The Crown Princess, the newest ship in Princess Cruises´ fleet, arrived in New York June 8 to begin its inaugural schedule. After a two-day “cruise to nowhere” on June 11, the ship returned to New York for a festive send-off June 14.
Festivities started with Martha Stewart, the ship´s godmother, christening the ship during its naming ceremony, after which American Idol finalist Katharine McPhee performed the national anthem.
With 160,000 gross tons and hosting 3,634 guests double occupancy, the Freedom of the Seas is the largest cruise ship in the world, and its first-ever call to Montego Bay brought on a world-class celebration.
A command performance by Grammy Award winner Shaggy, as well as complimentary Jablum Blue Mountain Coffee and Appleton Rum, were some of the treats served up to passenger dockside.
Following an announcement in April that it will homeport a ship at an unspecified port in the Dominican Republic, Royal Caribbean International has revealed that it will sail the Legend of the Seas out of Santo Domingo, the Dominican Republic, beginning December 16.
The Legend will sail out of Santo Domingo through spring 2008, offering alternating eight-day itineraries that can be combined for a 16-day vacation.
More passengers than ever will have the opportunity to view the stunning autumn colors from a Princess ship next year as the line will offer nearly 20 percent more berths on this popular annual route.
Crown Princess makes her Canada/New England debut in the region and will be joined by Grand Princess, marking the first time that two of the line´s largest, amenity-filled vessels will sail the northeast coast.
Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. has announced its intention to engage in a number of financial transactions.
The Company expects to call for redemption all of its outstanding Liquid Yield Option Notes due 2021 (“LYONS”). Because these notes are currently “out-of-the-money”, the Company expects that the LYONS will be redeemed at their accreted principal amount which, based on today´s value, approximates $543 million.
The Carnival Glory recently began a new four-port, seven-day itinerary, part of the ship´s alternating week-long eastern and western Caribbean cruise schedule from Port Canaveral, Florida.
The Glory´s western Caribbean cruises features extended day-long visits to four tropical destinations –Cozumel and Costa Maya in Mexico, Nassau in the Bahamas, and Belize City, Belize. The ship´s western route previously called in Key West, Fla., Belize and Costa Maya.