Princess Cruises once again spans the globe in 2010-11 with a new season of worldwide cruising to all seven continents. With the new program, passengers will be able to explore the charm of the South Pacific with an extended program on sailings to the romantic isles of Tahiti and French Polynesia, or enjoy a number of new routes in Australia, China, the Indian Ocean, Middle East, and a new world cruise itinerary. In addition, world explorers can take in the spectacular scenery of South America and Antarctica, or the jungles of the Amazon River.
In total, eight ships will sail to Africa, Asia, Australia & New Zealand, Hawaii, Tahiti & South Pacific, India and South America.
Diamond Princess returns to Australia and Asia and features a new Australia & China itinerary sailing from Sydney to Beijing. The intimate Ocean Princess also sails throughout Asia with some intriguing longer routes, including a new holiday sailing from Singapore to Bangkok, and the opportunity to travel to India and Africa. Star Princess explores South America featuring a new holiday voyage to Antarctica sailing from Rio de Janeiro, while the intimate Pacific Princess explores the vastness of the Amazon River. Royal Princess offers more Tahiti and Hawaii sailings while Golden Princess explores the Hawaiian Islands from Los Angeles. For world travelers, Pacific Princess offers a new 107-day world cruise route featuring Western Australia and Cape Town via West Africa. Dawn Princess and Sun Princess continue year-round Australia-based cruising throughout the region.
Travelers will also have six new ports to explore, including Maputo, the capital of Mozambique; Toulon in the south of France providing access to charming Provence; Jeddah in Saudi Arabia; Abu Dhabi, the capital of the United Arab Emirates (UAE); Manila, the heart of the Philippines; and Xiamen, a charming Chinese seaport.
“Our decades of experience enabled us to design the very best ways to see these exotic destinations, whether passengers are exploring a new continent for the first time or are returning to delve deeper into the local culture.” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president.
Princess’ 2010-11 worldwide cruise program includes:
Royal Princess to Tahiti and Hawaii – Royal Princess will offer an extended seven-month season sailing among the islands of the South Pacific tropical paradise. The ship will sail on 13 cruises on a 10-day Tahiti & Polynesia itinerary featuring Princess’ two-day experience in Bora Bora, an overnight stay in Tahiti (Papeete) and calls at Huahine, Rangiroa, Raiatea, and Moorea. The ship also sails on eight 12-day Hawaii & Tahiti voyages between Honolulu and Tahiti (Papeete), calling at Moorea, Raiatea, Bora Bora, Hilo, Maui (Lahaina), and Kauai (Nawiliwili). In addition, passengers can enjoy sailing the Pacific between Vancouver and Honolulu (or extend to Tahiti) on two 10-day journeys to Hilo, Kona, Maui (Lahaina), and Kauai (Nawiliwili). Royal Princess will sail in the region from September 14, 2010 to May 8, 2011.
Diamond Princess in Asia and Australia/New Zealand – Diamond Princess sails to Asia as well as Australia & New Zealand, with a variety of itineraries including a new 23-day Australia & China route from Sydney to Beijing. Other options include seven cruises on a 16-day Southeast Asia & China itinerary between Beijing and Bangkok (or Singapore), four departures on the favorite 12-day Australia & New Zealand cruise between Sydney and Auckland, a 17-day Eastern Australia & Asia cruise from Bangkok to Sydney, and two Alaska & Far East cruises between Anchorage and Beijing to begin and end the season. Diamond Princess sails from September 11, 2010 through May 6, 2011.
Ocean Princess Sailings to Asia, India and Africa – Ocean Princess offers the small-ship experience on a series of voyages throughout Asia, including new itineraries such as a 16-day South China Sea holiday sailing, a series of four 12-day China & Japan Explorer sailings now between Shanghai and Osaka, and a 39-day Indian Ocean and Middle East journey from Singapore to London (Dover). The ship will also offer a 31-day Africa, India and Southeast Asia voyage from Cape Town to Singapore with additional cruise options with up to 56 days to explore this destination. Sailings depart between October 27, 2010 and April 29, 2011.
