We'll be going on the Southern Caribbean Itinerary out of San Juan in October and now I have more questions...naturally.<BR><BR>I'm wondering about the tours available on the ship for the different ports of call. Can someone tell me which ports allow you to just walk off the ship and walk to the town on your own? I know that in Caracas..it's not possible but what about Aruba, St. Thomas, DOminica and Grenada? Can someone who's sailed on this ship give me any other advice that might be useful??<BR><BR>I so appreciate all your responses and I really believe that "homework" before any vacation will greatly enhance it.<BR><BR>Thanks again...Camelia

I can tell you that you will not tender in Aruba and St. Thomas. Haven't been to the others.<BR><BR>The Sea Princess is our second favorite ship behind the Explorer. It seems to be the right size and decorated elegant and not glitzy. The service is typical Princess and the food was the best of any ship we've been on. Their pizza restaurant is also the best we've ever had. My youngest daughter doesn't remember anything about that sailing except the pizza - I think she ate some every day.

I did a similar itinerary on the Ocean Princess...you can get off the ship and go on your own at any of the ports. But,it's definitely not recommended in Caracas - the worst port I've ever been to on any of 16 cruises. You can get off and go to the little shops at the pier without much trouble, but there's little else worth seeing. The city is incredibly filthy and now it's dangerous due to civil strife. Don't be surprised if your cruise gets rerouted to the off-shore Venezuelan island of Margarita - not great, but at least it's got beaches and is reasonably safe. The only reason Princess (and others) continue to go to Venezuela is for the cheap fuel...IMHO.

We did this 2 years ago & loved it. We tendered in Grenada only. Grenada has a cute little town to explore, but to see the island (and it's a must see) definitely take a tour. We did one with the ship (4 hrs island tour) and loved it. Make sure to buy some nutmeg icecream, it's to die for. St. Thomas you can go anywhere on the island, there will be a line of taxis when you get off the boat. We did a sailboat/snorkel here that we loved. <BR><BR>Dominca - the town is pretty poor, ok to walk around, but depressing. take a tour into the rainforests, what a spectacular trip, however they do get 365 inches of rain a year so plan to get wet, we did a jeep tour here. Venezuala, we didn't even get off the boat. Our table mates went to the main hotel & beach, but why go all that way and not experience the culture?<BR><BR> Aruba is pretty americanized so of course ok to go on your own. Again we took a tour of the island, and there is plenty to choose from. They have an american looking mall right there where you dock.

Hi Camelia - We'll be taking the exact same cruise as yours except over Thanksgiving week. Please post your trip report when you get back....can't wait to get the scoop!

My family and I sailed on the Sea Princess to the Mexican Riviera. Beautiful ship, everything was designed perfectly. There were 2,000 people onboard but it never felt like it. Food was great,service was great. The whirlpools at the back (aft) were wonderful, one of them was a little bit higher up so you could watch the sunset while you were in it. The walls in the cabins are a little thin so if you have loud neighbors or are alight sleeper , bring earplugs.

Me too! I just booked the Dec. 21 trip for the Sea Princess. Tell us how the trip goes. I want to hear all about it! Food, service, everything! From what I read of the others, I think I will enjoy this trip!

Princess is an excellent cruise line with great great service for every taste. Their shore excursions are very good. We took this same route but on the Dawn Princess. Our first port of call was Venezuela ( La Guaira) and we did not like it, not safe, not clean and our tour to the Colonia Tovar - German Village was too long and to spend less than 2 hours there. Aruba is a beautiful island; we booked a jeep safari it was quite a great experience, a lot of fun , and the best way to know this beaitiful island. Dominica is OK; we went on shore and a taxi cab took us to the rainforest, worth a visit but careful how they charge you for it. Grenada is quite an interesting island , nothing to see at walking distance , good to book an excursion. Good luck and enjoy your trip!

Hi. I did almost the same itinerary last year on Celebrity. Yep, Caracas and Margarita Island is gross!! I loved Aruba, though. My parents wanted to do a cruise (they have never done one), so I am almost doing a repeat of last year..but on a different cruise line. I am excited. I have always wanted to try Princess.