Princess’ newest “Love Boat,” Caribbean Princess, was delivered to the cruise line last Friday in Monfalcone, Italy by the ship’s builder, Fincantieri Cantieri Navali Italiani. The new 113,000-ton vessel will set sail on Saturday for Ft. Lauderdale where it is scheduled to arrive on April 1.The 3,100-passenger ship, which has been designed specifically for Caribbean cruising, and is the first ship Princess Cruises will base in this destination year-round, will be christened on April 2 by “Love Boat” actress Jill Whelan (who, for nearly a decade, played Captain’s Stubing’s TV daughter).

Whelan will not only become the vessel’s godmother, but will be the first christener to also become a bride when she marries fiance Michael Chaykowsky onboard Caribbean Princess the same evening.

Caribbean Princess will set sail on her inaugural Caribbean cruise on April 3 for a roundtrip voyage to the Western Caribbean. The ship will cruise roundtrip from Ft. Lauderdale with an itinerary featuring calls at Grand Cayman, Ocho Rios (or Montego Bay), Cozumel and Princess Cays, Princess’ private beach call in the Bahamas.

The vessel will then offer alternating Eastern Caribbean itineraries with stops in St. Thomas, St. Maarten and Princess Cays.

The Caribbean Princess will provide a number of unique Caribbean touches, including the outdoor Movies Under the Stars LED screen, a special Cafe Caribe dining venue and a variety of island-flavored entertainment options.

The ship also debuts Princess’ own in-house Lotus Spa and includes many of the line’s trademark touches, such as the alternative Trattoria Sabattini restaurant, three separate dining rooms and show lounges, an Internet cafe, a wedding chapel and four swimming pools.
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