Star Princess to South America and Antarctica – Star Princess offers a variety of South America journeys, including sailings around Cape Horn (between Santiago and Rio de Janeiro or Buenos Aires) and two Antarctica adventures. Among the options are a new 20-day Antarctica & South America Adventure from Rio to Buenos Aires, as well as a 16-day Antarctica journey roundtrip from Buenos Aires. The ship also sails on four 14-day Route to Rio sailings between Santiago and Rio de Janeiro, one 12-day Cape Horn & Strait of Magellan sailing from Buenos Aires to Santiago and a 16-day Andes & South America sailing from Santiago to San Francisco. Star Princess’ South America season runs from December 20, 2010 to April 3, 2011.
Pacific Princess through the Amazon – Pacific Princess will offer two sailings on a 14-day Amazon River adventure between Ft. Lauderdale and Manaus, Brazil. The ship will visit St. Thomas (or St. Maarten), St. Lucia, Tobago, Devil’s Island (Île Royale), and the Amazon ports of Santarém, Boca da Valéria, and Parintins plus an overnight visit to Manaus. Pacific Princess sails on December 22, 2010 and January 5, 2011.
Golden Princess to Hawaii – Golden Princess again sails on Princess’ popular Hawaii route, offering convenient 14-day roundtrip sailings from the port of Los Angeles. The itinerary features visits to the Big Island (Hilo), Honolulu, Kauai (Nawiliwili), and Maui (Lahaina). Golden Princess will sail on 16 departures between September 29, 2010 through April 27, 2011.
Pacific Princess World Cruise – Pacific Princess spans the globe with a new 107-day journey that features travel through Western Australia and around the southernmost tip of Africa, visiting some of the most dramatic locations on the globe as it sails between Fort Lauderdale and Rome. Calls include Grand Cayman, Panama Canal Transit, Quito (Manta), Lima (Callao – for Machu Picchu Overland Excursion), Easter Island, Pitcairn Island scenic cruising, Tahiti (Papeete), Moorea, Auckland, the two-day Sydney Experience (includes two full days & overnight), Burnie (Tasmania), Adelaide (for Ayres Rock Overland Excursion), Bunbury, Perth (Fremantle), Bali (Padang Bay), Bangkok (Laem Chabang – for Angkor Wat Overland Excursion), Ko Samui, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur (Port Kelang), Andaman Islands (Port Blair), Cochin (for Taj Mahal Overland Excursion), Mumbai, Muscat (Mina Qaboos), Dubai, Seychelles (Port Victoria), Maputo (Mozambique), Durban, East London, two-day Cape Town Experience (includes two full days & overnight), Lüdertiz (Namibia), Walvis Bay (Namibia), Lomé (Togo), Tema (Ghana – for Accra), Dakar (Senegal), Madeira (Funchal), Casablanca (for Marrakech), Gibraltar, Barcelona, Toulon (for Provence), Monte Carlo and Portofino. This world cruise departs on January 19, 2011 with segments of 19 to 33 days available for explorers who’d like a shorter voyage.
Sun Princess and Dawn Princess Australia Departures – Both Sun Princess and Dawn Princess will offer a selection of sailings departing from Sydney and Melbourne, featuring Australian-style cruising. Itineraries include voyages to New Zealand, Tasmania, New Caledonia & Vanuatu, and Round Australia sailings that circumnavigate the continent. Sun Princess will also sail on a 42-day journey to China & Japan roundtrip from Sydney and Dawn Princess offers a 35-day Hawaii, Tahiti and South Pacific voyage. The season’s sailings depart between September 3, 2010 and April 3, 2011.
A variety of cruisetour packages are available in Australia, Asia and South America, offering cruise passengers the opportunity to add to their vacation with such wonders as the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors, Angkor Wat, Ayers Rock, the Great Barrier Reef, Australia’s Kakadu National Park, Iguazu Falls and Machu Picchu.
Exotic cruises are available for booking on May 21, 2009. Launch Fares for seven-day sailings start at $945 per person, based on double occupancy. Past Princess passengers are eligible for up to $100 in Captain’s Circle Launch Savings on bookings made by December 31, 2009.
