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Posts Tagged ‘Princess’

24
Jun

Princess Passengers Are First Cruisers to Experience Nintendo’s Hugely Popular Wii Fit Game System

Posted in Cruise News  by David on June 24th, 2008
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Innovative Fitness Program Debuts This Week Fleetwide; Makes Exercise Fun for the Whole Family

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (June 24, 2008) — After the much-anticipated Wii Fit system debuted across the country last month, Princess unveils this fitness innovation at sea this week after shipboard staff completed special onboard trainings with Nintendo team members. Princess is the first cruise line to offer passengers the chance to get their hearts pumping with the headline-grabbing new release on Wii.

All Princess ships, which have long featured Nintendo’s popular Wii systems onboard, add the revolutionary Wii Fit balance games, challenging passengers of all ages to put their athletic skills to the test with active video game tournaments such as the ski jump, Hula Hoop or heading soccer balls. Exciting family competitions will be held onboard — including on the dramatic Movies Under the Stars poolside screens. Youth and teen centers will also offer younger cruisers the opportunity to participate in Wii Fit activities throughout their vacation.

“We’re very excited to partner with Nintendo to bring the Wii Fit experience to our passengers,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “Our onboard team has just finished training with the experts at Nintendo to ensure that we’re able to offer passengers the best possible experience with this innovative fitness game.”

Wii Fit gets everyone pumped up about making physical activities an enjoyable part of their daily routines. Wii Fit even tracks users’ progress, which lets people see how they’ve improved while challenging them to better their scores and stay motivated to keep going.

The Wii Fit Balance Board is a precisely engineered platform that senses both weight and shifts in movement and balance. It connects wirelessly to the Wii console and serves as the centerpiece for more than 40 fun activities that challenge users in areas like yoga, aerobics, strength training and balance. Helpful virtual trainers in the game talk users through the different motions and makes suggestions for improvements.

The hugely popular Wii system has been instrumental in expanding the video game experience across generations and genders. “Kids” of all ages have enjoyed playing games such as Wii Sports Golf and Tennis using the unique Wii Remote, which enables a player’s movements to directly affect what happens on screen.

On ships equipped with Movies Under the Stars screen, the Wii tournaments are shown on the giant poolside screens, offering a unique, larger-than-life gaming experience. The distinctive 300-square-foot screens are featured on Caribbean Princess, Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Grand Princess, Sea Princess and the upcoming Ruby Princess, offering a variety of movies and events daily, including family films and first run hits, as well as concert footage and other special programming.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-877-325-7522.

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11
Jun

Princess Adds 110 New Shore Excursion Options in Europe This Summer

Posted in Cruise News  by David on June 11th, 2008

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Princess Adds 110 New Shore Excursion Options in Europe This Summer
New Choices Feature Personalized Experiences and Self-Guided Walking Tours; Plus Fresh Adventures Such as Exploring the Rooftops of Stockholm or Going on a Treasure Hunt

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (June 10, 2008) - This summer Princess passengers in Europe have 110 new ways to enjoy their ports of call, whether they explore Stockholm by rooftop for the ultimate bird’s eye view, go on a treasure hunt through the ruins of Herculaneum or streets of Dubrovnik, take an overnight train to Moscow, or explore on their own with the help of an iPod.

These new options add to Princess’ extensive lineup of 849 Adventures Ashore? throughout Europe — including sailings in Scandinavia and Russia, where they can go aboard a Finish icebreaker; the Mediterranean, which serves up experiences such as a three-course pasta party; and Northern Europe and the British Isles where passengers can explore one of the Concords from the era of supersonic flight. The line also introduces new iPod-guided walking tours in a number of cities, plus begins offering a series of Personalized Experience tours featuring smaller group sizes.

“We are always on the lookout for new and intriguing experiences for our passengers throughout the world, and this summer’s European season is no exception,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “There are some exciting new choices, with fun options for so many kinds of passengers, whether they’re active travelers, explorers, sports fans, kids or gourmets.”

