Princess Crowns a New Ship!

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.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Princess Cruises to Crown a new Ship

Crown Princess, Debuting in 2006, is Name of Sister Ship to Caribbean
Princess
Innovative Vessel Will Feature new Dining Opportunities and Design
Features

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Dec. 6
Reprising the name of a former Princess ship, the line will name the
next new vessel to join its fleet Crown Princess. A sister ship to the
highly praised Caribbean Princess, it will debut in May 2006. Like her
sibling, Crown Princess will also offer a year-round Caribbean
deployment.

But Crown Princess will not be an identical twin. Similar to Caribbean
Princess, Crown Princess will feature a number of innovations designed
for cruising in the balmy Caribbean waters, but the ship will also
offer a number of new design evolutions to create additional options
for passengers, including a piazza-style atrium, even more dining
venues and redesigned public spaces.

New choices include several new eateries -- an International Cafe,
Wine and Seafood Bar, pub fare in the Wheelhouse Bar, and a Steak and
Seafood House
-- as well as a redesigned Skywalkers nightclub and larger space on
the top
deck for the line's trademark Italian trattoria, Sabatini's.

Among the ship's signature spaces will be the ship's atrium area,
which will take on a new flare and offer some tasty added options with
an open piazza-style design. Within this street cafe environment,
passengers will find a new International Cafe serving up fresh
pastries and baked goods in the morning and assorted other offerings
throughout the day, as well as a wine and seafood bar to tempt
passengers with an assortment of fine wine and a bar featuring chilled
seafood "cocktails." The ship's Internet Cafe will be housed in the
atrium as well as the Travel Cafe -- a place to plan future travels.

The 113,000-ton ship takes over the name of a Princess vessel that
left the fleet in 2002. The original Crown Princess, which debuted in
1990, was the first ship built for Princess by the Fincantieri
shipyard in Italy, and construction of her successor ship is soon to
be underway at the same yard. The first Crown Princess became the
A'Rosa Blu for sister company Aida Cruises, a brand serving the German
market.

"Crown Princess is clearly the perfect name for a Princess ship, and
this seemed like the appropriate opportunity to bring this moniker
back into our fleet," said Jan Swartz, Princess' senior vice president
of customer service and sales. "More importantly, her debut will
further our growth in the region and our goal of providing one of the
best cruise experiences in the Caribbean."

Crown Princess' public areas on decks six and seven will also offer
new or redesigned spaces. Meeting planners will appreciate the new
conference center, available to the many onboard groups. The ship's
casino will now feature a private cocktail lounge for those who want
to indulge in cigars and spirits. Princess' signature Wheelhouse bar
will be expanded and moved forward (as on Diamond Princess), offering
a club-like atmosphere with the addition of a menu of traditional pub
fare and draft ale. The line's popular martini bar, Crooners will move
its menu of 50 specialty martinis to an intimate location on the port
side of the vessel.

An evolution from previous ships' Sterling Steakhouse concept, a new
Steak and Seafood house will move into the area traditionally held by
Sabatini's and the Wheelhouse Bar. This showplace eatery will feature
an open, theater-style kitchen where chefs will custom-prepare steamed
shellfish -- such as lobster, scallops, clams and mussels -- and
cooked-to-order steaks and chops. Passengers can choose to sit at the
kitchen's eat-up counter and watch the show as they dine. Larger than
the Sterling Steakhouse venues, this 180-seat restaurant will feature
the privacy of booths as well as tables and counter seating.

Up on the top decks other changes are afoot. The ship's profile will
more resemble that of Diamond Princess with the signature Skywalkers
nightclub moved forward towards the ship's funnel. A sports court will
crown the top of this trademark disco and observation lounge. And the
company's Lotus Spa will grow to a two-story space.

New to the top decks is Trattoria Sabatini, which will offer
additional space for diners to enjoy this eight-course Italian
extravaganza. The space will also offer a lounge area where Sabatini
diners can enjoy a convenient pre-dinner cocktail. The stunning venue
offers views on three sides with dramatic vistas over the ship.

Of course Crown Princess will offer many of the special features than
passengers have come to love on her sister ship. The vessel will sport
the dramatic "Movies Under the Stars" poolside screen, featuring
outdoor viewing of first run movies and special events complete with
reserved padded lounge chairs, drink specials and movie nibbles. Cafe
Caribe will continue to serve up tasty Caribbean specialties in a
deluxe buffet setting, with a focus on a different island or region
each night.

Princess passengers will also enjoy the many Personal Choice options
they know from the line's other vessels. Princess continues to be the
only line offering a choice in the ships' main dining rooms between
Traditional seating and the restaurant-style Anytime Dining. Crown
Princess will offer multiple show lounges and main dining rooms, as
well as a variety of intimately designed public spaces for the "big
ship choice, small ship feel" atmosphere that defines the line. Other
ship features include a wedding chapel with Internet wedding cam, and
an extensive children and teen's center with splash pool and outdoor
play area, sports and fitness facilities, a wide array of educational
ScholarShip@Sea classes, and a Princess trademark -- nearly 900
staterooms with private balconies.

