If someone told you there was a far away land with golden sunrises and royal sunsets, azure or turquoise seas, enticing exotic music, and swaying palm fronds in the breeze, would you be tempted to find such land?  Now in your imagination, add the fragrant aroma of coconut oil, cold daiquiris or pina coladas along with the incessant mesmerizing beat of a drum with calypso music embracing your soul.  Ok, so maybe it’s overkill on the description, but I got you to thinking – didn’t I?

Princess Cruise Lines offers up two of their largest ships the Crown Princess and the Caribbean Princess on four special itineraries to the Caribbean.  What you’ll need to do is decide – east or west between June 10 and September 30, seven or nine day preference.  Sound easy?  The eastern seven day cruise begins in port Ft. Lauderdale, Florida spending three days at sea and stopping off in ports St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles, St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, and Princess Cays, Bahamas.  Eastern Caribbean travel includes fabulous views of an abundant natural beauty. 

The eastern ten day cruises begins in New York, New York.  On this cruise, you’ll have four glorious days of sailing at sea, all the while visiting ports Grand Turk and Caicos Islands, San Juan, Puerto Rico, and the west end of Bermuda.

If the western Caribbean is calling to you, then scope out this seven day western itinerary:  while only two days at sea, you’ll discover island hopping to become one of your favorite exercises!  Starting at Ft. Lauderdale, Florida and quickly going on to the Princess Cays, Bahamas which is Princess Cruise Lines own private Cay.  After visiting the Cay, you’ll find yourself in Ocho Rios, Jamaica.  Moving on to the Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands, and Cozumel, Mexico, you’ll experience a part of the Mexican Riviera.  Western travel to the Caribbean will supply you with an abundance of mountain waterfalls, modern facility resorts, and underground caves.  The tropical Islands can induce a spirit of romance into your imagination. 

Crown Princess is the crown jewel of the Princess fleet. Its unique Crown Plaza is an atrium designed in the spirit of an Italian piazza where you can get a bite to eat or just relax and people-watch. Other highlights of this brand new ship include the Crown Grill, modeled after a classic steakhouse, the Sanctuary deck area, reserved just for adults, and Movies under the StarsSM, our poolside movie theater.

Crown passengers will enjoy a variety of special features designed just for the Caribbean, plus the many services and features of Personal Choice Cruising® -- enabling passengers to customize their cruise experience with a myriad of dining, entertainment and activity options. Below are some of the features Crown Princess has to offer:

• Accommodates 3,080 passengers
• Nearly 900 staterooms have private balconies (80 percent of all outside cabins)
• An entire deck of mini-suites
• 300 square foot Movies under the Stars outdoor movie theater
• Dramatic new piazza-style atrium featuring casual dining venues in a street café environment of the atrium -- including an International Café serving a rotating menu throughout the day, and a wine and seafood bar
• Wedding chapel featuring wedding-at-sea program officiated by the ship's captain
• Dedicated conference center/meeting rooms
• World-class art collection, gallery and auctions
• Nine-hole putting course and golf simulator and two digital golf simulators
• Wrap-around promenade deck
• Four pools - including one swim-against-the current pool
• Sports court and jogging track
• Asian-themed Lotus spa with ocean-view gym
• Three main dining rooms(one traditional, two anytime)
• Caribbean-themed Café Caribe featuring local specialties
• Two specialty restaurants - an expanded top-of-ship Trattoria Sabatini and the new Crown Grill (steak & seafood)
• Outdoor hamburger and hot dog grill, pizzeria and ice cream bar
• 24-hour buffet/bistro, plus round-the-clock room service
• A wide variety of bars and lounges, including a cigar lounge
• Three unique show lounges
• One of the largest casinos afloat
• Expansive child and teen centers
• 24-hour Internet Café
• Sky walkers nightclub and observation lounge featuring commanding views over the aft of the ship
• Easy wheelchair access staterooms and most public areas

Caribbean Princess is the Grand Daddy of our Princess fleet, with the largest carrying capacity. This ship's 900 balcony staterooms and an entire deck of Mini-Suites offer impressive private vistas. Hallmark features include Movies under the StarsSM, the premier Lotus Spa and numerous formal and casual eating options, including the open-kitchen-style Cafe Caribe.

Below are some of the features Caribbean Princess has to offer:

• 3,100 passengers
• 881 staterooms have private balconies (80 percent of all outside cabins)
• Full deck of mini-suites
• 300 square foot Movies Under the Stars outdoor movie screen
• Wedding chapel featuring wedding-at-sea program officiated by the ship's captain
• Sports bar
• Art gallery
• Nine-hole putting course and golf simulator
• Wrap-around promenade deck
• Four pools - including one swim-against-the current pool
• Sports court and jogging track
• Asian-themed Lotus spa with ocean-view gym
• Three dining rooms
• Themed Café Caribe featuring local specialties
• Two specialty restaurants - Sabatini's trattoria and Sterling Steakhouse
• Outdoor hamburger grill, pizzeria and ice cream bar
• 24-hour buffet/bistro, plus round-the-clock room service
• A wide variety of bars and lounges, including a wine and caviar bar
• Three unique show lounges
• One of the largest casinos afloat
• Expansive child and teen centers
• 24-hour Internet Café
• Sky walkers nightclub and observation lounge suspended 150 feet above the water
• Easy wheelchair access staterooms and most public areas

Now that you’ve seen just a glimpse of what awaits you, are you ready to experience the descriptions we started out with at the beginning of this article?  I am.  I’m already feeling the sun upon my face, hearing the drum beat, and tasting a superb Pina Colada.  Happy Traveling!

(photos courtesy of Princess Cruise Line and www.stock.xchng.com)