Latest news with #RubyPrincess
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Yahoo
Princess Cruises Celebrates the Opening of the 2025 Alaska Cruise Season
Recognized Leader in Alaska, Ready to Bring Guests "North to Alaska" for Wildlife, Glaciers and Absolute Natural Beauty FT. LAUDERDALE, Fla., April 17, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Delightfully carrying more guests to Alaska than any other cruise line, Princess Cruises begins its 2025 season in less than a month with seven amenity-filled ships, five pristine wilderness lodges and an expanded catalog of renowned cruisetours, visiting five awe-inspiring national parks – featuring the most visits to Glacier Bay National Park. Departing from five convenient home ports, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Vancouver, B.C. and Anchorage (Whittier), Princess delivers once-in-a-lifetime experiences where wildlife thrives, the cobalt blue of majestic glaciers can be seen up close, and rugged shores with the greenest mountain views surround guests on deck and from glass-domed rail cars. "From our welcoming crew to our inviting partners at the national parks and award-winning 'North to Alaska' program, we are ready to begin our highly anticipated 2025 season," said Gus Antorcha, Princess Cruises president. "We know our guests can't wait to experience their perfect Alaska vacation, meticulously planning what they will do onboard and ashore. Our 2025 season is packed with incredible offerings to ensure they leave having had amazing experiences, big adventures and lasting memories to cherish forever." CruisesNew for 2025! Ultimate Alaska with Glacier Bay National ParkTwo new cruises for 2025 focus on glaciers and less-visited ports: Grand Princess: 17-day roundtrip from Seattle, visiting 10 ports and 3 glaciers, including Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park (May 6). Ruby Princess: Ultimate Alaska Solstice 22-day roundtrip from San Francisco that coincides with the Summer Solstice with 11 ports and 4 glaciers, including Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, Hubbard Glacier, College Fjord, and Glacier Bay National Park (June 6). Voyage of the Glaciers Northbound from Vancouver, B.C. to Anchorage (Whittier), or southbound from Anchorage (Whittier) to Vancouver, B.C., Coral Princess, Caribbean Princess, and Sapphire Princess sail past glaciers like Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier, with stops in Skagway, Ketchikan, and Juneau. Cruises range from 7 to 14 days. (May – Sept.) Guests can add a cruisetour for a land exploration to the vast interior of Alaska and visit Denali National Park. Inside Passage Seattle: 7-day roundtrip voyages on Royal Princess (Glacier Bay) and Discovery Princess (Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier) visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, Skagway, and Victoria, B.C. (May–Sept). San Francisco: 11-day roundtrip voyages on Ruby Princess, visiting Glacier Bay or Endicott Arm & Dawes Glacier, visiting Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway or Haines plus Victoria or Prince Rupert (May–Sept). Vancouver: 5 to 11-day roundtrip cruises onboard Grand Princess, Coral Princess, and Caribbean Princess, featuring stops in Icy Strait Point and Sitka on many voyages (May–Sept). Antorcha added, "This summer, as we start into our 56th season, we're continuing to operate to the highly desired national parks of Alaska through our long-standing partnerships. From Glacier Bay to the Kenai Fjords, Denali and beyond, we give our guests the experiences they want when visiting Alaska." What's Still AvailableSeveral sailings are still available to book, including: Coral Princess – 11-day roundtrip Vancouver, departing May 3 Grand Princess – 7-day roundtrip from Vancouver, departing June 24 Discovery Princess - Jeff Corwin's Nature & Adventure Voyage – 7-day roundtrip from Seattle, departing August 17 - Wildlife biologist and Princess Nature & Adventure Ambassador Jeff Corwin hosts an adventure cruise through Alaska featuring bear watching, whale viewing, and glacier tours. Corwin will lead excursions in each port, with onboard interactions and presentations. Ruby Princess – 11-day roundtrip from San Francisco, departing August 22 CruisetoursPrincess has expanded its renowned cruisetours catalog in 2025. The new itineraries give guests more opportunities to discover awe-inspiring national parks, including Glacier Bay, Denali, Wrangell St. Elias, Kenai Fjords, and Katmai. Princess is offering 9- to 15-day itineraries, visiting from three to five national parks, that combined with the cruise line's award-winning "Voyage of the Glaciers" seven-day cruise with scenic rail travel, and multiple days on land, featuring stays at four Princess-owned wilderness lodges. New for 2025, Mt. McKinley Princess Wilderness Lodge debuts a newly renovated grand lobby with a grand fireplace, comfy seating and spectacular viewing opportunities of Denali. Coffee lovers will fill up another cup at a fun new coffee trailer with nostalgic Airstream vibes, specialty drinks and pastries at Denali