Some selected highlights of the new tour options include:

Princess CruisesNew Ways to Tour - For passengers who want to set their own pace or those who enjoy a more personalized tour, two new tour options are available in several ports:

Grab an iPod and Go -The convenience of a do-it-yourself day combined with the expertise of a recorded guide. These walking tours offer the use of a pre-loaded iPod for the day as well as a customized map. Travelers can set their own pace as they listen to a detailed narration about the area’s most important points of interest, and can follow a suggested walk route or create their own adventure. Walking tours are available in Amalfi, Athens, Barcelona, Cannes, Capri, Corfu, Dubrovnik, Florence, Lisbon, Monte Carlo, Mykonos, Pisa, Portofino, Rhodes, Rome, and Sorrento.

Personalized Experiences - Visitors to Berlin, Florence/Pisa, Naples or Rome can opt for a more intimate shore excursion option with a new Personalized Experience tour, featuring smaller tour groups and the opportunity for more personal interaction with the tour’s guide. Personalized Experience tours feature Berlin of the 20th Century; Florence & Pisa; Amalfi Coastal Drive & Pompeii; and Rome, The Eternal City

Grand Overland -Overland tours offer the opportunity to go further afield to visit cities and attractions away from the port area. This new choice adds a Moscow option to select Scandinavia and Russia voyages:

Travel to Moscow (Helsinki, Finland to St. Petersburg, Russia) - PRINCESS EXCLUSIVE - This new Grand Overland Tour to Helsinki, Moscow and St. Petersburg offers the opportunity to visit three cities in one tour, including a unique chance to visit the heart of Russia in Moscow. Visitors will tour Helsinki before traveling overnight by train to Moscow, where they will spend a full day and attend a ballet performance. Another overnight train takes them meet back up with their ship in St. Petersburg with time to visit the city’s spectacular palaces and museums.

Other Grand Overland Adventures - In addition to the new Moscow trip, there are a variety of other opportunities to travel overland for a day or two to see parts of Europe and the Holy Land further away from the port. Other Grand Overland tours are available to experience Jerusalem, Bethlehem and Galilee as well as the pyramids and antiquities of Egypt.

Distinctive Options - From treasure hunting and climbing rooftops to tours through some remarkable forms of transportation, Princess carries a variety of unusual tours:

Exploring Stockholm by Rooftop (Stockholm, Sweden) - For a view of Stockholm like no other, passengers can set out on a rooftop tour to see the city from 140 feet above street level. Participants are buckled into safety harnesses before they step out onto the roof of the city’s Old Parliament Building, where they will navigate the narrow, iron-railed path of the rooftop as a guide narrates stories of Stockholm and points out the views.

Hunt for Treasure (Dubrovnik, Croatia; Naples, Italy) - Travelers in Dubrovnik and Naples can add a new twist to their touring by participating in a treasure hunt. Passengers can search for hidden treasure through the streets of Dubrovnik or the ruins of Herculaneum. Teams are given tasks in the search of clues and points that will take them to some of the area’s most famous landmarks and sights. At the end, the most successful team will win a prize.

Finnish Icebreakers (Helsinki, Finland) - PRINCESS EXCLUSIVE - Ice breakers are a neccessity to keep Finish ports open in the winter. Passengers can go behind the scenes of these unique vessels with a guided tour of one of two icebreakers - “Urho” or “Sisu.” A senior fleet officer will guide visitors through the bridge, engine room, mess hall and crews’ quarters.

The Concorde Experience (Edinburgh, Scotland) - Supersonic Concorde aircraft may no longer cross the Atlantic in record time, but passengers can still experience one of these rare planes with a visit to Scotland’s National Museum of Flight. Here, the ‘Concorde Experience’ includes exhibits and multimedia presentations that trace the history of commercial supersonic flight and chronicle the 1960s’ race to build the first SST, culminating in a tour of G-BOAA - the first British Airways Concorde to fly commercially … at over 1350 mph.

Culinary Tours — For passengers who want to experience a true taste of their destination, the following tours are perfect for traveling gourmets:

A Taste of Bornholm (Bornholm, Denmark) - Passengers can discover why Bornholm is home to the popular TV series “New Scandinavian Cooking” with this tour of the best of the region’s food and drink. Visitors will travel to Lille Gadegaard Vineyard to sample their sparkling fruit wines. Passengers will then visit Hallegard, an 80-acre working farm noted for its fine, organic gourmet sausages. For beer lovers, a visit to Svaneke, a village brewery, offers the opportunity to try their award-winning beer that has won top honors in Denmark. To top off the day, the Siemsens Gaard Hotel offers a tasting of St. Clemens, and award-winning blue.

