Looking to experience a TransAtlantic cruise while also stopping at several ports of 
Cruise lines typically have their ships on Caribbean itiniaries during the winter months and Mediterranean itiniaries in the summer. This means, twice a year, they need to shift their ships across the Atlantic.
Today, we’ll look at Princess Cruise Lines and how they’ll be re-positioning four of their ships between October and December of 2013. Princess runs their autumn re-positioning cruises with several ports of call in the Mediterranean and Eastern Atlantic before travelling pretty much a direct line to Ft. Lauderdale, Florida.
Royal Caribbean is another cruise line that has a similar number of re-positioning cruises. Royal Caribbean is more affordable than Princess. This is due to R.C. not stopping at ports in Europe. Instead, R.C. rushes to the Caribbean before basically running a typical Eastern Caribbean itiniary before stopping in Ft. Lauderdale. We’ll take a closer look at Royal Caribbean in the upcoming days.
Let’s take a look at the four Princess ships and itiniaries, shall we? Please note, all pricing is in Canadian dollars and is as of May 10, 2013. Prices are subject to change on pretty much a daily basis. Also, if you’re serious about one of these cruises, book now! Availability is already becoming scarce – especially on the Royal Princess.
This ship departs Venice, Italy on October 9 for an 18 night journey. The Royal arrives at Ft. Lauderdale (Port Everglades) on Sunday, October 27.
Stateroom Pricing:
- Interior from $1,819
- Ocean View – sold out
- Balcony from $2,099
- Suite from $2,799
Ports of Call:
- Messina, Italy
- Naples, Italy
- Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
- Cannes, France
- Barcelona, Spain
- Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
The Ship
The Royal is the newest ship in the Princess fleet with her maiden voyage planned for June, 2013. The Royal Class ship is the largest of the fleet in every way. The vessel can accommodate 3,600 passengers, is 330 metres long and has a gross tonnage of 141,000.
This cruise is obviously popular because it will be the first time the Royal Princess will cross the Atlantic. Ports are excellent but the ship will be the destination in my opinion.
The Crown embarks from Southampton in the United Kingdom on October 26, 2013 for a 14 night voyage to Fort Lauderdale, arriving on Saturday, November 9.
Stateroom Pricing:
- Interior from $1,199
- Ocean View from $1,399
- Balcony from $1,799
- Suite from $2,299
Ports of Call:
- Le Havre, France
- Vigo, Spain
- Lisbon, Portugal
- Azores Islands (ponta Delgado), Portugal
- Hamilton, Bermuda
The Ship
The Crown Princess is a Grand Class ship and a sister to the Ruby Princess. The Crown can accommodate 3,080 passengers and boasts nearly 900 private balconies. The ship is 290 metres in length and has a gross tonnage of 113,000. The maiden voyage for the Crown Princess started on June 14, 2006.
Interesting itiniary with the first night making a simple crossing of the English Channel. Throwing in Azores and Bermuda is a treat for those who would go stir crazy with too many days in a row stuck at sea.
The Ruby Princess embarks from Barcelona, Spain on November 29, 2013 on a 15 night journey to Ft. Lauderdale. The ship arrives in Florida on Saturday, December 14.
Stateroom Pricing:
- Interior from $999
- Ocean View from $1,299
- Balcony from $1,499
- Suite from $1,799
Ports of Call:
- Toulon, France
- Livorno, Italy
- Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy
- Funchal, Madeira, Portugal
The Ship
As mentioned, the Ruby is a sister ship of the Crown Princess and is a Grand Class vessel. Dimensions and capacities are exactly the same as the Crown and the Ruby also has nearly 900 private balconies. The Ruby Princess is the newer of the two with her maiden voyage embarking on November 6, 2008.
The lowest number of ports but also the most affordable cruise. At least, the ports are somewhat wide ranging in culture so you’re seeing something new at each stop.
The Pacific, one of two small ships in the Princess fleet, embarks from Civitavecchia (Rome), Italy on December 5, 2013 on an 18 night journey to Ft. Lauderdale. Because of the smaller size, the Pacific is able to reach more ports than the other three ships.
Stateroom Pricing:
- Interior from $1,649
- Ocean View from $1,999
- Balcony from $2,249
- Suite from $2,749
Ports of Call:
- Naples, Italy
- Trapani, Italy
- Barcelona, Spain
- Gibraltar, Gibraltar
- Casablanca, Morocco
- Fuchal, Madeira, Portugal
- Hamilton, Bermuda
The Ship
The Pacific Princess is an R Class cruise ship and a sister to the Ocean Princess. The Pacific can accommodate 680 passengers. This vessel has been in service since 1999 but was not born a Princess ship. The Pacific is 181 metres long and has a gross tonnage of 30,277.
Smaller ship – bigger price. However, for the difference in price between the Pacific and either Grand Class ship, you’re getting so much more. Just the number and cultural range of the ports of call takes the cruise head and shoulders above the others.
Interested in Booking?
Time for a little shameless promotion. I am a Travel Consultant for Expedia Cruise Ship Centers. If you would like more information or would like to book a cruise, I can be reached by:
- Website: Orangeville Expedia
Be sure to go to the Website and fill out an on-line ballot to win a $5000 cruise for 2! The draw is in November.
