canal (Cruise Into Canal)

5 out of 5
I loved this. It was the highlight watching the ship entering the locks to Gatun Lake. I did an excursion to the new locks and former Canal Zone. At the observation area saw a container ship entering the canal being pulled by a tugboat in front and pushed by a tugboat in back. Fascinating!

Colon, Panama

3 out of 5

Puerto Limon, Costa Rica Did not visit port

Due to moderate and heavy swells at the per the ship could not dock here so we had to sail past it. All excursions cancelled.

George Town, Grand Cayman

4 out of 5
I went to the Turtle farm, Hell, and Tortuga Rum factory.

Disembarkation

4 out of 5
Signage needs to be better. It went smoothly. There are always long lines when you are trying to move a lot of people in a short time.
Was this review helpful? 40

6 Comments

Gwbigdog    2 years ago

GIL155    6 years ago

Just how a cruise should be on the Caribbean Princess. Glad you enjoyed !

buckyboy    6 years ago

Glad you had a good time. Caribbean Princess was our first cruise and we haven't looked back since!

IkeDeb    6 years ago

So glad to read your review. And see that you had fun!! 😋😋

WeCruiseToo    6 years ago

Glad you had a great cruise, thanks for the review!

GIL155    6 years ago

The Caribbean Princess was my first ship in my recent cruise life. (Most of the old cruise life ships are gone). Special memories for me too.

Other reviews of this sailing