Ruby Princess Christened

In a “ruby red” themed ceremony celebrating romance, Princess Cruises today named its newest ship, Ruby Princess. America’s reigning reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette did the honors, breaking the traditional bottle of champagne to mark the ship’s launch, and their own fifth anniversary. The new godparents were surrounded by hundreds of guests decked out in ruby red-tie formal attire, and a ruby-haired singer serenaded the crowd. As befitting the most romantic cruise line, and an event celebrating “romantic moments and milestones,” the official naming was followed by the ultimate romantic milestone — a wedding in the midst of the festivities. The California couple joined in matrimony not only had Trista and Ryan as wedding attendants, but the Love Boat captain himself, Gavin MacLeod, gave away the bride.

Tonight the ship hosts a “Ruby Red Tie” gala and sets sail on a two-night cruise for hundreds of VIP guests who will enjoy a special preview of Princess’ newest vessel. During the mini sailing, the ship will host an array of romantic activities, including a massive renewal of vows for all couples tomorrow while the ship is at sea. Ruby Princess then returns to Port Everglades on November 8 for its inaugural seven-day sailing to the Western Caribbean.

“It’s only fitting that as the most romantic cruise line in the industry, we celebrate the naming of our newest ship with a tribute to ?romantic milestones,’” said Alan Buckelew, Princess Cruises president and chief executive officer. “It was exciting to have Trista and Ryan Sutter serve as godparents of Ruby Princess and of course the wedding during the ceremony added an appropriate touch to the festivities.”

Princess Cruises has long been associated with romance on the high seas, dating back to its days as the setting for the now-iconic TV show The Love Boat. Cementing that connection, Princess was just named the “Best Cruise Line for Romance” and “Best Cruise Line for Weddings” in the 2008 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards. The Ruby Princess naming ceremony continued the line’s tradition of romance with godparents Trista and Ryan, who were introduced to America in 2003 on the television hit The Bachelorette.

Trista and Ryan Sutter became America’s reigning romantic couple as millions of viewers followed their courtship and witnessed their nationally televised wedding. To this day they are the only couple from the Bachelor or The Bachelorette shows to actually get married. The ceremony fulfilled the dream of yet another couple as Kip Hickman and Danielle Vurpillat tied the knot as part of the ship’s naming ceremony. The couple, from Dunsmuir, Calif., met on a blind date and expressed their desire to be married onboard Ruby Princess during a recent contest held with national newspaper, USA Today. The minister who officiated the nuptials, Phil Roberts, is also a member of Princess Cruises’ Department of Romance.

The Ruby Princess naming ceremony will be available for viewing on line at www.princess.com beginning November 7.

The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of street performers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess’ other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak house, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary. The new ship will also offer the many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining featuring traditional or Anytime seating, multiple entertainment venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen’s center, and a wedding chapel.

During Ruby Princess’ inaugural season she will make seven-day weekly sailings from Fort Lauderdale to the Western Caribbean. Calls include Ocho Rios, Jamaica; Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands; Cozumel, Mexico and Princess Cays in the Bahamas. Next spring the ship will move to Europe for 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean and Greek Islands.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 6th November 2008.

Movies Under the Stars

Princess’ signature “Movies Under the Stars” poolside screens have become such a popular feature since debuting in 2004, that the line will add the dramatic 300-square-foot movie screens feature to most of the fleet over the next several years. Princess was the first cruise line to introduce this unique entertainment experience aboard its ships and Movies Under the Stars has subsequently revolutionized movie-watching at sea.

In addition, this month select ships featuring Movies Under the Stars screens will be broadcasting a cruise industry exclusive concert from number-one-selling recording artist Josh Groban. The “Awake Live” performance will join other popular concerts shown on the ships, and will also offer the unique opportunity for those who enjoy the presentation to purchase a DVD/CD of the concert at the ship’s boutiques.

Movies Under the Stars, which shows movies, concerts, sporting events and other special programming throughout the day and evening, will be installed aboard Golden Princess (May 2009), Dawn Princess (June 2009), Coral Princess (October 2009), Sun Princess (April 2010), Island Princess (October 2010), Diamond Princess (November 2010), and Sapphire Princess (2011).

