2026 Caribbean Princess Cruise

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Oranjestad is the colorful, Dutch-influenced capital of Aruba, known for its bright colonial buildings, historic sites like Fort Zoutman, bustling shopping along L.G. Smith Boulevard (with malls, boutiques, and duty-free shops), cruise ship terminals, and vibrant nightlife, offering a mix of history, culture, dining, and entertainment on the island's southwestern coast. Visitors enjoy strolling the waterfront, exploring museums, relaxing on nearby beaches like Druif Beach, and experiencing the unique blend of Dutch heritage and Caribbean flair. 

Willemstad is the capital city of Curaçao, a Dutch Caribbean island. It’s known for its old town center, with pastel-colored colonial architecture. The floating Queen Emma Bridge connects the Punda and Otrobanda neighborhoods across Sint Anna Bay. By the water is the 19th-century Rif Fort, now housing a shopping center. City restaurants serve dishes influenced by the island's mostly Dutch and Afro-Caribbean cuisines.

The Panama Canal is a 51-mile artificial waterway in Panama connecting the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific Oceans, creating a vital shortcut for global maritime trade by eliminating the long journey around South America. It functions as a giant lock system, raising ships to the level of Gatun Lake (85 feet above sea level) and lowering them back down, allowing passage between oceans in about 10 hours. Managed by Panama, it's a significant engineering marvel and a key economic asset, recently expanded to accommodate larger Neopanamax vessels. 

The Panama Canal is a 51-mile artificial waterway in Panama connecting the Atlantic (Caribbean Sea) and Pacific Oceans, creating a vital shortcut for global maritime trade by eliminating the long journey around South America. It functions as a giant lock system, raising ships to the level of Gatun Lake (85 feet above sea level) and lowering them back down, allowing passage between oceans in about 10 hours. Managed by Panama, it's a significant engineering marvel and a key economic asset, recently expanded to accommodate larger Neopanamax vessels. 

Limón (Puerto Limón) is Costa Rica's vibrant Caribbean port city and capital of Limón Province, known for its lush rainforests, diverse Afro-Caribbean culture (Jamaican influence is strong), rich history as a crucial banana port, and a unique blend of Spanish and English Creole languages, offering a distinct tropical atmosphere with significant ecotourism and cultural festivals like the annual Carnival. 

George Town is the capital and largest city of the Cayman Islands, located on the island of Grand Cayman, and serves as the territory's financial, cultural, and administrative hub. It's a major Caribbean cruise port known for duty-free shopping, beaches, and water activities like snorkeling and diving, with a history as a safe harbor for ships. The city is a blend of modern finance and historic charm, with a diverse population and a significant tourism industry.