Princess Cruises Fall Spectacular Savings

Save up to 55%* on over 100 Fall cruises to destinations around the world! 

Limited time to getaway from it all with short Getaway cruises roundtrip from Los Angeles and Ft. Lauderdale are also on sale! 

Plus, for a limited time only, get up to $100 FREE onboard spending money per stateroom!

Time is running out, and space is limited!

Princess Red, White & Blue Cruise Sale

Princess Cruises is celebrating Independence Day with a “Red, White & Blue Sale,” offering cruise deals on North American departures 

Cruise deals are available until July 8, and offer cruise discounts of up to 40%, plus up to $100 free onboard spending money

Cruises depart between September and December 2013

More than 100 cruise departures are featured in the sale, including cruises to the Caribbean, Hawaii, Panama Canal, the California Coast, Mexico, Canada & New England and the West Coast. 





In addition to special fares, passengers booking balcony staterooms or above will receive an onboard credit:

• $100 for sailings 10 days or longer
• $50 seven- to nine-day cruises
• $30 one- to six-day cruises

And those booking interior or oceanview staterooms can get credits:

• $50 cruises 10 days or longer
• $25 seven- to nine-day cruises
• $15 one- to six-day cruises

More info and cruise schedules at Princess Cruises  

New Royal Princess Will Call Port Everglades Home

Port Everglades will be the home port for Princess Cruises newest ship 

Port Everglades is one of the busiest cruise ports in the world with more than 3.6 million passengers expected during 2013.

The new 141,000 -ton, 3,600-passenger Royal Princess will debut in June 2013, the first of two new-generation ships for Princess currently being built. 

The ship’s design will be an evolution of Princess’ classic style, while including some new features and expanded signature spaces. 

Among the new features found on board will be a 50% larger atrium which is the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; a dazzling water and light show; the new Princess Live! television studio; a dedicated pastry shop; more dining options including a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private space that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. 

Take a virtual tour

  

Royal Princess’ inaugural cruise will depart from Southampton on June 16, 2013, followed by seasons of cruising in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Caribbean. A sister ship, Regal Princess, will debut in 2014. 

Royal Princess Private Cabanas

Oh My! 

The 3,600 passenger Royal Princess will launch in June 2013 with private cabanas.

Passengers who reserve a private cabana can order a gourmet "Cabana Picnic" and bottle of wine with prices starting at $40 for two - and the charge for the cabana will start at $50 for a half day.

The Royal Princess will be Princess Cruise lines largest ship ever. Stay tuned.

Cruise Lines Access Private Island Hurricane Damage

Norwegian Cruise Lines, Princess Cruise Lines, Royal Caribbean and Holland America have reported damage to their private islands in the Bahamas. 

Norwegian Cruise Line's Great Stirrup Cay will reopen next week after accessing damage to structures, landscasping as well as beach erosion. Visits to Great Stirrup Cay by cruise ships Norwegian Jewel, Norwegian Sky and Norwegian Pearl were cancelled this week.

Princess Cruises private beach report Princess Cays on Eleuthera, Bahamas experienced beach erosion, roof damage to structures and landscaping, and also the observation pier was lost in the storm. Princess Cays is expected to be open for visits by November 11th.

Holland America's Half Moon Cay located off the Southeast coast of Nassau sustained minor damage to structures, beach erosion and landscaping.

Royal Caribbean's CocoCay suffered minor damage to facilities and the beach area. RCL reports the island will be open for cruise guests.

Disney Cruise Line is still assessing damage on its island, Castaway Cay. The big story this past week was the damage on the Disney Fantasy cruise ship.

Cruise passengers reported being terrified aboard the Disney Fantasy as it sailed back to Port Canaveral last week during Hurricane Sandy. Other cruise lines managed to stay out of harms way during Hurricane Sandy, and one Norwegian cruise was extended due to not being able to get into port.

I personally cannot imagine why the cruise line decided to return to Florida in dangerous high seas. The video taken by one passenger has over 600,000 views - and it's pretty scary. Disney is known for being family friendly, and this particular cruise was a really bad PR nightmare.

