| Princess Cruises Celebrates First Birthday of Royal Princess

Ship Named by HRH The Duchess of Cambridge Has Delighted 150,000 Guests

Princess Cruises is today celebrating the first birthday of Royal Princess, which was launched in Southampton, England during a spectacular christening by Her Royal Highness The Duchess of Cambridge.



Guests currently sailing aboard Royal Princess will be treated to some special festivities marking the occasion including a "Royal Ball Birthday Party" in the ship's showpiece atrium with a birthday sing-a-long, balloon drop and celebratory cake.   

During the past 12 months Royal Princess has traveled 120,000 miles and carried 150,000 guests. The ship has set sail on 44 cruises, and visited 39 ports in 20 countries throughout the Mediterranean and Caribbean. This summer the ship is cruising through the waters of Scandinavia and Russia, and Iceland and British Isles before repositioning to New York for its first Canada and New England season this fall. 

"Today, we look back with great pride as we celebrate the first birthday of Royal Princess," said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises president. "She's been a wonderful addition to our fleet and we're delighted that she's been so well received by our guests." 

Called one of the "Most Popular Ships at Sea" by Cruise Critic, Royal Princess has already won five prestigious Travel Weekly Magellan Awards, and its innovative SeaWalk® is being hailed as one of the "Top Gee-Whiz Features at Sea" by USA TODAY. 

Tony Draper, Captain of Royal Princess, said," I can hardly believe one year has passed since our fantastic inauguration and christening by HRH, The Duchess of Cambridge. The ship's company has worked diligently throughout to deliver great service on board, ensuring all our guests have had a memorable, relaxing and rejuvenating time on their cruise."

The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess was the first of two new-generation ships for the line. Among the special features found on board is a dramatic multi-story atrium serving as the social hub of the ship offering a host of dining and entertainment options; an over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending 28 feet beyond the edge of the ship; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on water; the Princess Live! television studio; the largest pastry shop at sea; a special Chef's Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. 

Sister ship Regal Princess joined the fleet last month.

Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel agent, by calling 1-800-PRINCESS (1-800-774-6237), or by visiting the company's website at princess.com.

SOURCE  Princess Cruises