Princess Cruises Announces its Largest Europe Program for 2011

Princess Cruises has unveiled its most extensive Europe season ever for 2011, with more ships, departure choices and itinerary options than in previous years. In total, seven vessels will offer 42 itinerary choices, including seven new routes, with calls at more than 135 ports.

More than half of these ports feature access to UNESCO World Heritage Sites, which make up the planet’s cultural and natural heritage and include Italy’s Amalfi Coast, the Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, the birthplace of Apollo on the island of Delos (from Mykonos), and the 16th century Suleymaniye Mosque in Istanbul.

In addition, Princess has enhanced overnight offerings to give passengers extra time in ports throughout Europe, such as Venice, Istanbul, St. Petersburg, Alexandria, Dublin and Edinburgh on various routes.

The line’s 2011 program includes seven new itineraries, including an expanded 11-day Scandinavia and Russia itinerary featuring calls in ports such as Oslo, Berlin, Stockholm and a two-day stay in St. Petersburg. The season also features new seven-day Interlude voyages that can be combined for longer sailings, visiting smaller Mediterranean ports. Here’s a summary of the new itineraries:

The Ruby Princess returns with the line’s 12-day Grand Mediterranean itinerary and Greek Isles routes. The Star Princess also cruises the Mediterranean, taking over the 12-day Egypt, Greek Isles and Mediterranean itineraries. The Emerald Princess returns to Europe with a new 11-day Scandinavia and Russia itinerary including the best of the Baltic region with Princess’ two-day experience in St. Petersburg.

The Crown Princess sails to the British Isles on two 12-day itineraries, as well voyages to Norway and Iceland from seven to 12 days. The Grand Princess offers three new itineraries featuring a selection of Mediterranean and Northern Europe voyages, ranging from seven to 17 days.

The Ocean Princess offers new seven-day Greek Isles and Mediterranean Interlude itineraries that can be combined into 14-day or longer voyages, giving passengers the opportunity to explore ports such as Cephalonia, Greece, and Koper, Slovenia. The Pacific Princess sails to the Holy Land and Black Sea and offers experiences in destinations such as Egypt, Israel, Ukraine, Greece and Turkey.

All 12-day Mediterranean voyages have been enhanced to include an overnight stay in Venice, while the 12-day Black Sea and Crimean Coasts route now features an overnight stay in Istanbul. Passengers on 12-day Holy Land voyages can explore more of Egypt and Israel, with calls in two ports in each country. In Northern Europe, overnight calls in Dublin and Edinburgh are featured on select voyages, and 11-day Scandinavia and Russia sailings offer two full days in St. Petersburg on every voyage.

Princess ships will add five new European ports this season, including the city of Aahus, home to the tallest cathedral in Denmark; Motril (for Grenada), on Spain’s Andalusia coast; the Mediterranean port of Sete, France; the resort city of Aghios Nikolaos on Crete (Greece); and Antwerp, Belgium. Princess ships also offer 21 itineraries through the Mediterranean, including six new routes.