New York Cruises On Hold In Wake Of Sandy

The closure of the Port of New York this week in the wake of Super Storm Sandy is wreaking havoc with cruises scheduled to begin and end in the city.

Norwegian Cruise Line says the New York-based Norwegian Gem will make an unscheduled stop in Boston today for several hours to take on supplies and fuel before returning to sea to await the New York port's reopening. The 2,394-passenger ship was scheduled to return to New York on Monday after a nine-night cruise to the Caribbean but has been stuck at sea for the past two days.

Princess says the Caribbean Princess sailing scheduled to begin today in New York is being delayed for an indeterminate period.

"The Brooklyn port is closed to all vessels until the weekend," Princess notes in a statement. "We are researching other ports and are hopeful we can secure a berth in Manhattan on Friday if the area is approved for sailing by the U.S. Coast Guard."

The Crystal Symphony sailing to Los Angeles that was scheduled to begin today in New York now will begin on Friday in Charleston.

Read full article - Cruises from New York on hold in wake of Sandy

Princess Cruises Features Rare Caribbean Sailing

Princess Cruises is offering a rare 10-day Eastern Caribbean cruise on the 680-passenger Pacific Princess, Jan. 17 to 27, 2013. 

The sailing features the line’s only calls at Tortola and St. Barthelemy in 2013 as well as Antigua, St. Lucia and St. Kitts. Fares begin at $899 per person, based on double occupancy.

“Because Pacific Princess travels the globe, we rarely have the opportunity to offer a Caribbean cruise on this popular small ship,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “But because we’re rescheduling the ship’s dry-dock, we now have a wonderful chance to offer this unique one-time itinerary option before she takes off on her yearly world cruise.”

Source: Travel Pulse

Top Large Ship Cruise Awards

Travel & Leisure Magazine has posted their annual awards for the best travel in the world 

For the category of "Top Large Cruise Ships", here are the full results . . .

• Crystal Cruises 89.90
• Regent Seven Seas 89.36
• Azamara Club Cruises 87.31
• Oceania Cruises 86.05
• Disney Cruise Line 84.96
• Cunard Line 83.26
• Celebrity Cruises 81.61
• Holland America Line 80.37
• Royal Caribbean 79.40
• Princess Cruises 79.08

The scores are results of reader surveys from the Travel & Leisure Magazine.

Visit the site, and check out the award winners of the Small-Ship Cruise Lines, River Cruises, Domestic Airlines, International Airlines, Car Rental Agencies, Safari/Tour Operators, as well as the top Hotels, Cities, and Islands. 
http://www.travelandleisure.com/worldsbest/2012/air-cruise-more

New Cruise Trends

Look for a new cruise ship with a dozen outdoor eateries from Norwegian Cruise Line, a chic new chef’s table concept on Princess Cruises’ next ship and a return of wheelers on U.S. rivers. 


Those nuggets were among news revealed at last week’s Cruise Shipping Miami, an annual cruise industry trade show held each year in March.

Read full article: New Cruise Trends: Paddle-Wheelers, Chef Tables, More - Carry On | Travel + Leisure

Princess Cruises “Inspired to Cruise” Blog

Princess Cruises new blog, "Inspired to Cruise: A Year of Reasons to Get Away From the Everyday" has chronicled its first five reasons to cruise, offering readers a collection of intriguing passenger stories about what inspired them to vacation at sea.

Each week during 2012 the blog will explore the celebrations, accomplishments, milestones and other inspired reasons to cruise, each told by a different passenger. 

This diverse group of contributors – from long-time cruisers to those who set sail for the first time – will share a total of 52 stories throughout the life of the blog.

Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/pr/573208#ixzz1lMZcSb8q

Princess Offers Europe and Alaska Sale

Princess Cruises discounts cruises to Europe and Alaska this summer when booked by Feb. 28. Passengers can save up to $1,400 per couple.

The sale includes cruises to the Mediterranean, Scandinavia and Russia, Northern Europe and Alaska. Cruise-tours are included. 

