Inaugural Royal Princess itineraries unveiled

Princess Cruises has unveiled the maiden season itineraries of its highly anticipated Royal Princess debuting in June 2013, as well as some additional features of the ship’s signature, and greatly expanded atrium, the social hub of the ship. Preceding the ship’s inaugural program of 12-day Grand Mediterranean cruises between Barcelona and Venice beginning on June 23, Royal Princess will sail on its inaugural voyage, a seven-day Iberia cruise from Southampton to Barcelona departing June 16. The Royal Princess maiden season cruises will open for sale on March 15. There will also be two three-day preview cruises sailing roundtrip from Southampton on June 10 and 13 that will be available for booking at a later date. Also revealed were more details about the ship’s atrium. This signature space will be 50% larger than on the newest class of Princess ships and will debut a number of brand new features, including Bellini’s Italian cocktail bar, Ocean Terrace seafood bar, a gelateria, and Celebrations, a new gift shop for those marking special occasions onboard. Favourite passenger spaces also return, many with a new twist, including the International Café, Sabatini’s Trattoria, and Crooners martini bar which will now feature dueling piano entertainment and a dramatic ocean vista. The Bar Piazza will feature an exclusive twin tea tower with more than 300 tea and infusion combinations. The line also released a preview video with Princess Cruises president and CEO Alan Buckelew and executive vice-president Rai Caluori offering a glimpse of the new atrium that can be viewed at http://www.princess.com/royalprincess .