Royal Princess offers taster cruises before maiden voyage
Princess Cruises has announced two preview cruises on board Royal Princess, giving passengers an opportunity to get a taste of the new ship before the official maiden voyage on June 16.
The June 9 and June 14 cruises will sail roundtrip from Southampton on a two-night itinerary, calling at St. Peter Port on Guernsey.
Passengers on the short sailings will be able to sample the ship’s new features, including SeaWalk, Princess Live! television studio and new poolside cabanas before its inaugural sailing.
Both voyages will go on sale on Tuesday January 29 at 14:00hrs to passengers already booked on the maiden voyage, and Wednesday January 30 at 14:00hrs to all other customers.
Fares start from £349pp for a balcony stateroom.
Paul Ludlow, Princess Cruises UK director, said "Passengers and agents have shown great interest in these preview cruises and have been eagerly awaiting the chance to book. Therefore, we are delighted to be offering them the opportunity to experience Royal Princess on these two sailings."
The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship for Princess Cruises. Among the special features found on board will be a greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship; SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending over the water more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel; private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; the new Princess Live! television studio; a pastry shop; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms.
The ship’s 2013 maiden season will include cruises on the line’s signature Grand Mediterranean itinerary throughout the summer, followed by Eastern Caribbean cruises beginning in the autumn.
Linsey McNeill
Editor Linsey McNeill has been writing about travel for more than three decades. Bylines include The Times, Telegraph, Observer, Guardian and Which? plus the South China Morning Post. She also shares insider tips on thetraveljournalist.co.uk
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