“Movies Under the Stars has become such a popular part of the Princess entertainment experience on those ships that have it, that we were inspired to expand it across the fleet,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “It’s something the whole family can enjoy.”

The movie screens have been a focal point on Princess ships since first debuting on Caribbean Princess in 2004. They are now featured on Crown Princess, Emerald Princess, Ruby Princess, Grand Princess, Star Princess and Sea Princess. The giant LED (Light Emitting Diode) screen is more than 300 square feet in size with a 69,000-watt sound system and has sufficient lighting power to be seen clearly at mid-day and heard even while the ship is moving at full speed — offering passengers a movie experience comparable to the best shoreside movie theater.

In addition to movies, passengers can enjoy a variety of special program on the giant screen, including sporting events such as the Super Bowl and the college football Bowl Championship Series, Academy Awards, video game contests with Nintendo’s Wii, a variety of event concerts with artists such as Tina Turner and Elton John, and even midnight showings of cult films such as “The Rocky Horror Picture Show.”

In the evening, the state-of-the-art screen offers a unique way to relax and enjoy current hit films outside on a comfortable poolside lounger with special padded cushions and warm blankets. Princess enhances the viewing experience with signature touches such as complimentary popcorn and a variety of movie-themed cocktail specials and theater-style candy. Nearby eateries also offer a range of casual dining options to round out the ultimate poolside experience.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 5th November 2008.

Ruby Princess in Fort Lauderdale

A spray of ruby-colored water from two escorting fireboats welcomed Ruby Princess, the newest ship in the Princess Cruises fleet, into Fort Lauderdale today. The ship arrived to begin several days of launch festivities with a distinctly romantic theme, the highlight of which will be its November 6 naming by America’s reigning reality couple, Trista and Ryan Sutter of The Bachelorette in honor of their fifth wedding anniversary. In an industry first, a couple will also be married during the naming ceremony, with Love Boat captain Gavin MacLeod giving away the bride, and Trista and Ryan serving as wedding attendants.

The romantic events continue as Princess hosts a “Ruby Red Tie” gala to celebrate the naming of its new ship, followed by a two-night preview cruise for hundreds of VIP guests. During the sailing, the ship will host an array of “ruby” and romance-themed activities, including a massive renewal of vows for all couples on November 7. Ruby Princess returns to Port Everglades on November 8 for its inaugural seven-day sailing to the Western Caribbean.

The Ruby Princess naming ceremony and wedding will be available for viewing on line at www.princess.com beginning November 7.

The 3,080-passenger Ruby Princess includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing line-up of street performers. Passengers will also enjoy Princess’ other array of dining venues including the signature Sabatini’s Italian restaurant and the Crown Grill steak house, plus a relaxing oasis just for adults called The Sanctuary. The new ship will also offer the many other innovations that define the Princess experience, including the popular Movies Under the Stars poolside movie screen, Personal Choice Dining featuring traditional or Anytime seating, multiple entertainment venues, a relaxing Asian-style Lotus Spa with fitness center, an extensive children and teen’s center, and a wedding chapel. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 4th November 2008.

Princess Best Cruise Line

For the fifth year in a row, the travel agent readers of Recommend magazine have chosen Princess Cruises as the “Best Cruise Line — Itineraries.” The honor, part of the magazine’s 12th Annual Readers’ Choice Awards, recognizes Princess’ dedication to global cruising.

“Bringing passengers to fascinating destinations around the world has long been one of our hallmarks and we are committed to enabling our passengers to explore fascinating destinations around the globe,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “So, it’s wonderful to see that travel agents continue to think of Princess first when asked to pick their favorite line for itineraries.”

Princess Cruises sails to all seven continents, offering 115 itineraries encompassing 350 ports around the world. The company’s destinations include Alaska, Africa, Asia, Antarctica, Australia/New Zealand, Canada/New England, Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii/Tahiti, Mexico, Panama Canal, South Pacific, South America, and world cruises. In 2009-10 the line will introduce 23 new ports of call.

Recommend magazine is a leading travel industry publication that is distributed to travel agents in the U.S. and Canada. The magazine’s Readers’ Choice Awards survey was conducted electronically with more than 1,150 travel agents represented in the results.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 30th October 2008.