Bracciano Lake & Pasta Party (Rome, Italy) - Hungry passengers travel to Lake Bracciano in the heart of Etruscan Italy to explore the quaint lakeside resort of Anguillara, and then a special destination in the Tuscia wine country for a pasta-making demonstration followed by a five-course lunch (three courses of pasta!) accompanied by Tuscian wines. Participants can join in or observe as the hosts demonstrate three types of traditional Tuscian pasta - one made solely with flour and water, an egg pasta, and a potato pasta. After the demonstration participants sit down to a five-course gourmet lunch that features the three pastas accompanied by Tuscian wines.

A Taste of Cadiz - (Seville, Spain) - An opportunity to learn the secrets of sherry production at an exclusive bodega. Passnengers will view a demonstration of the blender’s art and sample a range of sherry from fino to amontillado or oloroso. And of course no visit to Andalusia would be complete without tapas to accompany with the sherry, so visitors can also try these appetizer sized ‘little plates.’

Kids, Art Lovers and Sports Fans - Entertaining options for many types of travelers:

Swedish Fairytales (Stockholm, Sweden) - A magical tour for kids - and the young at heart - featuring the Junibacken Museum, where the world of award-winning Astrid Lindgren’s well-loved books for children come to life. Visitors can meet characters such as Alfie Atkins, Old Man Festus and Mercury the Cat in Storyboook Square, climb aboard the Story Train for a magical tour through Lindgren’s stories, and play in Pippi Longstocking’s house, the Villa Villekulla. The tour also includes a visit to Stockholm’s 17th-century warship Vasa, the oldest fully preserved ship in the world.

Venitian Churches Chorus Pass (Venice, Italy) -Passengers have the opportunity to purchase a unique “chorus pass” to 16 of the lagoon city’s most important churches — and potentially view more than a 1,000 works of art. The Chorus Project, which offers the Chorus Pass, aims to contribute to the safeguarding, conservation and restoration of the architectural and artistic heritage of Venetian churches. Purchase of this pass supports the group’s efforts and entitles passengers to explore the history and faith of the city’s monumental churches and the precious paintings, sculptures, goldsmith’s works and fabrics preserved within them.

The Sporting Life (Dublin, Ireland; Liverpool, England) - Sports fans visiting Dublin or Liverpool can go behind the scenes at the local sport stadiums to learn more about the local sporting life. In Dublin, visit Croke Park Stadium, one of the most historic and modern sporting arenas in the world. Tours takes vistors to the dressing rooms, premium and corporate entertaining levels, service areas, and visitors can even test their own skills in hurling and gaelic football in the interactive games area. In Liverpool, fans can visit Anfield Stadium, home to the Liverpool Football Club, for a behind-the-scenes tour of that explores the player areas plus the club museum and the Champions League Trophy.

Active Tours - Travelers who want to stretch their legs and test their muscles as they tour have two new ways to explore in Finland:

Helsinki by Jopo Bike (Helsinki, Finland) - Passengers can join a Finish rage by touring Helsinki by Finland’s famed Jopo bike - the gearless, unisex red bicycle created back in the ’60s. Jopo bikes are again in fashion, and offer a great way to cycle past many of the city’s points of interest, from the main public beach to the striking Sibelius Monument. During the 10 mile tour, participants will enjoy views of the Opera House from Toolo Bay and see the icebreaker fleet at Katajanokka Island.

Nordic Walking in Finland (Helsinki, Finland) - For another unique way to tour in Helsinki, passengers can try Nordic Walking. Developed in the off-season by Finnish cross-country skiers, Nordic Walking uses specially designed poles to exercise the upper body during a fitness walk. Participants will experience Helsinki in the course of an approximately seven-mile fitness walk that travels to the heart of the city.

