For the first time in four years, Princess Cruises will return to the Caribbean for summer sailings in 2018. The 3,192-guest Caribbean Princess will operate a full summer season, offering voyages that range from seven-day Eastern and Western Caribbean itineraries to a 20-day Caribbean and Panama Canal Explorer. Reservations open Dec. 1.
Running from April through October, the summer program includes 47 departures round-trip from Fort Lauderdale and features eight distinct itineraries calling on 23 destinations across 22 countries. Several ports include late-night stays, giving guests extra time to explore evening attractions and local nightlife.
“Summertime is the prime vacation season for most Americans and we’re happy to offer the Caribbean in 2018,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “We offer award-winning itineraries of various lengths so families, honeymooners, couples, friends and solo travelers can escape, explore new places, reconnect with one another and ultimately ‘come back new’ with Princess.”
New for 2018 is a 20-day Caribbean and Panama Explorer, which pairs a 10-day Panama cruise with a 10-day Southern Caribbean Medley or Eastern Caribbean Voyager voyage for a longer, more comprehensive itinerary.
Past Princess Cruises guests can take advantage of a special promotion when booking by Aug. 31, 2017. Captain’s Circle members receive $50 off per person on seven- to 10-day sailings and $100 off per person on 14- or 20-day voyages.
Through Princess’s exclusive partnership with Discovery and Animal Planet, guests can select immersive shore excursions designed for families and nature lovers. Options highlight regional marine life and cultural sites, including America’s Cup yacht race experiences in St. Maarten, the Antilla shipwreck snorkeling in Aruba, exploration of the Mayan ruins at Tulum in Cozumel, and visits to the Sloth Sanctuary in Limón, Costa Rica.
The cruise experience emphasizes authentic local culture and flavor. Guests can sample locally inspired cuisine, enjoy Festivals of the World live entertainment such as Mardi Gras and Festival de Panamá presentations, take steel drum lessons, purchase local crafts, participate in rum tastings, and attend live narrations while transiting the Gatun Locks. Discovery Encounters bring onboard local speakers who share personal stories and insights about their homelands, giving passengers a deeper, more meaningful connection to the places they visit.