Princess Best For Romance

Princess Cruises has been named the cruise line “Best for Romance” in the 2008 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards, which honor the world’s top cruise lines for outstanding performance in 10 major areas.

The company also won the “Best for Weddings” and the “Best Multi-Generational” categories. The winners were named by the editorial team of CruiseCritic.com, a leading cruise website featuring news, communities and reviews.

“We’re delighted that the editors of Cruise Critic have recognized Princess as the best line for romance, a tradition that goes back to our early days as ?The Love Boat,’” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president. “And as the company that introduced weddings at sea and has long offered an onboard experience to appeal to all ages, we’re incredibly pleased the editors have recognized our leadership in these areas.”

Princess Cruises will introduce a new ship, Ruby Princess, on November 6 with a romance-themed christening ceremony featuring godparents Trista and Ryan Sutter, who became “romance royalty” following their appearance on the hit television reality series The Bachelorette.

The line has its own Department of Romance, featuring distinguished experts from the worlds of love, dating and marriage, including actor Gavin MacLeod, The Love Boat’s “Captain Stubing;” Dr. Ruth Westheimer, the always-provocative couples therapist; Alex Michel, the first Bachelor on ABC’s hit show; Trish McDermott, vice president of love at Engage.com; and Lisa Light, destination wedding expert and author.

In 1998 Princess introduced the first weddings at sea performed by the ships’ captains, who in the ensuing decade have married more than 5,000 couples in waters around the globe.

An interactive list of all 2008 Cruise Critic Editors’ Picks Awards winners is available for download at http://www.cruisecritic.com/editors-picks/newsletter.cfm. Users can also find cruise line and cruise ship reviews, cruise deals and news on CruiseCritic.com.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 27th October 2008.

Delivery Of Ruby Princess

The newest addition to the Princess fleet, Ruby Princess, was delivered to Princess Cruises today in Monfalcone, Italy by the ship’s builder, Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani. The 3,080-passenger vessel has set sail for Fort Lauderdale where she is scheduled to arrive on November 4.

The ship will be christened on November 6 by celebrity couple Trista and Ryan Sutter from ABC’s hit reality series, “The Bachelorette.” In keeping with the launch’s “romantic milestones” theme, Princess will help the duo celebrate their fifth wedding anniversary.

Ruby Princess will debut a number of new services and amenities on board, including new dining options such as a pub lunch in the Wheelhouse Bar, unique enrichment programs and the new Ultimate Ship Tour. The vessel also includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers, Princess’ signature adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, Crown Grill seafood and steak house, “Movies Under the Stars” giant outdoor movie screen, and Hearts & Minds wedding chapel.

Ruby Princess will then set sail on her maiden voyage from Fort Lauderdale on November 8, beginning a program of Western Caribbean sailings taking passengers to Ocho Rios, Grand Cayman, Cozumel and Princess Cays. Following her inaugural Caribbean season, the ship will offer a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 23rd October 2008.

New Features Aboard Ruby

When Ruby Princess launches on November 8, the ship will introduce a host of new shipboard services and special features, underscoring Princess’ tradition of continually evolving the onboard experience for its passengers. Among the new options is a pub lunch, an exclusive breakfast for suite passengers, unique enrichment programs from astronomy to mixology, two new stage shows, plus expanded wireless Internet and cell phone connectivity.

The 3,070-passenger vessel will feature the familiar favorites that have become passenger pleasers aboard its sister ships Crown Princess and Emerald Princess but, in addition, other special touches and innovations will be found throughout the service, dining and entertainment areas.

“The new features aboard Ruby Princess are a perfect example of our commitment to provide passengers with the widest array of intriguing options to customize their cruise vacation,” said Jan Swartz, Princess senior vice president.

Many of the ship’s enhancements are slated to become staples across the Princess fleet following their debut on Princess’ newest ship. Among the new features being introduced on Ruby Princess:

Wheelhouse Bar Pub Lunch — On sea days, Ruby Princess’ Wheelhouse Bar will be transformed into an authentic English-style pub, serving a selection of traditional fare. A menu of British favorites, including bangers & mash, fish & chips, ploughman’s lunch and cottage pie, will complement a selection of traditional pub brews such as Stella Artois, Bass Ale or Guinness. Pub lunch meal service is free of charge and will run from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.