Shore excursions can be reserved in advance through the line’s innovative Cruise Personalizer on www.princess.com, providing passengers with the comfort of knowing they’re confirmed on their preferred tours before they sail, plus the added convenience of having their tour tickets ready and waiting in their stateroom on arrival. Princess’ 2008 Europe season offers something for every explorer’s wish list, with six ships callings at over 115 ports throughout the continent - more than ever before. Eight new ports debut - including such untouched locales as Albania - as well as five new itineraries. Princess’ six-vessel fleet is the largest in the region, offering 87 departures of 32 unique itineraries, ranging from seven to 23 days in length. The Europe season runs through November 28, 2008.

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27
May

Princess Cruises Showcases “The Heart of Alaska”

Posted in Cruise News  by David on May 27th, 2008

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Princess Cruises Showcases “The Heart of Alaska” with Unique Video Production
Viewers Can Explore “The Great Land” through the Eyes of Diverse Group of Local Residents

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 22, 2008) - “We are so lucky that we have  Alaska… everything is different here - it is all so unique.” This view from Denali National Park Ranger Patrick Gamman is one of 12 Alaska voices featured in “The Heart of ,Alaska” a dramatic new video produced by Princess Cruises. This production has already received widespread praise from the film and travel communities, and has been honored with acceptance into two film festivals.

Princess Cruise AlaskaShot exclusively by Princess in high-definition format to showcase the Princess cruisetour experience, “The Heart of Alaska” beautifully depicts the land, wildlife and people of Alaska, with interviews from some of the people who make the state unique, and who tell a compelling story of life in the untamed wilderness of Alaska’s interior.

Available exclusively from Princess, the 26-minute film was photographed and directed by Princess Video Editor Scott Martin. Filmed over nine days last summer in Alaska, the production was coordinated by Becky Buxton, manager of Princess Tours in Alaska. The video will be shown on board Princess ships in Alaska and can be purchased on the ships and at Princess’ five  Alaskawilderness lodges. “The Heart of Alaska” is the first of a series of Princess videos taking a unique look at many of the company’s destinations.

“The Heart of “Alaska has been accepted into the First Take Film Festival and the prestigious New York Independent Film & Video Festival, where it will compete this summer in the best documentary category.

“We wanted to create something that really captures the spirit of this extraordinary destination - particularly the diverse people who make the state so unique,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “This is a unique production for us - it not only gives our guests a stunning look at so many aspects of this amazing place, it does so in brilliant high definition. We believe that this new view of the Great Land easily outshines the quality of the traditional Alaska travelogue.”

The documentary offers a unique introduction to the wonders of the state as it is seen through the eyes of Alaskans. Viewers will meet rangers from both Denali and Wrangell St. Elias National Parks, Alaska natives, homesteaders and dog mushers who share an insiders’ perspective of life in the 49th state. Other voices include a bush pilot, a captain from Fairbanks’ iconic riverboat and a mountain climber.

The film also brings the audience up close to the wildlife of Denali National Park, including bears, moose, dall sheep, and caribou. Soaring photography takes viewers high above the world’s tallest peaks, including ‘The Great One,’ Mt. McKinley.

“The Heart of Alaska” tells its story through many Alaskan voices, each with a unique perspective on life in the state. Among the observations shared on screen are:

“Being Alaskan to me means being connected to everything around you. My dad had always told me that people live the way the land tells them to - they follow the rhythm of the waters that they’re nearest.” - Alaska Native Quentin Simeon.

“We have glaciers the size of states - the Malaspina Glacier is the size of Rhode Island” - Wrangell St. Elias National Park Ranger Kelly L. Vandenberg.

“It is quite a humbling place because we quickly realize just how small we are in the scheme of things” - Mountain Climbing Guide Laurent Dick.

“People here do what they do - they don’t retire. They have a lifestyle and they live it to their last day” - Homesteader Janel Porterfield.

“They teach me something constantly. No two days are alike when you live with 18 dogs” - Musher John C. Fowler.

“Still today when I see a moose alongside the road, I have to stop and look at it myself as if it’s the first one I ever saw” - Wildlife Conservation Center Executive Director Mike Miller.

“The Heart of Alaska” video also includes special features on the Princess cruisetour program, the Alaska Native Heritage Center, Inside Denali, and trailers for the Heart of Alaska.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-877-325-7522, or by visiting www.chtalaska.com.