Examples of sale fares include 12-day Mediterranean/Greek Isles cruises from $1,690 per person, 11-day Scandinavia and Russia cruises from $1,740, seven-day Northern Europe cruises from $999, seven-day “Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers” from $799, and 10-day “Denali Explorer” cruise-tours from $1,273.

http://www.princess.com/

Princess Offering Wave Season Fares For Europe/Alaska

Princess Offering Wave Season For Europe and Alaska

Princess Cruises is offering special fares on cruises to Europe and Alaska – with a Balcony Bonus Sale through January 31. Clients who book during the event can save up to $1,000 per couple off Launch Fares, plus receive a free balcony upgrade.

These special cruise deals give you the chance to book a balcony stateroom at the same price as an unobstructed oceanview stateroom. The sale also includes Europe and Alaska cruisetours.

So cruisers can combine their Alaska cruise with a land adventure that might include Denali. Or, clients might plan to see Europe or the Middle East in more depth with Classic Italy, Ancient Petra or Swiss Alps land tours.


Examples of the sale fares (all are per person, double occupancy) include:

12-day Mediterranean/Greek Isles cruises from $1,490 ($2,540 balcony)

11-day Scandinavia and Russia cruises from $1,049 ($2,540 balcony)

12-day Holy Land cruises from $1,990 ($2,590 balcony)

7-day Alaska Voyage of the Glaciers from $799 ($1,399 balcony)

10-day Denali Explorer cruisetours from $1,273 ($1,823 balcony), and

17-day Classic Italy cruisetours from $3,849 ($4,699 balcony)

The Balcony Bonus Sale runs through January 31, 2012, and is available to residents of the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Visit www.princess.com/balconybonus.page

Smoking at Sea

Passengers abroad Princess Cruises will not be allowed to smoke in staterooms or on balconies staring Monday - with one exception. Look for other cruise lines to tighten up on their "smoking policies" soon.

Here's the most recent cruise line politices:

Princess: With cabins now off-limits, smokers will be able to smoke in designated areas only including Churchill's cigar lounge and sections of the disco, casino and open decks.

Holland America Line: Starting Sunday, the cruise line will also ban smoking in staterooms fleet-wide.

Norwegian Cruise Line: As of Jan. 1, no smoking in cabins, but balcony stateroom guests can light up on balconies. Cigar and pipe smoking isn't permitted in either area. Guests can smoke in designated areas such as sections of the casino and in some outdoor public spaces and open decks.

Carnival Cruise Lines: Since Dec. 1, smoking is banned in all cabins across its 23-ship fleet, but not on outside balconies, except for Spa staterooms. Guest surveys showed less than 5% of guests opted to smoke in their cabins.

Ok, back to the exception to Princess Cruise Lines smoking policy . . .

Princess is making e-cigarette users, sometimes called "vapers," the exception. E-cigarette users can smoke in staterooms and balconies, but will be banned from other areas on the ships.

Also, Carnival and Norwegian cruise lines are restricting e-cigarettes to designated smoking areas only.

We will post updates as we get them

Princess Cruise Line - Hawaii, Pacific Cruises 2012-13

Princess Cruise Line announces 10 itineraries to Hawaii, Tahiti and the South Pacific for the Fall of 2012 and Spring 2013.

Four ships  will sail roundtrip to the Hawaii islands from Los Angeles and San Francisco - and the newly renovated Grand Princess will make its debut to Hawaii.

Itineraries include 10-day “Tahiti & Polynesia” routes sailing roundtrip from Papeete, Tahiti.

11-day “Hawaii & Tahiti” cruise offers Hawaiian Islands and French Polynesia.

28-day “Hawaii, Tahiti and Samoa” itinerary offers two roundtrips from Los Angeles to American Samoa, visiting Hawaii and Tahiti along the way.

http://www.princess.com/

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Princess Cruises Adds Adults-Only Sanctuary to 14 Ships

Princess Cruises marked the completion of a three-year project to add the line’s adults-only The Sanctuary on 14 ships (small ships Pacific Princess and Ocean Princess do not offer this feature).

