Sailings Begin in Summer 2017 from Shanghai
Ship is First Year-Round International Luxury Vessel Designed
for Chinese Traveler
SANTA CLARITA, Calif.,
May 5, 2015 /PRNewswire/
-- Carnival Corporation & plc, the largest cruise company
in the world, announced that the new ship currently under
construction for Princess Cruises will be based in China year-round when introduced in summer
2017. Based in Shanghai, the ship
will be the first year-round international luxury vessel designed
and built specifically for Chinese guests.
The as-yet-unnamed ship is being built at the Fincantieri
shipyard in Italy, and will carry
approximately 3,600 guests on a variety of itineraries, to be
announced at a later date. Based on the design of its
highly-acclaimed ships Royal Princess and Regal
Princess, the new vessel will feature a number of new
innovations customized for the growing number of Chinese cruise
vacationers.
"Deploying our next new ship in China underscores our strong commitment to
growing the China cruise market
and providing discerning travelers with amazing vacation
experiences at sea," said Jan
Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.
Princess ships began homeport cruising in China just last year, with a successful
inaugural season of Shanghai-based
cruises aboard Sapphire Princess. This ship returns for a
second China season which begins
on June 4 and runs through
October 2015.
The ship will be based on the design of the company's new
Royal Princess and Regal Princess which have been
enthusiastically received by guests from all over the world for
their luxurious and beautifully-designed spaces, array of
entertainment and activity options, and multiple culinary
venues.
The new ship will share many of these special features which
include a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of
the ship; an over-the-ocean SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed
walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; the Princess
Live! interactive studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special
Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds
diners in a curtain of light; Princess Watercolor Fantasy, a
fountain and music show; Movies Under the Stars featuring the
largest outdoor screen at sea; and balconies on all outside
staterooms. Accommodations will be configured to appeal to families
and multi-generational travelers.
In addition, the new ship will showcase the exclusive
Princess Class experience designed
specifically for the Chinese market that the company introduced
during its first season. Delivered by the ship's dedicated and
caring crew, Princess Class enriches
the travel experience of each cruise guest, enabling them to
participate in unique cultural, culinary, entertaining and
inspiring programs including the World Leaders Dinner, traditional
English afternoon tea, a Lobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, an
ocean-view hot pot dinner option, ballroom dancing, and an
unparalleled duty-free shopping experience.
Additionally guests will enjoy the international flavor of
cruising with Princess, including experiencing cuisines from
China, Japan, Italy,
France, and North and South America among other regions; as well as
an array of international festivals re-created to celebrate
cultures around the world.
"And as this ship is still in the design phase we are looking
forward to creating other new and exciting venues and experiences
catering to the Chinese vacationer, which we will reveal in the
coming months," Swartz added.
Further information about Princess Cruises is available by
visiting www.princesschina.com.
About Princess Cruises:
One of the best-known names in
cruising, Princess Cruises is a global cruise line and tour company
operating a fleet of 18 modern cruise ships renowned for their
innovative design and wide array of choices in dining,
entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of
exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide
cruising, Princess carries 1.7 million guests each year to
destinations around the globe ranging in length from three to 114
days. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc
(NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK).
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SOURCE Princess Cruises