The warm and welcoming waters of the Caribbean offer visitors colorful cultures, lush rainforests, scenic vistas and an array of seaside sports opportunities. No wonder it’s the world’s most popular cruise destination. In 2011-12, five Princess Cruises ships will provide passengers with a relaxed style of cruising through this diverse collection of destinations, enjoying sun-drenched beaches or active adventures like climbing a waterfall.

Passengers can choose from weeklong getaways or opt for one of Princess’ many longer Caribbean adventures. The line offers one of the largest selections of 10- and 14-day cruise vacations in the region.

Within the comfortable elegance of Princess’ Caribbean vessels passengers will find rejuvenating experience to complement the relaxed and stress-free feeling of the islands. Princess ships travel to a total of 23 ports throughout three distinct regions in the Caribbean.

The Eastern Caribbean features classic Caribbean destinations such as St. Thomas in the US Virgin Islands with its breathtaking panoramas, the half-French and half-Dutch island of St. Maarten and Princess’ own private retreat, Princess Cays, offering an exclusive beach resort with water sports, barbecues and beautiful views. Grand Turk features a wonderful selection of historic buildings and beautiful beaches, plus offers the diversions of the port’s cruise center.

On Western Caribbean itineraries, passengers can explore ports such as Cozumel, Mexico, a diving favorite and gateway to many of the country’s intriguing Mayan ruins. Also on most Western Caribbean itineraries is Grand Cayman in the Cayman Islands, offering an unparalleled opportunity to experience undersea life, including the world famous Stingray City. The port of Roatan in Honduras offers more than 60 miles of protected, living reef that provides shelter to thousands of species of fish and marine life.

In the Southern Caribbean passengers can explore a dazzling array of islands, including Aruba with colorful Dutch-influenced culture, and dramatic natural scenery; Grenada and its scenic coastline, lush rainforests and blue waterfalls; and St. Lucia with its striking coastlines, including the ancient twin volcanic peaks of the Pitons.

“There are many ways to travel in the Caribbean, but compared to other alternatives, we offer our passengers a less hectic experience and surround them with a warm, welcoming atmosphere that is distinctly Princess,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “And because so many of our passengers want to spend as much time as possible among these tropical paradises, we offer more 10- and 14-day voyages through the islands than most lines. These are the perfect way to visit further-flung ports and truly have the time to relax and unwind.”

Princess Cruises’ 2011-12 Caribbean season includes:

•  Ruby Princess/Seven-Day Eastern Caribbean – Ruby Princess sails to the Eastern Caribbean, with roundtrip cruises from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The itinerary features calls at the line’s own Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Ruby Princess sails between November 5, 2011 and April 29, 2012. The ship will also offer a special nine-day Southern Caribbean Holiday sailing roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale on December 30, 2011, calling at Antigua, Barbados, Dominica, St. Thomas and Princess Cays.

•  Crown Princess/Seven-Day Western and Southern Caribbean (New) – Crown Princess sails on two new roundtrip seven-day itineraries this season, departing on Saturdays. To the Western Caribbean, the ship sets out from Ft. Lauderdale, visiting Grand Cayman, Roatan, Belize, and Cozumel. In addition Crown Princess sails on a new Southern Caribbean route to Princess Cays, Curaçao and Aruba. The ship sails between November 5, 2011 and April 28, 2012.

•  Caribbean Princess/Seven-Day Southern Caribbean – Caribbean Princess sails from San Juan on two alternating seven-day itineraries on Sundays. The Classic Southern Caribbean route sails to the ports of St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica, and Barbados, while Southern Caribbean Explorer sailings travel to St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, and Aruba. Caribbean Princess will depart between November 20, 2011 and April 29, 2012. The ship starts the season with a 10-day Caribbean Islander sailing from New York to Ft. Lauderdale on October 29, 2011, featuring calls at San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, and Aruba. Caribbean Princess also offers two special sailings, a 10-day Southern Caribbean Holiday cruise from San Juan calling at St. Maarten, St. Lucia, Grenada, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Aruba on December 18, 2011, and a six-day Classic Southern Caribbean voyage to St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, and Barbados roundtrip from San Juan on January 2, 2012.

•  Emerald Princess/10-Day Eastern and Southern Caribbean – For a more in-depth island vacation with the convenience of roundtrip travel from Ft. Lauderdale, Emerald Princess offers alternating 10-day roundtrip itineraries – one to the Southern Caribbean and the other to the Eastern Caribbean. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary calls at Aruba, Bonaire, Grenada, Dominica, St. Thomas, and Princess Cays. The Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary offers calls at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, and Princess Cays. Emerald Princess sails between September 29, 2011 and April 26, 2012.

•  Grand Princess/14-Day Caribbean Collection – Grand Princess offers more islands to explore on a 14-day Caribbean Collection itinerary roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The ship sails to Aruba, Curaçao (or Bonaire), Grenada, Barbados, St. Vincent, St. Lucia, St. Kitts, St. Thomas, Princess Cays (or Grand Turk). Grand Princess sails between November 19, 2011 and April 21, 2012.