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Princess expands in Europe for 2011
Monday, 11 Mar, 2010
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A doubling in 12-night Mediterranean fly-cruise capacity has been unveiled by Princess Cruises for next year.
Star Princess will operate 12-night Med and Greek Islands fly-cruises alongside Ruby Princess in 2011.
Same-day flights will be offered for the Mediterranean cruises from London, Manchester and Scotland.
Cruise-only options will enable agents to provide pre or post-cruise land stays to clients looking for full 14-night holidays. The line is also working with tour operators to incorporate the cruises within flexible holiday packages.
Seven ships will offer 106 departures on 42 itineraries, including seven new ones, compared with six ships in Europe this summer.
Prices are due to be released tomorrow (Friday).
The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will return to Southampton next year with new itineraries as well as a three-night weekend break.
In addition to 14-night Mediterranean cruises and seven-night breaks, Grand Princess will sail two 17-night cruises from the UK to the central Med, including Venice and the Adriatic, an 11-night cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira, and a 14-night itinerary to Norway and Spitsbergen.
The 3,100-passenger Crown Princess also returns to Southampton with nine departures including 12-night Iceland and Norway cruises. Two new seven-night sailings to the Norwegian fjords have been added.
The company is positioning two smaller ships in Europe in 2011, including new departures from the UK.
Ocean Princess will sail from Dover with an 18-night cruise to Spitsbergen and Murmansk (Russia), a new seven-night Norwegian fjords cruise and 18 or 36-night options to Greenland and New York.
The ship will also run seven and 14-night fly-cruises to less-frequented ports in the Mediterranean.
Sister ship Pacific Princess will run 12-night fly-cruises in the eastern Med to destinations such as the Holy Land and the Black Sea.
A new 11-night itinerary in the Baltic Sea will see 3,100-passenger Emerald Princess sailing from Copenhagen, including a two-day visit to St. Petersburg in Russia.
Head of brand marketing Pieter van der Schee said the line was responding to increasing demand from passengers for more independent travel through the increased 12-night Med capacity and range of flight options.
"After ten years of above-market level growth, Princess Cruises is set for further growth in the UK in 2011 with our biggest ever Mediterranean and Scandinavian programme," he said.
“With seven ships, we can offer a wide range of itineraries for seasoned cruisers as well as newcomers.”
by Phil Davies
Phil Davies
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