TRAVEL | Naming Ceremony Held for New Ship "Regal Princess"

TRAVEL | Godmothers: The Main Cast of "The Love Boat" TV Series

Christening Ceremony Held for New Ship "Regal Princess"

The christening ceremony for the "Regal Princess" (passenger capacity: 3,560), the new ship from PRINCESS CRUISES, a global cruise line celebrating its 50th anniversary, was held in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. At the ceremony, the six main actors from the American drama "The Love Boat," which was set aboard a Princess Cruises ship and catapulted the line to fame, served as godmothers, with 25 guest stars also reuniting. The event also marked the kickoff of the 50th-anniversary celebration.

Text by KAJII Makoto (OPENERS)

Theme of the Ceremony: "The Love Boat," Just Like the Drama's Title

Princess Cruises, which currently operates 18 modern ships, began its Mexico cruises in 1965 with a single vessel. Now, half a century after its founding, it has become one of the world's top three cruise lines, guiding 1.7 million guests annually to captivating destinations worldwide on cruises ranging from 4 to 111 nights aboard innovatively designed ships.

The television drama "The Love Boat," whose cast served as godmothers for the new "Regal Princess," aired from 1977 to 1986. Filmed at various global ports of call aboard Princess Cruises ships, it introduced viewers to the latest in cruising.

Jean Swartz, President of Princess Cruises, stated, "Princess Cruises became widely known through the drama 'The Love Boat.' Furthermore, through the same drama, we delivered the romance and adventure of Princess Cruises to millions of viewers for over a decade. We felt that the cast of 'The Love Boat' were the most fitting godmothers for the 'Regal Princess' to mark the beginning of our 50th-anniversary celebrations."

While the godmothers for this christening were the stars of "The Love Boat," which sparked the cruise boom in America, other Princess Cruises ships have been christened by notable figures: "Royal Princess" (1984) by Princess Diana, "Star Princess" (1989) by Audrey Hepburn, "Crown Princess" (1990) by Sophia Loren, the "original Regal Princess" (1991) by Margaret Thatcher, and the "third Royal Princess" (2013) by Catherine, the Princess of Wales.

Regal Princess Features a Diverse Array of Distinctive Onboard Facilities

Following its christening ceremony, the "Regal Princess" has embarked on its maiden Caribbean cruise, with Fort Lauderdale as its home port.

The multi-deck "Atrium," the social hub of the ship, offers various light meals and entertainment, while the "SeaWalk" on the top deck, a glass-floored walkway extending over 8.5 meters from the ship's side, allows for a stroll over the ocean.

The ship boasts a diverse lineup of distinctive facilities, including the onboard TV studio "Princess Live!," one of the largest "Pastry Shops" at sea, the "Chef's Table Lumiere" for intimate dining enveloped in a magical light curtain, the "Princess Watercolor Fantasy" fountain and music show, and the "Night Sky Lounge," a nightclub under the stars by the elegant, modern poolside. Additionally, all oceanview staterooms feature balconies.

As a special event for its 50th anniversary, Princess Cruises has prepared an attractive lineup of new menus, commemorative merchandise sold in shops, and entertainment, celebrating its founding throughout 2015 across all its ships.

Princess Cruises Japan Office
Carnival Japan
Tel. 03-3573-3610
http://www.princesscruises.jp/