Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield has announced that Princess Cruises will offer non-stop flights to the United States and the Caribbean, with the first flights commencing January 2007.
The launch of the direct non-stop flights will make it possible for passengers to join the breathtaking itineraries highlights of which include:

á      A Cruise departing 13 January 2007 sailing from Bridgetown in Barbados and visiting St. Vincent, Trinidad, Bonaire, Aruba, Fort Lauderdale, Princess Cays, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica and Martinique

á      The cruise departing on 17 February 2007 sails from Fort Lauderdale in Florida and will visit Princess Cays, Tortola, Antigua, Dominica, Martinique, Barbados, Grenada, Isla Margarita, Curacao and Montego Bay

á      On arrival in Fort Lauderdale or Barbados passengers will be transferred directly to the ‘Sea Princess’ for embarkation. Both newly announced fly-cruises depart on Saturdays, offering convenient and popular weekend departures

á      Included in both cruise’ itineraries is a visit to Princess Cruises’ private island paradise ‘Princess Cays’ in the Bahamas.

The 15 night holidays on the ‘Sea Princess’ will depart from Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield on 13 January 2007 and 17 February 2007.  Prices start from £1264 per person, which includes a special introductory saving of 45% off the brochure prices.  There is still time to take advantage of these offers, available for bookings made before the end of September 2005.

After undertaking extensive national research it emerged that of Princess Cruises’ existing customers the city of Sheffield emerged as the top location for passenger origination. Cruising is already proving popular from Robin Hood Airport, with Thomson offering Cruises joining at Palma, Corfu and Egypt. This announcement is a welcome addition to the airport’s existing programme and will go some way towards meeting the huge demand that exists for a cruise product, not only in Sheffield but across the whole of the Yorkshire, Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire regions.

Vic Brodrick, Peel Airports Commercial Director said:
“Sheffield is the UK’s most popular origin for Princess Cruises’ passengers.  The new cruise destinations will save passengers the stress of making the journey to other less convenient airports.  This is good news and more exciting progress for Robin Hood Airport, highlighting the huge success and future potential for the airport.”

Steve Adamson, Robin Hood Airports Marketing Manager said:

“This is great news for the travel trade.  Cruising from Doncaster Sheffield creates yet more opportunities for agents to sell high value holidays.  We’ve got the shiny new terminal that’s as smart as the cruise lines we’ll fly people to - it all adds value to the customer experience”.

Pieter Van Der Schee, Brand & Marketing Manager at Princess Cruises said:
“Following the very glamorous naming of Sea Princess by Joanna Lumley, we have seen great interest in our Caribbean cruises and are delighted to be working with Robin Hood Airport Doncaster Sheffield to offer our passengers a stylish and comfortable beginning to their holiday”

Phil Kirby, Commercial Director at Ilkeston Co-op Travel said:
“We are delighted to hear of this announcement, as we have worked with the Airport to champion the cruise product coming into Doncaster Sheffield.  In the last 12 months, we have grown our business by over 200% for Princess Cruises alone.  The success of regional flying and the exciting concept it presents has been enjoyed elsewhere, and I am certain that our specialist knowledge of the industry will see us booking lots more fly-cruises from DSA”
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