Princess Wilderness Lodge. Onboard with "North to Alaska"Princess' award-winning locally inspired and thoroughly immersive "North to Alaska" partner-led programs allow guests to dive deeper into the Great Land through authentic dining, educational events and engaging entertainment. Glacier Bay ExperiencePrograms for all cruises visiting Glacier Bay National Park include Park Rangers hosting information desk and guest activities including commentary from bridge and roaming the decks while in Glacier Bay. In addition, a Park Ranger presentation will be offered in the Princess Theater, plus a Junior and Teen Rangers program for younger cruisers. All guests can enjoy hot chocolate and bouillon stations on open decks. North to Alaska StorytellersA curated feature series of some of the most dynamic and enriching speakers whose experiences speak to the legacy and history of Alaska, some of which include: Great Alaskan Lumberjack Show Tlingit/Alutiiq Cultural Ambassador Patrick Anderson Alaska Photographer and Author, Nick Jans Sled dog Champion Libby Riddles, the first woman to win the 1,100-mile race And many more! Campfire Movies Under the StarsCozy up under the stars to enjoy a truly unique movie experience with Campfire Movies Under the Stars, set against the stunning Alaska natural backdrop. Families gather under cozy blankets with "fire pits" and popcorn to watch family classics and Alaska-themed movies. New Northern Lights LoungeThis new nightly pop-up experience of an Alaskan pub, anchored by a resident folk and country guitar vocalist. Adults can enjoy local beers and liquors, along with hot cocoa, popcorn and cookies for the youngers with pub-style trivia between sets. StargazingOn deck where the lights are dimmed to create the perfect atmosphere, guests join a guided presentation about the prominent constellations visible in the night sky. Indoor virtual stargazing is also available with a special presentation, enhanced by a stunning video that brings the celestial journey to life. The Great Big Adventure – Alaska EditionThis interactive game challenges nine daring survivalists to navigate the rugged Alaska wilderness in pursuit of three essential survival elements: food, shelter and water. Through thrilling 60-second challenges and all-new Alaska trivia questions they'll put their skills to the test – all for the chance to be crowned the ultimate Survival Champion. Puppies in the PiazzaGuests learn about sled dogs from an expert dog handler – their behaviors, eating and exercise habits, while watching real-life sled-dog puppies interact together in the Piazza. Youth & Teen Centers – Special activities bring the destination to life for younger cruisers like the Glacier Bay Junior Rangers, Gold Rush Treasure Hunt and Great Alaskan Fishermen's Race. The Flavors of AlaskaOf course, no cruise to Alaska would be complete without seafood, including: Main Dining Rooms, World Fresh Marketplace and Specialty Restaurants all featuring locally sourced Keta, King and Sockeye salmon, halibut and rockfish. Balcony Breakfast, perfect for scenic glacier viewing, brings Smoked Salmon and Crab Quiche right to the balcony. Guests sailing to Alaska aboard Discovery Princess can savor their own freshly caught fish at The Catch by Rudi after enjoying a day of fishing with the exclusive "Cook My Catch," shore excursion offered by Princess. Crown Grill serving up King Salmon and an Alaska Crab Cake. Sabatini's Trattoria featuring a River Steelhead Salmon Carpaccio. Crab Shack stirring up Shellfish and Clam Chowders and an Alaska Seafood Pot, complete with specialty bibs. While taking in the views of Alaska, guests can sip on specialty beverages, from a Bloody Mary Collection to upscale hot beverages and selected cocktails and beers. In addition, a themed cocktail menu features the Glacier Shake, Peanut Butter Bear Hug, Into the Wilderness and Campfire Daiquiri. Locally sourced spirits have been expanded, and this year will include Anchorage Distillery and Denali Spirits. Beers from Alaska Brewing Company and Denali Brewing will be available onboard. Also, this season, guests can enjoy several favorite cocktail offerings from our Love Line Collection in the Alaska lodges. Ashore for Scenic Beauty, Up-Close Wildlife and Alaskan StorytellersWith such diverse activities and unique experiences ashore, Princess offers guests the opportunity to connect to the locals and soak in the culture in a memorable way. From the White Pass Rail and Dog Sled Musher's Camp in Skagway to the Fisherman's tour in Ketchikan, or a Glacier Seaplane journey in Juneau, adventure awaits for all preferences. Additional information about Princess Cruises is available through a professional travel advisor, by calling 1-800-Princess (1-800-774-6237) or by visiting About Princess Cruises Princess Cruises is The Love Boat, the world's most iconic cruise brand that delivers dream vacations to millions of guests every year in the most sought-after destinations on the largest ships that offer elite service personalization and simplicity customary of small, yacht-class ships. Well-appointed staterooms, world class dining, grand