Princess Cruises recently announced plans to update three of its older ships—the Star Princess, Caribbean Princess and Golden Princess. Each of the ships will enter dry dock for the improvements at some point during the next eight months. Amenity upgrades will include the addition of an adults-only quiet area, poolside movie-screens and restaurant improvements. Started in 1965 on the West Coast with one old ship chartered during the winter months, Princess grew to be a ship-owning firm, was bought out by P&O of London in 1974, then absorbed Sitmar in the late 1980s. An American company became British-owned then added an Italian favor to include ships with Italian officers and maitre d’hotels and Italian menu items. British officers are still in command of some ships and those registered in Hamilton, Bermuda, allow captains to perform marriages.
Fleet
Now part of Carnival Corporation since 2003 the line hasseen the rapid expansion of its fleet, including a dozen mostly large ships andthree moderate-size former Renaissance ships.
Itineraries
Princess blankets the world with ships based in North and South America, Europe and now the western Pacific and Australia.
Dining and Decor
Both traditional fixed sitting dinner and anytime dining areoffered in large low-ceiling spaces with an average continental menu and specialtyItalian and steak restaurants and 24-hour buffets. The décor is hard tocategorize except for the themes rooms such as the somewhat outlandish mixingof the jungle with Egypt and the maritime-oriented Wheelhouse Bars.
Programs.
Lots of onboard activities for adults and children are offered, and some special interest lectures. The line now offers a series of nine Fitness@Sea classes hosted by DVD trainer Gillian Clark on the line’s Wellness channel. As part of the fitness initiative Princess will also offer yoga for kids, ages 3 to 17, and show morning workout videos on the pool deck’s 300-foot screens.
Onboard Experience
While there are some notable bells and whistles on the newerships such as Skywalkers, a lounge cum nightclub cantilevered high over thestern, movies screened outdoors by the pool, themed bar lounges, and a weddingchapel, it’s pretty much middle of the road, which is what most North Americancruisers want. Families are well catered to and Alaska for Princess has provento be a great multigenerational cruise destination.
Competitors
Once a premium line, Princess has devolved into themainstream alongside the other major players such as Carnival, Norwegian CruiseLine and Royal Caribbean.