Sabatini’s Breakfast for Suite Passengers — Suite passengers aboard Ruby Princess will have the opportunity to enjoy an exclusive breakfast in Sabatini’s. Beginning with a “Good Morning Mimosa,” the menu features a variety of breakfast favorites, plus specialty items such as brioche French toast with apple & cinnamon compote, yogurt and super granola parfait with raspberry swirl, soft-poached egg over potato & vegetables with hollandaise sauce, and freshly made Belgian waffles. Suite passengers can enjoy this new amenity, along with the restaurant’s dramatic top-of-ship views, from approximately 7:30 to 10:30 a.m.

Artisan Cheeses at Vines — In addition to serving more than 30 wines by the glass and seafood appetizers that have made Vines a passenger favorite, the atrium-area bar on Ruby Princess will now feature a selection of domestic and imported artisan cheeses. Twelve varieties — including unique choices such as boschetto al tartufo bianchetto, reblochon, and cambozola — will be featured each day for a nominal fee. Vines will also host a series of lively events where passengers can meet members of the ship’s staff, and will continue to offer wine flights and parings.

New Enrichment Programs — A number of new ScholarShip@Sea enrichment programs debut aboard Ruby Princess to expand passengers’ horizons, whether they aspire to host the perfect party or increase their maritime knowledge. The Art of Entertaining offers passengers the opportunity to learn party-planning tips from lifestyle expert Susie Coelho via a multimedia presentation hosted by the cruise director. Navigation@Sea focuses on the history of navigation as well as the complexities of plotting the route of a modern cruise ship, with a presentation by the ship’s navigator. Mixology@Sea lets passengers channel their inner bartender with a hands-on course taught by the ship’s bar manager. For star gazers, the new Astronomy@Sea program provides passengers with the opportunity to explore the night sky through a telescope on the top deck, with the expert guidance of a ship’s bridge officer. Developed in conjunction with Dr. Thomai Serdari, Professor of Art History and Director of Research Collections for New York University, Art History@Sea: Botticelli to Warhol, The Evolution of Art makes 500 years of art come to life with a special hour-long presentation.

Two New Production Shows — Ruby Princess audiences will be able to enjoy two new Princess-produced shows in the ship’s theater. “Broadway Ballroom” presents the music of the ‘Great White Way’ with a ballroom flair, pairing the songs of hit musicals with dance numbers ranging from foxtrot to rumba. The show also features the talents of a costume designer and choreographer from the TV hit “Dancing with the Stars.” Meanwhile, “Once Upon a Dream” uses unique multidimensional cinematic projection to follow a dreamscape unlike anything seen at sea. The audience will accompany a young woman’s journey as she dreams of everything from a tea party in an English garden to singing camels in the desert, and even a trip through a waterfall and brief nightmare before waking to a new day.

The Audience Gets in the Act — A variety of new audience-participation events will also debut on the ship, giving passengers a number of ways to seek their 15 minutes of fame. Karaoke fans can go a bit farther with Love Boat Legends, where they are actually transformed into a famous artist of the past. So You Wanna Be A Rock Star? moves beyond pre-recorded Karaoke tunes to give audience members the opportunity to rock out with a live band on stage. Oceans of Talent puts passenger talent center stage — whether they play a musical instrument or want to try out their comedic timing. The Wake Up Show takes Princess’ popular morning show with the cruise director to a new level with an irreverent talk show format, live band, special guests and an opportunity for passengers to join the “studio” audience, as the show is taped in the evening before its broadcast the next morning.

A Few Fine Touches — A number of new service touches will be introduced to delight passengers. In the Horizon Court buffet, new waffle stations will offer fresh cooked-to-order waffles at breakfast and throughout lunchtime, and the buffet will also begin serving complimentary lemonade as a beverage choice. In the evening, passengers will find a selection of canapés in several of the ship’s public lounges. Passengers arriving back from shore will be greeted with chilled face cloths, and by the pool, “misting stewards” will offer a quick refreshing spritz with Evian to cool off.

