John Oram's photos with the keyword: Royal Princess

Royal Princess was the first of five cruise ships to leave Port Everglades on a grey Saturday afternoon. She was bound for Princess Cays. Royal Princess and Royal Class fleetmate Regal Princess have multi-tone horns and she passed Harbour Isles with a playful tune. 200_3_P1040991CE

This panoramic view goes some way towards capturing the atmosphere of a port call at Philipsburg, St. Maarten, my favourite Caribbean destination. There were six cruise ships present on this occasion and Star Clipper (centre). The number of leisure craft is also evident in this sunny scene. The larger ships are (from camera) MSC Musica, Royal Princess, RCCL Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Summit. 200_P1000961C

Royal Princess and MSC Musica at St. Maarten. 200_P1000937

St. Maarten is the most attractive Caribbean destination I have been to where attraction is not measured in natural beauty alone. When I last visited on 23 November 2011 [qv], there were six cruise ships in port which I thought might be exceptional. However, there were six again today (or seven if you include Star Clipper). As Holland America Eurodam approached Philipsburg, trailed by sister ship Maasdam, the first four were already berthed. They were (l-r) MSC Musica, Royal Princess, RCCL Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Summit. 200_P1000906

MSC Musica (left) and Royal Princess at St. Maarten. 200_P1000902

St. Maarten is the most attractive Caribbean destination I have been to where attraction is not measured in natural beauty alone. When I last visited on 23 November 2011 [qv], there were six cruise ships in port which I thought might be exceptional. However, there were six again today (or seven if you include Star Clipper, which can just be seen to the left). As Holland America Eurodam approached Philipsburg, trailed by sister ship Maasdam, the first four were already berthed. They were (l-r) MSC Musica, Royal Princess, RCCL Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Summit. 200_P1000890

St. Maarten is the most attractive Caribbean destination I have been to where attraction is not measured in natural beauty alone. When I last visited on 23 November 2011 [qv], there were six cruise ships in port which I thought might be exceptional. However, there were six again today (or seven if you include Star Clipper). As Holland America Eurodam approached Philipsburg, trailed by sister ship Maasdam, the first four were already berthed. They were (l-r) MSC Musica, Royal Princess, RCCL Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Summit. 200_P1000901C

St. Maarten is the most attractive Caribbean destination I have been to where attraction is not measured in natural beauty alone. When I last visited on 23 November 2011, there were six cruise ships in port which I thought might be exceptional. However, there were six again today (or seven if you include Star Clipper). In the 'front row' were (from right) MSC Musica, Royal Princess, RCCL Freedom of the Seas and Celebrity Summit. 200_P1000935C

St. Maarten is the most attractive Caribbean destination I have been to where attraction is not measured in natural beauty alone. When I last visited on 23 November 2011, there were six cruise ships in port which I thought might be exceptional. However, there were six again today (or seven if you include Star Clipper). In this view Star Clipper features with Royal Princess (l) and MSC Musica. I had details of the itineraries but could not account for the presence of Star Clipper which, according to what I read on the day, should have been away from St. Maarten. 200_P1000968

Relative newcomer to the cruise market, named in Southampton last year, Royal Princess was at Port Everglades on Sunday 26 January 2014 preparing for departure to Aruba. TZ30_P1010502

For a member of the public, one of the few ways to get into a port is to be legitimately on a ship. That is part of what makes preparation for a cruise exciting. There is so much to see from the deck of ones ship although some creativity is needed with shots taken in a crowded environment. Wonderful though the previous days viewing had been, it was equally wonderful to be amongst this day's six ships including our own Holland America Eurodam. The life of a port, though, is as much about the many merchant vessels which come and go as the luxury market. One diversion for me before the Eurodam sailed, was the arrival from Aruba of the oil/chemical tanker Prisco Elizaveta with tugs to assist her into a tight berth. In the background, Royal Princess, named last year in Southampton, is prepared for departure to, coincidentally, Aruba. 200_P1000578C