Princess Cruises has announced two preview cruises on board Royal Princess, giving passengers an opportunity to get a taste of the new ship before the official maiden voyage on June 16.
The cruise line said it is releasing details of the previews after being badgered by agents impatient for news of the sailings.
The June 9 and June 14 cruises will sail roundtrip from Southampton on a two-night itinerary featuring a call in St Peter Port, on the island of Guernsey.
Passengers on the short sailings will be able to sample features such as the SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending over the water more than 28 feet beyond the edge of the vessel, the Princess Live! television studio and new poolside cabanas before the ship’s inaugural sailing.
Both voyages will go on sale on January 29 at 2pm to passengers already booked on the maiden voyage, and January 30 at 2pm to all other customers. Fares start from £349 per person for a balcony stateroom.
Paul Ludlow, Princess Cruises UK director, said: “Passengers and agents have shown great interest in these preview cruises and have been eagerly awaiting the chance to book. Therefore, we are delighted to be offering them the opportunity to experience Royal Princess on these two sailings.”
The 3,600-passenger Royal Princess is a new-generation ship for Princess Cruises, and other special features on board include a greatly-expanded atrium, a pastry shop and a Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private dining experience that surrounds diners in a curtain of light.