Royal Princess

Princess Cruises – birthplace of “Love Boat” fantasies and now among Carnival Corporation’s 13 distinct brands -- offers nearly 150 itineraries calling at some 260 ports worldwide with itineraries from seven to 72 days. Princess’ original parent company, P&O (Peninsular and Oriental Steam Navigation Company), ranks as oldest among the great British shipping concerns, dating to 1822. With decline of trans-ocean crossings after dawn of the jet age, P&O astutely shifted focus toward cruising, acquiring Sitmar Cruises for Princess in 1988. Sitmar’s Italian officers joined forces with P&O's British officers in the expanding Princess fleet. (P&O also ran other cruise interests, combined to form a British-based company listed in 2000 as P&O Princess with the New York and London stock exchanges. Subsequent to Royal Caribbean International’s unsuccessful effort to merge with Princess, parent P&O Princess merged with Carnival Corporation via a dual listed company structure in 2003, forming the world’s largest cruise corporation operating more than 70 vessels. Princess Cruises’ Personal Choice Cruising gives passengers opportunity to customize their cruise experiences with extensive choices in dining, entertainment, amenities and more. By 2006, five more newbuilds will join the Princess fleet for a total of 15 vessels.

Quick View

Christened by Princess Diana, the elegant Royal Princess caused quite a stir upon her 1984 debut and remains one of the most beautiful ships afloat, with all-outside staterooms, a wrap-around promenade deck, and terraced observation areas enhancing seductive itineraries that include the Orient. As a mid-sized ship, she is easily navigated with most public rooms situated on Riviera Deck (Deck 3). Unparalleled in beauty, Asia is rich in culture and history and makes for an extraordinary cruise experience aboard Royal Princess. In late 2004, Royal Princess sails a variety of seductive itineraries covering Beijing, Xian and the Yangtze; the Far East from Bangkok to Osaka, and more. There’s also a 30-day adventure from Bangkok to Cape Town.

About Gratuities
Automatic per person, per day gratuities added to shipboard accounts with Princess Cruises do not apply on Royal Princess, where passengers tip in the traditional manner.

Disabled Access
Ten cabins in various categories are wheelchair accessible.

Ship Features

The elegant Royal Princess, the only ship of its size with all outside staterooms, also has more balconies than any other ship of similar size along with spacious public rooms, and traditional dining along with alternatives. Amenities include four pools including one of the largest lap pools afloat, and two freshwater whirlpools. Also aboard are a lavish casino, charming library, and tubs as well as showers in all baths. With self-service laundries and a cinema for numerous days at sea, the ship lends itself to longer, more exotic itineraries. Royal Princess has an advanced system of engines and generator, and features cutting-edge stabilization, communications, and navigation systems. The founding core between fore and aft bulkheads runs through the ship in a revolutionary design that allows for maintenance without disturbing passengers. Carpets and wall coverings are mostly in muted pastels and neutrals providing a soothing, refined backdrop for pleasant days and spirited evenings aboard.

Staterooms
Among 600 outside cabins are 152 have private balconies. The 52 mini-suites have a sitting area and balcony, while 12 suites have a separate sitting room and bedroom plus balcony. A pair of deluxe suites have separate sitting and dining rooms, Jacuzzi tub, queen-sized bed and large balcony.

Stateroom amenities
Each stateroom has TV with CNN, ESPN and other favorites along with local channels, phone, refrigerator, personal safe, hair dryer, robes, and bathtub with showers. Some cabins have obstructed views.

Kid & Teen Stuff
Longer, more exotic itineraries tend to attract adults traveling sans children, and no dedicated teen or children’s facilities are aboard to risk standing empty. Children’s counselors are aboard when several youngsters are booked to sail, typically during holidays.

Cruises Specials

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Life Aboard

Dining
The 600-seat Continental Dining room has breakfast, lunch and dinner in two seatings, each announced with a traditional dinner gong. Pastel wall murals and pleasant lighting reflect newer vessels in the Princess fleet. The indoor/outdoor Lido Café serves breakfast and lunch buffets, afternoon snacks and has 24 hour tea/coffee available. By night it transforms into the Pizzeria, with personal pies made to order, and the Bistro, with steak, seafood and chef’s special alternative dining. Tipping is an individual option.

Sports / Health / Fitness
The Lotus Spa and gym are on Sun Deck where fitness experts conduct daily classes and seminars. Aqua aerobics, energizing and relaxation classes include Pilates, Yoga and meditation. The glass enclosed gym offers a great view while working up a sweat on tread mills, weight machines, bicycles and step machines. Lotus Spa includes an indoor Jacuzzi and two saunas. Massage, facial, wrap and de-stress treatments take place here while the Plaza Deck salon handles hair and beauty treatments. A golf driving range, Ping-Pong and shuffleboard are on Caribe and Baja decks.

Entertainment
International Lounge has production shows with plenty of razzle- dazzle. Small ensembles perform evenings in the sophisticated Riviera Lounge. Horizon Lounge becomes a late-night disco with karaoke some evenings. The 150-seat Princess Theater shows first-run movies several times a day. Cruise staffers run putting contests and dance classes. The 66-seat Bridge Lounge is a card and game magnet.

Casino
A lavishly decorated Crown Casino has more than 100 slots, plus roulette, black jack, craps and other games of chance.

Bars
The 151-seat Princess Court piano lounge tends to be a circular center of social action. The Sun Deck Bar is next to the lap pool and the Lido Bar is next to the other pools and outdoor hot spa.