Princess Cruises started with a single ship in 1965, and is now one of the world's leading cruise operators, with seventeen vessels carrying over a million passengers each year to almost 350 ports. This innovative company introduced the concept of 24-hour dining to the cruise industry, and was also the first to install wedding chapels on its ships. The ethos of Princess Cruises is affordable luxury, and its ships have the highest percentage of private balconies of any cruise line.
Ruby Princess
Ruby Princess is the newest liner in the fleet. Its 2011 destinations are Europe and the Caribbean. Ruby Princess features a piazza-style atrium, and has almost 900 balconied staterooms. The ship has two main restaurants, as well as fine dining at Sabatini's and the Crown Grill. The ship's amenities include swimming pools, one of which is adults-only, hot tubs, fitness suite, jogging track, virtual golf and shuffleboard. Evening entertainment is provided by the Princess Theater, Gatsby's Casino, an open-air movie theater and a variety of bars, lounges and nightclubs. Ruby Princess also runs a program of lectures and classes.
Island Princess
Passenger reviews rate this ship highly for its facilities and customer service. 2011 destinations for Island Princess are Alaska and the Panama Canal. Ninety percent of staterooms have ocean-views and 700 have balconies. Island Princess's elegant dining rooms offer traditional and anytime dining, and for a special meal there is the Bayou Caf and Steakhouse. Amenities include a theater, Paris-themed casino, pools, spa and fitness center and shops. There are kids' clubs for younger children, as well as a teen center with video games arcade.
Emerald Princess
Emerald Princess cruises the Caribbean and the Mediterranean. This luxury liner is highly rated by passengers for its spa facilities, customer service and fine dining. In addition to the Botticelli dining room, the Emerald Princess has an Italian restaurant plus the Crown Grill for steak and seafood. For casual dining there is Vine's Seafood Bar, a 24-hour international caf , the Trident Grill and the Horizon Court Buffet. On-board evening entertainment features Movies Under the Stars, two nightclubs, a casino, bars and a Speakeasy Cigar Lounge. Other facilities include pools, a putting course, spa and fitness room, shops and a conference center. This is a family-oriented cruise ship, with kids' clubs and activities, video arcade, children's movies and a splash pool.
Coral Princess
The Coral Princess cruises Alaska during the summer and the Mexican Riviera and Panama Canal during the winter. Most staterooms have ocean views and many also have balconies. The dining rooms offer different selections every day, with both traditional and anytime dining. In addition, the ship has two speciality restaurants, fast-food outlets and a patisserie. This liner has two theaters staging Broadway-style productions, an outdoor movie theater and a casino, as well as several bars and lounges. For the more energetic, there is the Lido pool, a gym, jog track, nine-hole putting course and virtual golf. Other facilities include the Lotus Spa, an art exhibition, library, Internet caf , classes and lectures and designer boutiques.
