Princess Cays

[bunnypug]

So excited for the Caribbean Princess. I have never been to Princess Cays (or any private island for that matter). Wondering what it is like. I understand its sort of like the Lido deck on the beach. Who can tell me about the food. Do they have any vegetarian selections? Does it cost extra? How long is it "open"?

Also can anyway tell me which of the following ports use tenders: Princess Cays, St. Thomas, and St. Martin.

Thanks!

[cruisingfreak]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by bunnypug:
So excited for the Caribbean Princess. I have never been to Princess Cays (or any private island for that matter). Wondering what it is like. I understand its sort of like the Lido deck on the beach. Who can tell me about the food. Do they have any vegetarian selections? Does it cost extra? How long is it "open"?

Also can anyway tell me which of the following ports use tenders: Princess Cays, St. Thomas, and St. Martin.

QUOTE]



You will be tendering in to Princess Cays only.

The barbecue on the Island, is free.

There are loads of fruits & veggies.

I think they start cooking around 11AM, but could be wrong. I know it's open for a few hrs.

It's a beautiful Island, & you'll just love it.

Minette[LIST]

[CruiseFever]

A good case could be made that Princess saved the best for last as Princess Cays is an absolutely beautiful place. Not really a “private island” but a private part the southern end of Eleuthera Island, part of the Bahamas Island Chain and is low lying and sparsely populated., Princess has created a paradise for cruise passengers.

As soon as we set anchor and I saw how beautiful this place appears to be it’s time to forget about that sleeping in and getting off the ship late plan. We needed to get ashore right away!

Expecting a long line for the tenders ashore, our first experience with them on this cruise, we braced ourselves.

Not necessary.

Princess uses the ship’s lifeboats for tenders and has a bunch of them in the water. At 9:00am we walked right off the ship and into a tender for the 10 minute ride to the Love Boat dock on Princess Cays.

Having never been in a lifeboat before, and hoping I wouldn’t have the opportunity, I was surprised with how many people they held and how big they actually were. I was also glad to see happy faces and not looks of terror as the departing boats watched the mother ship go down along with the legend of the sparkling Heart of the Ocean diamond.

Woah, back to reality

On that last day I found myself avoiding impending reality as much as possible, subconsciously looking for ways to be here forever.

Enter Princess Cays

I think it’s quite possible that in many ways Princess saved the best for last.

This place is a cruise passenger dream come true. “Often described as the most beautiful and scenic of the islands of he Bahamas, 100 miles long and averaging miles wide, Eleuthera is a mostly flat, coral and limestone island, graced with gentle rolling hills an miles of deserted white sand beaches” the ship’s Princess Cays guide, a supplement to the daily Caper told us.

Princess has planned activities for every age group as well as plenty of time for doing nothing if that’s what you prefer. Your shipboard charge card will buy you drinks and gifts in most, but not all, of the shops. We found some coffee cups made by the children of the island that will make a unique addition to our cruise souvenirs as well as other hand-made on the island gifts.

We parked under a strategically placed palm tree for shade and watched guests enjoy Hobie Cat and Sun Fish Sailboats, Aqua bikes, Scrambler Ocean Kayaks, Zuma Ocean Kayaks, Paddle Wheelers and Sea Cycles. Basketball and Volleyball courts are located on the South end.

For those that preferred a stroll along the beach, their white sandy beach extended for miles on either side of the Princess property.

Any of those activities could be reserved in advance at the Tour Office on board or on the island when you arrived using your cruise card to pay.

A series of buffet lines opened at 11:30am and served lunch including some pretty darn good ribs until 1:30pm. Three bars took care of the thirsty guests who could also charge beverages to their account.

It was a nice day and a great way to end a cruise.

