St. Maarten, Netherlands Antilles

The French and the Dutch signed a treaty in 1648 that divided the island between them. The two sides have distinct cultural characteristics and they spell the island's name differently, but it's their differences that add to the charm of this Caribbean hideaway -- not to mention some of the most amazing cuisine in the world. Philipsburg - The Dutch capital of Philipsburg fills a small stretch of land. Its two main roads Front Street and Back Street bisect the city. Front Street's West Indian architecture offers duty-free shopping of imported goods and native crafts. Marigot - on the French side, their capital, located on the western shore and largest town on the island known for its beautiful beaches. Orient Beach is a must-see as it's best known as a scenic clothing-optional beach.

St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands

It's the calm turquoise waters of the Caribbean that command attention in St. Thomas -- home to both pirates' legends and tropical fish for centuries. And there's no shortage of ways to explore the island. Choose your vessel to discover these warm waters, from kayak and catamaran to yacht, turbo-charged jet boat or breathing observation bubble. Located on the ridge of mountains that runs the length of St. Thomas, Skyline Drive offers magnificent views of the British Virgin Islands, the city of Charlotte Amalie and the harbor. Excellent duty-free markets make it one of the best places in the Caribbean to shop for local handicrafts and goods from around the world.

Princess Cays, Bahamas

The tiny island of Eleuthera in the Bahamas is home to the private beach party hosted exclusively for Princess guests. A full day of fun in the sun offers something for every member of the family from snorkeling, kayaking, sailing and floating to lingering over drinks and a delicious barbecue. Princess Cruises' private beach serves up a good time, including a coral reef with schools of tropical fish, a special area dedicated to children's activities, water sports equipment, relaxing music, bar facilities, and lunch! Hit the beach and clear waters with snorkeling gear or a floating mattress. Join a basketball game or the action around the volleyball court. Check out the seaboards, aqua bikes, Hobie Cat sailboats, Sunfish sailboats, paddle wheelers, Banana Boats or transparent hull kayaks at the water sports pier. Climb the Crow's Nest Tower for panoramic views, or shop for local handicrafts.

Grand Turk, Caicos Islands

In many Caribbean ports of call, lazy days on the beach have been replaced with active excursions such as ziplining, kayaking and hiking -- or futile attempts to avoid gridlock in shopping and sightseeing areas. But there's still a place for those who want to slow the pace of life. That place is Grand Turk, the capital of the Turks and Caicos. The chain of islands has long been one of the Caribbean's last off-the-beaten-path destinations. That's not to say that shore excursions on Grand Turk don't run the gamut from horseback riding to fly fishing -- and one of the biggest draws here is diving, with the islands lying along the third largest barrier reef in the world. But traffic is sparse, and with a population of less than 4,000, everybody really does know everybody else's name. There are no fast food restaurants or chain hotels. You may even see a horse or donkey, once a means of transportation during the days of Grand Turk's salting industry, roaming along Governor's Beach or through the narrow alleys in historic Cockburn Town.

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida

Seven miles of perfect beaches welcome the seagoing traveler to Ft. Lauderdale. Renowned for sun and water sports, the city also offers fine shopping along the Riverwalk and a perfect jumping-off point for a tour of the Everglades. Take a stroll on Downtown Ft. Lauderdale's Riverwalk. It's the center for shopping, dining, arts festivals of all kinds, and a lively nightlife. Just about any water sport imaginable is available along Ft. Lauderdale's seven miles of white sandy beaches. From waterskiing and boating to fishing and diving, it's a true water sports paradise. A Fort Lauderdale historic residence, the Bonnet House is an impressive estate filled with native southern Floridian plants and imported tropical varietals, including an extensive orchid collection.

Enjoy a Holiday with a Princess:

Ringing in the New Year ...
Princess ships welcome each new year in style with a fun-filled New Year's Eve party complete with music, confetti, noise-makers and, of course, champagne to join the ship staff in a toast to the arrival of January 1. These always-popular festivities will range from casual to black-tie affairs. 

And once the new year arrives, football fans will be pleased to know they won't miss the day's traditional college bowl games, as the telecasts will be shown in a shipboard lounge, complete with a full buffet of "munchies" such as popcorn, chips, mini hot dogs or burgers and other assorted goodies.

In all, Princess' holiday cruises are the perfect way to enjoy a joyful and stress free "what you want, when you want" holiday away from the usual hustle and bustle of the season.