Princess adds cruise samplers to menu of West Coast itineraries

Looking to attract more first-time guests who may want to dip their toes rather than dive into a cruise vacation, Princess Cruises has announced 18 shorter itineraries from the West Coast for during the spring and fall of 2010 and the spring of 2011.

Ranging from as little is one night to seven days, these shorter vacations represent a cruise hors d’oeuvres that Princess hopes will create new enthusiasts who want to order the full meal.

The choices include a seven-day trip on Sapphire Princess, departing Los Angeles Sept. 10, 2010, that spotlights coastal wine regions, with excursions to vineyards and microbreweries as well as on-board tastings and presentations.

Given the length of this trip and the choice of the new and large Sapphire Princess, it would seem that Princess is confident that this will be a popular sailing with both first-timers and experienced cruisers.

Also, the line is offering short Alaska and Pacific Northwest sailings of four and five nights.

• The five-day Alaska Sampler roundtrip with Coral Princess departs from Vancouver next May and will visit Juneau and Ketchikan.
• The four-day Northwest Sampler”on the Royal Princess, roundtrip from Seattle next May, will sail through the Inside Passage and pay visits to Vancouver and Victoria.

While these itineraries may leave guests wanting more, Princess will expose them to the stunning beauty of the Alaska and Northwest coast.

For a cruise that emphasizes the shipboard experience, Princess is offering Pacific Coastal cruises connecting Vancouver and Los Angeles or San Francisco on several of its ships as they reposition to and from Alaska each spring and fall. These are available for a time commitment of as little as two days up to four days, and they should give guests a good idea of the service standard and that amenities they will enjoy on a Princess ship.

The choices include a seven-day trip on Sapphire Princess, departing Los Angeles Sept. 10, 2010, that spotlights coastal wine regions, with excursions to vineyards and microbreweries as well as on-board tastings and presentations.

Given the length of this trip and the choice of the new and large Sapphire Princess, it would seem that Princess is confident that this will be a popular sailing with both first-timers and experienced cruisers.

Also, the line is offering short Alaska and Pacific Northwest sailings of four and five nights.

• The five-day Alaska Sampler roundtrip with Coral Princess departs from Vancouver next May and will visit Juneau and Ketchikan.
• The four-day Northwest Sampler”on the Royal Princess, roundtrip from Seattle next May, will sail through the Inside Passage and pay visits to Vancouver and Victoria.

While these itineraries may leave guests wanting more, Princess will expose them to the stunning beauty of the Alaska and Northwest coast.

For a cruise that emphasizes the shipboard experience, Princess is offering Pacific Coastal cruises connecting Vancouver and Los Angeles or San Francisco on several of its ships as they reposition to and from Alaska each spring and fall. These are available for a time commitment of as little as two days up to four days, and they should give guests a good idea of the service standard and that amenities they will enjoy on a Princess ship.