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14
May

Princess Announces Schedules for 2009-10 Cruises to Sunny Caribbean and Mexican Riviera

Posted in Cruise News  by David on May 14th, 2008

Princess Cruises

Classic Warm Weather Escapes Feature Many of Line’s Newest Vessels

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 13, 2008) - Princess Cruises has announced a new season of cruises to the sun swept Caribbean and Mexican Riviera. These relaxing, seven- to 14-day voyages offer passengers the opportunity to experience these colorful ports filled with dramatic scenery, diverse cultures, white-sand beaches and ancient ruins, while enjoying the youngest fleet in the Caribbean and some of the largest and most amenity-filled vessels sailing the Mexican Riviera.

In the Caribbean, Princess will sail six ships on 13 itineraries with 129 departures visiting more than 25 ports in these fabled islands. Ruby Princess will take over the line’s 10-day Eastern and Southern Caribbean itineraries, offering some of the less-visited ports in the region. Emerald Princess sails on the line’s Eastern Caribbean itinerary and Crown Princess will feature the Western Caribbean with an enhanced itinerary now featuring the lovely island of Roatan, Honduras. Caribbean Princess continues to sail on alternating seven-day Southern Caribbean sailings from San Juan. Grand Princess returns with an extensive 14-day Caribbean Collection route and Sea Princess will again sail on 14-day voyages from Barbados.

On the Pacific side, Princess again returns to its “south of the border” cruising roots with two ships - Sapphire Princess sailing on the classic seven-day Mexican Riviera route from Los Angeles and Star Princess cruising on 10-day voyages from San Francisco.

“The Caribbean and Mexican Riviera both offer the delightful sense of fun and make for a wonderful warm weather escape,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “And passengers will also be able to enjoy an array of fantastic ships on these routes, including Caribbean Princess and Star Princess with brand new piazza-style atriums and a number of new features.”

Princess’ Caribbean and Mexican Riviera itineraries for 2009-10 include:

Caribbean

Emerald Princess - Emerald Princess sails to the Eastern Caribbean, with roundtrip cruises from Ft. Lauderdale on Sundays. The itinerary features calls in line’s own Princess Cays, St. Maarten, St. Thomas and Grand Turk. Emerald Princess offers 28 sailings between October 11, 2009 and May 2, 2010.

Crown Princess - Crown Princess takes over the line’s roundtrip seven-day sailings to the Western Caribbean from Ft. Lauderdale with an enhanced itinerary that now offers calls in Roatan. The ship will sail on 27 Saturday departures with stops at Grand Cayman, Roatan, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Crown Princess’ season will run from November 7, 2009 through May 8, 2010.

Caribbean Princess - Caribbean Princess sails from San Juan on two alternating seven-day itineraries. The Classic Southern Caribbean route features 14 sailings to the ports of St. Thomas, Tortola, Antigua, Barbados and St. Lucia, while 14 Southern Caribbean Explorer sailings travel to St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. Cruises depart between November 1, 2009 and May 9, 2010. Caribbean Princess will also offer one eight-day Bermuda & Eastern Caribbean sailing from New York to San Juan calling at Bermuda, St. Kitts, Antigua and St. Thomas, departing October 24, 2009.

Ruby Princess - Ruby Princess offers a set of alternating 10-day sailings roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale - one to the Southern Caribbean and the other to the Eastern Caribbean. The Southern Caribbean Medley itinerary, offered on 10 sailings, includes calls at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Dominica, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. The Eastern Caribbean Voyager itinerary, featured on nine sailings, offers calls at Antigua, St. Lucia, Barbados, St. Kitts, St. Thomas and Princess Cays. Emerald Princess’ Caribbean season runs between October 25, 2009 and April 29, 2010.

Grand Princess - Grand Princess offers more time to explore the islands with a 14-day Caribbean Collection itinerary roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale. The ship sails to Grand Turk, La Romana, St. Thomas, St. Kitts, St. Vincent, Barbados, Trinidad, Curacao and Aruba. Grand Princess offers nine departures between December 21, 2009 and April 23, 2010. The ship also offers a new 11-day Grand Southern Caribbean sailing on January 4, 2010, calling at Princess Cays, St. Thomas, Antigua, Barbados, Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba.

