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Stepping Aboard Enchanted Princess: A Caribbean Sailing to Remember

In November 2025 I had the chance to experience a fabulous sailing on Enchanted Princess, embarking from New York City and winding our way through some of the Caribbean’s most characterful islands before disembarking in Fort Lauderdale.

It was one of those journeys that felt perfectly balanced: iconic sights, gentle exploration, and enough time to simply soak up the magic of being at sea.

Below is a snapshot-style diary of the ports we visited and what made each one feel so special.

Setting Sail from New York City

There is something incredibly cinematic about sailing out of New York. Watching the skyline recede, feeling the chill in the November air on deck, and then gradually swapping coats for sunglasses as we headed south felt like a story unfolding day by day.

Enchanted Princess offered that classic mix of elegant spaces, great dining and plenty of places to sit with a drink and simply watch the ocean. The ship became a floating home between islands: a place to recharge after each day of discovery.

St Maarten / St Martin: Two Nations, One Island

Our first stop was St Martin, a fascinating island shared by two countries: the Dutch side, Sint Maarten, and the French side, Saint-Martin.

We joined a bus tour that took us around both halves of the island:

• On the Dutch side the vibe is lively and colourful, with shops, bars and a more “resorty” feel.
• On the French side things feel more laid-back and European, with pretty views, quieter corners and a more relaxed pace.

Seeing both sides in one day gives you a real sense of how unique this island is. Even the road signs and language shift as you travel.

The thrill of Maho Beach

No visit to St Martin would feel complete without seeing Maho Beach, and that was the highlight of our day. We headed there specifically to watch planes come in to land over the famous short runway.

Standing on the soft sand with the runway just behind you is quite an experience:

• You hear the engines building in the distance.
• Heads tilt up as everyone checks the sky.
• Then the aircraft thunders overhead at what feels like touching distance before gliding onto the runway.

It is one of those travel moments that manages to be both slightly surreal and completely exhilarating.

St Kitts: The Scenic Railway Around the Island

In St Kitts we swapped bus tours for something a little more nostalgic: the island’s scenic railway.

This historic narrow-gauge railway was originally built to transport sugar cane. Today, it has been reimagined as a wonderfully leisurely way to see the island:

• The train winds through lush green countryside, passing old sugar plantations, small villages and sweeping coastal views.
• From the open-air upper deck you feel the breeze, hear the steel wheels on the track, and can take in 360-degree panoramas.

There is a rhythm to it: the gentle movement of the train, the changing scenery, and the contrast between the wild, Atlantic coast and the calmer Caribbean side. It is an ideal excursion if you enjoy scenic journeys and want to experience the island without having to walk too far or rush between sights.

St Lucia: Sailing to the Pitons and Snorkelling

St Lucia has a different energy altogether: lush, dramatic, and almost impossibly photogenic. Our day focused on the island’s most iconic feature, the Pitons.

We joined a boat trip that took us along the coastline toward these twin volcanic spires. From the water you really appreciate their scale: they rise steeply from the sea, wrapped in dense greenery, with small fishing villages tucked into the coves along the way.

On the water and under it

The excursion combined sightseeing with time to snorkel. Slipping into the warm Caribbean sea with the Pitons behind us felt almost otherworldly. Underwater, the world shifts to blues and silvers:

• Fish darting between rocks and coral.
• Shafts of sunlight breaking through the surface.
• That quiet, weightless feeling you only get when you are floating in the sea.

It was one of the most memorable days of the cruise, a real highlight for anyone who loves a blend of scenery and gentle adventure.

And of course, upon learning that St Lucia is nickamed 'Helen of the West Indies' (after Helen of Troy) , I couldn't resist this t-shirt!

Curaçao: Colour, Culture and an Evening in Willemstad

Curaçao brought a burst of colour and history. Our day here was more independent and unhurried, starting with a stroll through the capital, Willemstad.

Wandering Willemstad

The city is famed for its pastel-painted Dutch colonial buildings that line the waterfront. Walking through its streets you find:

• Bright facades in pinks, yellows and blues.
• Bridges arching over the water.
• Cosy cafés and local shops.

We took time to visit the synagogue and its museum, an important piece of the island’s Jewish heritage. It gave the day a deeper cultural thread, connecting the present-day atmosphere of the city with its long and layered history.

Later, we settled by the water for a drink, watching boats come and go and enjoying the ease of simply being in the moment.

The floating bridge at night

Because our ship stayed in port until late, we were able to see the famous pedestrian bridge lit up after dark. The swinging pontoon bridge, illuminated against the reflections on the water, felt almost like a scene from a film.

There was something particularly special about returning to the ship after dark: lights twinkling, the city glowing behind us, and that sense of having really soaked up the character of Curaçao rather than just passing through in daylight.

Aruba: A Gentle Day Ashore

By the time we reached Aruba, we were happily in that relaxed cruise rhythm. Instead of a structured tour, we simply wandered the shops and took our time exploring the area near the port.

Sometimes the simplest days are exactly what you need mid-cruise:

• Browsing local shops for souvenirs.
• Enjoying people-watching.
• Popping in and out of air-conditioned boutiques to escape the mid-day warmth.

Aruba’s streets near the cruise terminal offer an easy, low-effort way to spend a few hours ashore, especially if you are in the mood to take things slowly and let the day unfold without a fixed plan.

My husband did get off the ship early in the morning to go for a run and found the stunning Eagle Beach.

Arriving in Fort Lauderdale

Our voyage ended in Fort Lauderdale, where we disembarked and headed to the airport for our flight home. Arriving into Florida after days of island hopping almost feels like a gentle re-entry: still warm, still palm-fringed, but you know you are on the homeward stretch.

Disembarkation was that familiar blend of organisation and emotion: bags packed, favourite moments being replayed, and that slightly bittersweet feeling that comes with any great journey drawing to a close.

Reflections on the Journey

Looking back, this Enchanted Princess sailing felt like a lovely mix of:

• Scenery: From the dramatic Pitons in St Lucia to Curaçao’s colourful waterfront.
• Experiences: Plane-spotting at Maho Beach, riding the St Kitts railway, snorkelling in warm Caribbean waters.
• Pace: Some days organised and excursion-focused, others relaxed and open-ended.

Cruising out of New York in November and finishing in Fort Lauderdale gave the whole trip a sense of “following the sun”: starting with crisp, cool city views and ending with balmy Caribbean nights and Florida warmth.

For anyone considering a similar sailing, it is a fantastic way to experience a variety of islands without constant packing and unpacking. Your stateroom stays the same, but the view from your balcony changes almost every morning.

And that, perhaps, is the real magic of a voyage like this: the ease of shipboard life combined with a series of rich, distinct snapshots of the Caribbean, all stitched together into one unforgettable journey.

If you would like to plan something similar for your own holiday, with experiences tailored around your interests and pace, contact me and I will be delighted to help you design your perfect Caribbean cruise adventure.