Santa Clarita, CA (March 9, 2006) -- Princess Cruises today announced that it will expand its fleet with a sister vessel to the line's popular Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess. The 680-passenger ship will be named Royal Princess, taking the name of a much-beloved Princess ship which had long been cruising in Europe and other exotic worldwide destinations. Its new successor will take over a similar deployment when she enters service in spring 2007.
The 30,000-ton ship originally entered service in 2001 as a Renaissance vessel (named R8) and is currently cruising as Swan Hellenic's Minerva II. Royal Princess will join its sisters Tahitian Princess and Pacific Princess to give passengers a cruising environment with all the hallmarks of choice for which Princess is known, including a variety of dining and entertainment options and a large number of cabins with private balconies.

"We're delighted to welcome the new Royal Princess to our fleet," said Alan Buckelew, the company's president. "The Princess cruise experience is all about choice, and we're sure this new ship addition will please our passengers who enjoy traveling aboard a smaller vessel to exotic destinations. We're expecting that this ship will rapidly achieve the same loyal passenger following as her sisters Pacific and Tahitian."

Buckelew added that the company's smaller ships nicely complement its fleet of larger vessels, furthering Princess' commitment to providing passengers with exotic itineraries and providing a "boutique version" of the company's Personal Choice Cruising program. This includes a variety of dining experiences such as a 24-hour Lido café and alternative dining venues, and nearly three-quarters of all cabins featuring private balconies.

The ship will begin sailing for Princess in April 2007 after a two week dry dock to make some interior modifications. Her first itineraries will be in Europe with 12-day sailings in the Mediterranean, Holy Land and Black Sea, and details of these cruises will be announced shortly.

"With the addition of Royal Princess, this further modernizes the Princess fleet, which is already one of the youngest in the industry," added Buckelew. "In 2007 our average ship age will be just under six years, and we know that our passengers appreciate the features and amenities we can offer with newer ships."

I don't see Princess building anything revolutinary in the next couple of years and if they do, they will be huge. I don't want to see a huge, crowded ship with the Royal name.

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Originally posted by Rex:
What ship will Swan Hellenic get to replace her? Will they get the original Minerva back?

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Oceania: No setback to expansion plans
March 9, 2006

When Oceania Cruises inaugurated its third R-class ship last November, president and ceo Frank Del Rio announced the company was in advanced negotiations to acquire a sister vessel that would be called Marina.

‘It might be R Three, Pacific Princess. It might not be,’ Del Rio had said in response to travel agents’ speculation. ‘We are in discussions with all parties.’

The news that Princess Cruises will bolster its fleet with a third R ship when it takes over the Minerva II (R Eight) in 2007 raises the question: Have Oceania’s plans suffered a setback?

No, according to company spokesman Tim Rubacky. ‘Princess’s acquisition of the R Eight does not change our expansion plans,’ he told Seatrade Insider. ‘We’re reserving comment on the plans until we’re ready to release full details so as to maximize the impact.’

Seatrade Insider

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But why not - being from Austria I see a possibility for a 'Marie Antoinette' Viennese coffee house with nice cakes for those who could not find a seat in the main restaurant.

[ 03-09-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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Originally posted by Ernst:
An efficient way to offend the republic of France and the heritage of the beautiful french ships at the same time.

But why not - being from Austria I see a possibility for a 'Marie Antoinette' Viennese coffee house with nice cakes for those who could not find a seat in the main restaurant.

[ 03-09-2006: Message edited by: Ernst ]

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It may offend the French, but it would be their fault. They deserted the France, and now anything to save her will do, even French Princess, Marie Antoinette coffee house and all.

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Originally posted by Coral:

That seems to be the magic question at the moment. That and what ship is Oceania buying?

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Originally posted by J.S.S.Normandie:

It may offend the French, but it would be their fault. They deserted the France, and now anything to save her will do, even French Princess, Marie Antoinette coffee house and all.

P.S. Ernst, that was hysterical.

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It become quit borring youre fettisch with the France. And it's not even fun altogether.