Princess Cruises to deploy more ships in Europe during 2011

Princess Cruises plans it biggest programme of Mediterranean and Scandinavian cruises in 2011.

Seven ships will offer 106 departures on 42 itineraries, including seven new ones.

The US line is introducing a wider choice of UK departures as well as more Mediterranean fly-cruises.

The 2,600-passenger Grand Princess will return to Southampton next year with new itineraries as well as a three-night weekend sampler.

In addition to popular 14-night Mediterranean cruises and seven-night breaks, Grand Princess will sail two 17-night cruises from the UK to the central Med, including Venice, an 11-night cruise to the Canary Islands and Madeira, and a 14-night itinerary to Norway and Spitsbergen.

The 3,100- passenger Crown Princess will also return to Southampton in 2011 with nine departures including 12-night Iceland and Norway cruises, plus two new seven-night sailings to the Norwegian Fjords.

Princess Cruises is doubling capacity on its 12-night Grand Mediterranean and Greek Isles cruises by positioning the Star Princess alongside the Ruby Princess in 2011.

The line will be providing same-day flights for the Mediterranean cruises from London, Manchester and Scotland.

A new 11-night itinerary in the Baltic Sea will see 3,100-passenger Emerald Princess sailing from Copenhagen, including a two-day visit to St. Petersburg in Russia.

Princess Cruises is positioning two boutique ships in Europe in 2011, including new departures from the UK.

Ocean Princess will sail from Dover with an 18-night cruise to Spitsbergen and Murmansk (Russia), a new seven-night Norwegian fjords cruise and 18 or 36-night options to cruise to Greenland and New York.

The ship will also operate seven and 14-night fly-cruise options to less-frequented ports in the Mediterranean.

Sister ship Pacific Princess will be sailing 12-night fly-cruises to the Holy Land and the Black Sea.

Head of brand marketing Pieter van der Schee said: “After ten years of above-market level growth, Princess Cruises is set for further growth in the UK in 2011 with our biggest ever Mediterranean and Scandinavian programme.

“With seven ships, we can offer a wide range of itineraries for seasoned cruisers as well as newcomers.”

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