performances, award-winning casinos and entertainment, luxurious spas, imaginative experiences and boundless activities blend with exclusive Princess MedallionClass service to create meaningful connections and unforgettable moments in the most incredible settings in the world - the Caribbean, Alaska, Panama Canal, Mexican Riviera, Europe, South America, Australia/New Zealand, the South Pacific, Hawaii, Asia, Canada/New England, Antarctica, and World Cruises. Sun Princess, the brand's new, next-level Love Boat named Condé Nast Traveler's Mega Ship of the Year, introduces the groundbreaking Sphere Class platform and will be joined by sister ship, Star Princess, in Fall 2025. The company is part of Carnival Corporation & plc (NYSE/LSE:CCL; NYSE:CUK). View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Princess Cruises Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
12-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Norovirus outbreak sickens dozens of passengers on Princess Cruises ship
Another norovirus outbreak sickened passengers on board the cruise ship Coral Princess in February, marking the second outbreak this year on the ocean liner operated by Princess Cruises, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-nine passengers and 16 crew members fell ill during the February outbreak, the CDC said. There were 1,906 passengers and 895 crew members on the ship overall. The outbreak happened during a 16-night voyage from Los Angeles, California, through the Panama Canal, according to a description of the trip from Princess Cruises. It was unclear whether those who reported developing symptoms on the ship became sick at the same time, or at different points along their journey. The Coral Princess left Los Angeles on Feb. 21 and returned March 9 to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to the CDC. CBS News contacted Princess Cruises for comment but did not receive an immediate reply. Princess Cruises said the Coral Princess crew took steps to minimize the spread of norovirus once it was detected on the ship, according to the CDC. Their actions included: increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures in line with the cruise company's outbreak prevention and response plan; testing people with norovirus symptoms; isolating sick passengers and crew; and disinfecting the ship with guidance from the CDC's vessel sanitation program, which the agency says monitored the outbreak remotely. The program is a resource for cruise companies to prevent and manage public health problems on ships. Norovirus, also known as a stomach bug, is a highly infectious disease that typically causes symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Symptoms usually last between one and three days, but a person can still transmit the notoriously contagious virus to others for two weeks or longer after their symptoms subside, the CDC said on its website. Outbreaks of norovirus are often seen on cruise ships, in congregate living situations like jails and nursing homes, and in other places like schools where groups are gathered close together. As cases of the illness surged around the U.S. toward the end of last year, the CDC reported hundreds of cruise passengers caught the virus on three different ships in December alone. One of those outbreaks happened on a Princess Cruises ship, the Ruby Princess, as it sailed around Hawaii. The other two affected Holland America's Rotterdam and Zuiderdam on voyages through the Caribbean. The CDC said more norovirus outbreaks spread on cruise ships in December 2024 than any other month last year. In total, the agency tracked 14 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024, several of which occurred on trips run by Princess Cruises. In December, about 100 passengers and 12 crew reported being ill during the Ruby Princess outbreak, after an outbreak on the Coral Princess in November where 55 passengers and 15 crew came down with the virus. Princess Cruises' latest outbreak is the second since the start of 2025 on the Coral Princess. In January, another voyage on the same ship saw 128 passengers and 20 crew on board develop the virus, the CDC said. Judge blocks deportation of pro-Palestinian activist who helped lead Columbia University protests House's short-term spending bill heads to Senate, passage needed by Friday to avoid shutdown What led up to Ukraine's willingness to accept 30-day ceasefire
CBS News
12-03-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Another norovirus outbreak on Princess Cruises ship sickens dozens of passengers and crew