Additional information about Crown Princess is available through a
professional travel agent.

About Princess Cruises:

One of the best-known names in cruising, Princess Cruises is a global
cruise and tour company operating a fleet of 14 modern ships renowned
for their innovative design and wide array of choices in dining,
entertainment and amenities, all provided in an environment of
exceptional customer service. A recognized leader in worldwide
cruising, Princess offers its passengers to opportunity to escape to
the top destinations around the globe, with sailings to all seven
continents, ranging in length from seven to 30 days. The company,
which celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2005, is part of Carnival
Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE: CCL; NYSE: CUK).

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.

"Ray Goldenberg" wrote in message

Princess Cruises to Crown a new Ship

Crown Princess, Debuting in 2006, is Name of Sister Ship to Caribbean
Princess
Innovative Vessel Will Feature new Dining Opportunities and Design
Features



I like the sound of the new CROWN PRINCESS far better than CARIBBEAN
PRINCESS, and she will hardly be an identical twin. It appears that
Princess learned from some of their mistakes on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS (with
regards to passenger flow and the 500 additional passengers) and have taken
steps to correct them. In fact I think they have taken the best of
CARIBBEAN and DIAMOND PRINCESS, enhanced the design even more, and came up
with CROWN PRINCESS. She sounds like a winner to me!

Ernie

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:05:39 -0500, E.k.R. wrote:

It appears that
Princess learned from some of their mistakes on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS (with
regards to passenger flow...

What's the problem there, Ernie?

Thus spake Ray Goldenberg :

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.

Best regards,
Ray
LIGHTHOUSE TRAVEL
800-719-9917 or 805-566-3905
http://www.lighthousetravel.com


Princess Cruises to Crown a new Ship

Crown Princess, Debuting in 2006, is Name of Sister Ship to Caribbean
Princess
Innovative Vessel Will Feature new Dining Opportunities and Design
Features

SANTA CLARITA, Calif., Dec. 6
Reprising the name of a former Princess ship, the line will name the
next new vessel to join its fleet Crown Princess.

What? No Liberty Princess or Freedom Princess?

--
dillon

"When the French are against it, you know we can't
be far wrong." - Adm. Bobbie Ray Inman

"Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 10:05:39 -0500, E.k.R. wrote:

It appears that
Princess learned from some of their mistakes on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS (with
regards to passenger flow...

What's the problem there, Ernie?


I don't think Princess put enough planning into CARIBBEAN PRINCESS when
taking into account the additional 500 passengers. Basically they added a
full deck of cabins but changed very little else in regards to the design
and passenger flow from the original GRAND PRINCESS. I've also heard there
was very little change in staffing which has led to some service issues.

I think Princess took a second look at this design and re-worked it.
Hopefully the staffing will be better proportioned as well.

Ernie

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 17:32:25 -0500, E.k.R. wrote:

I don't think Princess put enough planning into CARIBBEAN PRINCESS when
taking into account the additional 500 passengers. Basically they added a
full deck of cabins but changed very little else in regards to the design
and passenger flow from the original GRAND PRINCESS.

Can I read that to mean that is feels and/or is overcrowded at near
capacity? Is this a "width of aisles" type issue, a movement of people
logically about the ship or simply too many pax for the square footage?

"Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message
...
On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 17:32:25 -0500, E.k.R. wrote:

Can I read that to mean that is feels and/or is overcrowded at near
capacity? Is this a "width of aisles" type issue, a movement of people
logically about the ship or simply too many pax for the square footage?


To be honest, I have not sailed on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS so I don't have first
hand experience. I have been reading a lot of reviews from experienced
Princess cruiser's and I have sailed on GOLDEN PRINCESS .... which has the
same basic layout but with 500 less passengers.

GOLDEN PRINCESS held it's passengers fairly well, but there were some public
areas that were poorly designed where bottlenecks frequently occurred. I
can only imagine the same areas compounded by an additional 500+ passengers
on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. Some past passengers have mentioned that the ship
does feel quite crowded when full, much more so when compared with previous
cruises on other Grand Class ships. The biggest complaint seems to be that
staffing is lower on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. I think the problem is not that
there is any less crew, but there are 500+ more passenger and Princess kept
staffing levels at pretty much the same level as previous Grand Class ships.
When the additional deck of cabins was added to CARIBBEAN PRINCESS, no
additional public or crew space was added. Princess simply had to re-work
the areas that already existed. With CROWN PRINCESS, Princess has not only
re-worked existing areas, but re-designed several parts of the ship as well.
I'm hoping that will also mean more crew cabins, but that remains to be
seen.

Ernie

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 19:10:36 -0500, E.k.R. wrote:

GOLDEN PRINCESS held it's passengers fairly well, but there were some public
areas that were poorly designed where bottlenecks frequently occurred. I
can only imagine the same areas compounded by an additional 500+ passengers
on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. Some past passengers have mentioned that the ship
does feel quite crowded when full, much more so when compared with previous
cruises on other Grand Class ships.

