Today, Princess Cruises announced their Europe and Alaska deployments for the 2015 cruise season. The new year will see a number of Princess ships sailing in new markets and the addition of larger ships to rapidly growing regions.
Europe will see the most changes between the two markets, offering Princess guests eight different ships throughout the continent. The most notable addition to the European market is the homeporting of the Royal and Regal Princess in Southampton, offering guests varied length sailings to Scandinavia, Russia, and the British Isles.
The Island Princess will sail in Europe for the first time on the line’s hallmark 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary between Venice and Barcelona. Emerald Princess will also sail throughout the Mediterranean on a series of unique voyages from Barcelona, Rome, Athens and Istanbul. The Caribbean Princess will return to Southampton for another year, offering cruises to the Mediterranean, Norway and the Baltic. One of the line’s smaller ships, the Ocean Princess will sail on unique voyages in Northern Europe to a variety of off-the-beaten-path destinations.
“We’re especially pleased to base Royal Princess in Southampton, where she first debuted with her spectacular christening,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. “This will be a great year to visit Northern Europe with our newest and largest ships sailing in the region, and in the Mediterranean we’re presenting passengers with a rich variety of itinerary options.”
Alaska’s summer cruise season will see the addition of the Ruby Princess and Pacific Princess, both of which will join a number of sister ships already familiar with the region. The Ruby and Crown Princess will both sail to Alaska from Seattle, offering roundtrip sailings through the Inside Passage. Pacific, Grand, Coral, and Star Princess will all sail a the special “Voyage of the Glaciers,” which allows guests to experience two glacier sailing experiences. The Golden Princess will offer unique Inside Passage sailings from California’s own San Francisco.
“Each year we earn industry accolades for our Alaska program, including ‘best cruise line in Alaska’ from Travel Weekly for seven consecutive years,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises. “Our cruise program in this destination combines some of the most spectacular scenery in the world with exciting on-shore adventures plus amenity-filled ships for an unforgettable vacation.”
