New Royal Princess to call Port Everglades home

Princess Cruises’ new Royal Princess will call Port Everglades its US winter home upon arrival this fall after debuting in Europe. Royal Princess will be berthed at Cruise Terminal 2, which was recently completely renovated to allow for a seamless “curbside-to-ship”guest experience with expanded check-in and baggage claim areas, covered walkways, streamlined transportation routing and bright interiors. The new 3,600-passenger Royal Princess will debut in June, the first of two new-generation ships for Princess currently being built by Italy’s Fincantieri shipyard. The ship’s prototype design will be an evolution of Princess’ classic style, while including some new features and expanded signature spaces. Among the new features will be a 50% larger atrium which is the social hub of the ship; a dramatic over-water SeaWalk, a top-deck glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 8.4 metres beyond the edge of the vessel; plush private poolside cabanas that appear to be floating on the water; a water and light show; the new Princess Live! television studio; a dedicated pastry shop; more dining options including a special Chef’s Table Lumiere, a private space that surrounds diners in a curtain of light; and balconies on all outside staterooms. Royal Princess’ inaugural cruise will depart from Southampton on June 16, followed by seasons of cruising in the Mediterranean and the Eastern Caribbean. A sister ship, Regal Princess, will debut in 2014. (http://www.princess.com)