Kid Stuff — Young passengers can enjoy a new Wizards Academy, an exclusive presentation from the award-winning California Science Center. This enriching new program lets children explore the connection between science and magic in a fun and participative environment. Kids will also enjoy activities and projects from popular arts and crafts company Klutz, or participate in Yoga for Kids, a healthy and fun course designed specifically for children.

Wireless Internet and Cell Phones — Expanding on Princess’ Internet and phone connectivity, Ruby Princess will offer laptop users additional wireless hotspots around the vessel, including staterooms. The ship will also be equipped so that passengers can use their personal cellular phones, if they have international roaming plans, while onboard.

Ultimate Ship Tour — A new exclusive opportunity to experience an array of “back of house” areas that are key to a ship’s daily operations, the Ultimate Ship Tour will give passengers the unique opportunity to explore beyond the public areas with visits to the ship’s engine control room, medical center, print shop, laundry, photo lab, funnel, bridge and other spaces. In addition to getting a rare insider’s view of many areas typically seen only by the ship’s crew, participants will receive a variety of themed mementos at many of the stops along the route.

Ruby Princess also includes a dramatic piazza-style atrium featuring small-bite eateries and an ever-changing array of performing street entertainers, Princess’ signature adults-only oasis called The Sanctuary, Sabatini’s Italian restaurant, Crown Grill seafood and steak house, “Movies Under the Stars” giant outdoor movie screen, and Hearts and Minds wedding chapel. The ship will feature an inaugural season of Western Caribbean cruises roundtrip from Fort Lauderdale, followed by a program of Mediterranean voyages in summer 2009.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 20th October 2008.

Princess CRUISE Awards Complete

With the conclusion of Princess Cruises’ Alaska cruisetour season, the company has announced the winners of its second annual C.R.U.I.S.E. service awards for the top land excursions from each major interior location.

Winning tours are chosen from among Princess’ extensive line-up of more than 120 land excursion options offered to cruisetour passengers from Princess’ exclusive riverside Alaska wilderness lodges as well as the cities of Anchorage and Fairbanks.

The winning tours include the Explore Anchorage City Tour (Anchorage Museum & Sourdough Mining Co.) from Anchorage; Dog Sled Demonstration and Ride (Chugach Outfitters) from Copper River Princess Wilderness Lodge; Denali Fly Fishing Tour (Denali Fly Fishing Guides) from Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge; Alaskan Hummer Tour (Alaskan Hummer Tours) from Fairbanks; Kenai Canyon River Rafting (Alaska Rivers Company) from Kenai Princess Wilderness Lodge; and Trapper Creek Homestead Tour (Janel Porterfield) from Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge.

The awards, which are primarily based upon feedback from Princess’ tour participants, recognize that local excursion providers are a vital part of visitors’ Alaska cruisetour experiences.

“Princess cruisetours take our passengers beyond the coastline into the heart of Alaska to show them the state’s stunning interior as well,” said Charlie Ball, president of Princess Tours. “Local tour operators are an integral part of this cruisetour experience as they provide our passengers with unforgettable Alaskan adventures, so we’re delighted to recognize this season’s winning excursions.”

Part of Princess’ C.R.U.I.S.E. (Courtesy, Respect, Unfailing In Service Excellence) customer service program, the tour operator awards cap off a season-long effort to recognize the role that Alaskan-owned tour partners play in passengers’ cruisetour experiences. Operators of the Land Excursion of the Year receive a plaque and a letter of commendation, an invitation to dinner with company officials and recognition in the next year’s tour brochure.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 14th October 2008.

Star Princess Completes Drydock

Star Princess set sail this weekend after a three-week drydock that dramatically transformed several spaces onboard, including turning the ship’s atrium into a vibrant street café-like piazza, adding the company’s signature adults-only retreat called The Sanctuary, and installing a 300-square-foot Movies Under the Stars poolside screen.

These features, which have been enthusiastically enjoyed by passengers on Princess Cruises’ newest vessels, have inspired an expansion to other ships in the fleet, and Star Princess is the first to be revitalized with these favorite elements.

Star Princess’ updated piazza-style atrium will now feature an array of dining and entertainment opportunities including the specialty coffees, freshly baked goods, paninis, salads and tapas of the International Café. It will also introduce an expanded Vines wine bar concept, which will feature more than 30 wines by the glass, a selection of artisan meats and cheeses, plus a wine shop where passengers can purchase their favorite bottle.

