Emerald Princess

Princess Cruises prides itself on offering guests choices that allow a personalized cruising experience. Set sail for the Caribbean on the Emerald Princess; here are 10 reasons why Princess Cruises is the perfect choice for the ultimate vacation.

The Royal Treatment
Walking onboard the Emerald Princess, passengers immediately feel special. Princess Cruises are all about class. From the ship's Piazza and sunlit atrium to its elegant staterooms, guests of the Emerald Princess will receive the royal treatment. Of the 1,500 stylish staterooms onboard, 900 have personal balconies and all have 24-hour room service. The highest level of luxury is found in the balcony suites; guests of these spacious rooms enjoy premiums like fresh flowers, use of the Lotus Spa Thermal Suite, and laundry and dry cleaning services.

Bonaire Butterflies
In the Netherlands Antilles, Bonaire is famous for its incredible scuba diving and snorkeling. While visiting this picturesque port of call, Emerald guests can choose from a number of excursions that include diving and snorkeling at the Bonaire Marine Park, land sailing, biking, relaxing in the sun or visiting the Bonaire Butterfly Farm. Bonaire boasts 80 different species of indigenous butterflies, and the farm hosts colorful creatures from all over the world -- and all of them are bred from captivity, thanks to a South American nature protection program.

The Food
While the food is befitting a king, gone are the days of formal dress, specified meal times and assigned seating. Open seating and casual dining are taking the cruising industry by storm, but Princess Cruises were the first implement the change. However, that doesn't mean the Emerald Princess is without luxury dining; the ultimate balcony dinner is a romantic and intimate dining experience that brings a gourmet, multicourse meal right to your balcony. Another memorable dining experience is the Chef's Table Dinner, which includes cocktails and hors d'oeuvres with the chef and a tour of the gallery.

Princess Cays, Bahamas
Princess Cays in the Bahamas is the host of a private beach party exclusively for Princess guests. It's 40 acres of sheer paradise owned by the Princess Cruise line offering a perfect combination of what you love about Princess cruising and the beautiful Bahamas. More than your average beach party, Princess guests can choose from excursions that include glass bottom boat cruises, deep-sea fishing, snorkeling, banana boat rides, paddle wheeling and kayaking.

Dominica
Dominica is a wonderfully underdeveloped Princess port. The most rural of the Caribbean Islands, it's under the radar of the cruise-ship circuit. Its beauty is from another time; in fact it was the location for "Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest." Discover Dominica's mountains, valleys, lush rain forests, waterfalls and thermal hot springs. Foodies will love the shore excursion, which includes a tour of several beautiful flower gardens and a Creole cooking demonstration and lunch.

Princess Pampering
The Personal Choice philosophy of Princess Cruises is perhaps best implemented when it comes to their wholly indulgent spa offerings. Onboard the Emerald Princess, guests can choose from facials, seaweed wraps, hot-stone massages and Swedish massages. Extend your Zen from the treatment room to the Princess sanctuary, an adults-only outdoor getaway where you can order al fresco massages, cocktails and light meals.

St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands
St. Thomas is one of the Caribbean's most bustling ports. From a host of shore excursions, Emerald guests can enjoy the shopping in the island's capital, Charlotte Amalie, or explore its pristine waters via kayak, catamaran or yacht. St. Thomas is also one of the best snorkeling spots in the Caribbean, and beautiful Magen's Bay, named one of the world's top 10 beaches by "National Geographic," should not be missed.

Onboard Entertainment
You'll never be bored onboard the Emerald Princess; their entertainment options are limitless. The theaters, hot spots and lounges feature musicals, comedy acts, live music, dancing and gambling. Their signature Movie Under the Stars Theater is a fantastic way to see the hottest movie stars under the canopy of the Caribbean's starlit sky.

Aruba
Just the name brings to mind sugary sands and cerulean waters. Explore Aruba on one of Princess Cruises' many shore excursions, with activities including golfing at Tierra Del Sol, a countryside horseback ride or, for the truly adventurous, a tour of Aruba from the seat of a Harley Davidson.

ScholarShip
A cruise can be enriching in so many ways, and while onboard the Emerald Princess there are unlimited opportunities to learn and enjoy. Their ScholarShip@Sea Program offers over 40 different classes on every voyage in everything from art appreciation to wine tasting. Take advantage of the many lectures and hands-on activities, and you'll go home with new skills and knowledge in addition to souvenirs and photos.