Sea Princess - Sea Princess will offer a series of alternating 14-day Caribbean voyages from Barbados. Seven sailings of the Grand Caribbean Islander route feature calls at St. Lucia, Trinidad, Grenada, Bonaire, Curacao, Montego Bay, Samana, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua and Dominica. The ship will also offer seven sailings on a Grand Caribbean Adventurer itinerary that features stops at St. Vincent, Grenada, Bonaire, Aruba, Grand Cayman, Montego Bay, Samana, Tortola, St. Kitts, Antigua and Dominica. To begin her season, Sea Princess offers a seven-day Southern Caribbean sailing from Ft. Lauderdale to Barbados featuring calls at Princess Cays, Tortola, St. Maarten, Antigua and St. Lucia. In spring the ship sails back to Ft. Lauderdale from Barbados with a six-day sailing to Grenada, Bonaire and Aruba. Sea Princess sails between October 10, 2009 and May 1, 2010.

Mexican Riviera

Sapphire Princess - Sapphire Princess will again set sail from the Port of Los Angeles on 32 departures to the sunny Mexican Riviera. This favorite seven-day roundtrip route takes in the prime ports of call of Puerto Vallarta, Mazatlan and Cabo San Lucas. Sapphire Princess will depart on Saturdays between September 26, 2009 and May 1, 2010.

 

Star Princess - Star Princess will a offer a longer, 10-day roundrip Mexican Riviera voyage from San Francisco featuring calls at Acapulco, Zihuatanejo/Ixtapa, Puerto Vallarta and Cabo San Lucas. The ship will sail on two cruises on April 16 and 26, 2010.

Caribbean and Mexican Riviera cruises are available for booking on June 5, 2008. Escape Fares for seven-day sailings start at $599 per person, based on double occupancy. Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $50 in Captain’s Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2008.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

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8
May

Princess Expands Canal Experience in 2009-10 with Extra Day in Panama

Posted in Cruise News  by David on May 8th, 2008

New Two-Day Visit Offers Opportunity to Enjoy Both Full Canal Transit and Time to Explore Region
Canal Leader Now Offers Three Ways to See Modern Marvel of Engineering

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 6, 2008) - Panama Canal passengers marvel at this dramatic transit through the Canal’s locks, but often wish they could also explore the country’s natural beauty and culture. To give travelers more time in Panama, Princess Cruises is introducing a new “Two-day Canal Experience” on all 2009-10 Canal transits of 15 days or longer, featuring a second day in port so passengers can enjoy both the engineering wonder of the Canal and further discover the country.

This new double dose of Panama will be offered on 23 sailings on four ships. In addition, Princess will also offer two other favorite itineraries, with a shorter 10-day full-transit option and the convenient 10-day roundtrip voyage from Ft. Lauderdale featuring a partial transit to Gatun Lake - giving passengers three distinct options for visiting the Panama Canal. In total, the season will feature 44 Canal sailings, with calls at 20 ports in 10 countries.

The Two-day Canal Experience will feature the full Canal transit plus a day with the ship at anchor at Fuerte Amador, on the Canal’s Pacific side. Passengers can take advantage of this day to enjoy a variety of shore excursion options including the Panama Canal Railway, Panama Canal , Soberania National Park Rainforest or a visit to an authentic Embera Indian Village. The intimate Royal Princess’ 20-day sailing will also introduce a new port for Princess, Puerto Chiapas in Mexico, the gateway to the rich culture of the Mayan region featuring opportunities to explore coffee plantations and architectural landmarks.

Panama is such a rich country with so much to see, and many passengers don’t get the opportunity to experience it because they naturally want to savor the marvel of engineering that is the Panama Canal,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “So we’re now offering the opportunity to do both - spend one day on the ship as it is lifted and lowered through all three sets of locks, plus have a day in port to venture further into Panama.”