I see.

The biggest complaint seems to be that
staffing is lower on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS. I think the problem is not that
there is any less crew, but there are 500+ more passenger and Princess kept
staffing levels at pretty much the same level as previous Grand Class ships.
When the additional deck of cabins was added to CARIBBEAN PRINCESS, no
additional public or crew space was added. Princess simply had to re-work
the areas that already existed. With CROWN PRINCESS, Princess has not only
re-worked existing areas, but re-designed several parts of the ship as well.
I'm hoping that will also mean more crew cabins, but that remains to be
seen.

Thanks, Ernie. Princess ain't stupid and you have got to think that they
were willing to stretch the limits to see if they could grab additional
revenue/profits from basically the same cost base. You and I can see this
is a failure but 99% of the folks who cruise have no clue. In this time
where the cruise lines and not cruisers rule the waves, I expect to see
more and more of this economic tweaking.

When you are running a successful business, one takes a look at how to
sharpen profits until the cruisers, in this case, complain and fall away.
It's interesting to watch but not in the bst interests of cruisers for
sure.

The cruising public with all the newbies is a naive group. I sure was 5
years ago. Jump on a megaship an WOW UNREAL. I still love VOTS etc but,
like you, I see the value of MSC, freighters and others.

Boy, are we fortunate to have so many choices. I don't see the downside. As
things change, change with them.

"Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message
...
Thanks, Ernie. Princess ain't stupid and you have got to think that they
were willing to stretch the limits to see if they could grab additional
revenue/profits from basically the same cost base. You and I can see this
is a failure but 99% of the folks who cruise have no clue. In this time
where the cruise lines and not cruisers rule the waves, I expect to see
more and more of this economic tweaking.



So true! Any first time cruiser sailing on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS is probably
going to think she is the best thing since sliced bread. They don't know
any different.

Ernie

"Chrissy Cruiser" wrote in message

Princess ain't stupid and you have got to think that they
were willing to stretch the limits to see if they could grab additional
revenue/profits from basically the same cost base. You and I can see this
is a failure but 99% of the folks who cruise have no clue. In this time
where the cruise lines and not cruisers rule the waves, I expect to see
more and more of this economic tweaking.

On Mon, 6 Dec 2004 20:28:49 -0500, E.k.R. wrote:

So true! Any first time cruiser sailing on CARIBBEAN PRINCESS is probably
going to think she is the best thing since sliced bread. They don't know
any different.

Ernie

The question, then, becomes how long can they get away with this? I believe
a long, long time. If that is true, cruising, as we have seen, is on a
downslide (if you can "see" the degradation).

Why a long, long time? The tapping of the newbie market is still in its
infancy (and I don't mean BABY on a cruise). They don't care if they push
the more informed crowd off these ships. It's an older set anyway. The
dollar expectancy of a 30 year old vs a 60 year old, over time, well, you
do the math.

When the older/experienced cruisers complain about the way things are (HAL
sux these days, etc), all I can do is shake my head. I feel sorry for those
who cannot or will not change.

Let me make this point more direct. Karens Cupcaked had a rather, how
should I say this, jaded view of RCI's megaships. Ok, understood when you
come off a career of Cunard and dissimilar (to RCI) experiences. One day, I
think, she and her Hubby, looked out on the pier and saw the Voyager. Hmmm,
kinda pretty, right here in our backyard, relatively inexpensive, nice
itineray, ain't the QM2.

Step back in time. She did the QM2, was ok with it, a little disappointed,
a little impressed. The change from the old Cunard to the new Cunard, well,
hmmm, QM2 to Voyager, not that big of a leap, is it?

So, to her credit, she gave VOTS a chance. Bingo. This ain't half bad, mof,
it's pretty darn good. Karens went with the flow.

And why? In the end (down LES!), it's really about the sea, the moving from
dry to wet, the motion of the ocean and if the ship is suitable, or even
better, fun, then the worm has turned (excuse the plagiarism Oliver Stone).

Today, its go with the flow. If you pick apart the food or the beds or
whatever, you are going to box yourself into a corner. Cruising has forever
changed. It's better, it's worse.

It's, as anything, what *you* make of it.

Ch-ch-Changes
Just gonna have to be a different man
Time may change me
But I can't trace time.

Changes
David Bowie


To sum (I hear a *another* song coming on)

"I received a message from my brother across the water
He sat laughin' as he wrote the end's in sight
So I said goodbye to all my friends
And packed my hopes inside a matchbox
'Cause I know it's time to fly

Come on, meet me in the morning, Meet me in the middle of the night
The morning light is comin', don't it make you wanna go and feel alright."

Night Flight
(Jones/Page/Plant

So, Ernie, they will push those who resist right out the door. The want and
are after those who don't know the differences. It will be a long time
comin' before we see the pendulum swing back in "our" direction.