Another norovirus outbreak sickened passengers on board the cruise ship Coral Princess in February, marking the second outbreak this year on the ocean liner operated by Princess Cruises, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Sixty-nine passengers and 16 crew members fell ill during the February outbreak, the CDC said. There were 1,906 passengers and 895 crew members on the ship overall. The outbreak happened during a 16-night voyage from Los Angeles, California, through the Panama Canal, according to a description of the trip from Princess Cruises. It was unclear whether those who reported developing symptoms on the ship became sick at the same time, or at different points along their journey. The Coral Princess left Los Angeles on Feb. 21 and returned March 9 to Fort Lauderdale, Florida, according to the CDC. CBS News contacted Princess Cruises for comment but did not receive an immediate reply. Princess Cruises said the Coral Princess crew took steps to minimize the spread of norovirus once it was detected on the ship, according to the CDC. Their actions included: increasing cleaning and disinfection procedures in line with the cruise company's outbreak prevention and response plan; testing people with norovirus symptoms; isolating sick passengers and crew; and disinfecting the ship with guidance from the CDC's vessel sanitation program, which the agency says monitored the outbreak remotely. The program is a resource for cruise companies to prevent and manage public health problems on ships. Norovirus, also known as a stomach bug, is a highly infectious disease that typically causes symptoms like diarrhea, abdominal pain and vomiting. Symptoms usually last between one and three days, but a person can still transmit the notoriously contagious virus to others for two weeks or longer after their symptoms subside, the CDC said on its website. Outbreaks of norovirus are often seen on cruise ships, in congregate living situations like jails and nursing homes, and in other places like schools where groups are gathered close together. As cases of the illness surged around the U.S. toward the end of last year, the CDC reported hundreds of cruise passengers caught the virus on three different ships in December alone. One of those outbreaks happened on a Princess Cruises ship, the Ruby Princess, as it sailed around Hawaii. The other two affected Holland America's Rotterdam and Zuiderdam on voyages through the Caribbean. The CDC said more norovirus outbreaks spread on cruise ships in December 2024 than any other month last year. In total, the agency tracked 14 norovirus outbreaks on cruise ships in 2024, several of which occurred on trips run by Princess Cruises. In December, about 100 passengers and 12 crew reported being ill during the Ruby Princess outbreak, after an outbreak on the Coral Princess in November where 55 passengers and 15 crew came down with the virus. Princess Cruises' latest outbreak is the second since the start of 2025 on the Coral Princess. In January, another voyage on the same ship saw 128 passengers and 20 crew on board develop the virus, the CDC said.
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The Independent
05-03-2025
- Health
- The Independent
How likely are you to get ill on a cruise as norovirus cases rise?
Stomach bugs and norovirus are a regular health issue on land and sea but cruise lines seem to unfairly gain most of the attention when it comes to an outbreak. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) classified 2024 as the worst year for stomach illness outbreaks on cruise ships. It recorded 16 outbreaks last year, with norovirus or sickness bugs the cause for 11. Other causes include food poisoning. High profile outbreaks recently include Holland America Line's Zuiderdam, Princess Cruises' Ruby Princess and Cunard Line's Queen Mary 2. These figures only cover ships that visit a US port. P&O Cruises also faced a suspected norovirus outbreak aboard Iona in the North Sea last month. But the 30 million or so passengers that go on a cruise each year actually face a small chance of getting ill, and you may be more at risk of catching a sickness bug on land. In fact, data from the CDC actually shows occurrences of gastrointestinal illnesses are rare on cruise ships with a 1 in 5,500 chance compared to one in 15 on land. Here is what you need to know about your chances of getting sick at sea. Will you get ill on a cruise? With often thousands of people congregating in sometimes confined spaces, it is no surprise that people can get ill on a cruise. This has created an unfortunate negative stereotype of cruising, which was compounded by the pandemic when coronavirus cases escalated among hundreds of passengers on Diamond Princess and the ship ended up quarantined in Japan for two weeks. There have also been negative media portrayals in programmes such as HBO's The Last Cruise documentary, which can create fear and discomfort for potential passengers – perpetuating the myth of a cruise ship being a floating petri-dish. This term has become a bugbear for cruise YouTuber Emma Le Teace, who runs Emma Cruises. She told The Independent: 'Cruise ships are held to extremely high cleanliness standards, higher than most places on land. I used to commute to work on the train and sit in an office all day and I got sick far more often than I do now cruising once a month. They certainly don't clean offices or public transport to the same degree as cruise ships. 