Panama Canal Two-Day Experience - Coral Princess and Island Princess will feature 15 sailings on this 15-day Los Angeles/Ft. Lauderdale route, with the two-day Canal experience plus calls at Cabo San Lucas, Acapulco, Huatulco, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Cartagena, and Aruba. In addition, Island Princess and Sea Princess will offer three similar sailings between San Francisco and Ft. Lauderdale. Royal Princess will offer one 20-day itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale to Seattle, offering the two-day Canal experience, plus calls at Aruba, Costa Rica (Puntarenas), new port Puerto Chiapas, Huatulco, Acapulco, Cabo San Lucas, and San Francisco. Coral Princess and Island Princess also offer longer 17-, 18- and 19-day options, sailing to and from Vancouver. Coral Princess sailings depart between September 21, 2009 and April 21, 2010. Island Princess sailings depart on September 14, 2009 and April 29, 2010; and Sea Princess sailings depart September 25, 2009 and May 7, 2010. Royal Princess sails on April 30, 2010.

Full Transit Sailings - The 10-day Panama Canal Adventurer route between Ft. Lauderdale and Acapulco offers a full Canal transit plus a focus on Central America with visits to Costa Rica (Puntarenas), Nicaragua (San Juan del Sur) and Guatemala (Puerto Quetzal), as well as Ocho Rios and Huatulco. Island Princess offers eight sailings on this route, with departures between December 10, 2009 and March 20, 2010.

Roundtrip Panama Canal - Island Princess will sail on this classic 10-day itinerary from Ft. Lauderdale, which offers a partial Panama Canal transit to Gatun Lake followed by a call in Cristobal, plus calls in the Caribbean ports of Aruba, Cartagena, Limon (Costa Rica), and Ocho Rios. The ship offers 13 departures between October 1, 2009 and April 19, 2010.

Panama Canal cruises are available for booking on May 22, 2008. Escape Fares for 10-day sailings start at $1,199 per person, based on double occupancy. Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $50 in Captain’s Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2008.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent by calling 1-877-325-7522, or by visiting www.cht-caribbean-cruise.com.

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5
May

Loyal Princess Passengers Receive New Launch Discounts

Posted in Cruise News  by David on May 5th, 2008
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Loyal Princess Passengers Receive New Launch Discounts
Princess Captain’s Circle Members Rewarded with Extra Discount for Early Bookings

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (May 5, 2008) - Loyal Princess passengers who book early to reserve their favorite destination and accommodations can now receive extra savings with the line’s new Princess Captain’s Circle Launch Savings benefit. This new discount offers Circle Members up to $300 off when they make their cruise reservations shortly after new cruise schedules are announced. The program offers one of the industry’s best past passenger values, as it can be combined with other promotional fares.

Debuting with summer 2009 itineraries, the savings vary by destination and apply to all cabin categories. The program is offered to Circle Members at all membership levels - Gold, Platinum and Elite. For 2009-2010 departures, Europe and Alaska cruises must be booked by September 30, 2008 and all other destinations must be booked by December 31, 2008.

“We have many loyal past passengers who routinely book their sailings soon after we announce our new schedules,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president of customer service and sales. “So we created this new discount to offer them extra rewards for their loyalty and for booking their cruises early. And unlike many other cruise industry discounts, these savings apply even if the passenger qualifies for other offers - whether a special group rate or subsequent fare specials.”

Once booked, Launch Savings remain in effect, and can be applied to most other subsequent promotions, allowing past passengers to always have the best fares for which they qualify. The savings can be combined with Escape Fares, group rates, regional promotions, and other past passenger discounts.

The Princess Captain’s Circle has received acclaim for offering some of the richest loyalty benefits in the cruise industry. Among the many perks available to the most loyal past Princess cruisers are a free mini-bar set up, free Internet packages, free laundry services, priority tender embarkation, complimentary wine tasting, a boutiques discount, and preferred embarkation and disembarkation.

For more information about the Princess Captain’s Circle, visit the Circle Center and click on “Member Benefits.”

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent by calling 1-877-325-7522.

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30
Apr

Two Princess Ships to be Remodeled with Line’s Latest Signature Features

Posted in Cruise News  by David on April 30th, 2008

4/30/2008

Two Princess Ships to be Remodeled with Line’s Latest Signature Features
Star Princess and Caribbean Princess to Add Popular Amenities Including Atrium “Piazza” with International Café, Crown Grill and Adults Only Sanctuary

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. (April 30, 2008) - Two Princess ships will be remodeled to incorporate a number of the most popular amenities that have become passenger favorites on the line’s newer ships. The upcoming makeovers of Star Princess  and Caribbean Princess will include a transformation of the Deck 5 atrium into the inviting piazza-style street café currently found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess; plus will add the company’s signature adults-only Sanctuary and showplace Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, along with a more centrally located casino and seven new suites.

