Princess Cruises is to offer almost four million cruise nights across 162 departures for its 2024 UK and Europe season, making it the biggest in the region in its history.
The programme will be 28% larger than in 2023 and 42% larger than 2019, with 162 departures across five ships including the new Sphere-class Sun Princess (pictured).
The season will cover more than 130 destinations in 34 countries and will run from February to November.
In addition to 10-night itineraries from Barcelona or Rome (Civitavecchia) and seven-night cruises departing from either Rome (Civitavecchia), Barcelona or Athens, the 4,300-passenger Sun Princess will also make an inaugural visit to Southampton with an overnight stay on September 22.
Guests will also have the option to combine the three seven-night itineraries to create a 21-night voyage, while alternative Mediterranean sailings will be available on Island Princess.
The line is also set to operate its largest Southampton round-trip deployment, with Sky Princess homeporting for the fourth year running and sailing to northern and southern Europe.
Sky Princess will also operate a 31-night itinerary to New England and Canada with overnights in both New York City and Quebec, a first for the line.
Regal Princess will also sail round-trip British Isles voyages from Southampton, while Caribbean Princess will complete the Southampton homeport line-up.
Itineraries across the fleet include Summer Solstice sailings to the far north of Europe, and two five-night cruises on Sky Princess from Southampton.
Eithne Williamson, vice-president of Princess Cruises UK and Europe, said: “With four million cruise nights available, UK guests will have more choice than ever before to sail across Europe with Princess Cruises, and we hope travel agents are as excited as we are to have the brand new Sun Princess based in the Mediterranean for her inaugural season in 2024.
“Sailings from Southampton remain in high demand, and 2024 will see the longest ex-UK season in Princess Cruises’ history. With three ships sailing from Southampton between March and November, we have increased capacity by more than 40% compared to 2022, providing travel agents with even more opportunity to sell with Princess.”
She added: “The addition of two short cruises on Sky Princess provides a perfect opportunity for new guests to sample the Princess Difference for the first time.”