'The cruise industry is held to far higher standards than equivalent facilities on land, yet the media loves to make a big deal out of it whenever something happens, mostly because it is unusual.' Despite the media coverage, CDC data suggests the most common settings for gastrointestinal illnesses are actually healthcare facilities followed by restaurants or catered events, schools and day care centres, Nicky Kelvin, editor at large of travel tips website The Points Guy, said: 'Passengers are not highly likely to become sick from hygiene related causes on a cruise due to high standards of cleanliness, as well as rigorous inspections which have been implemented since 1970. 'Concerns about norovirus on cruises are a result of ships being required to report all cases of norovirus to authorities, compared with schools or nursing homes where norovirus is rampant but do not require reports.' Jenni Murray, better known as CruiseMummy, is a regular passenger in her job as a cruise blogger and influencer. She has been on more than 40 cruises and has only been ill once. Murray told The Independent: 'Cruise ships are kept spotlessly clean – much cleaner than hotels. 'You'd be hard-pressed to find a speck of dust, let alone anything grimy. I have dust mite allergies and often feel stuffy in hotels or other people's houses, but on a cruise ship I can always breathe easily. That alone speaks volumes about how thorough the cleaning is. I've never seen dust or mould anywhere. 'Of course, with thousands of people in one place, some guests inevitably bring illnesses on board – norovirus being one of the most common.' How clean are cruise ships? When it comes to health and safety, many argue that you won't get much cleaner than a cruise ship. Passengers need to complete health questionnaires before boarding and disclose if they have had Covid recently, something that you are not asked when getting on a plane or going to a hotel. Cruise lines follow the International Health Regulations of the World Health Organisation and the CDC's Vessel Sanitisation Program (VSP). These require that cruise ships provide health declarations detailing illnesses of individuals on board to port authorities around the globe prior to a ship's entry. Every cruise ship receives multiple inspections each year – announced and unannounced – to support implementation of strict environmental and safety regulations. Under the VSP, ships must get 86 out of 100 points to pass, covering cleanliness of areas such as cabins, galleys and dining rooms, swimming pools and kids' clubs. To comply with this, cruise ships are routinely cleaned, with crew regularly sanitising surfaces such as tables, handrails, door handles and taps. Cruise passengers are reminded to wash their hands when entering the buffet and restaurants, while hand sanitisers are readily available in public locations on a cruise ship such as by the lifts. Members of industry trade body the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) also follow guidelines specifying that cruise ships must have at least one qualified medical professional available 24/7 for medical bay visits or cabin 'house calls'. CLIA managing director Andy Harmer said: 'The cruise industry's first priority is the health and safety of passengers, crew, and the communities that we visit. 'Thanks to robust and rigorous protocols that cruise lines have put in place, cruise is one of the safest forms of travel. From cleaning practices that are often unparalleled in other settings to passenger screenings, cruise lines take extensive measures to keep their guests healthy.' What happens when there is a norovirus outbreak on a cruise? If a passenger is hit with norovirus or other contagious illnesses, they are usually quarantined in their cabin to prevent further spread of the illness. Murray added that things change quickly on a cruise if there is an outbreak. She said: 'I've experienced this on about 10 per cent of my cruises. When it happens, things like salt and pepper shakers disappear, replaced by individual sachets. 'You won't be allowed to serve your own drinks in the buffet; crew members will do it for you. You'll also see crew with buckets of disinfectant, scrubbing every surface between guests. If you do get sick, you'll be ordered to stay in your cabin until you've been symptom-free for 24 hours – and don't worry, room service is free.' To prevent illness, she advises avoiding touching handrails unless absolutely necessary and pressing elevator buttons with your knuckles. She said: 'Little things like this help reduce the risk of catching anything. 'Since the pandemic, new cruise ships have been designed with extra hygiene measures in mind. Every restaurant now has handwashing sinks at the entrance, and some even have automatic hand-washing machines. Many cruise lines are also moving away from self-service buffets, with crew members plating up food instead. 'When Covid first hit, the idea of people being stuck on ships made for dramatic headlines - who could forget the Diamond Princess? But that doesn't mean you're more likely to catch Covid or anything else on a cruise ship. Quite the opposite. I've never stayed in a hotel or eaten in a restaurant where someone ensures every single person has clean hands before entering. On a cruise ship, that's just standard practice.'
