ONBOARD THE CARIBBEAN PRINCESS, SAN JUAN -- Princess Cruises' five-year shipbuilding hiatus is unique among the giants of the industry over the last decade.
The third-largest cruise line in the world, with a 17-ship fleet, the Los Angeles-based company last took delivery of a new vessel in 2008, the 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess.
Its next newbuild is slated for delivery in 2013, the first of two 3,600-passenger ships ordered in December by Princess' parent company, Carnival Corp.
During the new-vessel drought, Princess has been busy refurbishing its ships, investing millions to put some of the most popular features from its newest ships onto older ones -- even relatively young ships, such as the 5-year-old Caribbean Princess.
The 3,100-passenger ship was refurbished in January 2009.
It received several amenities that were introduced on Princess' last three newbuilds -- the Crown Princess, the Emerald Princess and the Ruby -- such as the Sanctuary, an adults-only quiet area above the spa; the Piazza, an atrium-style midship area with an espresso-and-pastry cafe, Internet area, wine bar and entertainment; and the Crown Grill restaurant, which replaced its Sterling Steakhouse.
In addition, the ship's casino was moved to a more central location on Deck 7. The ship was also given a new Internet cafe, and flat-screen TVs were installed in every cabin.
On a recent nine-day sailing out of New York to Bermuda and the Caribbean on the Caribbean Princess, repeat passengers said these amenities made a big difference, especially on cruises with several days at sea, such as that one.
Richard Harry, the hotel director on the Caribbean Princess and a 20-year veteran with the line, moved to this ship one year ago. He was hotel director on the 2,600-passenger Star Princess when that ship received the same upgrades in 2008.
"It hugely improves the passenger experience," he said. "Especially in the atrium. We didn't have proper entertainment before, and it had only a coffee bar and main bar. Now there is more of a crowd. ... It is the heart of the ship."
During this cruise, the three-deck Piazza definitely felt like the center of the onboard action.
The adults-only quiet area, Sanctuary, has also proved very popular. Harry said it is fully booked on all sea days.
Passengers here found it to be a welcome retreat from the main pool area's elevated music levels and, especially on a summertime sailing, the many under-21s running around.
Princess' investments certainly give the ship an updated and fresh feeling, a tall order when there are so many new ships being introduced every year.
One passenger who had been on the Ruby said that going from a brand-new ship to a well-used vessel makes "wear and tear" more obvious.
There are areas where the Caribbean Princess shows its age, such as the cabin and balcony furnishings; its fitness equipment; and the lido restaurant's buffet area and furniture.
In general, passengers on these ships appreciate them for what they offer: generally less-expensive ticket prices than the newest vessels and, in the case of the Caribbean Princess, the same bells and whistles that the newest ships have.
Click here to see Johanna's slideshow and videos from aboard the Caribbean Princess.
This report appeared in the Aug. 2 issue of Travel Weekly.