PRINCESSCruises is to expand its capacity in Europe for the summer 2000 season by introducing the 70,000t Crown Princess.
The vessel, which has not sailed in Europe for 10 years, has a capacity of 1,596 passengers. She replaces the 640-passenger Island Princess, which has been sold.
The other existing ships in Princess’s European fleet – Grand Princess, Royal Princess and Pacific Princess – will remain in place.
“We think Europe has considerable potential,” said marketing manager Gill Haynes. “Grand Princess’s inaugural season in 1998 was sold out. There is demand for Europe if you have the right ships.”
Meanwhile, Princess has launched a reservation system allowing passengers on Alaskan cruises to book shore excursions before their holiday starts.
Haynes said the scheme meant customers could reserve places early on the most popular tours, such as helicopter flights over a glacier and bear watching. If demand for some excursions was high then capacity could be extended
The excursion bookings are not commissionable for travel agents because cruise passengers pay for them during their cruise.
n Princess has cancelled two Regal Princess sailings from Los Angeles to Mexico to carry out repairs.The move affects 14 UK passengers, who have all been offered an alternative cruise and $250 on-board credit.