Carnival, Princess adopt new onboard smoking policies
By Michael Coleman Carnival and Princess, two of the world’s most popular cruise lines, have adopted new onboard smoking policies which will be rolled out in the coming months. Citing its “ongoing commitment to keep pace with changing guest preferences’’ the 23-ship Carnival fleet, effective this week, will only permit cigarette...
Media darling, Grand Princess, transformed
By Michael Coleman A Princess cruise ship, formerly the largest cruise ship in the world, has a new distinction. Following the most extensive drydock in Princess Cruises history, Grand Princess has emerged from a 24-day, transformational drydock. The vessel even became a media star as the line posted daily video updates on the work in...
Cruise lines celebrating the royal wedding at sea
By Jackie Roseboom Many businesses are celebrating the Royal Wedding by offering their guests a viewing party and special offerings, and the cruise industry is no exception. From small viewing areas to lavish parties, it will all be available at sea. Royal Caribbean International Royal Caribbean is celebrating the upcoming British royal...
Princess honors MacLeod, preps for Royal Wedding
By Michael Coleman Princess Cruises honored television’s most beloved captain, Gavin MacLeod, with a special 80th birthday party aboard Golden Princess this week in Los Angeles. Crew members, along with his friends and family, sang “Happy Birthday” and presented him with a massive cake — a 5-foot-long, 3D replica of the original...
Princess blog features ultimate travel wish list
By Michael Coleman The world’s top destinations will be unveiled weekly in an inspiring new blog launched by the travel savvy employees of Princess Cruises. The line launched “50 Essential Experiences: The Travel Bucket List” (50essentialexperiences.com) this week. A series of posts, each authored by one of Princess’...
Princess to offer an expanded Panama Canal experience
By Jackie Roseboom The Panama Canal has been delighting cruisers for nearly a century. This man-made masterpiece is composed of 51 passageways between the Caribbean and Pacific Oceans, saving travelers more than 7,000 transit miles around the South American continent. Princess Cruises has been going there for years on short trips in and...
Princess eyes Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific
By Michael Coleman Princess Cruises has just unveiled a series of 2011-2012 itineraries to Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific. Sun, sand, swaying palm trees, the scent of topical flowers in the air and breathtaking island scenery set the stage as the line offers 43 sailings of 10 itineraries to 33 ports. Voyages run from …...
Princess to offer new Alaska tours
By Michael Coleman Princess Cruises will debut nine new land excursions for passengers in Alaska this year. Overall, look for the line to offer 96 choices from easygoing to exhilarating — including cultural tours, nature hikes, kayak adventures and flightseeing tours. Land excursions operate from each of Princess’ own wilderness...
Princess to allow you to show off your ship to friends and family
By Matt Roseboom In the late ‘70 and early ‘80s, when “The Love Boat” was a hit show on television, cruising was popular, but not nearly as popular as it is today. So many first-time cruisers’ expectations came from watching the TV show. Many were probably not too happy when they compared the size of …...
Princess to get two new ships – their largest ever
The Carnival Corporation & plc has signed a memorandum of agreement with Italian shipbuilder Fincantieri for the construction of two 3,600-passenger cruise ships for its Princess Cruises brand. The new ships — which will have an all-in cost of approximately €155,000 per lower berth — are scheduled to enter service in...