On the top deck of the ship, passengers can now relax in the tranquil environment of The Sanctuary, Princess’ signature adults-only retreat featuring plush padded lounge chairs and the services of dedicated Serenity Stewards. Along with enjoying refreshing beverages and light snacks, visitors to this exclusive space can also receive a massage in one of two private cabanas.

Princess’ trademark Times Square-style Movies Under the Stars poolside screen is now in place and will show a variety of films, concerts and special events daily. And in the evenings it becomes an outdoor theater with specially covered lounge chairs and cozy blankets, where moviegoers can enjoy free popcorn, plus other snacks and beverages.

Additional changes made during the drydock include a new Internet Café and library area, enhancements to the onboard boutiques, the addition of LCD flat screen televisions in all staterooms, and a variety of other cosmetic updates.

Star Princess is the first of three ships to receive these updates. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive similar transformations in subsequent drydocks, in January and April of 2009, respectively. Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess will also receive additional enhancements including a new Crown Grill steak and seafood restaurant, a new casino area and six additional suites.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 13th October 2008.

New Hawaiian Sailings

As Golden Princess begins a new season of sailings to the Hawaiian Islands, Princess Cruises passengers will find themselves immersed in all things Hawai’i, with the culture, traditions, arts and tastes of the island paradise highlighted throughout their cruise.

Whether they’re attending demonstrations by local artisans, learning to play the ukulele, exploring historic attractions, or savoring regional cuisine in the dining room, the ship’s Hawai’i travelers will enjoy the aloha spirit each day.

“Our goal is to captivate our passengers with onboard experiences that capture the heart and soul of Hawai’i,” said Jan Swartz, Princess’ senior vice president. “We want to make sure that our guests go home with a deeper understanding of the islands and the people who live there.”

This year, Princess’ Hawaiian programs are engaging passengers with a variety of cultural presentations and demonstrations, interpretive lectures, folkloric performances, hands-on activities, Hawaiian cuisine, and a number of new Adventures Ashore excursion options throughout the islands. Among these Hawaiian experiences are:

In-Port Guest Artists — A variety of local artisans and performers will come aboard during select island port calls. Passengers will observe the unique expertise needed to create these truly Hawaiian arts, and may learn some craft skills themselves.

Kaua’i: Ni’ihau Shell Artists — The “forbidden” island of Ni’ihau is privately owned and largely closed to the rest of the world. Although outsiders generally cannot visit there, Princess passengers have the unique opportunity to share in the island’s traditional culture when some of Ni’ihau’s skilled artisans come onboard for a special shell lei making demonstration. Following an ancient art form, the native Hawaiian lei makers use tiny and delicate shells found only on the northern coast of Ni’ihau, creating pieces that are highly prized as fine jewelry. In a presentation exclusive to Princess, passengers are invited to meet the artists and watch as they demonstrate the intricate process and share history of the craft. Although these heirloom-quality pieces are not widely available in stores, those who wish to own one of these stunning lei will also have the opportunity to purchase them from the craftswomen while they are onboard in Kaua’i.

Hilo: Selected Artisans — In another presentation unique to Princess, native bone carver Dean Kaahanui comes aboard during some Big Island calls to present a workshop on the history of his craft and demonstrate the art of bone carving. During the workshop, he’ll also explain the inspiration for his work, which is often based on Hawaiian legends. After the demonstration, passengers also have an opportunity to purchase some of Kaahanui’s fine carvings. In Hilo, passengers may also have the opportunity to meet feather lei makers who will teach the ancient art of hulu lei.

Honolulu: Hula Show — Keiki (children) from the award-winning Hâlau Hula Olana, one of the islands’ most respected hula schools, perform onboard during Honolulu calls. These charming young dancers present an entertaining show that highlights the children’s commitment to learning their hâlau’s (school’s) unique hula tradition that has been passed down from generations of kumu (teachers), Hawaiian language and the stories of Hawai’i.

Naturalists and Lecturers — Passengers can also add to their knowledge and appreciation of the islands through a series of special presentations from guest lecturers and naturalists — many from prestigious organizations such as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Park Service. These experts will provide insight on the wonders of the islands, including marine biology, whale migration, volcanoes, the islands’ unusual endemic species, Hawaiian culture and history, and local myths and legends.

