An Enchanted Caribbean Escape with Princess Cruises

Posted onAuthorChris Owen

Our recent cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess was a truly exceptional experience, leaving us with cherished memories and a desire to return. Sailing from convenient Port Everglades in Fort Lauderdale, we embarked on a captivating journey through the Caribbean, stopping at picturesque destinations like Cozumel, Belize, Roatan, and Costa Maya.

Our unique stateroom, S103 – a category O6 oceanview stateroom – positioned high up on the Sun Deck at the front of the ship, provided stunning, expansive views throughout the voyage. The floor-to-ceiling windows offered an incredible perspective of the open sea, though it could get a bit warm during the day without closing the curtains. The room itself was very spacious and comfortable, offering a delightful sanctuary.

The crew on board the Enchanted Princess was a highlight of our trip. From the moment we stepped aboard, we were met with genuine smiles and impeccable service. We’d particularly like to commend the friendliness and efficiency of Bar Waiter Walter, Buffet Steward Elinana, Guest Services Officer Worawon Singchua, Bar Steward Andy, Waiter Songkiat, Bar Steward Gian Carlo, Crown Grill Waiter Isagani, Waiter Evelyn, and Nail Technician Rosemarie, among many others who went above and beyond to make our cruise unforgettable.

One of the most remarkable aspects of our journey was utilizing Princess Cruises’ innovative Rail & Sail program with Brightline. We traveled to the Brightline station at Orlando International Airport using Towncar Service Of Orlando, a service we highly recommend for its seamless and comfortable transfer. This was our first time experiencing Brightline, and it was a resounding success!

The convenience of checking our luggage in Orlando and having it magically appear in our stateroom on the ship was truly a game-changer. The Princess Rail & Sail package also included comfortable transfers between the Fort Lauderdale Brightline station and the Enchanted Princess, making embarkation and disembarkation utterly stress-free.

Enchanted Princess herself appeared to be in excellent condition, a testament to Princess Cruises’ commitment to maintaining their fleet. We found the ship’s layout to be well-designed and easy to navigate, allowing us to effortlessly explore all the ship’s offerings, including the variety of dining options, entertainment venues, and public spaces. This is a big ship and the steps were plentiful. We had recently sailed smaller ships which we like but often carry a higher price tag. This sailing was reasonably priced at $3700 total with the virtually unlimited Premier package which afforded us many benefits.

Included with the Premier Plan at the time we sailed:

  • Beverages: Premier Beverage Package (drinks up to $20 each), unlimited fresh juices.
  • Dining: Unlimited specialty dining, unlimited casual dining.
  • Wi-Fi: MedallionNet Max for up to 4 devices.
  • Photos: Unlimited digital photo package, plus 3 prints.
  • Fitness: Unlimited premium boutique fitness classes.
  • Premium Desserts: Unlimited premium crafted desserts which we did not use
  • Room Service: Complimentary OceanNow and room service delivery although OceanNow was not working on our voyage
  • Shows: Reserved seating in the Princess Theater (for production shows).
  • Gratuities: Daily crew appreciation gratuities.
  • Shipping: Free Medallion device shipping. 

Beyond the excellent overall experience, certain venues and amenities stood out.

Balcony Breakfast ($55 for two), a delightful experience that included a split of champagne and a generous array of breakfast delights. The ship’s International Cafe became a frequent haunt, offering delectable almond croissants, excellent Lavazza coffee and coffee drinks, and a small bites menu that changed throughout the day, featuring breakfast, lunch, dinner, late-night, and overnight selections. While the food was exceptional, we did wish for a bit more variety in the rotating menu after a week. According to Quiltripping, the International Cafe on Princess ships is a favorite venue for many, and it was certainly ours.

The Catch By Rudi, the specialty restaurant by internationally acclaimed chef and our friend Rudi Sodamin. This venue offered an amazing array of fresh seafood and non-seafood options, and we enjoyed it so much that we dined there twice. We also frequented the ship’s Crown Grill steakhouse, which consistently delivered an excellent dining experience.

As top-tier Elite status members of Princess Cruises’ Captain’s Circle, we were privy to a number of enticing extras that further elevated our cruise. This included a daily cocktail party held from 4:30 to 6:00 each evening, a delightful prelude to dinner. We also enjoyed a gala Captains Circle Party on Formal Night, adding a touch of elegance to the cruise’s social calendar. Elite benefits also included complimentary laundry and shoeshine service, making packing a breeze, a 10% discount in Princess shops (which aided Lisa in expanding her Princess-exclusive bear collection), and a complimentary mini-bar setup to start our voyage.

To sum it up, our cruise aboard Princess Cruises’ Enchanted Princess was a truly memorable and delightful vacation. We highly recommend Princess Cruises and the Enchanted Princess for anyone seeking a combination of luxurious comfort, exceptional service, captivating itineraries, and a truly enjoyable onboard experience and an outstanding travel value.