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Princess Cruises’ Next Ship to be Based in China Year Round

CarnivalCorporation & plc, the largest cruise company in the world, has announcedthat the new ship currently under construction for Princess Cruises will bebased in China year-round when introduced in mid-2017. Based in Shanghai,the ship will be the first year-round international luxury vessel designed andbuilt specifically for Chinese guests. <?xml:namespace prefix="o" ns="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office"?>

Theas-yet-unnamed ship is being built at the Fincantieri shipyard in Italy, andwill carry approximately 3600 guests on a variety of itineraries, to beannounced at a later date. Based on the design of its highly-acclaimed ships RoyalPrincess and Regal Princess, the new vessel will feature a number ofnew innovations customised for the growing number of Chinese cruise travellers.

“Deployingour next new ship in China underscores our strong commitment to growing theChina cruise market and providing discerning travellers with amazing holidayexperiences at sea,” said Jan Swartz, president of Princess Cruises.

Princessships began homeport cruising in China just last year, with a successfulinaugural season of Shanghai-based cruises aboard Sapphire Princess.Sapphire Princess is returning for a second China season which begins on June 4and runs through October 2015.

Princess’new ship will be based on the design of the company’s new Royal Princessand Regal Princess, which have been enthusiastically received by guestsfrom all over the world for their luxurious and beautifully-designed spaces,array of entertainment and activity options, and multiple culinary venues.

The new shipwill share many of these special features which include a dramatic multi-storeyatrium serving as the social hub of the ship, an over-the-ocean SeaWalk, atop-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 8.5 metres beyond the edge ofthe ship; the Princess Live! interactive studio; the largest pastry shop atsea; a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surroundsdiners in a curtain of light; Princess Watercolour Fantasy, a fountain andmusic show; Movies Under the Stars featuring the largest outdoor screen at sea;and balconies on all outside staterooms. Accommodations will be configured toappeal to families and multi-generational travellers.

In addition,the new ship will showcase the exclusive Princess Class experience designedspecifically for the Chinese market that the company introduced during itsfirst season. Delivered by the ship’s dedicated and caring crew, Princess Classenriches the travel experience of each cruise guest, enabling them toparticipate in unique cultural, culinary, entertaining and inspiring programsincluding the World Leaders Dinner, traditional English afternoon tea, aLobster Grill, Ultimate Balcony Dining, an ocean-view hot pot dinner option,ballroom dancing, and an unparalleled duty-free shopping experience.

Additionallyguests will enjoy the international flavour of cruising with Princess,including experiencing cuisines from China, Japan, Italy, France, and North andSouth America among other regions; as well as an array of internationalfestivals re-created to celebrate cultures around the world.

“And as thisship is still in the design phase we are looking forward to creating other newand exciting venues and experiences catering to the Chinese traveller, which wewill reveal in the coming months,” Ms Swartz said.

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