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Princess
Cruises
 
From its modest beginnings in 1965 with a single ship cruising to Mexico,
Princess has grown to become one of the premiere cruise lines in the world.
Today, its fleet carries more than a million passengers each year to more
worldwide destinations than any other major line.
The most recognized cruise line
in the world was catapulted to stardom in 1977 when Pacific Princess was cast in
a starring role on a new television show called The Love Boat. The weekly
series, which introduced millions of viewers to the still-new concept of a
sea-going vacation, was an instant hit and both the company name and its "seawitch"
logo have remained synonymous with cruising ever since.
Princess' modern fleet has grown
considerably in recent years to include Caribbean Princess (2004), Coral
Princess (2003), Dawn Princess (1997), Diamond Princess (2004), Island Princess
(2003), Pacific Princess (1999), Regal Princess (1991), Royal Princess (1984),
Golden Princess (2001), Grand Princess (1998), Sapphire Princess (2004), Star
Princess (2002), Sun Princess (1995) and Tahitian Princess (1999). Two
additional new ships will join Princess' fleet by 2007, making it one of the
most modern fleets on the high seas.
Building on past success, Princess is continually evolving to meet the needs of
the today's vacationer. In the mid-1990s the company pioneered the concept of
putting passengers in control of their own cruise experience with the
introduction of its Sun-class ships. These revolutionary vessels gave passengers
the freedom to choose from a wide range of flexible onboard facilities,
amenities and services in order to create a personal vacation experience that
takes the regimentation out of the cruise experience and suits each passenger's
own needs and preferences.
Today, the line's signature
emphasis on Personal Choice Cruising is apparent across the fleet, with each
vessel offering its own unique version on a host of multiple dining options and
locations; flexible and varied entertainment selections; renowned customer
service; and a full complement of onboard activities including a variety of
ScholarShip@Sea enrichment classes featuring computer training, ceramics,
culinary arts, finance and photography. Often copied but never duplicated, the
Princess concept of cruise vacation customization has since been adopted as the
touchstone of new ship design for the entire cruise industry.
In addition to incorporating a wide range of choices, vessels in the
Princess fleet are specifically designed to provide the ultimate in affordable
luxury, with an emphasis on "big ship choice with small ship feel." No
matter the size of the ship, public spaces are designed to feel intimate and are
decorated in a contemporary style, allowing passengers to enjoy themselves in an
informal, relaxed onboard atmosphere that mirrors today's lifestyles. The
company has also long been the leader in building ships specifically designed to
accommodate an extensive number of the most sought-after shipboard luxury -- the
private balcony. In the mid-1980s Princess pioneered the concept of the
affordable veranda, once an exclusive feature incorporated in only the most
expensive suites. Today, Princess' fleet offers one of the highest percentages
of balcony cabins in the industry, across all cabin categories. The physical
design and décor of the ships, coupled with Princess' hallmark service
excellence, creates an onboard atmosphere of relaxed luxury in which passengers
can enjoy their perfect vacation experience.
Princess' philosophy of choice is also reflected in its sailing schedule.
Offering voyages to more worldwide cruise destinations than any other major
line, Princess has more than 150 itineraries ranging from seven to 72 days. The
line sails to all seven continents and calls at nearly 260 ports around the
world. Princess passengers can enhance their cruise experience through the
Adventures Ashore program featuring more than 1,500 in-port excursions
worldwide, and the company's expanding cruisetour offerings enable passengers to
combine their cruise with a full land tour. Destinations on all seven continents
include the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Europe, Mexican Riviera, South
America, Australia/New Zealand, South Pacific, Hawaii, Tahiti/French Polynesia,
Asia, India, Africa, Holy Land, Canada/New England and Antarctica.
Having led the way in Gulf of
Alaska cruising, Princess maintains a strong presence in Alaska. Through its
Seattle-based Princess Tours division, the company operates a wide variety of
spectacular land and sea experiences in the majestic "Land of the Midnight
Sun." The largest cruise and tour operator in the state, Princess operates
six cruise ships, five riverside wilderness lodges, luxury Midnight Sun Express
Ultra Dome rail cars, and a fleet of deluxe motor coaches; allowing cruise
passengers to connect seamlessly to a landside tour and experience several
distinctly unique facets of the Alaska wilderness in a single trip. |
