Now, I've been cruising since the mid 1980s and have seen the industry expand, ships grow in size and passenger capacity. There are cruise lines for every style and budget, all types of traveller from couples or singles or families or friends. Princess Cruises has managed to attract them all - and rightly so. Service is superb!
We boarded at Port Everglades, a few minutes drive from the Ft. Lauderdale airport. From the point of check-in to actual embarkation it was a pleasant experience. And once on board, we were in awe.
The style, the decor, the ambiance was beautiful. Our stateroom, a balcony room, was larger than the last cabin I cruised in this past summer. The bath was nicely appointed with a bit more room in the shower (yeah!) and a spacious closet was a pleasant surprise.
After dropping off our small carry on, and with map in hand, we set out to discover as much of the ship as we could. We met up with friends at the Piazza on level 5, at the International Cafe/Bar. A round of expertly prepared cocktails were delivered to us and so began the escape. From there on it was new discovery after discovery. The brilliant design of so many smaller gathering areas, lounges, shops, multiple pools, countless decks for sunning or reading, plus the many dining venues crated an atmosphere of a calm and relaxation. And if there was a need for more relaxation, the Lotus Spa would fill the spot; we made good use of the spa and highly recommend it!
While the journey was a short one, there was a stop at the private island (Eleuthera); we opted to stay on board and explore yet more. Even after 3 days, we had not covered all the public spaces! However, those that did board the tender to the island must have had a wonderful day under the bright sunshine and swimming in the blue Bahamian waters. I am sure that many took advantage of the many shore excursions that were offered. Something for everyone...
Oh, the food...no shortage of great meals, many dining options from sit-down meals to quality buffet service and more. Our last evening we dined in the the Crown Grill and enjoyed a superb steak dinner. We were 7 and our table was tucked away surrounded by their wine collections. How apropos! It was an outstanding finish to a great getaway.
