World's 2 Largest Sapphires Come Together!

Hi Everyone,

I received this press release from Princess and thought it would be of
interest. If you have missed any of my news' postings, they are
available on my web site.

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Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
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World's Two Largest Sapphires Come Together in the Emerald City

New Sapphire Princess to Showcase Biggest Sapphire During Historic
Cruise Ship Naming Celebration in Seattle

The 61,500 Carat 'Millennium Sapphire' Will Make West Coast Debut
Onboard Newest Princess Ship as Vessel Becomes First Cruise Ship to Be
Named in Seattle


SANTA CLARITA, Calif., May 28
The largest natural blue sapphire will be showcased in Seattle as part
of the festivities surrounding the launch of Princess Cruises' newest
ship, Sapphire Princess. The 28-pound, football-sized Millennium
Sapphire, which has only been seen by a select few since its 1995
discovery in Madagascar, will be displayed on the ship for guests
aboard Sapphire Princess' June 10th naming celebration. The
116,000-ton vessel, the first-ever cruise ship to be christened in
Seattle, is the last in an unprecedented series of three ships
launched by the line since February, and will be home-ported in
Seattle for the summer.
"What more fitting way of welcoming our new Sapphire Princess than by
paying tribute to its name with the west coast debut of this
incredible gemstone," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess
Cruises. "After we learned of its existence we were delighted we could
present the Millennium Sapphire in our celebrations, which include the
historic naming of a cruise ship in Seattle."

The 61,500-carat Millennium Sapphire holds the Guinness Book of World
Records as the world's largest carved sapphire. The sapphire, which
was discovered a decade ago on the island off the African southeastern
coast, originally tipped the scales at 89,850 carats, making worldwide
gem news when it was certified. The sapphire's consortium of owners
decided not to break up the remarkable gemstone, but rather to
commission master gem carvers to create and pay tribute to humanity's
greatest examples of ingenuity and accomplishment, through a series of
134 elaborate surface carvings. Award-winning Italian artist Alessio
Boschi was commissioned to design the artwork and oversee the carving
process. Among the intricate carvings on the Millennium Sapphire are
images of human achievement ranging from ancient wonders like the
pyramids of Giza to modern day accomplishments such as Neil Armstrong
landing on the moon. The carving was completed in 2000 and the
resulting piece, aptly known as the Millennium Sapphire, has made only
a handful of public appearances. A hybrid of gemstone and incredible
work of art, worth tens of millions of dollars, the Millennium
Sapphire is considered by both art and gem experts as a unique and
invaluable "one of a kind" historical and international treasure.

The Millennium Sapphire will be displayed for guests invited to
Sapphire Princess during pre-inaugural cruise celebrations. The ship
will be named on June 10th by Nancy Gore Murkowski, the First Lady of
Alaska, paying tribute to Princess' long relationship with the 49th
state.

The 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess will join sister vessel Diamond
Princess in Seattle for a summer season of seven day round trip Inside
Passage sailings with calls in Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway and glacier
cruising in Tracy Arm, plus a stop in Victoria, B.C. Sapphire Princess
combines signature Princess features -- such as abundant balcony
cabins (a total of 750), intimate public rooms, and a plethora of
entertainment venues -- with unique, new concepts, including four
themed personal choice dining room options, a new Princess Concierge
Service, the largest Internet Cafi at sea, and a brand-new
Princess-operated Lotus Spa.

One of the best-known names in North American cruising, Princess
Cruises is a global cruise and tour company. Part of Carnival
Corporation & plc (NYSE: CCL, CUK), its current fleet of 14 ships sail
on approximately 150 different itineraries around the globe, calling
at more than 260 ports on all seven continents. Additional information
is available through a professional travel agent.

Princess Cruises is a proud member of World's Leading Cruise Lines.
Our exclusive alliance also includes Carnival Cruise Lines, Holland
America, Cunard Line, Costa Cruises, Windstar Cruises and The Yachts
of Seabourn. Sharing a passion to please each guest, and a commitment
to quality and value, our member lines appeal to a wide range of
lifestyles and budgets. Together we offer exciting and enriching
cruise vacations to the world's most desirable destinations.