The Sanctuary, which debuted in 2006 aboard Crown Princess, offers plush seating, massage cabanas, signature beverages, light meals, service by “serenity stewards” and soothing personal entertainment.

To make room for the newest Sanctuary, the sports court on Sapphire Princess was relocated to a new space on top of Skywalkers nightclub.

The installation of The Sanctuary on Sapphire Princess marked the beginning of a transformation for the ship, which will go into dry dock from Jan. 7 to Feb. 4.

The ship will receive the Piazza atrium with its International Café and Vines wine bar; the line’s second Alfredo’s pizzeria, which was introduced earlier this year aboard Grand Princess; and the Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen.

For more information, call 800-PRINCESS or visit www.princess.com

The Sea Change: Ever Finer Cruise Dining

Once upon a time, there were two choices: the main dining room or the informal, all-you-can-eat buffet. That landscape has changed considerably. On virtually all lines, cruisers can opt for open or reserved seating.

"You can pretty much choose when you want to dine, who you want to dine with and how you want to dress for dinner," said Naomi Kraus, cruise editor for Frommer's Travel.

On the Queen Mary 2 and the Oceania and Regent Seven Seas lines, guests can choose from a health-conscious menu designed by Canyon Ranch.

Royal Caribbean added seven new food venues when it relaunched the refurbished 2,500-passenger Radiance of the Seas.

Imagine eating a special meal hosted by the executive chef in the ship's galley during the busy dinner hours. For $75 per person one or two nights per cruise, as many as 10 Princess Cruises passengers enjoy a multicourse chef's table menu paired with wines.

Read more

Princess Aloha Spirt Cruises

Princess Cruises offers more than 50 sailings to the Hawaiian Islands in the 2011-12 and 2012-13 seasons, with cruises departing from both Los Angeles and San Francisco.

While at sea, passengers will experience a special "Aloha Spirit" program with Hawaii-themed activities, parties, menu items and learning opportunities.

Whether choosing to enjoy an Aloha sailaway party, learn about local wildlife and volcanoes, or simply want to relax and enjoy the poolside Hawaiian melodies or an island-themed Movies Under the Stars selection, cruisers will find numerous ways to feel the Hawaiian spirit.

Included in the program are a number of hands-on ways for passengers to immerse themselves in all things Hawaii, such as:

• Hula dance lessons

• Hawaiian language lessons

• Lei making

• Playing the ukulele

• Hawaii-themed culinary demonstrations

• Kona Coffee tastings

View Princess Hawaii Cruises

Cruise Line Smoking Policy Revision

Carnival Cruise Lines: As of last month, smoking in public areas is permitted only in dance clubs and designated areas of casinos and open decks on all its 23 ships.

It is also allowed in jazz clubs on 13 of its vessels. Starting Dec. 1, the line will ban smoking fleetwide in all staterooms, though smoking still will be permitted on private balconies except for spa staterooms, which will continue to remain entirely smoke-free.

Princess: Starting with all cruises departing on or after Jan. 15, Princess Cruises will no longer allow smoking in staterooms or on balconies. Passengers will still be able to smoke in designated areas, including Churchill’s Cigar Lounge and portions of the disco, casino and open decks.

Holland America: Smoking in staterooms will be prohibited on sailings on or after Jan. 15, but will be permitted on stateroom verandas. Smoking is also banned in designated indoor public areas, but allowed in certain other designated venues, including open decks.

Princess Cruises Introduces "Bucket List" Blog

Princess "Bucket List" Blog will feature the top 50 travel experiences from their own destination experts.
 

The cruise lines 50 experts are those who have been with Princess Cruise Lines for more than 15 years. In that length of time they have traveled a countless number of miles, and during the next year will offer their experiences of the top 50 places to see around the globe.

The blog also offers a forum for travelers to share their best travel experiences, and add to the "bucket list."

Head over to the blog and read the 1st of 50 travel bucket list experiences

In the Embrace of Rio’s Most Famous Monument