Responding to the growing interest in cruising Southeast Asia, Princess Cruises’ 2,670-passenger Sapphire Princess will sail from Singapore for a four-month fall 2014 to spring 2015 season. Sales are open.
Carnival Corporation & plc is introducing the largest deployment ever by a premium cruise line in the region with 15 roundtrip departures that can be combined for 25 distinct itineraries. The itineraries will offer more destinations from Singapore on Princess Cruises than on any other cruise line, calling at seven countries and 16 ports. The wide range of cruise lengths will run three, four, five, seven, 10 and 11 days, providing passengers with a wide array of vacation experiences.
The itineraries will combine the region’s major metropolises such as Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City and Kuala Lumpur, with smaller, off-the-beaten path resort destinations, including Penang, Ko Samui and Langkawi. One unique itinerary of note is a 10-day Indonesia sailing that visits Jakarta, Bali, Komodo Island and Lombok.
“Princess Cruises will be the first premium cruise line to have ships based in Singapore for an extended period,” said Alan Buckelew, the line’s president and CEO. “Our new Singapore-based deployment features superior itineraries specifically designed for the regional market which we believe will prove extremely popular and will help to introduce cruise vacations to a growing number of Southeast Asia vacationers.”
Princess expects to carry approximately 40,000 passengers during this first season, sourced from Singapore and throughout Asia, in addition to other international markets including North America, the U.K. and Australia.
The cruise experience onboard Sapphire Princess will be substantially the same as the Princess Cruises product offered around the world, providing features such as Movies Under the Stars poolside theater and The Sanctuary, an exclusive top-deck retreat. However some changes and enhancements will be made to appeal to the local market including multi-lingual crew members in key passengers-facing positions. Dining room menus will offer the line’s international cuisine while additional offerings will cater to local tastes. Specially designed enrichment programs will be featured and other amenities such as the shopping selection and spa treatments will also be tailored to local preferences.
The Details
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