Other than Princess Cays we did not tender to any of the other ports you mention, although St Thomas was listed as "possible tender"

Happy Cruising

Chris

[url="http://www.LifeIsCruising.com"]www.LifeIsCruising.com[/url]

Next up:
Caribbean Princess 06/26/04
Star Princess 10/24/04
Diamond Princess 12/22/04
Carnival Miracle 03/13/05

[sue d. miller]

Princess Cays is a beauty. Prettiest private island I have been to. Food is awesome. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Sue
7 days on Star Princess 10/24

[SeaPA]

Princess Cays uses a tender. ST & SM both are moored at a cruise dock, with a few steps across a gangplank to get ashore.
I don't remember much of a choice for vegetarians at the Cay, but they MIGHT have had veggie burgers. The main dishes were hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, ribs, & grilled chicken breast. Several pasta salad type dishes. The dining was open from 11 am to 1 pm, and they run that VERY tight - the plates were gone promptly at 1 & the food was being removed very shortly thereafter.
Tender service started around 8:30 or 9; last trip back to the boat was about 3. Again run very strictly. There were 2 bars, one close to the tender dock & one near the bbq pavillion. The one at the bbq pavillion closed at 1, along with the food service. The other closed around 2 or 2:15. I thought that was a bit early; I'm assuming it was to encourage you back toward the ship.
Food on the Cay does not cost extra; drinks do & are just like at the ship bars - same prices, charged to your room account. Most of the gift shops on the Cay are also "charge to the room" setup, but there are some local vendors, hair braiders, etc that are cash only.
The island & beach were pretty, but not as breathtakingly pretty as the nicer beaches on ST & SM.

[Nitemare]

It's been 2 1/2 years since our only visit to Princess Cays, and I recall all the great things mentioned previously.

However, I found it faster to tender back to the ship to eat at the grill than to wait in the lines at the BBQ that were easily 250 folks long.

I'm told that was an aberation, and I hope to go back to find out for sure!

My wife loved the selection of shells if you went off of the Princess property, although the coral is very sharp, so water shoes or flip flops are necessary to take a walk that way.

[roohound]

St. Thomas can be a tender port depending on how many other cruise ships are there before you.

More often than not you don't have to tender tho [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img] But the possibility is there

[jennew]

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]
Just wanted to chime in that we LOVED Princess Cays. It reminds of a state park- not all the shops and junk- just sun and sand- and of course the BEAUTIFUL blue water!!

[Coral]

Here are some pics of Princess Cays:

[url="http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum12.html"]http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum12.html[/url]

[url="http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum22.html"]http://homepage.mac.com/tlassek/PhotoAlbum22.html[/url]

The pictures of Princess Cays are as marked. You will love it - it is very beautiful.

[roe2ship]

Coral, you have beautiful pictures. Thanks for sharing. Did anyone do the braiding at Princess Cays? I understand you can bargain with them and would like to know some pricing information on that.

Caribbean Princess 7/03/04
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[Bucky3]

Great pictures. Thanks for sharing

[Coral]

Glad you enjoyed the pictures. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]

My friend's daughter had her hair braided but I can't remember how much they charged for it. I don't remember it being unreasonable.

[tommyboy7]

Get on that beautiful piece of sand early, and stay all day. Go left at the dock for fun and entertainment, and when you get tired, head right for peace and quiet!

Future Booking - For 2005
Grand Princess - Western - 02/29/04

[bob&karen]

Coral - I agree! Great Pix !!!

Bunnypug - We also loved Princess Cay. Found the tendering routine to be well organized (we were on the Golden Princess). You don't have to be on the very first tender, but why not get there early and make a day of it, you can always snooze in your lounger. We ate on the early side (around 11:15 or so) and avoided the lines that formed later on.

Our pix of Princess Cay can be seen at the link under our signature.

Bob

[img]http://www.animationlibrary.com/Animation11/Geography_and_History/Islands/Ship_at_island.gif[/img]
"These moments we’re left with - may you always remember
These moments are shared, by few
And those harbor lights, lord they’re coming into view
We’ll bid our farewells much too soon
So drink it up, this one’s for you -
Honey, it’s been a lovely cruise."
-- James W. Buffett

Carnival Triumph, April '02
Carnival Sensation, January '04
Golden Princess, April '04

Carnival Sensation, Golden Princess / Caribbean Princess pix at: [url="http://community.webshots.com/user/mageesworld"]Cool Cruisin' Pix[/url]

e-mail: [email]bobandkarenny@yahoo.com[/email]

[Lauire]

Also on the GOlden 4/10 . . . & loved Princess Cays (our second time there). All of the above mentioned is helpful . . . we noted the right side to be a lot less crowded. There was no line for the food buffet on there . . . while around the same time the line on the left side took us almost 25 minutes to get through.

