Princess Cruise Lines History
It’s hard to believe that the empire, that is today’s Princess Cruises, launched way back in 1965 by company founder Stanley B. McDonald. McDonald chartered the cruise ship, Princess Patricia, forming Princess Cruises with the first winter season of Mexico cruises starting in November 1966. In 1967, Princess Patricia was returned to its owners and in 1968, Princess Italia (one of the worlds first modern ships built specifically for cruising) was chartered for Panama Canal cruises.
Over the next several decades Princess Tours was founded, Princess Cruises Pacific Princess was featured as a backdrop for “The Love Boat,� TV series, which made her one of the most recognized cruise ships in the world and the company continued to evolve and grow. In 2003, Princess Cruises was purchased by Carnival Corporation & PLC and began operations as a separate brand within Carnival. Carnival Corporation is currently the world’s largest cruise operator.
Princes Cruises Ships
Princess cruise ships are considered some of the most luxurious vessels in the cruise industry featuring ships that appeal to the traveler looking for an intimate atmosphere or those looking for more people to mingle with. Princess Cruises fleet of 17 ships include: Caribbean Princess, Coral Princess, Crown Princess, Dawn Princess, Diamond Princess, Emerald Princess, Golden Princess, Grand Princess, Island Princess, Pacific Princess, Royal Princess, *Ruby Princess, Sapphire Princess, Sea Princess, Star Princess, Sun Princess, and Tahitian Princess.
With room for 3,100 passengers and 900 balcony staterooms, Princess Cruises’ largest ship is the Caribbean Princess. Caribbean Princess sails to Princess Cruises’ many exciting destinations ranging from Alaska, Asia, and Australia to Europe, Hawaii, and Tahiti. Of course, Caribbean Princess also sails to the Caribbean, as well as Canada, New England, the Mexican Riviera, and South America.
Island Princess falls somewhere in the mid-range on the size scale with room for 1,970-passengers with 90% ocean view staterooms, and more than 700 balconies
The 670-passenger Pacific Princess and the 670-passenger Tahitian Princess are two of Princess Cruises’ smaller ships. Both ships offer a peaceful, small ship environment with big ship amenities. Each vessel features more than 200 balcony staterooms. The Pacific Princess frequents Alaska, Asia/Orient, India/Asia, and Tahiti and Hawaii, while Tahitian Princess will take you to Tahiti, and Hawaii as well, and Polynesia.
*Princess Cruises’ Ruby Princess will make her debut in 2008 and features around 900 staterooms – all with private balconies.
Princess Cruises Destinations and Ports of Call
Princess Cruises sails to a wide variety of destinations across the globe, with hundreds of exciting ports of call on the menu. Princess Cruises sails to Alaska, Australia & New Zealand, Canada & New England, the Caribbean, Europe, Hawaii & Tahiti, the Mexican Riviera, the Panama Canal, and South America. Ports of call depend on the destination, but expect to visit off-the-beaten path ports such as Dominica and Roatan, Honduras, as well as historic ports such as Alexandria, Egypt; Santorini, Greece; Naples/Capri, Italy, and Cartagena, Spain.
To book a cruise on any of Princess Cruises ships, you can contact the cruise line directly at 1-800-PRINCESS. You can also book online at www.princess.com or contact your local cruise travel agent.