Marc and I were particularly excited about this cruise since it was going to many island countries we had not been to before.  Our two week cruise to the Caribbean with Princess traveled to Turks and Caicos, The Dominican Republic, The US Virgin Islands, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Barbados, Trinidad and Tobago, Curacao, and Aruba.

We chose this cruise specifically for the number of places it visited.  It did have a total of four days at sea in between island visits allowing the ship enough time to travel from one destination to another.  We really lucked out with this cruise.  This particular cruise would have cost both Marc and myself $6,000 had we gone a year earlier.  Because of the very bad state of the economy in the US back then, cruise lines lowered their prices to fill ships and attract passengers.

Cruises though are a bargain for people who have to time to travel during the off season.  I suppose that will have to wait until Marc and I retire.

Our cabin on board the Grand Princess of Princess Cruises.  We had a cabin with obstructed views but as you can see we had a good view of the outdoors just fine.

Our cabin's flat screen TV showing a view of the sea

Inside the cabin

One of the many pools on board.  Marc and I used this pool more than any of the pools on the ship.  It was on the topmost deck and it wasn't as busy.

This is where passengers in need of pampering could go on board the ship

Trying out the lounge chairs on board with a view of Fort Lauderdale's Port Everglades in the background

As soon as we boarded the ship, we could hear this group of musicians playing string instruments

One of the decks all trimmed for Christmas

The Nativity Scene on board

The gingerbread houses and the gigantic snow man

Some passengers on board decorated their doors for the holidays as soon as they checked in.

We found such practice really cool.

This was another door decorated for Christmas.