Out of respect for the tragic sinking of the Greek cruise ship off the coast in Santorini, the naming ceremonies of the new Emerald Princess and Royal Princess - previously scheduled to take place in the same location - have been changed to different dates and ports. Princess had been planning to simultaneously name both ships in a historic dual ceremony in Santorini on May 12. Emerald Princess will now be christened on Mother's Day in Athens on May 13, and the new date and location for the Royal Princess festivities will be announced shortly.
"Given the great shock and sadness this incident has caused, and out of the respect for those affected, we have decided that it would not be appropriate to continue with the celebrations we had planned in Santorini," said Alan Buckelew, president of Princess Cruises. "Our thoughts are with all those affected, especially the family of the two missing French passengers."
Buckelew added, "However we're quite pleased to continue with our original plans to reunite a pair of television's favorite mothers and daughters for the christening of Emerald Princess." Television icons Florence Henderson, best known as "Carol Brady" on The Brady Bunch, and Marion Ross, aka "Marion Cunningham" of Happy Days fame and their TV daughters, Susan Olsen ("Cindy Brady") and Erin Moran ("Joanie Cunningham") will all be aboard Emerald Princess in Athens to officially welcome her into the Princess fleet.
Cruise West has the distinct advantage of possessing more permits than any other cruise line to enter Glacier Bay National Park, a 3.3-million-acre wonderland. Six of the line’s itineraries in Alaska visit this majestic gem, and this year guests can extend their stay in the park to two nights on the Wilderness Inside Passage itinerary. During this added time, guests will explore the birds and sea lions of South Marble Island, the 15,000-foot peak of Mt. Fairweather, and massive glaciers of all varieties, all while under the expert guidance of a National Park Ranger and Native Cultural Interpreter. Cruise West will also offer more departures on this itinerary with two ships rather than one: the 84-guest Spirit of Discovery and the 102-guest Spirit of Endeavour. Yet another advantage with this itinerary is the line’s steadfast Whale Sighting Guarantee; should whales not be spotted on a sailing, the line will refund $250 to each guest – a price that the line has never had to pay.
You'll find more information about Cruise West and their 2007 Alaska itineraries below, or call us at 888-286-9827 to book one of these unique voyages.
In addition to the included activity or excursion in all of the ports that Cruise West’s seven Alaska-sailing ships visit, guests can choose from an extensive array of add-on adventures. For the 2007 season, Cruise West has announced four new shore excursions:
- While spending two nights in Glacier Bay on the Wilderness Inside Passage itinerary, guests can also explore the park, on shore, with a guided hike through the vast terrain.
- In the capital city of Juneau, guests can take their adventures to new heights with the Rainforest Canopy and Zipline Adventure, an eco-tour combining the thrill of gliding above the treetops in a rich rainforest on more than 6,000 feet of dual zip lines, suspension bridges, and a ground-based trail network. Participants will cross the Gastineau Channel aboard an expedition craft, mountain ascent in an off-road vehicle, and explore hidden relics of a world-famous gold mine.
- A new component of the popular tour of Jewell Gardens in Skagway is a hands-on tour of the only public glass-blowing studio in Alaska. Visitors will observe professionals at work and have the opportunity to blow or mold their own piece as a special memento of their visit to southeast Alaska.
- Guests can visit the Saxman Native Village, known for its Totem poles, in Ketchikan and experience the rich living culture of Southeast Alaska’s Native Americans on an exclusive tour with Native Tlingit and Mayor of Saxman, Joe Williams. Stop at the carving shed to see totem poles in their making and visit a traditional Tribal House.
Cruise West travels in Alaska from May through early-September. The line’s flagship, the 120-guest Spirit of Oceanus, offers three Grand Voyages, which sail from Vancouver to the Russian Far East. Four itineraries are offered in Alaska’s Inside Passage, including a shorter getaway, Glacier Bay Highlights. An itinerary is also offered in Prince William Sound, a 3,500-mile shoreline filled with hidden islands and enfolded fjords that are only accessible by small ships.
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