By
Rebecca Gibson |
Princess Cruises’ latest newbuild Regal Princess is to debut earlier than originally planned due to rapid construction progress.
The 3,600-passenger vessel was originally scheduled to sail a seven-day maiden voyage on 2 June, however she will now depart for her inaugural cruise from Venice to Athens on 20 May 2014, which includes calls at Corfu, Mykonos and an overnight call in Istanbul. The vessel will then sail a six-day trip from Athens to Venice, calling at Kusadasi, Santorini, Katakolon and Dubrovnik. Both voyages can be combined into a 13-day Grand Adventure or added to the previously announced 2 June cruise for a full 20-day Mediterranean trip.
Passengers booked on the ship’s original maiden voyage will automatically receive a duplicate reservation on the 20 May inaugural cruise, to ensure they are still able to sail on the first cruise. The cruise can be taken instead or, or in addition to, the existing reservation.
“The construction of Regal Princess has been progressing very well and we’re delighted the ship will be ready to welcome passengers even earlier than originally planned,” said Jan Swartz, Princess Cruises executive vice president. “We know that this beautiful new vessel will impress passengers just as much as her sister ship, Royal Princess, has this year.”
Regal Princess, sister ship of recently launched Royal Princess, is the second of Princess’ new-generation cruise vessels. The 3,600-passenger ship features 1,780 cabins, outside balcony staterooms, private poolside cabanas and the new Princess Live! television studio, as well as a variety of dining and entertainment venues and SeaWalk, a cantilevered, glass-bottomed walkway extending more than 28ft beyond the edge of the vessel. She will sail two itineraries on Princess’ signature Grand Mediterranean cruises throughout the summer.