Didn't really mind the wait but just couldn't wait to get back to the beach and gaze at the beautiful blue water with our ship on the horzion.

As to pricing for the braids . . . my daughter ( at the last minute while waiting for the line for the tender back to get shorter) requested some braids. We paid $2 a braid. Her hair is down the middle of her back & that included 3 colored beads of her choice also.

Relax & Enjoy . . . Princess Cays
Laurie

[mariapd719]

I loved it too. I agree with all - stay left for fun stuff. Also bring cash because there is an area where you can go through the gates and buy cool souveniers, towels, shirts, crafts and beer(cheap of course)from local people. Also the soda card doesnt work there!

Enchantment Feb,2002; Monarch Nov,2002; Radiance Nov,2003; Golden Princess Feb 28,2004
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[phabric]

Soda cards are not used on Princess Cays .

[Coral]

I always go RIGHT. It is more quiet, easier to get chairs, the bbq (if you are on a Grand class ship) on the right is smaller and less crowded (perfect). They normally don't open the bbq to the right if you are on a Sun Class ship. I prefer having less crowds.

[Lauire]

Correct . . . soda card is not honored on Princess Cays. However, your room card can be charged for any soda you would like . . .

Try the Pina Colodas . . . they are the best . . . goes along with the steel band playing . . . tropical breeze . . . Palm trees & awesome view from the beach on Princess Cays!!!!
Lauire

[Rustynail]

Wow, you guys are the best!!!! Coral, your pictures are amazing!!!!

I had no idea that the island was so beautiful. My wife and I like to just kick back on the beach and enjoy the sun and water. The island sounds like it right up our alley.

Sounds like Paradise for sure.

Thanks for making me even more excited with 8 months to go. [img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]

Dan

CARRIBEAN PRINCESS JAN 2005
<IMG
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[LindaKE]

Chris,
You stated that Princess plans activities for all ages. What kind of activities are available for senior citizens who have limited mobility?

LindaKE

Sun Princess(Alaska)
Carnival Inspiration

[pg.]

Linda, I don't know what activities they had planned but I would like to add that the area is traversed by a nice boardwalk , so even if a person had moblility problems they could walk the length of the beach in comfort.

[bunnypug]

Thanks everyone- this is all very helpful.

[img]http://messages.cruisecritic.com/infopop/emoticons/icon_smile.gif[/img]


~BP

[Lauire]

Bunnybug . . .
To response to your orginial ? regarding any Vegetarain selection on Princess Cays . . . I would like to mention that in addition to the buffet line of luncheon food, there is an additional friut bar set up out by the covered picnic tables.
You most try the pineapple . . . I don't know if it was because of the location we were eating this wonderful pineapple or if it was just the sweetest pineapple we have had in a long time . .. but boy we all sure enjoyed numerous slices.
Mmmm
Laurie

[sailingangel]

[quote name='Lauire']Also on the GOlden 4/10 . . . & loved Princess Cays (our second time there). All of the above mentioned is helpful . . . we noted the right side to be a lot less crowded. There was no line for the food buffet on there . . . while around the same time the line on the left side took us almost 25 minutes to get through.

Didn't really mind the wait but just couldn't wait to get back to the beach and gaze at the beautiful blue water with our ship on the horzion.

As to pricing for the braids . . . my daughter ( at the last minute while waiting for the line for the tender back to get shorter) requested some braids. We paid $2 a braid. Her hair is down the middle of her back & that included 3 colored beads of her choice also.

Relax & Enjoy . . . Princess Cays


I want to get mine braided. So it was two dollars a braid -- how much did it add up to? did she do her whole head? How did the braids hold up on the rest of the trip?Thanks