Star Princess  will receive these new features during her September drydock in San Francisco and Caribbean Princess will follow in January 2009.

The ships’ updated atriums will not only feature the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis and tapas of the International Café, but will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will now include rare vintage wines, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle. In addition, passengers will be able to relax in the tranquility of The Sanctuary, Princess’ signature adults-only retreat, featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. The ships will also replace their current steakhouse with the Crown Grill restaurant featuring an open show kitchen where passengers can enjoy watching as chefs prepare chops, steaks and seafood, including live lobsters. As part of the renovation, each vessel will also receive seven new suites with ocean-view picture windows, and the casino will be relocated one deck higher to deck 7, bringing it into the ship’s central entertainment area.

“After Crown Princess and Emerald Princess debuted, we knew we had struck a chord with our passengers who loved the piazza-style atriums, new dining experiences and the peaceful environment of The Sanctuary,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “And so we’re delighted to bring these hallmark features to two of the other vessels.”

To make room for the new features, passengers may find that some of their favorite areas have been relocated. In addition to the casino, the sports court, Internet Café and wedding chapel are also among the spaces that will be moved in the renovation process.

The new features passengers will find aboard these vessels include:

The Piazza - This piazza-style atrium has been a popular area on the new ships, with its sidewalk café feel and casual dining options. The ships will offer this lively area on Deck 5, designed to be the bustling hub of the ship with a street café atmosphere, featuring live music and entertainers throughout the day and evening. With Italian-inspired décor, this charming area serves as an inviting venue throughout the day for passengers seeking a more casual dining option. Within this space, passengers can relax over coffee and pastries at the International Café or a glass of wine at Vines, or keep in touch with home at the Internet Café.

Vines - The expanded Vines concept features a wine bar serving a selection of rare and unique new- and old-world vintage wines along with gourmet delicacies. Here passengers can enjoy an assortment of fine wines by the glass, wine flights, a wine shop and a walk-in glass artisan cheese and cured meat humidor. Designed to resemble a wine cellar, the venue hosts unique wine tasting sessions, while the chef makes special appearances to pair selections with some of the world’s most desirable artisan cheeses. Food-lovers can also sample a daily selection of sushi, sashimi, antipasti or ceviche. A signature feature in Vines, wine lovers will have the opportunity to sample a Swiss specialty, Raclette, a traditional melted cheese dish. The Vines shop offers an extensive collection of hard-to-find wines available for purchase, as well as Princess-branded favorites such as extra virgin olive oil, aged Italian balsamic vinegar and a selection of related gift items.

International Café - Serving up a variety of tasty options throughout the day, the International Café features an ever-changing array of quick bites and light meal choices. In the morning, passengers will be attracted by the aroma of freshly baked croissants, Danish pastries and beignets; while in the afternoon the Café serves grilled-to-order paninis, quiches and salads. At dinnertime passengers can stop by for tapas or dessert - including the popular chocolate fondue. Throughout the day, the café features the line’s famous fresh-baked cookies, and coffee lovers can also select from a variety of specialty coffee drinks and Revolution teas.

The Sanctuary - The adults-only “pocket of tranquility” that has been so popular on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess, will be added to the uppermost forward deck of the ship, which currently houses the ships’ sports court. The Sanctuary offers a relaxing alternative to the myriad activities available throughout the ship. Solitude seekers will be able to escape completely to this plush, outdoor spa-inspired setting with refreshing beverages and healthy fare, massages, relaxing personal entertainment and attentive service from the area’s Serenity Stewards.

Crown Grill - The ships will trade their Sterling Steakhouse restaurants for a Crown Grill premium seafood and chop house concept as found on Crown Princess and Emerald Princess. This showplace restaurant entertains passengers with an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs custom-prepare steamed shellfish - such as lobster, scallops, clams and mussels - and cooked-to-order steaks and chops. Passengers can choose to sit at the kitchen’s eat-up counter and watch the show as they dine.

Suites - Seven new oceanview suites will be added on deck six, offering additional options for passengers who enjoy the luxury and amenities that come with Princess’ most spacious accommodations.

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