Regional Hawaiian Cuisine — Hawai’i’s bountiful fare — including fresh fruits such as pineapples and mangos, unique fish and seafood, luau staples such as roast pig, and treats like coconut and macadamia nuts — star in Princess’ special Hawaiian regional cuisine selections. Princess chefs use the state’s abundance of unique flavors to serve up such dishes as Macadamia and Panko Crusted Mahimahi, Lehua Honey BBQ Pork Spareribs, and Luau Pork with Apricot Drippings. A festive Hawaiian Island Night celebration will also feature a full buffet feast loaded with a rich variety of local taste treats, including pupus, a fresh fruit carving station and tropical-themed desserts.

New Adventures Ashore — Several new shore excursion options debut this season, adding some enticing island activities to Princess’ line-up of nearly 100 Hawai’i tour choices. For those who want to indulge in island flavors, A Gourmet Tour of Volcanoes National Park (Hilo) offers the opportunity to not only enjoy a gourmet picnic lunch at Hawai’i Volcanoes National Park, but also visit a local coffee mill, winery and artisanal candy company — the latter for tastings of fresh macadamia cookies. In Honolulu, passengers can enjoy the romantic Ali’i Dinner Cruise, a sunset sailing on the world’s largest Polynesian catamaran. In addition, Honolulu visitors can choose a new way to see Pearl Harbor with the Mighty Mo and Pacific Aviation Museum tour — featuring the battleship USS Missouri, where Japan surrendered to end World War II. On Maui, passengers can enjoy one of the state’s best snorkeling sites with the Molokini Crater Snorkel Adventure & SNUBA tour.

On Kaua’i, the new Grove Farm and Kauai Plantation Railway tour lets passengers discover the history of the Garden Isle with visits to Grove Farm, a beautifully preserved homestead and sugar plantation, plus ride the narrow gauge railway at Kilohana Plantation through fields of sugar cane, bananas, pineapples, papaya and coffee. Also on Kaua’i, passengers can explore an area usually inaccessible to the public with the Historic Haraguchi Rice Mill and Hanalei Taro Fields tour — featuring Hawaii’s only remaining rice mill and surrounding taro fields. Kaua’i visitors can also enjoy visits to the historic Kilauea Lighthouse and Limahuli Botanical Garden, a lush 17-acre garden complex set in a scenic 900-acre botanical preserve. Finally, passengers can opt for the Ultimate Island Adventure by Private Vehicle, where they can choose to explore Kaua’i’s north or south shore in the comfort of their own VIP luxury vehicle.

Passenger Activities — For passengers who want to immerse themselves further in Hawaiian culture, onboard instructors teach a number of classes throughout the cruise, including the opportunity to learn such local skills as orchid lei making, hula dancing (both traditional and contemporary), sarong tying, Hawaiian language and ukulele playing. Ukulele aficionados can even show off their new skills at the end of the cruise with a passenger talent show.

The Islands on Film and TV — The ship’s movie and television programs will also put passengers in the island mood with Hawaiian topics and stories. Princess partnered with the National Park Service to produce an exclusive video presentation on Hawai‘i Volcanoes National Park that gives passengers a comprehensive preview of this spectacular attraction. Hawaiian-themed films have been added to the ships’ selection of recent Hollywood movies, with classics such as “From Here to Eternity” and documentaries such as “Riding Giants,” profiling the world’s top surfers. In addition, a selection of travel videos and documentaries give passengers a feel for the islands. Among them are a series of National Geographic presentations covering the islands’ unique species, Pearl Harbor and Hawaiian culture, as well as a variety of specials on local-interest topics.

For the 2008-09 season, Golden Princess sails to the Hawaiian Islands on 14 departures. The ship offers 14-day round-trip Hawai’i cruises from Los Angeles that include calls at Hilo, Honolulu, Kaua’i (Nâwiliwili), and Maui. The ship sails between October 1, 2008 and April 1, 2009.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS, or by visiting the company’s website at www.princess.com.

Official Press Release Princess Cruises dated 3rd October 2008.

Next Page »